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Movies to Keep an Eye On
Jan. 9th, 2011 10:15 pmA new year's started, and with it a new cycle of movies. Some will be entirely new, and some will involve a few old favorites returning. So when I found this list of movies coming out in 2011 on Yahoo, I decided to scope it out and see which ones I should keep an eye out for. I'm basing my choices on which movies appeal to me, and until one of the other movies on the list proves to be worth my while based on reviews (especially since a lot of them strike me as rom-coms, and I have a decided aversion to the current crop of rom-coms; or they strike me as slasher flicks, which kind of bore me now), and until reviews online prove otherwise, these are the ones I'm somewhat inclined to see this year:
Green Hornet - Although my internal radar is telling me to give this one a wide berth, I am rather curious about it. For one, it's got Christoph Waltz on it, and I like him as an actor. Second, it's got Jay Chou in it, whom I've quite liked since I saw him in Curse of the Golden Flower (which more people should watch, if only for him and Gong Li). Plus, Jay Chou is playing Kato, who I always liked as a character in the original series. I'll wait for the reviews to come in, but hopefully Waltz's presence will give this some credibility.
The Eagle - The fastest way to get my attention when it comes to a movie is to ensure that it tackles history, preferably ancient history. I'm a sucker for historical epics, and will even fork over the cash to see one of them in a theater even if I know I ought not to. The Eagle has an excellent lure: ancient Rome on the brink of falling apart, and a young man on a quest to regain lost glory for a fading empire. But when the headliner is Channing Tatum, of all people, I have to take an enormous step back. I mean, sure, he could look good in a leather man-skirt, but Tatum isn't exactly known for his acting prowess. Can he pull off the gravitas necessary for something like this? I'll just have to wait for those reviews to come in to make up my mind on it.
Jane Eyre - While I hated Pride and Prejudice in my teens and grew to love it later on, I loved Jane Eyre right from the get-go, and the fact that there's a movie adaptation coming out this year has me bouncing a bit in my seat in eagerness to see it - and crossing my fingers in the hopes that it turns out good. I adored the one with Timothy Dalton in it, but I think Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester might just work out.
Red Riding Hood - When I heard talk of people planning to put out a "Twilight-ized" version of Little Red Riding Hood, my hackles went up so fast it wasn't even funny. But now word is going around that this movie might not be as awful as its association to Twilight might imply, and I might have to agree. The visuals look quite good, and what I know of the plot is more akin to Burton or even Gaiman than Meyer. Again, only actual viewing will prove this true or not, but I hope for the best.
Thor - I'm seeing this mostly because this is the most "fantasy-esque" of all the Avenger-related Marvel movies, and because I want to see how Chris Hemsworth does in this one after his turn in Star Trek. Anthony Hopkins is definitely an added bonus, but we'll just have to see about this.
Sucker Punch - Talk is going around that this is THE girl-geek movie of 2011 (the main protagonists are all girls, who all kick major ass), and what I've seen of the visuals is very promising. Also, Zack Snyder at the helm of this project bodes rather well for the violence factor, which I'm also looking forward to. It might turn out to be mindless, but I think this is one of those movies I'd happily spend money on just because it looks like so much fun.
Your Highness - Natalie Portman is having a very prolific year in 2011, but this one caught my eye because, yes, it's "historical," and yes, because Natalie Portman in period costume is something I look forward to. And don't forget James Franco, whom I've become rather fond of since his turn in 127 Hours. My radar is telling me to give this thing a wide berth, but I'll wait for reviews to come in before making my decision to pay to see it in a theater or through other means.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Two words: Jack Sparrow. That's probably the only reason I'm seeing it. Oh, and the fact that it's still Johnny Depp reprising his role is another factor, too. If it were someone else playing Sparrow, I wouldn't even give it a second glance.
Green Lantern - Because DC has yet to let me down with its movies, though I do have some minor qualms about seeing this one. Again, this is going on my "let's wait and see" list.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - I held off seeing Part 1 in anticipation of Part 2, and I can't wait to see both of them as soon as this one comes out. This movie represents the end of a generation, and I'm not missing it for the world.
Winnie the Pooh - I'm seeing this only for the nostalgia factor, though I find it very hard to imagine how you can make an entire movie out of Winnie the Pooh. Thank God they're sticking to traditional animation for this one, though, or else I wouldn't even deign to see it if they made it 3D or CG. That's just a major crime against my childhood if they did so.
Captain America: The First Avenger - Seeing this mostly for the WWII settings, as well as continuity issues to the Avengers movie coming out maybe next year. Chris Evans seems to suit the role pretty well, though, unlike Hemsworth whom I thought didn't look "Norse" enough for the role. But hey, this is Hollywood!
Cowboys & Aliens - With a title like that, how could I resist? I know it's probably going to be another silly movie, but I think it'll be worth the silliness. Plus: Daniel Craig in cowboy gear = hawt.
Conan the Barbarian - Two words: Jason Momoa. That is all.
Sherlock Holmes II - One word: Moriarty. Okay, okay, I'm not seeing it only for Moriarty, but I'll admit, it's a huge factor for wanting to see it. Well, so's Jude Law's Watson. I'm also looking forward to the soundtrack for this one, since the last one was nothing short of fantastic.
Green Hornet - Although my internal radar is telling me to give this one a wide berth, I am rather curious about it. For one, it's got Christoph Waltz on it, and I like him as an actor. Second, it's got Jay Chou in it, whom I've quite liked since I saw him in Curse of the Golden Flower (which more people should watch, if only for him and Gong Li). Plus, Jay Chou is playing Kato, who I always liked as a character in the original series. I'll wait for the reviews to come in, but hopefully Waltz's presence will give this some credibility.
The Eagle - The fastest way to get my attention when it comes to a movie is to ensure that it tackles history, preferably ancient history. I'm a sucker for historical epics, and will even fork over the cash to see one of them in a theater even if I know I ought not to. The Eagle has an excellent lure: ancient Rome on the brink of falling apart, and a young man on a quest to regain lost glory for a fading empire. But when the headliner is Channing Tatum, of all people, I have to take an enormous step back. I mean, sure, he could look good in a leather man-skirt, but Tatum isn't exactly known for his acting prowess. Can he pull off the gravitas necessary for something like this? I'll just have to wait for those reviews to come in to make up my mind on it.
Jane Eyre - While I hated Pride and Prejudice in my teens and grew to love it later on, I loved Jane Eyre right from the get-go, and the fact that there's a movie adaptation coming out this year has me bouncing a bit in my seat in eagerness to see it - and crossing my fingers in the hopes that it turns out good. I adored the one with Timothy Dalton in it, but I think Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester might just work out.
Red Riding Hood - When I heard talk of people planning to put out a "Twilight-ized" version of Little Red Riding Hood, my hackles went up so fast it wasn't even funny. But now word is going around that this movie might not be as awful as its association to Twilight might imply, and I might have to agree. The visuals look quite good, and what I know of the plot is more akin to Burton or even Gaiman than Meyer. Again, only actual viewing will prove this true or not, but I hope for the best.
Thor - I'm seeing this mostly because this is the most "fantasy-esque" of all the Avenger-related Marvel movies, and because I want to see how Chris Hemsworth does in this one after his turn in Star Trek. Anthony Hopkins is definitely an added bonus, but we'll just have to see about this.
Sucker Punch - Talk is going around that this is THE girl-geek movie of 2011 (the main protagonists are all girls, who all kick major ass), and what I've seen of the visuals is very promising. Also, Zack Snyder at the helm of this project bodes rather well for the violence factor, which I'm also looking forward to. It might turn out to be mindless, but I think this is one of those movies I'd happily spend money on just because it looks like so much fun.
Your Highness - Natalie Portman is having a very prolific year in 2011, but this one caught my eye because, yes, it's "historical," and yes, because Natalie Portman in period costume is something I look forward to. And don't forget James Franco, whom I've become rather fond of since his turn in 127 Hours. My radar is telling me to give this thing a wide berth, but I'll wait for reviews to come in before making my decision to pay to see it in a theater or through other means.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Two words: Jack Sparrow. That's probably the only reason I'm seeing it. Oh, and the fact that it's still Johnny Depp reprising his role is another factor, too. If it were someone else playing Sparrow, I wouldn't even give it a second glance.
Green Lantern - Because DC has yet to let me down with its movies, though I do have some minor qualms about seeing this one. Again, this is going on my "let's wait and see" list.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - I held off seeing Part 1 in anticipation of Part 2, and I can't wait to see both of them as soon as this one comes out. This movie represents the end of a generation, and I'm not missing it for the world.
Winnie the Pooh - I'm seeing this only for the nostalgia factor, though I find it very hard to imagine how you can make an entire movie out of Winnie the Pooh. Thank God they're sticking to traditional animation for this one, though, or else I wouldn't even deign to see it if they made it 3D or CG. That's just a major crime against my childhood if they did so.
Captain America: The First Avenger - Seeing this mostly for the WWII settings, as well as continuity issues to the Avengers movie coming out maybe next year. Chris Evans seems to suit the role pretty well, though, unlike Hemsworth whom I thought didn't look "Norse" enough for the role. But hey, this is Hollywood!
Cowboys & Aliens - With a title like that, how could I resist? I know it's probably going to be another silly movie, but I think it'll be worth the silliness. Plus: Daniel Craig in cowboy gear = hawt.
Conan the Barbarian - Two words: Jason Momoa. That is all.
Sherlock Holmes II - One word: Moriarty. Okay, okay, I'm not seeing it only for Moriarty, but I'll admit, it's a huge factor for wanting to see it. Well, so's Jude Law's Watson. I'm also looking forward to the soundtrack for this one, since the last one was nothing short of fantastic.
