Top 10 Best Films To See In 2012
The best blockbuster, indie and foreign films to see in 2012. We pick ten of the best upcoming cinema releases, and also highlight a few MORE pretty cool movies we’re keeping our eye on. Because when it came to picking the best movies this year, ten just wasn’t enough…
1. John Carter
Rated PG 13. Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
Release: 9 March 2012 (UK)
We don’t expect this one to get much in the way of critical acclaim, but Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 1912 tale of a Victorian adventurer on Mars is the closest thing you’ll get to a Steampunk film this year. This will be Pixar’s first live action film, by the director of WALL-E – and it was also the first animated feature film ever made. Rich in history!
2. The Raven
Rated R. Thriller
Release: 9 March 2012 (UK)
‘The Raven’ is a fictional account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, in which the poet pursues a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer’s dark poems and tales. An aging John Cusack makes for perfect casting and clever director James McTeigue also handled ‘Anonymous’, the Shakespeare’s Real Identity thing. If they keep this eerie, dark and gothic we’re in.
3. Lockout
Thriller | Action | Sci-Fi
Release: 13 April 2012 (UK)
A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy against the U.S. is offered freedom in return for rescuing the president’s daughter from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates. There’s a number of reasons why we included this one. First, producer Luc Besson (Leon, The 5th Element) has admitted it’s ‘Taken’ in space. Secondly, it looks beautiful. Thirdly, it has Guy Pearce in it. GUY PEARCE. He may have started in ‘Neighbours’ but he’s one of the best actors of our generation and picks the best scripts. We trust him with our most precious things.
4. Avengers
Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
Release: 27 April 2012 (UK)
Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. gather a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki & his army. Yeah, so, we’re all in love with genius underdog director/screenwriter Joss Whedon and stuff. We also have a soft spot for Robert Downey Jnr’s take on Iron Man. Two things are sure: (1) This will be hyped to death. (2) It’ll be fun.
5. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Rated R. Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi
Release: 22 June 2012 (USA)
An asteroid nears Earth and a man finds himself alone when his wife leaves in panic. He takes a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart, accompanied by a neighbour who starts to mess up his plans… Well, you did say you wanted to see more original films, didn’t you? Lorene Scafaria (writer and director) also wrote the screenplay for indie movie ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’, so we’re hoping for sci-fi that’s sweet, funny and original.
6. ParaNorman
Rated R. Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Horror
Release: 14 September 2012 (UK)
A misunderstood boy able to converse with the dead challenges zombies, spooks and grown-ups in an effort to save his town from an ancient curse. Co-directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell and their production/effects company Laika Entertainment created Corpse Bride and Coraline, examples of how animation works best when its source material is dark and creepy. Also, Christopher Mintz-Plasse is in it, which is good, because he is.
7. Looper
Rated R. Action | Sci-Fi
Release: 28 September 2012 (UK)
A futuristic killer working for the mob recognizes one of his targets to be his future self. WE ARE ALL OVER THIS LIKE SLIME ON A BATHTUB. Why? Because it’s directed by Rian Johnson, director of one of our favourite movies ever – the cult teen noir mystery, ‘Brick’. Apparently ‘Looper’ has been getting rave reviews at test screenings and is being compared favourably with
