The Most Anticipated Films of 2011

I started this out as a top ten list of films that I am excited for in 2011 but after looking through all the films that are coming out this year, I simply couldn’t do it. So, here is a list of films that I am looking forward to and why.

1. The Green Hornet -
When I first heard about Seth Rogan reprising the role of The Green Hornet, I thought that someone had lost their effing mind. But now that there is a trailer showing just how awesome this movie is going to be, I have to say that I am dying to see it. When Christoph Waltz broke into American cinema with Inglourious Basterds I instantly fell in love with his talent. Also, this will be the first American film for Jay Chou who will be following in the gigantic shoes of one of my personal idols, Bruce Lee. It is known that Jay Chou is a great admirer of Bruce Lee so that makes me feel good to know that Chou most likely won’t be taking this role lightly.

2. Sucker Punch -
I didn’t know that awesome could be this awesome. This is everything that I could ever dream of compiled into a single film, plus it’s directed by Zack Snyder. I know that some people have certain problems with his films but no one can deny his technical prowess. This is a type of film that needs a man who knows how to make things look like platinum coated gold. The only thing that makes me wary of this film is one that has happened with other Snyder films like 300 and Watchmen, which is the casting. Many of the actors involved with this project aren’t exactly A-listers but I think I will be able to forgive that once Led Zeppelin and Silversun Pickups start playing.

3. Water for Elephants -
Normally, I would be totally against going to see a film that starred both Reese Witherspoon and Rob Pattinson but from what I’ve seen in the trailer I have to say that this film looks like it is going to spectacular. I liked both Constantine and I am Legend, both of which were directed also by Francis Lawrence, even though they do have their faults. I think that this will prove to be a true test of where this director will go with his future films. Also, Christoph Waltz is going to be involved and I’ve already let you know just how gaga I am over his talents. (I feel that I should let everyone know that I am not gay. In fact, I’m engaged… to a woman, because that’s the only legal way to be engaged… I’m going to stop now…)

4. Thor -
Question: If the Cap movie is going to be called Captain America: The First Avenger then why isn’t this movie going to be called “Thor: The Mighty Avenger”? It seems only appropriate doesn’t it? Whatever, it doesn’t really matter. This is another one of those movies that I heard talks about long ago but I could never really see this particular superhero movie work but I was relieved when I heard that Kenneth Branagh was going to be directing. Now that the trailer has been “officially” released I have to say that I am quite excited to see the God of Thunder strike another blow for the monster that is Marvel Studios. And for all of you out there who are wondering why there is a black guy playing a Norse God, all I can say is for you to get over it. Idris Elba is a great actor and I’m sure there are reasons why he was chosen. So just have a little faith.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides -
Even though this is a movie spawned out of a joke from a scene that came about after the credits of the last POTC that placed the fountain of youth at Disney World, I am interested in seeing if what I call a “corporate film” will achieve its main objective which is to simply take people’s money. Now, I don’t think that I will be going to the theatres to watch this film because I am pretty much against big business in general and this movie is really just an extension of that, but I am more interested in what people are going to think of this movie once it comes out. I’m also not saying that I won’t watch it because if I have the opportunity I will to give as fair a judgment as I can and know what people mean when they say they like certain things and dislike others. Plus, I find Johnny Depp amusing.

6. The Hangover: Part II -
If this film is going to be anywhere near as funny as the first then count me in. I loved the idea of male bonding that the first explored with the whole gang going to Las Vegas for a sort of last rites for their friend who was getting married and would no longer be able to enjoy the freedom contained within bachelorhood. Now that I’ve gotten the intellectuality out of the way, I am also excited to see Bill Clinton who is supposedly going to be involved in some way with this film. I’m not exactly sure how that is going to pan out but I’m looking forward to the possibility of the former President embracing his reputation.

7. Kung Fu Panda 2 -
Yet another sequel of which I am looking forward to this coming summer, which has caused me to deem this summer to be Summer of the Sequels. I am worried, however, that because this one is going to be directed by a different person that I have never heard of (Jennifer Yuh), that it might suffer. Now I do not doubt her ability because I have no reason to. I’ve never seen anything she has done, which by now would be the Spawn television series, which I’ve been wanting to see. I also look forward to Jean-Claude Van Damme doing voice over work.

8. The Tree of Life -
This is going to be one of the most beautiful films of the year by any standard. I love Brad Pitt’s acting ability and the photographic style in which the film is shot making this film one of which I am certainly interested in seeing. I’m not too sure what the story is behind the film but from the trailer there is going to be something to do with Pitt and a baby, so as long as it isn’t a focus on his relationship with Jolie’s kids, I think this movie will be very well received.

9. X-Men: First Class -
The X-Men has always been my favorite comic book and I’m always excited every time I hear about a movie being made based on one of the characters from the team. However, after hearing about the characters that have been chosen to be in this particular film, I have to wonder why. I don’t understand why Matthew Vaughn is doing an origin story that doesn’t involve the original team. I just can’t understand the rationality behind this story but once a trailer becomes available to the general public I hope that the Kick-Ass director (no pun intended) will show us what exactly is going on with this thing that I have been racking my brain over since its inception.

10. Super 8 -
I have no idea what this movie is about but from the teaser-trailer I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve heard rumors that this film is going to be a prequel to Cloverfield but that has been tossed to the wind which makes me wonder what is going on with this movie. I can tell you that this film is directed by J. J. Abrams and involves a Super 8 camera and something very strong inside of a train car. From the trailer, I think that this film is very reminiscent of the style that Abrams showed off in Star Trek which is all the more reason for me to want to see this film yesterday.

11. Green Lantern -
This is another one of my favorite comics of all time which makes me excited for the release of this film. I have some issues with the idea of Ryan Reynolds playing the part of Hal Jordan because he doesn’t exactly strike me as the kind of actor that should be playing this part. I think he would be a much better Wally West version of The Flash because of his wit and I really hope that sometime in the near future, he will end up playing Deadpool. I don’t know how I feel about his suit being entirely CGI but I know that I don’t hate it. I think that all the parts are in the right place but I don’t think that it’s going to be the greatest film ever made or the best superhero movie ever, for that matter.

12. Rise of the Apes -
As a science fiction fanatic I have been wondering when this was going to be updated to suit newer audiences. I liked the ideas behind the original series of films and I think that it discusses some important topics that audiences of today need to revisit for more than one reason. Also, I think that by having James Franco and John Lithgow in this film there is going to be some serious improvement from the most recent version starring Mark Walberg. This is also going to be a step up for relative new-comer Rupert Wyatt who will be directing the film so I think that this will be at the very least interesting.

13. Transformers: Dark of the Moon -
I’m sure that by now, you’ve noticed that the majority of these films I’ve listed are science fiction and that can cause some bias, this I know. But this seems to be the way films are going at the moment and many of the films that are going to be really spectacular for a while to come are going to fall into this genre. Therefore, I think that Michael Bay had better show his audience something better than the horrendous thing that he glued together for the previous movie. Both Bay and Shia LaBeouf have admitted to the last film being a piece of garbage and because I believe that people have the ability to learn from their mistakes, I believe that they will give it their all which gets me excited.

14. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 -
The Harry Potter series of books have a special place in my heart for getting me into reading which makes me feel like I absolutely have to see the finale of the series of films that have not only broken records but recorded the growth of the trio since their pre-teen years. Also, with the relative disappointment that was the last film, I feel that this had better be a mega hit among all of us who love this series. I mean I got together with my fiancé thanks to Harry Potter so I think that David Yates has some very high standards to meet, at least from my point of view. So if he gets some way to steady that camera and keep an action shot for more than half of a second, I think he will make plenty of people very happy.

15. Captain America: The First Avenger -
Even though this film has a terrible title and a director that has a rather shaky reputation in terms of making films, I am excited to see Hugo Weaving as The Red Skull and something tells me that Chris Evans will finally find his niche in the superhero genre as Cap. I don’t think that people realize just how important this film is, in terms of how others are going to have to relate to it in order to create a viable premise for the Avengers movie, making this a crucial film in Marvel Studios place in the film industry for years to come. I think that many people are going to go into this and either really love it or really hate it and I hope to God that the outcome is closer to the first option.

16. Cowboys & Aliens -
The trailer for this film would have the majority of people believe that this film is going to be some sort of comedy but by the general tones of the actors within the film, I think that Jon Favreau has intended for something different with his newest comic-to-film adaptation. I think that because so many people believe that the film is going to be a comedy that more people will be drawn to it, I just hope that they won’t walk out when they realize that what they thought was absolutely wrong. I have faith in Favreau because I really enjoy the way he has brought one of the most important figures in comics to the big screen even though Iron Man 2 wasn’t exactly phenomenal. All I can say is that I will definitely be waiting for this to make a splash in the mainstream.

17. Sherlock Holmes 2 -
I’m a sucker for some Sherlock Holmes, let me tell you. I got so excited over the first one and I’m getting just as excited for the release of this one which comes at the end of the year. I’ve always loved detective films and there is no greater detective than Sherlock Holmes and there is no better person to suit Mr. Holmes than Robert Downey Jr. I love the relationship that he and Jude Law share on camera and it becomes obvious that these two have proven themselves to be some of the coolest customers that can be used for the visual adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famed novel. Not to mention I can’t wait to see Jared Harris as Professor Moriarty.

18. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -
I was absolutely mesmerized with the Swedish version which literally translates to “Men Who Hate Women” so if you haven’t read Stieg Larsson’s novels or seen the original films then that should give you some idea of just what to expect. I have to tell you that if the masterful David Fincher does his thing to this particular work then you should quite literally be scared. It is going to be extremely hard for some to deal with, which is not to say that the original trio of movies isn’t. I look forward to this film knowing that I am more than likely going to be very impressed.

So there you have it. These are what I feel to be the most anticipated films of 2011 in order of release date. What are you looking forward to?