The 2012 Fall Preview

The Summer has come and gone. With another lineup set in the record books, it safe to say we can move ahead.  It is now time to move forward to a new line up of films as we enter the fall of 2012.  The movie season starts this month and goes all the way through December ending the year.  As we get right into the new lineup, a few questions should be noted: which films will succeed, which will fail; and more importantly which movies are the ones to look forward to?  These are the question that any good moviegoer should have and hopefully this preview will enlighten you.  So before entering the theater, feel free to look into the months to come in the fall preview of the movies of 2012.

September can be a quiet month for films, but on occasion, there is the possibility of getting surprised with a good movie. The month kicks off this Friday this with a new drama known as “The Word”, starring Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Zoe Saldana and Jeremy Irons. Next week, things will pick up on the action side with “Resident Evil: Retribution”. Along with Retribution comes a new drama called “The Master”, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams. Also coming next Friday is the re-release of” Finding Nemo”, presented in Disney 3D. The 21^st marks a big week for movies featuring the likes of the comic based film:” Dredd “; as well as “End of Watch”, the new crime drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena. Also coming out that week is the new thriller starring Jennifer Lawerence known as “ House at the End of the Street”, and finishing up the week of 21^st is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, starring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman.  Finally on the week of the 28^th, there will be three major releases: the futuristic action thriller “Looper, starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis; “Hotel Transylvania”: a new animated film from Genndy Tartakovsky, and finally “Trouble with the Curve”: the sports drama starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake. 

The month of September is indeed full of variety; but for me, only a few have my interest.  I am curious in seeing “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” because it looks like an interesting drama, and I am curious to see Emma Watson outside of Harry Potter. Then there is “Looper”, which looks like it could be very different sci-fi film. Finally, there is “Trouble at the Curve”, which I think could get some major attention if the film is done right.  Nevertheless, the month of September looks to be the same as it was last year: a month of possibilities.

The month of October marks the month of Halloween, and naturally moviegoers expect to see a horror film or two. Well you are in luck because this October does feature a few horror films, along with a set random genres  added to the mix. October 5^th looks to one of the bigger weeks as heading into theaters are three major releases. First is newest film from Tim Burton, the Claymation adventure known as “Frankenweenie”.  The week signs the return of Liam Nesson as Bryan Millis in the action sequel: “Taken 2”. A horror film will also be added to the mix as moviegoers will be treated to “Sinister”, the latest from the creators behind “Paranormal Activity” and ” Insidious”. The following week has a new drama from Ben Affleck called “Argo” ,and a comedy known as “Seven Psychopaths”, starring Collin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam 

Rockwell and Christopher Walken.  The week of October 19^th has two crime thrillers coming to theaters: “Alex Cross” and “Kill Them Softly”. Also coming out that week is the latest installment in found footage franchise; it is none other than “Paranormal Activity 4”. After everything is said and done, coming out the last week will be two releases: the long overdue sequel to “Silent Hill”: “Silent Hill: Revelation”, and the massive film from the Wachowski: “Cloud Atlas”. 

This October feels like it is escaping from any monthly trends (with the exception of Paranormal Activity); however for me, the movies to look forward seem fitting for the season, well all but one. Being a fan of stop motion as well as Tim Burton, I cannot deny that I excited what the filmmakers have in stored with “Frankenweenie”.  Then there is “Sinister”, which is more of toss up for me, but I could see the horror film finding some kind of success when it hits theaters.  Finally, there is “Cloud Atlas”. If you have seen the five minute trailer, then you too may be riddled with curiosity about this film. However, I could see this film go either way. It will either be really good, or it is just going to be extremely artsy but lacking in general movie elements. We will just have to see when the film comes out this October, along with the other movies coming out in the upcoming month.

Now we move on to one of the more prominent months in the movie season: November. This is the month where the season integrates from just the fall season to the holiday season. It all starts with the “Wreck-It Ralph”, the latest animated film from Walt Disney Pictures. Also coming out on the first week of November is “Flight”: the new drama from Robert Zemeckis; as well as the kung fu based action film “The Man with the Iron Fists”. On November 9^th, there are only two releases,  but they may be two deciding factors for this massive month of films. First is “Skyfall”, the 23^rd installment in the James Bond franchise.  Second is the next film from Steven Spielberg: the historical drama “Lincoln”.  Then on November 16^th, Fans and Moviegoers will cry for different reasons as the last chapter in The Twilight Saga hits theaters. After getting through that, we come to the week of Thanksgiving where we have two films hitting theaters. First is the next film from DreamWorks animation: “Rise of the Guardians”; and along with Guardians comes “The Life of Pi”, the new adventure film from Ang Lee.

With so many major hits coming this November, it is hard not to be excited for all of them (with the exception of one).  Both animated features, “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Rise of the Guardians” look like the could worthy contenders this year as they both look refreshing in animation and in just overall presentation. Of course, who could not be excited for the next James Bond film, especially after seeing latest on the 23^rd installment.  Finally there is “Life of Pi”. Like “Cloud Atlas”, this is a film that could go either way, but in the best case scenario, it could be a contender for this year’s best films. 

Last but certainly not least is December: the second half to the holiday season. Though December is not as prominent as November is, there are still quite a few big time films that could decide the fate of the top films of the year.  The month starts quietly with “Hyde Park on Hudson” and “Playing for Keeps”; however after the first week is when things really heat up. On the week of the December 14^th , there are two films that could decide the fate of the December lineup. First is “Les Miserable”, the film adaption of the hit musical directed by the man behind “The King’s Speech”: Tom Hooper. Unfortunately for the film musical, the battle will not be easy for also coming out on the 14th is the long awaited prequel to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy; none other than “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. After those two films will duke it out, films such as “Jack Reacher”, “This is 40” and “Zero Dark Thirty” will try to maintain some relevance in the week following the 14^th. Finally, who better to close the year of 2012 than Quentin Tarantino with the western “Django Unchained”.

For me, the top picks of the month looks to be the films that are going to find some form of success.  Of the week of December 14^th could be a good week for me as I look forward to both films.” Les Miserable” has a lot of backing behind it; with Tom Hooper helming the film as well as having the likes of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway apart of the musical ensemble. Then there is “The Hobbit”…do I really need to say anything else?  Last but not least is the film that will close out the year: “Django Unchained”. You have to wonder if Quentin Tarantino can really pull off western.  It is anybody’s guess but the fact of the matter is that with Quentin Tarantino, you are bound to get something entertaining.

The next four months look to be a season of anticipation and intrigue. We will see films with enormous imagery and artistic tones with “Cloud Atlas” and “Life of Pi”; feel excitement coursing down our spines with “Looper” and “Skyfall”; and take an unexpected journey with the start of “The Hobbit”. This lineup of films will see its highs and lows; the films that will make us cringe and no doubt see films we will not soon forget. It is everything you should expect in the fall season of 2012.