Sunday was the annual popularity contest known as the Golden Globes, and in another month-and-a-half, the proverbial prom king and queen will be crowned at the Academy Awards. Looking back, last year didn't have too many stellar films to offer, leaving no Oscar frontrunners to look forward to.
I am not one to dwell on the past too much - well for this week at least - so I figured I should offer up a look at what might be incredible films in theaters this year. I should put a disclaimer that release dates are not set in stone for many of the following features. They are in no specific order.
The first and maybe best-known release generating excitement is 'Iron Man 2.' The Golden Globe speech by Robert Downey Jr. this weekend played as if Tony Stark himself accepted the honor. The teaser trailer from a month ago was enough to put me in line for a kick-ass action movie.
Speaking of kicking ass, 'Kick Ass' looks to be exactly that. Yet another superhero movie probably won't thrill too many people, but what about a story about an everyday high schooler dressing up and trying his hand at being a vigilante? Add in an already awesome trailer and this already looks like a great summer action film, with a comic coming out alongside.
Also from the comic realm comes 'Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.' I have yet to read the graphic novels, but from early buzz, this looks to reinvent the comic genre as one of the best ever. Michael Cera stars and Edgar Wright (director of 'Hot Fuzz' and 'Shaun of the Dead') brings his visual flare to create what promises to be one amazing popcorn flick.
The hysterical duo of Nick Frost and Simon Pegg team up away from their collaborator, director Edgar Wright, for 'Paul.' Laughs will follow these two Brits as they journey across the U.S. to encounter an alien outside Area 51.
For the sequels, there are three huge ones in 2010. The least of the three is 'Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.' After recently seeing the original, I can say this tale of greed and corruption should play well to the drama crowd. 'Toy Story 3' brings Woody and Buzz back for another round. The trailer relieved my spirits with laughs and stellar animation.
Lastly, there is the first part of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.' I hope the director improves on his attempt from the previous film to end up creating one of the best in the franchise.
Acclaimed directors make their returns with several features. Martin Scorsese finally brings 'Shutter Island' to screens next month, Ridley Scott premieres his version of 'Robin Hood' this spring and, hopefully, Terrence Malick will finally release 'The Tree of Life' sometime this year, after years of waiting.
For comedy, there are a few great looking ones: the Saturday Night Live produced 'MacGruber,' Seth Rogan's adaptation of 'The Green Hornet,' Tom Cruise with Cameron Diaz in the spy action comedy 'Knight and Day' and Dreamworks' attempt to steal the moon in 'Despicable Me.'
Now for the juicy ones. Film festivals have been praising the tale of crime and corruption of 'Red Riding Trilogy.' There is a Facebook movie written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher called 'The Social Network.' Darren Aronofsky follows up 'The Wrestler' with a ballet thriller titled 'Black Swan.'
If I haven't caught your attention yet, then please save your money for these final two. This summer's biggest blockbuster hopefully will be writer/director Christopher Nolan's follow up to 'The Dark Knight,' called 'Inception.' He has already announced it as being much bigger than the 2008 box office destroyer.
Finally, celebrate the first anniversary of the release of 'Avatar' by going to 'Tron Legacy.' The original is a cult classic that I love and the new one looks incredible simply from a screen test that the filmmakers did. Jeff Bridges will return for his iconic role of Kevin Flynn, and hopefully bring much more action and mayhem to the digital world.
Hopefully something in there sparks your interest. Sorry ladies, no romantic comedies have struck me yet, but I'm sure you will forgive me when you find out Justin Timberlake is in one of these flicks. Until next week, get busy viewing.
Write to Alex at ajkartman@bsu.edu.
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