What I like about making the list at the beginning of the year is that you don't know everything that's going to come out. There were a few movies that weren't even on my radar early in the year that I really liked (Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Losers) as well as one of the biggest hits of year I also didn't know about (Inception). One of the flims on my list ended up not being released until this year (21. The Green Hornet). Point is, you never know how you're going to feel about a movie until the movie is actually released. You ask yourseld, "Am I really THAT excited about seeing this film?" Comparing my list this year to last year's, I must say that I think last year's list is much more exciting, but as usual there could be some surprises.
Before I go into the list, here's a couple of things to keep in mind. Again, this is my personal list, not the list of movies I think will be most successful. I am not into the Harry Potter or Twilight series, which no doubt will be two of the highest grossing films this year. One sequel I think I'll probably antcipate once I see the first one is The Hangover: Part II. I know, I've heard from plenty of people that I have to see The Hangover. I believe I'll like it, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Anyway, here's part one of my top 25 most anticipated films of 2011.
25. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol – Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back in the fourth installment of the M:I series. I do not know what the plot is about, and I didn’t see the third film, but I do like the cast list (including Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Simon Pegg).
24. Now – This sci-fi film is about a future in which aging has stopped and currency is in the form of time. People have been genetically engineered to stop aging at 25, but you will die within a year if you can’t pay to stay alive. A man inherits a fortune of “time” but is accused of murder and ends up on the run. The cast includes some actors I enjoy watching, including Justin Timberlake, Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Batman Begins), Matthew Bomer (Chuck, White Collar) and Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory). Olivia Wilde (TRON: Legacy) and Amanda Seyfried (Red Riding Hood) also co-star. Now also has a good man at the helm, as it was written and directed by Andrew Niccol (Truman Show, Gattaca).
23. Battle: Los Angeles – This is pretty much another alien invasion movie, but I generally enjoy those. An alien invasion takes place on Earth and Los Angeles is the last great city standing. It becomes the final battleground for the survival of mankind. The trailer shows lots of action and a few familiar faces, including Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight), Michelle Rodriguez (Fast and the Furious, LOST) and Bridget Moynahan (I Robot, Blue Bloods, Tom Brady’s baby mama).
22. Cedar Rapids – The last couple of years, Ed Helms has been slowly starting to work his way into everyone’s hearts. Helms was a correspondent on The Daily Show for several years, then joined The Office as the lovable Andy Bernard. In 2009, Helms co-starred in the biggest surprise hit of the year, The Hangover. 2011 could be his biggest year yet. He will be co-starring in The Hangover: Part II, continue to get increased time on The Office, and have his first lead role in a first feature-length film. Cedar Rapids is about an insurance salesman (Helms) who has never really done anything with his life. He is sent to an out-of-town conference where he comes out of his shell. This film co-stars John C. Reilly.
21. Kung Fu Panda – There are a number of potentially good animated movies being released in 2011 including sequels and spin-offs (Cars 2, Puss in Boots, Happy Feet 2) and new films (Rio, Rangu, Gnomeo and Juliet, The Adventures of Tintin). The one I most look forward to however is Kung Fu Panda 2. The first Kung Fu Panda, which was released in 2008, was a wonderful film that has garnered much praise from critics and moviegoers alike. It probably would have won an Oscar that year if it wasn’t for the existence of Pixar (Wall-E won the award). Anyway, the entire cast of heroes returns (including Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross). They are joined by James Woods, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Gary Oldman playing a villainous peacock. I love Dreamworks!