I don't include 2011 films that will be released in 2012 in this list. Films like Coriolanus, In Darkness, Rampart, The Lady, Flowers of War, and Albert Nobbs all received 2011 limited released in Las Angeles or New York, even though they I won't and general public be able to see them for some time. I am however including films that were internationally released in 2011, but will not be released in the US until 2012. I use the US release dates in determining in which year films will place in my top 10s and most anticipated lists.
2011 was a great year in cinema. My top twenty will be coming in the next month or so as I catch up on a few films. But looking forward to 2012, it seems to be a good year as well. The first third presents a good amount of notable films this year, more than usual. Two films that missed my list of most anticipated for this third include Joseph Cedar's Footnote, which premiered at Cannes last year and will be release by Sony Pictures Classics and Gary Ross' Hunger Games, which has a lot of anticipation among readers of the book series. The trailer of Hunger Games, however, has failed to really excite me. Two other films to note that did not make the list are John Madden's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Terrence Davies' The Deep Blue Sea. Both are by good directors and could be really good films.
#10 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Lasse Hallstrom's new film appears to be a light comedy starring Ewan McGreggor, Kristen Scott Thomas, and Emily Blunt. Simon Beaufoy of Slumdog Millionaire and The Full Monty fame has written the screenplay for the film. Salmon could be the feel good film of the beginning of the year.
Release Date: March 2nd, Limited Release
#9 Mirror Mirror
Tarsem Singh is not really a great filmmaker, but he always has visual flair. Last years Immortals was example of that. His new film is one of two that take on the story of Snow White. The other is released later in the year. Julia Roberts stars in Singh's film and she appears to be having much fun in the role of the wicked step-mother.
Release Date: March 16th, Wide Release
#8 John Carter
Disney is banking a lot of money of their new film John Carter. Directed by Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, A Bug's Life, and Finding Nemo), the film is a sci-fi film about a man who wakes up in a different time on Mars. Stanton may very well be the best director at Pixar, making three great films and it will be interesting to see how he can transfer himself to life action. Brad Bird did well with Mission Impossible 4 and we'll see if Stanton can follow.
Release Date: March 9th, Wide
#7 The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Aardman Animation's last two films have been computer animated (Arthur Christmas and Flushed Away), but in The Pirates! Band of Misfits, they return to their more acclaimed claymation- stop motion animation. The previews for the movie look great and funny and the movie looks to be all around fun.
Release Date: March 30th, Wide
#6 The Kid With a Bike
The Dardennes Brothers new film premiered at Cannes last year. I originally had it on my most anticipated of last year's Oscar season, but the film has been pushed to a 2012 US release. Again, I'm mostly anticipating the film because of the directors and their history. The film should not disappoint.
Release Date: March 16th, Limited
#5 Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
The new film from Nuri Bilge Ceylan was released last year at Cannes and received a great response. It tied for the #2 spot at the festival (The Grand Prix award) with none other than The Kid With a Bike. The film is getting a small US release by a small distributor (The Cinema Guild). If I don't get a chance to see it in theaters, I will try to see it once it hits DVD. The film could also be a surprise nominee for the Oscars Best Foreign Film Category this year.
Release Date: January 4th, Limited
#4 Kill List
I don't know much about Kill List, except that it is a hit-man thriller that turns into a horror film. The movie was released in 2011 in the UK, but will be getting a 2012 release in the US. It did very well at the British Independent Film Awards. It looks pretty cool. It is getting a video on demand release by IFC on January 4th and I'm not sure if it will be getting a real theatrical release in weeks to follow or not.
Release Date: January 4th, Video on Demand; Limited- TBA?
#3 Wettest County
Wettest County is the newest film from director John Hillcoat (The Proposition, The Road). The film is written by Nick Cave and stars Jessica Chastain, Tom Hardy, and Shia LaBouf. The movie is set during the prohibition period as bootlegging gangs are being threatened by the government. No trailer is currently available for the film. The talent involved (Hillcoat, Hardy, Cave, and Chastain) is enough for anyone to want to see the movie.
Release Date: April 20th, Wide
#2 Haywire
Steven Soderbergh has been on a roll lately, putting out film after film. Haywire is one of his final films before he retires or goes on a sabatical, or whatever you want to call it. Early word of the film signals it is one of his best and who could expect less with one of cinema's rising acting geniuses of Michael Fassbender playing a supporting role?
Release Date: January 20th, Wide
#1 The Secret World of Arrietty
Arrietty is the newest film by the greatest animation studio in the world, Studio Ghibli. The film itself is directed by a new director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The studio has chosen some new directors recently because its two landmark directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, are rather old and may not make many more films. Miyazaki however did write the screenplay for the new film and it has opened to great reviews.
Release Date: February 17th, Wide
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