Oz the Great and Powerful
Release Date: March 8
I have a feeling we're not in 1939 anymore.
Sam Raimi, the visual stylist behind the original Evil Dead and the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films, aims his cyclone directly at the heart of a cinema icon. Set before the events of the Judy Garland classic Oz sees James Franco as a circus huckster whisked from Kansas to Oz, where he will eventually become the renowned wizard.
Since we all know the ending, I'm sure the fun lies in discovering just how the dastardly Franco finds his way behind the curtain. Here at PopMech we're looking forward to eye-popping CG effects with a dash of steampunk design. And flying monkeys, naturally.
I have a feeling we're not in 1939 anymore.
Sam Raimi, the visual stylist behind the original Evil Dead and the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films, aims his cyclone directly at the heart of a cinema icon. Set before the events of the Judy Garland classic Oz sees James Franco as a circus huckster whisked from Kansas to Oz, where he will eventually become the renowned wizard.
Since we all know the ending, I'm sure the fun lies in discovering just how the dastardly Franco finds his way behind the curtain. Here at PopMech we're looking forward to eye-popping CG effects with a dash of steampunk design. And flying monkeys, naturally.
jOBS
Release Date: April 2013
Finally, the first movie shot over FaceTime!
Following the death of the legendary head of Apple, Hollywood is scrambling to dramatize his life. jOBS is not the forthcoming biopic based on the Walter Isaacson book and adapted for the screen by Aaron Sorkin. This is the one starring Ashton Kutcher—a casting choice that raised eyebrows at first (Michael Kelso is going to play one of the most brilliant innovators ever?) but seems promising—at least from the teaser photos. (The credits will be peppered with a number of left-field choices like James Woods, Ron Eldard, Lesley Ann Warren, J.K. Simmons, John Getz, and Josh Gad as Steve Wozniak.) I greatly look forward to being reminded how wearing black jeans can change the world economy.
Most looking forward to: How Kutcher will pull off Jobs's famous last words, "Oh wow oh wow oh wow."
Finally, the first movie shot over FaceTime!
Following the death of the legendary head of Apple, Hollywood is scrambling to dramatize his life. jOBS is not the forthcoming biopic based on the Walter Isaacson book and adapted for the screen by Aaron Sorkin. This is the one starring Ashton Kutcher—a casting choice that raised eyebrows at first (Michael Kelso is going to play one of the most brilliant innovators ever?) but seems promising—at least from the teaser photos. (The credits will be peppered with a number of left-field choices like James Woods, Ron Eldard, Lesley Ann Warren, J.K. Simmons, John Getz, and Josh Gad as Steve Wozniak.) I greatly look forward to being reminded how wearing black jeans can change the world economy.
Most looking forward to: How Kutcher will pull off Jobs's famous last words, "Oh wow oh wow oh wow."
Iron Man 3
Release Date: May 3
Word is, now that the Avengers Initiative was a success, the Marvel movies will scale back a bit, acting less as advertisements for one another and focusing more on the central character. That sounds good to us.
Scientist, playboy, and raconteur Tony Stark is clearly the man we all want to be when we're tinkering in the garage (minus the gaping hole in his chest) so the more time we spend with him, the better. This time he's up against Ben Kingsley's Mandarin (much of the film was shot on location in China). The story is said to involve the "Extremis technology," which takes typical Stark armor and turns it into a biological agent that boosts immunity, generates new organs, and grants the ability to do advanced mental calculations at lightning speed.
Word is, now that the Avengers Initiative was a success, the Marvel movies will scale back a bit, acting less as advertisements for one another and focusing more on the central character. That sounds good to us.
Scientist, playboy, and raconteur Tony Stark is clearly the man we all want to be when we're tinkering in the garage (minus the gaping hole in his chest) so the more time we spend with him, the better. This time he's up against Ben Kingsley's Mandarin (much of the film was shot on location in China). The story is said to involve the "Extremis technology," which takes typical Stark armor and turns it into a biological agent that boosts immunity, generates new organs, and grants the ability to do advanced mental calculations at lightning speed.
Star Trek Into Darkness
Release Date: May 17
No, we didn't leave out a colon—this is the title. Strange naming habits notwithstanding, J.J. Abrams has once again managed to turn the geek franchise into crackling summer cinema.
Vulcan has been destroyed, Spock's hooked up with Uhura, and Benedict Cumberbatch is locked inside the brig looking ominous. That's about all we know right now, other than that the opening scene involves trying to stop a volcano from erupting without violating the Prime Directive. Some have snickered that a starship couldn't hide underwater as is seen in the film's teaser trailer. But the obvious (and only) retort is: If they can figure out warp speed and transporters, a dip in a pond is the least of the engineers' worries, wouldn't you say?
No, we didn't leave out a colon—this is the title. Strange naming habits notwithstanding, J.J. Abrams has once again managed to turn the geek franchise into crackling summer cinema.
Vulcan has been destroyed, Spock's hooked up with Uhura, and Benedict Cumberbatch is locked inside the brig looking ominous. That's about all we know right now, other than that the opening scene involves trying to stop a volcano from erupting without violating the Prime Directive. Some have snickered that a starship couldn't hide underwater as is seen in the film's teaser trailer. But the obvious (and only) retort is: If they can figure out warp speed and transporters, a dip in a pond is the least of the engineers' worries, wouldn't you say?
After Earth
Release Date: June 7
Will and Jaden Smith crash on a dangerous planet and must use all of their nifty high-end gadgets to survive. This includes jumping off a cliff, running away from wild boar, and scanning their legs with the coolest-looking tricorder we've ever seen.
As Papa Smith intones, this horrible place is actually Earth. And thus we've got the set-up for an exciting survivalist tale with loads of special effects and neat gizmos. The hesitation comes with learning that this is an M. Night Shyamalan movie. What's the old saying? Fool me once, shame on you? Shyamalan's last three movies have been terrible, with The Last Airbender a contender for worst of the decade. Yet, with expectations this low, After Earth could wind up being a surprising good time.
Will and Jaden Smith crash on a dangerous planet and must use all of their nifty high-end gadgets to survive. This includes jumping off a cliff, running away from wild boar, and scanning their legs with the coolest-looking tricorder we've ever seen.
As Papa Smith intones, this horrible place is actually Earth. And thus we've got the set-up for an exciting survivalist tale with loads of special effects and neat gizmos. The hesitation comes with learning that this is an M. Night Shyamalan movie. What's the old saying? Fool me once, shame on you? Shyamalan's last three movies have been terrible, with The Last Airbender a contender for worst of the decade. Yet, with expectations this low, After Earth could wind up being a surprising good time.
Man of Steel
Release Date: June 14
This is the movie that's keeping me up nights. The character of Batman lends itself to the brooding, dark, modern style of superhero movie. With Christopher Nolan producing and Zack Snyder directing, Man of Steel should have a similar feel. Will the gloomy tone work for the Big Blue Boy Scout?
Star Henry Cavill is certainly handsome enough for Superman, and Michael Shannon has got loon cred to bring something fresh to General Zod. I'm just worried this movie will be so overpowering and heavy that no air will be able to get in. Is the world ready for a Superman movie without John Williams's anthemic score? Are we ready to watch the son of Jor-El suffer angst only to come into his own just in time for the sequel? Does anyone need to see this origin story again?
Truth is, I'm grousing now, but when the movie is just around the corner I may not be able to contain my fanboy joy. In addition, there are certain to be Easter eggs for the forthcoming Justice League movie.
This is the movie that's keeping me up nights. The character of Batman lends itself to the brooding, dark, modern style of superhero movie. With Christopher Nolan producing and Zack Snyder directing, Man of Steel should have a similar feel. Will the gloomy tone work for the Big Blue Boy Scout?
Star Henry Cavill is certainly handsome enough for Superman, and Michael Shannon has got loon cred to bring something fresh to General Zod. I'm just worried this movie will be so overpowering and heavy that no air will be able to get in. Is the world ready for a Superman movie without John Williams's anthemic score? Are we ready to watch the son of Jor-El suffer angst only to come into his own just in time for the sequel? Does anyone need to see this origin story again?
Truth is, I'm grousing now, but when the movie is just around the corner I may not be able to contain my fanboy joy. In addition, there are certain to be Easter eggs for the forthcoming Justice League movie.
Elysium
Release Date: Aug. 9
It's the future, and things have become either very good or very bad, depending on your station in life. For some, life is a utopia aboard a ring-world space station called Elysium. For most, it is drudgery in an overpopulated, ecologically devastated Earth. When Matt Damon must fight The Man for his very survival, this updated "Metropolis" looks to get action packed.
Neill Blomkamp, whose similar politically enhanced District 9 dazzled us with its gritty combat action, is ready to prove that his first film wasn't a fluke. We're most looking forward to a closer look at the sci-fi set design aboard Elysium. The brief glimpses seen at last year's Comic-Con were gorgeous.
It's the future, and things have become either very good or very bad, depending on your station in life. For some, life is a utopia aboard a ring-world space station called Elysium. For most, it is drudgery in an overpopulated, ecologically devastated Earth. When Matt Damon must fight The Man for his very survival, this updated "Metropolis" looks to get action packed.
Neill Blomkamp, whose similar politically enhanced District 9 dazzled us with its gritty combat action, is ready to prove that his first film wasn't a fluke. We're most looking forward to a closer look at the sci-fi set design aboard Elysium. The brief glimpses seen at last year's Comic-Con were gorgeous.
Rush
Release Date: Sept. 20
Ron Howard and Peter Morgan, the director and writer, respectively, of Frost/Nixon, have reunited for another film about rivals, though this one has a little more horsepower. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl star as Formula One racers both vying for the championship in 1976. Vintage gearheads should just start flipping out now.
Ron Howard and Peter Morgan, the director and writer, respectively, of Frost/Nixon, have reunited for another film about rivals, though this one has a little more horsepower. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl star as Formula One racers both vying for the championship in 1976. Vintage gearheads should just start flipping out now.
Ender's Game
Release Date: Nov. 1
Orson Scott Card's fan favorite about the young tactical genius finally comes to the big screen. After all these years we'll finally get a look to see what the Buggers really look like.
Star Trek and Transformers writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman did the adaptation, so we know there'll be stuff in there for the true fans. Director Gavin Hood, coming off the so-so X-Men Origins: Wolverine, may not seem like the most exciting guy to helm this project, but maybe this is the one that gets him to the top of the class. If he succeeds, Ender's Game could become the next mega-franchise. If he doesn't, at least we'll get to see Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff.
Orson Scott Card's fan favorite about the young tactical genius finally comes to the big screen. After all these years we'll finally get a look to see what the Buggers really look like.
Star Trek and Transformers writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman did the adaptation, so we know there'll be stuff in there for the true fans. Director Gavin Hood, coming off the so-so X-Men Origins: Wolverine, may not seem like the most exciting guy to helm this project, but maybe this is the one that gets him to the top of the class. If he succeeds, Ender's Game could become the next mega-franchise. If he doesn't, at least we'll get to see Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff.
Gravity
Release Date: Winter 2013
Alfonso Cuaron, the genius behind Children of Men and the third (and best) Harry Potter film, has been working on this mysterious science-fiction picture for years. All we really know right now is that it stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts tethered to one another during a space walk that goes awry. Surrounded by silence and the interplanetary void, they must somehow find a way back to safety.
Gravity will be captured in IMAX 3D and I'm already hyperventilating. The opening sequence is allegedly a 20-minute uninterrupted shot.
Alfonso Cuaron, the genius behind Children of Men and the third (and best) Harry Potter film, has been working on this mysterious science-fiction picture for years. All we really know right now is that it stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts tethered to one another during a space walk that goes awry. Surrounded by silence and the interplanetary void, they must somehow find a way back to safety.
Gravity will be captured in IMAX 3D and I'm already hyperventilating. The opening sequence is allegedly a 20-minute uninterrupted shot.
Upstream Color
Release Date: TBD. Debuting at this month's Sundance Film Festival
For a while it looked like Shane Carruth was going to be the Harper Lee of independently financed science-fiction films. After his time-travel mind-scrambler Primer wowed us all, the man just disappeared.
He's finally back with a new project, though the first two teaser trailers for Upstream Color reveal nothing, other than that this is a mannerly and quietly specific film that looks gorgeous in 1080p. The official blurb offers cryptic hints, stating "A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives." Far out.
For a while it looked like Shane Carruth was going to be the Harper Lee of independently financed science-fiction films. After his time-travel mind-scrambler Primer wowed us all, the man just disappeared.
He's finally back with a new project, though the first two teaser trailers for Upstream Color reveal nothing, other than that this is a mannerly and quietly specific film that looks gorgeous in 1080p. The official blurb offers cryptic hints, stating "A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives." Far out.
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