Films not to miss in 2012!

With the approach of the new year I feel it's time to look forward to the up and coming year and what it holds for film. It seems to be safe to say that 2012 is the going to be the best year for films EVER. With the likes of reboots, sequels, crossovers and prequels the year is getting more exciting by the second!

First off it's time for the re-makes of classic fairy-tales to hit back and prove their worth after the hopeless attempt at Red Riding Hood last year. The awful excuse for a horror/thriller/teen flick had about as much suspense as Twilight. (Coincidence? (look who directed it)) It was slow and lacked any real conviction and had the worst heroine in the form of Amanda Seyfried as she just swanned all over the screen, occasionally donning the red cloak. However it looks like the fairy-tales are about to hit back, with two dark re-makes set to hit the screen next year.

Film: Jack The Giant Killer
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Ian Mcshane, Stanley Tucci.
Release Date: June

Backed up by an impressive cast and the director of the first X-Men movie, this looks set to be an impressive summer blockbuster. Based on the fairy-tale of the same name, the plot follows Jack who unwittingly opens a gateway into a world ruled by giants. The giants looking to reclaim the land they lost, force Jack into an ancient war that has been raging far before his existence. With the likes of Ewan McGregor, Ian McShane, Stanley Tucci, Bill Nighy and with emerging star Nicholas Hoult, known for his breakthrough role in About a Boy, and as Hank McCoy in X-Men First Class.
Prediction: Based on the initial trailer and the strength of cast I'll stick my neck on the line for this one and say it will deserve 8/10

Film: Snow White and the Huntsman
Cast: Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Helmsworth, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone
Release Date: June 1st

Probably about as far from 'high-ho'ing as possible. From left to right Nick Frost, Ray Winstone, Toby Jones, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Johnny Harris , Eddie Marsan, Brian Gleeson.

This looks set to dwarf the initial movie. The darker take on the story released nearly a century ago, shows a kingdom ruled by the dictator, Queen Ravenna (Theron). She learns that her stepdaughter (Stewart) is set to surpass her as the ruler of the land. She is told that if she consumes the heart of Snow White that she will live and rule forever. Snow white escapes into the dark forest and Ravenna is forced to send the Huntsman (Helmsworth) after her to claim her prize. However when the huntsman finds Snow White, he takes pity on the young girl and takes her under her wing. With the help of the seven dwarfs and the prince they begin to plan a rebellion to take down the queen. With the producer of the only successful re-make of a fairy-tale, Alice in Wonderland, on board this looks set to be another stunning summer blockbuster, that from the initial trailer looks stunning visually and a brilliant take on what is a classic story.
Prediction: Looks like a Kick-ass comeback for the age-old disney classic and i reckon it will top Jack the Giant Killer, 8.5/10

Moving swiftly onto what will be the best possible year for comic book nerds. With three MASSIVE films set to hit the big screen throughout 2012.

Film: The Avengers
Cast: Robert Downy Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Helmsworth, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Scarlet Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddlestone
Release Date: May 4th

Avengers, assemble!

The first to be released is the biggest crossover of films ever. Four of the biggest comic-book franchisees to be made into one of the biggest comic-book films ever. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America. And on May 4th, after many after credit scenes, The Avengers will finally be released in cinemas. The only dissapointing side is the fact that they have got rid of Edward Norton from the role of Bruce Banner (Hulk) but apart from that the first trilaer looks epic. Still in the frame is Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Helmsworth (Thor) and Chris Evans (Captain America). As far as the story is concerned, not much has been revealed. All we know of, as of yet, is that Thor's demented brother Loki, has teamed up with a (un-known) alien race and is attempting to take over earth. While the other superheroes want to save their planet it gives norse god Thor an added incentive. "He feels responsible for why Loki has spiraled off." Says Chris Helmsworth. "He keeps trying to appeal to what ever good is left in him." The stage is set, all that's left to go is for the cast to emerge and get on with it.
Prediction: This should be a truly epic film, not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but will no doubt be a highly enjoyable film to say the least. 8/10

Film: The Amazing Spiderman
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans
Release Date: July 3rd

Although I was never a massive fan of Spidey, I am truly looking forward to the re-boot of the web slinger. The Amazing Spiderman is set to hit our screens in July. The main issue is that this film has got to compare to the dark re-boot of Batman, and the badass comedy, the Avenger's individual films offered us. They've pulled in a great cast and a new villain never portrayed in any of Toby McGuire's films and it looks set to return with a web-slinging bang!
Prediction: In quality, better then the Avengers, in enjoyment? Well as past Spidey films proved, it's all down to opinion. 8/10

Film: The Dark Knight Rises
Cast: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joeseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard
Release Date: July 20th
This is my pick of all the films being released in 2012 (Apart from one). The trailers alone look good enough on their own, to call it an all time great. Of course this will have to grip us, the way The Dark Knight did, but with Christopher Nolan at the helm, what could possibly go wrong? The film is set 8 years after the Dark Knight events, when the terrorist Bane arrives in Gotham. Bane is being plaid by Tom Hardy, a brave choice for the young Brit, having to step into Heath Ledgers ENORMOUS shoes. He looks to have done more then a good enough job however taking the Joker's pure, nothing to lose attitude and adding brute force to the equation. Batman is then forced to re appear after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes. Nolan has seemingly done the impossible by taking the Dark Knight and somehow making it bigger and better.

Prediction: Need I say more? If you have to miss one of these films, DON'T let it be this one. 10/10

Film: The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey
Cast: Sir Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Richard Armitage, James Nesbit
Release Date: December 14th

Peter Jackson: "I'm back!"

Thorin Oakenshield

It won't get better then this in 2012. (You can quote me on that!) Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth, to direct Tolkein's critically acclaimed novel. With Cameos from the original Lord of the Rings family, such as Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Orlando Bloom (Legolas) just adds to the mouthwatering sensation any LotR nerd has already. Lord of the Rings have made hollywood stars, such as Orlando Bloom and Dominic Monaghan, so look out for Richard Armitage and Jimmy Nesbit to erupt onto the Hollywood scene. Lord of the Rings, Return of the King holds the record for the most Oscars won by one film, so with the original crew returning to the Hobbit, so expect a lot of nominations. The Hobbit tells of Bilbo Baggins' (Freeman) journey to help the band of Dwarfs, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage), to reclaim their Kingdom that they lost from the powerful Dragon, Smaug. It shows how Bilbo gains the ring of power from Smeagol (Serkis).
Prediction: To have the old gang back for another film is enough to give this a 10, but after watching the trailer, as a fantasy nerd, I don't think it gets better then this. 10/10

Film: Prometheus
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Release Date: June 8th
Liked the "Alien" films? Well then you'll love Prometheus. Ridley Scott returns to his beloved franchise, after directing the first Alien film back in 1979. Though not directly linked, to the Alien story line, Scott described it as having, "similar DNA to the Alien films". The story follows the team of the Prometheus, who are sent out into space to try and discover the origins of the human race. What they find, does not explain the existence of humanity, it threatens to destroy it. The film looks gripping and intense, I only wish they could have made Alien with the budget and technology of the modern day era. No doubt Scott will be able to use ideas not possible in the late 70s, and will be able to make his ideal film in a franchise so loved.
Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender? Ridley Scott? A new more deadly "Alien"? Surely a guaranteed hit! 9/10

Films that were terrible with incredible trailers

The idea of a trailer is to get the paying audience to get into the cinemas and watch their films. However with a trailer comes a certain amount of expectation. Here are my choices of films that had great trailers, but eventually meant wasted money!

1. Terminator Salvation

2. Daybreakers

3. The Spirit

4.The Imaginarium of Dr