John Carter (Mar. 9)

Directed by Andrew Stanton
Written by Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, Michael Chabon, Edgar Rice Burroughs (story)
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe

Summary: A Civil War vet named John Carter (Kitsch), presumed dead, ends up having been transported to Mars, where he finds himself in the middle of another war in which he could be a determining factor.

The Word: Disney has placed its faith in “Finding Nemo” and “WALL*E” director Andrew Stanton, who brings the 1917 grandfather of all science-fiction novels, “A Princess of Mars,” to life. The pulp classic has a small group of fans these days, but Disney hopes that will change fast, putting together a beast of a marketing campaign since the Super Bowl.

My Thoughts: When “Cowboys & Aliens” struggled last summer, I thought “John Carter” was doomed. Kitsch is merely an aspiring actions star and the other veteran names are not quite household compared to Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. The early reviews have been positive for sci-fi/fantasy fans, however, so even if Disney finds itself in a financial pickle, it appears Stanton isn’t merely a great animation director.

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The Hunger Games

Directed by Gary Ross
Written by Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Summary: In a dystopian North America divided into districts and ruled by the wealthy Capitol, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers to take her sister’s place when her sister is chosen by lottery to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a tournament in which young people must battle to the death.

The Word: Suzanne Collins’ young-adult novels have been the most successful since “Twilight,” and while both series feature a love triangle of sorts, “The Hunger Games” has the wider appeal. Collins helped write the film as well, so expect it to be loyal. Expect Lawrence, an Oscar nominee and star of “X-Men: First Class,” to launch to superstardom as the central heroine. With record pre-sales, many believe this is the start of another film phenomenon.

My Thoughts: Minus the romance elements, I’m a big fan of these books, though I have my doubts about a PG-13 version, as the most striking feature of Collins’ work is in all honesty the violence, the way she unapologetically rips characters from the story. Along with interpreting the luxurious and excessive lifestyle of the Capitol, this will be the biggest challenge the film will need to meet for fans to be satisfied.

Embedding trailers for this movie has been disabled on YouTube, so check the trailer out here
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The Raid: Redemption (Mar. 23. Limited)

Written and Directed by Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy

Summary: A SWAT team goes after mobster and his various henchman and thugs in a run-down 30-story slum building in Jakarta, but when their cover is blown, they find themselves trapped inside with no way out.

The Word: When it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, the film then simply titled “The Raid” caught everyone’s attention as one of the best action films to come along in some time. The film features the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat. This is Evans and star Uwais’ second collaboration on an Indonesian martial arts film, the first being “Merentau” in 2009.

My Thoughts: With an American remake already underway and Indonesian sequels planned (hence the addition of “Redemption”), it would be wrong not to get curious about this film, even if you’re all for the American blockbuster and nothing else. Other than math, kicking ass is the universal language, and it seems “The Raid: Redemption” has plenty to spare.

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Wrath of the Titans (Mar. 30)

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman
Written by Dan Mazeau, David Leslie Johnson, Greg Berlanti
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Rosamund Pike, Ralph Fiennes, Édgar Ramírez

Summary: Many years after the events of the first film, Zeus (Neeson) calls on Perseus (Worthington) to stop his rebellious son Ares (Ramirez), god of war, who has along with Hades (Fiennes) has unleashed the Titans (thought to have been imprisoned forever) on Earth.

The Word: Worthington looked set for global superstardom after “Avatar” and “Clash of the Titans” came out with four months of each other. He cooled off in 2011, but hopes to prove “Clash” was no fluke as it made lots of money but was not a hit with critics or most audiences. Liebesman (“Battle: Los Angeles”) fills the shoes of Louis Leterrier, but both have an in-your-face action style anyway.

My Thoughts: Have you ever seen so many monsters in one movie trailer? The budget looks to have increased significantly and the action (which was unmemorable in the first) appears to have been ratcheted up big time. Despite highly disliking the first film, the intensity of this one has me almost willing to forget about it. Either way, I’m not optimistic about the story.

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The Cold Light of Day (Apr. 6, Limited)

Directed by Mabrouk El Mechri
Written by Scott Wiper, John Petro
Starring: Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver

Summary: A family unites for a vacation in Spain. While on a yacht, eldest son Will (Cavill) leaves and comes back to find them missing. He later finds his father (Willis) who it turns out is CIA. He must then make a choice when some higher ups propose to trade him his family’s return for something his father has of theirs.

The Word: One of the only traditional action movies of the spring, though it comes in limited release from Summit Entertainment. Henry Cavill, who will be known to the world as Superman in a year’s time, starts building his star profile here (after November’s “Immortals”) alongside reliable vet Willis. Director El Mechri previous made the unique Jean-Claude Van Damme film “JCVD.”

My Thoughts: No surprises or revelations here, just a chance to see how Cavill will perform as a more traditional action star. It doesn’t hurt to work alongside one of the best, but Willis has starred in as many pieces of junk as he has great action movies. The limited release has me a little trepidatious.

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Lockout (Apr. 13)

Directed by James Mather, Stephen St. Leger
Written by Luc Besson, James Mather, Stephen St. Leger,
Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare

Summary: On a goodwill mission to an advanced maximum-security prison in space, the president’s daughter (Grace) is in danger when the prisoners break free. With the lunatics running the asylum, only Snow (Pearce) has the skills (or balls) to extract her.

The Word: Besson, initially famous for “The Professional” and “La Femme Nikita,” has gone on a mainstream tear as a writer/producer since “Taken” exploded in 2008. Those movies, however, have been the poorly received “From Paris with Love” and “Colombiana.” This premise takes his typical revenge/rescue story into the future and space, in what seems like a take on “Escape from New York.” Pearce will get a chance to really prove himself an action star, which worked out well for Liam Neeson, who also had to save Maggie Grace in his Besson role. “Lockout” is the feature debut for the film’s other writers, who also direct.

My Thoughts: I like the clear-cut premise, though I’m wary based on the cliché trailer execution. I’m glad to get to see more of Pearce, however, and think if done right this could be at the least a terrific watch on DVD later in the summer.

Silent House (Mar. 9)

Directed by Chris Kentis, Laura Lau
Written by Laura Lau, Gustavo Hernández (original film)
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens

Summary: A young woman becomes trapped in her family’s lakeside retreat as the creepy events around her continue to escalate.

The Word: ”Silent House” is a remake of a 2010 Spanish-language horror film from Uruguay that presented itself in one entire take. That’s right — no cuts or edits, just one 80-minute-plus take. Olsen, who has left all associations to her older twin sisters behind after her performance in last year’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” looks to elevate this gimmick-driven film. The trailer really milks the whole “see it in real time” thing, but not without drawing parallels to found footage.

My Thoughts: The single-take selling point will probably appeal to the same folks smitted by found footage, but for me it’s Olsen that sells the film, even though I admit to not having yet seen “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” You also have to wonder when paranormal happenings in houses will ever take a break from the spotlight.

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Playback (Mar. 9, Limited)

Written and Directed by Michael A. Nickles
Starring: Christian Slater, Ambyr Childers, Toby Hemingway, Alessandra Torresani

Summary: When some high school students dig into an infamous murder case caught on film decades ago, they unleash a demonic spirit that possesses them through video playback for evil purposes. One cop (Slater) investigates a missing teenage boy who is the focus of the activity.

The Word: Already available on On Demand, this film from Magnolia Pictures brings back a bit of “The Ring” for us in that watching videos screws some people up, but the echoes of found footage can be clearly identified, especially in the beginning of this trailer. Slater makes an interesting cast member, but his appearance seems inconsequential.

My Thoughts: Some less-than-promising user ratings have popped up for this indie, which frankly looks like a film trying to ride a horror trend despite not really being anything like the movies its trying to mooch off.

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Brake (Mar. 23. Limited)

Directed by Gabe Torres
Written by Timothy Mannion
Starring: Stephen Dorff, Chyler Leigh, JR Bourne, Tom Berenger

Summary: Terrorists capture a secret service agent (Dorff) and lock him inside some kind of torture box in the trunk of a car in attempt to extract valuable information from him about presidential emergency protocol.

The Word: This movie from IFC will draw a lot of comparisons to Ryan Reynolds thriller “Buried” the second you start to watch the trailer. Dorff has had an interesting career path since starring in “Blade,” and you could argue that he could’ve been a big action star if the cards had been played right.

My Thoughts: With some random “Fear Factor” thrown in here, “Brake” could either be a thrilling diversion or a totally unbelievable mess. Many criticized the realism problems with “Buried,” so one would have to think that the few people who see “Brake” will apply the same scrutiny.

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Intruders (Mar. 30, Limited)

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Written by Nicolás Casariego, Jaime Marques
Starring: Clive Owen, Ella Purnell, Carice von Houten, Daniel Brühl,

Summary: Two girls living in completely different countries have visions of a nightly visitor named “Hollow Face” who comes to take possession of them.

The Word: Fresnadillo has been seen as a hot commodity since his handling of “28 Weeks Later,” at one point being tapped to direct “The Crow” remake. Finally he delivers a follow-up, though independent horror wasn’t what most of us expected. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to middling reviews.

My Thoughts: Nothing here looks original, yet it’s not exactly a copycat of another horror film either. I have to say its unfortunate that “Intruders” didn’t end up being a big-buzz film out of TIFF, as that’s what many expected from Fresnadillo, but considering the many amateur independent horror efforts out there, it’s nice to know that we can at least rely on this one’s production value.

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ATM (Apr. 6, Limited)

Directed by David Brooks
Written by Chris Sparling
Starring: Brian Geraghty, Alice Eve, Josh Peck

Summary: Three co-workers visit a remote ATM and witness a mysterious figure in a parka brutally murder someone. They soon find themselves trapped by the murderer.

The Word: If you’re looking for other claustrophobia films to reference, “Buried” would be acceptable, as Sparling wrote that film as well. The young cast is also quite impressive: Geraghty had a part in “The Hurt Locker,” Josh Peck starred in “The Wackness” and Eve is an in-demand actress. Speaking of demand, this one is also currently available on demand.

My Thoughts: I like the talent involved, but if the hook is the scenario, a random ATM in the middle of nowhere seems rather strange and arbitrary. I can think of no good reason that the film was set in a glass ATM box, but if the film actually answers that question in an intriguing way, it might well be worth watching.

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The Cabin in the Woods (Apr. 13)

Directed by Drew Goddard
Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison

Summary: A group of friends go on a remote getaway to a cabin, but several strange, inexplicable events occur and they realize there is more to the cabin than meets the eye.

The Word: As the posters so eloquently put it, this film looks to turn the “cabin in the woods” sub-genre of horror on its head and then some. “Cloverfield” writer Drew Goddard makes his directorial debut, but he also teamed up with sci-fi/horror icon Joss Whedon on the script. Goddard wrote on Whedon’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series back in the day. Although Hemsworth was not a huge star at the time this film was made, his elevated profile should help this horror project.

My Thoughts: It’s hard not to admire the talent behind (and in a few instances in front of) the camera, but some release date turmoil has cast a bit of doubt in the minds of those that looked forward to it when it was first announced. I admire the twist on the genre and think from that perspective it will be good, but I have doubts about the execution.

Project X (Mar. 2)

Directed by Nima Nourizadeh
Written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall
Starring: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown

Summary: Three high schoolers want to be cool for just one night and decide to throw the biggest party of all time. They get what they wished for, only a whole lot more.

The Word: Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”) fathered this party movie into existence, one that proves even the most conventional of movie genres are not safe from the phenomenon of “found footage.” Writer Michael Bacall (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”) is the only other name with any credentials attached to this project, but it’s likely not going to matter as this film has aimed squarely at its demographic and pulled the trigger.

My Thoughts: Expect a lot of kids under 17 to try and sneak into this movie. You can bet that’s what Warner Bros. wants anyway. It should clean up the college demographic simply by taking every party movie convention and ratcheting the insanity up to 11. With the Todd Phillips stamp on it, “Project X” has all the backing it needs to be a hit, whether or not it’s any good.

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A Thousand Words (Mar. 9)

Directed by Brian Robbins
Written by Steve Koren
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis

Summary: Jack McCall (Murphy) makes his living by stretching the truth, but when he messes with a guru, he’s cursed: he can only say a thousand more words. When he runs out, he will die.

The Word: Murphy’s career as a comic actor has wained if you take out all the times he’s voiced a donkey. After a successful turn in the comedy “Tower Heist” last fall, if  ”A Thousand Words” manages not to flop, he could manage to find himself some more consistent work. For better or worse, Murphy worked on this one with Brian Robbins, who directed him in “Meet Dave” and “Norbit.” Longtime “Seinfeld” writer Steve Koren penned this one, but his most recent films include “Evan Almighty” and “Jack and Jill.”

My Thoughts: A comedy like this would’ve worked well in 1998, but even then it would’ve been deemed unoriginal coming after Jim Carrey in “Liar, Liar.” All the pieces are in place for this to be another Murphy flop; Paramount has struggled with which day in March or April to release it and will only do so in 1,500 theaters.

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21 Jump Street (Mar. 16)

Directed by Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Written by Michael Bacall and Jonah Hill, Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell (TV series)
Starring: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane

Summary: A pair of cops, one with braun but no brains (Tatum) and the other the opposite (Hill) are selected to go undercover as high school students in order to crack a drug ring distributing a new synthetic drug. To do, they’ll need to be the coolest kids in school.

The Word: Television show remakes as movies seem to rarely work out well (if they even get made), but with “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller trying their hands at live action, that could change. The most noticeable factor here is Hill’s dramatic weight loss for the role, which many people will have trouble getting over. Despite the appeal for teens, the film is (like Michael Bacall’s other March film, “Project X”) Rated “R.” Everyone knows Hill is funny, but not everyone has seen how “Pretty Boy” can handle comedy.

My Thoughts: I find Tatum to be best-suited for comedy, and this movie will be his shot to prove it. I couldn’t care less about the relation to the TV series, but I do like that this didn’t get your run-of-the-mill comedy treatment, as evidenced by the choice in directors. Hopefully what we see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg that is a lot of strong R-rated humor and maybe even action.

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American Reunion (Apr. 6)

Directed by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, Adam Herz (characters)
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott

Summary: Nearly 10 years after “American Wedding,” the gang that changed the face of comedy reunites and just in time for their high school reunion.

The Word: As with a number of major franchises in the early 2000s (“Scream” comes to mind), the “American Pie” series has decided to make a comeback nine years later, or at least set aside the straight-to-DVD college party movies for the moment. The whole gang returns, but will their drawing power be anywhere near where it was? Only Hannigan has maintained a successful career over the entirety of that span thanks to CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” Universal has handed the keys over to the duo behind the “Harold & Kumar” movies in hopes of a memorable reunion special.

My Thoughts: Although the filmmakers have been untested outside of “Harold & Kumar,” there’s a reason those films have a rather devoted following. It seems they’ve been able to keep early-2000s humor fresh the longest and age their characters appropriately. Early teasers and trailers have shown promise, but the marketing blitz will need to pick up if this film wants to return to any semblance of glory.

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The Three Stooges (Apr. 13)

Directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly
Written by Mike Cerrone, Bobby and Peter Farrelly
Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, Sofia Vergara

Summary: Dropped on the doorstep of a convent in a duffle bag, Moe, Larry and Curly are raised by nuns. While trying to save their home, they stumble upon both a murder plot and a reality TV show.

The Word: Most of us hoped the Farrellys wanted to do a biopic on the Stooges, but it turns out they just wanted to make their own “Three Stooges” movie. They’ve had a bit of trouble connecting with audiences lately, but some classic “Stooges” humor could see them out of their rut. The commercial appeal of the film, however, especially with no more than minor television actors playing the infamous trio, could be called into question.

My Thoughts: I think “Stooges” humor is terrific, but I don’t expect it to work in a modern context. I also don’t like that the cast of “Jersey Shore” is anywhere near this film. If that was the Farrellys’ idea of how to make the Stooges relevant for a younger audience, they might be a lost cause as filmmakers. I have some hope because no one could pull this off with any semblance of honesty if not these two, but it’s not much.

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Think Like A Man (Apr. 20)

Directed by Tim Story
Written by Keith Merryman, David A. Newman, Steve Harvey (book)
Starring: Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Brown,

Summary: A less-than-stellar Pirate Captain wants desperately to win the Pirate of the Year Award, so much so that he’s willing to take down any competition. At the same time, he has pirate-hater Queen Victoria on his tail.

The Word: Instead of adapting Steve Harvey’s 2009 best-selling book about how women can understand men when it comes to love, this film actually casts Harvey as himself with his book changing the lives of these many characters. Talk about the ultimate plug: no author has gotten this kind of an endorsement turning his book into a movie before. With “Barbershop” director Tim Story at the helm, it should be poised to do quite well with no Tyler Perry comedy out this spring.

My Thoughts: The ensemble cast of this one is pretty impressive, though Chris Brown is sure to draw some ire the instant people see the trailer for the first time. Hart has built himself a reputation in the comedy world and is clearly the focus of the marketing. Romany Malco (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) and Jerry Ferarra (“Entourage”) are also some unusual choices sure to draw more people in. All that in mind, it could just be the mostly black cast version of “Valentine’s Day” or “New Year’s Eve” centered on a book. In fact, May’s “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is much the same way.

The Lorax (Mar. 2)

Directed by Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda
Written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, Dr. Seuss (book)
Starring: (voices) Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito, Ed Helms

Summary: Desperate to win the affections of the girl next door, a 12-year-old boy living in a world where all is made of plastic ventures to a strange place in search of the girl’s one desire: to see a real living tree. There he discovers a man named the Once-ler who tells him the story of a fuzzy orange creature named The Lorax.

The Word: ”The Lorax” marks the latest Seuss adaptation since 2008′s “Horton Hears A Who!”, which strangely enough was written by the same duo of Daurio and Paul but animated by Fox’s Blue Sky Studios (“Ice Age”). Although “The Lorax” has a similar look and feel, Universal’s Illumination Entertainment (“Despicable Me”) animated the cautionary environmental tale instead.

My Thoughts: “Horton” and “Despicable Me” were excellent children’s films and I expect the same for “The Lorax”: humor aimed at children but that adults can appreciate—and plenty of heart. Daurio and Paul write silly and cute more so than clever and hilarious, but considering these are children’s films after all, that’s really how it should be.

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Mirror, Mirror (Mar. 30)

Directed by Tarsem Singh
Written by Melissa Wallack and Jason Keller, The Brothers Grimm (story)
Starring: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane

Summary: In this retelling of the classic story, Snow White (Collins) is a princess that will inherit her father’s throne, but the Evil Queen (Roberts) has plans to get rid of her. Snow White takes refuge with a band of dwarves and learns the skills to reclaim her birthright.

The Word: The first of the fairy tale revisions thrust into development after “Alice in Wonderland” blew up the box office in 2010, “Mirror, Mirror” puts a family adventure comedy twist on “Snow White.” Most people expected something darker from visual auteur Tarsem Singh, but the film has a distinctly family-friendly vibe.

My Thoughts: Although I don’t doubt the costumes and the set decoration will be magnificent, the trailers make the film seem dated, as if it were something I would’ve expected to see as a child growing up in the ’90s. Relativity certainly expects Roberts to be the draw, though she seems a little silly. Hammer looks to get it, but I’m not sure about Collins.

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Chimpanzee (Apr. 20)

Directed by Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield

Summary: A documentary focusing on a family of chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast and Ugandan rain forests. When a three-year-old chimp is orphaned after his family flees, he bonds with another who takes him in.

The Word: Disney’s annual Earth Day documentary continues following specific animal families for a second straight year. “African Cats” followed a family of lions and a family of leopards. The docs have made less and less in North America each year since “Earth” debuted in 2009, and these are not cheap films to make.

My Thoughts: As I say every year when one of these films comes out, they remind me of something my grandparents would’ve taken me to see when I was a kid. With the quality of camera equipment these days, nature docs can be more beautiful than ever, but with a limited entertainment factor, it’s tough to justify a pricey ticket. That said, this is not something to watch on your TV screen, and the fact that it aims to tell a narrative should make it better than most. For the record, I think they use “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” footage for a brief second.

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The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Apr. 27)

Directed by Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt
Written by Gideon Defoe (book, screenplay)
Starring: (voices) Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven

Summary: A less-than-stellar Pirate Captain wants desperately to win the Pirate of the Year Award, so much so that he’s willing to take down any competition. At the same time, he has pirate-hater Queen Victoria on his tail.

The Word: ”The Pirates!” represents more traditional stop-motion for Aardman, which is why Sony/Columbia has labeled it from the creator of “Chicken Run” as opposed to “Arthur Christmas,” which had the Aardman look but was made using CGI.” The terrific English voice cast includes Grant, Gleeson, David Tennant (“Doctor Who”), Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit”) and Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) among others.

My Thoughts: The Pirates!” gives off a “Monty Python for kids” vibe, so it looks like it could be a lot of fun for adults in addition to all the physical humor for children. With “Chimpanzee” being the only other family offering in April and May being suspiciously devoid of animation or family films, “The Pirates!” could have an impressive box-office run into the early summer. I have to admit though, a bit curious why the UK version is subtitled “An Adventure With Scientists.”

Haywire (Jan. 20)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by Lem Dobbs
Starring: Gina Carano, Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas

Summary: Covert operative Mallory Kane is hired for government dirty work, but when she’s double-crossed, she must escape an international hunt for her head, return to the U.S. and exact her revenge.

The Word: Rarely does a name like Soderbergh come up in January, but you can bet many have their eyes on this star-studded cast in addition to a natural curiosity as to whether former MMA fighter Gina Carano can be the next big female action star (or the first, depending on who you ask).

My Thoughts: Revenge films have become a motif for the winter months, and with so much talent behind it, one has to think if any film has a chance of being a rare January gem, it’s “Haywire.” Originality might be lacking, but the delivery could well be pristine. The breadth of talent compares equally to the depth with proven vets such as Douglas and Banderas to rising stars such as Fassbender and Tatum.

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Red Tails (Jan. 20)

Directed by Anthony Hemingway
Written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Bryan Cranston

Summary: Based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a team of U.S. Air Force fighter pilots kept grounded due to segregation and prejudice, who rise to the challenge when given the chance to escort bombers to and back from targets.

The Word: George Lucas produces this action-oriented take on this Civil Rights story, which features an all-star black cast. Longtime TV director Hemingway (“C.S.I – NY”) and writers Ridley (“Three Kings”) and McGruder (“The Boondocks” TV series) worked on bringing this story of heroism to the big screen.

My Thoughts: Based on the marketing, Lucasfilm and Fox want this historical action epic to appeal to a younger audience who might be less inclined to see a film about Civil Rights and more inclined to watch visually stunning aerial dogfights. With Industrial Light & Magic behind the VFX, expect that part to at least be worth the admission. The originality of the storytelling, however, might be another story.

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Underworld: Awakening (Jan. 20)

Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
Written by Len Wiseman, John Hlavin
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Theo James

Summary: Vampire Death Dealer Selene (Beckinsale) awakens in the future to find humans have discovered the existence of vampires and lycans. She leads the battle against the human race, which seeks to eradicate both species.

The Word: Beckinsale returns to the franchise that helped make her a cult star after stepping out for the prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.” Her husband Len Wiseman continues as a producer for this fourth go but keeps distance from the director’s chair, giving the Swedish duo of Mårlind and Stein (“Shelter” starring Julianne Moore) a shot. Beckinsale remains the franchise’s biggest as Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy have all come and gone.

My Thoughts: I lost interest in the franchise after the first sequel, “Underworld: Evolution.” At first we weren’t being inundated with vampire and werewolf films — obviously things have changed. Glossy action, 3D and Beckinsale in skin-tight clothing might be enough to entertain the series’ devoted fans (see the “Resident Evil” franchise), but it will be hard to claim new ones, especially in a weekend full of action releases.

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Safe House (Feb. 10)

Directed by Daniel Espinosa
Written by David Guggenheim
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson

Summary: At a CIA safe house in Cape Town, aspiring CIA field agent Matt Weston (Reynolds) is charged with looking after Tobin Frost (Washington), a former operative that went violently rogue. But when the safe house is compromised, Weston finds himself in the mix of a possible mole situation.

The Word: The talents behind the camera might be amateur, but Washington is far from it. He does evil as good as anyone and he does ambiguous intentions better than everyone. With Reynolds as another recognizable draw, this one should have no problem at the box office compared to its competition.

My Thoughts: Are you sure Tony Scott isn’t directing this film? I guess if he were, Washington would be playing the good guy. Regardless, the trailer paints this one as reliable action/thriller material with a surefire twist, the kind of stuff that moviegoers crave in these less-than-dependable winter months.

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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D (Feb. 10)

Written and Directed by George Lucas
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Jake Lloyd, Natalie Portman

Summary: In the first of “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, we meet Anakin Skywalker — the future Darth Vader — as a young boy. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) discover him and try to convince Yoda and the Jedi Council that he is the “one who will bring balance to the force” as political unrest builds in the Galactic Republic.

The Word: ”The Phantom Menace” spawned the love-hate relationship between George Lucas and his fans, but it also introduced a younger generation to the “Star Wars” universe. The original trilogy was re-released in the late ’90s right before “Menace” in 1999 and now more than 10 years later, the prequels will get their own theatrical re-releases in 3D provided “Menace” makes a penny.

My Thoughts: As someone who fell in love with “Star Wars” as a kid thanks to the first wave of re-releases, I can’t condemn the notion here, even if the prequels are inferior and the 3D likely to do nothing to enhance the film. Lucas can do whatever he wants to tamper with these films; you won’t see me on the front lines of the verbal hatred or in line period to see this in theaters again.

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Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (Feb. 17)

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
Written by Scott M. Gimple and Seth Hoffman, David S. Goyer
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, Violante Placido, Ciarán Hinds

Summary: Johnny Blaze a.k.a “The Ghost Rider” (Cage) has a chance to rid himself of his curse by saving a young boy being targeted for the Devil’s (Hinds) new physical form

The Word: ”Ghost Rider” made a killing (for February) when it opened in 2007, but it wasn’t nearly popular enough with audiences and ultimately didn’t justify the $110-million budget Sony gave it. Now the studio has called upon “Crank” directors Neveldine and Taylor to inject their signature adrenaline into the franchise and with a much more reasonable $75-million budget.

My Thoughts: Having purged the original from my system (despised it), I feel better about the direction of this franchise. Neveldine and Taylor might not elevate this franchise to the level of work that Marvel Studios is doing with its “Avengers” superheroes, but they should deliver an action-packed good time and possibly a successful apology for the 2007 original.

Joyful Noise (Jan. 13)

Written and Directed by Todd Graff
Starring: Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Jordan

Summary: After inheriting a struggling church choir, Vi Rose Hill (Latifah) must play nice with the boisterous G.G. Sparrow (Parton). Meanwhile, Sparrow’s grandson (Jordan) shakes things up in the choir including getting the attention of Vi Rose’s daughter (Palmer)

The Word: Seems like everyone’s finding their voice these days. How are we ever going to live in a censored dystopian society? Anyway, you can thank “Glee” for Hollywood’s perceived increase in demand for music-filled movies such as “Joyful Noise.” That’s perfectly okay by writer/director Todd Graff, whose passion has always been making music films. He previously directed Vanessa Hudgens in “Bandslam” as well as the aptly titled ”Camp,” a 2003 film with a big gay and lesbian following.

My Thoughts: Expect at least a decent soundtrack from this movie, but it will take a lot more than Parton’s self-deprecating plastic surgery humor for this small-town comedy/drama to connect with an urban audience.

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One for the Money (Jan. 27)

Directed by Julie Anne Robinson
Written by Stacy Sherman and Karen Ray, Liz Brixius, Janet Evanovich (novel)
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, Debbie Reynolds, Sherri Sheppard

Summary: When lingerie saleswoman Stephanie Plum (Heigl) finds herself without a job, she turns to her cousin, a bail-bondsperson, who gives her a job as a bounty hunter, essentially. Turns out her first assignment involves bringing in a former lover who dumped her some time ago.

The Word: Heigl gives the rom-com another whirl, this time with the help of Janet Evanovich’s best-selling book series (despite some obvious similarities to 2010′s Jennifer Aniston film “The Bounty Hunter.” Frequent TV director Julie Anne Robinson, whose last film was “The Last Song” with Miley Cyrus, lead the all-female directing/writing crew. Liz Brixius, creator of Showtime’s ”Nurse Jackie,” did work on the script.

My Thoughts: Why Heigl won’t try her hand at something better blows my mind. She obviously doesn’t know a good script, or maybe just doesn’t read them. Perhaps “Knocked Up” was really an anomaly and not indicative of her potential as an actress. She did decently last time she opened a film in January (2008′s “27 Dresses”), but this one is more similar in premise to “Killers,” her biggest dud. Success would like be thanks to the books’ following.

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The Vow (Feb. 10)

Directed by Michael Sucsy
Written by Jason Katims, Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, Michael Sucsy
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange, Scott Speedman

Summary: A married couple is forced to start all over when a car accident causes the wife (McAdams) to lose all memory of her husband (Tatum).

The Word: This year’s big date movie is “The Vow,” which puts together an all-star rom-com tandem in McAdams (“The Notebook”) and Tatum (“Dear John”). Although both of those films were adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, that’s not the case here, but creating that uncertainty seems to be the goal. Director Michael Sucsy won a Golden Globe for his fictional remake of the documentary “Grey Gardens,” while co-writer Katims won an Emmy for “Friday Night Lights” and co-writers Kohn and Silverstein helped pen “Valentine’s Day” and “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

My Thoughts: I love McAdams, and I don’t think Tatum gets enough credit, but here’s a story that looks a bit too cookie-cutter to be taken seriously as a romance. Those talents will do their best to move the audience to tears and I suspect they’ll succeed, but let’s not confuse emotion for quality.

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Perfect Sense (Feb. 10 – limited)

Directed by David Mackenzie
Written by Kim Fupz Aakeson
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green

Summary: A chef and a scientist fall in love and start a relationship just as an epidemic starts to slowly deprive people of their senses, one at a time.

The Word: Apocalyptic science fiction meets romance in this British film that premiered at last year’s Sundance and will finally hit theaters this Valentine’s Day. Hard to blame IFC for waiting until then for this little film which has gotten some kind reviews in the last year during its many festival stops. McGregor and Green are terrific veterans for a story such as this.

My Thoughts: I love any kind of sci-fi hybrid, so it’s hard to pretend I’m not interested in this unique romance. The world epidemic motif has been done and done again, but one that effects your senses play so perfectly into challenging our definition of love, among other basic pleasures in life.

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This Means War (Feb. 17)

Directed by McG
Written by Timothy Dowling, Simon Kinberg, Marcus Gautesen
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Chelsea Handler

Summary: Two CIA operatives find out they are dating the same woman (Witherspoon). Rather than dump her, they decide to let wait it out and see who she picks, which leads them to use all kinds of spy tactics against each other.

The Word: Director/producer McG steps behind the camera for the first time since “Terminator Salvation” and into a genre he knows well: action comedy. The “Charlie’s Angels” director gets two of the hottest rising stars in Hardy and Pine along with veteran Witherspoon to further draw in the ladies. Dowling wrote “Role Models” while Kinberg is one of 20th Century Fox’s go-to writers. Unsurprisingly he wrote “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

My Thoughts: It would seem that “This Means War” has the right talents in place to make something as entertaining as “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” albeit probably nowhere near successful. Hardy and Pine are still just faces to this point and Witherspoon, who used to command one of the highest salaries in Hollywood, has lost a little of her mojo with “Water for Elephants” being a moderate success and “How Do You Know?” a total bomb. Still, “War” could end up one of the most successful and popular films of early 2012.

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Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (Feb. 24)

Written and Directed by Tyler Perry
Starring: Tyler Perry, Gabrielle Union, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad

Summary: A wealthy businessman (Perry) lives a good albeit predictable existence, but his encounter with a struggling single mother (Newton) leads him to question what he wants out of life.

The Word: Perry continues to be a powerhouse at writing, directing and producing his own films. He takes center stage in “Good Deeds” without the fat suit in his first offering of 2012. Newton adds another recognizable element that might help the filmmaker appeal to a wider audience.

My Thoughts: Perry’s films offer few surprises. Somehow he manages to tell the same family driven story with the same core values a hundred different ways, some humorous and some more dramatic. Although “Good Deeds” might draw interest from outside of the Black community, at the same time it might be less appealing to the fan base that loves the “Madea” films and Perry’s sitcoms.

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Wanderlust (Feb. 24)

Directed by David Wain
Written by David Wain, Ken Marino
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Malin Ackerman, Ray Liotta

Summary: A married couple is forced to leave New York after the husband (Rudd) loses his job. After an unbearable stop with family in Georgia, they head to a bed and breakfast that happens to be a hippie commune.

The Word: It’s been quite some time since “The Object of My Affection” —  am I right Rudd and Aniston fans? “Wanderlust” was pushed back from last October, but “Role Models” and “Wet Hot American Summer” director David Wain should be enough to make this comedy worth a look as the winter’s only “traditional” modern comedy. Wain teamed up with his “Party Down” and “Children’s Hospital” star Ken Marino to work on the script as well.

My Thoughts: I love Rudd as I recently proclaimed in my “Our Idiot Brother” review, and he should counterbalance Aniston, who despite a great turn in “Horrible Bosses” seems to be back to the usual material. Other than recycled hallucinogenic drug sequence, the film shows promise, plus I have to give Wain the benefit of the doubt here. Marino is also an under-appreciated comedian.

Beauty & The Beast 3D (Jan. 13)

Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Written by Linda Woolverton and 11 others
Starring: (voices) Paige O’Hara, Robbie Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach

Summary: Small-town beauty Belle wants to get swept off her feet, but gets more than she bargained for when a mishap with her father leads her to the castle of a prince cursed by an old witch to look like a beast.

The Word: The 3D re-release of “The Lion King” earned Disney an extra $90-plus million. Needless to say that opened up the rest of the Disney Classics catalog for a “limited engagement” 3D re-release. I don’t use the quotation marks lightly, as “Lion King” opened in mid September and is still playing right now (albeit in fewer than 10 theaters). Considering “Beauty” was the first animated film to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, it was a logical next step.

My Thoughts: Nothing screams cash grab like this 3D re-release campaign, but that’s because as someone who grew up with these films there’s no need to spend money on inflated ticket prices. It’s great for young parents though, as they can ensure their kids won’t be seeing something crappy.

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Big Miracle (Feb. 3)

Directed by Ken Kwapis
Written by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, Thomas Rose (book “Freeing the Whales”)
Starring: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell

Summary: A news reporter in Alaska convinces and his ex-girlfriend, a Greenpeace volunteer, try to save a family of whales who are trapped in rapidly forming ice in arctic. Together they rally for government support to help carve a path through the ice to the ocean.

The Word: ”Big Miracle” looks to be the latest in a line of successful inspirational movies involving animals and based on a true story, the latest being the fall hit “Dolphin Tale.” With a few more marketable stars and a time of year devoid of family offerings, this “save the whales” film could do quite well. Ken Kwapis, frequent “The Office” director and the helmer of “He’s Just Not That Into You” directs.

My Thoughts: I don’t doubt that this movie will be good. I also don’t doubt that this movie won’t be just like every movie you’ve ever seen involving overcoming the odds. The trailer also seems to give away just about every major turning point, but hey, it’s not like you wouldn’t have seen them coming anyway.

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (Feb. 10)

Directed by Brad Peyton
Written by Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn, Richard Outten, Jules Verne (novel)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine

Summary: A young man (Hutcherson) convinces his mother’s boyfriend (Johnson) to take him in search of a mythical island that his grandfather always talked about.

The Word: Hutcherson is the only returning piece from “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” but I wouldn’t be surprised if you had no idea this film was sequel to that 2008 summer blockbuster that was one of the first 3D offerings since the extra dimension rose back from the dead. Dwayne Johnson replaces Brendan Fraser, which is a fitting replacement when you consider Johnson’s strangely abundant family film credits. Unsurprisingly, the director is Brad Peyton of “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.”

My Thoughts: The original “Journey” somehow scrounged up $100 million domestically, but this is February and Jules Verne is very distantly connected to this one. The tiny elephants and giant bees will probably scare kids more than excite them, yet with a PG rating that’s exactly who Warner Bros. is going for. The lack of kid adventures in the winter gives this film its best chance to make money, but I wouldn’t expect any quality.

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The Secret World of Arrietty (Feb. 17)

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Gary Rydstrom (English)
Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa, Karey Kirkpatrick (English), Marty Norton (book “The Borrowers”)
Starring: (voices) Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Carol Burnett

Summary: Arrietty Clock lives secretly in a house with the other members of her family … who are also 4 in. tall. They borrow only what they need to survive, but soon a young (normal-sized) boy discovers Arrietty.

The Word: Disney has slowly worked to get the brilliant anime films of Hayao Miyazaki to American audiences. “Ponyo,” a variation on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” got a wide release in August 2009 but wasn’t representative of the full extent of the auteur’s imagination, playing more directly to children than his other work. Disney has equipped a strong American voice cast to help give Mary Norton’s classic story greater appeal. Considering it will be the first animated film to come out in over a month, “Arrietty” will be the first real test for anime in the U.S.

My Thoughts: I definitely think “Arrietty” represents Studio Ghibli’s best chance at making a splash in the West. “The Borrowers” is a beloved story and the time of year couldn’t be better. I really want to believe that parents won’t be less inclined to take their kids to a film just because it’s not done in CGI. The receipts will never be as high as for a Pixar or DreamWorks offering, but provided the marketing is effective (and the trailer is a good start), it should be the biggest success the Japanese studio has had in the States.

The Devil Inside (Jan. 6)

Directed by William Brent Bell
Written by William Brent Bell, Matthew Peterman
Starring: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Suzan Crowley

Summary: A young woman travels to a hospital in Italy to find her mother, who was taken there years ago after killing three people performing an exorcism on her. In order to cure her, she’ll have to learn more about exorcism and experience the rite firsthand.

The Word: Another exorcism film and another documentary-style horror film — what’s one more? “The Last Exorcism” performed well in August 2010 and the “Paranormal Activity ” franchise is doing better than ever. This one goes much the route of the former with a no-name cast and a relatively inexperienced director in William Brent Bell, who made the video game slasher film “Stay Alive” back in 2006. There’s been a dearth of horror films lately, and they tend to perform decently in the winter months.

My Thoughts: My two cents don’t mean much having never seen a single exorcism film outside of “The Exorcist,” but this does look rather freaky. It should appeal more to the “Paranormal Activity” folks, though I doubt it will even make much more than a quarter of what those films do.

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Contraband (Jan. 13)

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur
Written by Aaron Guzikowski, Arnaldur Indriðason and Óskar Jónasson (film “Rekjavik-Rotterdam”)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster

Summary: A former drug smuggler agrees to one last job against his will in order to help his brother-in-law: smuggling counterfeit bills from Panama. But the job puts his wife and kid in harm’s way

The Word: This drug-running revenge thriller is based on an Icelandic film that director Baltasar Kormákur co-produced, starred in and loved so much that he helped remake it for English-speaking audiences. A cast of famous faces familiar to the genre, predominantly Mark Wahlberg, were obviously drawn to this classic “one last job gone wrong” story, so that helps its cause for sure.

My Thoughts: Marky Mark makes for a great protagonist, so despite being a story we’ve seen hundreds of times, the talent suggests something that could pass for entertaining. Each of these stars has made a bad film, so they’re not expert script scouts, but it’s January and the bar is low.

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Coriolanus (Jan. 20 – Limited)

Directed by Ralph Fiennes
Written by John Logan, Shakespeare (play)
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Redgrave

Summary: A modernized rehashing of Shakespeare’s play, Coriolanus (Fiennes) is a hero of Rome who doesn’t believe in the political system and it leads to bloody riots. He’s exiled and makes plans with his sworn enemy Aufidius (Butler) to conquer Rome and destroy it.

The Word: Fiennes made his directorial debut with this project, which despite great reviews was held from the masses until January. It seems the only likely nomination for the film will belong to Vanessa Redgrave in a supporting role as Coriolanus’ mother, Volumnia. Regardless, critics have had excellent things to say and the cast is certainly indicative.

My Thoughts: You know the story is solid; this is Shakespeare after all. Respect is the first adjective that comes to mind when looking at the talent from this project top down from Fiennes and Logan behind the camera to Fiennes, Butler, Chastain, Redgrave and Bryan Cox in front of it. The modern take also helps with the appeal.

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The Grey (Jan. 27)

Directed by Joe Carnahan
Written by Joe Carnahan, Ian Mackenzie Jeffers (screenplay and short story)
Starring: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, James Badge Dale

Summary: A plane full of oil drillers crash lands in the Alaskan wilderness. Under the leadership of a trained wilderness bodyguard, they must struggle to survive against the elements — and a pack of angry wolves.

The Word: Carnahan and Neeson team up again after a successfully entertaining effort in 2010′s “The A-Team.” This seems like a whole other animal, as it has a darker and grittier bend, especially when compared with “A-Team” and Carnahan’s previous effort, “Smokin’ Aces.” At the same time, it looks as much like an escape from rabid creatures flick as anything. Interestingly, with some of the 2011 screenings, it was one time thought that Neeson would get an Oscar push for his performance.

My Thoughts: Neeson makes anything better. He’s like the extra butter in every baking recipe. He’ll be hard at work in “The Grey,” trying to turn a story of survival into something exciting and original. The early buzz for Neeson suggests this could be an ironic warm spot on the winter calendar.

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Man on a Ledge (Jan. 27)

Directed by Asger Leth
Written by Pablo F. Fenjves
Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris

Summary: An escaped convict (Worthington) accused of stealing a diamond sets out to prove his innocence by climbing out onto the ledge of a Manhattan hotel. While a cop (Banks) tries to talk him down, his brother (Bell) is busy trying to get revenge on the man (Harris) who he says framed him.

The Word: You’ve never heard of the writer or director, but the faces are easy to recognize. Considering Summit had no additional writers work on Fenjves script, they must feel really good about what they read. After a slow 2011, Worthington will look to boost his box-office appeal. The appearance of an Ed Harris and Kyra Sedgwick seems strange, but it only helps this thriller that’s sure to have some crazy twist.

My Thoughts: Never mind the literal title, the marketing is in full force and looks to have people’s attention like a … man on a ledge … actually would. The star power is there unlike many January thrillers, and I can’t emphasize enough how only having one writer on a film like this says a lot about the strength of the script. Let’s hope it’s not just about the marketability of the script, but also its quality.

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Chronicle (Feb. 3)

Directed by Josh Trank
Written by Max Landis and Josh Trank
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Alex Russell

Summary: After a startling discovery, three teenagers develop telekinetic powers. They use them for harmless pranks at first, but as their ability grows stronger, one of them begins to lose self-control and things get out of hand.

The Word: The found footage phenomenon has finally made its way to the superhero genre in this low-budget story of what your average teenagers would do if they came across extraordinary power. “Chronicle” obviously refers to the fact that this plays like a video diary, but it’s uncertain whether it will take place in chronological order. It’s the first major film for the creators, one of which is Max Landis, son of legendary director John Landis.

My Thoughts: I have to say that I really admire the concept, as this is probably the most lifelike look we’ve had at teenagers coming across superpowers (no offense, Stan Lee). I’m not sure I’m sold on the found footage element, but it allows for that fun low-budget “this might actually be what would happen in real life” feel that made “Cloverfield” an excellent winter season flick (and one of the very best box office-wise, in fact). Lets hope the execution of it and the reveals are original, and by that I mean let’s hope it’s not aliens.

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The Woman in Black (Feb. 3)

Directed by James Watkins
Written by Jane Goldman, Susan Hill (novel)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds

Summary: A young lawyer visits a remote country town in England where he’s tasked with selling an old house. Turns out it was once home to a woman whose ghost currently terrorizes the locals.

The Word: The title was shortened from “Harry Potter and the Woman in Black” in order to … okay, but all kidding aside this trailer does open with Daniel Radcliffe on a steam engine going through the country. I mean, come on. I think the actor is capable of moving on from his Hogwarts days, and a fantastical horror film seems like a good segue. A script from Jane Goldman is a great start, as her credits have all been good if not great: “X-Men: First Class,” “The Debt,” “Kick-Ass” and “Stardust.” Director James Watkins directed British horror film “Eden Lake,” which starred Michael Fassbender.

My Thoughts: Radcliffe’s big star appeal (he made Broadway’s revival of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” a smash) might give this little horror film a jolt. I like the writer and I like the cast, so perhaps we’re looking at one of the better horror offerings of 2012. Rarely does the genre ever boast any level of talent, and when it does you either get films like last year’s flop “Dream House” or the acclaimed “Insidious.”

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Act of Valor (Feb. 24)

Directed by Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh
Written by Kurt Johnstad
Starring: Several active duty U.S. Navy SEALs.

Summary: A film based closely on the dangerous real-life missions of Navy SEALs as portrayed by actual Navy SEALs. They must recover a captured CIA agent.

The Word: A film like this is unprecedented. We’ve seen military-inspired films and propaganda, but this sounds like a bunch of Navy SEALs simply thought that their lives were pretty badass and what they do in real life would make a great movie. The directors have mostly documentary experience, which seems fitting in this case, but Kurt Johnstad (“300″) is pure Hollywood.

My Thoughts: I would have to imagine a film like this is going to be all or nothing. Either this will be the most realistic and fascinating film ever, or there will be too much of an attempt to apply a Hollywood sheen to real-life events that it will end up making a mockery of the SEALs. Or it could just be boring. The trailer certainly hold little back, so you have to wonder if that was all the exciting moments. Either way I’ll be curious to see what is said about this one.

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Gone (Feb. 24)

Directed by Heitor Dhalia
Written by Allison Burnett
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Daniel Sunjata, Wes Bentley

Summary: When a young woman’s (Seyfried) sister goes missing, she believes it’s the same man who kidnapped her along with many others (who ended up dead), only the police never found a shred of proof. She then goes armed vigilante to find her sister whether the police will help her or not.

The Word: Seyfried could use some help. We know she has talent, but her films have flopped lately and gotten mediocre to bad reviews from “Chloe” to “In Time” to “Red Riding Hood.” This film has a lot of thriller conventions, especially the “is she telling the truth or is she crazy?” motif.

My Thoughts: It’s hard to imagine “Gone” standing out based on what we see in this trailer. Seyfried also doesn’t look like a convincing desperate angry chick. I’m glad she’s moved on from romance films for the most part, but she can’t seem to find her place as a leading lady. Anyway, I’m also glad to see “Dexter” star Jennifer Carpenter getting some big-screen action.

My Week with Marilyn (Now Playing)

Directed by Simon Curtis
Written by Adrian Hodges, Colin Clark (books)
Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench

Summary: Based on the autobiographical tale of Colin Clark (Redmayne), a young assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier (Branagh) who had a brief affair with the ephemeral starlet Marilyn Monroe (Williams) when the two made a film together in 1957.

The Word: We’d previously yet to see any biopics on the enigmatic beauty that was Marilyn Monroe, but Oscar nominee Williams appears to have captured some of that essence. This film in particular comes from British pedigree as the team of Curtis and Hodges has been mostly known across the pond, as well as emerging star Eddie Redmayne.

My Thoughts: Williams’ performance looks like a thing of beauty in more ways than one. She’s a consistently overlooked talent in the eyes of the public, but playing an icon (and as well as she appears to have done it) should keep her in the spotlight. The story takes a unique approach, as I tend to find biopics most fascinating when they don’t cover an entire life/career span and instead focus on a unique and revealing moment in the subject’s life.

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A Dangerous Method (Now Playing)

Directed by David Cronenberg
Written by Christopher Hampton (play, screenplay), John Kerr (book),
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassell

Summary: Psychologist Carl Jung (Fassbender) manages to successfully treat a hysterical patient (Knightley) using Sigmund Freud’s new theory of psychoanalysis (where she reveals her sexual desire for him). He travels with her to Vienna where a rift forms between Jung and Freud’s differing theories and feelings about the woman.

The Word: Cronenberg has a reputation as somewhat edgy and macabre director, so expect something strange in this one, but otherwise it looks like a perfectly normal piece of historical fiction. No one’s career has fast-tracked in 2011 like Michael Fassbender so he’s a perfect actor to have leading a film. Knightley and Mortensen are also proven talents, and psychoanalysis provides an intriguing subject matter.

My Thoughts: Early word suggests we have a pretender more than a contender, but that doesn’t mean the film won’t provide an entertaining battle of philosophies. You simply might not want to rush out to see this one thinking you have to cross all the potential nominees off your list. More than a nomination or two in a smaller category seems doubtful, though much good has been said about Mortensen’s Freud impression.

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Shame (Dec. 2 – Limited)

Directed by Steve McQueen
Written by Abi Morgan, Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale

Summary: A man in New York City battles with a serious and powerful sex addiction that dominates his private life. When his sister comes to stay with him indefinitely, this has perilous effects on his condition.

The Word: When was the last time you saw a film rated NC-17? Not on the big screen, that’s for sure. Michael Fassbender (again!) takes the lead, though it should come as no surprise as he starred in McQueen’s first film, “Hunger” (nope, not the old action star Steve McQueen). The film has gotten a huge publicity push of late in hopes of awards attention and if the editing of the trailers is any indication, this could be a great little challenging film. McQueen appears to have held nothing back in capturing a man with and disturbing serious addiction.

My Thoughts: It’s hard not to be intrigued by a film with some of the best entering-their-prime actors and written and directed by a promising talent. Add to that a movie about sex addiction (one that’s serious, this isn’t “Choke”) and you have to be at least curious. I know I am, but I’m also a bit nervous about it to be truthful. If it turns out that enough people recommend it despite the taboo subject matter, it might be worth seeing in the months leading up to the Academy Awards.

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We Need to Talk About Kevin (Dec. 9 – Limited)

Directed by Lynn Ramsay
Written by Lynn Ramsay, Rory Kinnear, Lionel Shriver (novel)
Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

Summary: A mother whose teenage son commits a school shooting before killing himself must deal with both grief and parental accountability while reflecting on the events leading up to the massacre.

The Word: Gus Van Sant’s 2003 film “Elephant” was the last film to tackle this difficult subject matter, but the difference in this film seems to be the emphasis on the parents rather than the psychology of the killer. “Kevin” won Best Film at the London Film Festival and was nominated for the Palm d’Or at Cannes. It has recently been nominated for six British Independent Film Awards.

My Thoughts: I am particularly intrigued by this story, or at least this perspective. Swinton has a lot of awards buzz for her performance and I am a big fan of Reilly’s work in independent films (“Cedar Rapids,” “Cyrus”), albeit they have mostly been comedies. It might not garner more than a couple nominations, but “Kevin” might be one of the more interesting films of Awards Season. A January wide release will keep most in the dark about it for at least a month or so.

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Carnage (Dec. 16 – Limited)

Directed by Roman Polanski
Written by Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski
Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz

Summary: Two couples sit down to have a civil conversation about a fight that happened between their children, but things start to get chaotic and downright juvenile.

The Word: Reza co-adapts her original French play, which had a Tony-winning run on Broadway in 2009 under the title “God of Carnage.” All four stars received Tony nominations and one of them won, so despite relatively subdued buzz, there’s the possibility for Academy attention. Polanski remains a revered filmmaker despite the controversy in his personal life and the four actors here comprise quite the interesting ensemble.

My Thoughts: Every year it seems we have a film usually based on some highly praised source material, specifically a play. Last year we had “Rabbit Hole,” a film that got attention for actress Nicole Kidman and a bit for Aaron Eckhart, but otherwise was not a big contender. “Carnage” could be that film this year as far as the awards part goes, but with more comedic undertones, it should be more accessible to the general viewer.

—

War Horse (Dec. 25)

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis, Michael Morpurgo (novel)
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston, David Thewlis

Summary: A young man’s close companion in the form of a horse named Joey is sold to the British cavalry in World War I to “serve” in the trenches. Devastated and fearing the worst, he journeys to save him.

The Word: In terms of Academy attention “War Horse” might be the more potent of Spielberg’s one-two punch this year (“Tintin” being the other). The film, based on the same source material as this year’s Tony Award-winning play, has gotten excellent reviews. So despite being more than two hours long and having no big names, it should still do well with that revered name on the poster.

My Thoughts: It’s nice to have ’90s Spielberg back, the man who brought us “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” Nothing he’s done in the past 10 years has quite the same vibe, and while I love his sci-fi and adventure catalog, the through-line has always been the heart and that’s what this one looks to be serving up.

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Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Dec. 25 – Limited)

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Written by Eric Roth, Jonathan Safran Foer (novel)
Starring: Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Max von Sydow

Summary: A single father decides he and his kids need a change, so they move away and end up buying a home with a zoo attached to it, but the zoo needs upkeep or they risk losing the animals.

The Word: Sandra Bullock stars in her first role since winning the Oscar for “The Blind Side” along with Tom Hanks and boy-genius Jeopardy winner Thomas Horn. If you think that screams Oscar bait, then you should either be assured (or repulsed by this information): Oscar-winning writer Eric Roth adapted the story and Stephen Daldry, whose three feature films have landed him three Best Director nominations (“Billy Elliot,” “The Hours,” “The Reader”), directs.

My Thoughts: Very few award contenders can actually afford to not circulate through the festivals or gain any good reviews prior to wide release, but this is one of them. It’s tough to ignore that combination of talent behind a best-selling and emotional novel, so expect to have some tears jerked this Christmas.

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The Iron Lady (Dec. 30 – Limited)

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Written by Abi Morgan
Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant

Summary: A biopic about former British Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher, who had to contend with issues related to being a female prime minister as well as make some divisive decisions that marred her reputation.

The Word: Meryl Streep. One gets the sense that her place in this film has given it this big of a spotlight. The Academy and most people in general love immersive impersonations, not to mention Streep in general, so there’s long been talk of whether this would-be 17th Oscar nomination could earn her her first win since “Sophie’s Choice.” She’ll have to do it with the help of her “Mamma Mia!” director Lloyd. Screenwriter Morgan also co-wrote this season’s “Shame.”

My Thoughts: No question that Streep is the alpha and omega when it comes to this film. With that being the case,  you have to hope it isn’t one of those “Streep stands out amongst a (negative word) script” like recent disappointment “J. Edgar.” As weird as this sounds, British films tend not to have those kinds of issues, so I would feel somewhat confident that there might be a little more worth seeing here than just Streep.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Dec. 16)

Directed by Guy Ritchie
Written by Michele and Kieran Mulroney, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (characters)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris

Summary: Holmes is steeped in his most complex case yet, which will have him tracking down his notorious arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

The Word: It wasn’t your grandfather’s “Sherlock Holmes,” but the pleasant Christmas 2009 caper certainly earned its sequel, which in turn allowed Warner Bros. to give Ritchie a whole lot more money and it shows in the slow-motion explosions featured in the trailer. The plot remains mysterious, but expect some more quirkiness from Downey Jr. and some homo-erotic undertones between him and Watson. Swedish “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star Noomi Rapace joins the cast in her first major Hollywood role.

My Thoughts: The original was an entertaining diversion for sure, and while nothing about it screamed a sequel, it seems by virtue of a bigger budget that this one could out-entertain its predecessor. The introduction of a more formidable villain (who likely relies less on the supernatural) in Moriarty could also help to make this surprisingly better, provided the “mysterious” story is equally improved.

—

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

(IMAX – Dec. 16, Wide – Dec. 21)

Directed by Brad Bird
Written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, Bruce Geller (TV series)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg

Summary: The IMF is shut down after it’s implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin and Ethan Hunt and his team must essentially go rogue in order to prove their innocence.

The Word: When the ball on this fourth installment got rolling, word was that Cruise had lost it and Renner would essentially take his place in the franchise. Either way, “The Incredibles” director Brad Bird, making his live-action debut, appears to have upped the stakes and the intensity with “Ghost Protocol,” enough so that he has convinced Paramount to premiere the film in IMAX theaters five days ahead of its official release. Parts of the film (like “The Dark Knight”) were filmed with IMAX cameras. It’s safe to say “M:I – GP” is the biggest action film of the season.

My Thoughts: As much as the “M:I” films have never titillated me, they’ve all been quite enjoyable movies. With Bird at the helm, some fresh talent and a measure of studio trust, I see no reason why not to be excited about this fourth Ethan Hunt adventure. Some of the negative press about Cruise’s bankability certainly hurt the buzz, but after seeing trailers, you have to ignore it.

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Dec. 21)

Directed by David Fincher
Written by Steve Zaillian, Stieg Larsson (novel)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Plummer

Summary: Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomqvist gets recruited by a wealthy Swedish businessman who wants him to investigate the 40-year-old mystery of his niece’s disappearance. He teams up with expert hacker Lisbeth Salander to solve the case.

The Word: Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium Trilogy” has captivated readers all over the world and already spawned three well-regarded Swedish films. But Hollywood can’t let the Swedes have all the fun, so Sony decided to give it ago, handing the keys to none other than the revered David Fincher, who missed out on an Oscar many thought he deserved with last year’s “The Social Network.” Fincher is somewhat of an expert on serial killer movies. He directed one of the genre’s best in “Se7en” as well as the underrated period thriller “Zodiac.”

My Thoughts: Honestly, the cold case story of what happened to Harriet Vanger could not be in better hands than with Fincher. With a best-selling story at his disposal, it makes “Dragon Tattoo” a must-see this season provided you can stomach it. After all, it is being touted as “the feel bad movie of the holiday season.”

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The Darkest Hour (Dec. 25)

Directed by Chris Gorak
Written by Jon Spaihts, Leslie Bohem, M.T. Ahern
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Rachael Taylor, Max Minghella

Summary: A group of young Americans on a trip to Russia find themselves fighting off an alien invasion where the invaders are invisible and seek to absorb Earth’s energy and destroy its population. Electricity is the only thing that gives them away.

The Word: ”Wanted” producer Timur Bekmambetov presents this sci-fi thriller, an unusual offering for Christmas Day. Still, Hirsch, Thirlby and Minghella are among some of the brightest young talents working today and a good alien invasion movie tends to be a real crowd-pleaser. The problem is there hasn’t been a good one since “District 9.”

My Thoughts: It will have to fend off a lot of competition to make sparks fly at the box office, and while movie usually don’t just get “dumped” on Christmas Day, it seems that’s exactly what Fox has done, considering the studio has “The Sitter, “We Bought A Zoo” and the latest “Alvin and the Chipmunks” all coming out earlier in the month.

 

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (Nov. 18)

Directed by Bill Condon
Written by Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer (novel)
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Summary: Edward and Bella have committed to each other and tie the knot, but when Bella gets pregnant on their honeymoon, her unborn child causes a stir in the werewolf and vampire worlds.

The Word: As the “Twilight” series taks its bizarre and dramatic final turn, it gets Bill Condon, “Dreamgirls” director and easily the most respected of the previous three directors to take on this franchise. Movie theaters have already sold out certain screenings, so regardless of quality, the saga will make another tremendous dent in movie history.

My Thoughts: Just one more year and we’ll be done with it. I don’t hate the “Twilight” franchise, it’s not the worst I’ve ever seen, but based on the first two movies, which I did sit through, this story has no business being the phenomenon it has become. The fact that there will be five times in my lifetime when the movie world stopped for “Twilight” is sad enough. All that can be done is hope Condon managed to make something good out of this finale so that we won’t be talking about the most lucrative yet critically panned franchise of all time.

—

The Descendants (Nov. 18 – Limited)

Directed by Alexander Payne
Written by Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, Kaui Hart Hemmings (novel)
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller

Summary: After his wife ends up in the hospital on life support, Hawaiian land baron Matt King must take care of his two daughters, but when he learns that his wife had been cheating on him before the accident, he takes the girls on a trip to confront the man she had an affair with.

The Word: Alexander Payne has been absent from the movie world since “Sideways” about seven years ago. Although he’s been busy producing (HBO’s “Hung” for example), the director that turned heads with “Election” continues to explore uncomfortable relationship dynamics with this film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to strong reviews. With a mostly unknown cast, the film’s future depends largely on the star power of George Clooney, which in theory should be enough to make its presence known until Oscar Season.

My Thoughts: I strongly liked “Sideways” and “Election” (haven’t seen “About Schmidt”), but it’s hard to get pumped up about this one. I know it will be an enjoyable if not great film, but with an awkward blend of drama and comedy it doesn’t scream a must-see at the moment. If award buzz continues to build for the film, however, which we’ll get a better grasp on shortly, you won’t have to convince me to get out and see this one ASAP.

—

The Artist (Nov. 23 – Limited)

Written and Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Beho, John Goodman, James Cromwell

Summary: In 1927 Hollywood, silent film star George Valentin confronts the realization that talking pictures might put an end to his career, just as he hits it off with an emerging young dancer named Peppy Miller.

The Word: A silent film (that’s right, no dialogue in this one) in black and white will be a hard sell to audiences, especially without big-name star, but Hazanavicius’ film has won over audiences during its festival circuit and been nominated for the top prize in a couple instances, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Dujardin won for Best Actor at Cannes, so as silent as the film might be, its awards run might not. Expect a big fat push from The Weinstein Company as per usual.

My Thoughts: I have little doubt this is a joy of a film. Silent films have an eternal place in cinema and there’s no reason someone couldn’t revisit the genre and make it a hit with modern audiences. At the very least, without any dialogue you’d expect the score to be simply outstanding. Anyway, if the recognition continues to grow this will become more of a must-see, but it still has to escape the art house shadow first, and that’s not small task.

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New Year’s Eve (Dec. 9)

Directed by Garry Marshall
Written by Katherine Fugate
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel,  Ashton Kutcher, Robert De Niro, Everyone Else

Summary: The lives of several people in New York City intertwine on New Year’s Eve.

The Word: Garry Marshall follows up “Valentine’s Day” with another giant ensemble multi-subplot romantic comedy about the second most hopelessly romantic holiday, New Year’s Eve. Some of the notable additions to this absurdly large ensemble cast other than your usual Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl are “Glee” star Lea Michele, Zac Efron, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vergara and even Robert De Niro.

My Thoughts: I left out a lot of stars, but I think you get the point. “Valentine’s Day” opened with $56 million and made over $200 million worldwide, enough to pay off the billions of people starring in it, all because we get all giddy when we see that many recognizable actors in one movie and half to fork out our money to see it. With the holidays bringing out the gooey side of people and “New Year’s Eve” being the first post-Thanksgiving offering, I suspect another runaway hit.

—

The Sitter (Dec. 9)

Directed by David Gordon Green
Written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka
Starring: Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor, Max Records, Landry Bender

Summary: A college graduate unable to find work resorts to babysitting to make cash, but when the girl he’s “seeing” promises him some action he throws the three kids in the minivan and embarks on a night adventure that gets way out of hand.

The Word: David Gordon Green was a respected indie director until 2007 when he decided to forever dedicate himself to raunchy comedy. “Pineapple Express” won a lot of fans a stoner action comedy and TV show “Eastbound & Down” has a huge following, but “Your Highness” disappointed. Now he teams up with Jonah Hill (still fat) in this “Adventures in Babysitting” meets “Superbad” comedy.

My Thoughts: It’s a bit odd that we will have had two R-rated comedies this year focusing on people who work with kids (“Bad Teacher” being the other) yet they are not for kids. “The Sitter” looks to walk the fine line between something we’ve seen a lot of before and a raunchy spin on the babysitting comedy. I suspected something along the lines of “Bad Teacher” in this one where it’s kind of absurd yet admittedly funny.

—

Young Adult (Dec. 16)

Directed by Jason Reitman
Written by Diablo Cody
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt

Summary: A writer of young adult fiction novels gets divorced and her life begins to spin out of control. She decides to return to her small-town Minnesota home and tries to steal her ex-boyfriend from high school away from his wife and kids.

The Word: Reitman and Cody, the director/writer combo behind the runaway hit “Juno”  join forces again with a much more adult film than that Oscar-nominated film and Oscar-winning script. Reitman has been on a tear lately as his last film “Up in the Air” made serious Oscar noise, but Cody could use a rebound after “Jennifer’s Body” and “United States of Tara” underwhelming. Theron hasn’t been in a major role in awhile but Wilson and Oswalt have been on the rise.

My Thoughts: We have no reason to believe Jason Reitman can do any wrong and Theron looks like a real winner as this willfully ignorant former prom queen, so I’m particularly excited for this film. It’s been relatively quiet on the festival circuit, but with a wide release planned that should mean that the goal is to be commercially viable and not necessarily Oscar viable. Either way you have to expect quality from this one.

—

We Bought A Zoo (Dec. 23)

Directed by Cameron Crowe
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna and Cameron Crowe, Benjamin Mee (book)
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Thomas Haden Church

Summary: A single father decides he and his kids need a change, so they move away and end up buying a home with a zoo attached to it, but the zoo needs upkeep or they risk losing the animals.

The Word: Not unlike Alexander Payne, Cameron Crowe returns to directing after six years off after “Elizabethtown” failed to impress anyone. With a career including “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous,” the man hasn’t messed up very much, so perhaps he gets back on track with this story of a broken family despite a likely predictable outcome of the zoo bringing them closer. Writer Aline Brosh McKenna could also use a boost from something more dramatic as her string of rom-coms have continually fizzled since she became a commodity with “The Devil Wears Prada.”

My Thoughts: This first trailer for “Zoo” doesn’t have that “it” factor that an uplifting drama needs to make it stand amongst the pack of Oscar contenders. Without a festival circuit to boost any awards buzz, this could be one of those pretenders simply looking to make it on Holiday spirit alone. Crowe and Damon are two names not to take lightly, but until we see something somewhat unpredictable or mysterious in this one it could be just your run-of-the-mill feel-good Holiday movie.

Happy Feet Two (Nov. 18)

Directed by George Miller
Written by George Miller, Warren Coleman, Gary Eck, Paul Livingston
Starring: (voices) Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Ava Acres

Summary: Mumble the penguin returns with a son of his own named Erik, who also struggles to fit in with this webbed-toe-tapping musical penguin world and runs away where he discovers the Mighty Sven, a flying penguin. But greater problems for these emperor penguins arise when walls of ice trap them together in one spot.

The Word: Five years ago, “Mad Max” and “Babe: Pig in the City” director George Miller helped Warner Bros. bring to life the studio’s first CGI animated film and it went on to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar while wooing audiences worldwide with cute singing and dancing penguins. The only surprise about this sequel is it comes five years later, but penguins seem to be the most timeless of CGI creatures. The voice cast for this one has also expanded drastically including Pink, Sofia Vergara, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt.

My Thoughts: The first film delivered a rollicking good time despite a generic plot and strangely political themes/messages relating to the way humans treat the environment. I suppose the same thing should be expected here with Miller directing again and most of the voice cast reprised, especially Robin Williams, who easily sits among the greatest voice actors of all time. With Pitt and Damon voicing a pair of krills among other amusing choices, there’s definitely promise for a solid sequel.

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The Muppets (Nov. 23)

Directed by James Bobin
Written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, Jim Henson (characters)
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, etc.

Summary: When an oil tycoon makes plans to drill under their old theater, the Muppets and two human fans named Gary and Mary (Segel and Adams) must reunited the Muppets after years of being apart in order to save it.

The Word: We haven’t seen the Muppets on the big screen since 1999′s “Muppets from Space.” The beloved trademark and brand of The Jim Henson Company looked to be endangered (or doomed to a life of television specials) until Disney bought the rights in 2004. Lifetime Muppet-lover Jason Segel (as evidenced by his all-puppet Dracula musical in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) pitched his new take to Disney and wrote the film with “Marshall” director Nicholas Stoller. Full of cameos only befitting a “Muppets” movie and armed with a modern sense of humor, this eponymous reboot received a half-year marketing blitz and aims to keep these beloved characters relevant for a long time to come.

My Thoughts: I can’t think of a better way to bring the “Muppets” to a new generation of kids who deserve them. Henson’s creations shouldn’t feel like relics to today’s Disney channel generation; there’s a reason these characters have been around more than 30 years. With fresh blood repurposing these characters for the modern world and modern humor (after all, “The Muppet Show” was geared toward adults as well back in the day) and perfect cast members in Segel and Adams, this could be huge for Disney and the Muppets.

—

Hugo (Nov. 23)

Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by John Logan, Brian Selznick (book)
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baren Cohen

Summary: A 12-year-old orphan in 1930s Paris has lost his brother and his uncle’s gone missing, so he comes to live in a train station where he becomes preoccupied with finding the parts to make his father’s invention, a robot of sorts, work again. He eventually meets a girl his age who has the key to making it work.

The Word: No matter how many times you try and get used to the idea of Scorsese directing a 3D family film, it still doesn’t make more sense. The revered director has never confined himself to any particular genre, but this would be the greatest departure to date. We do know he can work with young people (see “Taxi Driver”) and Butterfield and Moretz are two of the finest young talents. The question is what did he see with in Selznick’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” to convince him to make a 3D family film?

My Thoughts: I don’t doubt that Scorsese will make fabulous use of 3D (he’s had good things to say about the medium since wrapping this one) and a visually arresting film, but I’m not so sure about his skills in terms of making a feel-good family adventure (that includes humor). You definitely have to put a certain measure of trust in him for this one.

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Arthur Christmas (Nov. 23)

Directed by Sarah Smith
Written by Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith
Starring: (voices) James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, Bill  Nighy

Summary: Ever wonder how Santa Claus gets all those presents out in one night? He uses a giant space ship and highly skilled elf operatives, of course. Arthur is the runt of the Santa family, so when he learns of a child who did not get her present, he sees an opportunity to prove himself, but he’ll have to use his grandfather’s “old school” methods to do it.

The Word: Aardman Animations (of Wallace and Gromit fame) and Sony Pictures Animation team-up for this Christmas film with an especially modern twist. Although director and co-writer Sarah Smith is new to this game, Peter Baynham, who helped write “Borat,” “Bruno” and coincidentally the remake of “Arthur” assists her on this one.

My Thoughts: I like Aardman and I think “Arthur Christmas” looks clever and funny despite its overuse of conventions. Although average American parents and kids won’t be too impressed by the voice cast, I most certainly am. “Arthur Christmas” might not win a battle against “The Muppets,” “Hugo” and the second weekend of “Happy Feet Two,” but it nevertheless appears to be a jolly good time.

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Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (Dec. 16)

Directed by Mike Mitchell
Written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Starring: Jason Lee, (voices) Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate

Summary: Dave and his chipmunk children and their lady counterparts, the Chipettes, go on a cruise vacation, but they accidentally abandon ship and find themselves trying to survive (while singing and dancing).

The Word: After the live-action/CGI reboot of the series exploded globally in 2007, the sequel was inevitable, and in 2009 when said “Squeakquel” made another $100-million or so than the first … well, here are are. “Chipwrecked” retains the writers of the second film but gets its third new director in “Shrek Forever After” helmer Mike Mitchell, not that you could fault anyone for not wanting to make more than one “Chipmunk” movie.

My Thoughts: I guess I must finally admit that despite consistently negative reviews, this series flourishes thanks to cute little fuzzy creatures wailing in high-pitched voices and singing and dancing to Top 40 hits. There’s a definitive appeal in that, especially for little kids. Nevertheless, I wish this franchise would just jump off a boat in the figurative sense of the phrase. When you put the Chipmunks in the company of this season’s other films such as “The Muppets,” “Tintin” and even “Happy Feet Two,” it makes you really wonder how these kinds of films still get made. But with “The Smurfs” also making bank this year, expect another big rake-in for Fox.

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The Adventures of Tintin (Dec. 21)

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, Hergé (comics)
Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Summary: Investigative reporter Tintin (Bell) buys a little model of the ship The Unicorn, and soon finds that the sinister Ivanovich Sakharine (Craig) is strangely willing to do just about anything including kidnap Tintin in order to have it himself. To get answers, Tintin and his faithful pup, Snowy, embark on a journey aboard a cargo ship that entangles them with the drunken Captain Haddock, whose family history sheds some light on the secret of The Unicorn.

The Word: American aren’t privy to everything, and Hergé’s globally adored “Tintin” comics fall into that category. The comic series has been given new life by none other than Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson through use of motion-capture technology; the entire film was shot this way.  Esteemed British TV writer Steven Moffat along with “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” writer Edgar Wright and his buddy Joe Cornish (“Attack the Block”) adapted the story from various ”Tintin” stories. “Tintin” already received a U.K. release back in late October and is doing well in global markets. Although its success won’t be dictated by American box-office receipts, it should have some appeal here and without any animated films slated to come after it for quite some time, it could do well in January too.

My Thoughts: ”Tintin” strikes me as being a terrific adventure with incredible visuals. All the right hands had a role in making this happen and it could be akin to “Avatar” in terms of leaving a blueprint for the success of motion-capture, though this one being entirely motion capture of course. With most animated films sticking with animal characters, motion capture ‘s success in this instance could be used to help bring other human-based drawn properties to life in the future.

Restless (Limited, Sep. 16)

Directed by Gus Van Sant
Written by Jason Lew
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper, Ryo Kase

Summary: A young man who attends strangers’ funerals in his free time and talks with an imaginary Kamikazee pilot named Hiroshi befriends a terminally ill girl.

The Word: Van Sant’s follow-up to “Milk” goes in a distinctly more indie direction in this cinematic dissertation on life and death. Wasikowska continues to choose intriguing mature roles and Hopper looks to make a splash in his second ever film, and the first since he was six. “Restless” was supposed to come out very early this year but opted to debut at Cannes.

My Thoughts: Buzz from Cannes and Toronto has been wishy-washy, so nothing to suggest a must-see in theaters this month. Still, there are definitely some talents that will keep “Restless” on many people’s radars, including my own.

 

Moneyball (Sep. 23)

Directed by Bennett Miller
Written by Steve Zaillan, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Michael Lewis (book)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Summary: Based on the true story of Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane who in the early 2000s co-pioneered a sabermetric approach to team managing that defied the norm and nearly turned baseball upside-down.

The Word: When Steven Soderbergh left the project, “Moneyball” still kept its all-star talent. In addition to Pitt, Miller directs his second film after the acclaimed “Capote” and “The Social Network” writer and Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin co-wrote with Oscar winner Steve Zaillan, who had been on a bit of a hiatus since churning out “American Gangster” in 2007. Only Jonah Hill appears to be out of place here.

My Thoughts: The film premiered at Toronto (TIFF) this past weekend and early response has been good. It’s drawn its only negative response so far from the sports community, who’s a bit more in touch with what Beane actually did. Provided you don’t know a ton about the Moneyball concept already, you should enjoy this one.

 

Margaret (Limited, Sep. 30)

Written and Directed by Kenneth Lonergan
Starring: Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo

Summary: A high school student unintentionally plays a role in an accident that results in a bus running over a woman. When she blames herself and hides the truth, it starts to take a toll on all those involved.

The Word: It took 11 years, but Lonergan returns with his sophomore directorial effort. And it looks like few forgot the quality of 2000′s “You Can Count on Me,” because he managed to get Paquin and Damon on board as well as some of the stars from that film (Matthew Broderick, Mark Ruffalo) to join him for “Margaret.” Lonergan’s other writing credits include “Analyze This” and “Gangs of New York.”

My Thoughts: I’m a bit hung up on the fact that Paquin is still playing high school students more than 10 years after she played one in “X-Men,” but otherwise this looks to be an intriguing piece of drama. Strangely, this is not a film riding the festival circuit, so time will tell if it should make any waves amidst so many similar films this season.

 

 

Take Shelter (Limited, Sep. 30)

Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols
Starring: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Katy Mixon, Shea Wigham

Summary: A construction worker and family man starts to receive prophetic visions of a massive storm and decides to invest in a shelter, but his family and friends try to convince him he’s delusional.

The Word: Michael Shannon and writer/director Jeff Nichols re-team with a bit more buzz behind their second film after a premiere at Sundance and a showing at Cannes. Chastain stars in yet another film this year, continuing to push her to stardom. We could well see much more of her and Shannon down the road if the buzz holds.

My Thoughts: I confess that I love this story and am convinced that it will be a suspenseful small-time story where you just don’t know what to believe until it finally comes to an end. Whether it has enough weight to break through to the general public, however, I’m a bit skeptical. If the reviews keep coming in strong, however, who knows.

 

 

The Ides of March (Oct. 7)

Directed by George Clooney
Written by George Clooney, Grant Haslov, Beau Willimon (also play, “Farragut North”)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood

Summary: A talented staffer on a political campaign for a popular candidate learns a few dirty secrets about the process and must make a moral decision regarding where his allegiances lie.

The Word: This rather popular play has become the latest fodder for George Clooney’s directorial chops, which could use some adjusting after the disappointment that was “Leatherheads.” Gosling continues to ride the hot had to fame surrounded by a knockout ensemble including Clooney himself, Giamatti, Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright (“Source Code”) and Max Minghella (“The Social Network”).

My Thoughts: This was one of the fall’s most anticipated until its premiere at Venice cooled it off fast with all the mixed/underwhelming reviews. Nevertheless, Clooney’s directing record is strong otherwise and the cast is terrific. With the 2012 campaign heating up, this should draw a lot of interest from the public — it certainly has mine.

 

 

Footloose (Oct. 14)

Directed by Craig Brewer
Written by Dean Pitchford and Craig Brewer
Starring: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell

Summary: A city boy moves to a small Texas town where he finds dancing has been banned thanks to an accident that the local pastor and the rest of the town’s citizens can’t get over. His arrival shakes things up.

The Word: This remake of the ’80s classic starring Kevin Bacon has and will draw its fair share of ire from the original’s fans, but in the world of “Step-Up” and the like, this should come as no surprise. The film’s creator, Dean Pitchford, also had a hand in the new screenplay. Most interesting, however, Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow,” “Black Snake Moan”) would not be a traditional choice for a studio-driven remake.

My Thoughts: It’s easy to be agitated by the idea of this film, but I’m willing to see what reviews say Brewer has done with it given his track record. I’m very familiar with the 2000s musical version, but I’ve never seen the film, so I’ve no close ties to the original. Who knows if that’s a good or bad thing.

 

The Skin I Live In (Ltd, Oct. 14)

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Written by Pedro Almodóvar, Thierry Jonquet(novel)
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet

Summary: A brilliant plastic surgeon is haunted by the fact that his wife burned to death in a car accident, so he creates a synthetic skin that can withstand any damage. He runs his trials on a mysterious woman with whom there is a romantic connection.

The Word: Almodóvar has a reputation for the obscure, uncomfortable and fetishistic, but he’s also quite brilliant. The trailer for “The Skin I Live In” feels like an obsessive thriller of sorts, but my guess is no matter what it will be incredibly dark. The film debuted at Cannes to decent reviews and has picked up steam on the festival circuit with Banderas getting a lot of attention for returning to a more sophisticated role (than say Puss in Boots).

My Thoughts: I’m big fan of “Talk to Her” and enjoyed “Volver,” so I’m open to this film given the buzz. However, it takes a certain mindset to watch an Almodóvar film, so a DVD viewing when I’m ready seems the most likely option. I would say the same for others, especially if you’ve never seen his films before.

 

Martha Marcy May Marlene

(Ltd, Oct. 21)

Written and Directed by Sean Durkin
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, Hugh Dancy

Summary: A young woman fights paranoia and painful memories as she tries to live a normal life with her family after fleeing an abusive brainwashing cult.

The Word: ”MMMM” was one of the more buzzed about entries at Sundance back in January which got it picked up by Fox Searchlight. Durkin won the Best Director prize for this completely mysterious film that looks like the less you know about it, the better off you’ll be, at least if the trailer’s any indication. Elizabeth Olsen (yes, she’s the younger sister of the Olsen twins) looks to break into the spotlight with her titular role.

My Thoughts: I’ve had my eye on this one as one of the two films that every year manage to make it from Sundance all the way to the Oscars. We saw something similar in a young woman-led drama co-starring John Hawkes last year with “Winter’s Bone,” so why not this film? It definitely looks different.

 

Anonymous (Oct. 28)

Directed by Rolland Emmerich
Written by John Orloff
Starring: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, David Thewlis, Rafe Spall

Summary: This dramatic thriller takes up the theory that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was in fact the man who penned the works for William Shakespeare.

The Word: Rolland Emmerich has taken a break from blowing up the world (“2012,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “Independence Day”) to give us a passion project of his, one of the more prominent theories as to the truth of Shakespeare’s work. The trailer oozes with a style that says “Zack Snyder directed this movie.” Definitely not the expected take for this story. Writer John Orloff also penned “A Mighty Heart.”

My Thoughts: I think just about everyone will have trouble going into this film and taking it seriously given Emmerich’s track record, but as a fan of Shakespeare I can’t say his picked a bad subject matter. Ifans is also a versatile actor on the rise, so it will be interesting to see what kind of performance he gives here as he’s rather quiet in the trailer.

 

 

Like Crazy (Limited, Oct. 28)

Directed by Drake Doremus
Written by Drake Doremus and Ben York Jones
Starring: Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley

Summary: A British college student in America and a local student fall in love only to be pulled apart when she’s sent back to the U.K. after being caught with an expired visa.

The Word: By far the most popular film to come out of Sundance, “Like Crazy” tells a long-distance relationship story, which might seem straightforward, but it obviously pulls the right strings. Doremus has developed a name as an indie director and his film won for Best Dramatic entry. Felicity Jones won for Best Actress.

My Thoughts: Love stories — pure romances — are a tough task. Undoubtedly Doremus has done something right, but will it find its way into the mainstream? I think it would have a better chance if it weren’t being released amidst all the hardcore dramatic Oscar contenders, but who knows, maybe this is one of them in a few categories.

 

 

My Week with Marilyn (Ltd, Nov. 4)

Directed by Simon Curtis
Starring: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Ormond

Summary: An assistant to the great Sir Laurence Olivier documents the actor’s tense relationship with American star Marilyn Monroe during their week of filming “The Prince and the Showgirl” in the summer of 1956.

The Word: Michelle Williams wouldn’t seem the obvious choice for the part, but man she looks like she pulled it off. Without a trailer yet it’s hard to gauge the film, but we’ll find out just how serious of an awards contender it is when it premieres at the New York Film Festival in early October.

My Thoughts: Normally this material would be more likely to arrive in the form of a TV mini-series, but apparently there’s just the right amount of material for it to be a single film. I do like the the more concise moment-in-time biopics rather than entire life-spanning ones, at least in the sense that they’re less predictable. From what I’ve read about all that happened during the filming of this movie, there will be plenty of drama packed in.

J. Edgar (Nov. 11)

Directed by Clint Eastwood
Written by Dustin Lance Black
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas

Summary: The story of longtime FBI chief and compelling figure J. Edgar Hoover, the face of crime-fighting in America, whose personal life contained some secrets that threatened to destroy his reputation.

The Word: Hard not to see the word “Oscar” written all over Eastwood’s latest project and Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black’s second ever script, another from-scratch biopic after gaining notoriety for “Milk.” Then again, we all said that about his last film, “Invictus,” which was a good film but not on par with the best of 2009. DiCaprio also gets to work with another renowned director. His time will come.

My Thoughts: Here’s a rare contender confident enough in its drawing power to avoid a premier up until a week before its release, so we won’t know until November’s AFI Film Festival what kind of an Eastwood film we have. Either way, his films always manage to get a couple nods, so expect this one to be worth a watch. Hopefully the trailer will arrive soon.

 

Melancholia (Ltd, Nov. 11)

Written and Directed by Lars von Trier
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling

Summary: A woman’s wedding reignites tension between her and her sister as well as her family, but it’s all rudely interrupted by a planet that threatens to collide into Earth.

The Word: The end of the world is a popular subject these days, even for auteurs such as Lars von Trier, who has made a huge name for himself dwelling in controversial territory and fetishism. Many of you may recall his insensitive mildly pro-Nazi remarks at Cannes when this film premiered, which seemed to drown out the high level of praise it received. Dunst won Best Actress at Cannes, so perhaps behind her, LVT’s work will gain some recognition from American audiences.

My Thoughts: I’ve yet to daringly step up and watch a von Trier film. I first heard of him when reading about his 2010 film “Antichrist,” which was labeled a horrifying and sadistic among other adjectives. The “Dancer in the Dark” and “Dogville” filmmaker has generally received great acclaim, so at some point I will have to take the plunge.

The Lion King in 3D (Sep. 16)

Directed by Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Written by 29 people
Starring: (voices) Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane

Summary: If you don’t know the plot of “The Lion King,” you’re not old enough to been capable of reading this blog post.

The Word: Back in Fall 2009, Disney took advantage of 3D by simultaneously re-releasing the first two “Toy Story” films in the extra dimension. The move earned Disney $30 million in North America over the course of a month, so why not earn some extra cash for little-to-no effort? “The Lion King” is the highest-grossing 2-D hand-drawn animated film of all time, so it seems like the best option. Disney plans on just a two-week engagement, but one would imagine they’ll expand it if they like the response.

My Thoughts: There’s a big market for nostalgia, and with a lot of the first “Lion King” fans being old enough to purchase their own tickets, I don’t think this one is just for the kiddies. Parents will likely feel inclined to take advantage of this rare opportunity to take their kids to see one of animation’s very best films on the big screen.

 

Dolphin Tale (Sep. 23)

Directed by Charles Martin Smith
Written by Karen Janzsen, Noam Dromi
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr.

Summary: The inspirational story of a dolphin who lost its tale and with the help of a young boy and some marine biologists, found a way to live in spite of it.

The Word: Nothing like suckering people with a good “against all odds” movie that’s based on a true story, especially when it involves an adorable animal … and it’s in 3D. One might best compare this to April’s “Soul Surfer” about a girl who surfs after a shark chomps her arm — i imagine AnaSophia Robb’s character and Winter the dolphin would have been friends. Maybe the real characters they’re based on could hang out in real life.

My Thoughts: Warner Bros. is going for the gut here and hoping that it has something akin to “The Blind Side” based on the way they’re marketing “Dolphin Tale.” Considering I’m without children, all these “do the impossible” tropes have worn thin. I know that if I try really hard I can overcome any obstacle in my path, I don’t need Morgan Freeman to narrate that to me any longer, even as tempting as his voice might be.

 

 

Courageous (Sep. 30)

Directed by Alex Kendrick
Written by Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick
Starring: Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Ben Davies, Kevin Downes

Summary: A story of four police officers who in addition to their tough jobs are fathers. When tragedy strikes their homes, they must make tough decisions.

The Word: Alex Kendrick and Sherwood Pictures bring present their fourth drama steeped in faith-based American-Christian values. “Fireproof” in 2008 dealt with a firefighter thinking of divorcing his wife who takes a friend’s dare to delay the process for 40 days to see if they can’t rekindle the flame; “Facing the Giants” in 2006 was an overcoming-the-odds football story and their first film, “Flywheel” was about a dishonest car salesman who become a born-again Christian.

My Thoughts: It blows my mind that a value-espousing film can get a wide release, but here we are. “Courageous” will look to blend drama and (appropriate) humor into a meaningful family experience that inspires faith and courage. I would venture most common moviegoers will have to be quite courageous to go see this one.

 

 

The Mighty Macs (Oct. 21)

Directed by Tim Chambers
Written by Tim Chambers, Anthony Gargano
Starring: Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz, Ellen Burstyn

Summary: In the ’70s, Cathy Rush becomes the basketball coach at an all-girls Catholic college. They have no gym and no uniforms, but she hopes to coach them to a championship.

The Word: Here’s your latest coach-something-out-of-nothing sports story, although the backdrop is Immaculata College, a Catholic school,  in the ’70s. The key to any great sports story is that overcoming the odds can’t just be about the level of competition the underdog is up against, but the social naysayers. “The Mighty Macs” will score points for ’70s feminism as well. The film is the debut of Tim Chambers and marks the first prominent role for “The League” star David Boreanaz.

My Thoughts: Since when did fall become uplifting story time? “The Mighty Macs” faces more competition than it otherwise might in any other season. But with no other “family” options in October, could this film do better than expected? Maybe by a smidgeon, but not a ton.

 

 

Puss in Boots (Nov. 4)

Directed by Chris Miller
Written by Brian Lynch, David H. Steinberg, Tom Wheeler, Jon Zack
Starring: (voices) Antonio Banderas, Selma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis

Summary: The origin of the legendary Puss in Boots, who must team up with Kitty Softpaws and Humpty Dumpty to save a village from villainous outlaws who’ve discovered an ancient power that could destroy the world.

The Word: Thought you saw the last of the “Shrek” movies, did you? It might be devoid of those central characters, but “Puss in Boots” looks to borrow en masse from that universe. It’s an origin story for Puss, but it’s decked out in Mother Goose characters such as Humpty Dumpty (a creepy looking egg voiced by Galifianakis) as well as Jack and Jill. See if you can find the beanstalk in the trailer too.

My Thoughts: Here’s DreamWorks Animation mooching off its own franchise for a quick buck. It should be a quick millions of bucks too, as no animated offering will hit the market between “The Lion King” in 3D and this film. When that happens, we’ve seen surprisingly high grosses and DreamWorks has also done well for itself in that first November weekend spot for several years, a date that’s usually owned by animation. As for the quality, maybe some good laughs, but I don’t see it as being any better than the last couple “Shrek” films. Did you read that plot summary? This is not following the Pixar golden standard of “story first,” to say the least.