"That's what I like about the cinema- it can be bizarre, classic, normal, romantic. Cinema is the most versatile thing." Catherine DeneuveCinema has the ability to educate, excite and inspire its audience. It transports you to a different place with different lives and different stories. It can stir every emotion, from laughter and happiness to anger and tears. Cinema has the ability reflect society but also misrepresent it.
2012 saw the return of Bond with 'Skyfall' breaking the seven day UK box office record with £32.7 million. 'The Avengers' stormed the US box office overtaking the Harry Potter finale with $200m. Moviegoers eagerly anticipated the final instalment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy with 'The Dark Knight Rises' and the public we transported back to Middle Earth with 'The Hobbit' hitting cinema screens this festive season.
What does 2013 hold for fans of the big screen? More sequels, the return of big name directors, remakes and literary adaptations? So grab the popcorn, avoid noisy sweet wrappers and find your seat as I preview some of the movie highlights of 2013 coming to a cinema near you.
Les Misérables
Many people have been waiting for the release of this film for a long time. When first performed on stage in the mid 1980s, Les Misérables was panned by some critics but since then the French Revolution has never looked back. Rousing choruses and emotional songs have captivated audiences for over 25 years and now Cameron Mackintosh's musical moves from stage to screen. A stellar cast including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe combined with 'The King's Speech' director, Tom Hooper means this adaptation is bound to be an epic journey that is already proving 'magnafique' with the critics. It has already received several Golden Globe nominations and fans of the stage version will be flocking to cinema's to see Jean Valjean and company belt out classics such as 'Bring Him Home', 'Master of the House' and 'Do you hear the people sing'.
UK release date: 11th January
Django Unchained
Tarantino is back and back with a fantastic cast. Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Waltz and Jamie Foxx lead the line in the new western, 'Django Unchained'. This marks Tarantino's first film since the fantastic, 'Inglorious Basterds' in which I believe Christopher Waltz delivers one of the greatest villainous performances in cinema, a performance which was recognised with an Academy Award. Jamie Foxx plays the title character, Django, a slave who is bought by Christopher Waltz's character, Dr. King Schultz. The two of them make a pact in that if Django can help Schultz kill the vicious Brittle brothers and DiCaprio's character, a plantation owner and slave master, Calvin Candie. This film, like Les Miserables, has been nominated for various Golden Globes including best screenplay, best drama film and best director.
UK release date: 18th January
Monsters University
A bit different to the previous two movies but for many just as eagerly awaited. Monsters Inc was arguably one of Pixar Disney's finest with a creative and imaginative story coupled with phenomenal animation and loveable characters. Mike and Sully return in 'Monsters University', a film that shows the characters relationship and lives whilst at the University of Fear, perhaps when they were not even best of friends. Pixar usually get it right and this one has been a long time in the making with Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi all reprising their roles in this year's most exciting animated feature.
UK release date: 12th July
Denzel Washington takes the lead role in 'Flight' and has already been nominated for a Golden Globe in the best actor category for his performance. 'Flight' is the story of a pilot (Washington) who saves a plane from crashing. Nonetheless, Washington's character isn't an exemplary pilot being an alcoholic and frequent drug abuser. Castaway director, Robert Zemeckis, brings us an interesting and alternative view of the life of a pilot.
UK release date: 1st February
Catching Fire
'The Hunger Games' was undoubtedly one of the big success stories at the box office in 2012, raking in $685.5 million worldwide. Consequently, many will have high hopes for the sequel, 'Catching Fire' in which Jennifer Lawrence will reprise her fantastic performance as Katniss. Fans of Suzanne Collins trilogy will hope that director, Francis Lawrence (previously directed 'Constantine', 'Water for Elephants' and 'I am Legend') can do the second novel justice.
UK release date: 22nd November
UK release date: 22nd November
Stephen King's supernatural telekinetic story is being remade but will it match up to the iconic 1970's original starring Sissy Spacek. The 1970s version created is a horror classic that would always make you jump, especially the last scene. Kick Ass star, Chloe Moretz, takes the title role of Carrie as a girl who is taunted and isolated by her peers. Nonetheless, Carrie uses her telekinetic powers to seek revenge on those at school but also her mother played by Julianne Moore. Will this remake match up to the 1976 fright-fest?
UK release date: 5th April
"Hello, old sport." Now this is a film I cannot wait to see, especially as it finished filming in April 2012 and was due for release at the end of 2012.. For many F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel is one of the best ever. Robert Redford and Mia Farrow starred in a film adaptation back in 1974 but 2013 sees this American classic get the Baz Luhrmann treatment. The 'Moulin Rouge' director aims to recreate the style and glamour of 1920s America with glittering costumes and of course Gatsby's lavish parties. DiCaprio has secured another great role as Jay Gatsby, spiderman actor, Tobey Maguire plays Nick Carraway and English star, Carey Mulligan is Daisy Buchanan. An incredible cast and memorable director coupled with a Great American Classic story mean that 'The Great Gatsby' could be one of the films of 2013.
UK release date: 17th May
What film are you most looking forward to? Leave a comment below or vote in the poll on the right.
Part 2 will look at even more films to relish in 2013 including 'Lincoln', 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Man of Steel'
No comments:
Post a Comment