Christopher Nolan

Blu-ray Review: Stellar Release For Epic ‘The Dark Knight Rises’

BrianTT — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:06:35 -0500

CHICAGO – While a new Oscar bait release hitting theaters every week at this time of year as we work our way through films like “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Django Unchained,” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” it’s easy to forget that one of the films long-considered a likely Oscar player came out months ago. The stellar three-disc release for Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises” is here to remind you.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

As for the film itself, it looks incredible in HD, perfectly mastered for Blu-ray video and audio on a disc of its very own as the special features have been segmented to a second BD. The video quality is flawless here. WB has long led the way in HD transfers of recent theatrical releases but this may be their best to date. Certainly one of the best transfers of a 2012 film. So if you already know you like “TDKR” and want to recreate that theatrical experience, the Blu-ray comes damn close.

The Dark Knight Rises was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 4, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

My feelings on Nolan’s film are still a bit conflicted. It’s an undeniably accomplished piece of filmmaking. Nolan is one of our most detailed and remarkable technical filmmakers. However, I still think he lost some of his storytelling skill here simply by extension of the importance of this film to his resume. The first word I think of when I consider “The Dark Knight Rises” is bloated. It’s a film that needed some finetuning in pacing and scope, particularly in the character of Bane, who would have been more powerful if he spoke half as often. I stand by most of what I wrote in my 4-star review in July although may even be closer to 3.5-stars on repeat viewing. It’s a good film that doesn’t compare to Nolan’s best.

Click here to buy “The Dark Knight Rises”

However, the Blu-ray release is still a beauty. The three hours of special features are segmented to cover various aspects of the film production with no Play All feature, a navigational commonality that often bugs me but they’re so focused that it works here. Sometimes Blu-rays cut up mini-featurettes with no rhyme or reason but the numerous featurettes bundled under “Ending the Knight” work. In one, you’ll learn about how much of that intense prologue was actually practical and not CGI. In another, you’ll learn about the design of the Bat Cave. They’re well-directed featurettes with illuminating interviews from most of the major players, including Nolan.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is one of the highest grossing films of 2012 and one of its most beloved. It will surely be one of the most-purchased Blu-rays of the holiday season and even if I was a bit disappointed in the film itself, the incredible HD transfer and enlightening special features (along with DVD and Ultraviolet versions of the film) should make for some happy Bat-fans this year.

“The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, and Morgan Freeman. It was directed by Christopher Nolan and released on December 4, 2012.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-ray Review: ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ Works From Great Source But Lacks Soul

BrianTT — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:28:46 -0400

CHICAGO – Is it possible that not all comic books are ones that can be adapted? Couldn’t some of them only really work on the page where the reader can fill in the grit and grime of a dark story like Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” in ways that a literal reading in animated form just can’t do? You see what i’m getting at. I love the source material for “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns — Part 1” and there are enough interesting ideas that survived intact the journey from page to screen but the adaptation of Miller’s work doesn’t hold a candle to just reading the original.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

It’s interesting to see how clearly one can draw a straight line from Miller’s wildly influential vision of a Gotham desperately in need of a hero to Christopher Nolan’s take on the subject in “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight,” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” The storytelling here — which centers on an older Batman (voiced by Peter Weller) forced out of retirement to battle the still-prominent forces of evil — is strong, but the execution left me cold. Too much of the interpretation seems literal, like watching a motion comic, and Weller doesn’t have the personality to really fill Batman’s shoes. The piece doesn’t have that dark edge that Miller’s work did on the page and while I still look forward to the second film (and all DC Universe outings), I’d have to call this one a near-miss.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns — Part 1 was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 25, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Another night falls over Gotham City and with the darkness out crawls the crime and villainy from the shadows. The days of The Batman and other noble super heroes are but faded memories; violence and despair are now the harbingers of our time. But one event will set a change into motion: when Harvey “Two Face” Dent shuns a former rehabilitated life for a descent into corruption, an aged and weathered Bruce Wayne dons the mask and cape once more. With a stellar voice cast headed by Peter Weller, Ariel Winter and David Selby, this gritty DC Comics legend comes to life with unforgettable battles, thrilling chases and the promise of a better tomorrow for humanity, because there is nowhere for criminals to hide when the Dark Knight returns.

Click here to buy “The Dark Knight Returns — Part 1”

Special Features:
o Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Digital Comic
o Her Name Is Carrie… Her Role Is Robin Featurette
o Batman And Me: The Bob Kane Story Featurette
o From The Vault: 2 Bonus Cartoons
o Preview Of DC Comics’ Next Movie - Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Part 2

“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns — Part 1” features voice work by Peter Weller, Ariel Winter, and Wade Williams. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 25, 2012.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Review: Influential Filmmakers Discuss Digital Revolution in ‘Side by Side’

BrianTT — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:00:11 -0400

CHICAGO – We are at the tipping point of a technology that has been used for a hundred years to capture the moving image. Shooting on film is going away as more and more filmmakers use digital technology to tell their stories. How does this change the art form? Is it a creative new landscape or the death of something important? Keanu Reeves guides us through this minefield of opinions in the excellent “Side by Side,” opening this weekend at the Siskel Film Center and now playing On Demand.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

The first thing one notices about “Side by Side” is the pedigree of the interview subjects chosen to discuss this incredibly interesting topic — James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez…the list goes on and on. How the digital revolution has impacted the art of film, positively and negatively, is clearly a subject about which many of our greatest artists have an opinion. And yet “Side by Side” doesn’t give too much weight to either half of the debate, correctly noting that the move to digital has both pros and cons while offering a rather detailed history of how we got here.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Side by Side” in our reviews section.

There are a lot of technical elements to “Side by Side” — details on how color timing works, the developments of specific cameras, etc. — that will be of interest to techno-philes but what I found most curious was the creative voices and their varied responses to the technology. Most of them aren’t overly surprising. David Fincher likes the control given to him by digital. Christopher Nolan likes the artistry of actual film. But for every artist and technician on one side of the debate, there’s an equally persuasive argument on the other side. Yes, film has a “purity” and artistry to it but digital allows for a number of creative doorways to open that are otherwise closed.

How does digital filmmaking change how we make movies? It’s mostly an immediacy and freedom. Actual film runs in ten-minute spurts between reloads and you can’t see what you have until the next day. With digital, you can shoot for hours and see immediately what you want to change on-set. And here’s the dividing line. Can an art form be too controlled? Joel Schumacher speaks of an actor who wanted to see every take on the digital display. Does it lose something organic to have something so controlled or does it give our most creative voices more of a chance to refine their visions? Does the freedom of everyone being able to make a movie mean more good movies or less because there isn’t a “tastemaker” involved? How about the argument that film will never be “format obsolete” because it’s both artistic and archival in that all you ever have to do is shine light through it? There are so many unanswered questions.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Side by Side” review.

“Side by Side” opens at the Siskel Film Center in Chicago on September 15, 2012 and is now available On Demand. It also expands around the country over the next few months. It was directed by Chris Kenneally.

Side by Side
Photo credit: Tribeca Films

Film Review: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Gives Fans Epic Conclusion to Beloved Trilogy

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:03:27 -0400

CHICAGO – With “The Dark Knight Rises”, Christopher Nolan epically follows through on most of the themes he set up in “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight” with amazing technical skill and an ambitious sense of scope. No one can deny the effort and intensity of this closing chapter of the most acclaimed superhero saga in the history of film. However, while this level of artistic integrity is rare in Hollywood blockbusters, it doesn’t always lead to a perfect final product. There is a fine line between epic majesty and self-indulgent bloat and “The Dark Knight Rises” crosses it at times. There is quite possibly a 5-star masterpiece within this film but a few of Nolan’s mistakes as a filmmaker counterbalance some of the many smart ones he has made along the production process of the entire trilogy.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

“The Dark Knight Rises” plays with many of the same themes as the two films that came before it, most notably the role of an icon in the public eye and how image can mean as much as action. The image of the Batman can mean more to the people of a city like Gotham than what Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) actually does behind that mask. Conversely, a powerful anti-authority image can rally a population to anarchy. Ra’s Al Ghul in “Batman Begins,” The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” and Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises” – on many levels, these villains are cut from the same mold. They inspire people to follow them into the darkness through fear, intimidation, and control.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “The Dark Knight Rises” in our reviews section.

We meet Bane, the big bad of “TDKR,” in a powerfully conceived opening sequence involving a plane hijacking. If The Joker was a symbol of chaos, Bane (Tom Hardy) is a symbol of brute force. He speaks through a Darth Vader-esque mask that we learn is basically keeping his face together after beatings he endured in a legendary prison, from which he was reportedly the only person to ever escape. He was born in Hell and he has emerged from it to bring pain to the citizens of Gotham. As conceived, Bane should be a powerful force of nature, an impending storm that sweeps over the film. As realized, he is less than that largely due to a series of poor design decisions (including his muffled audio and cartoonish accent) but also because he’s simply too talkative. With Bane, Nolan falls victim to monologue-ing. Bane would have been a significantly more powerful villain with half of the dialogue. He should have been an imposing figure instead of a talkative madman and it’s a major tonal mistake.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “The Dark Knight Rises” review.

“The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Modine, and Gary Oldman. It was written by Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan. It is released on July 20, 2012 and is rated PG-13.

The Dark Knight Rises
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Film Review: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ is Glorious Epic of Heroic Proportions

PatrickMcD — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:36:31 -0400

CHICAGO – Sound the gong for one of the best films of the summer, as “The Dark Knight Rises” delivers an awe-inspiring blockbuster on virtually every level of storytelling and performance. Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and director Christopher Nolan create grand, metaphoric and visionary cinema.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

From the first flicker of a spectacular airplane hijack, to the rich and expressive conclusion, the Batman film again establishes a new high mark of this now peculiar genre of superhero movies. It deftly balances the wild psychological ramifications in The Batman character of protector, vigilante, fight expert and human being with the majestic action sequences, which fit perfectly within the context of a story that makes the strange cityscape of Gotham emblematic of our current fears and expectations.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has retired The Batman in the eight years since he defeated The Joker, and is still used as a scapegoat in the death of “Two-Face” Harvey Dent. Gotham City exploits Dent’s memory as a excuse to virtually eliminate crime in the city, by using extreme incarceration and laws that suppress due process. Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) is put front and center with the success, and keeps the truth about The Batman’s role in Dent’s demise to himself. There is one cop named Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who becomes a skeptic, and his origin and obsessions match Gotham’s caped crime fighter.

Two new villains are on the horizon. The vicious Bane (Tom Hardy) and a mysterious master cat burglar named Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway). Both spur Bruce Wayne to end his retirement of The Batman, much to the chagrin of his caregiver Alfred (Michael Caine). But this re-emergence is fraught with uncertainty, having to do with a failed invention of Wayne Enterprises – created by Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) – that Bane wants to possess. In the confrontation between The Batman and Bane, the hero will be challenged to again save Gotham City, if only he can save himself.

“The Dark Knight Rises” opens everywhere on July 20th. Featuring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Modine, Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Screenplay by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Rated “PG-13”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Dark Knight Rises”

Confrontation: Bane (Tom Hardy) and The Batman (Christian Bale) in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Dark Knight Rises”

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 Pairs of Guaranteed Movie Passes to ‘The Dark Knight Rises’

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:45:34 -0400

CHICAGO – In our latest epic trilogy conclusion edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 10 admit-two guaranteed movie vouchers up for grabs to 2012’s most-anticipated film: “The Dark Knight Rises,” which is filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s epic conclusion to his Batman trilogy! The blockbuster film opens everywhere on July 20, 2012.

“The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Liam Neeson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Juno Temple, Alon Aboutboul, Nestor Carbonell, Tom Conti, Josh Pence, Aidan Gillen, Joey King, Matthew Modine, Josh Stewart and Daniel Sunjata from writer and director Christopher Nolan and writer Jonathan Nolan.

Pick your own showing using Hollywood Movie Money! These guaranteed movie vouchers are valid for the “The Dark Knight Rises” showing of your choice during the film’s run at participating Chicago theaters, which includes most theater chains except for AMC. Winners can go here to enter a zip code and find a nearby participating theater.

To win your free passes to “The Dark Knight Rises” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! The more social actions you complete below, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!

Before entering, make sure you allow pop-ups.
If viewing this on your phone, click “Go to Full Site” at the bottom of the page to enter.
Deadline: Entries can continue being submitted through Friday, July 20, 2012
at 9 a.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
If necessary: To see your entry count on a repeat visit, submit your name and e-mail again.
Note: You must enter your mailing address to win.

Here is the synopsis for “The Dark Knight Rises”:

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night – turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of district attorney, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time, the lie worked as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act.

But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane: a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne and Batman. “The Dark Knight Rises” also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

In helming the film, Christopher Nolan utilized IMAX cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was even partially shot with the large-format cameras. The film’s shooting locations spanned three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

“The Dark Knight Rises” movie poster from Christopher Nolan starring Christian Bale.
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

“The Dark Knight Rises” movie trailer can be watched now below.

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple! Just get interactive in our unique Hookup technology above. We will award 10 admit-two movie vouchers from Hollywood Movie Money based on social entry numbers and/or randomly for our “The Dark Knight Rises” Hookup. The winners will be snail mailed winning movie vouchers at our expense. Good luck!

Disclaimer
HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and
its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Exclusive Slideshow: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Tumbler, Bat-Pod at Chicago Tumbler Tour

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:42:27 -0400

CHICAGO – Along with our exclusive video of the official “The Dark Knight Rises” Tumbler being revved to the max at the film’s Tumbler Tour in Chicago on May 25, 2012, feast your eyes on HollywoodChicago.com’s exclusive photos of the Tumbler and Bat-Pod!

The Tumbler and Bat-Pod have been high-powered vehicles for Batman in Christopher Nolan’s earlier blockbusters. The Tumbler debuted in “Batman Begins” and the Bat-Pod was introduced in “The Dark Knight”. They will both be featured in different ways in “The Dark Knight Rises”.

The coast-to-coast Tumbler Tour with the Tumbler and Bat-Pod is sponsored by Mountain Dew and IMAX. The Tumbler Tour is on Facebook, Twitter and at its official Web site. For fans attending Tumbler Tour events, tweet your photo with #TumblerTour and your photo may be included in their online gallery! While supplies last, there will also be promotional merchandise on hand.

Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All images © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.

TumblerTour1: Batman calls his vehicular beast the Tumbler.
TumblerTour2: When Batman needs to be nimble, he whips out the Bat-Pod.
TumblerTour3: We never get sick of seeing the Tumbler.
TumblerTour4: Shockingly, it’s the Tumbler again.
TumblerTour5: If the Bat-Pod’s tires could speak, they’d say: “Go big or go home.”
TumblerTour6: Driving the Tumbler is much like a NASCAR race car.
TumblerTour7: Double your pleasure with the Tumbler and Bat-Pod in one shot.
TumblerTour8: Ah, the Tumbler…
TumblerTour9: The Bat-Pod isn’t to be trifled with.
TumblerTour10: Revving the Tumbler is the quickest way to an instant Batgasm.
TumblerTour11: Bat-Pod says: “Ride me hard. Shoot me often.”
TumblerTour12: Tumbler says: “Flip me. Abuse me. Fire me. Gentle doesn’t live here.”

“The Dark Knight Rises” stars Tom Hardy, Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Juno Temple, Matthew Modine, Daniel Sunjata, Josh Pence and Joey King from writer and director Christopher Nolan along with writer Jonathan Nolan. The film opens on July 20, 2012 everywhere.

Seen enough? Now listen to the roar of the Tumbler
in our exclusive Tumbler revving video!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Exclusive Video Batgasm! Official ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Tumbler Revved to the Max!

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:35:35 -0400

CHICAGO – Holy Batgasm! Exclusive! Photos schmotos. Sure, we have those of the official “The Dark Knight Rises” Tumbler and Bat-Pod at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 25, 2012 as part of the film’s Tumbler Tour. What you really want, though, is to hear that beast of a machine rev its freaking brain out. HollywoodChicago.com has filmed just that for you below! Enjoy!

The first rev is weak as compared to the second. Make sure you watch 0:30 for the real deal! The Tumbler and Bat-Pod have been high-powered vehicles for Batman in Christopher Nolan’s earlier blockbusters. The Tumbler debuted in “Batman Begins” and the Bat-Pod was introduced in “The Dark Knight”. They will both be featured in different ways in “The Dark Knight Rises”.

The Tumbler Tour for “The Dark Knight Rises” came to Chicago on May 25, 2012 at Navy Pier.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

The official “The Dark Knight Rises” Tumbler at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 25, 2012 for the Tumbler Tour.
Image credit: Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com LLC

“The Dark Knight Rises” Tumbler Tour at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 25, 2012.
Image credit: Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com LLC

The official “The Dark Knight Rises” Tumbler (right) and Bat-Pod (left) at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 25, 2012.
Image credit: Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com LLC

The Bat-Pod in “The Dark Knight Rises”.
Image credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films

The Tumbler in “The Dark Knight Rises”.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

Heard enough? Now feast your eyes on the Tumbler and Bat-Pod from all angles in our exclusive Tumbler and Bat-Pod image slideshow!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Film News: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ to Grandstand Tumbler, Bad-Pod at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 25, 2012

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:49:39 -0400

Update at 10:36 p.m. on May 24,2012: Start time changed from noon to 10 a.m.
CHICAGO – In 2012, one of the undisputed movie champions will be Christopher Nolan’s (final) Batman trilogy film: “The Dark Knight Rises”. After transforming Chicago into Gotham City for 2008’s “The Dark Knight” and feeling snubbed when Pittsburgh won out for this last bout, you needn’t wait until opening day on July 20, 2012 to see the new film’s Tumbler and Bat-Pod.

Coined the Tumbler Tour, the hugely anticipated film will be dropping Chicago anchor in the flesh for one day only (for now): this Friday, May 25, 2012 at Navy Pier at 600 E. Grand Ave. from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the dock side near McDonald’s and Harry Caray’s restaurant.

The Tumbler Tour for “The Dark Knight Rises” comes to Chicago on May 25, 2012 at Navy Pier.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

The Tumbler and Bat-Pod have been high-powered transportation vehicles for Batman in Nolan’s earlier blockbusters. The Tumbler debuted in “Batman Begins” and the Bat-Pod was introduced in “The Dark Knight”. They will both be featured in different ways in “The Dark Knight Rises”.

The Bat-Pod in “The Dark Knight Rises”.
Image credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films

The Tumbler in “The Dark Knight Rises”.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Feature: The 10 Most Anticipated Films of Summer 2012

BrianTT — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:38:16 -0400

CHICAGO – Could this summer movie season possibly top the last one creatively? Going into Summer 2011, most people were nervous… and with good reason, as there appeared to be far more potential creative and commercial disasters than normal. And then movie after movie surprised us all, from major hits to minor joys. Will Summer 2012 provide the same rollercoaster of thrills?

Summer 2011 will go down as one of the most purely entertaining in film history. Sure, kids movies fell COMPLETELY flat (the less said about “Cars 2,” “The Smurfs,” and “Zookeeper” the better) and there was some big-budget junk, but there were a surprising number of blockbusters that reminded us why we fell in love with the Summer tentpole movie in the first place, films like “Super 8,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” and “X-Men: First Class.” And those big-budget hits were mixed in with a nice selection of critical darlings and future Best Picture nominees like “The Tree of Life” and “Midnight in Paris.” It was a great season.

Will Summer 2012 match it? Maybe. The fact is, like last year, there are a lot of question marks. For every potential franchise-starter or hit sequel, there’s something that looks like a creatively bankrupt cash grab. And then there are the movies that are virtually impossible to predict. Will “Total Recall” be fun or trash? Will the talking teddy bear in “Ted” wear out his welcome before the hour mark? How will the animated films compare? They have to be better than last year, right? And what of the trio of big-ticket superhero movies? If you thought last year’s caped quartet was a big deal, this is EASILY the biggest summer yet when it comes to films based on comic books. The three tentpoles will almost certainly be the top three films of the season at the box office, but will they deliver creatively? I’m optimistic. They’re all in my top ten. Read on and find out where they rank and see the rest of the diverse array of characters that join Spidey, Batman, and Iron Man on our top picks for the season.

Runner-Ups: “360,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “The Campaign.” “ParaNorman,” “Rock of Ages,” “Ruby Sparks,” “Savages,” “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” “Ted,” and “To Rome with Love”

10. “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Photo credit: Fox

Release Date: June 22nd
Starring: Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alan Tudyk, Dominic Cooper, Rufus Sewell, and Anthony Mackie
Written by: Seth Grahame-Smith and Simon Kinberg
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov

Plot: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers that vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them with his stove-pipe hat and rail-splitting axe.

Why It Should Rule: The director of one of the most ridiculous action movies of the last decade (“Wanted”) taking on the super-ridiculous concept of Civil War-era vampires. It has the potential to be a high-budget B-movie of the highest caliber and to give the summer a jolt of goofy fun that doesn’t come with secret identities and sidekicks. I had “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” in this spot last year under the suspicion it could be the best B-movie of the season. Hope I’m right again this year.

Why It Might Suck: Oh, the potential for suck (no pun intended) is deadly. This could just as easily be “Jonah Hex.” And then I’ll deny I ever looked forward to it. Watch me.

9. “Moonrise Kingdom”

Moonrise Kingdom
Photo credit: Focus

Release Date: May 25th
Starring: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, and Jason Schwartzman
Written by: Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
Directed by: Wes Anderson

Plot: A pair of adolescent lovers flee their New England town, which causes an eccentric local search party to fan out and find them.

Why It Should Rule: Because the preview is spectacular. It looks like Anderson could be bringing the wit and whimsy that he seemed to relocate with “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” and doing so with a spectacular cast. The movie looks charming, cute, gorgeous, and fun. In fact, it would probably top this list if…

Why It Might Suck: …I hadn’t been burned a few too many times to still love Wes. Don’t get me wrong — “Rushmore” is one of my favorite movies of all time and “The Royal Tenenbaums” is fantastic. But you can keep “The Life Aquatic” and “The Darjeeling Limited.” Will “Moonrise Kingdom” be a return to form or more of the pretentious same?

8. “Safety Not Guaranteed”

Safety Not Guaranteed
Photo credit: Film District

Release Date: June 8th
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake M. Johnson, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Jeff Garlin
Written by: Derek Connolly
Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Plot: Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel.

Why It Should Rule: Once again, a strong preview helps sell this very clever concept that has the potential to elevate some of my favorite indie comedy and TV actors to a new level of fame — fans of “Parks and Recreation,” “The League,” and “New Girl” probably already love Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, and Jake M. Johnson, but the preview makes it looks like they’re finally being given the right film platform. This could be the “Terri” or “Cyrus” of the summer season — a quirky indie comedy that really connects.

Why It Might Suck: Or it could just be one of many that probably won’t. Duplass has long seemed to be a more interesting writer than actor and can Plaza carry a movie? We’ll see.

7. “The Amazing Spider-Man”

The Amazing Spider-Man
Photo credit: Sony

Release Date: July 3rd
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Rhys Ifans, Embeth Davidtz, C. Thomas Howell, Sally Field, Denis Leary, and Campbell Scott
Written by: Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves
Directed by: Marc Webb

Plot: Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former partner, and a certain radioactive spider.

Why It Should Rule: A great cast, a great writer (Kloves did most of the “Harry Potter” adaptations), and an interesting director. I think the footage we’ve seen so far, especially the P.O.V. web swing, has been stronger than expected and, while there’s clearly reason to be nervous, I think we’re learning that directors are important to superhero movies — Sam Raimi, Christopher Nolan, Matthew Vaughn. Marc Webb is talented enough to join that list of comic auteurs.

Why It Might Suck: It’s too soon. It’s going to be impossible not to directly compare to what Raimi and Maguire did and, while it will probably be easy to critically surpass “Spider-Man 3,” what happens when it fails in comparison to “Spider-Man 2”? Will we let that slide?

6. “Take This Waltz”

Take This Waltz
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

Release Date: June 29
Starring: Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams, Sarah Silverman, and Luke Kirby
Written and directed by: Sarah Polley

Plot: A happily married woman falls for the artist who lives across the street.

Why It Should Rule: Everyone who has seen it has told me it does. Yes, I’m using insider information. Polley’s follow-up to “Away From Her” has been screening at festivals for some time and, every single time it does, Twitter explodes with positive tweets. I get more and more curious about what an actor’s director like Polley could bring out of Rogen and Williams, a fantastically interesting pair.

Why It Might Suck: I could program a film festival of movies that play well AT film festivals. Seriously, every year, there are a few movies that build buzz on the circuit and fall flat when exposed to the air-conditioning of the multiplex. This could be just another one.

Move on to page two for the top five…