Twenty One Films for 2011

By Anthony Pearson Jan 6, 2011, 0:36 GMT

Can 2011 bring more to the table than 2010 did in terms of exciting, quality, thrilling audience attractions at the movies? 2010 was a year that bought us a few gems in mainstream cinema with films such as Nolan’s ‘Inception’, Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 3’, and Fincher’s Facebook pic ‘The Social Network’ pleasing critics and audiences alike, but largely mainstream films underwhelmed, suffering from some kind of ‘Avatar’ hangover. No surprise revenue from movies in the US was down last year, despite ticket price rises.

The 2010 summer was lacking any real punch with the likes of 'Robin Hood’, ‘Sex and the City 2’, ‘The Last Airbender’, ‘Prince of Persia’, and ‘Iron Man 2’ leading what was a very mediocre summer season. No need to worry though as 2011 appears to be real treat. On paper 2011 looks like a year to be more excited about in comparison. The alien invasion and super hero genres will be in full swing this year, while sequels will yet again be a common theme in the multiplexes. Familiar well loved characters Jack Sparrow, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Ethan Hunt and Optimus Prime will return to the screen, while new faces including; Tintin, Captain America, Thor, Green Lantern, and Paul the alien will hope to gain similar affection this year.

Here is a 2011 preview to whet your appetite for movies this year;

THE SEQUELS

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Jack Sparrow returns in 2010 for the forth film in the swash buckling franchise. The film will see Johnny Depps Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush’s Barbossa character team up with Penelope Cruz in a quest to find the mysterious fountain of youth. Expect this Pirates movie to dominate the box office this summer with a certain Mr. Potter. Find out more.

When can I see it? US May 20th: UK May 18th.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

The Harry Potter finally reaches its dramatic climax ten years after Hogwarts first opened its doors to movie goers. The magical trio of Harry, Hermione and Ron will look to continue where they left off in Part 1 in a quest to bring an end to the dark Lord Voldemorts reign over the wizard world. Expect big battles and big queues at the cinemas. Find out more.

When can I see it? US July 15th: UK July 15th.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Michael Bay returns as director for the third ‘Transformers’ movie. Shia LaBeouf stars, but this time alongside English beauty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley instead of Megan Fox. The new film will follow Optimus Prime and co as they learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon. A race sparks between the Decepticons and Autobots to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the ‘Transformers' final battle. Find out more.

When can I see it? US July 1st: UK July 1st.



Scream 4

This year the ghost faced murderers of Wes Craven’s ‘Scream’ return after a 11 year break from audiences. Much time has passed and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who has mentally put her life back together thanks to a new writing career, is visited by the familiar masked horror with unfinished business. The best bet if you want to survive is not to be associated with Sidney. David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and Courtney Cox are all back from the originals, with the addition of new faces in Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, and Hayden Panettiere. Find out more

When can I see it? US April 15th: UK April 15th.



The Hangover: Part II

The follow up reunites audiences with Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha), who this time travel to exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding. After the previous experiences in Las Vegas, Stu decides a have a quiet stag do, but things don’t always go to plan. Find out more.

When can I see it? US May 26th: UK May 27th.

Cars 2

The ever reliable and brilliant Pixar will release its sequel to the 2006 animated automobile family film ‘Cars’. Arguably Pixar’s weakest film, a ‘Cars’ sequel may come as a surprise to some, though I would not put it past Pixar to vastly improve with this second film. Find out more.

When can I see it? US June 24th: UK July 22nd.



FAMILIAR FACES

The Thing

Strangely enough ‘The Thing’ is not a remake of John Carpenters 1982 sci-fi horror, but instead a prequel. Why they have the same title I’m bemused. The prequel which is based on a short story by Carpenter plots the discovery of an Alien spacecraft in Antarctica. A shape-shifting alien life form, accidentally unleashed has the ability to turn itself into a replica of any living creature. It can look just like you or me, but inside, it remains inhuman. In the thriller ‘The Thing’, paranoia spreads like an epidemic among a group of researchers as they're infected, one by one, by a mystery from another planet.

The film is the first feature from director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eric Christian Olsen, and Joel Edgerton. Find out more

When can I see it? US October 14th: UK October 14th.

X-Men: First Class

The English director of ‘Kickass’ and ‘Stardust’ Michael Vaughn brings a new look ‘X-Men’ to screens. The film is set in the 1960’s and is meant to be a prequel to the Bryan Singer films like 2009’s ‘Wolverine’. The films youthful cast will feature many of the mutants we have already seen in the previous films, but at a much younger age. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender head the cast as mutant leaders Professor Xavier and Magneto. The film also stars January Jones, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, and Nicholas Hoult. Find out more.

When can I see it? US June 3rd: UK June 2nd.

Thor

Kenneth Branagh directs ‘Thor’, a movie based on the Marvel Comics character. The title character of ‘Thor’ styles himself on the Norse god of thunder, wielding a hammer with the power of lightning. Thor is played by Star Trek’s Chris Hemsworth, the Australian actor who played James T. Kirks dad. This action epic looks to mix the two genres of fantasy/mythic, and superhero into one feature film. The movies cast also includes Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård, and Tom Hiddleston. Find out more.

When can I see it? US May 6th: UK April 29th.



Captain America: The First Avenger

In 1990 movie audiences were treated by the movie adaptation ‘Captain America’... I say treated, I mean scarred for life. 21 years later and Marvel Studios will unleash a mega budget movie version of the popular Marvel comic character. Chris Evans plays Captain America, superhero in red, white and blue whose sole goal is to dedicate his life to defending America's ideals, and believe it or not, it’s not a film about a politician looking for a few extra votes. Joe Johnston (The Wolfman, Jurassic Park III) directs the film that also stars Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Richard Armitage, Dominic Cooper, and Sebastian Stan. Find out more.

When can I see it? US July 22nd: UK July 29th.

The Muppets

After a long absence from the silver screen ‘The Muppets’ are back. The hilarious Muppet puppets Kermit the frog and co join together to put on a show to save their old theatre. The film stars Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Ricky Gervais and the likes of Emily Blunt, Jack Black, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Paul Rudd, Danny Trejo, Jane Lynch, Mickey Rooney, Katy ‘Perry’ Brand, and Billy Crystal all rumoured to be joining. Find out more.

When can I see it? US November 23rd: UK February 17th, 2012.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

One of two directorial films from Speilberg in 2011. From producer Peter Jackson and a writing team that includes Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), and Stephen Moffat (Doctor Who) comes ‘The Adventures of Tintin: The Secrets of the Unicorn’. The film brings Hergé classic ‘Tintin’ comic strip to life in state of the art 3D stop motion animation. ‘Tintin’ has spent the last couple of years in production and will feature the voices of Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Daniel Craig. Find out more.

When can I see it? US December 28th: UK October 26th.

NEW BLOOD & THE REST

Cowboys and Aliens

It’s got cowboys, it’s got aliens, and it’s not a comedy. In fact ‘Cowboys and Aliens’ has a lot of steel behind it with Iron Man’s Jon Favreau as director, Ron Howard & Brian Glazer as producer and Steven Spielberg as executive producer. The films stars both James Bond and Indiana Jones in actors Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. To top it off, the trailer below looks very impressive, and certainly looks like one to watch out for this year. Find out more.

When can I see it? US July 29th: UK August 12th.



Hanna

Joe Wright the director of such films as ‘Atonement’ and ‘The Soloist’ takes on the action thriller in the movie ‘Hanna’. The film stars the superb Saoirse Ronan as Hanna, a teenage girl, and a highly dangerous weapon trained by her ex-CIA father (Eric Bana) to kill. The disturbed girl connects with a French family who look to help ease her into a more conventional life. Find out more.

When can I see it? US April 8th: UK April 8th.



Larry Crowne

Tom Hank directs his first film in 15 years with the romantic drama comedy ‘Larry Crowne’. The film will follow Larry played by Hanks as he looks to reinvent himself after being sacked from his job. As a way of doing so he decides to return to college to look for a new future. During his time at college he falls for his teacher Mercedes played by Julia Roberts. Find out more.

When can I see it? US July 1st: UK TBA.

The Beaver

Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black (Mel Gibson) was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can't seem to get himself back on track... until a beaver hand puppet enters his life, and that is when Mel Gibson finally loses the plot (on film). The movie is directed by and stars Jodie Foster as she looks to give Mel an opportunity at putting all the notorious tabloid stories behind him and focus on what he is really famous for, the acting. Find out more.

When can I see it? US April 8th: UK February 11th.



Hugo Cabret

Martin Scorsese’ family adventure film ‘Hugo Cabret’ will hit screens at the end of the year and is based on the bestselling novel by Brian Selznick. The movie set in 1930’s Paris concerns a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a train station, and a mystery involving the boy, his late father and a robot. Find out more.

When can I see it? US December 9th: UK December 9th.

Water for Elephants

Francis Lawrence’s circus drama ‘Water for Elephants’ is a period piece based on the Sara Gruen novel, with a slight ‘Benjamin Button’ feel to it. The plot centres on a veterinary student (Robert Pattinson) who abandons his studies after his parents are killed to join a travelling circus as a vet. It stars Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and the brilliant Christoph Waltz in his first film following his award winning performance in ‘Inglorious Basterds’. Find out more

When can I see it? US April 22nd: UK April 22nd



The Tree of Life

You'll be lucky to get two films from director Terrence Malick in a decade, and he keeps to that trend with his first film since the disappointing 2005 John Smith/Pocahontas movie 'The New World'. Little is known about his new movie ‘The Tree of Life’ in way of plot apart from it being a loss of innocence parable. Its star studied cast includes Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. Find out more

When can I see it? US May 27th: UK TBA.



Rango

Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) directs ‘Rango’, a CG animated movie about a chameleon lizard played by Johnny Depp who aspires to be a swashbuckling hero. The lizard finds himself in a town in the Wild West where he must stand up against Bandits that plague the area. Find out more.

When can I see it? US March 4th: UK March 4th.



Paul

Popular comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunite for their first film together since ‘Hot Fuzz’. This time they hook up with an alien called ‘Paul’ (voiced by Seth Rogen) who they encounter on a road trip across the USA in search of the infamous ‘Area 51’ site. The film will follow Paul, Pegg and Frost in a rented RV van as they try to avoid federal agents who are attempting to retrieve the wise-cracking little alien. Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Wiig, Paula Lynch, and Jason Bateman also star. Find out more.

When can I see it? US March 18th: UK February 18th.



Other movies that quite didn't make the 21 that could be worth the admission fee.

The Eagle - Epic Roman action drama starring Jamie Bell & Channing Tatum
War Horse - Steven Spielberg WWI drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis and Emily Watson.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I - Twilights vampires and werewolves return for the first part of forth story.
Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Pixar's Brad Bird directs Tom Cruise in forth M:I movie.
Kung Fu Panda 2 - Jack Black and company return in the Dreamworks Animation sequel.
The Smurfs - Little blue people escape their cartoon land into real world New York City.
Battle: Los Angeles - Big budget full scale alien vs. marines war in Los Angeles.
The Green Lantern - Ryan Reynolds portrays the DC super hero Green Lantern.
The Adjustment Bureau - Matt Damon and Emily Blunt attempt to controll their own destiny in this sci-fi drama.
Rise of the Apes - Prequel to 'Planet of the Apes' starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, and 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Freida Pinto.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Hollywood adaptation of author author Stieg Larsson's hit Swedish thriller.
Contagion - Action thriller starring Matt Damon about a deadly disease outbreak.
War Horse Drama about a terminally ill teenager who falls in love with a boy who see's ghosts.
The Dilemma - Romantic comedy starring Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder and Kevin Smith.
Your Highness - Outrageous medievel comedy from Pineapple Express director David Gordon Green.
Immortals - Greek gods wage war in this action epic directed by Tarsem Singh and starring Mickey Rourke.
Beastly - Beauty and the Beast gets the 'Twilight' makeover.
It's Kind of a Funny Story - Drama comedy about a depressed teenager who enters a mental institution. Based on Ned Vizzini's novel.
Sherlock Holmes 2 - Guy Ritchie directs the sequel to the 2009 detective hit.
We Bought a Zoo - Cameron Crowe drama starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, and Thomas Haden Church.