The year all cinephiles have been waiting for - 2012. In the months ahead, exciting Hollywood blockbusters will hit our screens that we simply could not wait for InCinemas presents our 10 Must-Watch Blockbusters of the new year in two parts. Some of them have probably been marked down on your calendars already, others might have been inexplicably lost on your cinematic radar. Whatever the case, this blog post will remind you again why 2012 will be a great year for Hollywood blockbusters!
Film still of THE HUNGER GAMES
In chronological order of release date, let's start with...
#1 JOHN CARTER (Dir. Andrew Stanton)
Release date: 08-March
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe
Plot outline: Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.
Trailer for JOHN CARTER:
Why Must Watch? Andrew Stanton. He has had an outstanding track record with Pixar, helming films such as FINDING NEMO (2003) and WALL-E (2008). Like fellow Pixar colleague Brad Bird, who successfully made MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (2011) after directing THE INCREDIBLES (2004) and RATATOUILLE (2007), Stanton is venturing into his first live-action feature. Although the plot seems like a close copy of AVATAR (2009), there are high hopes for this film.
#2 THE HUNGER GAMES (Dir. Gary Ross)
Release date: 22-March
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
Plot outline: Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.
Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES:
Why Must Watch? Jennifer Lawrence who last starred in the gritty American indie WINTER'S BONE (2010), earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Leading Actress, now makes another breakthrough by being cast in the lead role in a major studio film. Will her talent shine on a bigger stage? Fingers crossed!
#3 THE AVENGERS (Dir. Joss Whedon)
Release date: 01-May
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo.
Plot outline: Nick Fury and the international agency S.H.I.E.L.D. bring together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki & his various membered army.
Trailer for THE AVENGERS:
Why Must Watch? Just simply look at the cast. It blows your mind. The Marvel superheroes - Iron Man, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, and Thor will be back in one epic of a film directed by a skilled filmmmaker who gave us SERENITY (2005). Will there be an extra clip after the end credits for this one? Once again, fingers crossed!
#4 PROMETHEUS (Dir. Ridley Scott)
Release date: 08-June
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Patrick Wilson.
Plot outline: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Trailer for PROMETHEUS:
Why Must Watch? You know that science-fiction has come full circle when Ridley Scott, who directed the first installment of ALIEN (1979), still perhaps the scariest sci-fi horror film ever made, announced that he will be doing a "prequel" to his breakthrough film, set within the same universe. Just watching its trailer alone shows Scott taking very seriously with this project. In other words, die-hard and long-time fans have a reason to cheer this summer.
#5 BRAVE (Dir. Mark Andrews & Brenda Chapman)
Release date: 21-June
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
Plot outline: Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
Trailer for BRAVE:
Why Must Watch? It's a new Pixar film! After a lukewarm reception for CARS 2 (2011), it's time for the renowned animation studio to deliver again. They have more successes than duds. So, there is every reason to believe BRAVE will fulfill its promise.