Hollywood has its work cut out in 2013. 2012. For starters, where do superhero movies go from here after competitors Marvel and DC exponentially raised the genre's bar with The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises? How about smaller films? Lincoln, Argo and Silver Linings Playbook all transformed into critical darlings overnight and that magic is only duplicated for the rare few.
Even with audience expectations set at a higher level than before, there are still ten movies that must be experienced in theaters as early as possible. Below are my choices for my most anticipated movies released in 2013.
#1
When you combine the talents of Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska, the director of Oldboy and toss in some creepy family vibes, the result is Stoker.
The trailer alone what sold me on really wanting to see Stoker this coming March. From the get-go, you can tell something is off, just not right. Mia Wasikowska looks to deliver yet another superb performance, as does Nicole Kidman, who hasn't been as mainstream the last couple of year. But Stoker isn't your mainstream movie either.
#2
Studio Ghibli is one of the most consistent animation studios in the industry. Their most recent release, The Secret World of Arrietty was one of the most impressive animated features I've seen in a very long time.
So it's only natural that From Up on Poppy Hill finds itself on this list. And while it seems from the trailers, it doesn't have the otherworldly magic as Arrietty, its visuals and plot are what will drive me to see it immediately.
#3
Everything at TIFF pointed to The Place Beyond the Pines being one of the 2013's finest examples of independent cinema. Director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) reteams with Ryan Gosling, who's recently belted out some award-worthy performances, particularly in 2011's Drive.
And after seeing Bradley Cooper in a career-highlighting performance in last year's Silver Linings Playbook, the anticipated level is at an all-new high. Audiences will be in for one of the first real treats of 2013.
#4
Who knows what the Oscar race would look like now if Baz Luhrman's The Great Gatsby wasn't pushed back from December 2012 to May 2013. With a well-rounded ensemble headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio, Gatsby has all the makings of an classic adaptation done justice.
May seems like an odd time to release The Great Gatsby, but we've held out long enough and it's time for Luhrman and company to deliver. Hopefully, this will be more along the lines of a critical darling like Moulin Rouge rather than his less remembered film, Australia.
#5
Back in 2009, I fell in love with J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot so much that I ended up seeing it 11 times in theaters. (coincidentally, it was also the 11th film in the series)
For Star Trek into Darkness not to make this list would be an absolute travesty. This latest installment of the Star Trek franchise already looks to raise the bar, but with only a few months left, still leaves fans in the dark concerning a hefty portion of the plot. The biggest piece of the puzzle? Who is Benedict Cumberbatch really playing? Khan? Gary Mitchell? Robert April? We'll find out in just a few months.
#6
Whether or not you think Pixar is still on their A-game after Cars 2 and Brave, Monsters University will be a guaranteed hit. After a 12-year hiatus, Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) return in the most unlikely fashion, a prequel.
I always thought Monsters, Inc. did fine as a standalone movie, not needing any sort of merchandise-inducing sequel that would compromise the integrity of the Pixar brand. Hopefully Pixar is releasing Monsters University for all the right reasons. And if they're so determined on releasing a sequel, what's better than The Incredibles 2?
#7
If you happened to notice, I didn't put Iron Man 3 or Man of Steel on this list. That's no mistake. After last year's The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, I need a breather from superhero movies.
Not released until November, Thor: The Dark World is slated a good 16 months after two of the largest superhero juggernauts to hit theaters. And the God of Thunder himself, Chris Hemsworth is a bigger star now than ever before and will amp up his performance the second time around.
#8
The whole world watched the first time; now the stakes are raised even higher in the sequel to Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There's no doubt that The Hunger Games has dethroned Harry Potter and Twilight as the next big book-to-film franchise.
Going back to Panem as second time is certainly going to be one of the highlights of 2013. While the first film focused on survival, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will ignite the spark towards revolution, resulting in what could very well be a more compelling chapter than its predecessor.
#9
Disney has been on a roll since 2009's The Princess and the Frog, sparking what could very well be hailed as a second Disney Renaissance. After finding success in retelling The Frog Prince and Rapunzel, Disney tackles an icier fairy-tale in The Snow Queen.
Not much is known about Frozen at this point as only a few images of concept art have made their way online, but I have faith that Disney has another classic on its hands. Rival princesses, snowmen and one-antlered reindeer are more than enough for Frozen to be on the radar of anticipation.
#10
While it's not as hailed as the cinematic masterpiece as its predecessors, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey still remains a worth companion piece to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
So how will The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug stack up? This time, we're smack dab in the middle of the journey with shapeshifting bear men, spiders, barrel rides and we might even get more than just a glimpse of Smaug this time around. Expect another action-packed three hour movie that doesn't need to be seen in 48 FPS.
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