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The Oscars pass, cold temperatures subside, and soon enough, it’s time again for the big-ticket movies so many mainstream filmgoers wait for all year. As usual, the summer of 2012 brings sequels and superheros, action and effects.
Ushered in by “The Avengers,” comic book favorites Batman (“The Dark Knight Rises”) and Spider-Man (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) will make their returns, along with the roughnecks of “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and the musclebound gun wielders of “The Expendables 2.” Fairy-tale gals will have their time to shine, too, in the live-action fantasy “Snow White and the Huntsman” and Pixar’s “Brave,” the first female-led feature from the animation giants. Also on the roster is a mad bit of revisionist history (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”), a bold sci-fi remake (“Total Recall”), and the latest piece of fictionalized self-help (“What to Expect When You’re Expecting”). It’s a lot to navigate, but here are 10 titles you probably shouldn’t miss.
Dark Shadows (May 11)
Johnny Depp’s latest collaboration with macabre maestro Tim Burton is a revival of the vintage soap opera of the same name, which sees an 18th-century vampire shack up with his groovy descendants circa 1972. Depp is that vampire, and his kin are embodied by a an all-star cast, which includes Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Chloë Grace Moretz and Burton squeeze Helena Bonham Carter.
Moonrise Kingdom (May 25)
Picked as the opening night selection of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, “Moonrise Kingdom” is the first effort from Wes Anderson since “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and it looks to promise its predecessor’s same youthful spirit. The movie focuses on a pint-sized couple (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward), who run away from their sleepy town and leave its inhabitants (Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, etc.) in a worried, quirky frenzy.
Prometheus (June 8)
Poised to emerge as the summer’s best movie, Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” takes the director back to his sci-fi roots, standing as a pseudo-prequel to the original “Alien” film. Taking strands of its inspiration’s plot and running in new directions, the brilliantly marketed drama looks to be both an artistic smash and a geek’s dream. Its stars include Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba and Michael Fassbender.
Rock of Ages (June 15)
For the musical lovers out there, 2012 offers the filmed version of Broadway’s “Rock of Ages,” which has been striving to hit theaters after debuting on the New York stage three years ago. Directed by “Hairspray” helmer Adam Shankman, the movie features Julianne Hough as an aspiring actress, whose experiences amid 1980s guitar-rock culture introduce her to characters played by Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige and Tom Cruise.
Brave (June 22)
Pixar films have braved the oceans and even outer space, but never has the studio let a female lead the adventure, which is but one thing that makes their newest film, “Brave,” an anticipated event. Voiced by Kelly Macdonald, lead character Princess Merida is a gifted, rebellious archer in Scotland who winds up having to break a witch’s curse and, in effect, find her worth. Expect plenty of spectacle and humor for every age bracket.
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)
A movie that needs no introduction, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises” wraps up the most popular comic-book franchise ever, closing out the tale of Batman (Christian Bale) with the arrival of formidable foes Bane (Tom Hardy) and Catwoman (Anne Hathaway). Set eight years after its blockbuster predecessor, “Rises” features a Batman who’s not as up to snuff, and its socioeconomic themes promise real-world relevance.
Ruby Sparks (July 25)
The long-awaited sophomore flick from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (“Little Miss Sunshine”), “Ruby Sparks” tells of a struggling novelist (Paul Dano) whose latest creation, a red-headed dream girl (Zoe Kazan), suddenly appears in his home. Kazan wrote the script, and also happens to be Dano’s real-life sweetie. Co-stars include Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Steve Coogan and Elliot Gould.
Step Up Revolution (July 27)
Wipe those giggles off your faces! The “Step Up” franchise may be little more than fast-moving froth, but “Step Up 3D” proved a visually stunning musical romp, and with the well-employed format still in use, this vibrant fourquel could easily follow suit. Only a few familiar faces are set to return (Moose is back!), but audiences will be glad to know the action moves to Miami, where a traffic jam is as good a place as any to, you know, jam.
The Bourne Legacy (Aug. 3)
Matt Damon may be out as the titular amnesiac spy, but that doesn’t mean this espionage franchise has lost its hyperkenetic juice. Beginning again with a new star (Jeremy Renner) and a new director (series scripter Tony Gilroy), “The Bourne Legacy” is the first film not based directly on a Robert Ludlum novel, which could just give it the rejuvenation it needs. Alongside Renner, “Bourne” stars Joan Allen and David Strathairn return.
Hope Springs (Aug. 10)
Fresh on the heels of her Oscar win for “The Iron Lady,” Meryl Streep is back as a 60-something woman whose marriage has lost its heat, and whose husband (Tommy Lee Jones) isn’t much interested in snuggling up. The couple drops everything and flies to the quaint town of Hope Springs, where a therapist (Steve Carell) helps them to regain their spice. Director David Frankel already piloted Streep to greatness in “The Devil Wears Prada,” and Jones’ innate gruffness could make for a sweet match.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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