Featured Story: The Most Anticipated Summer Flicks of 2012
Nothing says “summer at the movies” quite like a metric ton of big name blockbusters flooding theaters near you – superheroes on top of superheroes, classic television series brought back from the dead, re-imagined fairy tales, and animated gems about finding yourself. But with the cinema summer growing ever-larger, the stakes being pushed ever-higher, and enough content to keep audience members in their seats ever-longer, a line has to be drawn somewhere. As we start looking ahead to the future, a future of promise and potential, a future of tingling anticipation that the road stretched out in front of us that leads to the cinema will be paved with gold, let’s see what are some of the brightest shimmering wonder of movies to come.
Prometheus (June 8th)
Possibly THE most anticipated film of the year. Ridley Scott returns to direct his first science fiction film in thirty years. With films like Alien and Blade Runner to his credits, it’s hard not to get excited about this upcoming project. It boats a cast that includes Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, and Idris Elba.
The Avengers (May 4th)
The first of three major superhero movies to come out this summer. It may not have the box office history of the Batman and Spiderman franchises but with Joss Whedon at the helm, it’s omnibus collection of many of Marvel’s finest characters creates enough buzz to official kick off the summer blockbuster season.
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th)
Is it really necessary to explain why this film is hugely anticipated? Ever since Christopher Nolan’s second Batman movie shattered multiple box office records and was near-unanimously praised as one of the best film’s of 2008, the hype for the third and final installment has been nonstop.
The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd)
Sony is rebooting one of the most successful franchises of all time and one that was responsible for the superhero boom of the past decade with all new personnel. With a story that is universally familiar, the challenge will be to find a new angle on an old familiar hero.
The Bourne Legacy (August 3rd)
Although Matt Damon leaves some big shoes to fill, Jeremy Renner seems up to the task in the fourth installment of the Bourne film series. Tony Gilroy settles into the directing chair this time, having previously written the screenplays for the first three Bourne films. With a supporting cast including, Edward Norton, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, and Stacy Keach, look for this one to rise above the sea of summer blockbusters.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22nd)
Tim Burton. Vampires. Abraham Lincoln. Axe wielding honest Abe riding a rampaging horde of stallions against an undead menace. Where do I get in line?
Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1st)
From the stunning visuals to what looks to be a terrifying performance from Charlize Theron, Snow White and the Huntsman looks to bring a much darker and more violent version of the fairy tale to life. Cast includes Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Ian McShane.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (June 29th)
Much like it’s sibling toys-turned blockbuster-films franchise, Transformers, G.I. Joe has every sight set on being this summer’s massive action adventure. It’s already stepped up the game with just its casting with the addition of Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis as Roadblock and Mr. Joe himself.
Savages (July 6th)
The cynical, fun, energetic, and hard biting Oliver Stone is back with a high-energy crime-thriller. This is what he does best.
Brave (June 22nd)
Can Pixar continue their Midas touch? Smart money says, Merida, Pixar’s first Princess is up to the task.