2012 Movie Preview: What We Missed
Article By: Dan Clark
Recently on MWIRE we disused the films that will be released for the 2nd half of the year. Earlier in the year we discussed the films that were released in the first half. We went over every major release and gave our initial impressions. We covered a lot of ground, but there are a few films we didn’t get a chance to touch on. A compiled a list of films below that intrigue me for one reason or another. Some of these are no longer in theaters, but I felt compelled to mention them as they should be hitting home video shortly.
If you haven’t listened to the episodies of MWIRE check them out below:
MWIRE Spring/Summer Preview 2012:
MWIRE Fall/Winter Preview 2012:
The Imposter
Theatrical Release Date: July 13th.2012
Home Video Release Date: January 22nd, 2013 (estimated)
Directed By: Bart Layton
Synopsis: Nicholas was 13 the day he disappeared (June 13, 1994). He would have been 16 and 8 months when he was reported found in Spain (October 7, 1997)… In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappears without a trace from San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive, thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems. The boy bears many of the same distinguishing marks he always had, but why does he now have a strange accent? Why does he look so different? And why doesn’t the family seem to notice these glaring inconsistencies? It’s only when an investigator starts asking questions that this strange tale takes an even stranger turn
Quick Take: A lot of different things go into making a good documentary. Often the core is a strong story, and The Imposter has that for sure. When you read the synopsis you think you are reading the plot of an upcoming soap opera and not a critically acclaimed documentary. A great story doesn’t always lead to a great documentary but it does makes things easier. Let’s hope this is both.
The InTouchables
Theatrical Release Date: May 25th, 2012
Home Video Release Date: September 2012 (Estimated)
Directed By: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Written By: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Starring: Francious Cluzet, Omar Sy, and Anne Le Ny
Synopsis: An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, The Intouchables has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common
Quick Take: While this film wasn’t huge in the U.S. it was one of the biggest hits ever in France. Of course that doesn’t mean a lot to most people, but it does have me curious. This plot has melodrama written all over it, but if it’s well written and acted it could actually be a quality film. Let’s hope that the movie is better than its title.
Moonrise Kingdom
Theatrical Release Date: May 25th 2012
Home Video Release Date: October 16th, 2012
Directed By: Wes Anderson
Written By: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, and Bruce Willis
Synopsis: Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore — and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.
Quick Take: Wes Anderson is a director that can split a room. His style and technique have a niche audience, and I consider myself part of that nice. If you haven’t watched a Wes Anderson film I would highly recommend Bottle Rocket and Rushmore. He is a director who is best enjoyed when you don’t walk in cold. Get some experience first so you know what you are getting into.
Safety Not Guaranteed
Theatrical Release Date: June 8th, 2012
Home Video Release Date: October 20th, 2012
Directed By: Colin Trevorrow
Written By: Derek Connolly
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Jake M. Johnson, and Karan Soni
Synopsis: From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine – When an unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he’s solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon. Together, they embark on a hilarious, smart, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that reveals how far believing can take you
Quick Take: There is something about the plot of this film that really has me intrigued. It is unique and familiar at the same time. Plus it has a lot of people I am fans of. There are a few films that I’m chopping at the bit to get once they are released on home video and this is defiantly one of them.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Theatrical Release Date: June 27th, 2012
Home Video Release Date: November 2012 (Estimated)
Directed By: Benh Zeitlin
Written By: Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin
Starring: Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, and Levy Easterly
Synopsis: In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions
Quick Take: Beasts of the Southern Wild was the surprise indie hit of the summer. It has a similar type of backing that Winter’s Bone did a few years ago so don’t be surprised if you see this nominated for best picture. I applaud small films the dream big, and this comes off as one of those. It may not hit on every level it was reaching for, but if it can hit enough it can be successful.
Killer Joe
Theatrical Release Date: June 27th, 2012
Home Video Release Date: December 2012 (Estimated)
Directed By: William Friedin
Written By: Tracy Letts,
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, and Juno Temple
Synopsis: When 22 year-old drug dealer Chris (Hirsch) has his stash of drugs stolen from him by his mother, he has to come up with six-thousand dollars quick, or he’s dead. Desperate, he goes to the trailer-park to see his father, Ansel (Hayden Church), and he lays out the plan. Chris’s mother, who everyone hates, has a life insurance policy that would clear up his debt and make them all rich. The problem is that Chris’ mother is very much alive. Enter Detective “Killer” Joe Cooper, a hired hit man with the manners of a Southern gentleman, who will do the job – for an upfront fee, that Chris and Ansel can’t pay. Just as Joe is about to leave, he spots Dottie (Temple), Chris’ innocent younger sister. Joe makes Chris an offer, he’ll keep Dottie as sexual collateral until the money is collected and his fee can be paid
Quick Take: I feel 2012 has been the year of actors redefining themselves. Matthew McConaughey is actually having himself quite a year, and word is this is his best film thus far. Many theaters didn’t carry this film due to its NC-17 rating, but that won’t be an issue once it hits home video. The question is will this film be all violence and no substance? Here’s hoping it can have both.
The Master
Theatrical Release Date: September 14th, 2012
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson
Written By: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, and Amy Adams
Synopsis: Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as a World War II vet who’s inspired to create a religion upon returning home to 1950s America. Joaquin Phoenix also stars in this Paul Thomas Anderson religious drama.
Quick Take: I mentioned this briefly this in the Fall/Winter preview episode of MWIRE, but I figure it’s worth brining up again. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of those great directors that doesn’t make a lot of movies. He seems to support the idea of quality over quantity. It’s going to be hard to top his last film There Will Be Blood, which won high praise with both critics and the general audience. It is hard to put your finger on what this movie is about as the trailer doesn’t give you a whole lot, but based on the pedigree of everyone involved it’s hard not to expect a lot.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Theatrical Release Date: September 21st, 2012
Directed By: Stephen Chbosky
Written By: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller
Synopsis: Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern tale that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.
Quick Take: This movie has indie sensibilities written all over it. Often those films are a time a dozen, but there are times when they hit it big. (See Juno) I don’t think this will hit that level, but I am curious to see what Emma Watson does post Harry Potter. Of all the actors in that franchise she seems to have the best chance for future success.
Seven Psychopaths
Theatrical Release Date: October 12th, 2012
Directed By: Martin McDonagh
Written By: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, and Sam Rockwell
Synopsis: Marty (Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay, “Seven Psychopaths”. Billy (Rockwell) is Marty’s best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. All he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Hans (Walken) is Billy’s partner in crime. A religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Harrelson) is the psychopathetic gangster whose beloved dog, Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie’s unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale
Quick Take: I really wish Colin Farrell would stop trying to be a blockbuster movie star, because he is never going to be one. He is better off doing movies like In Bruges and this. Simply the fact that Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are in the same film will make it hard to keep me away.
Anna Karenina
Theatrical Release Date: November 16th, 2012
Directed By: Joe Wright
Written By: Tom Stoppard, Leo Tolstoy
Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Aaron Johnson
Synopsis: The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with acclaimed director Joe Wright, following the award-winning box office successes Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, is a bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard. The story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness and marriage, change comes to all around her
Quick Take: I have a love-hate relationship with Joe Wright. I was not a fan of Atonement but really enjoyed last year’s Hanna. I am apprehensive as I am getting a very big Atonement vibe from Anna Karenia. Though even when I’m not enjoying his movies I am typically enjoying his directing. Like Wes Anderson, Wright is a director that instantly makes his presence known. If Anna Karenina becomes another hit he could enter the next tier of great directors.
The Impossible
Theatrical Release Date: December 21st, 2012
Directed By: Juan Antonia Bayona
Written By: Sergio G. Sanchez
Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Holland
Synopsis: Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her.
Quick Take: The fight for survival story has been done to death, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a good movie out of that genre. Having the ‘based on a true story’ tagline doesn’t mean much in today’s climate as we have come to realize the definition of the word ‘based’ has been change over the years. There is one thing that can set this apart and that is the two leads of Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. Their presence will add a lot of instant gravitas, and hopefully the director will take advantage.
Well there you have it. With both preview episodes of MWIRE and this article we have covered a lot of the films that will or have come out this year. What films are you excited for in the second half of the year? What films did you miss out on earlier that you hope to catch on home video? Do any of the films above catch you interest? Sound off in the comment section below to allow your voice to be heard.
