Film 2012

'The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars'

Jack Kerouac



My reason for using this quote is that I have just found out that Kerouac's quintessential modern American novel On The Road has been made into a film of the same name. Set for release this September, it stars Garret Hedlund (aka Achilles' nephew from Troy who imitates him and subsequently meets a sticky end) and Kristen Stewart. I sincerely hope they do it justice.

This got me thinking about other blockbusters set to release in 2012, which, perhaps persuaded by the questionable apocalyptic omen associated with the date, are cropping up in abundance.



#1. Of course, is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Released in the UK on 14th December (cutting it fine for the end of the world, right?) this is the film the Lord of the Rings generation has anticipated since the - numerous, might I add - closing sequences of The Return of the King. I feel reassured by Peter Jackson's proven directorial prowess, from previous films in the epic Tolkein world as well as King Kong (2005), that he will handle the tale of young Bilbo Baggins in an equally respectful fashion.

#2. The Great Gatsby. Again, a book adaptation, this will be out on the 25th December and boasts a ridiculous cast: Leonardo Dicaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy (Perfect casting if you've read the book), and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. But what got me most enthralled in this film, besides the promises of decadent 1920s wardrobes, was the fact that Baz Luhrman, the genius behind Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge (2001), is directing it. Without a doubt this means that Luhrman's hallmark claustrophobic, kaleidoscopic trippy scenes from both films mentioned will be utilised perhaps to express the disorrientation and shallowness of Gatsby's parties.

#3. And third, closely matched are the Sci-Fi/Marvel-esque blockbusters of the spring/summer: The Amazing Spiderman (4th July); Men in Black III (SCREAM - 25th May); The Dark Knight Rises (20th July) and The Avengers/Avengers Assemble  (27th April). Okay, so The Amazing Spiderman  is clearly a re-vamp of the Spider Man comic book hero. What I feel will make this so much better than the 2002 franchise starring an uncharismatic Tobey Maguire is that British actor Andrew Garfield will be stepping up to the Peter Parker role. Most known perhaps for his part in The Social Network (Fincher, 2010) as FB co-founder Eduardo Saverin, I recommend checking him out as he has proved his talent in originally the three part eighties-based cop series Red Riding and also worked with indie director Spike Jonze in the short 'I'm here'.

Men in Black III needs no explanation as to its buzz, and additionally stars Josh Brolin (True Grit, No Country for Old Men) which will enhance the already exceptional cast of Will Smith and Tommy Lee. The Dark Knight Rises is the last installment in this Batman/Nolan collaboration; I'm sure many will miss the chiaroscuric and often Film Noir twist which Christopher Nolan and his team have applied, in contrast to the otherwise camp interpretations (take Batman the Movie, 1966)of the hero. Finally The Avengers mash up of a Norse God, Giant Green Man, Guy in Indestructable Metal Armour, and Patriotic Guy - I'm sorry, I haven't seen Captain America - is a match made in Hollywood heaven, and will be inevitably epic.

With all these films out this year (and many more I haven't included - Skyfall for one) I can't imagine how my bank account will survive. I suppose we'd better splurge before The End Of The World...