At the top of most ‘Anticipated Films of 2012’ lists you’re bound to see the basics: The Hobbit, The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. It’s pretty easy to see why those films would be at the top of most lists. All three are tent pole franchises, each with a ginormous fan base. But 2012 has a lot of films to offer. Most of the movies catching my eye this year aren’t sequels or prequels but interesting and original concepts (well, most of them.) Take a look an see if you agree with me on my list of 5 Films In 2012 I’m Anticipating More Than The Dark Knight Rises [List by Lindsay.]

5. World War Z
Directed by: Marc Forster. Written by:
Matthew Michael Carnahan, J. Michael Straczynski and Max Brooks (novel.) 
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and David Morse.

World War Z is a book written by Mel Brooks’ son Max Brooks (who also authored the popular The Zombie Survival Guide) and is pieced together in the form of fictitious anecdotes detailing the events of a World War caused by a zombie outbreak. If that concept isn’t cool enough, the movie adaptation also has Brad Pitt’s involvement. At this point in his career, I can trust that Brad wouldn’t be involved in a project if he didn’t see some major potential there. I’m intrigued to see how the novel’s story will translate to film and the contributing factors of Brad Pitt and Zombies have me locked in.

4. The Gangster Squad
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer. Written by: Will Beall and Paul Lieberman (book.) Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, Giovanni Ribisi, and Anthony Mackie.

The Gangster Squad is the next directing effort from Ruben Fleisher, best known for the impressive first film Zombieland. In 2011, Fleisher chose to direct a small comedy 30 Minutes or Less over the big budget Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, a film he thought was too ambitious for what he wanted at the time. So now with The Gangster Squad, Ruben is again up at bat but this time directing a film with a pretty stellar cast. I am very anxious to see what he can pull off with the cast and if he can add anything new to the 1940’s crime drama genre.

3. Looper

Directed by: Rian Johnson. Written by: Rian Johnson. Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Piper Perabo, and Paul Dano.

Rian Johnson is slowly climbing the charts as one of today’s most original filmmakers. His debut Brick and follow up The Brothers Bloom are both delightful and insanely watchable features. With his new project, he teams back up with favorite J-Go on a ballsy sci-fi endeavor involving futuristic crime, time travel and Bruce Willis with a flame thrower. Count me in.

2. Django Unchained
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino. Written by: Quentin Tarantino. Starring: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, and Kerry Washington. 

One thing is certain with me, if Tarantino is in, so am I. Tarantino has been producing hits for years and with the fantastic Inglorious Basterds I think it’s safe to say he still hasn’t lost his touch. His latest tackles the risky subject matter of slavery and is being described as a ‘Spaghetti Southern.” This sounds like a fine pairing for Tarantino, and beyond his involvement, just take a look at that eclectic cast! Oh, and did I mention we finally get to see Leo as a bad guy? 


1. Prometheus
Directed by: Ridley Scott. Written by: Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof. Starring:  Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elbaand Patrick Wilson.

So this is where my list delves into existing property territory. Even though the new Ridley Scott sci-fi epic has yet to confirm any Alien prequel status, it seems likely that the films will exist in the same realm. Prequel nonsense aside, the three major reasons I can’t wait to see Prometheus are (1) the intriguing themes behind it’s tantalizing plot synopsis

Ridley Scott, director of “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

(2) An outstanding cast featuring some of the most compelling actors working today and 
(3) this trailer – behold:



What films are you looking forward to in 2012?