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We’ve already had some cracking releases this year already haven’t we? From a group of assembled Avengers, to planetary exploration with the spaceship Prometheus, we’ve been (relatively) amazed by a spiderman, seen the rise of a Dark Knight, oh and there have been a few more expendables too. But what’s next?
The action’s flowed thick and fast and there’s no respite in sight, with another load of gunfights, explosions and intergalactic excursions hovering on the horizon. To keep you clued-up on the various viewing pleasures on offer over the next 12 months, here’s a run down of the biggest blockbusters that are vying for your hard-earned pennies. Popcorn at-the-ready, it’s time to start planning those movie nights.
Out now/In Upcoming Weeks
Killing Them Softly (21st September)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini
Ok, so we all know that Hollywood has rehashed the heist-gone-wrong formula to the point of becoming a joke (Ocean’s 12 anyone?). But what sets this intense drama apart is a return to form from Brad Pitt; the fantastic source material from crime novel supremo George V. Higgins, and a strong supporting cast, which includes the legendary Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini. Just try not to hum The Fugees’ catchy classic while you’re watching it.
Looper (28th September)
Starring: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
When a film is labelled ‘the new Matrix‘ you can almost sense the collective groan from all those of us left sorely disappointed by flops such as Jumper and Wanted. Looper‘s the latest to be burdened by that tag, but early reviews indicate that this futuristic thriller is up to the challenge. After supporting roles in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, Joseph Gordon Levitt turns leading man as a hitman whose target is someone sent back in time, only to find that it’s his own future-self (Bruce Willis). Talk about rotten luck.
Taken 2 (October 5th)
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
The tense tale of ex-CIA agent Bryan Mills rescuing his kidnapped daughter was one of 2008′s surprise hits, propelling the distinguished Liam Neeson from elder journeyman to bonafide hardman in the process. This follow up sees him and his very particular set of skills returning in, quite literally, explosive style. But his dippy daughter can’t have been taken again, surely? Oh no, prepare for this twist: this time he’s the one being taken, by some rather angry Balkan crime lords out for revenge. Despite its mixed reviews, it’s probably best that you see it, or he will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you.
Out Later This Year
Skyfall (November 9th)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw
23 is the magic number for Ian Fleming’s iconic secret-agent series, and it sees Bond come back with an absolute bang. It’s business as usual for the man with a golden-eye for the ladies; kicking criminal-arse and saving the world, all whilst impeccably dressed and remarkably unflustered. This time a creepily-sinister Javier Bardem is the schemer with Jimster in his sights, as a whirlwind tour of fast cars and fight scenes across some of the world’s most striking locations ensues. Add this to the requisite quota of guns, gadgets and girls galore, and Skyfall promises to send even the biggest of Bond fans to 00-heaven.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14th)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis
Set some 60 years before the start of the events of Lord of the Rings, this time it’s funny-man Martin Freedman following in Elijah Woods’ hobbit-sized footsteps, as the protagonist of a grand journey across Middle Earth. While a more suitable title might have been The Hobbit: An Unexpected Trilogy, thanks to the spreading of the relatively slim book’s content, for many, Peter Jackson’s reprisal of Tolkien signals the return of the king. Only time will tell if The Hobbit can scale similar heights, but it should more than enough for a decent fantasy fix and to lose yourself in the CGI-constructed world of beasts and epic battles.
Out Early Next Year
Django Unchained (18th January)
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson, Christopher Waltz
Variety’s the spice of strife when it comes to the character context of Tarrantino‘s action-packed offerings. After gangsters, Yakuzas, stuntmen and Nazis, the maverick director returns with a typically eclectic cast in this story of a freed-slave-turned-bounty-hunter. We’re taken on a rip-roaring ride of blood-splattered mayhem, as the eponymous Django (Jamie Foxx) tries to rescue his missus from Leonardo DiCaprio’s charismatically-menacing plantation owner. If Tarrantino reigns in his propensity for self-indulgence (Death Proof almost proved the death of me), this could be a winner.
Cloud Atlas (March 22nd)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw
The most all-star cast ever compiled come together for an undertaking of gargantuan proportions, in a film unlike any film seen before. Ever. Well, at least that’s how this movie seems to be pitched, but it’s already polarising opinion. Based on David Mitchell’s (no not that David Mitchell) award winning novel, we’re presented with six narratives that explore the effects of individual actions that traverse across roughly 1,000 years of time and space. If you can get your head past a probably convoluted plot, and almost certainly mammoth running time, this latest offering from the Watchowski’s might just be able to redefine your idea of ‘epic’. Plus, The Terminal aside, you can never go wrong with a bit of Tom Hanks can you?
Also worth a look: Gangster Squad (January 11th), Elysium (March 1st), Trance (March TBA)
Out Summer Next Year
Iron Man 3
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Paul Bettany
2013 promises another superhero summer, and it’s time to suit up as the iron-clad, billionaire badboy returns to our screens. In superhero franchises, the third instalment is often where things go pear-shaped, just ask Toby Maguire (pretty much forced into hiding after Spiderman 3). Literally death-defying stunts, an inspired villain choice (Ben Kingsley rumoured to be Mandarin), and a healthy dose of witty one-liners should ensure that Tony Stark reigns again. Well, as long as the bad guy doesn’t have a giant magnet, then he’d be screwed. Keep your iron the Blu-ray and DVD deals to keep you satisfied until its release.
Star Trek Into Darkness (17th May)
Starring: Chris Pine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto
Anyone that tried not to enjoy J.J Abram’s first Star Trek film probably found that resistance was indeed, futile, as it delivered an absolutely action-packed, intergalactic extravaganza. And now Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty and co. are back on the Enterprise once more, in the highly anticipated sequel to the 2009 hit. While the plot is still closely guarded, prepare for another warp-speed adventure with a new set of villains trying to make sure that Kirk and his crew don’t live long and prosper. Fingers crossed that it’s out of this world.
Kick Ass 2 (19th July)
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Cage, Jim Carrey, Chloe Moretz
Mark Millar’s comic-book-crusader came to the big screen in Kick Ass, which received widespread acclaim thanks to it’s not-so-super hero’s perfect balance of awkward dorkishness and genuine arse-kickery. Fast-forward two years and everyone’s favourite high-school hero is patrolling the streets again, but this time he’s teamed up with a full crew. Cue more explosions, crazy costumes, and laughs-a-plenty. Be sure to watch out for pint-sized, potty-mouth Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) delivering another show-stealing performance.
The Wolverine (26th July)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Bryan Tee
It’s claws at the ready, but not a cat-fight in sight, as the follow up to X-Men Origins: Wolverine rolls out. This time the weapon-clad wildman journeys to Japan to train with a samurai. Erm ok, so I have to admit that plot sounds straight out of a Steven Segal straight-to-DVD ‘classic’. Still, I’m quietly optimistic that Wolverine’s penchant for slicing anything and everything that gets in his way, should make the action sequences worth the cinema visit alone. If it sucks, I’ll leave it to you guys to inform Hugh Jackman.
The Best of the Rest: Man of Steel (June 14th), World War Z (July 21st), 300: Rise of An Empire (August 2nd), Robocop (August 9th)
Image credit: Cinema from Shutterstock
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Live long and suck it Zachary Quinto
Killing them softly has to be the worst film i have seen in a long time (that prize would go to the rum diary). It was so long drawn out nothing really happening and you hated all the characters. The made a good trailer from the scraps though!.
Haha I actually quite liked the Rum Diary
Yeah, Rum Diary was good. It had soul.
Hunter would’ve been proud.
Ray liotta was given a very good beating though, the australian character and his sidekick were funny, Brad did his usual Brad and Gandolfini much the same, it did have the feel to it that it was part 3 of a 6 part series where you hadn’t seen any of the other episodes and it didnt have much to say. From the title i was expecting a much different film, one where Brad kills several people in ingenious ways from a distance, someone should make that film.
Agree I thought it was going to be different I guess but all the same I found it utterly unengaing, I disliked almost every character, the political rhetoric throughout was just plain pointless and actually detracted than added to the film. 6 people walked out of the cinema when I was in, for once I wish Id followed but I hung on to the end hoping it would get better.
Your comment makes no sense if Killing Them Softly has to be the worst film you have seen in a long time, then where does a quality movie like the Rum Diary come into it ? You sound like you should stick to Michael Bay movies and leave us all alone.
lol whats your point here buddy? Are you completely inept at comprehension? Even though my wording was off its pretty clear Killing them softly = bad, Rum diary = terrible. Both with good trailers and ultimately sucked. Ahhh the old you like Michael bay movies cliche. Poor effort troll. For reference of what i would consider good movies I saw this year and I highly reccomend,
The Man from Nowhere,
The Grey,
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,
Lawless,
Gangs of Wassypur,
Bittersweet Life,
Elite Squad.
Elite Squad was brilliant
true that, also probably a bit michael bay lol but check out raid: redemption
Raid Redemption was a fantastic film
I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you remove TAKEN2 from this article now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
That entire film could have been avoided if he just said down the phone “look mate.. i work for the CIA… I’m basically a bad ass… So give me daughter back or i will fuck you up… then your kids will come after me… we will have to have a sequel… and i will fuck them up…. so save yourself some time and give her back. You can rape the other one for all i care.”
I didn’t rate Taken. I think it is Neeson, I can’t recall a film he was in that I actually liked, I feel he is constant talking to the camera, very self conscience acting, but he puts Costner to shame – but who doesn’t.
The reviews of Taken 2 have been a real mixed bag. So a lot of people don’t like it eh? Tis a shame as the first one was quality. Seeing it next week, so I’ll be able to judge properly
Killing Them Softly is not a great film, it has good bits to it, Brad Pitt returns to form but it’s a well trodden path and he doesn’t bring anything new to the role, if anything it’s the less known actors who bring shine to this film. The best bit is when Ray Liotta gets what has to be the most realistic Movie beating i have ever seen, you relly feel for him and it looks like he’s feeling every punch and Kick, in fact it’s nice to see Ray Liotta taking on a more Humble role. While it’s not a Great film, it is good, still worth a watch.
Looper Is a great film that effortlessly brushes aside the hangups on rules that other time based films get bogged into. JGL does a convincing job of portraying what Bruce could have been like a young man, if we didn’t already know what he was like that is. It’s very well written and feels like a nice balanced film, Willis is very much a supporting actor in this film but he still does a very good job with what little script he is given. There are other aspects to the story which aren’t being publicised and come as a nice surprise as the film unfolds, the funniest scene is where you see the transition from JGL to Willis in the character Arc, poor old bruce doesn’t loose his hair gracefully! I highly recommend this film.
Despite the obvious choices of films to come such as Star Trek & Wolverine, i also recommend you keep an eye out for Cloud Atlas which is an epic story brought brilliantly to the big screen, the trailers look fantastic, and also Django Unchained which, from early reports, will be an eagerly needed return to form for Tarantino.
I’m not sure if the release date for World War Z will come off, the book was a very good read in an unconventional way of story telling and i cant really see how they could keep the feel of the book in the movie, but we shall see.
With Chris Nolans input, Snyders Man of steel may be next years dark horse and as a Supes fan, i cant wait to see it!
Thanks for the reviews Spatch.. Can’t wait for World War Z!
I read the book as there was a bit of hype about the it and the films. I dont read Biogs or History or factual books so i wasnt sure if i’d get on with the report style of the book but it was so brilliantly written and original and balanced, the way the interviews take you along the history of the war and the aftermath and back down the history through the lives of the witnesses is sublime, the cultural differences that are shown and the way the book is truly global, its fantastic! the only criticism i had was that there wasnt enough UK action but thats just patriotic narcissism!
Unfortunately the film has a long way to go to match the balance of the book and to have Brad Pitt as the Interviewer is just going to be a waste, i fear that they are just going to do a generic zombie linear narrative. I just cant see that a 2 hour movie will be enough to do it justice, but i wait with an open mind.
Exactly. The book doesn’t lend itself nearly as well to a movie as it does to giving me nightmares about underwater zombies
I can has braaaiiinsss?
I thought that the best way to adapt the book would be through a mock documentary style. Lots of fake news items, found footage, phone videos, etc. Sadly, I think you’re right and they’ll be taking the generic linear path.
must admit I never listen to reviews about films and like to go in with an open mind, there are very few films I really hate,
I figure if you go to film, with a view of comparing it to a prequel or book, then chances are you are not going to enjoy it as much.
Totally agree. I’m looking forward to most of the films posted (especially star trek) but although not an action, the main one I can’t wait for is Les Mis.
yeah I loved the last star trek, and looking forward to next.
didnt know about les mis film so just watched trailer and looks good
I didn’t enjoy either Killing Them Softly or Looper which was disappointing as I had been anticipating them for quite a while.
Killing Them Softly feels too long, is riddled with many dull moments and is rather too bombastic in the allegories that it aims to spin about the financial collapse in recent years. Although it isn’t intelligent or subtle in the messages it attempts to portray it still requires your utmost attention because keeping track of a raft of unlikeable characters with stock names and funny accents is annoyingly difficult in this film.
Looper? Rotten. Totally rotten. It started out so well, took a wonderful turn to the stylish as it went through the first “loop”… and then became a boring and staid sci-fi family drama making sure to pull out as many cliches as it could manage in hopes of covering up a shoddy plot laced with massive, bugger-off holes. Not as funny, cooky or interesting as Bruce Willis’s other jaunt through time in 12 Monkeys (a far superior film), not as captivating in the action it portrays as any of The Matrix films and a dim-witted cousin to the intriguing, thought-provoking brilliance that was Primer.
Hopefully at least one of Oblivion, World War Z, Pacific Rim, Cloud Atlas, Elysium, Gravity and Robot & Frank can do better. Especially the latter, the kooky charm that it exudes makes it look wonderful though I really hope for Oblivion and Elysium to be excellent.
“Joseph Gordon Levitt turns leading man as a hitman sent to the future to kill a certain target, only to find that it’s his own future-self (Bruce Willis). Talk about rotten luck”
That’s not what Looper is about. It’s about hitman, a Looper, who kills targets sent back in time by the mob. Then his future self gets sent back in time for him to kill and “close the loop” but things don’t go like they’re supposed to and then there’s a movie.
Thanks, will edit that. I must have been reading some confused synopses as half said that he was sent to the future and half said the target was sent back.
Fair enough. The previews were very ambiguous as well. I wasn’t 100% what the movie was about until I actually saw it.
Anchorman 2? Yes?
Looper looks and sounds terrible and unoriginal – The One crossed with Timecop anyone?
The only original idea in there seems to be Cloud Atlas… not that I won’t be able to resist watching Skyfall, The Hobbit, Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness
Haha Timecop, what a film. Textbook Van Damme.
If there’s a third Star Trek film, it needs to be called Star Trek: Across the Universe.
http://youtu.be/HhuzjkE65f8
And of course Cloud Atlas isn’t an original idea – it’s a book
The format matters not. Whether it’s in book, audio book, or film format, “Cloud Atlas” is an original idea, like I said.
What films these days aren’t based on a book or graphic novel?!
Am i alone in thinking that Daniel Craig ruined Bond? Its just another action film series now.
I disagree with you, Bond is a lot better now that we’ve grown out of the ridiculous Brosnan era.
He’s only had two films so far. The first was excellent, the second abysmal. I have my fingers crossed that Sam Mendes has a clue.
Die Another Day proved that the original Bond formula had run its course and something needed to be done.
I watched Taken 2 last night, it was exactly what you’d expect it to be, the original was a good film and this is just a continuation of the story, it’s nice how they do it but there are quite a few WTF moments, i had Jean-Luc Picard in mind quite a lot watching the film! You know exactly whats going to happen but you still enjoy watching it, even if Liam Neeson is now looking a bit raggedy to be playing this kind of role.
That last message wasn’t for you looks like the comments are still a but broke, move along, move along!
I watched Taken 2 last night, it was exactly what you’d expect it to be, the original was a good film and this is just a continuation of the story, it’s nice how they do it but there are quite a few WTF moments, i had Jean-Luc Picard in mind quite a lot watching the film! You know exactly whats going to happen but you still enjoy watching it, even if Liam Neeson is now looking a bit raggedy to be playing this kind of role.
But that’s why Taken is the best comedy of recent years – Liam Neeson looks and sounds like someone who should be teaching Religious Studies in Carrickfergus but goes round breaking the bones of anyone who lays a finger on his daughter.
Yep, Broken.
Definately broken. I just feel that they moved away from what Bond is about. Not that im criticizing the new films as films, just as part of the franchise
Why another Wolverine film?! WHYYYYYY?!
Any chance we can get the UK release dates? Because I’m rather hoping that the BFI IMAX won’t be showing a knock-off on 7th November when I’m booked to see it….
*of Skyfall!
I read the book called The Hobbit,and i thought it was a fantastic book. I watched The Lord Of The Rings trilogy,and they fantastic films. Somebody can correct me if i am wrong,but Gollum hadn`t been invented in the Hobbit, because Bilbo Baggins turns into Golum in the book. In the Lord of the Rings Golum is in the three films.