Most Anticipated

As many of you can see, I am a big fan of lists. This time of year I'm usually perusing film sites for upcoming releases. All the "Must See" lists for 2011 have been pretty lukewarm. Honestly, I could care less about whatever "comic book to film" installment is coming out this year. I have no interest in most sequels and I'm officially boycotting the new Batman film (Ann Hathaway as Catwoman is a joke). It's nice to know that several of my "Most Anticipated Films for 2010" will probably be nominated for Oscars next week. By the way, I'm backing Colin Firth 100% for Best Actor in THE KING'S SPEECH.

Like I said, 2011 looks like it will be a great year for film. I cannot wait for PIRANHA 3DD, BIUTIFUL, SOMEWHERE, and HUMAN CENTIPEDE- FULL SEQUENCE. Here's a few other films I am looking forward to:

KABOOM
"A sci-fi story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students."

This is the newest film from director Greg Araki. To tell you the truth, I wasn't that big of a fan of DOOM GENERATION, but I did enjoy MYSTERIOUS SKIN. MYSTERIOUS SKIN was also the film that made me realize Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a decent actor (he did do some stuff between 3rd Rock From the Sun and INCEPTION). I'm curious to see what kind of nightmare Araki has conjured up now.

THE TALL MAN
"When her child goes missing, a mother looks to unravel the legend of the Tall Man, an entity who allegedly abducts children."
Horror is my favorite genre hands down and as I've said before, the French are really making waves in the horror world. You might remember director Pascal Laugier from his previous film MARTYRS. Many people referred to that film as "torture porn." I really hate that term because I feel like people are quick to slap a label on something they cannot understand. I am interested to see how Laugier's art will translate to English with American actors.

VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE
"The story centers on Veronika, a woman in her mid twenties who appears to have everything: good looks, good job and a great life ahead of her. Yet she decides to end her own life."
Wow, I've been hearing about this film since 2008 and it's still not yet released. Supposedly there is a November 2011 US release, we'll see. The film is based on a novel by Paulo Coelho that takes place in Slovenia. The film stars Sarah Michelle Geller as Veronika. I just hope it doesn't disappoint all those Buffy super fans (myself included).

JULIA'S EYES
"It's the story of a woman who is slowly going blind whilst at the same time trying to uncover the mysterious death of her twin sister."
I really think Guillermo del Toro is hit or miss. People always rave about PANS LABYRINTH, but I really think THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE was a far superior film. He produced this Spanish film directed by Guillem Morales. Spain has been consistently producing great horror films so I'm excited to see this one.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
"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."

This is actually written by del Toro. It is a remake by a fairly new director. Most people have never heard of the original television movie. It does star Katie Holmes whom we can all agree sucks. However, it also star Guy Pierce who is an outstanding actor. We'll see how it goes.

RAMPART
"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."

This is based on a story by a favorite author of mine, James Ellroy. You may be familiar with The Black Dahlia and LA Confidential. Steve Buscemi and Woody Harrelson both star. Director Oren Moverman recently did THE MESSENGER which earned Harrelson his second Oscar nomination. Hopefully this will be better than the film adaptation of THE BLACK DAHLIA, no disrespect to Brian De Palma.

SHELTER
"A female forensic psychiatrist discovers that all of one of her patient's multiple personalities are murder victims. She will have to find out what's happening before her time is finished."
I'm not a huge fan of Stephen King's writing, but I do enjoy his films. I've heard this is a pretty good adaptation of one of books. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (who I absolutely love) and Julianne Moore both star.

RED RIDING HOOD
"Set in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf, a young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family's displeasure."

First off, I am very hesitant to watch anything remotely related to TWILIGHT. Director Catherine Hardwicke also did the first TWILIGHT movie as well as THIRTEEN. My favorite actor of all time, Gary Oldman stars in this reboot. I'll pretty much watch anything he is in, including THE FIFTH ELEMENT. Virginia Madsen and Lukas Haas also star.

MELANCHOLIA
"Two sisters find their relationship challenged as a nearby planet threatens to collide into the Earth."

Chaos still reigns. My Lars Von Trier obsession grows daily! What would possess Charlotte Gainsbourg to work with this insane genius again? Maybe she's just as crazy as he is. Supposedly, each morning while filming DANCER IN THE DARK, Bjork would say, "Mr. Von Trier, I despise you," and spat at him. Von Trier recently made a comment about how his films will have no more happy endings. I never realized he made any happy films! Kirsten Dunst stars in this film and I question her qualifications. She recently defended Von Trier saying, "There's poetry in the way he tortures women." For her sake, I hope she's right.

A DANGEROUS METHOD
"A look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis."

What can be said about mastermind David Cronenberg that hasn't already been said. Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud is almost too perfect. This film should be very interesting; Cronenberg never disappoints!

THE SKIN THAT I INHABIT
"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."

The latest film from celebrated Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. I really like BAD EDUCATION and his most recent BROKEN EMBRACES. I definitely look forward to this one.

THE RUM DIARY
"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."

I feel like I've been waiting forever to see this film released and this is the one I am looking forward to the most. I love the book and I have no doubt Johnny Depp will do Paul Kemp justice and make Hunter S. Thompson proud. Depp was extraordinary in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. I'm just so excited to see it.

What are you guys looking forward to?