It is no secret that Hollywood seems to be stuck in the longest metaphoric idea drought for the last few years. The biggest tragedy is that movie fans have not been treated to a magnificent lineup of blockbuster film for the longest time. In fact, the last time this happened was back in 2007 with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Shrek the Third, Spider-Man 3, The Bourne Ultimatium, Transformers, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 300, Ratatouille, Knocked Up, The Simpsons Movie, Superbad, Disturbia, I Am Legend, National Treasure: the Book of Secretes, Alvin and the Chipmucks, ect... (While not everyone of those films was good, there was at least something to get excited about.) However, the lineup for 2008 - 2010 was followed up with even fewer large tentpole films to get excited about. While this helped more original ideas find a wide range of success, it left the blockbuster seasons feel dry and useless. Thankfully, 2011-2012 seems to be the injection of pure FUN that we movie goers desperately need!
MOVIE: LIMITLESS
THE REMINDER: The "WHAT IF" storyline
WHY: What if you made a movie about a pill that could make someone limitless? What if that movie was good? Honestly, the last few big names in this genre of films were Bedtime Stories and Even Almighty. It might not be the best film in the world, but Limitless proves that filmmakers can still make a really fun movie out of a "WHAT IF" concept.
WHAT WE CAN HOPE FOR: More "WHAT IF" storylines that focus on real world characters and situations. No more kid friendly crap! PG-13 and up!
MOVIE: INSIDIOUS
THE REMINDER: The low budget story driven horror.
WHY: Money is the source of most creative downfalls. Sadly, the old saying is true "you can do anything you want, but not everyone is going to like you." When money is on the line things are dumbed down so everyone will like it, but real fans end up hating the final product in the process. Here is an idea - just put a little money in it and make a good film. James Wan and Liegh Whannell are heros!
WHAT WE CAN HOPE FOR: More low budget films for every genre. Let the creative process do its work! We want good films.
MOVIE: SOURCE CODE
THE REMINDER: Time traveling thrillers
WHY: Fun, funny, and the list goes on. Source Code is one of those movies that should have never been anything besides a popcorn film, but it becomes much more then that. It throws itself into a character driven drama with a riddle that keeps you guessing until the end. Definitely worth seeing.
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: The success of this movie will hopefully see more movies like Deja Vu and Groundhogs Day.
MOVIE: HANNA
THE REMINDER: The original take on a classic story
WHY: With the wildly unexplainable success of Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Hollywood has began to pump out great deal of dark gritty remakes of the Grimm Brother's tales/fairy tales. We have already seen Summit's take on Red Riding Hood, but we are about to be attacked with various remakes of others. (Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, two Snow Whites, ect...) It is going to be a crappy few years. Nevertheless, Joe Wright has already given us one of his own, and NOBODY really noticed! Hanna is a re-imagining of the classic princess tales of our youth, but its done as an action movie. The does almost everything right, but it's soundtrack is probably the best I've heard in years. This is one of the best movies of the year so far, and I doubt many will top it.
WHAT WE CAN HOPE FOR: Saddly there is very little that we can ask for from this film. It didn't really do very well in the theaters. Yet, there are whispers of a Hanna 2...lets all hope for it.
MOVIE: SCRE4M
THE REMINDER: IRONIC SATIRE
WHY: The original Scream was a huge success because it came in a time when the horror genre was in need of a hero. It was also populated with what was a never ending stream of terrible slasher sequel. The Scream movies capitalized on the concept of making fun of the slasher genre. Unfortunately, that don't really translate eleven years after the fact. The genre has changed, and Scream has missed its shot at poking fun at the entire concept. That isn't to say the film isn't a decent venture. It returns the franchise to its origins and calls back the notion of why we love it in the first place. It literally tells the audience to stop watching the film and go grab a copy of the original on DVD because it is the only great one. In that way, it makes me smile. I have long disliked the Scream movies, but after re-watching the whole series I have new found respect. This film reminds us how good the 90's were, and its always good to look back good memories.
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: 5cream is on the verge of being confirmed or denied. I want one that can do what this one didn't - reminded the audience how stupid/strange the genre is. I want it to evolve and make fun of the landscape of the genre the way it is today instead of calling back the good old days. That is what we can hope for it a Scream film.
MOVIE: FAST FIVE
THE REMINDER: Franchises can be like a fine wine
WHY: I have this little theory - the fifth movie in an on going franchise is always the worst received movie in that franchise at the time of its release. I call this rule "The Rule Of Five". Examples include, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Halloween 6, SAW V, STAR WARS: EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, Friday the 13th: PART V, ROCKY V, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, ect... The best part about it is that FAST FIVE was one of the best films in the series. In fact, it could been called the best film in the entries franchise. Considering 2011 has a few more fifth films coming to light over the course of the year...we can only hope we see the same thing.
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: Franchise will begin to move into new interesting territory as they grow instead of holding on to the formula.
MOVIES: THOR & Captain America: The First Avenger
THE REMINDER: Marvel gives everyone a thumbs up and valiantly proclaims, "Don't worry...we got this!"
WHY: IRON MAN 2 was a mess. It makes any die hard Marvel fan feel a little cheated, but it wasn't a terrible film. However, Marvel showed its true colors in the wake of the situation. They carelessly people go for seemingly no reason. That wouldn't have been a problem but these people where key roles in the Avengers film! Given to the fact that Iron Man's 2 plot was drastically hurt because of a huge subplot to establish the Avengers, it began to seem like they didn't even care anymore. Nonetheless, it appears that all the worry was for nothing, and The Avengers might just be the most epic movie of all time.
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: The most epic movie of all time... if it isn't to much to ask for...
MOVIE: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
THE REMINDER: ...You still love Captain Jack Sparrow!
WHY: Because you do! Maybe it was a bad idea to give Jack Sparrow his very only spin-off/reboot/sequel movie, but nobody cares! Almost everyone loves these film, and we want more. We want the fifth film. Sure there needs to be things to improve the overall quality, but we sill still see it!
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: While the fourth film wasn't the worst the franchise for some, we can hope it franchise doesn't follow the rule of five. That would be a nail in the coffin!
MOVIE: THE HANGOVER: PART II
THE REMINDER: The Wolf Pack
WHY: The Hangover: Part II wasn't as good as the original movie. It wasn't as funny, and they replaced funny jokes with disgusting/disturbing ones; however, it was a decent film. The audience was introduced to a more character driven installment this time around. I feel we as the audience have really gotten to know every single one of these characters for who they really are at their most natural levels. In that way it is still a very good movie, and you should see it - if you liked The Hangover.
WHAT CAN WE HOPE FOR: An epic final where we get to see the Wolf Pack actually live it up for the sickest night ever!
IN THE END: The year of 2011 has been crazy, and it will continue to be. Cinema lovers have caught up with a few old friends. They have been introduced to new ones. Are all the movies good? No! Did you enjoy watching them? Probably. I know I did. Just remember - 2011 is the official year of the reminder. Heres to the rest of the year!
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