5 Reason to Look Forward to 2012 More than This Year

This would normally be the time of the year when I make out my list for the best films released in theaters so far. Generally I’d compile a list of five or six exceptional films, picking one that’s at the top, and then name one that is the worst film. However, I’m saddened to say that 2011 has been a very disappointing year for films, which is why my blog has been lacking updates lately. Nothing has been really grabbing me. So, firstly, I make this simple. The best film so far: Rango. The worst: Battle: Los Angeles. So there you go.

Now that’s out of the way, I can look forward to the beginning. However, I have to look further into the future until I find something that’s worth getting excited about. In fact, I have to look all the way to next year. So instead of reviewing the year so far, I’m going to give a rundown as to why I’m looking forward to 2012 much more than the next six months. At the beginning of the year, I’ll do an official list of films to look forward to, but for now I’ll give a brief rundown.

5. Gritty Spy vs. Gritty Spy (Bond vs. Bourne)

There’s been a bit of a hiatus in the Jason Bourne and James Bond series, and I admit that void hasn’t been filled yet. As far as the former goes, I’m only really excited for it because it’s written and directed by Tony Gilroy, the director of Michael Clayton and Duplicity, as well as the original screenwriter of the Bourne series. Gilroy gets better as a director with every film, and him returning to the series makes me excited to see what he can do. I’m not totally sold on Jeremy Renner, who’s approaching overexposure, but he’s a guy that I like and a worthy successor to Damon.

As for James Bond, I’m a HUGE fan of the franchise, and eagerly await every new entry. However, I was greatly let down by Quantum of Solace and am very hungry for another good film. With Sam Mendes at the helm, a cast that could possibly include Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, and cinematography by Roger Deakins, that only amplifies my excitement. Just in time for Bond’s 50th birthday.

4. Return of the Masters

Next year also sees films released by many great filmmakers whose work I enjoy seeing time and time again. Bryan Singer might not be respected in all corners, but he’s a guy that I really respect and admire and try to support him, which means I’m looking forward to Jack the Giant Killer. Ridley Scott’s Prometheus was almost an Alien prequel, but now that’s abandoned, the film sounds much more interesting, with Michael Fassbender in the lead of an interesting sci-fi epic from a true master at the genre. Ang Lee also comes back with a project that could match his Oscar-winning one, Life of Pi, Peter Jackson goes back to Middle Earth with part one of The Hobbit, and Quentin Tarantino surrounds himself with Jamie Foxx, Christoph Watlz and Leonardo DiCaprio in Django Unchained. A lot of great filmmakers are getting the spotlight again next year.

3. 2 Shots of Tim Burton

Not everyone likes the man, but I still admire Burton’s films and still get excited about his new projects. Just like in 2005, he’s directing both a live action and animated film. This time it’s the adaptations of the soap opera Dark Shadows and his original short film Frankenweenie, which will become a 3D stop motion film. Predictably, Dark Shadows will feature Johnny Depp but still indulge in the gothic scene that Burton does well, not to mention that the 1970s timeframe might be a nice nod to the Hammer Films era. Frankenweenie actually intrigues me a little more because, not only do I love his stop motion style, but it also does not feature Depp in the cast, a first in almost ten years. A little break is needed every now and then, and we’ll get it in this one.

2. 2 Shots of Abe Lincoln

Next year we’re also getting two very different perspectives at probably the most notable American president. First we’ll get Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (produced by the aforementioned Burton). I’m all for revisionist Civil War epics, and this sounds weird enough to be interesting. The second is a straight forward biopic on the man, the long awaited film being directed by Steven Spielberg. Even though he’s got War Horse out this year, this is the one I’ll see as his real comeback after the misfire that was Indiana Jones 4. And with a cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, you’ll have to practically barricade me in my room to prevent me from seeing this.

1. Superheroes (we actually care about)

The summer of 2011 has had plenty of superhero projects, but I have to say that the likes of Captain America, Thor and Green Lantern don’t really interest me as much. Next year we’ll have the conclusion of the epic experiment known as The Avengers, and I just want to see if this big chance that Marvel is taking can actually pay off. We’re also getting reboots of Spider-Man and Superman. I’m not a huge fan of the latter, but with Christopher Nolan godfathering the project and a Chicago location being featured, that helps to overcome the choice of Zack Snyder as director. Spider-Man is being directed by Marc Webb, whose debut feature made me very impressed to follow him onward, and a fantastic cast that’s headlined by Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. And then, there’s The Dark Knight Rises. I don’t think anything else needs to be said about that one.

Come on 2012, get here quickly.

New Review: Super 8

Monster Mush

I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but the movie-going experience lately has left me completely depressed. This summer in particular has been quite upsetting, with nearly every film being a disappointment on some level or another. In truth, the only one that I have enjoyed thus far is Thor, and that’s because my expectations were way low. I’m not sure exactly what I expected with this film, but I way excited enough for it, coming from a group of filmmakers that I highly respected. Too bad I was royally wrong yet again.

As a nod to the nostalgic era of current working filmmakers, the film sets its focus on a group of middle-schoolers in 1970s Ohio. Their ambitious plan as of now is to complete the mini-feature of their friend (Reilly Griffiths), which is shot on the illustrious Super 8 film. The lead is played by Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning is along as the love interest for the main character. But while filming, the group witnesses a train accident: one in which a horrible creature is unleashed and wreaks havoc on the small town.

I really like J.J. Abrams, as his reboot of the Star Trek franchise is one of the most entertaining films in a long while, but here he goes for a more personal path and it fails. It fails miserably. What Abrams sets out to do is create a nostalgia drenched piece that harkens back to the days when he and producer Spielberg were falling in love with film. There’s a lot of homage to the master, but most of them are just ideas. There’s no point at all to this film: it’s just overbearing nods and mediocre storytelling. There are some good moments in the film, such as the initial crash sequence, but it’s one of the few that stick out.

What is most bothersome in the story is how divided the narrative is. One half focuses on the puzzle-box mystery surrounding the monster, and the steps that the kids go to in order to uncover the mystery. The other is the intimate, personal relationships between the kids. Problem is that neither one reaches a level of interest. The monster’s motivations are never clearly defined, leaving all scenes involving it to be slick looking mess. The personal relationships are intriguing, but all of them dangle on the surface; none of them are explored to a meaningful level. There’s nothing of value within the characters or the story.

The cast filled of mostly unknowns do a serviceable job, but nothing extremely noteworthy. Courtney’s performance actually feels like it’s one crafted out of clever editing rather than genuine talent. Fanning’s is inconsistent and the others are just downright annoying. The parents are all stand ins and completely useless. However, all of that could be forgiven if there was a hint of diversity in this cast, at least who weren’t used as self-sacrificing ideologues or expendable military pawns. It’s an element that rarely gets talked about in movies today, and even sometimes is unwarranted, but it needs discussion every once in a while.

I had hopes for the film, like a lot of people did. I certainly don’t knock the impressive visual effects or the Michael Giacchino score that does its best John Williams impression, but for the most part I really disliked this film, borderline hating it. It’s all idea and no substance, no point at all in watching it. It’s really sad that people as talented as Abrams and Spielberg can make a film that feels so empty on the inside. As much as I may have hoped otherwise, my depression this summer marches onward.

C-