Top 10: Movies To Look Forward To In 2013

This list was made just for fun, hopefully informing you of films you are interested in, but didn’t know were coming out. I tried to give the list a decent variety, but there is a tremendous amount of excellent sci-fi to look forward to later this year. The following are based purely on my opinion, in a very unofficial, unscientific order.

10. Movie 43

Great comedies are rare to find these days. Movie 43 inspires great confidence in me, primarily through its impressive cast. It has Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts, to name a few. The film itself is a series of interconnected short films that follows three kids searching for the most banned movie in the world. Hopefully it will succeed, reaching the potential that the Scary Movie inspired films can reach. It will reach theaters soon, on January 25th.

9. Stand Up Guys

This film stars Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, and Christopher Walken, do I need to say anything else? Its plot centers around a pair of aging con men who try to reform their old gang. With the potential to become a classic of the genre, with such an outstanding cast this is easily a must-watch with enormous potential. As an added bonus it has one of the coolest movie posters I’ve seen in a while, simple, original, and cool. Although this film has already been released, it will officially go nationwide on February 1st.

8. 42

Exploring a topic which surprisingly hasn’t been a widespread feature, Jackie Robinson’s story is finally getting the attention he deserves. The only man to have his number retired by every MLB team, Jackie Robinson, will be played by  Chadwick Boseman. Harrison Ford will be Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers executive who helps break the color barrier. This film has tremendous potential, and is just what the Oscars loves as a period piece. Brian Helgeland (Mystic River and L.A. Confidential) both directing and writing the screenplay inspires confidence in me that this will succeed, at worst becoming a so-so film, like Ali. The film is set to release on April 12th.

7. Oz the Great and Powerful

Everyone knows the story of The Wizard of Oz, but a prequel a record 74 years after the original is a surprise. The story follows the Wizard (James Franco) as he is swept into Oz. Mila Kunis is also in the film, as Theodora, the “good witch”. Sam Raimi is set to direct the picture, reuniting with Franco, as they previously did the Spiderman trilogy together. I would like to imagine that this film will to for film what the musical Wicked has done for Broadway. It’s poised to be a box-office success at the least, and as Franco is getting better in each movie, to an Oscar worthy level, this is worth a watch. It hits theaters on March 8th.

6. Star Trek Into Darkness

Following up on 2009 Stark Trek film, this sequel is being eagerly awaited by countless fans. Director J.J. Abrams returns, as well as Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, playing Captain Kirk and Spock, respectively. The story following the crew of the Enterprise as they search a war-zone to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. Although not likely to win awards, it will without a doubt become a box office success. It is set to reach theaters on May 17th.

5. Ender’s Game

Based on the critically-acclaimed and beloved book, Ender’s Game is the definitive sci-fi film. Set after an alien war, a child, Ender (Asa Butterfield), is sent into an advanced military school to prepare for a future invasion. This film has all of the key sci-fi focal points: aliens, space, and the military, combined with an already proven story. Of course it gets even better, as Harrison Ford plays the Colonel at the school. Expect this to be a huge success, launching Butterfield’s career. It will be released on November 1st.

Sorry, no trailer out yet.

4. Now You See Me

The film that I am expecting to be the best film you haven’t heard about yet to come out this year, Now You See Me is something to get excited about. Just follow me on this, the cast includes  Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Caine. It also has Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman. The plot involves a team of illusionists who rob banks during performances. A team of FBI agents tracks the magicians, creating an intriguing mix between Catch Me If You Can and The Prestige. Louis Leterrier is the director, while the screenplay is cowritten by Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure). It will release on June 7 and is my early pick for Best Picture this year.

3. Man Of Steel

Superman is returning to the big screen. After a questionable franchise of four films, Superman is being relaunched to be darker and edgier, like Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy. With Nolan producing this film it’s likely that thunder will strike twice. Everyone knows the story, an alien crash lands on earth, growing up with superhuman abilities, helping fight crime in the world. Superman (Henry Cavill) is in love with Lois Lane (Amy Adams) , complicating things. Directed by the master of bringing comics to the big screen, Zack Snyder, the summer’s biggest blockbuster releases on June 14th.

2. The Great Gatsby

Another story most people are familiar with, The Great Gatsby is being released as a feature film for the first time in nearly 40 years. The plot involves Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) being fascinated by the lavish lifestyle of his neighbor Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). This is going to be DiCaprio’s biggest role in his entire career, and I predict an Oscar worthy performance. This sure-to-be classic was moved back from its intial release date of Christmas 2012 to its current date of May 10th.

1. Anchorman: The Legend Continues

Here it is, my most anticipated film of 2013. I, and I imagine many other people, was shocked and thrilled when Will Ferrell announced an Anchorman sequel was being released about a year ago. The incredible cast returns, featuring the previously mentioned Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell, as well as expanding to include Kristen Wiig, although this is unconfrimed. The film follows the ongoing adventure’s of San Diego’s best anchorman. Hopefully this December 10th release will live up to my high expectations, but even being as good as its predacessor would be incredible.

Top 10: Tough Guys

I made this list based solely on my own opinion.  If I left out your favorite let me know in the comments. I did follow these few rules:

1. They cannot be a “villain”.
2. They must be extremely cool.
3. Only people are allowed on the list (sorry Jaws).
4. Don’t talk about fight club.

10. Mr. Blonde

From Reservoir Dogs

A sly man, Mr. Blonde is one of six codenamed members in Reservoir Dogs. He stands out for his toughness,  performing one of the best interrogation scenes ever done in film history. This is done very coolly by him,  as he dances and listens to ’70s music  during the entire scene.

9. King Leonidis

From 300

This fearless leader knows “This is Sparata!”  Against all odds, he leads his army against his foes. Just make sure to not get on his bad side, or you’ll find yourself falling down his black pit.

8. Indiana Jones

From the Indiana Jones franchise

Jones isn’t your ordinary archaeologist. Whether escaping from Nazis or a humongous boulder, Indy always seems to save the day…unless if there are snakes. “Why’d it have to be snakes?”

7. “Dirty” Harry Callahan

From the Dirty Harry franchise

Blurring the line between professional and ethical, Dirty Harry does his job for the greater good. Although his methods aren’t usually endorsed by his superiors, he wields a Magnum that can “blow your head clean off”. Hard to believe, but Frank Sinatra nearly landed this iconic role.

6. T-800

From the Terminator franchise

The cyborg is a unique character, in that he has been both a hero and villain in subsequent films. Whether wielding a shotgun or driving a car, he is always a force to be reckoned with. He will leave you with an “hasta la vista baby”, but be assured that he will be back.

5. James Bond

From the Bond franchise

The most casually cool hero, he has survived 23 films over 50 years. Whether it’s killing villains, wooing Bond-girls, or drinking a martini “shaken, not stirred”, Bond is always enviable in his famous classy style of toughness.

4. John Rambo

From the Rambo franchise

The ultimate one-man killing machine, Rambo is the epitome of manliness. He can survive for months in the forest alone and kill you in more ways that you can count. Don’t push him, or he’ll make a mess out of you.

3. John McClane

From the Die Hard franchise

Probably the unluckiest person on the list, Det. McClane can never seem to catch a break. From going to a Christmas party that terrorists ruin to going to the airport, where he yet again encounters terrorists, McClane always saves the day with a “Yippee-ki-yay, mother…”

2. Jules Winnfield

From Pulp Fiction

This “righteous shepherd”  is so bad, even his wallet says “Bad Mother…” He is so tough, that he intimidates people just by quoting the Bible and eating a cheeseburger.

1. Lucas “Cool Hand Luke” Jackson

From Cool Hand Luke

Luke  refuses to follow the rules of society, and even prison.  He’s so tough, he can eat 50 hard-boiled eggs, the international test of toughness. He escapes from prison on three seperate occasions, getting locked up in a box as punishment. At one point he even refuses to stop fighting, despite the inevitability of a loss. Of course, he suffers from a “failure to communicate”, but earns the respect of nearly everyone, both guards and fellow inmates alike, but earns his nickname as he is always cool-headed and independent.