So, for my first post, I decided to present my list of top ten movies for 2013. Per Hollywood's latest trend, we are in for a year full of sequels but it doesn't mean that it won't be any less fun to go to the movies this year!
10) Thor: The Dark World. Releases: November 8, 2013Our favorite Asgardian is back in the sequel to the 2011 film that introduced us to the Thunder God. In this superhero sequel, An ancient race of Dark Elves, who are led by Malekith, that are seeking to destroy the universe and plunge it into darkness. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is the only person who can stop these enemies and he must team up with his love, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and others to help defeat this enemy and save the Nine Realms. Not much has been publicly stated about Loki's (Tom Hiddleston) role in this movie but we all know that the mischievous God will play an interesting role in this movie.
9) The Great Gatsby. Releases: May 10, 2013
This film was supposed to be released this past Christmas but was pushed back to this summer, due to conflicts in the production schedule. This move might actually work, depending on the success of Iron Man 3, which comes out a week earlier. This film is the Hollywood big-budget adaptation of the American classic novel about the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), viewed by the protagonist and narrator, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire). I haven't had a chance to fully read the novel but here is to hoping that Hollywood doesn't mess this up.
8) The Hangover Part III. Releases May 24, 2013
The Wolfpack is back for one more wild night. This time, there is no wedding to crash into at the last minute and no bachelor party to try and piece back together the next day. A definite change-up from the two previous movies (It worked the first time, not sure why you try a second time but, hey, I'm not directing!) Todd Phillips has brought back Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Doug (Justin Bartha), and last, but not least, Alan (Zack Galifianakis) for one more ride into Vegas. The rest of the plot is being kept under wraps but rest assured, they are going to end this trilogy with a bang...or maybe just a shot of Jager.
7) The Fast and The Furious 6. Releases May 24, 2013
Okay, okay. I know everyone is not a fan of the Fast and the Furious film series. I mean, fast cars, beautiful women, car chases, unbelievable stunts and fast speed action. What's not to love, right? In Fast Five, the series took a hard right turn and became more than just a street-racing movie as they pulled off one last heist to lead happy lives. Unfortunately, other people have plans for the crew. Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker), and the rest of the crew are on the wrong side of the law again and try to pull another heist in Europe. All the fans want to know what this will do with the return of Letty (didn't she die in Fast and Furious?) and what part will Luke Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) play as he chases the crew again? I can say that I'm looking forward to riding shotgun with these men and women once again this summer.
Now, I'm one of the biggest Bruce Willis fans and when I heard rumors earlier last year about a fifth Die Hard movie, I wasn't the biggest fan of it because I think this series has run its course. After seeing the previews for this newest installment, all I can say now is, "Welcome back, John McClane!" Bruce Willis is one of the few 80's action stars that has maintained his box office power over the years. 25 years after the first Die Hard movie that started the insane adventures of an everyday New York detective, McClane (Willis) goes to Russia to help out his son, Jack. It's not as simple as that, not for John McClane. Explosions will rock Mother Russia, bullets casings will cover the ground, and the bad guys will get rocked. Yippee Ki-Yay Mother Russia!
It was great to return to Middle-Earth this past December for the prequel to the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. I wasn't expecting to return to back so soon but I'm definitely not going to complain. In part two, Bilbo (Martin Freeman), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), and the Dwarves (too many to name!) have escaped the Misty Mountains and move forward to the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf city, ruled now by the dragon, Smaug. Bilbo has gained the One Ring from Gollum and the party is in search of more gold once they are in the mountain but defeating Smaug will not be an easy task. Part One did justice to the first third of the novel and I would say that expectations are high for this second installment.
4) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Releases November 22, 2013
Jennifer Lawrence is a very busy, young woman these days. During 2012, it's like you couldn't get away from her (why would you, anyway) with movies like The Hunger Games, House at the End of the Street, and, the movie that has her nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, Silver Linings Playbook (If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it). This sequel and novel adaptation finds Katness Everdeen (Lawrence), safely home after winning the Hunger Games along with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), her love from the first film. Winning means that they can't enjoy the spoils of their victory as they are whisked away and embark on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts while the President (Donald Sutherland) attempts to keep the simmering rebellion in the districts by preparing the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell. This sequel will definitely be burning bright and be one of the top movies of the year.
3) Man of Steel. Releases June 14, 2013
Look up! Guess what red and blue streak is gracing our blue skies once again. That's right, Superman is back but this time around, Krypton's last son is not in a happy, chipper mood. This film brings the Superman mythology into a darker, more human light. Clark Kent just doesn't become Superman like always but this version does seem to delve into how Clark found the strength to become Earth's Greatest Hero and find his place in the world by helping to save it. Superman/Clark Kent's role is filled in by Henry Cavill (Showtime's The Tudors) and from the previews, it looks as though The Dark Knight Rises has had a profound impact on this version of Superman.
2) Star Trek Into Darkness. Releases May 17, 2013
Time to journey again to where no man has gone before. The long-awaited sequel to 2009's Star Trek reboot shows that Starfleet is under attack by one man with incredible power. Who would you call if your world was in trouble in the Star Trek Universe? The flagship of the Federation, the U.S.S. Enterprise, commanded by the headstrong Captain Kirk (Chris Pine). The original crew is back along with a new addition, Dr. Carol Marcus (Alice Eve). If you don't know about the good doctor not named McCoy, I recommend Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Looking at the previews, this movie could re-enact a classic scene between Kirk and Spock from the original Star Trek sequel. This is definitely an IMAX trip worth taking into the final frontier.
And last, but certainly, not least...
1) Iron Man 3. Releases May 3, 2013
The character who started the Marvel Cinematic Universe and got the train moving for the Avengers to become a reality returns for his third flight in his hardcore suit of armor. This time around, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) does seem a lot more depressed since the Battle of New York in The Avengers and doesn't know what to do with himself in a post-Avengers world. He is faced with the challenge of The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) who, along with others, destroy Tony's private world and threaten all that he holds dear. In this film, Tony works with "Extremis" technology that will make his suit stronger and let him have control. With the returning star power of Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and, definitely, another cameo by Stan Lee, this darker film, looking like it is somewhat influenced by The Dark Knight Rises, is sure to take us on a ride to start off the summer movie season.
In the last three movies, it looks like The Dark Knight Rises has influenced them. One, I mean, look at the Star Trek teaser poster and, tell me it does not remind you of TDKR! Secondly, and more to the point, the last Batman look at the humanity of the leading characters or their world and focus on it. Their characters reach or start at rock bottom and work their way back up to claim their destiny. It's not a bad move at all and points movies in a different direction. All in all, I think we are in for a hell of a year in cinema.
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