What to Watch: Our Most-Anticipated 2013 Releases

“ Beautiful Creatures – February 13 (nationwide)

Arno: I'm getting a Star Wars filtered through Twilight vibe from Warner Bros.' first shot at adapting the four-book series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, and I'm a sucker for Southern-set Gothic storytelling, no matter how tween it might be. Established fans of young lovers Lena Duchannes and Ethan Wate should form squealing lines while the rest of us begin to learn the secrets of Gatlin County, South Carolina. I like how the studio has followed the Potter model of getting adult-oriented filmmakers to handle youth-skewing source material; in this case, screenplay doctor and sometime director Richard LaGravenese might find his greatest success to date. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to seeing more Jack O'Connell, yet another cast member from the defunct program "Skins" who is getting a Hollywood shot. Playing the mysterious Lena is Alice Englert in her first major role.

Ray: Plenty of movies have attempted to get in on the fantasy romance goldmine in the past few years, but Beautiful Creatures is the first one to open after the Twilight franchise’s end. While I really want to bash this movie, I can’t bring myself to do it: with its exaggerated Southern accents, gothic vibe and eclectic cast, count me intrigued. ”

“ Stoker – March 1 (limited)

Arno: Korean director Chan-wook Park presents his first English-language film in a year where his heralded revenge fantasy Oldboy gets a remake treatment by Spike Lee. By early indications -- mainly a torrent of verbal abuse unleashed by a demon-eyed Nicole Kidman right at the beginning of the movie's first trailer -- the mystery/thriller feels like a Park creation, but really it's a Black List screenplay from Wentworth Miller, who was guided by the dark and knowing hand of Erin Cressida Wilson. Park has narrative and stylistic flourishes that are a custom-fit for Kidman's art-house leanings (though Jodie Foster was first set to star); meanwhile, Mia Wasikowska continues to out-Fanning her peers with a series of left-of-center roles, including this one, which puts her in league with the continually underutilized Matthew Goode.

Ray: Even though I’m not quite on the Mia Wasikowska bandwagon -– she seems to get overshadowed in all of her roles so far -- it’s undeniable that there’s a lot of talent attached here. Still, I’ve seen enough vampires on the big (and small) screen recently to last a few lifetimes, so I’ll be avoiding this one unless the buzz is through-the-roof. ”

“ The Place Beyond the Pines – March 29 (limited)

Ray: While Blue Valentine wasn’t exactly a pleasant movie-going experience, it was without a doubt an impressive outing from director Derek Cianfrance. For his follow-up The Place Beyond the Pines, Cianfrance is pitting Valentine star Ryan Gosling against Bradley Cooper in a sprawling crime drama that has drawn comparisons to The Godfather but divided audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival. Any crime movie with this level of talent attached is automatically a must-see, and it will be exciting to finally see what all the fuss was about.

Arno: It took Derek Cianfrance 12 years to make Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, and the story of how the film came to fruition was as compelling as the project's script, which used a non-linear form to track a young couple's troubled marriage. A mere two years later, Cianfrance and Gosling reunite with a work that sounds like one part Blue Valentine, one part Drive. And I'm so okay with that. After watching the first trailer, I have some slight hesitations; mainly I hope that Eva Mendes and Rose Byrne's characters are fully realized. Also, Gosling's character's tattoos look as brand new as his Metallica t-shirt. ”

“ The Heat – April 5 (nationwide)

Arno: I'm sure everyone in Hollywood tried to figure out what was next for Melissa McCarthy after she became the focus of Bridesmaids. She went back to her awful TV show while a small clutch of movies were curated to her appealing form of foul-mouthed physical comedy. In 2013, she will first antagonize Jason Bateman in Identity Thief, but I think her reunion with director Paul Feig — which pairs McCarthy with Sandra Bullock for a lady-twist on the buddy-cop genre -- will be the swear-wordiest comedy of the year, and a movie I want to see with my mother. Groupon could right its ailing enterprise by offering 2-for-1 tickets and free cocktails at select theaters.

Ray: I’ll be pretty up-front here – as a 25-year-old male, I’m probably not the target audience for this movie. Even so, this feels like a Miss Congeniality retread for Bullock, and I’m somehow already feeling a little bit of Melissa McCarthy fatigue. Also, not to be too hard on Paul Feig but as good as Bridesmaids is, the majority of the credit there obviously belongs to Kristen Wiig’s writing/acting, not Feig’s workmanlike direction. ”

“ The Great Gatsby – May 10 (nationwide)

Ray: Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s landmark novel has tons of red flags, not the least of which is the fact that it was pushed from Christmas 2012 to Summer 2013 (never a good sign for an awards-bait movie like this). Still, the cast is incredible –- Leonardo DiCaprio seems born to play Jay Gatsby, and Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, and Joel Edgerton should fit nicely in to their roles as well –- and the trailers suggest that Luhrmann is packing the movie with colorful, unique images that should pop in 3D.

Arno: I call shenanigans on the green-light decision that put Baz Luhrmann in charge of this high-wattage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's best-known work. Luhrmann knows his aesthetics, but I will always assert that he was a better narrative filmmaker when he had no money. Compare Strictly Ballroom with Australia and maybe you'd agree. Better yet: slash this budget by 75% and hand the novel to Tom Ford and I bet you'd have one handsome and successful follow-up to A Simple Man. ”

“ Star Trek Into Darkness – May 17 (nationwide)

Ray: Lens flares aside, the 2009 Star Trek reboot is arguably one of the best popcorn movies of the last decade. Four years later, we’re finally getting a sequel, and so far it looks like we’re in for a good ride – director J.J. Abrams brought the entire crew back (including Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock), and the dark teaser trailer suggests the stakes have been increased this time around. Adding to the anticipation is up-and-coming star Benedict Cumberbatch as a menacing villain who may or may not be from the Star Trek canon (cough Khan cough). Who knows if they can match the first movie, but if they even come close then this will be one of the most entertaining movies of the year.

Arno: After taking in the first trailer, I screamed like Alice Eve does - but more in a very excited way than in a Benedict-Cumberbatch-who-may-or-may-not-be-Khan-is-coming-to-destroy-me-and-my-beautiful-face way. I loved the first movie and, like J.J. Abrams, was never really a Trek devotee until he pulled me into the universe back in 2009. My main hope is for Cumberbatch's dialogue to be so well-written that he can join the league of well-spoken space terrorists that counts Tom Hiddleston's Loki and Chiwetel Ejiofor's The Operative as members. ”

“ World War Z – June 21 (nationwide)

Arno: Marc Forster always seemed like a curious pick to helm an action-heavy adaptation of the novel by Max Brooks, and details on the production suggest myriad potential problems, from indecision as to what the zombies should look like to major crew members asking to be let go from the production. Never mind the skyrocketing budget. What first appeared to be the best franchise starter since Rise of the Planet of the Apes suddenly found a target on its back, but then blew off early naysayers with an enthralling first trailer and the bravado to go back underground for a while after said trailer hit. At the very least, we can always pretend this is a side story from "The Walking Dead" where Brad Pitt's character is months away from meeting up Rick Grimes and Co.

Ray: World War Z might not be the first movie that had to go back and shoot the entire third act, but it is probably the one with the biggest budget. It’s hard to imagine that the bizarre production issues don’t wind up on screen, so among 2013’s Summer blockbusters this is low on my list. ”

“ Much Ado About Nothing – June 21 (limited)

Arno: Shakespeare in the hands of Joss Whedon — what else is there to say? We love that Whedon's insecurity about directing The Avengers manifested in such a way (the restless creator shot this project in secret while assembling the Marvel blockbuster), and those of us who reeled from the news that Anthony Head stepped down from playing Leonato were assuaged by the slotting of Clark Gregg in his place. I mean, it's clear to some that Gregg's Agent Coulson is made of the same Whedonesque fabric as Head's Rupert Giles from "Buffy", so it is assuring to see him become one of the new Whedon Players.

Ray: I’m looking forward to all the review headlines that attempt to make a pun out of the title – this feels like a classic vanity project where the movie winds up being viewed as a lesser entry among the director’s filmography. ”

“ White House Down – June 28 (nationwide)

Ray: Director Roland Emmerich has made a career out of destroying the White House in movies like Independence Day and 2012, and so it’s only fitting that he be the one to direct White House Down (aka “Die Hard in the White House”). The “fly in the ointment” secret service agent is played by Channing Tatum, who has quickly gone from punch line to reputable actor thanks to a 2012 that included very strong turns in 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike. While it’s obvious that White House Down isn’t going to win any awards, it does have all the ingredients to be the kind of original, turn-your-brain-off material that could be a real blast in the middle of the Summer.

Arno: This is the guy-movie equivalent of People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue. ”

“ Elysium – August 9 (nationwide)

Ray: With its seamless blending of effects, action and original sci-fi ideas, director Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 was one of the strongest debut movies in years. Four years later, Blomkamp is back with his follow-up, Elysium, which is one of a handful of original sci-fi offerings this year (Oblivion and Pacific Rim being the other major ones). While there hasn’t yet been an official trailer release, reactions were strong out of last summer’s Comic-Con, and Sony’s decision to release the movie in August instead of March suggests they are bullish on its prospects. With a cast headlined by a very macho (and very bald) Matt Damon, and a story that’s once again heavy on social commentary, I’m pretty bullish on it too.

Arno: Things to look forward to: Jodie Foster playing a cold and determined government official; Sharlto Copley in some Beyond Thunderdome garb as Foster's operative; Matt Damon in what seems to be flawed-hero mode and looking more vintage Bruce Willis than a pretty leading man who probably won't ever star in another Bourne movie. Though I have heard this script makes D9's social politics seem subtle in comparison. ”

“ We're the Millers – August 9 (nationwide)

Arno: Remember Rawson Marshall Thurber – the guy who made a blockbuster out of a comedy about dodgeball? Well, he's finally back in the major-movie spotlight with a long-gestating pot-themed comedy that has seen directors and stars come and go like it was TV pilot season. Exactly what kind of shape the script is in at this point is unknown — many hands have touched it -- but I'm hoping the cast, which includes "SNL"'s Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms, and Nick Offerman, was encouraged to improvise. And, hey, if this movie manages to underwhelm, couldn't you get pretty much all of these people to star in the same TV show?

Ray: I still get a kick out of Dodgeball, and it’s a masterful example of how to balance clever (ESPN 8 “The Ocho”) and stupid (roughly a hundred crotch shots). It also had a fun, original premise, though, whereas it seems like We’re the Millers is just the latest in a string of increasingly incompetent stoner comedies. Maybe Thurber will be able to milk some comedy out of the road trip elements, but I’m going to remain skeptical for now. ”

“ Prisoners – September 20 (nationwide)

Arno: Zodiac spotlighted Jake Gyllenhaal as a nascent detective, and it was one of his finest roles to date. He also nailed the buddy-cop relationship in End of Watch, so I'm excited to see him as a cocky detective going up against a frantic Hugh Jackman in this Black List script by Aaron Guzikowski, who wrote Contraband. The young screenwriter's project sat in the laps of several directors (including Bryan Singer and Antoine Fuqua) before Denis Villeneuve came aboard to direct his follow-up to the excellent, Oscar-nominated Incendies. Given the cast's pedigree, the director's cache, and the adult-skewing subject matter, we think this is a true awards candidate in the Warner Bros. 2013 roster.

Ray: Everything about this project seems right up my alley, but there are a few red flags. First, it tends to be the case that the longer a quality script goes unmade, the greater the likelihood that rewrites cause the final version to be a weak imitation. More significant, though, is the tendency for in-demand foreign directors to botch their English-language debut (Things We Lost in the Fire comes to mind). There’s no way of knowing if either of these issues will affect Prisoners, but they still seem worth keeping in mind when discussing this project. ”

“ Runner, Runner – September 27 (nationwide)

Ray: I’m one of the biggest cheerleaders for Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, and the opportunity to see them square off in Runner, Runner is a very exciting one indeed. Director Brad Furman’s last movie, The Lincoln Lawyer, helped kick-start Matthew McConaughey’s recent career renaissance; while Affleck and Timberlake aren’t necessarily in need of a major overhaul, I’m hoping Furman can get the most out of them in this gambling thriller.

Arno: Ben Affleck is being so judicious with his acting choices these days, there's little reason to be pessimistic; however, I'm not convinced by Justin Timberlake as a dramatic actor. The project's screenwriting team got their start with Rounders, so my interest is flickering for now. ”

“ Oldboy – Oct. 11 (nationwide)

Arno: Spike Lee has spoken freely about how hard it is for him to get film financing at this point in his career, but I think that was a smart dodge by a veteran filmmaker whose latest outing finds him in director-for-hire mode on a remake of a beloved genre film that had trouble holding onto its cast before cameras rolled. Good thing that the set cast is heroically assembled, screenwriter Mark Protosevich is demand, and the studio FilmDistrict does like to take chances with darker-themed material. I am curious and cautiously optimistic at the prospects — even though I would be among the first people to say the redo is completely unnecessary.

Ray: Spike Lee demonstrated that he can handle moderately-budgeted studio fare with Inside Man, and Arno is right to point out that the Oldboy cast is pretty fantastic. My biggest issue with this remake (which I agree is unnecessary) is how they handle the ending: the original movie’s unbelievably twisted conclusion is what separates it from standard revenge fare, and watering that down for U.S. audiences seems like it would be a terrible mistake. ”

“ The World's End – Oct. 25 (nationwide)

Ray: Director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are responsible for two of the best genre-bending comedies of the past decade in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. This might be an unfair standard, but I’m fully expecting a similar level of quality from The World’s End, which is the conclusion to their “Three Flavours Cornetto” trilogy. As the title suggests, the movie finds Pegg and Frost coming to grips with the apocalypse, and the synopsis indicates that they will be doing this the British way (with lots of beer consumption). Count me in.

Arno: I'm with you, Ray, except if I were Simon Pegg or Nick Frost and facing the end of the world (and a beloved creative partnership), I'd order hard alcohol instead of a pint. And at this point in culture, I appreciate pretty much any film that tries to keep its storyline under wraps. ”

“ Thor: The Dark World – November 8 (nationwide)

Arno: I belong to the small — perhaps non-existent — world of movie-watchers who would assert that Thor is one of the most entertaining Marvel movies to date. Maybe that's because I feel Kenneth Branagh found a balance between action, emotion, and humor; perhaps it's due to my grand-scale crush on Idris Elba, which is as powerful and wide as Heimdall. Soooo, knowing that the sequel reunites the original cast (including Tom Hiddleston as Loki), introduces Christopher Eccleston as Malekith the Accursed (a dark-elf overlord that has an entwined history with Loki), and places Alan Taylor from "Game of Thrones" in the director's chair, it has all the makings of the first winning Marvel sequel (no apologies to Iron Man 2).

Ray: I’m not as fond of Thor as Arno seems to be – everything in Asgard is solid, but the Earth plot is painfully boring. I am a big fan of The Avengers, though, and it does look like they are making moves to improve this entry, but among Marvel’s 2013 offerings I’m far more interested in Tony Stark’s latest adventures in Iron Man 3. ”

“ The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Nov. 22 (nationwide)

Ray: The Hunger Games was a massive critical and commercial success last March, and Lionsgate decided to quickly move forward with three sequels covering the remaining two books in the franchise. The first of these, Catching Fire, is filling the pre-Thanksgiving void left behind by the departure of the Twilight franchise, and expectations are high at this point. Fans of the book will tell you that, despite a few problems, Catching Fire is a very satisfying middle section, and comparisons to The Empire Strikes Back abound. Hopefully Francis Lawrence can match his strong visual eye with the character work that Gary Ross brought to the first installment and turn in a satisfying sequel.

Arno: The Hunger Games was the most satisfying franchise-starter in some time; a true measure of its success were the positive reactions from people who had yet to read the novels before seeing the movie. I love that Catching Fire was filmed in Hawaii, an ideal setting for the beautiful harshness of the Quarter Quell. Cast and crew wise, I'm less concerned about the source material's more sluggish moments and more worried about Sam Claflin as the knot-tying/Katniss-wooing Finnick Odair, because he displayed an innate talent for making time stand still in Snow White and the Huntsman and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. ”

“ The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Dec. 13 (nationwide)

Ray: The first Hobbit movie was depressingly mediocre, so I’m adding the second installment to my list strictly because of the curiosity factor. An Unexpected Journey suffered from stretching the source material to the breaking point, and The Desolation of Smaug could be even worse in that area due to the last-minute decision to extend the series from two to three movies (which is likely to negatively affect the middle entry more than the other two). And who knows -- with lower expectations, maybe it could wind up being a pleasant surprise instead of the train wreck I’m anticipating.

Arno: The best ways in which to sum up my enthusiasm for the second installment of Peter Jackson's prequel trilogy are: I can't wait for Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug ... and ... and ... and I'll be one step closer to taking in the brutal splendor of the Battle of Fives Armies in The Hobbit: There and Back Again. ”

“ Anchorman: The Legend Continues - Dec. 20 (nationwide)

Ray: Anchorman, the most quoted movie of the last decade, gets its long-awaited sequel just in time for Christmas. Even though they’ve become major comedy stars in the years since, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell are all back to reprise their roles as idiotic, misogynistic, but oddly endearing newsmen. Comedy sequels are notoriously disappointing (I’m looking at you, The Hangover Part II), and there’s almost no chance it lives up to the original movie’s legacy, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have high hopes for Anchorman 2 anyway. Milk may have been a bad choice, but I’m optimistic that Anchorman 2 isn’t.

Arno: One of many things I love about this sequel is that it feels entirely fan-powered. And since Paramount listened to the Burgundy devotees and announced this release date right before Christmas 2012, maybe this year the studio will also green-light production on Zoolander 2. ”