As Hollywood transitions into Oscar Buzz season, many films show promise, flaunting unique and innovative concepts such as Disney’s Wreck-it-Ralph, or Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to The Hurt Locker titled Zero Dark Thirty. However, there are five particular movies that have caught my attention and have gotten me genuinely excited to see. So let’s start from the bottom of the list and work our way up.
5. Skyfall: The third movie in the James Bond franchise to feature Daniel Craig and his blue eyes, Skyfall is flaunting huge set pieces, beautiful girls and some killer action. While that description could be applied to any James Bond film, Skyfall is bringing something else: a straightforward storyline, something that Quantum of Solace lacked. And with the already overwhelmingly positive reviews the movie is receiving, this is slated to be one James Bond to remember. Release date: Nov. 9.
4. Lincoln: Steven Spielberg’s newest film, which features Daniel Day Lewis as the 16th President of the United States, will tell the story of the President throughout the course of his life, specifically the events that led up to and occurred during the Civil War. As a fan of U.S. History, it’s exciting to see such a dynamic time period to be getting the cinematic justice it deserves from a talented director and cast. Release date: Nov. 9.
3. Cloud Atlas: A film that seems to transcend everything about film, Cloud Atlas is based off the novel by David Mitchell of the same name. Written by the films three (yes three) directors, the film looks to have many different interconnecting storylines that all take place during different time periods, but are all connected. Directed by the same talent that brought The Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta, and Run Lola Run, Cloud Atlas looks to be an emotional, epic ride. Release date: Oct. 24.
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth to tell the story of Bilbo Baggins’ adventures in finding a magical ring and helping a company of dwarves reclaim their homeland. I have nothing but confidence in the man who did the Lord of the Rings trilogy justice, and every trailer that has come out has done nothing but make me wish December would hurry up and get here. And check out the production diary videos on thehobbitblog.com. They are truly wonderful. Release date: Dec. 14.
1. Django Unchained: Quentin Tarantino’s movie has every reason to be my most anticipated movie of the year. First off, it’s a Tarantino movie and as such, it’s going to be violent, hilarious and metaphoric. But even more significant, we finally get to see Leonardo Dicaprio as a villain, and the brief footage shown in the trailers makes me wonder why he hasn’t been cast as a villain sooner. The film is about Django, a slave in the 1850s south whose wife is kidnapped and sold to Dicaprio. A bounty hunter frees Django and turns him into a bounty hunter to prepare him for rescuing his wife. If it’s anything like any of Tarantino’s other movies, humor and violence will ensue.
