Like you, we also want to wipe out the first few weeks of each new cinematic year. Timed with the debut of the first genuinely good wide release of 2011, comes our list of the most-anticipated films of the year. Creating a mix of blockbuster, independent, and foreign films that span nearly every genre, there is something for everyone below. Check out our 100+ picks spread over the next few pages and let us know what you are looking forward to. The films are listed in chronological order, with a release date attached if available.
Cedar Rapids (Miguel Arteta; Feb. 18th)
Synopsis: Tim Lippe has no idea what he’s in for when he’s sent to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at an annual insurance convention, where he soon finds himself under the “guidance” of three convention veterans.
Why You Should See It: After crafting one of the better comedies of last year with Youth In Revolt, Arteta returns with this thoroughly hilarious look at midwestern life. Ed Helms proves he has what it takes to be a leading man, assisted by a strong supporting cast. Check out our Sundance review here. – Jordan R.
Rango (Gore Verbinski; March 4th)
Synopsis: A chameleon that aspires to be a swashbuckling hero finds himself in a Western town plagued by bandits and is forced to literally play the role in order to protect it.
Why You Should See It: The original Pirates team reunites for something that looks surprisingly inspired compared to most of the animation we’ve been prepared to pay money for this year, including Pixar’s dreadful-looking Cars 2. – Dan M.
Battle: Los Angeles (Jonathan Liebesman; March 11th)
Synopsis: A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.
Why You Should See It: If for no other reason, the PR and marketing department deserve your recognition and 10 bucks for their stellar trailer, posters and overall campaign. Whoever found that auto-tune song? Brava. – Dan M.
Certified Copy (Abbas Kiarostami; March 11th)
Synopsis: In Tuscany to promote his latest book, a middle-aged English writer meets a French woman who leads him to the village of Lucignano.
Why You Should See It: A meta-Before Sunset, Abbas Kiarostami‘s charming romance uses its city (Tuscany) and its leads (Juliette Binoche and William Shimell) to build and break down love in front of our eyes. – Dan M.
Jane Eyre (Cary Fukunaga; March 11th)
Synopsis: A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he’s hiding a terrible secret.
Why You Should See It: A classic gothic romance from a hot, young director (Cary Fukunaga) starring two of the hottest, most talented actors around town (Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender) makes promises one prays it can keep. – Dan M.
Paul (Greg Mottola; March 18th)
Synopsis: Two British comic-book geeks traveling across the U.S. encounter an alien outside Area 51.
Why You Should See It: Because Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have yet to go wrong buddying up (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). And with Greg Mottola (Adventureland) on board to direct, heartfelt nostalgia will not be in short supply. – Dan M.
Win Win (Thomas McCarthy; March 18th)
Synopsis: Disheartened attorney Mike Flaherty, who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach, stumbles across a star athlete through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Just as it looks like he will get a double payday, the boy’s mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything.
Why You Should See It: After The Station Agent and The Visitor, writer/director Tom McCarthy has delivered quite a crowd-pleaser. By entering new comedic territory, while bringing along the dramatic sensibilities he is known for, McCarthy has crafted one of the most enjoyable films of the year so far. Read our Sundance review here. – Jordan R.
Source Code (Duncan Jones; April 1st)
Synopsis: An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.
Why You Should See It: Duncan Jones was given 5 times the money he had for his low budget sci-fi rejuvenator Moon, not to mention Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright. This is the kind of high-concept project that could be an action-packed Groundhog’s Day. – Dan M.
Hanna (Joe Wright; April 8th)
Synopsis: A teenage girl goes out into the world for the first time – and has to battle for her life. Director Joe Wright weaves elements of dark fairy tales into the adventure thriller Hanna, filmed on location in Europe and Morocco.
Why You Should See It: A departure from his previous films, Joe Wright has delivered a bad-ass assassination thriller with Hanna. While I’m under embargo for a full review, I’d recommend checking it out, especially for a fantastic score from The Chemical Brothers. – Jordan R.
Meek’s Cutoff (Kelly Reichardt; April 8th)
Synopsis: Settlers traveling through the Oregon desert in 1845 find themselves stranded in harsh conditions.
Why You Should See It: Reichardt follows up Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy with this western. Her signature style remains as she gorgeously captures a strenuous journey of survival. Check out my TIFF review here. – Jordan R.
Your Highness (David Gordon Green; April 8th)
Synopsis: When Prince Fabious’s bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her…accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous.
Why You Should See It: With James Franco, Danny McBride, Natalie Portman, and Zooey Deschanel, this movie is a casting director’s wet dream. The dialogue in the fantasy/comedy was, according to Green, almost entirely improvised, so hopefully the jokes are organic and funny. The film has been on the shelf at Universal for about a year, and that’s not usually a good sign, but a recently released trailer does show Portman in a thong, and that’s definitely a plus. With potential Oscar nominees Franco and Portman together, as well as Franco and McBride under Green’s direction for the first time since Pineapple Express, it’s looking pretty good for Your Highness. – James B.
Arthur (Jason Winer; April 8th)
Synopsis: A drunken playboy stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn’t like.
Why You Should See It: Remaking the Dudley Moore comedy classic is admittedly a difficult task, but I could think of no better comedian to step into his shoes than Russell Brand. Add in Helen Mirren and Greta Gerwig and we could have a decent update on our hands. – Jordan R.
Haywire (Steven Soderbergh; April 22nd)
Synopsis: A black ops super soldier seeks payback after she is betrayed and set up during a mission.
Why You Should See It: Formerly known as Knockout, this spy thriller stars Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Michael Angarano, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, and Gina Carano. If that impressive cast isn’t enough, you’ve also got another Soderbergh film coming in the fall. – Jordan R.
Water For Elephants (Francis Lawrence; April 22nd)
Synopsis: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.
Why You Should See It: Based on the best-selling novel, this film boosts an impressive cast including Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz. The trailer looks stunning, and with Waltz in the intriguing role of August Rosenbluth, it’s hopeful that the story will be equally pleasing. – Kristen C.
Thor (Kenneth Branagh; May 6th)
Synopsis: The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
Why You Should See It: Not only does this film include the recent Golden Globe winner Natalie Portman, but it also features Chris Hemsworth and Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. Thor will also give us a taste of the ever expanding Marvel universe that will come to a fever with the release of The Avengers in 2012. – James B.
Bridesmaids (Paul Feig; May 13th)
Synopsis: A comedy centered on two women battling to plan their friend’s wedding party.
Why You Should See It: After Your Highness kicks off the summer laughs, this Judd Apatow-produced, Paul Feig-directed blockbuster comedy is the next big entry. The (almost) all-female cast is unfortunately a rarity in Hollywood and I can’t think of a better woman to lead than Kristen Wiig. – Jordan R.
The Beaver (Jodie Foster; May 20th)
Synopsis: A troubled husband and executive adopts a beaver hand-puppet as his sole means of communicating.
Why You Should See It: This Mel Gibson vehicle has been surrounded by controversy since his racist/sexist debacle, but it actually looks like it could be one of the better films this spring. After topping the Black List of best unproduced screenplays, the film will finally see its premiere at SXSW before hitting theaters in May. – Jordan R.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Rob Marshall; May 20th)
Synopsis: Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.
Why You Should See It: Gore Verbinski is out as we welcome Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) to the directing chair for Disney’s biggest film of the summer. While his stamp isn’t apparent in the trailers, they smartly got rid of Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom to trim this down to a stand-alone Jack Sparrow adventure. Add in the perfect casting of Ian McShane as Blackbeard and Penelope Cruz as our sidekick, and we could have a surprising return to form for this massive series. – Jordan R.
The Tree of Life (Terrence Malick; May 27th)
Synopsis: The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence.
Why You Should See It: I mean…did you see that trailer? Have you not seen Terrence Malick’s only four other films from the past 38 years? How could this not be on the list? Will you just get excited for it, like you already should be, so I can stop asking these questions? – Nick N.
The Hangover: Part II (Todd Phillips; May 27th)
Synopsis: In the follow-up to the record-breaking hit comedy The Hangover, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch. However, things don’t always go as planned. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined.
Why You Should See It: It may be difficult follow up the craziness in the biggest R-rated comedy of all-time, but heading to Thailand is a step in the right direction. Todd Phillips’ sequel brings back our main leads, as well as a number of cameos that have been spoiled to high heaven during production. Even though the sequel may be unnecessary, it is hard to deny my excitement for this high-profile comedy. – Jordan R.
X-Men: First Class (Matthew Vaughn; June 3rd)
Synopsis: Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-MEN.
Why You Should See It: After prepping, but ultimately departing X-Men: Last Stand, Matthew Vaughn’s (Kick-Ass, Stardust) return to the franchise should provide a breath of fresh air after a sharp decline with non-Singer productions. Bryan Singer also returns as producer, and the stellar cast top-lined by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender place it in my most-anticipated summer movie category. – Jordan R.
Beginners (Mike Mills; June 3rd)
Synopsis: A young man is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young male lover.
Why You Should See It: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Mélanie Laurent lead this tender look at life and death. Through flashblacks and images, Mills creates a deeply personal look at these universal situations. After checking out its TIFF premiere, it will finally get a release this summer via Focus Features. – Jordan R.
Super 8 (J. J. Abrams; June 10th)
Synopsis: Not provided by studio (i.e. it is a Abrams project).
Why You Should See It: If there was one blockbuster film to top this list, it would be J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg’s ode to the 1970 and ’80’s Amblin classics. It looks visually stunning and Abrams is sure to keep the enticing alien invasion story under wraps until release. – Jordan R.
Bad Teacher (Jake Kasdan; June 17th)
Synopsis: A comedy centered around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague — a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher.
Why You Should See It: Director Jake Kasdan has yet to quite break out, after delivering the underrated gems Zero Effect and Orange County. Bad Teacher, written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg (Ghostbusters III, The Office), the comedy brings together Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, and Cameron Diaz for Kasdan’s biggest film yet. – Jordan R.
Green Lantern (Martin Campbell; June 17th)
Synopsis: A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.
Why You Should See It: The trailer for The Green Lantern was bland, choppy, and across the board unexciting. It felt like a total rush job, but there’s still hope for Martin Campbell’s space epic. Very few films have reached the level of scope Cambell and co. seem to be going for. Star Wars with a superhero? Sounds great. Lets just hope the film surpasses that so-so teaser. – Jack G.
Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks; July 1st)
Synopsis: After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college.
Why You Should See It: Tom Hanks teams with My Big Fat Greek Wedding helmer Nia Vardalos for this screenplay, then went on to direct himself. Co-starring with Julia Roberts, Crowne should be one of the more crowd-pleasing comedy/dramas this summer. – Jordan R.
One Day (Lone Scherfig; July 8th)
Synopsis: After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter and Em are revisited each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.
Why You Should See It: After her Sundance hit An Education nabbed a Best Picture nod, Scherfig heads into more comedic territory with One Day. Starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, and Patricia Clarkson, this is certainly one to look forward to. – Jordan R.
Horrible Bosses (Seth Gordon; July 8th)
Synopsis: Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.
Why You Should See It: This murder-centered comedy stars a trio of funny men best-known for their work in television. Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Jason Sudeikis (SNL) and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) team up with such big names as Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Aniston in this crime caper helmed by King of Kong director, Seth Gordon. Though Gordon’s last comedy feature was the critically panned Four Christmases, he’s helmed a string of popular sitcoms since then, so here’s hoping his sense of humor is now as sharp as his cast deserves. – Kristy P.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (David Yates; July 15th)
Synopsis: The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemorts final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.
Why You Should See It: If you’re like almost every other movie goer for the past decade, you’re anxiously awaiting the finale of this epic series. With the original cast reprising their final roles, the special effects blowing our minds, and the final battle between good and evil within our grasp, this is definitely a film you don’t want to miss. – Josh B.
The Sitter (David Gordon Green; July 15th)
Synopsis: A comedy about a college student on suspension who is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.
Why You Should See It: It’s a special year when we get not one, but two David Gordon Green films. We’ll see his delayed medieval epic Your Highness in April, then this comedy which features the compelling pair of Sam Rockwell and Jonah Hill. – Jordan R.
The Fields (Ami Canaan Mann; July 16th)
Synopsis: In the Texas bayous, a local homicide detective teams up with a cop from New York City to investigate a series of unsolved murders.
Why You Should See It: We may not get a Michael Mann film this year, but his daughter Ami Canaan Mann will deliver one this summer. Starring Chloe Moretz, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sam Worthington, Jason Clarke, Stephen Graham, and Jessica Chastain, we’ll have to see if she has the same crime/drama blood as her father. – Jordan R.
Captain America: The First Avenger (Joe Johnston; July 22nd)
Synopsis: After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America’s ideals.
Why You Should See It: Starring Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, and Hugo Weaving, this is one of the first period piece superhero films. Director Joe Johnston promises we’ll be thoroughly entertained with his take on the first Avenger’s rise to glory. – Josh B.
Cowboys & Aliens (Jon Favreau; July 29th)
Synopsis: A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys are all that stand in their way.
Why You Should See It: If the title alone isn’t enough to pique your interest, how about the fact that the cast includes Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Keith Carradine, Olivia Wilde, and Sam Rockwell? Want more? You got it. This cross-genre thriller is directed by Jon Favreau, who has brought forth such crowd pleasers as Elf, Zathura, and Iron Man. – Kristy P.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (Glenn Ficarra and John Requa; July 29th)
Synopsis: A father’s life unravels while he deals with a marital crisis and tries to manage his relationship with his children.
Why You Should See It: While their latest feature, I Love You Phillip Morris, was completely overlooked, this bigger budget comedy will thankfully reach a much larger audience. The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Steve Carrell has me interested, as well as Emma Stone, Kevin Bacon, and Julianne Moore. – Jordan R.
The Darkest Hour (Chris Gorak; Aug. 5th)
Synopsis: In Russia, a group of kids struggle to survive after an alien invasion.
Why You Should See It: While every studio is pumping out their alien invasion movies, this Timur Bekmambetov-produced blockbuster gives me high hopes. Emile Hirsche is back in his first role since 2008, and is joined by rising star Olivia Thirlby. Shot on location in Russia, I have faith that this will deliver the spectacle, and the story. – Jordan R.
30 Minutes or Less (Ruben Fleischer; Aug. 12th)
Synopsis: Two fledgling criminals kidnap a pizza delivery driver and force him to rob a bank within 30 minutes.
Why You Should See It: Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, and Danny McBride comprise one of my favorite casts for a comedy this summer. After surprising everyone with his directorial debut Zombieland, Ruben Fleischer returns with this Black List script. – Jordan R.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (Troy Nixey; August 12th)
Synopsis: A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.
Why You Should See It: This Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror film looks to revitalize the tired genre. Starring Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, and newcomer Bailee Madison, it finally has a release in mid-August. – Jordan R.
Fright Night (Craig Gillespie; Aug. 19th)
Synopsis: A remake of the comedy-horror picture about a teenager who discovers his new next-door neighbor is a vampire.
Why You Should See It: Bringing this classic comedy-horror film from the 80’s back to life is director Craig Gillespie (United States of Tara, Lars and the Real Girl). With a cast including Colin Ferrell, Anton Yelchin, Toni Collette, and David Tennant of Doctor Who fame, this remake is almost guaranteed to be a dark comedy you’ll find yourself busting a gut over. – Josh B.
Warrior (Gavin O’ Connor; Sept. 9th)
Synopsis: The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament — a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother.
Why You Should See It: While his last film Pride & Glory left a lot to be desired, I’m hoping the casting of Tom Hardy can make for an enjoyable B-movie. – Jordan R.
Drive (Nicolas Winding Refn; Sept. 16th)
Synopsis: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.
Why You Should See It: Nicolas Winding Refn is a brilliant, existential filmmaker. He’s played greatly in the independent film sandbox, and now he’s completed his first hollywood film outing with following a stunt drive on the run (played by Ryan Gosling, coming off from a tremendous performance in Blue Valentine). Gosling has described the film as Blue Velvet meeting Purple Rain, so it doesn’t sound like Refn is turning out anything paint-by-numbers in his Hollywood debut. – Jack G.
Moneyball (Bennett Miller; Sept. 23rd)
Synopsis: The story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
Why You Should See It: Aaron Sorkin returns after writing last year’s best screenplay with The Social Network. With Capote director Bennett Miller stepping in after Steven Soderbergh dropped out at the last minute, it could be one of the strongest award contenders of the year. Add in Brad Pitt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the interesting casting of Jonah Hill, and this is one of my most-anticipated. – Jordan R.
Now (Andrew Niccol; Sept. 30th)
Synopsis: In the not-too-distant future the aging gene has been switched off. To avoid overpopulation, time has become the currency and the way people pay for luxuries and necessities. The rich can live forever, while the rest try to negotiate for their immortality. A poor young man who comes into a fortune of time, though too late to help his mother from dying. He ends up on the run from a corrupt police force known as ‘time keepers’.
Why You Should See It: Andrew Niccol and sci-fi always go well together. Look at his under-seen Gattaca for a premier example. This thriller brings together Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, and Olivia Wilde, but I’m truly most excited for cinematography by Roger Deakins. – Jordan R.
Dream House (Jim Sheridan; Sept. 30th)
Synopsis: Soon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, a family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the dwelling.
Why You Should See It: Jim Sheridan had a lucky early career, consistently working with Daniel Day-Lewis. The director has since made some interesting choices, directing the 50 Cent biopic Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and the remake of Brothers in 2009. His latest is a mystery thriller starring Rachel Weisz, Daniel Craig, and Naomi Watts. The haunted house plot seems tired, but hopefully Sheridan can prove us wrong. – Jordan R.
Wanderlust (David Wain; Oct. 7th)
Synopsis: A urban couple branch out to live a more counter-culture lifestyle.
Why You Should See It: The comedic geniuses behind 2008’s Role Models are back with another feature. Paul Rudd returns, and while I’m not the biggest fan of our two female leads, Jennifer Aniston and Malin Akerman, I still have faith in Wain. – Jordan R.
The Thing (Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.; Oct. 14th)
Synopsis: At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. While Dr. Halvorson keeps to his research, Kate partners with Sam Carter, a helicopter pilot, to pursue the alien life form.
Why You Should See It: This prequel to John Carpenter’s The Thing takes place immediately before the seminal 1982 film. With Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim) as paleontologist Kate Lloyd, it tells the story of the destroyed Norwegian camp and excavation site from the first film. Purists will argue about whether expanding the classic story is necessary, but either way, fans of the original should at least give the prequel a chance. – James B.
Contagion (Steven Soderbergh; Oct. 21st)
Synopsis: An action-thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak.
Why You Should See It: Its a good year when we have not one, but two Steven Soderbergh films hitting theaters. After Haywire in April, this narrative is being described as a horror outbreak thriller, and with a cast including Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, and Matt Damon, I couldn’t be looking forward to it more. – Jordan R.
Immortals (Tarsem; Nov. 11th)
Synopsis: Greek warrior Theseus battles against imprisoned titans.
Why You Should See It: Tarsem has the eye and style of a God. The Cell and The Fall were like 2 hours of going down the chocolate river in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory with being bombarded by uncanny imagery. And with The Fall, Tarsem showed he can make something a little more coherent and emotionally compelling than his initial debut film. Hopefully, he continues that rise with this sword and sandals epic. – Jack G.
The Skin That I Inhabit (Pedro Almodóvar; Nov. 18th)
Synopsis: Based on Thierry Jonquet’s novel “Mygale”, this revenge tale tells the story of a plastic surgeon on the hunt for the men who raped his daughter.
Why You Should See It: Almodóvar continues to be one of the best foreign directors today and this reunion with Antonio Banderas promises to be as unsettling as some of his previous work – Jordan R.
Hugo Cabret (Martin Scorsese; Dec. 9th)
Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.
Why You Should See It: After Shutter Island, a film I’ll defend to the death as a near-masterpiece, Martin Scorsese showed that he’s still got plenty of muscle left in his filmmaking body (as if we didn’t already know that). Just because he’s making a “kid’s movie” doesn’t mean he’s also taking a step back; this is a man who not only approaches every project with care, and it’s his first movie in 3D, something he seems to be embracing. I’m aching to see what he does here, and have more than enough confidence he’ll give us something special. – Nick N.
The Muppets (James Bobin; Nov. 23rd)
Synopsis: Kermit the Frog and his muppet pals put on a show to save their old theater.
Why You Should See It: It’s a Muppet movie scripted by the zany and ever-affable Jason Segel. Plus it promises a long-list of star-studded appearances. Among the confirmed celebs are: Billy Crystal, Emily Blunt, Kristen Schaal, Donald Glover, Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Ricky Gervais, Zach Gailifianakis, Jack Black, and Jean Claude Van Damme. – Kristy P.
Rise of the Apes (Rupert Wyatt; Nov 23rd)
Synopsis: An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man’s own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.
Why You Should See It: One really cant go any worse than the depths of blandness that Tim Burton achieved with his Planet of the Apes remake. And from the sounds of this upcoming prequel/prequel, it’ll be better. The less action-oriented take they seem to be going for is intriguing and the rich mythology of the series is still full of potential. The cast is solid and the script has gotten good buzz. – Jack G.
Project X (Nima Nourizadeh; Nov. 23rd)
Synopsis: A group of kids document a house party that goes awry.
Why You Should See It: We don’t know much about this secret project from producer Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Due Date), but that is all part of the appeal. Featuring unknown actors and a house party premise, this $12 million project was shot completely in first person point-of-view. – Jordan R.
Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol (Brad Bird; Dec. 16th)
Synopsis: N/A.
Why You Should See It: With J.J. Abrams already rejuvenating the series, I wondered how that success could be repeated. Then the announcement of Brad Bird as director reignited my interest. The Pixar director already showed he could handle action and story with The Incredibles, so his movement to live-action couldn’t be any more fitting. – Jordan R.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Guy Ritchie; Dec. 16th)
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Why You Should See It: While I wasn’t a fan of Ritchie’s first Sherlock, I’m hoping the crew has learned from their mistakes in this sequel. Adding in Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) makes me a bit more hopeful. Let’s just hope it isn’t another waste of Ritchie’s talent. – Jordan R.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (David Fincher; Dec. 21st)
Synopsis: A journalist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing — or dead — for forty years by a young female hacker.
Why You Should See It: While the entire Swedish trilogy got a stateside release last year, David Fincher is set to release his adaptation of the first story in Stieg Larsson’s popular crime saga. The Social Network star Rooney Mara plays our lead Lisbeth Salander with Daniel Craig joining. There is a wide range of improvement from the Swedish films to capitalize on and can’t think of a better man than Fincher to see it through. – Jordan R.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (Steven Spielberg; Dec. 23rd)
Synopsis: Tintin and his friends discover directions to a sunken ship commanded by Capt. Haddock’s ancestor and go off on a treasure hunt.
Why You Should See It: Just like his pal Scorsese, Steven Spielberg is getting the chance to try out newer technology for Tintin, that being motion capture. Based on the popular comic series by Herge, this movie seems to return him to the classic adventure stories of his early days, and it looks absolutely beautiful. Also, Edgar Wright co-wrote it. Just saying. – Nick N.
We Bought a Zoo (Cameron Crowe; Dec. 23rd)
Synopsis: A father moves his family to the English countryside to own and operate a zoo.
Why You Should See It: Based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee, this film marks Cameron Crowes first writing/directing effort since Elizabethtown (2005). That alone would be enough to sell this viewer, so the fact that the cast includes Matt Damon, Scarlett Johnansson and Elle Fanning is icing on the cake. – Kristen C.
War Horse (Steven Spielberg; Dec. 28th)
Synopsis: Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend.
Why You Should See It: Yes, we’re getting two Spielberg movies within five days of each other. That’s a beautiful thing in itself, but what I find even more exciting is that he’s working with historical fiction, as his period pieces are some of his best stuff. The cast of relative unknowns should be a great thing for the director to handle, and we should be excited to see him take on World War I. – Nick N.
The Descendants (Alexander Payne)
Synopsis: A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.
Why You Should See It: In his first film since 2004’s Sideways, Payne has enlisted George Clooney for this drama/comedy. Fox Searchlight is looking at a fall/winter release. I would expect a TIFF/Venice premiere, as they are known to do. – Jordan R.
A Dangerous Method (David Cronenberg)
Synopsis: A look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis.
Why You Should See It: A new Cronenberg film is reason enough to get excited. Viggo Mortensen, Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel lead this look at Freud and we’ve heard it is more a comedic than his previous work. – Jordan R.
Melancholia (Lars von Trier)
Synopsis: Two sisters find their relationship challenged as a nearby planet threatens to collide into the Earth.
Why You Should See It: After petrifying audiences worldwide with Antichrist, filmmaker/huckster Lars von Trier returns with Melancholia. While his last film had him tackling horror, his next will see him giving sci-fi a shot. Kirsten Dunst is his sure-to-be-tormented lead, while Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Gainsbourg and the Skarsgards (Stellan and Alexander) round out the cast. Some of his work has turned me off in the past, but it says a lot about him as a filmmaker when I want to always see what he does next. – Nick N.
On The Road (Walter Salles)
Synopsis: A young man sets out to travel the roads and railways of America.
Why You Should See It: Here’s hoping Walter Salles’ next is more ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ than ‘Dark Water,’ the how-did-this-finally-get-made adaptation of the Jack Kerouac road novel. With Francis Ford Coppola producing and a young, talented cast (Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst) leading the way, this could make Beat-wannabes dreams come true. – Dan M.
Midnight In Paris (Woody Allen)
Synopsis: A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better.
Why You Should See It: Selected for the opening night film at Cannes, Woody Allen is due for a hit after his last two films have disappointed. The large ensemble cast includes Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody, Nina Arianda, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy, Kurt Fullerby, Carla Bruni, and Léa Seydoux. – Jordan R.
This Must Be The Place (Paolo Sorrentino)
Synopsis: A bored, retired rock star sets out to find his father’s executioner, an ex-Nazi war criminal who is a refugee in the U.S.
Why You Should See It: Making his English language filmmaking debut, Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) is bringing us the story an aging rock star (Sean Penn serving up some serious Robert Smith) who sets out to track down the former Nazi who killed his father. Penn looks a tad ridiculous in the stills for this film but there is always hope he can pull it off. – John L.
Wuthering Heights (Andrea Arnold)
Synopsis: A poor young English boy named Heathcliff is taken in by the wealthy Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy. Based on the classic novel by Emily Bronte.
Why You Should See It: Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank was tremendous and, without a doubt, one of – if not the – best films of last year. Arnold had proven herself beforehand with Red Road, but Fish Tank showed that she was a true marvel of a filmmaker. If Wuthering Heights is half as good as Fish Tank, it will still end up being pretty damn good. – Jack G.
Set Me Free (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne)
Synopsis: Involves a young boy that is abandoned by his father and placed in the care of a woman’s oblivious and incapable character.
Why You Should See It: After picking up numerous awards for their previous films, this Dardenne project is currently in post-production and may see a Cannes premiere, something the duo is familiar with. Starring Cécile De France (Hereafter) we’ll likely see it very late in 2011 here in the US. – Jordan R.
We Need To Talk About Kevin (Lynne Ramsay)
Synopsis: The mother of a teenage boy who went on a high-school killing spree tries to deal with her grief — and feelings of responsibility for her child’s actions — by writing to her estranged husband.
Why You Should See It: Tilda Swinton has been on a hot streak since her 2007 Oscar win with career best performances in Julia (2009) and I Am Love (2010) but failed to garner significant awards consideration for those roles. Her luck could change, however, with this baity adaptation of the popular book about the mother of a highschool shooter. Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood (There Will Be Blood) was recently announced to be providing the score for this film which is a good sign for the quality of Lynne Ramsay’s film. – John L.
Chicken With Plums (Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud)
Synopsis: Nasser Ali, whose favorite meal had been his mother’s recipe for chicken with plums, was a renowned musician who played the tar, but who, very depressed, chose to lie down and let himself die.
Why You Should See It: The brilliant Persepolis showed that feature animation isn’t relegated to talking animals for children and now the filmmakers are back with their next film, currently in post-production. – Jordan R.
The Monk (Dominik Moll)
Synopsis: The story follows Capucin Ambrosio – a pious, well-respected monk in Spain – and his violent downfall. He is undone by carnal lust for his pupil, a woman disguised as a monk (Matilda), who tempts him to transgress, and, once satisfied by her, is overcome with desire for the innocent Antonia. Using magic spells Matilda aids him in seducing Antonia, whom he later rapes and kills.
Why You Should See It: Vincent Cassel’s participation in this dark drama is my sole reason for excitement. With a likely Cannes premiere, we will find out if it is worth it soon. – Jordan R.
Take This Waltz (Sarah Polley)
Synopsis: A funny, bittersweet and heart-wrenching story about a woman struggling to choose between two different types of love.
Why You Should See It: Sarah Polley is taking a departure from the serious drama of her debut film (Away From Her) for a more comedic film starring indie darling Michelle Williams. Also in the cast are Sarah Silverman and Seth Rogen, so it should be interesting to see how these two comedians fit within Polley’s developing directorial style. – John L.
The Rum Diary (Bruce Robinson)
Synopsis: Paul Kemp is a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean. Paul is challenged on many levels as he tries to carve out a more secure niche for himself amidst a group of lost souls all bent on self-destruction.
Why You Should See It: Johnny Depp’s first foray into the world of Hunter S. Thompson brought us the amazing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. This time, he brings along Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi, and up and coming Amber Heard. – Josh B.
J. Edgar (Clint Eastwood)
Synopsis: Biopic on FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, focusing on his scandalous career and controversial private life as a homosexual and rumored cross dresser.
Why You Should See It: While this may not see a release until 2012, I’ve heard rumors that Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic could see a theaters by the end of this year. His output has been heavily declining quality-wise, with Invictus and Hereafter, but Leonardo DiCaprio usually chooses his projects wisely. Matched with a script from Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black, this is likely a strong awards contender. – Jordan R.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Stephen Daldry)
Synopsis: A nine-year-old amateur inventor, jewelry designer, astrophysicist, tambourine player and pacifist, searches New York for the lock that matches a mysterious key left by his father when he was killed in the September 11 attacks.
Why You Should See It: After his Oscar-bait misfire The Reader, Daldry is back for a more pressing drama. This September 11th-related film starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock could be one of the most devastating of the year. While a 2011 release date hasn’t been confirmed there are rumors we may see it by then. – Jordan R.
Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy (Tomas Alfredson)
Synopsis: In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6’s echelons.
Why You Should See It: From the director of Let The Right One In, comes one of my most-anticipated dramas of the year. The fantastic cast top-lined by Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, and Gary Oldman match with Alfredson’s keen style could make one of the best thrillers we have. – Jordan R.
Margaret (Kenneth Lonergan)
Synopsis: A young woman witnesses a bus accident, and is caught up in the aftermath, where the question of whether or not it was intentional affects many people’s lives.
Why You Should See It: My god, Margaret may finally be coming out? For years acclaimed playwright Kenneth Lonergan’s follow-up to the fantastic You Can Count On Me seemed to be in total limbo. There were legal issues and disagreements over the final cut that led to its 2 or 3 year delay. But now that all the disagreements may have been cleared up, we’ll now finally see the film Martin Scorsese once described as a “masterpiece.” – Jack G.
The Cabin in the Woods (Drew Goddard)
Synopsis: A twisted and unusual take on the familiar “cabin in the woods” formula.
Why You Should See It: Famed sci-fi, Buffy, nerdverse, director and writer Joss Whedon finally returns to the big screen with his take on a modern edgy horror film. Set to direct the upcoming Avengers flick in 2012, Whedon brings us his famously quirky and quick witted dialog to the horror genre. – Josh B.
Violet & Daisy (Geoffrey Fletcher)
Synopsis: Two teenage assassins accept what they think will be a quick-and-easy job, until an unexpected target throws them off their plan.
Why You Should See It: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher is making his directorial debut with this assassin tale. It will mark the second of its kind this year for Saoirse Ronan, after Joe Wright’s Hanna. – Jordan R.
The Cold Light of Day (Mabrouk El Mechri)
Synopsis: A young American (Cavill) uncovers a conspiracy during his attempt to save his family, who were kidnapped while on vacation in Spain.
Why You Should See It: Coming off of JCVD, Mechri directs Henry Cavill (our upcoming Superman), Bruce Willis, and Sigourney Weaver in this action thriller. If he can bring the same kinetic, unique style found in his last film, we are in for a treat. – Jordan R.
Young Adult (Jason Reitman)
Synopsis: A divorced writer from the Midwest returns to her hometown to reconnect with an old flame, who’s now married with a family.
Why You Should See It: Reuniting Juno’s screenwriter, Diablo Cody, and director, Jason Reitman, this black comedy also pairs the darkly daffy Patton Oswalt with the surprisingly funny Charlize Theron, who proved her comedic chops on the cult comedy series Arrested Development as a MRF love interest. With all this talent on board, let’s call the twisted turn on the long lost love tale a bonus. – Kristy P.
My Idiot Brother (Jesse Peretz)
Synopsis: A comedy centered on an idealist who barges into the lives of his three sisters.
Why You Should See It: Paul Rudd shines as a lovable loser who’s got a nasty penchant for honesty. Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, Zooey Deschanel and Rashida Jones play the women who are in his life whether they like it or not. If you liked the sweet-natured R-rated comedy of ‘I Love You Man,’ you’ll love this. – Dan M.
The Ides of March (George Clooney)
Synopsis: An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon.
Why You Should See It: Currently shooting, Clooney’s next directorial effort brings together Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Max Minghella, and Jeffrey Wright. Based on Beau Willimon’s play, the drama will see a release matched with its high awards season potential. – Jordan R.
Machine Gun Preacher (Marc Forster; Sept. TBD)
Synopsis: The story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who’ve been forced to become soldiers.
Why You Should See It: Helmed by the director of Stranger Than Fiction and Monster’s Ball, you have to expect something gripping and daring with this wildly titled biopic. Combine this promise with a cast that includes a trio of actors that are unstoppably charismatic and always fun to watch: the ever-cool Michelle Monaghan*, the oft off-the-wall Michael Shannon and the undeniably winsome Gerard Butler, and you have an action film that is guaranteed to be something exhilarating. – Kristy P.
W.E. (Madonna)
Synopsis: A two-tiered romantic drama focusing on the affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcée Wallis Simpson and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard.
Why You Should See It: After seemingly realizing she wasn’t a very good actress, pop star Madonna has now moved on to directing in order to get her cinematic fill. After struggling to find a lead actress for this film, Abbie Cornish has signed on for the romantic drama that will parallel the romance between Edward VII and Wallis Simpson and two modern day lovers. Madge’s previous directorial outing, Filth and Wisdom, flew under the radar to mixed reviews but this project seems to be much meatier material. – John L.
While We’re Young (Noah Baumbach)
Synopsis: A free-spirited Brooklynite twentysomething couple who inspire an uptight documentarian and his wife to loosen up — with comedic consequences.
Why You Should See It: Bringing back Ben Stiller and adding James Franco and Cate Blanchett, Baumbach is looking to shoot his next comedy/drama this summer and hopefully see a release by the end of the year. As a fan of all of his work thus far, count me in. – Jordan R.
My Week with Marilyn (Simon Curtis)
Synopsis: Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier’s, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl.
Why You Should See It: In what appeared to be an arms race between Michelle Williams and Naomi Watts for who could get their respective Marilyn Monroe projects off the ground first, it would appear that Williams has won. Photos have surfaced of Williams as the famous sex symbol but this is easily a role that could end up being a massive misfire for the talented actress. This could cement Williams as the most talented actress working in Hollywood or serve as a blemish on her otherwise impressive filmography. – John L.
Jeff Who Lives at Home (Jay and Mark Duplass)
Synopsis: When he leaves his house on a seemingly banal errand for his disgruntled mother, Jeff discovers that the universe might be sending him signals about the nature of his destiny.
Why You Should See It: With Cyrus premiered to strong buzz at Sundance, we’ve been waiting for the next film the Duplass brothers. Reportedly still in post-production, they have still continued their low-budget “mumblecore” style adding Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, and Susan Sarandon into the mix. – Jordan R.
ATM (David Brooks)
Synopsis: On a late night visit to an ATM, three coworkers end up in a desperate fight for their lives when they become trapped by an unknown man.
Why You Should See It: This is the follow up original script written by Chris Sparling (Buried) fame. Sparling is well on his way to becoming one of the most admired screenwriters for low-budget independent thrillers. – Josh B.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Adrian Grunerg)
Synopsis: A career criminal nabbed by Mexican authorities is placed in a tough prison where he learns to survive with the help of a 9-year-old boy.
Why You Should See It: Once the world can make it through The Beaver, we have another Mel Gibson vehicle in store. This action/drama, co-written by Gibson, is the directorial debut from Grunerg, an assistant director on Apocalypto and Edge of Darkness. – Jordan R.
Rampart (Oren Moverman)
Synopsis: Follows veteran police officer Dave Brown, the last of the renegade cops, as he struggles to take care of his family, and fights for his own survival.
Why You Should See It: Both Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster are back on board for Oren Moverman’s follow up to The Messenger. Joined by an eclectic cast of respected actors (Steve Buscemi, Sigourney Weaver and Robin Wright), Moverman’s film see’s Harrelson as a renegade cop struggling to fight for his own survival. Harrelson was Oscar nominated for his last outing with Moverman so this is definitely one to look out for. – John L.
The Beautiful and The Damned (John Curran)
Synopsis: The true story of Zelda Fitzgerald (and her famous husband Scott), the Jazz Age icons who lived large, soared high and crashed very hard.
Why You Should See It: Curran has made a steady career making overlooked films with big stars. His next, starring Keira Knightley, will hopefully gain a bit more traction. – Jordan R.
Red Dawn (Dan Bradley)
Synopsis: A group of teenagers look to save their town from an invasion of Chinese and Russian soldiers.
Why You Should See It: Sitting on MGM’s shelf, this remake is waiting for a release after the financial troubles of the company. Now that they are getting back on track with The Hobbit and Bond 23, we may finally see this remake. While it could be disaster, aren’t you the least bit interested? – Jordan R.
Man on a Ledge (Asger Leth)
Synopsis: An ex-cop turned con threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The NYPD officer responds to a screaming women and calls dispatch.
Why You Should See It: After the impressive doc Ghosts of Cité Soleil, Leth recently finished shooting his narrative debut, Man on a Ledge. The heist thriller stars Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Kyra Sedgwick, Edward Burns, and Anthony Mackie. – Jordan R.
The Impossible (Juan Antonio Bayona)
Synopsis: An account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time.
Why You Should See It: From the director of The Orphanage comes his English-language debut, an action/drama starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. If he can match the focus and tension of his last film, it will definitely be one to look forward to. – Jordan R.
The Raven (James McTeigue)
Synopsis: A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer’s stories.
Why You Should See It: While his past films have always seemed to be style over substance, McTeigue is thankfully trying something different after Ninja Assassin. With John Cusack as the famous poet and rising star Alice Eve as our female lead, this could be a winning combo. – Jordan R.
The Promised Land (Michael Winterbottom)
Synopsis: A drama set in Palestine at the end of World War II.
Why You Should See It: Michael Winterbottom’s drama has Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, and Jim Sturgess attached, but may not see a release until next year. With his fast-working attitude, there is still a chance it will be finished in time. After the punch of The Killer Inside Me, I’m looking forward to see a WWII drama from the director. – Jordan R.
London Boulevard (William Monahan)
Synopsis: The story of a man newly released from prison who falls in love with a reclusive young movie star and finds himself in a duel with a vicious gangster.
Why You Should See It: Most, or just about all, UK critics weren’t too kind on William Monahan’s directorial debut a few months back. The buzz has been toxic for quite some time now, so why should anyone still be excited? Well, it’s Monahan’s first directorial gig and he’s got a great cast under his bent. The trailer looked like slick fun, so lets hope those Brit critics are wrong about this one. – Jack G.
At Swim-Two-Birds (Brendan Gleeson)
Synopsis: A playwright’s life begins to mingle with the fictional characters he has created.
Why You Should See It: Think of Brendan Gleeson’s directing/writing debut as the Irish Expendables, except it has the strong potential to actually be good. Michael Fassbender, Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Gabriel Byrne topline this feature. – Jordan R.
Intruders (Juan Carlos Fresnadillo)
Synopsis: The horror thriller centers on an 11-year-old girl who is forced to confront childhood demons.
Why You Should See It: From the director of 28 Weeks Later comes a new horror/thriller starring Clive Owen. We’ve never seen the actor take full-on horror, so that is just part of the appeal for this one. The UK release is October, so expect a US date announced around the same time. – Jordan R.
Extraterreste (Nacho Vigalondo)
Synopsis: Everyone knows what to do if one morning the sky would be absolutely full of UFOs: run as fast as you can. However, what would happen if the invasion started while you are in the flat of the girl of your dreams, the one you have just met?
Why You Should See It: Further details are as scarce as they come concerning this Spanish film, but its writer/director alone is reason enough to be excited. Extraterrestre is Nacho Vigalondo’s follow-up to his excellent 2007 sci-fi mystery, Timecrimes, and if Vigalondo proves his early success wasn’t a fluke, we’re all in for a treat. – James B.
Bernie (Richard Linklater)
Synopsis: In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she’s alive.
Why You Should See It: It feels like Richard Linklater’s been gone for a while, in part because his last 3 films (Me and Orson Welles, A Scanner Darkly, Fast Food Nation) have gone underseen. ‘Bernie,’ a dark comedy about a mortician who kills a friend of his than attempts to pretend she’s still alive, may be weird enough to break the recent trend. – Dan M.
Higher Ground (Vera Farmiga)
Synopsis: A chronicle of one woman’s lifelong struggle with her faith.
Why You Should See It: Farmiga’s directorial debut brings a personal life-spanning look at family and faith. By injecting comedy with rich characters, it is a promising new area in her career. Sony Pictures Classics has picked it up for a release later this year – Jordan R.
Keep Coming Back (William H. Macy)
Synopsis: A young man living a sheltered life develops a crush on a stripper and joins her Alcoholics Anonymous group just so he can be in the same room with her.
Why You Should See It: It’s always interesting when a high-profile actor gets behind the camera and William H. Macy has now taken his turn. His directorial debut stars Topher Grace, Milla Jovovich, Steve Buscemi, and Anton Yelchin. – Jordan R.
Retreat (Carl Tibbetts)
Synopsis: Kate and Martin escape from personal tragedy to an Island Retreat. Cut off from the outside world, their attempts to recover are shattered when a Man is washed ashore, with news of airborne killer disease that is sweeping through Europe.
Why You Should See It: If Cillian Murphy is in a film, I’m there. Carl Tibetts, an editor who has worked on Harry Potter, Shaun of the Dead and Alien Vs Predator will be making his feature writing/directing debut with this thriller. – Jordan R.
St. Vincent (Walter Hill)
Synopsis: Hitman Vincent Novena goes deep undercover portraying a priest in an attempt to get close to his target, a gangland traitor.
Why You Should See It: Hopefully this is another Pierce Brosnan film in which the talented actor pushes himself further away from his Bond image, and a real chance for Walter Hill to make a solid actioner a la his films from the 70s and 80s. It has been a while for the man. – Dan M.
L.A.P.I. (Jody Hill)
Synopsis: An action-comedy centered on a beaten-down private investigator.
Why You Should See It: With the divisive Observe & Report being one my of my favorite dark comedies, the next project from Jody Hill is high on my most-anticipated list. With Danny McBride attached, this may see a release by the end of the year. – Jordan R.
Isopod (Barry Levinson)
Synopsis: Chaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.
Why You Should See It: His best film in years (and years) was last year’s HBO mini-series ‘You Don’t Know Jack,’ suggesting that the old dog may have learned some new tricks. Add to that Levinson’s return to Maryland roots meshed an eco-disaster conflict he’s never attempted anything like, and it feels like the best of both worlds. – Dan M.
2 Days In New York (Julie Delpy)
Synopsis: French woman Marion (Delpy), has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their children. Her Parisian family come to visit her, but the cultural differences between her eccentric father and new American boyfriend will turn out to be explosive. Meanwhile, her sister has had the “good” idea of bringing an ex-boyfriend from Paris and there is the pressure of an upcoming photography exhibition.
Why You Should See It: 2 Days In Paris is one of the sharpest romantic-comedies in the last few years, so writer/director/actor Julie Delpy’s sequel holds a lot of promise. And with Chris Rock playing opposite to the French beauty, it’s clear the comedian’s taking step in a different, exciting direction.- Dan M.
Tyrannosaur (Paddy Considine)
Synopsis: A woman looks for a way out of her abusive relationship.
Why You Should See It: Wonderful British character actor Paddy Considine makes his feature length debut with a drama that received some of the best notices at Sundance this year. While it’s said to not be an easy watch, that’s also supposed to be one of its strengths as a drama; by not shying away from more brutal aspects, there’s a sense of authenticity to the proceedings. Definitely one of the smaller films of 2011 I’m anticipating the most. – Nick N.
Undying (Jon Amiel)
Synopsis: A lone P.I. recruited by a mysterious beauty soon finds himself immersed in a surreal underworld.
Why You Should See It: With his next feature after the divisive Book of Eli, writer Gary Whitta has tackled a noir thriller with Kurt Russell attached to lead. Amiel hopes to shoot soon for a possible release this year. – Jordan R.
Oranges and Sunshine (Jim Loach)
Synopsis: Tells the story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, who uncovered one of the most significant social scandals in recent times: the forced migration of children from the United Kingdom.
Why You Should See It: Ken Loach’s son has worked in the British TV industry for much of the past decade, and now he is delivering his first feature film. Starring Hugo Weaving and Emily Watson, we can only hope he has a percentage of his father’s skills. – Jordan R.
Casa de mi Padre (Matt Piedmont)
Synopsis: Armando Alvarez has lived and worked on his father’s ranch in Mexico his entire life. As the ranch encounters financial difficulties, Armando’s younger brother Raul (Luna), shows up with his new fiance, Sonia. It seems that Raul’s success as an international businessman means the ranch’s troubles are over as he pledges to settle all debts his father has incurred. But when Armando falls for Sonia and Raul’s business dealings turn out to be less than legit, all hell breaks loose as they find themselves in a war with Mexico’s most feared drug lord, the mighty Onza.
Why You Should See It: If Will Ferrell doing a film entirely in Spanish is your dream, then it has finally come true. Add in two of the best actors fluent in the language, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, and we have an enticing project. – Jordan R.
Dark Horse (Todd Solondz)
Synopsis: Romance blooms between two thirty-somethings in arrested development: an avid toy collector and a woman who is the dark horse of her family.
Why You Should See It: With quite a few years in between last year’s Life During Wartime last year and Solondz’s previous films, he isn’t repeating the pause. The offbeat director’s next feature, currently in production, stars Christopher Walken and will see a release by the end of the year – Jordan R.
Submarine (Richard Ayoade)
Synopsis: A comedy which follows a 15-year-old boy with two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to stop his mother from leaving his father for her dance teacher.
Why You Should See It: Coming-of-age stories are dangerous material, with the best (Rushmore, The 400 Blows) bringing up parallels to your own life and experiences, while the worst (they’ll remain nameless) come off as films painfully cloying for audience sentimentality. Signs point to Submarine being the former, and comparisons to Wes Anderson’s aforementioned film make me all the more excited to see what debut director Ayoade has fashioned. – Nick N.
Ceremony (Max Winkler)
Synopsis: A young guy crashes the wedding of the thirty-something woman he wants back.
Why You Should See It: Winkler’s directorial debut premiered at TIFF to positive reviews, including my own. Taking a note from Wes Anderson screenplays and a filmmaking style from Baumbach, he has created a lively, often hilarious look at impossible love. – Jordan R.
Zeitoun (Jonathan Demme)
Synopsis: The story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian-American man who remained in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to protect his home and business, and paddled its flooded streets in a canoe, offering his help to other flood victims.
Why You Should See It: The prolific director is stepping into animation territory with this adaptation of Dave Egger’s novel. Currently in production, we may not see it until the very end of the year, due to the long process of the medium. – Jordan R.
The Grandmasters (Wong Kar-wai)
Synopsis: The story of martial-arts master Ip Man, the man who trained Bruce Lee.
Why You Should See It: After his failed US debut My Blueberry Nights, legendary foreign filmmaker Wong Kar-wai returns to his roots with this martial arts Ip Man biopic. With a likely Cannes premiere, The Weinstein Co., Fox Searchlight and Sony Pictures Classics are all vying for domestic distribution rights. – Jordan R.
The Future (Miranda July)
Synopsis: When a couple decides to adopt a stray cat their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves.
Why You Should See It: Quirky, strange, brutal and delightful, Miranda July’s new film revels in what’s good enough for right now. July and co-star Hamish Linklater play intellectuals past their prime spending too much time thinking about their past, unrealized dreams. – Dan M.
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (Morgan Spurlock)
Synopsis: A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.
Why You Should See It: In his best film since Super Size Me, Spurlock has created the most meta-documentary I’ve seen. In a search for advertisers for his film about advertising, we get an inside, and often hilarious, look at the process. The film will see a release this spring. – Jordan R.
Incendies (Denis Villeneuve)
Synopsis: A mother’s last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad’s acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults’ voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.
Why You Should See It: This Best Foreign Film-nominated drama has been getting rave reviews since its festival run last fall. Sony Pictures Classics plans a limited April release. – Jordan R.
Untitled Black Ops Project and/or Triple Frontier (Kathryn Bigelow)
Synopsis: The former is an unknown, small-budget secret project, the latter is an action-adventure story set in the border zone between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
Why You Should See It: Before shooting their big budget border-straddling action-adventure Triple Frontier this year with Tom Hanks, the Oscar-winning team who wrote and directed 2009’s Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker, will make this drama, which is also rumored to be based on true events. Little is known of the project’s particulars, but with Bigelow and Boal on board, it’s easy to expect great things. – Kristy P.
Butter (Jim Field Smith)
Synopsis: A comedy set in the Midwest U.S., where an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town’s annual contest.
Why You Should See It: I thought She’s Out of My League was one of the more overlooked comedies last year, and now Jim Field Smith returns with a stronger cast of Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, and Jennifer Garner for his latest film. While the rumored Sundance premiere never happened, look for a release later in the year. – Jordan R.
The Oranges (Julian Farino)
Synopsis: A guy falls for the daughter of a family friend, making life just a bit awkward for himself and the family.
Why You Should See It: Can Julian Farino’s snap direction and constantly-moving camera – a huge part of the enjoyment of both ‘Entourage’ and ‘How To Make It In America’ – translate to the silver screen in a romance led by the as-yet-to-prove-himself Adam Brody? – Dan M.
Hobo With A Shotgun (Jason Eisener)
Synopsis: A homeless vigilante blows away crooked cops, pedophile Santas, and other scumbags with his trusty pump-action shotgun.
Why You Should See It: With Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) as its titular vagabond, Hobo with a Shotgun is the second of Grindhouse’s fake trailers to get made into a real movie. The real unrated teaser trailer for the movie has more blood and guts than most of 2010’s entire films. If you’re in the mood for senseless violence and comic-style gore, wait for the Hobo in 2011. – James B.
Twixt Now and Sunrise (Francis Ford Coppola)
Synopsis: Based on a short story written by the classic filmmaker, Kilmer plays a horror novelist in the movie, though details about the rest of the story are unknown.
Why You Should See It: Francis Ford Coppola returns to the genre he started with: horror, only this time it’s got a gothic twist to it. Based on a short story written by the filmmaker himself, it’s got Val Kilmer in the lead, making another step towards a deserved comeback. And, really, how could any sane person not love that title to death? – Nick N.
Armadillo (Janus Metz Pedersen)
Synopsis: In February 2009 a group of Danish soldiers accompanied by documentary filmmaker Janus Metz arrived at Armadillo, an army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.
Why You Should See It: A gripping Danish documentary about the war in Afghanistan from the perspective of a group of soldiers on their first tour, Armadillo is an absolute must-see for anyone who liked Restrepo. The film generated some controversy in Denmark for it’s portrayal of a possible breach of the rules of engagement. – James B.
The Wettest County (John Hillcoat)
Synopsis: A crime-drama centered on a family of Depression-era bootleggers in the American South
Why You Should See It: Even though John Hillcoat’s last film, The Road, underwhelmed many (including me), that wasn’t easy material to adapt. A story of Prohibition bootleggers, Wettest County has elements we all love: history, action, romance and drinkin’. Not to mention, the cast is pretty terrific. Right now I’d say this is under the radar, but I can also see it sneaking up on audiences when it’s released later in the year. – Nick N.
Restless (Gus Van Sant)
Synopsis: The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII.
Why You Should See It: This off-beat romance has had trouble landing a firm release date, but the trailer that debuted last October seems to assure whimsy and melancholy. Pick one glowing girl (Mia Wasikowska) pair her with a wily loner (newcomer Henry Hopper) and mix with a ghost best-friend and ill-fated romance; it’s a bittersweet confection, which is what Van Sant is best at. – Kristy P.
Attack The Block (Joe Cornish)
Synopsis: An alien invasion begins in a South London council estate, but the creatures haven’t reckoned on the local gang of hoodies.
Why You Should See It: This British comedian, who also helped write Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn and the upcoming Ant-Man with Edgar Wright, is set to debut his directorial debut at SXSW this year. – Jordan R.
Martha Marcy May Marlene (Sean Durkin)
Synopsis: Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.
Why You Should See It: These may be cheating since I saw Sean Durkin’s debut at Sundance, but this brilliant drama could easily end up being one of my favorites of the year. Elisabeth Olsen delivers a breakout performance as a psychologically disturbed youth dealing with domesticated life, after experiencing a cult led by John Hawkes. – Jordan R.
Take Shelter (Jeff Nichols)
Synopsis: Curtis LaForche lives in a small town in Ohio with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Hannah, a six-year-old deaf girl. When Curtis begins to have terrifying dreams, he keeps the visions to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard.
Why You Should See It: The reunion of Jeff Nichols and Michael Shannon after Shotgun Stories marked one of my most-anticipated events of Sundance this year. Thankfully this psychological natural disaster family drama (yes, it pulls all of those things off) brings out one of the best performances from Shannon culminating in a perfect finale. – Jordan R.
Shame (Steve McQueen)
Synopsis: A drama centered on 30-something Brandon, his myriad sexual escapades, and what happens when his wayward younger sister moves in with him.
Why You Should See It: Following up his fantastic debut Hunger, McQueen reunites with Michael Fassbender and brings along Carey Mulligan in this drama. If he can repeat the visual perfection and strong storytelling from that film, you are looking at one of the best of 2011. – Jordan R.
What films are you most looking forward to this year?