Let's see... 2012 seems to be jam packed with good stuff. The last year I can remember that had so many great films was 2007 maybe? A month ago I wrote about my top ten most anticipated, you can check that out here if you're interested. Here's ten more for good measure.
20. 2 Days in New York - August 10
Truthfully this movie, from teasers and trailers anyway, doesn't seem like it's actually going to be that good. It sort of feels like a recycled formula Julie Delpy loves implementing into all of her movies. But honestly, what can I say - I love that crazy French bitch. I feel like a huge part of the reason 2 Days in Paris worked so well was large in part to Adam Goldberg, who won't be appearing in this one. But at the end of the day this:
is maybe up there with my all-time favorite scenes. If that's the sort of thing she's capable of churning out, this one's worth at least a shot.
19. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - Now playing
I know this one is already in theaters, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm actually pretty bummed because general consensus of this movie so far is not promising. It's weird, I like Steve Carell, and I want to like his movies - but I end up hating most of them. This one caught my attention after this trailer was released. Steve Carell is at his best when he's sad and pathetic, but in a funny and endearing sort of way (see: Little Miss Sunshine). This seemed in a similar vain, plus they use Talking Heads in the soundtrack. Whether I want it to or not, that's always gonna help sway my vote.
18. Gangster Squad - September 7
I know I'm in the vast minority with this one, but I generally tend to not give a shit about gangster movies. Very few really knock me to the floor... or "get my goat" so to speak (if anyone actually still speaks like that). Then again, I will watch *anything* with Ryan Gosling in it. He can improve the quality of a film at least 70% without breaking a sweat, so that's always a factor. Also, whatever - the trailer hit me with the right amount of intrigue. There's one scene in the trailer, however, that I feel could have been a great moment in the film if you weren't expecting it: when they shoot up the movie theater. Why ruin that in the trailer? Dumb broads.
17. Savages - July 6
Oliver Stone is a weird guy. For every movie he makes that I like, he makes six that I couldn't care less about. I feel like it's time he made one I like, and this may as well be the one. It feels like it's gonna be a little fun, a little explode-y, a little weird, a little sexy, and an overall good time. Aaron Johnson has dreads, John Travolta gets thigh stabbed, Blake Lively is one hot momma, but who is Taylor Kitsch? I have no idea who he is.
16. On the Road - couldn't find release date. But I though September-ish for some reason?
I've only ever read the first half of On the Road. You're probably supposed to read it in high school, but I went to a public school that assigned us stupid books instead of literary classics. Ethan Frome is, to this day, one of the worst books I've ever had the displeasure of reading - and we spent 3 months analyzing it. Frome bitterness aside, I throughly enjoyed the first half of On the Road. I have no idea why I stopped reading it, I think I just was reading multiple books at the time and it got sidelined for some reason. Either way I'm very intrigued to see an adaptation. From the trailer, it looks damn pretty. Pretty people and pretty landscapes.
15. The Great Gatsby - December 25
Ok this one is a bit of a wild card. Baz Luhrmann is another weird one. Again, probably in the minority, I genuinely like his 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet. It's weird, it's over the top - but I enjoy it. Remember Paul Rudd in that movie? So anyway, once again Luhrmann casts DiCaprio - this time as Jay Gatsby. Woah, that sounds awesome. Then we have Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. For the past ten years I haven't been able to associate the guy with anything but Spider-Man but ok, I'll allow it. Carey Mulligan as Daisy - ok great, love her. Then the trailer came out and it was so bizarre. It has Jay Z songs and glitter falling from the ceiling. Looks like we may get a couple of classic DiCaprio freak outs, but those are always welcome. Anyway this could be good, it could be awful. Let's find out together!
side note: look at DiCaprio! 2 movies on Christmas Day??
14. Little Birds - couldn't find release date. But I though September-ish for some reason?
My god, I am such a sucker for coming of age stories. I truly am. They are my vice. Girls that are trying to find their place, and as a result they are depressed and lay underwater in the bathtub. This girl, Juno Temple, appears in another movie on my other list this year: Killer Joe. So I don't know who she is yet, but apparently she's worth looking out for.
13. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - September 20
Again, this movie totally fits into that coming of age vice. 15 year old me read this book and angstfully related, now 24 year old me is curious to see the translation on screen. I also thought it was interesting that the guy who wrote the book not only wrote the screenplay, but also directed the movie. Now, this could obviously be a fatal mistake for the adaptation - but whatever, I'm in.
12. Safety Not Guaranteed - Now playing
This movie is also in select theaters, not playing near me yet, but hopefully soon. Unlike Seeking a Friend, this one actually has had a pretty glowing reception so far. I remember hearing the premise for this movie awhile back, and though I found the meme funny, my first reaction was basically: really? In spite of this initial reaction, I couldn't help but find myself wanting to know more about it. Overall it just seems like such a different and original concept. Very excited.
11. Seven Psychopaths - November 2
"A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu"
That plot, along with that cast, along with Martin McDonagh who did In Bruges (his brother is pretty fantastic also - The Guard was one of the best of last year, even if nobody seemed to notice it): what more do you need?
