My Top Albums of 2012

The following albums are what I consider the best released this past year. They are in alphabetical order.

Alabama Shakes -- "Boys & Girls"

This is probably one of the best finds of the year!!! If you're a fan of rock, blues, and soul (whether individually or altogether), this is an album you MUST own! Lead singer Brittany Howard wails and swoons so well she leaves high suspicion that she must be the secret love child of Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. It is debut albums like this one which make me believe there may still be some hope for the music industry today. "Boys & Girls" is one of those rare albums which I love all the way through and -- along with The Gaslight Anthem's "The '59 Sound" -- is one of the best albums of the past 10 years! I could listen to it on repeat for hours on end. Favorite track: "I Found You"

Dave Matthews Band -- "Away From The World"

With 2009's Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King and now the release of this album, Dave Matthews Band have been on a roll! Most might question if they ever hit a rough patch. Sorry to say, for me, that I'd like to forget all about 2005's Stand Up. They've finally returned the sound that carried them this far with their jam band music and poetic lyrics. Favorite track: "Broken Things"

Dr. Dog -- "Be The Void"

This band from West Grove, Pennsylvania, has released six albums prior to this one, but you still may have never heard of them. And if you haven't, I fully suggest checking out this album! Dr. Dog is sometimes described as a psychedelic rock band, however, this album finds them testing the waters with all kinds of different genres -- from alternative to folk. A nice little surprise from a relatively unknown band. Favorite track: (tie) "Lonesome" and "These Days"

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros -- "Here"

Their first album, Up From Below, had a bunch of good tracks and followed in the footsteps of bands like The Polyphonic Spree and the wonderful-albeit-unknown I'm From Barcelona. This newest album has a good number of likeable songs that you could pop on your iPod and play away. Favorite track: "That's What's Up"

Everclear -- "Invisible Stars"

Everclear has been on a rocky road. They were making Top 40 hits but after the band dissolved in 2003, leaving lead singer Art Alexakis to pick up the pieces and move on with his songwriting talent. And it made him a better musician. The original Everclear's last studio album, Slow Motion Daydream, was an unnoticeable, drecky album with songs that did not come close to the hooks they had produced earlier. Alexakis regrouped with two new band members and released 2006's Welcome to the Drama Club, a much-welcomed return to the magic that had raised Everclear to greatness. And while I like Drama Club better, this album continues Everclear's streak of good music that may still not make the Top 40, but is just as good, nonetheless. Favorite track: (tie) "Falling in a Good Way" and "I Am Better Without You"

Fun. -- "Some Nights"

Like Dr. Dog, this is another band who has a a studio album and E.P. album under their belt, but it is their sophomore release that launched them into household-name recognition. The first single, "We Are Young" (featuring Janelle Monae) debuted on FOX's Glee before most heard it on the radio. Soon after, it became a Pop-Rock Top 20 hit staple and paved the way for their album, which features songs that are just as -- if not, better -- songs. Favorite track: "Some Nights"

The Gaslight Anthem -- "Handwritten"

I have to admit that while it did make my 2010 list for "Top Albums," I still wasn't that crazy over The Gaslight Anthem's American Slang. I began to worry because 2008's The '59 Sound is everything I could dream of in an album; it's probably one of the very few albums that I absolutely love and could listen to over and over! Fortunately, the band wrote and released this album, Handwritten. While it's not as good as The '59 Sound, this album still follows close enough to warrant many repeat plays. With their fusion of pop punk, rock and alternative (think Bruce Springsteen meets Social Distortion), TGA performs with more heart and soul than most rock bands today. Favorite track: (tie) "45" and "Handwritten"

Will Hoge -- "Modern American Protest Music"

2012 being a presidential election year, this was probably one of the most important releases this past year! Will Hoge has always remained under the radar and made damn good music. This year was no different with his release Modern American Protest Music only being released as an mp3 album ... which is a shame because SO many more people should have access to this album. Hoge says he doesn't side with either major political party but simply speaks in what he believes. No agenda. No rallying. Just an American man who speaks his mind, his truth, his way of life and belief. Although the album is only a 7-song E.P., with songs like "Founding Fathers," "Folded Flag," "Times are Not Changing" (which tackles the question: Where are all of these protest singer/songwriters now? Dylan? Young? Baez? Fortunately, the answer is that Hoge himself has written a wonderful album!), and "Jesus Came to Tennessee," there's more substance here than in most double-disc albums. Many might not agree with Hoge's ideas or opinions, but it's his right to write them and sing them. Coincidentally, I agree with Hoge's music here. The lyrics are sometimes tongue-in-cheek but straight-forward and this is an album that evokes great questions of the true moral fabric of American society. Quite simply, this is one of the best written contemporary albums today and that makes it a very important album to hear. Favorite track: "Jesus Came to Tennessee"

Jukebox the Ghost -- "Safe Travels"

I really loved this Washington, D.C., band's first album, Live and Let Ghosts, but didn't pay much attention to their sophomore release. Now, this third album sure has gotten my attention! Their piano pop-rock (i.e., Ben Folds) is definitely sure to please any piano rock fan, with its hooky choruses and catchy lyrics. From blue-eyed soul to synth-tinged power ballads, this album is worth a try for anyone who likes prog and piano rock. Favorite track: "Don't Let Me Fall Behind"

Alicia Keys -- "Girl on Fire"

Each year that Alicia Keys releases a new album, it seems to make my "Top Album" list. And when you listen to her, it's easy to see why. Keys is a true musician and artist who grows with every album; it's like watching a person whom you love grow into a nice, respectable adult. Each album invokes more maturity and self-respect that is sorely needed in today's society among young women. With the songs on this album, Keys' marriage and motherhood has come to the forefront of the songs' subjects, letting her audience in on her new world that these events have opened up to her -- with the word "new" in two song titles  -- and it's a welcomed topic. Keys has always had a special, unique voice and it continues here. Her hit single proclaims that "this girl is on fire!" With this album, she's damn right! Favorite track: "Tears Always Win"

Lianne La Havas -- "Is Your Love Big Enough?"

British-born Lianne La Havas' debut album, Is Your Love Big Enough?, is a R&B/soul gem! It's not just some album full of cliche lyrics and empty beats. La Havas fills her music with deeply emotional lyrics, such as in "Lost & Found," where she gently sings, "You broke me and taught me to truly hate myself." With touches of Corinne Bailey Rae, Jill Scott and Joss Stone, La Havas plugs into an enjoyable genre with her own unique songwriting and beautiful voice. Favorite track: (tie) "Forget" and "Age"

The Lumineers -- "The Lumineers"

The Lumineers sound somewhat like a mix of Ryan Adams and Arcade Fire and just the slightest touch of Bob Dylan. That was what sold me on this album! That and their upbeat piano riffs with choral shouts. If you enjoy Of Monsters and Men or Mumford & Sons, you'll enjoy this album. Favorite track: "Ho Hey"

Stephen Lynch -- "Lion"

I was not much impressed with comedian Stephen Lynch's last album 3 Balloons, but this one is awesome! The tempo is often a lot slower on this one than his previous -- and most of his -- albums, but the music is really great. And, if you don't mind Lynch's raunchy comedy, you'll actually like the melodies and harmonizing with the talented, beautiful singer-songwriter Courtney Jaye. Even though the music is mostly slower, the insults and sharp wit are still quick, relentless and just as funny as Lynch's older stuff. Favorite track: "The Night I Laid You Down"

Kendra Morris -- "Banshee"

As 2012 saw the untimely, tragic death of Amy Winehouse, nevertheless, life went on, and Florida-born Kendra Morris is the latest to bring her version of blue-eyed soul to the masses. She sounds a lot like another of my soul/R&B favorites Alice Smith, so I'm really enjoying this album. For those wanting some more 1960s/70s soul, definitely check this out! Favorite track: "Here"

Mumford & Sons -- "Babel"

British folk rock band Mumford & Sons debuted in 2009 one of the best albums (Sigh No More) to come out in the past decade! So I'm sure there was a huge amount of pressure on the band to release a sophomore album just as big and just as good. Not many bands do well with their sophomore (second) releases -- hence the term "sophomore slump" -- and it's all it takes to soon plummet them down into obscurity. Fortunately, M&S won't go down that rotten path. Their second album, Babel, is just as good as Sigh, with many stand-out tracks. They blend American folk roots rock with Springsteen, Old Crow Medicine Show and early U2. I've heard that the band "may experiment with electric guitars and synthesizers." I don't quite know how to feel about that bit of news. Just as long as it doesn't take away their original sound and quality, AND they keep the horns section (when those horns hit at the end of "I Will Wait," it's so uplifting), I'm up for it, I guess. Favorite track: "I Will Wait"

Of Monsters and Men -- "My Head is an Animal"

With undertones of Arcade Fire, The Lumineers and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Icelandic indie-folk band Of Monsters and Men put out a strong, solid debut album. There should be many more great things to come from this sextet band. I've been a big fan of Iceland's Sigur Ros for quite a few years now, and it looks like the country caught me on another good band! Their harmonies, use of horns, and catchy music will stick in your head and get your feet tapping. Favorite track: "Little Talks"

Original Cast Recording -- "Once: a new musical"

I have not been lucky to see this musical on stage yet, however, the 2006 movie, Once -- with which it is based -- I've seen probably a hundred times! I love the story, LOVE the music! The actors in this recording (Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti) do a splendid job at covering the difficult footsteps laid out by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season). In fact, the entire cast shines with renditions and instrumental additions to the soundtrack. Although a simple story, it has lots of heart and plenty of great music. Favorite track: "Falling Slowly (reprise)"

Bruce Springsteen -- "Wrecking Ball"

Probably one of the most important albums in the election year (next to Will Hoge's Modern American Protest Music), Wrecking Ball's first half angrily speaks of the robbing, cheating and swindling that big business and the American government have done to the average American person; the second half then transitions into hope and possible salvation. Although 2009's Working on a Dream was OK, it was not nearly as good as 2007's Magic or this album! Springsteen continues to do what he does best: write songs that are not simply good and fun to listen to, but also morally and spiritually educate and enhance. Favorite track: "Death to My Hometown"

Frank Turner -- "Last Minutes & Lost Evenings"

I was introduced to Frank Turner by mutual writing acquaintance this past year by listening to his 2011 album England Keep My Bones. Wow! This guy impresses with only a couple of songs -- let alone an entire album! Turner perfectly melds folk, punk, country and rock all into one tour de force. This album is somewhat of a greatest hits package with a few b-sides and previously unreleased tracks to sweeten the pot. If you're looking for something new and good, check him out! Favorite track: (tie) "I Still Believe" and "The Ballad of Me & My Friends"

The Vaccines -- "Come of Age"

The Vaccines' second studio album, Come of Age, had a lot of high expectations. With the wonderful album What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?, no one could blame them. This time around, though, the punk pop rock band keeps their Ventures and Safaris echoing guitar sound and introduces some more ballad-type of songs. However, I'm still all for their rollicking, rocking numbers. This album is not as good as their debut, but it's enjoyable just the same. Favorite track: "Teenage Icon"

Various Artists -- "Les Miserables Soundtrack (Highlights)"

 A lot of diehard fans of the original Broadway musical were awfully skeptical about the actors singing and interpretations of a musical they have loved and adored for years. And I was one of those same fans. However, let me put this to rest right now. The film version is just as good as the Broadway musical. There are pros and cons to the cinematic version. One pro is also a con in that the singers can really emote better with their voices and faces, making the film seem more real; however, their voices sometimes go a bit too soft -- although it is a very minor occurrence. Another con is Russell Crowe's singing voice as Inspector Javert. Now, I know his songs are extremely difficult to sing, and Crowe does have a singing background, but his voice just didn't "wow" me like the others did. Still, he did OK. Samantha Barks as Eponine (one of my favorite characters) was fantastic and really honed the character she'd been playing since 2010 on Westminster's Queen's Theatre. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the villainous Thenardiers did OK, but they just couldn't hold a candle to Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway's performances. Hugh Jackman retains his theatrical chops as Jean Valjean and has the power to both sing and heavily emote, making you believe he is the tortured, reformed man of God; also, I loved that director Tom Hooper cast the original (to me) Valjean, Colm Wilkinson, as the Bishop. But the heavy hitter here -- the Academy Award-winning performance -- is that of Anne Hathaway. If you've ever read my blog or heard me talk of her, you know I'm not the biggest fan of hers. Then, The Dark Knight Rises came out and I had to admit she did pretty well. Now, with that plus this performance, I'm eating crow. She was spectacular. Her performance while singing "I Dreamed a Dream" was the best acting -- and, at the same time, singing -- I've seen in a very long time. There's a moment in the song where she's about to hit a high note and you see her convulsing, almost hyperventilating, and think she won't hit that note. But she does. And the fact that all of the actors sang live on set lets you know that she's got talent. If she doesn't get some kind of major award for this role, then awards will be useless. A great musical and a great movie. The musical is all here (in the film) in its entirety -- singing and all! (Slight note: the only lines cut in the film is at the beginning of "Beggars at the Feast"; I guess the filmmakers wanted to be more politically correct, so they cut out the verse that contains: "Here comes a prince/There goes a Jew/This one's a queer/But what can you do?") Favorite track: (tie) "I Dreamed a Dream" and "On My Own"

Various Artists -- "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Soundtrack"

 I saw this movie and really liked it even though it was depressing. Nevertheless, a beautiful movie. One of the most effective elements of the film was its soundtrack. It is a nice mix of different genres and plays well with the film. From The Beach Boys to INXS to P.M. Dawn to Wang Chung to The Walker Brothers, this soundtrack has got every style you could like. Favorite track: "This Guy's in Love With You (Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass)"

Nick Waterhouse -- "Time's All Gone"

 This guy released an EP album last year and it got such good attention that he was able to put out a full-length album, Time's All Gone. I'd like to think of Nick Waterhouse as somewhat of a modern-day Buddy Holly. Not that his music sounds completely like Holly's, but that he's writing and recording the kind of music that Holly himself would be writing and recording today if he were alive. His 1950s guitar rock echoes and hisses and reverberates with all the style of a Dick Dale tune. He also carries enough soul and '50s R&B to play for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. If you're ever feeling like listening to music that influenced most of the music you like now, listen to Waterhouse. Favorite track: "Some Place"

My Most Anticipated Movies of 2013!

It's that time of year again where I get my double dose of movie-going pleasure, so it must be New Year's! And because the dawn of a new year in film is upon us, I figured I'd share the films with which I'm most excited to see in 2013! (Please note that all release dates of the films could change). Here they are in alphabetical order:

Captain Phillips

This film is about Capt. Richard Phillips (portrayed by Tom Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S. MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in 200 years. I'm a big fan of Hanks and I think this will be interesting to see him in a non-fictional role (he hasn't done that since 2007's Charlie Wilson's War), and especially with the director being Paul Greengrass, who did a wonderful job with the 9/11 film, United 93. To Be Released: October 11, 2013.

Frozen

Disney films nowadays are not just for kids. They've proven that time and again with hits such as Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, as well as the Pixar films of Toy Story 3, Up, Finding Nemo, Brave, and Wall-E. Disney's next sure-to-be-hit is Frozen -- a tale that is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Snow Queen. This isn't the first time Disney has adapted one of his stories; for those who don't know or remember, The Little Mermaid was based on Andersen's tale and they've had some "modest" success with that one. This story is about Anna (Kristen Bell), who is cursed by her estranged sister, the evil Snow Queen (Idina Menzel). To remove the curse, she must travel across frozen icelands to reach the Queen. Of course, she has a small group to help her on her journey: Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his one-antlered reindeer, and an enchanted snowman, Olaf (Josh Gad). Seeing the cast, there's no doubt this will be musical since most of the cast come from Broadway backgrounds; Groff from Spring Awakening and FOX's Glee, Menzel from Rent, Wicked and Glee, and Gad (the new generation's answer to Chris Farley) from The Book of Mormon. I can usually count on Disney to deliver the goods in terms of story and entertainment. It makes going to a "kids movie" all the more tolerable for us parents. To Be Released: November 29, 2013.

Gangster Squad

(PLEASE NOTE: This film was to originally be released on September 7, 2012, but was pushed back and thusly it appears on my previous anticipated films listing.) This is one of my most anticipated films of 2012 2013! The film focuses on the LAPD fighting to keep the east coast Mafia out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 1950s. Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin play cops who go head to head with mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn). Emma Stone, Nick Nolte, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Patrick, and Anthony Mackie round out the cast in this tale from comedic director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, 30 Minutes or Less) and Castle writer Will Beall -- based on the book Tales of the Gangster Squad by Paul Lieberman. Although this looks like a major reiteration of Brian De Palma's 1987 masterpiece The Untouchables, I'm hoping this film at least goes right where Johnny Depp's Public Enemies (a wonderful book, a terrible movie) went wrong: sticking close to the book! To Be Released: January 11, 2013.

A Good Day to Die Hard

After just watching the original film, I'm always excited about the new prospect of seeing John McClane (Bruce Willis) back on the big screen! The last installment (Live Free or Die Hard) was so good and the writers Mark Bomback and David Marconi were so wise to include the presence of McClane's daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), that this time, writer Skip Woods is including McClane's son, Jack (Jai Courtney), who has got a secret from dear old dad, bringing McClane all the way to Russia. If the film is as much fun as the trailer, this may be the best action film of the year. Let's hope this lives up to fans' expectations. To Be Released: February 14, 2013.

The Great Gatsby

(PLEASE NOTE: This film was to originally be released on December 25, 2012, but was pushed back and thusly it appears on my previous anticipated films listing.) This is a story that seems to be so made for director Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!) to make and I'm equally excited to see DiCaprio take on the role of Jay Gatsby, and the rest of the cast are really impressive as well (Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher). The only downside to this film is that in has a lot riding on its success as Great Gatsby fans (me included) are aplenty and expect a very faithful, emotionally full adaptation to this wonderful story. As always, though, be sure to read the book before seeing the film. No matter how great this film may be, it can't top the original printed word! OH, and that AMAZING song in the trailer is a cover of a U2 song called "Love is Blindness" by Jack White (of The White Stripes)! To Be Released: May 10, 2013.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

OK. So this has complete cheesy written all over it! But I'm always a sucker for these Grimm's Fairy Tales-turned-badass tales (i.e., The Brothers Grimm, Snow White and the Huntsman, etc.) and this is my guilty pleasure pick for the year! Plus, the fact that Gemma Arterton is in it doesn't hurt either. Told from a different perspective, this version features a kick-ass brother and sister witch-hunting team whose sole purpose is to destroy as many witches as possible. And that's no surprise knowing what they went through when they were little kids. Then, to find out that their parents were murdered by one? Well, sit back and enjoy all the action! To Be Released: January 25, 2013.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

This is the second installment in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, and it's sure to be a doozy! I enjoyed the first installment (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), even though there was a slight, very short lull in it (that would be the meeting scene between Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond in Rivendell). But with the introduction of the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch), there's sure to be much more action. I'm a big fan of Cumberbatch's ever since I saw him on the BBC's Sherlock, and I will slightly be geeking out over the fact that he'll be reunited (although digitally) with his co-star Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins). To Be Released: December 13, 2013. 

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

I've been anxiously awaiting a Steve Carell-Jim Carrey team-up and it's finally here!!! Co-written by ex-Freaks-and-Geeks, current Bones star John Francis Daley, Wonderstone is a fairly basic comedy about magic but with a dynamite cast and what's sure to be some great improv comedy, as well as movie quotes that will be remembered by the pop culture geeks for years to come. It's great to see Jim Carrey do what he does best. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's branched out to dark comedies and dramas, but this is the stuff with which he excels. Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, and Alan Arkin are even more incentive for what looks to be one of the funniest of the year. To Be Released: March 15, 2013.

Iron Man 3

 

It seems like The Avengers was just the beginning for the stars of the Marvel universe. In Tony Stark's (Robert Downey, Jr.) life, the battle that took place in New York in The Avengers left Stark psychologically scarred and unsure of himself. Then, out of the blue, he and all of those closest to him are attacked and his business is left in shambles. It's up to Stark to find out who's trying to destroy him. Enter the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and the comic writer Warren Ellis' "Extremis" storyline from the comic! Of course, Downey makes the movie, but what really gets me excited about this film is the addition of new director and co-writer Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Monster Squad, The Last Boyscout, Last Action Hero, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and his finally bringing some darkness to the Marvel movie franchise. To Be Released: May 3, 2013.

Kick-Ass 2

Based on the comic by Mark Millar, Kick-Ass was a huge hit when it was released in 2010. Naturally, since the comic continued with Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall, there would have to be a movie sequel. The pros are the casting of Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes, Donald Faison (Scrubs) as Doctor Gravity, and Lindy Booth (2004's Dawn of the Dead) as Night Bitch. The cons are that the director is not Matthew Vaughn (although he is producing) but Jeff Wadlow, whose recent credits are the horrible Cry_Wolf and equally dreadful Never Back Down. What makes me also wary is that Lionsgate is not returning to produce the film, however, Universal Pictures picked it up (things that make you go Hmmmm ...). Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing Chloe Grace Moretz return as Hit-Girl, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse's transformation from Red Mist into the villain The Motherf@*#er. I only wonder if the film will be as brutally violent as the comic. To Be Released: August 16, 2013.

Man of Steel

This is the movie I'm anticipating the most in the new year! Unlike most critics and audiences, I didn't mind Bryan Singer's 2006 attempt, Superman Returns. However, with director Zack Snyder now on board (known for his action), as well as producer Christopher Nolan (director of the Dark Knight Trilogy), Man of Steel exudes the confidence that all of us Superman fans have been patiently awaiting in a Superman movie since the original 1978 version. From the look of Zod (Michael Shannon), it looks like writer David S. Goyer is following close to the modern-age Superman in the comics (New Earth/New 52 Superman) ... and that's just fine with me. British actor Henry Cavill picks up the mantel of the red cape and I think he'll do great with it. Every time I watch the trailer below, I get chills; can't wait to see this one! To Be Released: June 14, 2013.

Monsters University

The prequel to Disney Pixar's 2001 mega-hit Monsters Inc. is finally here! I wish I could say that it was just the kids that were excited. But adults (this one included!) are SOOO happy to see where beloved characters Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) got their start in their careers and in their friendship. The first film is one of my favorite animated films of all time (preceded by Up, Toy Story 3, and Wreck-It Ralph), so I'm excited to share in going to see this new one with my daughters. Plus, it will be fun to see these monsters running wild in college. To Be Released: June 21, 2013.

Much Ado About Nothing  

I always tell people that there are two filmmakers that I always trust to make a good, entertaining film. One is J.J. Abrams and the other is Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator and Avengers director Joss Whedon. So when I heard Whedon is tackling Shakespeare with his own take on Much Ado About Nothing -- and better yet, reunited star-crossed lovers Wesley (Alexis Denisof) and Fred (Amy Acker) from his show Angel -- I was sold on wanting to see this. Whedon is a master at modern-day speak/dialogue without sounding too pretentious or out-of-touch. There have been plenty of rave reviews already on this, plus the supporting cast of other Whedon alumni Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Tom Lenk and Fran Kranz, I'm anxious to see this. For those unfamiliar with the story, Shakespeare's tome is about two sets of lovers -- Benedick (Denisof) and Beatrice (Acker) constantly proclaim their disrespect for love and marriage, whereas Claudio (Kranz) and Hero (Jillian Morgese) are madly in love and head over heels for each other -- and their relationships are tested by the tricky Don John (Maher). It's a bit of a romantic comedy from a man that not many knew invented the romantic comedy ... Shakespeare. To Be Released: June 21, 2013.

  Now You See Me

 

 Steve Carell might be bringing the funny with his magical comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, but Jesse Eisenberg (who wow-ed in The Social Network), Dave Franco (James' baby brother), Isla Fisher, and the likeable-as-hell Woody Harrelson bring the drama and glitz of magic this year. The foursome star as magicians called the Four Horsemen who use their illusions to pull bank heists during their performances, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor and unfortunate. Mark Ruffalo stars as the FBI agent who's pursuing them and Morgan Freeman is a "magic debunker" who is contacted by Ruffalo to assist in the case. I'm not the biggest fan of director Louis Leterrier, but this one looks like it might just get good accolades for the director. To Be Released: June 7, 2013.

   


  Oblivion
 

Let's forget for a moment that this film was directed by TRON: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski, OR that it was co-written by Michael Arndt (who will be writing the new Star Wars Episode 7 (IMDb) due out in 2015). This future sci-fi actioner starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman features Cruise as a drone repairman who finds a secret, crashed spaceship on a war-ravaged Earth. He must fight a savage alien race all to help save mankind (of course!). For those jonesing for a solid sci-fi film, this looks to be the first of the year. To Be Released: April 19, 2013.

Oz: The Great and Powerful

Sam Raimi has finally returned to the director's chair for this small little undertaking: Disney's  PREQUEL to the classic film, The Wizard of Oz! Sorry, all of you Wicked fans, but this is the tale of how the "Wizard" arrived in Oz and how the three witches came to be the ones we see in the 1939 classic. I already know who's to become the infamous Wicked Witch, but I can't wait to see how Oz looks through Raimi's eyes. With a cast of great actors (James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis and ... Bruce Campbell(!!!!)), there's no limit to how entertaining this film could be. To Be Released: March 8, 2013.

Pacific Rim

 

When I first heard of this film, I wasn't all too impressed. And when I read the vague description about it ("When an alien attack threatens the Earth's existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace."), I couldn't help but think: Voltron? But then I saw the trailer and now I'm looking forward to this! Starring Idris Elba (Prometheus), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), and Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), this action film -- directed by Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) -- shows traces of monsters that look like they came from Cloverfield and promises to be a hit summer popcorn flick that will pull in a lot of money. To Be Released: July 12, 2013.

 

Promised Land

 Don't let the morose movie poster fool you. This film looks like one of the best dramas of the year and the combination of Matt Damon, John Krasinski (NBC's The Office) and the radiant Rosemarie DeWitt keep the balance of drama and comedy that one might not expect from director Gus Van Sant. The film centers around a salesman (Damon) from a natural gas company who comes to a small town to try and buy their land for a natural resource. This film came out at a critical time when the country is still reeling from bad deals made in 2008 (and are continued being made); one can't help but make slight comparisons to Bruce Springsteen's 2012 hit "Death to My Hometown." This is a film that most corporate-minded individuals will scoff at and hate; but, to me, it's honest. To Be Released: January 4, 2013.

 

Saving Mr. Banks

Alright! Don't get too excited/flustered! This is not a new Mary Poppins movie. This film is about the drama of the making of Disney's 1964 musical movie Mary Poppins. A lot of people don't know this bit of trivia, but Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers was extremely difficult to work with during the filming of the movie and did not approve of the final product. In this film, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) has his hands full while trying to move production along on his latest musical live-action film Mary Poppins, but the book's author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) proves to be just as much of a handful -- if not, more so -- than her fictional counterpart. I'm also excited to see Jason Schwartzman (HBO's Bored to Death) and B.J. Novak (NBC's The Office) as music-writing/brother team Richard and Robert Sherman, respectively (BTW, if you love documentaries, check out The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story). I've always wondered what specific problems Travers caused Disney and am grateful for the cinematic answer. Also, for those wondering why the film is called Saving Mr. Banks, think of the film/story of Mary Poppins and what happens to the family at the end of the story. Mr. Banks, the father, is transformed from a stuffy, unloving parent who is never around to play with his children to a loving, playful dad; in a way, the story of Mary Poppins is not about her saving the children, but about saving the father.  To Be Released: December 20, 2013.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

 

This sequel ... um, er ... prequel ... whatever ... has been a LONG time coming! Director Robert Rodriguez and co-director/writer Frank Miller have supposedly been working tirelessly on the script (based on book 2 of Miller's masterpiece) and trying to get back as many of the original cast that they could (with the exception of Clive Owen as Dwight, Devon Aoki as Miho, and the late Michael Clarke Duncan as Manute). Hopefully, it pays off when this hits theaters. I was completely bowled over by the first Sin City because of its heavy devotion to the graphic novels. This story will follow Dwight (Josh Brolin) and his run-in with the woman who broke his heart, Ava Lord (the excellently cast Eva Green), whom he must rescue from thugs. To Be Released: October 4, 2013. (NOTE: THIS FILM'S RELEASE DATE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO AUGUST 22, 2014.)

 

Springsteen & I

Director/producer Ridley Scott and his late filmmaker brother's (Tony Scott) film production company, Scott Free, is producing this Springsteen flick, directed by Baillie Walsh, not so much about musician Bruce Springsteen himself ... but more about his fans. As a diehard fan who is proud to consider himself a part of this "family," I know I'm biased in placing this film in here, but I have never anticipated a music documentary more than this one! If I had to describe Springsteen in three words, they'd be "poet," "hope," and "faith." To Be Released: July 22, 2013.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

You don't have to be a Trekkie to be excited for this one. Anyone who's seen the first Star Trek helmed by director J.J. Abrams knows that this one is going to be really good. Add in one of my favorite new actors Benedict Cumberbatch (do yourself a favor and rent or buy both seasons of the BBC's Sherlock. RIGHT. NOW.), as the main baddie and I'm there! I've often told friends and anyone who will listen that I always trust in two directors: Joss Whedon and Abrams. So I have no doubts that this one will be nothing short of spectacular. To Be Released: May 17, 2013.

This is the End

OK. It's as if writers/directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg decided to dig into my thoughts about my dream cast for their next comedic hit. Ever funny, young actor (most of them alumni of Judd Apatow shows/movies) that's been in most of the recent comedies you love is in this film: Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Jason Segel, David Krumholtz, Michael Cera, Martin Starr, Paul Rudd, Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart, and Emma Watson. And the best part is that they all play themselves. The premise is simple. Baruchel, Rogen, Hill, Robinson and McBride go to Franco's house for a party, then wake up to having to face the apocalypse. Sounds dark but with all of these actors involved, there's sure to be plenty of laughs. Sounds like a plot so simple, but, sometimes, when there's lots of laughs, simple is all you need. To Be Released: June 14, 2013. (WARNING: THIS IS A RED BAND MOVIE TRAILER AND HAS EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE.)

The Way, Way Back

In the same vein of recent gems like Away We Go, It's Kind of a Funny Story and The Perks of Being a Wallflower comes a coming-of-age film of 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) who goes with his mom (Toni Collette) and her overbearing boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) on summer vacation to a cabin and spends his summer with his mom's embarrassing friends. However, while at the local themed water park, Duncan makes a friend in the manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) and employee Roddy (Nat Faxon), and he learns to open up and find his place in the world. This looks like a really amazing film so I'm excited and hope it's not just merely overhyped. To Be Released: July 5, 2013.

The Wolverine

A lot of critics did not like the first solo Wolverine film, but I thought it was well-done (I liked it much better than Bryan Singer's X-Men) and I'm really looking forward to this installment which -- because of the character's history -- could either be a prequel or sequel. All is known about the plot for this film is Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) travels to Japan to train with a samurai warrior. There three possible storylines from the comics that could be used here: either (1) Logan's 1937 run-in with Ogun, (2) in 1945 where he finds love with a girl in Hiroshima, or (3) post-WWII where he conceives a child with Itsu. From the casting, it looks like options 1 and 3 are out. But it is rumored that Frank Miller's Wolverine is being used as the basis, HOWEVER, the film's story is set after the 2006 film, X-Men: The Last Stand. To Be Released: July 26, 2013.

World War Z

Based on the novel by Max Brooks, with a screenplay by Lost showrunner Damon Lindelof and directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace), this story involves a United Nations worker (Brad Pitt) who's trying to stop the outbreak of a deadly zombie pandemic. Now, if it's done right, I like a good zombie movie as much as the next guy. And while the jury is still out on whether there's any real excitement factor to this, not to mention that it sort of follows a little too closely to 2007's I Am Legend, the crew mentioned above is enough to have me wanting to see this when it comes out this summer. To Be Released: June 21, 2013.

Zero Dark Thirty

When I first heard of this film, I have to admit that I was not too excited, impressed or even anxious to see it. However, I've heard SO many great things about it that I figured I needed to give it a try. I am a big fan of director Kathryn Bigelow's 2008 hit The Hurt Locker, so it will be interesting to see what she does here. I also am a big fan of Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, and Kyle Chandler, so that will definitely not hurt the chances of this being a solid, good film. All in all, though, I believe the topic of the hunt and assassination of Osama bin Laden is a touchy one because, first of all, it's still very recent news and the fact that the U.S. government would release all of the details is a bit hard to swallow. Also, Hollywood doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to sticking with the facts, so their "events added for dramatic effect" might be on the heavy side -- especially what will most likely be portrayed as the "nonstop pursuit" of bin Laden; if this were true to life, there'd be a 9-year lull in the search of the infamous terrorist. Instead, I'm concerned this will be some star-spangled, government-sponsored propaganda piece. Nevertheless, the topic is controversial and intriguing so consider me there! To Be Released: January 11, 2013.