Yuu huu… it’s raining trailers this week isn’t it? First we’ve got the final Batman saga The Dark Knight Rises from Christopher Nolan, I’m sure y’all have seen the epic trailer by now. Well, I was watching The Artist [a flawless movie, review to come] on an advanced screening last night so I missed all the festivities around The Hobbit trailer release, but as soon as I get home I just had to fire up the trailer… see it below if you haven’t already:
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Before I go on, here’s my two-cents on this trailer:
This beautiful trailer brings back memories of why I LOVE Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in the first place. The trailer captures the visual style and mood of the trilogy that we’ve come to love, but this time there’s one cast member I’m SUPER excited about… Richard Armitage! I announced his casting news in October of last year, so I kept waiting for Gandalf to announce the dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield… Whoa, he still looks hot under the dwarf make up, and boy he gets to sing, too!! One of the things I love about Richard is his deep baritone voice (just like Gregory Peck, he’s truly got the whole package on top of being tall, dark and handsome!). I REALLY hope this will bring more Hollywood roles for him. Come on, more casting agents ought to see BBC’s North & South already. Mr. Thornton FTW! Sorry, I just have to get that out of the way…
The rest of the ensemble cast is nothing short of phenomenal as well, on top of the original LOTR cast like Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, etc. I’m thrilled to see Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans and of course Martin Freeman as young Bilbo Baggins. By the time the Howard Shore score comes on, I’ve got goosebumps all over again, I’m so ready to be transported to Middle Earth right about now!
Man oh man, there’s too much cinematic excitement this week I could spontaneously com-bust! I’m still recovering from the awesomeness of The Dark Knight Rises, and now this! My pal Terrence @ ScarletSp1der just had a mind-boggling poll asking us to do the impossible… that is to choose between Batman 3 or The Hobbit. Oh man that’s like Sophie’s Choice. I can’t, I can’t… and I won’t! I am excited for both equally despite those being two very different films. Fortunately, we don’t have to as they’re released a half a year apart!
With 2011 coming to a close, surely more trailers are to come as studios are hoping to build up the hype for their 2012 movies. Now, as a film lover, the contrasting emotion of agony & ecstasy of anticipating movies can be unbearable! With every joy we get of seeing a movie trailer/clip/featurette what have you, it’s always followed by the agony of waiting for its release! I mean, I’m already complaining about the 7-month wait for The Dark Knight Rises but The Hobbit won’t be out until next December 2013, a stinkin’ FULL YEAR from now!! Oh Mr. Jackson, the agony….
And that’s just two of them, there are a whole slew of movies I’m anticipating next year, here are just a shortlist I can think of right now (release date is for USA).
- The Avengers – May 4, 2012
- Great Gatsby – December 25, 2012
- Prometheus – June 8, 2012
- Skyfall (Bond 23) – November 9, 2012
- Total Recall – August 3, 2012
Not including other ones which release dates haven’t been announced yet such as All Things to All Men and two of Gerry Butler’s sports-themed movies Of Men and Mavericks and Playing the Field. As you can see, the earliest movie to be released on the list is The Avengers, and that’s almost a half a year wait.
As I’ve just seen The Artist, it makes me think people’s attitude about upcoming movies back in the day in the pre-Internet and social media era, before movie marketing constantly bombards us the way they do today. I mean, the average moviegoers probably didn’t know a movie was coming out until like a month before. The only ‘hype’ the movie’s got is only through newspapers, radio and occasional TV spots. Back then going to the movies were such big events, people got dressed up and line up to see the new marquee film playing in their local theater, waiting to ‘escape’ into the world of the movies, forgetting their troubles for a couple of hours. Unless they’re the film critics, I bet they weren’t picking apart each scene or fuming that so and so sequence they saw on the trailer wasn’t included, etc. Today, we often come with certain preconceived expectations about a given movie long before the opening credits roll, so for better for worse, our experience of movie-watching is undoubtedly very different.
Anyway, that’s just an observation I just want to share with you. I guess it’s up to us to keep our excitement and anticipation in check, which is getting harder to do given the increasing ferocity of social media marketing. The studios certainly are making the most of ’em as my Twitter feed is abuzz with film updates almost every minute!!
What are your thoughts on this topic, folks? And while you’re at it, what are the top five films you’re anticipating next year?
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I wasn’t that excited about The Hobbit until I saw this trailer, looks like a lot of what appeared in book made it to the screen and Jackson decided to add a few scenes that weren’t in the book. I’m still curious how they were able to make two films out of a book that’s beary more than 300 pages.
It’s definitely different now the way big films are being promoted because of the internet. I vaguely remember before Tim Burton’s Batman opened in summer of 1989, there were lots and lots of TV coverage and billboards. But now studio can get the word out about their tentpole pictures by “leaking” trailers and us film geeks get all excited.
I have faith in PJ that he can pull it off, Ted, I think if he could match the quality of those LOTR films then The Hobbit should live up to the hype.
Yeah it’s interesting how the net has changed how the film marketing works, unfortunately most movies fail to live up to the hype though.
I hear ‘ya, Ruth. My Top Ten (sorry, can’t hold it to five ;-)), in order of release:
• The Avengers
• Dark Shadows
• Prometheus
• Brave
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Total Recall
• Savages
• 47 Ronin
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Django Unchained
Of course, ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II’ will be somewhere in there :-p (kidding). Thanks, Ruth.
Oooh yeah 47 Ronin and Brave are definitely on my list as well. Ahah, so you’re one of those closeted Twi-hard eh, don’t worry Michael, your secret is safe with me 😉
JOHN CARTER, MIRROR MIRROR and THE HOBBIT (Blanchett, Luke and Lee, hello!!!) are my picks for the next year, alongside BRAVE and some other animated flicks 🙂 March will be especially exciting month for me when it comes to films.
I know Dezzy, so many of our fave actors in The Hobbit isn’t it? If only PJ had somehow made room for Karl Urban in this prequel, but I think that might just be too much 😀
I have been avoiding The Dark Knight Rises trailers like the plague. I know I will be seeing it anyways so I want to go in completely fresh. Really glad to see Jackson doing The Hobbit, it just did not feel right when other directors were attached to the project.
In 2012 I am looking forward to:
The Dark Knight Rises
The Raid
Haywire
The Hobbit
Prometheus
The Avengers
Django Unchained
The Great Gatsby
I applaud you CS, I don’t think I can avoid the trailers, but I try to stay away from clips and all those paparazzi filming shots, etc. Yeah I’m glad PJ took on The Hobbit, I don’t think I’ll be as psyched about it if Guillermo del Toro had replaced him.
What’s The Raid about?? That one slipped by me somehow.
This week has been awesome – Prometheus, Batman 3 and Hobbit.
2012 is going to be a massive year for films, when you consider Avengers is also due to be released, among others.
If I was choosing between Batman 3 and Hobbit, I would have an each way bet on both. I can’t split ’em, I’m afraid.
I can’t either Rodney, both are awesome in their own ways. I really do think 2012 IS gonna be a massive year of movies, which makes the wait even more excruciating! 🙂
Great post Ruth. I feel like I am in movie overload!
If Richard Armitage or Fassbender are in the film am there 😉 in fact I just finished north and south again for like the 50th time!
Bond looks exciting too hopefully there will be redemption for quantum of solace.
Hi Iba, oh I LOVE that you’re a big fan of North & South too. I really should watch that again soon, Mr. Thornton… [sigh]
Oh yeah, Bond 23 is one I’m anticipating as well. I think I can easily make a top 20 most anticipated movies list, ahah.
I have seen a lot of RA’s filmography even the camp (read: crap) Robin Hood 🙂
“The Hobbit won’t be out until next December 2013” >> I believe the trailer said: December 14, 2012. No? 🙂
Anyway, I’m super duper excited about this too! I was just about to post The Dark Knight Rises trailer on my FB when I stumbled upon The Hobbit’s trailer and I hyperventilated like my asthmatic brother. Why oh why did Peter tease us so???
Ahah, if only it opens this month!!! Ha..ha.. I think I hyperventilated as well seeing how gorgeous Richard Armitage was as Thorin, I didn’t think he’s still be hot under all that beard/long hear, boy was I wrong!!
The Dark Knight Rises, Avengers, Skyfall, and the Hobbit are the big blockbusters i’m looking forward to. The other ones i am anticipating are
Rosaline- The main reason i am excited for this is Deborah, as you already know 😛 but i have managed to finally watch 500 Days of Summer and now i am even more excited for it
The Healer-Features both Isabelle Furhman and Joel Courtney in what looks like leading roles, and it happens to be a supernatural thriller. The writer/director is a bit of a gamble as she hasn’t done anything notable but i am hoping it will be good as i happen to love the supernatural genre and Isabelle. I also like Joel, but right now the main actor draw for me is Isabelle
House at the End of the Street- Again, the director and writers for are a bit of a gamble on this one(Guess that is common with indies), but i happen to be a fan of both Lawrence and Max and the plot seems like it has potential.
I am also anticipating Angelina Joile’s upcoming collaboration with Luc Besson, as it is not a biopic or based on a true story. I am a bit iffy on besson himself after Colombina, but i am hoping he gets his groove back for this one
Hi Julian, I also have a mix of smaller movies that I’m anticipating next year. Thanks for the info about Deborah’s project, y’know I might rent Rosaline just our curiosity. What’s the project of Jolie and Luc Besson? Not sure I’ve heard about that one. Besson is a hit and miss for me, the only ones I like from him are Leon and Angel-A.
It is only in the beginning stages so there isn’t a lot of info on it available yet, but from what i heard it is supposed to be in the style of the Sixth Element and Leon..
Oh i am also keeping an eye out for Dakota upcoming 2012 releases(with the exception of Twilight of course). WHile none of there plots sound especially to my tastes, i do like Dakota enough that i may see them mainly for her.
I am pretty sure I stared down the barrel of 2011 with great expectations of C&A, Suckerpunch and Battle LA…. only to be let down greatly.
So I am holding off on any excitement at all….
Merry Xmas!!
Well devised strategy, Scott. I have yet to learn my lesson in managed expectations!
And oh, yeah … Battle Los Angeles … how could I forget; me and a friend wee just talking about how disappointing that was while at dinner last night!
That is very wise of you matey. For me the most disappointing one was Clash of the Titans, but the rest that I had been anticipating live up to my expectations. I still haven’t seen Battle LA and Cowboys & Aliens, might still rent the latter though.
My favorite book? The Hobbit. My favorite actor? Richard Armitage Smartest casting move, EVER? Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield!
Enjoyed this post, have subscribed for the future. Cheers
Hi Elaine, welcome to FC! Well if you love Richard then you’ve come to the right blog 😀 I’ve loved him since his role as Thornton, and been hoping for him to get his breakthrough in The Hobbit. I sure hope he’ll start getting cast in more prominent Hollywood movies! [fingers crossed!]
I’m learning to look at the film year backwards, since so many good movies seem to hold themselves until November/December…
December:
The Great Gatsby
Django Unchained
Life Of Pi
The Hobbit
World War Z
Les Miserables
November:
Gravity
Silver Linings Playbook
47 Ronin
October:
Gangster Squad
September:
Looper
Savages
August:
Sparkle
Premium Rush
July:
The Dark Knight Rises
The Amazing Spider-Man
Ted
Plus whatever new breakout films we learn about from Sundance and Cannes.
WOW, thanks for the list MVP. I’m actually glad that the blockbuster superhero movies are out in Summer and that there are quite a bit of great stuff in between all the way until December. There is something to look forward to practically every month!
No I do not want to watch any trailers as I want to wait for The Hobbit to come out because Ifine a lot of the trailers say way too much and I want to be surprised.
Also oddly enough the Golden Globes nominations are up if anyone wants a look
http://www.goldenglobes.org/
A few Austen actors on the list but I thought that Judi Dench won one or was nominated not true and only 2 British programmes were nominated The Hour and Downton Abbey and films I think were Mildred Pearce and Carnage
Hi Stella, yeah I think a lot of trailers do give too much away but fortunately The Hobbit isn’t one of them. I think it gives us enough to be excited for it.
I really should catch up on Downtown Abbey, I know I’d love it, especially it’s got Dan Stephens who’s so swoon-worthy as Edward in BBC’s Sense & Sensibility.
I definitely think film marketing is going overboard these days, especially for the big blockbusters. Here we get a trailer for a movie that will come out a YEAR from now and you know there will be many more trailers to come, along with PJ’s giving regular video updates and releasing tons of goodies. And you have all those viral campaigns, dozens of TV spots, countless interviews with the director/cast who give away tons of details. It definitely ruins part of the experience of discovering a new movie.
That said, my 5 most anticipated of next year:
– TDKR
– The Hobbit
– Prometheus
– Untitled Terrence Malick movie (did you forget about that one??? :))
– Gangster Squad
I know Cas, that’s why it’s getting harder for us to see movies with a ‘fresh’ eyes. At least w/ The Hobbit though, he’s just talking about behind the scenes stuff, I don’t mind those, just don’t show us too many actual clips!
Oh no, I didn’t forget about the Malick one, don’t worry I’ll do a top 20 anticipated movies list next year, and for sure that’ll be in it 😀
Thank you for the fun link! What a fun poll it has been! I cannot wait to see your review for The Artist.
I am looking forward to several next year. The same as so many others. I think aside from the obvious big ones I am looking forward to checking out The Hunger Games, Skyfall, and also World War Z.
I’ve got too much going on this week so I’ll do The Artist review next week. Oh yeah Hunger Games should be interesting, I’m hoping to catch book #2 after Christmas. World War Z is w/ Pitt right? Meh, that’s not on my list.
I’m not a big LOTR guy, but man, do I love The Hobbit! I have very fond memories of that book, and the trailer looks promising. Next year is shaping up to be an awesome year for movies.
Not a fan of LOTR?? What, what?? Well at least you’re excited for The Hobbit. Too bad the wait is a full year!!
Haha, perhaps I should have worded that better. I enjoy the LOTR films, but I definitely prefer The Hobbit when it comes to Tolkien. I am probably biased because that was one of my first “long” books I read as a kid.
Ah I see, well good then. Props for having read the books, I don’t think I’ve read anything as massive as LOTR. Merry Christmas Eric!
Great post, Ruth – I’m so looking forward to 2012 now! My No 1 most anticipated has to be The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 😀
I’m also looking forward to Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers.
If I don’t speak to you before, I hope you and hubby have a lovely Christmas 🙂 Enjoy your holiday!
I thought this would be a website you would be interested in Ruth as I found it while searching for holidays film recommendations something I haven’t seen already.
Seasons Greetings everyone! Hope you have a lovely holiday Ruth 🙂
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/romantic-movies-with-inspiring-interiors-076635
I agree with you Ruth!! It was much easier back then where we knew about new movies a month before the release….not that I am complaining about nowadays movie info…but the anticipation sometimes annoyed me. Seeing Hobbit trailer makes me want to see it even more but I still have to wait till next year *sigh*
as for the movies I highly anticipate, here is the list
1. The Hobbit
2. Red Lights
3. Sherlock (I know it’s not a movie but I really really want to see Sherlock season 2)
4. The 42 Ronin Story
5. –
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Ruth 🙂
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Great Gatsby is my hotly anticipated film for next year along with the Dark Knight Rises. I just want it to be December 2012 already.
First: Dancing dwarves. DANCING. DWARVES.
I think it’s easy to get fatigued from trailer overload, especially during this time of year when the studios are all trying to tease their big tent-pole mainstream releases for the next year to the movie-going public. Between Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Hobbit, I’m already quite worn-out on trailers, but I can’t deny that footage for the first and the third of those listed has me very much looking forward to their respective release dates.
I’m putting together a list of 15 films I’m looking forward to for next year. I bet you can probably guess a few of them already, but suffice to say that even just thinking about the task of assembling that list is quite exhausting.