This post has been in my draft folder for a while… originally I wanted to post right after award season is over. Now Oscar is already behind us for nearly a month (boy, I kinda forgot about it already), so I better not procrastinate any longer.
This post will be divided into two parts, Part I is from March – July and Part II consist of movies released in the later half of 2011. I only list those that I’d most likely be seeing in the cinema, based on the release date information from Movie Insider as of last night. As dates get shuffled and more movies are added, I will update this list accordingly. Anyway, here they are in order of release:
MARCH
March 11 (limited) – Jane Eyre
Synopsis: The Gothic story of a lowly governess who captures the heart of her employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he’s hiding a terrible secret.
I’ve blogged enough about this topic that I don’t think I need to explain further why this is on the list. Check out the trailer and stills from the movie. I can’t wait to finally see this in two weeks and find out how Michael Fassbender fares as Rochester compared to my all-time favorite.
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APRIL
April 22 – Water for Elephants
Synopsis: A 90-year-old man reminisces about his life during the Depression, when he found work at a B-level circus taking care of the animals. He sees the brutality of circus life while falling for the wife of an abusive animal trainer.
There’s something about the world of the circus that intrigues me, it certainly adds a layer of mystique to the love story. Amongst a sea of comic-book superhero flicks, it’s nice to see a romantic drama to break things up. The trailer looks pretty promising with gorgeous setting and lovely music. Rob Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon seem to have a decent chemistry and having Christoph Waltz here is a big plus. I’m ready to be swept away 🙂
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Maybes:
- Hanna – Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett in one movie… how bad can it be? The premise of a child assassin isn’t very appealing to me, but still I might be curious enough to check it out because of the cast. Plus I like director Joe Wright’s previous work.
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MAY
May 27 – Tree of Life
Synopsis: The story of a Midwestern family in the 1950’s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.
I’m more intrigued about this more for its director, Terrence Malick (who also wrote the screenplay), than for the cast (Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain). Malick’s last feature film The New World was back in 2005, which is a relatively short gap compared to the 20-year span his fans had to wait between Days of Heaven (1978) and the Thin Red Line (1998). The premise is intriguing and promises to be thought-provoking, and judging from the poetic trailer below, a sweeping visual vista is to be expected. This is certainly on the list of virtually every movie sites/blogs out there. I know it’s highly unlikely but it’d be nice if for once a movie like this beats a franchise film like Pirates at the box office.
Maybes:
- Thor – Though initially I was anticipating this, the two trailers have been underwhelming. I’ll wait for the reviews before deciding whether to see it in the cinema or rent this one.
- The Beaver – Yes, I don’t mind seeing a Mel Gibson movie. It actually looks pretty amusing from the trailer and the script made the top of the 2008 Black List (a list of yet-unproduced top screenplays picked by about 250 Hollywood execs).
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JUNE
June 3 – X-Men: First Class
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, to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift happens that propels the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.
This one is probably in my top five anticipated movie of the whole year. If you still don’t know anything about this movie, check out the trailer and the gorgeous character posters. I think Matthew Vaughn has picked a wonderful cast for the main characters, especially James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as Charles and Eric respectively. The dynamic relationship between these two are what I’m looking forward to the most.
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June 10 – Super 8
Synopsis: In 1979, after the Air Force closes a section of Area 51, all materials are transported to a secure facility in Ohio. A train carrying some of the materials derails during an accident and something escapes from one of the cargo cars. A group of kids making movies with their Super 8 cameras accidentally capture what escapes on film.
The teaser that came out a few weeks ago was intriguing, but it wasn’t until the full trailer came out that I’m actually excited about this one. It’s a throwback to the classic Spielberg sci-fi movies like ET and the kids-cast kind have that Stand by Me vibe to it. The auteur is teaming up with JJ Abrams who wrote and directed the movie. The creator popular TV show Alias, Lost and Fringe, Abrams proved his directing chops in Mission: Impossible III and Star Trek, so I’m cautiously optimistic about this one. Kyle Chandler is a likable actor who finally gets to shine in a leading man role, good for him.
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JULY
July 15 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
Synopsis: The final adventure of Harry Potter as he attempts to bring an end to his nemesis, Lord Voldemort.
This is the event all Potter fans been waiting for. No matter how you feel about the first installment (read my review), one thing we can all agree on is it made us look forward to this final film all the more. One of my favorite parts of this franchise is watching all those British thespians in various roles, both good and evil, and we’ll finally learn which side he/she really is on (I’m looking at you Professor Snape).
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July 22 – Captain America
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.
I’m not as familiar about Capt. America amongst other Marvel superheroes. But the two main reasons I’m anticipating this are Aussie thespian Hugo Weaving as the main villain Red Skull and the retro look and feel of the movie, which director Joe Johnston has done before with Rocketeer. One thing for sure, Johnston has a knack for casting great actors in the role of villains (as he did in the role of fabulous baddie Neville Sinclair). Plus, one of my fave British actor Richard Armitage also has a small part as Nazi officer Heinz Kruger. The trailer looks pretty decent, so at the very least this could be the perfect popcorn entertainment of the Summer.
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July 29 – Cowboys & Aliens
Synopsis: Set in 1800s Arizona, a battle between cowboys and Apaches is interrupted by the crash landing of a space ship. The alien commander plans to tame the Old West and enslave everyone, but the cowboys and Native Americans turn their six-guns against the alien invaders.
Initially I was a bit disappointed that Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t going to re-team with his Iron Man director Jon Favreau for this, so it kinda fell off my radar. But then I saw the trailer and went ‘whoa!’ It’s got to be one of the most memorable trailers I’ve seen for upcoming movies, it’s bizarre in an exciting kind of way. I mean, it’s hard not to be intrigued even just reading the title! Gritty Bond Daniel Craig looks all bad ass in his cowboy outfit and whatever it is on his wrist certainly looks cool. Add curmudgeon Harrison Ford into the bargain (and sexy Olivia Wilde for the boys), then this just might be the one to beat at the box office this year.
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PART II will be posted later this week. For a full listing of ALL movies released in 2011, visit the-numbers site.
Well, any of your anticipated movies make the list? What movie(s) are you anticipating this Summer?
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Love it…LOVE IT!!
I am truly excited about this year, some films that I have been itching to see are finally arriving.
Super 8
Captain America
Cowboys & Aliens (who’da thunk it? with a name like that it has to be ace)
Water for elephants.
Just a shame I live this side of the pond as I will have to wait a wee bit longer!
I cant wait for part 2 Ruth!!
C
Wahoo! Looks like we have the same list then Custard. As for C&A, the name alone should at least get people to at least go ‘what in the world is that about??’ but the trailer and cast really sold me.
How long does it typically take for mainstream US movies to get to the UK? I’d think for blockbuster like this it opens worldwide on the same weekend?
Waiting patiently for Jane Eyre in the theater. Very curious about Paul, that may be a rental for me. And I love Kyle Chandler, so might also rent Super 8.
Yes Becky, let’s go on Saturday 3/26, I hope the one in Edina has it too, so we don’t have to drive to Uptown.
Kyle Chandler is such an affable actor, and cute too, he should be more famous!
The 26th sounds good… don’t worry, I have a friend in Uptown (and also used to live there) and drive there all the time, so if the movie ends up there, I’ll be sure to get you in and out!
First saw Kyle in the CBS show from the 90s Early Edition, he was great in that, I was sad when it cancelled, but at least it lasted quite a few years, and have only seen him in bits and pieces since then. I know he was in Friday Night Lights, but I left high school longgggg ago and don’t want to go back! (You won’t catch me watching GLEE!)
I’m sort of looking forward to Your Highness, those kind of stoner comedies are really hit or miss for me but you can’t deny the great cast. Love the TV spot that said: Academy Award Nominee James Franco, Academy Award Winner Natalie Portman… 4th Grade Class President Danny McBride 🙂
Oh that promo is hilarious, but what’s more hilarious is what in the world are Franco and Portman doing in a movie like this?? I don’t get the appeal of McBride so it’s a skip for me.
Yea Your Highness might be alright. It was that promo that actually made me want to see it maybe. I thought that was hilarious.
Oh, and it’s 5th Grade Class President, actually. Get it right 😛 lol
Tree of Life, X-Men: First Class and Cowboys & Aliens are the films I’m most looking forward to see in theater. The rest of them, probably a rental. I might go see Super 8 if it gets good reviews, it does remind me of Spielberg’s old films. I’m still not sold on JJ Abrams yet.
Hey Ted, we should try to see at least one of these together. But I know you’re a big fan of IMAX, I just don’t wanna pay that much money to see a movie.
I’m just so-so on Abrams but I did like Star Trek (which is saying a lot since I don’t even care for that franchise), but I like Spielberg so hopefully it won’t disappoint.
I don’t know if any of those films I listed will be shown on IMAX, I know that Malick shot a few sequences in Tree of Life with IMAX cameras and I assume he wants them to be seen on IMAX screen. I think the May release date will be limited and I don’t know if the studio will pay a lot of money to have Tree of Life be shown in IMAX theaters. His films aren’t meant for general audiences and it won’t make a lot of much money.
But yeah we should check out one of them in theater, probably X-Men since it will be fun. Did you watch the Russian trailer? It has way more new footage in it.
I agree about Abrams, I didn’t care for M:I-3 but really enjoyed his Star Trek and I’m not a trekkie either. Hopefully Super 8 will be a fun summer flick, that’s all we ask for in the summer heat.
I can’t recall ever seeing this much anticipation for a Terence Malick movie before – I don’t think even ‘The Thin Red Line’ had people talking as much. Ruth, to what do you attribute all this buzz: the trailer, the stars, Malick himself, or all three? I say the trailer, which, unlike most trailers these days, actually has a level of mystery to it and makes you want to see more.
Well I can’t recall either but that’s because I’ve started appreciated Malick’s work rather late. Well I attribute the buzz to that excellent trailer for the exact reason you point out… that it’s a TEASER that beguiles you and makes you want to see the entire thing. I wasn’t intrigued by the cast, that’s for sure, I’ll see it despite them not because of them.
Such a hater! 😛
Nice list! I am really looking forward to Jayne Eyre. And of course HP7! Theres gonna have to be some sort of party or a week of Harry Potter viewings before 🙂
Vanessa, you’re still in Germany right, I thought JE already opens in Europe? HP party… sounds fun! Though the final film is likely going to break a lot of hearts.
I agree with most of the choices on this list. I’m gonna admit i’m not as enamored with Malick as the rest of the blogosphere(So far i’ve seen Days of heaven and Thin Red LIne). I will agree he makes beautiful movies, but i’m not sure i find his stories that great.
For me, i’m also anticipating Cracks. While i’m not a huge period drama person, the trailer for it intrigued me. I am cautiously anticipating the Vampire Academy movie. While i would love to see a good adaption of the book, there’s been very little official info released on it, so i don’t have much to go on.
I’m with DirtyWithClass, I’m also not enamored with his work, so I’m not sure I will be watching TREE OF LIFE.
Flixy, do you remember Kyle Chandler from EARLY EDITION? That was quite a cool show back in those days, at least in first few episodes. It’s nice seeing him in a film.
And I’m waiting to see your and my most anticipated film of the year in the second part of the post 😉
Hey Dezzy, you’ve been lurking around a HUGE Early Edition fan right here, and for it’s entire run, not just the beginning, and didn’t even know it! How nice to find a couple more fans in you and Flixy. 😉
EARLY EDITION reminds me of the old times when here in my town we had SKY British channel on our cable which had all the best and fresh TV shows, including this one 🙂 That was the time when we didn’t have Internet, so seeing shows on foreign channels was the only option.
@ Julian – I did see the trailer for Cracks but I have the opposite reaction. But then again, we don’t exactly have the same taste in movies 🙂
@ Dezzy – Oh yeah I LOVE Early Edition, that and Wings are those old shows I could watch again and again. Have you seen King Kong? He had a small role in it but quite memorable.
There are more movies in the latter half of the year that I’m anticipating, and yeah I’m sure you’d agree with a few of them 😉
I know I’m a cliche – what about “Suckerpunch”?
Oh yeah Suckerpunch….how can we forget suckerpunch!!
What’d I tell ya Vince… lots of fanboys are gonna be anticipating that 😉
Believe it or not Vince, I have no desire to see Sucker Punch. It looks too much like video game and again Snyder and his slow motion action scenes. He’s not Sam Peckinpah.
Ted, always objective. Ok – good or bad it will just be my guilty pleasure. Hey it’s got Carla Gugino in it… Just wanted to rile Ruth and some folks a bit 🙂
Sorry Ted, but the only Sam Peckinpah I’ve seen was The Getaway that you lent me and I didn’t like it at all. I haven’t got around to reviewing it but my friend Aiden did and I told him what I think of it. Sorry, I know you like him a lot but I totally didn’t see what the fuss is about that movie, couldn’t wait to turn it off.
At least Snyder’s films are generally entertaining (for me anyways). With that said, I don’t have any interest in seeing Sucker Punch.
Agree with these choices, just one exception…not really fussed to see Robert Pattinson in anything. [runs & hides]
One thing is certain though, and that is, I will do my darnedest to see Tree of Life in a proper cinema. I think Malick demands the biggest screen you can get.
@Vince…we will be seeing Sucker Punch as well. Where I live Jane Eyre is opening the same day so after some discussion, Hubs & I agreed that we will be seeing both LOL
Paula, Hubs is a smart man 🙂
What, what, a girl not crazy about R Patz?? Now that’s a first 🙂
He..he.. that’s ok, I wasn’t either until I saw Remember Me. I think he’s fine, it’s not his fault he got so ridiculously famous.
Yeah, I think Tree of Life will be the first Malick movie I see in the cinema, too.
Y’know I don’t mind seeing Sucker Punch if my hubby really wanted to see it, but I don’t think he’s terribly excited for it (lucky me!)
Great post Ruth!!! I love the banner at the top!
I had a feeling that Water for Elephants, Cowboys and Aliens, and Tree of Life would be on your list. Glad to see Super 8 on it too! Also glad that Thor is at least on your “Maybe” list instead of completely missing off your list like Green Lantern! heehee!
Can’t wait to see your list for the second half of the year!
I still might see Green Lantern if my hubby wants to see it. Thor is still a big maybe for me, we’ll see how the 3rd trailer looks.
Part II is coming later today, stay tuned! 🙂
I’m definitely excited for the last Harry Potter, and also The Tree of Life. The big fish for me is Hugo Cabret in November.
Ah, I hadn’t heard of Hugo Cabret but wow, what a cast. Here’s the IMDb link for those interested: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/
I suppose you’re anticipating this as you’re a big Scorsese fan 🙂
For March, my most anticipated movie is definitely Sucker Punch. In fact, that’s one of my most anticipated for the year. I’m just not into “chick flicks” nor into period pieces too often to care about Jane Eyre.
Most of these on this list I’m not anticipating too greatly. Maybe some of the superhero movies, but I’m kinda getting burnt out on those. Super 8 could be interesting though and I do want to see Hanna. Cowboys & Aliens looks like a fun ride as well.
Others I am anticipating are Source Code, Apollo 18, maybe Insidious or Scream 4.
I also definitely want to see On Stranger Tides as well as The Hangover 2. Cars 2 I’ll definitely check out at some point as well.
Hey, Jane Eyre is no chick flick! It’s a Gothic love story yes, but it’s got dark elements that’s as far away from rom-com as you can get. I understand if you don’t care for period dramas, but it ain’t no chick flicks 🙂
Boy, there’s a bunch of sequels this year isn’t it? It’s amazing how many Scream and Pirates films there are but I’m not even gonna see those on a rental.
lol Still a chick flick in my book. Doesn’t need to be a rom-com to be a chick flick. Take for instance Twilight: TOTAL chick flick. Not to compare Twilight to Jane Eyre, just using an example.
And yes, Hollywood does love their sequels. Im not entirely hyped for Scream, but I definitely want to see the new Pirates. I just love the Jack Sparrow character.
“…Not to compare Twilight to Jane Eyre” Well glad you clarify that as I was going to lunge something at you (just kidding). I guess the subject probably does appeal more to women but I think there are a lot of elements guys can appreciate… if you’re open to it, that is 🙂
Y’know, I gotta admit I laugh every time I see Sparrow in the commercials/trailers, but I still have no interest in seeing the movies.
I love these preview posts since I stopped paying for overpriced print magazines!
I can’t say I’m really anticipating any movies this year since the ones that I’ve enjoyed the most over the last few years are ones that have seemingly come out of nowhere or without the big marketing campaign (ie. Let The Right One In, An Education, Looking For Eric, The World’s Fastest Indian, Pan’s Labyrinth, City of God, Sideways etc.)
I am looking forward to seeing the final Harry Potter film though.
I know, those magazines are pricey. I actually love the UK film mags like EMPIRE and Total Film but at 10 bucks a pop I can only afford buying a couple a year.
You’re right Dan, I’m sure there’ll be movies that aren’t even on my radar that suddenly I become interested in. I’ve got Looking for Eric on my Netflix queue, that was highly recommended by a few people.
Yeah, that final HP film is gonna be huge!
Dang! What an amazing crop of new films.
Yeah and this is just for the first half of the year 🙂
Wow…we have totally different taste here 😉
From your list, my most anticipated is only Number 8
You mean Super 8?
So what movies are you looking forward to, Nov? Does Cillian have few movies coming out this year? 😀
Ups…I didn’t realize I misstype Super with Number (as in I am number 4) 😉
I am still waiting for Paul. I don’t have much anticipated movies this year.
Cillian has 2 movies this year, the one I most anticipated might not come here as it is British Movie not Hollywood, The Retreat has all the good stuffs to make a great movie. The movie I don’t really want to see (if there is no Cillian in it) is the one that for sure will be played here 😦 . Have you heard of NOW? I don’t like the story, I don’t like the main actor (Justin Timberlake …urrrgghh)…Why does Cillian play in that movie? I have to watch it despite the dislike I have on the movie.
I actually think Justin is a pretty good actor. I’ve expected him to suck every time i’m about to see a movie with him in…and he never does. And i think the story sounds like it has potential, but i would have to see a trailer before making any judgments.
I have read the story (or the summary of the movie) and it is as much cliche as Avatar…So NOT the kind of movie I love to watch. Cliche story is the kind I will just wait in TV.
Which one are you talking about Nov?
I was talking about Now, and it was supposed to be a reply to Julian…but my mobile often mixed reply with new comment 😦
I honestly disagree with you on now, but you are entitled to your opinion.
Thanks for this post, it is great
I also strongly recommend to watch Your Highness online, it’s awesome movie, rating A+