Top 11 Movies to Watch In 2011
1. The Hangover 2
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Todd Phillips (Starsky & Hutch, Road Trip, Old School, Frat House, The Hangover)
Cast: Zach Galifinakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha
Scheduled Release Date: 5/26/2011
It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing, if I see “The Hangover” is on pay cable, basic cable, or a poster ad in the subway, I’m watching it all the way through to the end. I’ve been a fan of Todd Phillips ever since 2000′s “Road Trip” and it’s been a bucket list item of mine to have one unforgettable cameo in one of his movies. The entire main cast is confirmed to return and rumor is Zach Efron makes an appearance. Well, if Vanessa Hudgens can be in a Zack Snyder film, I don’t see why Zef can’t get absolutely abused in Hangover 2. I mean, he needs to be kicked, punched, spat on, vomited on, peed on, dragged through garbage, and pushed to the absolute limit of human suffering for the audience to get on board with him being in the film. Then, he saves the day (by sacrificing his life). Mel Gibson was also attached at one point, but dropped out after creeping everyone out and was replaced by Liam Neeson.
2. Super 8
Director: J.J. Abrams (Lost, Cloverfield)
Cast: None announced.
Scheduled Release Date: 2011
I have a confession to make. I want to have J.J. Abrams’ baby. Yes, this even comes after the clusterf*ck that was the Lost finale. I lost days, weeks, and months at a time at work trying to figure out what the HELL Cloverfield was. I never watched Alias but moving forward if you want me to watch something, throw his name out there. I’ll bite. Not convinced yet? Not a JJA fan? I have two words for you: Spiel Berg. That’s right; the man who molded my childhood will produce what is sure to give theater audiences simultaneous orgasms. In true Abrams fashion, he’s not letting cats any out of any bags. All beans will remain unspilled. The only elements confirmed are the setting (1979), the genre (sci-fi, supernatural, mystery), and this radtastic trailer:
3. Thor
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Kenneth Branagh (1996′s Hamlet, 1994′s Frankenstein, 1993′s Much Ado About Nothing, 1989′s Henry V)
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo
Scheduled Release Date: 5/6/2011
I’m not comic book nerd, probably because I got ripped off on a bogus copy of Superman when I was in 6th grade, but, to me, Captain America ranks above Thor in popularity and awareness, yet this release seems to be hyped more. The movie poster alone gets the blood flowing. Kenneth Branagh as director? Interesting choice. He’s mostly helmed Shakesperean remakes, which I’d watch to skip reading the books/plays, but if he can bring that fiery acting intensity to a Hollywood blockbuster overflowing with CGI and special effects, you might be looking at the best Marvel pic of the bunch. If you’re only exposure to Thor is Adventures in Babysitting then you should probably know Thor is “a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.” As punishment, he’s sent to Earth where he battles the most dangerous villain in the world, Spencer Pratt.
4. Red Riding Hood
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Lords of Dogtown, Thirteen)
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Shiloh Fernandez, Carmen Lavigne, Jen Halley
Scheduled Release Date: 4/22/2011
Ever seen “Thirteen”? It stars Marilyn Manson plaything Evan Rachel Wood as bad ass jailbait who likes to steal stuff, take painkillers and get punched in the face. It’s heartwarming and uplifting. Anyway, Catherine Hardwicke directed that award-winning indie and now she has her sights set on lensing another adolescent girl, only this time the chick’s generally known in Fable Land as an airhead. Will David Johnson’s script give her more of an edge like this chick? Well, for starters she falls for an orphaned woodcutter (generally known as the bad boy of medieval townsfolk) and has to avoid / conquer a werewolf that terrorizes her village. Also, how awesome is Gary Oldman? he could play ever male role in this pic and nail it. Plus, film’s produced by Leo. That dude does not get involved in things that suck (unless it’s really really really smoking hot models).
5. Sucker Punch
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300, Dawn of the Dead)
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Carla Gugino, Jena Malone, Jon Hamm, Michael Jai White, Emily Browning
Scheduled Release Date: 3/25/2011
The producers describe this effort from Watchmen and 300 directors Zack Snyder as “Alice in Wonderland with machine guns” that blends dragons, B-52 bombers, and brothels. Um, I really have to wait ’til next f’n March to see this? Story follows “Baby Doll” (Emily Browning) who is imprisoned by her evil stepfather in a mental institution where he’s planned to lobotomize her in 5 days. To escape, she enters an alternate reality where she has to collect 5 objects before getting caught by some gnarly dude. She’s joined by her inmates as her imagination helps her make way in real life only to have the lines blurred. If there’s not a massive honey-drenched nude wrestling match in this, I will take umbrage, Mr. Snyder. Vanessa Hudgens‘casting kind of throws me off, but then I see Carla Gugino and Jena Malone and all is well. You better bring it Vanessa, and not in that cheerleader kind of way either.
6. Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Director: David Fincher (The Social Network, Se7en, The Game, Benjamin Button)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Robin Wright, Christopher Plummer
Scheduled Release Date: 12/11/2011
This is the American film adaptation of the novel of the award-winning crime novel by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson, the first in his Millennium Trilogy, which became a best-selling series after his death in November 2004. It follows a middle-aged investigative journalist with the magazine Millennium who loses a Libel case against a corrupt Swedish industrialist and is sentenced to three months in jail. Unbeknownst to him, a troubled but brilliant 24-year-old hacker from a security firm keeps tabs on him while he looks into the murder of his former babysitter at the request of the rich industrialist. Murder. Intrigue. Rape. Cats. Dogs. Bulls. Bears. People from Connecticut. I haven’t met a girl yet who DOESN’T own this book. It’s a conversation starter and not a bad date movie. I know, rape in a date movie? What frat are you in?
