Preview - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

With one of the biggest casts imaginable featuring some great names in the acting world, Peter Jackson has managed to stir up quite a level of excitement over his new film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is currently being filmed. Unfortunately we won't see the film until December 2012, but I thought it worth giving you a sneak peak into the world of The Hobbit.

If you regularly check out So I Saw This Film you probably won't have failed to miss the casting updates that have been posted. Most recently, Lost star Evangeline Lilly was added to the cast. British acting legend Stephen Fry was confirmed a while back, as was Flight Of The Conchords member Bret McKenzie. In a huge cast it would be safe to assume some big names, but Jackson has literally packed it full of exciting talent. As well as those already mentioned we can look forward to Hugo Weaving, Brian Blessed, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis and James Nesbitt. Phew! And breath...

Let take a gander at the story shall we? We'll start simple with the small synopsis given to us by IMDB: "Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of

Preview: Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

With the cleverly worded title 'Cowboys & Aliens', this film was in my good books from the start. The film tells the story of an alien craft landing in Arizona in the 19th century who can only be stopped by a band of cowboys. How absolutely awesome does this sound!? I sort of wish this came out when I was a kid; the wonder and excitement would have been ten times greater. But being as I am not, I can get excited about the casting of Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig, who I think will go perfectly together. Ford does play the part of a colonel however so I'm thinking he initially dismisses the cowboys but then has to use them to help against the aliens? 'Moon' leading man Sam Rockwell will also have a part in the film.

The film is set to be released in August 2011. So come on guys, are we getting as excited as I am about this? It just feels like such a childhood movie in a way, evoking memories of playing cowboys and Indians but then with 'E.T' thrown into the mix. If that doesn't get you excited, nothing will. I'll post the trailer above this post so check it out.

Preview: Cars 2 (2011)

With the release of 'Cars 2' only four months away I thought it prudent to take a look a the new feature looking to build upon the success of 'Cars' in 2006. It seems incredible to me that it took Disney Pixar this long to create an animation featuring talking cars because the characters were so loveable. I especially loved the rusty old hick van Mater who will be making a comeback.There is also a whole host of stars to look forward to including Owen Wilson, Michael Keaton, Emily Mortimer  and surprising new edition, Michael Caine.

The film follows the friendship of star Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry The Cable Guy) as they head overseas to compete in the World Grand-Prix and determine the world's fastest car. The film also follows a side story with Mater who reportedly gets embroiled in international espionage! This sounds like comedy gold to me. Mater is torn between helping McQueen and a secret spy mission that will take him through Europe and to Japan. With a ton of new characters and a storyline that sounds far fetched but exciting, I doubt whether this will be another forgettable Disney sequel. So put the release date, 24th June 2011, in your diary and prepare for some laughs.

Preview: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Set to wow us on big screens in July 2011, the final installment of the Harry Potter series looks set to be an epic. Whilst I would express my annoyance at it being split into two films for profiteering reasons, it does help to add detail to the final book which certainly deserves to be shown in film form in its entirety.

I have heard endless positive feedback for Part 1 of the seventh Potter film but personally it didn't strike me as the best thing I'd ever seen. Neither did the sixth film which I though was a total waste of time and only made to set up these final two films. However, Part 2 possesses something that neither of the previous films did, it has the ending of the mind blowing series ready for us. I will be stunned if this is not the biggest grossing film of the year and I'm sure it will be in the running for some success at the Oscars.

Both the cast and the crew have been through an epic journey beginning with the creation of 'The Philosopher's Stone' way back in 2001 and indeed have found little time to do too much else. The stars have become ingrained in our minds as the characters they perform as which is why the films have had such huge success. That combined with obviously the mass sales of the books by J.K.Rowling. But have these stars become so related to their characters that they will struggle to come up with anything to match these films after the release of Part 2? It must feel a bit restrictive to stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint who are recognised around the would for these parts. Do you think they will continue their success after this film is released.

I will certainly be watching this one, and not because I had to watch it because I was following the series like the last two, but because it promises an epic end to an already epic journey.

Preview: Thor (2011)

So as the release of 'Thor', the story of a magnificent warrior sent down to earth as a punishment who comes to defend our planet, draws near its seems appropriate to take a closer look at this one. The element of this film that excites me most is that Kenneth Branagh directs it! It is a rather strange match and I will be interested to see if Branagh can pull a first class fantasy action out of the bag. Here's to hoping.

The film also includes an as yet little known actor as its lead man. Chris Hemsworth plays the mighty warrior in this one, but will it prove a gamble to employ a relatively unexperienced actor to such a major role? We all have to start somewhere though and I am hoping his performance will put to shame many of our 'action' heroes who, at times, lack any pretences of being macho. Hemsworth could provide a breath of fresh air in this department. If not we will be well spoilt with the talents of both Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman, two characters who have been very active of late in the movie scene.

What I hope most that this film will achieve is not to be nearly as cheesy as the description makes it sound. A mighty warrior sent to earth as a punishment who ultimately comes to love our fair planet and defends it with all his might. Unfortunately it all sounds slightly predictable. I'm sure a love interest with Portman will also be included. This film has plenty of potential to be a huge hit as it touches upon a fantasy character we have seen little of in film. However, it could end up being as one-dimensional as 'Clash Of The Titans'. Now we don't want to go down that road Kenneth so make sure it doesn't!

Preview: Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Set to come out in July 2011, the third installment of the Transformers franchise looks set to make a big impact. The trailer is full on and we can see by watching it that the film will certainly not be lacking in special effects. In my opinion they look to dwarf those displayed in the first two films, which were themselves stunning. This film needs a storyline to go along with all the action however and it will be interesting to see how they run it, although by the looks of the trailer it seems they are aiming to latch on to the success of Battle: Los Angeles by portraying an invasion type scene taking place on earth. This may not be the best way to go but the trailer still looks stunning.

Die hard fans of the trilogy will however miss the talents of Megan Fox. In fact I'm sure just about any male viewer will too. I'm not entirely sure who will replace her as Shia LaBeouf's piece of stuff so if anyone knows leave a comment.

I think I am sticking my neck out a bit here when I admit I enjoyed Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. However, it seems it wasn't the most popular film ever released, so I'm sure director Michael Bay will be keen to remedy the mistakes made in the second installment. The trailer for this one added to by the fact that John Malkovich will feature has ensured that I will be going to see it, but it will be interesting to see if it falls by the wayside. Here's hoping it doesn't.

Preview: The Eagle (2011)

So I think I might see this film called 'The Eagle'. Released on the 25th March, 'The Eagle' brings us the story of Channing Tatum attempting to return a lost standard from the cold realms of Scotland. Now, although I was enticed by the trailer, I don't think the star of 'Step Up' will do much good as a Roman.Come on, are you serious? Yes he may provide a character for the girls to oggle, but for the male section of the audience what will he do? I am yet to see the film 'Fighting' so I'm not sure how Tatum will fare in an action movie such as this, but my prediction is that he will be swallowed up by similar performances which are far more memorable.
So as you can see, what we need is a manly character to hold this whole thing together, a character to make the whole 'Roman action film' believable. What do we get? Billy Elliot. That's right, you didn't misread that. We have been provided with Jamie Bell as a co-star. I can't tell you how much I would love to be surprised by Bell's performance but, as I have said about the casting of Tatum, I just can't see myself being blown away by it. Come on! What you need is a slightly older male actor who is not a stranger to this sort of film. I'm thinking possibly Liam Cunnigham or even Alexander Siddig. Alas, we are doomed to almost two hours of what will most likely be a dull experience. Won't be shelling out to watch this in the cinema. Bring on 'Battle: Los Angeles'!

What To Look Forward To In 2011

Thought I'd have a quick break from reviews to take a look at what is coming soon and, more importantly, what is worth seeing. So hang onto your hats and get excited for what you can expect in 2011!
'Battle: Los Angeles' looks like it may attract a lot of attention when it comes to cinemas in March 2011. The film brings an alien invasion to LA, with a Marine force battling back against them. From what I have seen this film will be an attempt to mirror the success of 'District 9', and being a lover of the aforementioned flick, I am dying to see this. Unfortunately the only acting prowess we have to look forward to is Aaron Eckhart. Put a Wahlberg or a Foxx in the driving seat and I would be slightly more enthused. Still definitely one to watch though.
Are we excited about a film of the popular children's fairy tale 'Red Riding Hood'. When I saw Gary Oldman on the bill I certainly was. When I saw that the film's director will be Catherine Hardwicke however, I immediately closed the page. I'm sure here will be plenty of teen fans queueing for this take on a classic fable, but I will be avoiding it like the plague.
Ever wanted to see a superhero action film directed by Kenneth Branagh? I'm sure it has never even entered your mind. But 'Thor' will be hitting the big screen in April 2011. With a so far unknown Chris Hemsworth playing the lead, we have to hope that co-stars Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins will bolster the performance. It will be exciting to see just how the new guys does however. May wait for this on DVD, but I would still love to see it.
'Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides'.....PASS. The third one was bad enough. Take out Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley and you make it, somehow, even worse Not interested.
One I will definitely be in the queue for will be 'The Hangover Part II'. I just hope, with part one being as genius it was, that Part II won't go the way of so many sequels and fall by the wayside. This one has Bill Clinton in it! Get in the queue now!