24 in ‘12: Doubling Down, or The Top 24 Films to Look out for in 2012 (updated)

The world may come to an end in 2012, but lets hope it is not before we get the chance to see these 24 potentially great films.

Okay, I actually lied a little bit in the title, it’s more like 30 films . . . kind of lumped a few together there at the end. Overall, it should be a GREAT year for movies, unfortunately we will have to wait until summer (for the big blockbusters) and fall/winter (for the award baiters) to see most.

But anyway, here are the top films to look out for during the coming months (listed in order of release date):

The Avengers (May 4)

Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and the Hulk all together in one movie directed by geek god Joss Whedon? Consider me sold. Hope the villain is worthy of all that superhero-ness.

Moonrise Kingdom (May 25)

Wes Anderson (Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums) brings his trademark quirk and family dysfunction to 1960s New England and youth wilderness groups. Anderson regulars Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman are joined by Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Harvey Keitel, and Bruce Willis. I still love Anderson’s films and this looks like it could be his best since Tenenbaums.

Prometheus (June 8)

Director Ridley Scott revisits the sci-fi/horror Alien franchise he launched over twenty years ago in this quasi-prequel of sorts about space and the origins of mankind. Starring Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, and Patrick Wilson.

The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3)

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone (playing Gwen Stacy, not Mary Jane Watson) star in this superhero reboot alongside a villainous Rhys Ifans as The Lizard. The appropriately named Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) directs this completely new saga which focuses more on Peter Parker’s awkward high school years as he struggles with his new identity. The only question: too soon for a reboot?

Savages (July 6)

Oliver Stone consistently made great films in the 1980s and 90s, but lately, not so much. His newest film, an adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Don Winslow is about two small time drug dealers who face off against the power Mexican drug cartel after their shared hippie girlfriend is kidnapped. Starring Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, and Benecio Del Toro.

The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)

The highly anticipated conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s already legendary Batman saga takes place 8 years after The Dark Knight, the terrorist leader Bane arrives in Gotham City forcing its former hero to resurface after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes. The key cast returns with additions of Tom Hardy’s Bane and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, plus Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Lawless (formerly known as Wettest County) (August 31)

Adapted from the book The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant (a personal fav), this film follows a trio of bootlegging brothers’ fight against corrupt cops in Depression-era Virginia. Add a terrific cast (Shia LeBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce, Mia Wasikowska, and Gary Oldman), genre appropriate director (John Hillcoat – The Road, The Proposition), and a script by musician-turned-screenwriter Nick Cave, all together equals awesome.

Argo (September 14)

The newest film from mediocre-actor-turned-surprisingly-great-director Ben Affleck is about the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis and the Hollywood-styled CIA rescue mission. After Gone Baby Gone and The Town, Affleck has proved himself as reliable filmmaker and one whose work is worthy of anticipation. And like those films before, Affleck has built a strong cast, including Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, and Affleck himself.

Killing Them Softly (Formerly known as Cogan’s Trade) (September 21)

After directing one of my favorite films of the last decade, Director Andrew Dominik's (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) newest is based on the novel by George V. Higgins and stars Brad Pitt a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game. Also filmed in New Orleans earlier this year.

Looper (September 28)

A sci-fi action film about time-traveling assassins. Filmed earlier this year in New Orleans and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Written and directed by one of the most under-appreciated young filmmakers Rian Johnson (Brick, The Brothers Bloom).

The Master (October 12)

Odds are writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) will have another masterpiece on his hands with this thinly disguised exploration of Scientology and religion in America starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, plus the film will also mark the cinematic revival of Joaquin Phoenix.

The Gangster Squad (October 19)

A chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep the East Coast Mafia out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s. Another film with an amazing cast: Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Giovanni Ribisi, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte, and Anthony Mackie. The only real question mark is director Ruben Fleischer, who has proved himself with comedy (Zombieland), but not in historical, crime, or drama.

Skyfall (November 9)

As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. Daniel Craig is back for his third time as the legendary Bond, plus the awesome duo of Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem join the fun.

Gravity (November 21)

Ambitious sci-fi film from director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Harry Potter 3) and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The film is rumored to be a monumental game changer in not only the genre, but with filmmaking/storytelling in general.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14)

Peter Jackson finally returns to Middle Earth for the first of two new Lord of the Rings-saga films starting with original Tolkien novel The Hobbit. All of the relevant characters/cast return and the story is expanded even further.

Django Unchained (December 25)

Notorious writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s take on the classic spaghetti western genre, transplanting the genres ingrained themes and techniques to the Antebellum South and slavery. Starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chistoph Waltz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samuel L. Jackson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kurt Russell. To be filmed in Louisiana.

The Great Gatsby (December 25)

I must admit my tremendous skepticism for this project by Baz Luhrman (Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge), a 3-D adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel from the 1920s. The phenomenal cast is a good start though: Leonardo Di Caprio as Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as reluctant confidant Nick, Carey Mullligan as Dasiy, Isla Fischer as Myrtle, and Joel Edgerton as Tom.

Lincoln (December TBD)

Daniel Day-Lewis immerses himself into the role of the 16th President of the United States during the final months of the Civil War. Directed by Steven Spielberg and co-starring Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairn, Lee Pace, and John Hawkes. Based on the acclaimed Lincoln biography Team of Rivals. All signs point to greatness and heaps of awards.

Cloud Atlas (TBD)

Three directors – Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and Andy & Lana Wachowski (The Matrix) – tackle six disperse, but thematically connected stories spanning 150+ years and into the future, all from the award-winning 2004 novel by David Mitchell. The sprawling cast includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Ben Winshaw, and Jim Broadbent.

Seven Psychopaths (TBD)

I loved Martin McDonagh’s last film In Bruges, so I am excited to see his follow-up, which just happens to be this film about a screenwriter gets caught up in his pal's dog-kidnapping plot. The film has got a great cast list as well: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko, Gabourey Sidibe, Tom Waits, and Christopher Walken.

Only God Forgives (TBD) / The Place Beyond the Pines (TBD)

After Drive, one of favorite films of 2011, I will gladly watch anything from filmmaker Nicholas Winding Refn, especially if it stars Ryan Gosling. Well, we are all in luck – the director and star are reuniting for a new film (Only God Forgives) about a Bangkok police lieutenant and a gangster settle their differences in a Thai-boxing match.

Gosling also reunites with another director (Derek Cianfrance) from a great previous film (Blue Valentine). This time around the duo’s new film (The Place Beyond the Pines) is about a motorcycle stunt rider considers committing a crime in order to provide for his wife and child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician (Bradley Cooper).

Brave (June 22) / ParaNorman (August 17) / Wreck-It Ralph (November 12)

Three new animated films for 2012. The first is the new Pixar film about a young princess set out to prove herself. The second is about a young misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead that takes on ghosts and zombies. And finally, the last is about a classic video game villain who longs to be a good guy. Great animation is expected from all three and the voice casts are all top notch.

American Reunion (April 6) / Men in Black III (May 25) / This is 40 (December 21)

The throwback sequel group – new films in the American Pie and Men in Black series, plus a quasi-sequel to the hit comedy Knocked Up. The whole original gang returns for their high school reunion. Then, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) return to protect the Earth from aliens as Agent J travels back in time to team up with the young Agent K (played by a spot on Josh Brolin). And finally, writer/director/comedy genius Judd Apatow continue the family story of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from Knocked Up, minus Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigel this time around.

21 Jump Street (March 16) / Battleship (May 18) / Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22) / G.I. Joe: Retaliation (June 29) / Dog Fight (August 10)

The filmed in Louisiana group. First, the Jonah Hill/Channing Tatum starring remake of the 1980s high school-cop TV show. Second, the Peter Berg-directed board game adaptation adds aliens. Next, the history-horror mash-up about 16th President’s secret life as vampire killer. I am curious to see where GI Joe 2 goes after the dismal first film. And finally, the Will Ferrell/Zach Galifianakis political comedy.

BONUS PICK: Beasts of the Southern Wild (June 27)

This Louisiana-shot film from writer/director Benh Zeitlin was the surprise big winner from this past month's Sundance Film Festival - picking up the Grand Jury Prize Dramatic and a nice distribution deal from Fox Searchlight Pictures. It is unknown when we will get to see this praised new picture, but it should be sometime this year and hopefully, even earlier for us in New Orleans!

Other films worth keeping an eye out for:

Total Recall, Dark Shadows, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Bourne Legacy, Safety Not Guaranteed, Les Misérables, On the Road, Cosmopolis, Neighborhood Watch, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Silver Linings Playbook, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Anna Karenina, Lovelace, The Paperboy, Killer Joe, Ted, Trouble with the Curve, 47 Ronin, Zero Dark Thirty, Life of Pi, and the untitled Terrence Malick film.