This is my list of the best action movies to keep your eyes peeled for.
1) Sept 16 2011
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| Drive |
First on our list is Drive. While director Nicolas Winding Refn's last film, Valhalla Rising, was slow and at parts too heavy for it's own good, seeing him paired with Ryan Gosling for an action flick makes for interesting chemistry. Combine the moody direction of Refn with a fast paced story and we might end up with a decent flick that hopefully has at least a little more dialogue than Valhalla.
2) Sept 23 2011
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| Abduction |
I know, I know. Taylor Lautner's name scares away any guy that's heard of Twilight and thinks that the Actors in the series spread gay like it's a disease. Well put away your homophobic reactions for a second and think about this: Lautner probably doesn't want to be seen as a furry douchebag forever, his costar isn't bad on the eyes, AND the director of Abduction is the guy who did Four Brothers. And it looks like he got a budget this time.
3) Sept 23 2011
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| Machine Gun Preacher |
If the title itself hasn't roused your attention, try this: "Machine Gun Preacher: Starring Gerard Butler". Now I know I at least have the ladies' attention. Butler is personally my favourite action hero as of late. I absolutely loved Gamer and 300. I'll watch pretty much any flick with Butler's name on it. (Even Timeline... though I wouldn't recommend that one.) But if you think I'm being too biased, consider that the director is the guy who brought you Quantum of Solace, and is currently filming World War Z, but more on that later.
4) Sept 23 2011
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| Killer Elite |
I'm just going to throw out a few words and you tell me what you picture; Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, elite assassins.
If you pictured anything but explosions, blood, and electrifying action you can GTFO. The story doesn't really matter on this one, but you can expect lots of chase scenes and hand to hand combat lined up with solid acting.
5) Oct 7 2011
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| Real Steel |
So the concept seems a bit gimmicky, and yes director Shawn Levy looks to have no business heading an action flick, (his wrap sheet consists of Night At The Museum, Pink Panther, and the recent Date Night) but it's fighting robots and Hugh Jackman. Plus it's the kind of movie you could see with your dad. If your dad is too lame for the other, way cooler movies on this list.
6) Oct 21 2011
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| The Three Musketeers |
Another more family oriented film, Musketeers will be interesting. Though I hate Orlando Bloom, other members of the cast (Milla Jovovich and Christoph Waltz) and the director of AVP and Death Race make for a promising collection of talent / action knowledge. Not to mention the set design and costumes are sure to be brilliant.
7) Oct 28 2011
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| In Time |
Not so much action as it is a crime-thriller, In Time is one of the movies on this list that really peaks my interest. Writer/director Andrew Niccol got my attention with Lord of War, and I really want to see how the ever rising stars Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy do in a world where people stop aging at 25.
8) Nov 11 2011
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| Immortals |
A greek warrior battling against imprisoned titans. What God of War fan doesn't want to see that? How bout if it's presented by the producers of 300? I personally love anything to do with ancient greece. The story of the Zeus-blessed mortal, Theseus, in an epic high budget film is like a box office wet dream.
9) Dec 16 2011
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| Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows |
I loved the balance of wit and action in the first Sherlock Holmes, and I'm sure Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will deliver the same crowd winning performances the second time around.
10) Dec 23 2011
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| Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol |
Yes they're milking the series for all it's worth, but the movies have never disappointed in the action department and the presence of Jeremy Renner is always welcome.
11) Dec 23 2011
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| The Darkest Hour |
Another theme that's been worked to the bone is the alien invasion story. But this time around we've got a group of young adults in Russia, (awesome) who are trying to survive the aftermath of an attack.
12) Jan 20 2012
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| Underworld: Awakening |
A prequel that takes place before Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, but after Rise of the Lycans? Whatever, I just want to see Kate Beckinsale kick some ass. We can only hope the series doesn't kamikaze itself like Resident Evil: Afterlife. (Which is also trying it's hand in the taboo art of prequels with Resident Evil: Retribution.)
13) Mar 2 2012
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| Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters Fan-made poster |
One part action, one part horror, and two parts comedy, this twist on the childhood story sounds worth a watch. It's 15 years after the gingerbread house and siblings Hansel and Gretel have turned to hunting witches. The duo of action-man Jeremy Renner and Prince of Persia beauty, Gemma Arterton boost this film on the intrigue scale. The only thing I'm disappointed in is the immediate denial of romance between the two stars. You know, because of the whole incest thing. Oh and director Tommy Witkola will bring his fanbase from zombie cult hit: Dead Snow.
14) Mar 23 2012
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| The Hunger Games |
Even if you haven't read the books you're sure to have heard of them. And if you've been living under a rock for the last five years, all you need to know is that teenagers fight to the death. Jennifer Lawrence stars (recently seen as Mystique in X Men: Origins) alongside Josh Hutcherson (Bridge to Teribithia) who I'm hoping can successfully break out of his child roles and into a more adult career.
And if you don't feel like waiting to watch a competition bloodbath, take a look at Battle Royale.
15) June 1 2012
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| Snow White and The Huntsman |
I couldn't pick my favourite character banner, so here's the three I really like. The actual Huntsman's banner is a bit drab.
In another twist on a classic fairy tale (they won't stop until all our childhood stories have been raped) we see Chris Hemsworth of Thor as the Huntsman, who's protecting Snow White. She's played by Kristen Stewart who is, like Lautner, trying to break away from Twilight. Here's hoping she can play a female who might not be a total pussy. But don't worry, she's not straying so far that she doesn't need protection from a strong man. Oh and the fact that Academy Award Winning actress Charlize Theron is playing the Evil Queen is a big point for the good side of the film.
16) June 22 2012
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| Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter |
This movie makes the list because of Night Watch and Wanted director, Timur Bekmambetov and because of the successful reputation of writer Seth Grahame-Smith. In this story Lincoln's mother is killed by a vampire, and so he takes to hunting all vampires and they're associates. I'm not exactly against all these twists on historical fiction, but I always approach them with a handful of salt. They could so easily turn from twisted gem to over-forced flop.
17) Dec 21 2012
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| World War Z |
Marc Forster, the guy who's also bringing us Maching Gun Preacher is lucky to be taking Max Brooks' novel to the big screen. Not only will he have the books' fanbase, but zombie lovers are going to flock left right and center to see this unique story. It's about a U.N. representative interviewing survivors of World War Z. Sure to be chalk full of bloody zombies and gory flashbacks, I hold high hopes for this one. Did I forget to mention they nabbed Brad Pitt for the lead?
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