I keep finding it difficult to write about films I was anticipating at the beginning of 2012. Apparently initial screenings did not go well as audiences did not like the fact that Channing Tatum’s character Duke was killed off at the beginning of the film. I believe they went back and reshot some of the film in order to address the complaints and that is why the film has been delayed. It still looks like it’ll be a fun action/popcorn film that I look forward to watching.
The Monuments Men is written by, directed by and starring George Clooney. This
drama takes place around World War II and is about a group of historians and museum curators who are trying to recover important works of art stolen by the
Nazis before they are destroyed. The premise isn’t necessarily what interests me the most, it’s the cast. Besides Clooney, the film co-stars Matt Damon, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray and John Goodman.
Another one of several films that appeared on my Most Anticipated Films of 2012 list (#15), World War Z is based on the book of the same name. Brad Pitt stars in this zombie film that as I wrote last year, appears to be a combination of the Bourne films, Walking Dead and Children of Men.
When I do these most anticipated lists, many of the films that rank highly are usually there due to some sort of knowledge of the source material, the writers/directors, stars of the film, previous films if it’s a sequel or remake or simply the synopsis intrigues me. This film is one of two on my top 25 (#22 Oblivion) that didn’t pull me in with any of those things. In both cases the trailer is what interested me the most. Interesting that both films feature Morgan Freeman. Anyway, NYSM is about a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during performances using some form of “magic.” It looks like an entertaining film with an original concept. NYSM stars Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and the already mentioned Freeman.
The To Do Lists tars Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) as a soon-to-be freshman in college who makes a list to help her become more sexually experienced before starting college in the fall. Plaza’s deadpan brand of comedy is hilarious and I’m excited to see her in another lead role. I very much enjoyed last year’s Safety Not Guaranteed in which Plaza starred. The To Do List also has a fun supporting cast that includes Rachel Bilson (The OC), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and fellow NBC actors Donald Glover (Community), Bill Hader (SNL) and Andy Samberg (formerly SNL).