June Preview

June Preview

It's the first of the month which means it's time for our look ahead to the biggest movies hitting our cinema screens this month. From the story of the Fresh Prince and his son on a desolate planet, the 624th attempt at a Superman reboot and Brad Pitt's apocalyptic zombie thriller, June has plenty for us to get excited about. Let's go!

After Earth

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Cast: Will Smith, Jaden Smith

Release Date: June 7th

The pitch: Kitai (Jaden) and his father Cypher (suitably, Will) are stranded on a long-abandoned wasteland of a planet when their ship crash lands. As usual with M. Night Shyamalan, there's a twist - the planet is Earth, now home to savage creatures and terrain that has evolved to kill all humans.

Why you should see it: Think I Am Legend, except instead of a dog, Will Smith has a son. Also, this could finally be the turnaround that king-of-twists director M. Night Shyamalan needs after his horrific take on The Last Airbender.

Man Of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe

Release Date: June 14th

The pitch: Based on the Superman legend from DC comics, Man Of Steel tells the story of Clark Kent, a God-like man transported to Earth after the destruction of his home planet Krypton. Raised by his adoptive parents, Clark feels alienated due to his strange superpowers and struggles to find his place. But when the world is attacked by General Zod, he rises to the challenge.

Why you should see it: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the expectations of every fanboy in the world! Just as Marvel's Iron Man paved the way for an interconnected Avengers cinematic universe, Man Of Steel could be about to do the same for DC leading to a Justice League movie. Plus with 300's Zack Snyder on direction duties with The Dark Knight Trilogy's Christopher Nolan producing, we can expect a very emotionally complex journey mixed with some stunning cinematography. 

World War Z

Director: Marc Forster

Cast: Brad Pitt, James Badge Dale, Mireille Enos, Matthew Fox

Release Date: June 21st

The pitch: Brad Pitt stars as a scientist who, while on holiday with his family, is recruited by the military to fight off a terrifying zombie pandemic destroying the planet.

Why you should see it: Partially filmed in Glasgow, World War Z promises to be an action packed spectacle despite its troubled production behind the scenes. World War Z also boasts its star Brad Pitt on production duties and Star Trek Into Darkness' Damen Lindelof writing much of the screenplay. Fans of zombie movies won't be disappointed either, as this contains the largest number of infected ever seen on screen simultaneously.

Despicable Me 2

Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Cast: Steve Carrell, Al Pacino, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand

Release Date: June 28th

The pitch: Evil yet loveable super-villain Gru is back as he is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help battle a powerful new evil stealing his minions.

Why you should see it: Despicable Me was a surprisingly hilarious hit for Dreamworks, with Steve Carrell and Jason Segel lighting up the screen with their comedic voice-over talents. For the sequel, Al Pacino and Kristen Wiig are on board promising to make this even more funny and entertaining than round one.

This Is The End

Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

Cast: EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN FAMOUS EVER.

Release Date: June 28th

The pitch: In a clever twist on apocalypse movies, This Is The End sees a wealth of Hollywood heavyweights playing slightly more outrageous versions of themselves. When Seth Rogen invites all of his movie buddies to James Franco's LA pad for a wild party, they soon find themselves facing the apocalypse with little to defend themselves with. There's also Emma Watson wielding an axe.

Why you should see it: From the trailer alone, it's clear to see that this will be one of the funniest and original comedies of the year. From Michael Cera hitting on Rihanna to Craig Robinson taunting Seth Rogen's career, This Is The End has plenty of side-splitting situations to look forward to. Again, there's Emma Watson wielding an axe.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope over the rest of the month for reviews of all of these films.

April Preview

April Preview

As the nights (supposedly) get warmer and Spring hots up, so does the cinema. The white house under siege,   an apocalyptic sci-fi and the return of the world's coolest superhero - these are April's biggest movies in a nutshell.

Dark Skies

Director: Scott Stewart

Cast: Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, J.K Simmons

Release Date: April 3rd

The pitch: A middle-class American family are terrorized by demonic aliens obsessed with abducting their youngest child. 

Why you should see it: From the producers of Insidious and Sinister, Dark Skies looks to be the bog-standard creepy film of the month for those who like their paranormal horrors. Now with added birds.

Spring Breakers

Director: Harmony Korine

Cast: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, James Franco

Release Date: April 5th

The pitch: Four teenage girls take a wild holiday (spring break y'all!), but when their funds run dry they attempt to rob a fast food store. When the plan goes awry, they are bailed out of custody by a mysterious gangster known as "Alien," but when things become a little too sinister for their liking they have to decide how far they want to go to have a good time.

Why you should see it: Perhaps not for fans of the High School Musical movies, Spring Breakers completes "good girl" Vanessa Hudgens' and popstar Selena Gomez's progression to adulthood. It's nothing to do with the bikinis. Honestly. 

Oblivion

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Tom Cruise, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Costar-Waldau, Morgan Freeman

Release Date: April 12th

The pitch: In a movie that is totally absolutely definitely not a live-action version of Wall-E, Tom Cruise stars as Jack Harper, the last man on Earth. He works as a drone repairman, ensuring that the killing machines remain intact so that they may destroy the alien race who annihilated most of the planet. Yet when he rescues a human from a crashed spaceship, his beliefs are shaken to the core.

Why you should see it: Possibly the most visually stunning movie of the year, Oblivion is the creation of acclaimed Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski who has reportedly been working on this movie for over ten years. Quality not quantity.

The Place Beyond The Pines

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne

Release Date: April 12th

The pitch: Motorcycle stunt rider Luke turns to a life of crime in order to support his pregnant ex-girlfriend Romina. He therefore inevitably crosses paths with Avery, a well meaning police officer struggling to support a family of his own while trying to find meaning in a world of corruption and selfishness. 

Why you should see it: Ryan Gosling reunites with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance to create one of the Toronto International Film Festival's biggest movies.

Olympus Has Fallen

Director: Antoine Fugua

Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Rick Yune, Morgan Freeman

Release Date: April 17th

The pitch: When North Korean forces led by a vicious sociopath attack the White House, an ex-secret service agent and a handful of his former colleagues fight back to save the President and the entire United States.

Why you should see it: Gerard Butler fights back against his "rom-com" typecasting by adding another action epic to his career. As one of two movies this year depicting the destruction of the White House (the other being White House Down starring Channing Tatum), Olympus Has Fallen looks to be the best Die Hard movie that Bruce Willis never made.

Iron Man 3

Director: Shane Black

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley

Release Date: April 26th

The pitch: Marvel's Phase Two kicks off with Tony Stark (a.k.a Iron Man) on a personal mission of revenge when his home is destroyed by a deadly terrorist known as The Mandarin. With a revolutionary scientist also on his tail, Tony finds his genius and his heroics truly put to the test. 

Why you should see it: This is the start of the second batch of movies leading up to The Avengers 2. And with Tony deploying new technology to control multiple Iron Man suits with his mind at once, this could be the most action packed superhero movie yet. The Stark Knight Rises.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope throughout the month for reviews of all of these films.

The Avengers - Phase Two

The Avengers - Phase Two

Marvel had a lot of fans drooling this week as they released the latest (and probably final) trailer for Iron Man 3 which hits our screens on April 25th. So, it's about time we paused for a moment and had a look at the bigger picture of Marvel Studios' massive schedule for all of our avenging superheroes. Here's what's happening so far in "Phase Two":

Iron Man 3

Director: Shane Black

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley

Release Date: April 25th 2013

The pitch: A year after Manhattan was almost annihilated in The Avengers, Tony Stark sets out on a fierce quest for revenge when his personal world is destroyed at the hands of a terrorist calling himself "The Mandarin". Meanwhile, scientists are perfecting a nanotechnology called "Extremis", a project which can turn humans into genocidal killing machines. 

Behind the scenes: Iron Man 3 is the third theatrical Iron Man movie, however (including The Avengers) it is actually the fourth to feature Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and his metal alter-ego. Downey's contract with Marvel is up after this outing - but nobody else could ever play Tony Stark, surely?

The bigger picture: Iron Man 3 takes place a year after the events of The Avengers and Tony is now alone again. However, rumours have circulated that the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy could make an appearance in the end credits potentially setting up The Avengers 2, while shots of the "Hulkbuster" armour in the latest trailer suggest that Tony has taken some inspiration from his new friends.

Thor: The Dark World

Director: Alan Taylor
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston
Release Date: November 18th 2013

The pitch: Having successfully assisted his Avenger buddies on Earth, Thor has now transported his evil half-brother Loki back to Asgard. But when a powerful new nemesis in the form of Malekith the Accursed attacks the God of Thunder's home, Thor must venture into the darkest parts of the nine realms in order to seek revenge. The only person who has access to these places, however, is none other than Loki - to save Asgard, Earth and all the nine realms, the siblings-at-war must work together.

Behind the scenes: Alan Taylor (director of HBO's Game of Thrones) takes over Kenneth Branagh to helm Thor: The Dark World, giving this sequel what Chris Hemsworth describes as a "very kingly, medieval tone." Almost all of the cast from the original are reprising their roles, with Christopher Eccleston and Zachary Levi notable additions.

The bigger picture: Without the events of the original Thor movie, The Avengers would never have happened. Now, as we depart Earth and return to the kingly realm of Asgard, we're back in outer space in the most original and cosmic Marvel movie yet. However, with Guardians of the Galaxy set to be released in 2014, Thor: The Dark World could prove to be a successful stepping stone into the deeper space of Marvel's universe.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo

Cast: Chris Evans, Emily VanCamp, Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson

Release Date: April 4th 2014

The pitch: Steve Rogers (or Captain America) remains the only Avenger to willingly continue his affiliation with S.H.I.E.L.D, the public defence organisation spearheaded by Nick Fury. Still attempting to adjust to life in the modern world, Steve is haunted by ghosts of his past life as a World War Two soldier but when he is reunited with a friend he thought long dead, those ghosts become real threats to both himself and the security of America.

Behind the scenes: Emily VanCamp (star of TV show Revenge) will play the female lead Sharon Carter, the grand-daughter of Steve's love interest Peggy Carter from the first film. Also, Anthony Mackie will play "Falcon", a superhero who fights alongside Captain America with the ability to fly.

The bigger picture: With appearances from Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be the Phase 2 movie with the most tie-ins to The Avengers. 

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Director: James Gunn

Cast: Chris Pratt - others currently TBC.

Release Date: August 1st 2014

The pitch: The Guardians of the Galaxy are a group of galactic freedom fighters whose mission in outer space is to (as you would assume) defend the universe from evil. When US pilot Peter Quill accidentally ends up in space, he finds himself caught up in the midst of an age old intergalactic conflict where he then goes on the run with The Guardians, thus accepting his destiny as Star Lord.

Behind the scenes: Since the announcement of a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, speculation has been wild regarding who will bag the lead role of Star Lord. From Dark Knight Rises star Joseph Gordon-Levitt to the likes of Lee Pace, Joel Edgerton and even Simon Pegg, tons of big name leads were touted for the job - but the pivotal role eventually went to none other than up and coming Parks And Recreation actor Chris Pratt.

The bigger picture: In the end credits of The Avengers, comic-book bad guy Thanos can be glimpsed, and it has thus far been confirmed that the Titan warrior will be the central antagonist in the Guardians movie. Given that Guardians will be the last movie in Marvel's Phase Two, there's a good chance that this will lead straight into The Avengers 2 with Thanos as the main villain - and the possibility of the Guardians of the Galaxy teaming up with the likes of Iron Man and Captain America to bring him down.

Marvel's Phase Two begins with Iron Man 3 on April 25th - check back to Movies Under The Microscope then for a full review. In the meantime, stay chilled!

March Preview

March Preview

A return to the land of Oz, a tale of corruption in a "Broken City" and the return of Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell - here's a detailed run down of some of the biggest movies coming out this March.

Broken City

Director: Allen Hughes

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Release Date: March 1st

The pitch: A shamed ex-cop turned private eye (Wahlberg) becomes embroiled in a world of trouble after the city's mayor (Crowe) hires him to spy on his cheating wife (Zeta-Jones).

Why you should see it: The excellent Wahlberg and Crowe face off in the ultimate battle of wits in a city becoming more corrupt by the day, and with Saturday Night Live's Brian Tucker on scriptwriting duty, expect a sharp war of words aided by brilliant performances.

Stoker

Director: Park Chan-Wook

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Jacki Weaver, Matthew Goode, Mia Wasikowska

Release Date: March 1st

The pitch: The year's most disturbing psychological thriller sees India Stoker (Wasikowska) left fatherless when he is killed in a car accident. Forced to put her faith in her mother (Kidman), India is initially weirded out by the arrival of her uncle Charlie (Goode), however disturbance soon turns into fascination and dangerous obsession in this creepy drama.

Why you should see it: Stoker is an unsettling psychological study of a family under pressure, and a stellar cast along with a haunting screenplay by Wentworth Miller (star of Prison Break) should ensure that no creepy possibility is left unturned.

Oz: The Great And Powerful

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: James Franco, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff

Release Date: March 8th

The pitch: This prequel to the Wizard Of Oz tells the story of small-time circus magician Oscar Diggs (Franco), his arrival in the mystical land of Oz and his quest to convince three witches (Weisz, Kunis and Williams) that he could in fact be the saviour of their world.

Why you should see it: Director Sam Raimi brings the land of Oz to vibrant life, and an all-star cast (which sadly does not include Robert Downey Jr. as planned) should ensure that fans both old and new to the story of the wicked witch of the East will be entertained.

Maniac 

Director: Franck Khalfoun

Cast: Elijah Wood, America Olivo

Release Date: March 15th

The pitch: Elijah Wood stars as a shy mannequin store owner who moonlights as a serial killer with a deranged obsession for scalps. When he meets a young artist, a psychologically complex tale of murder and gore ensues.

Why you should see it: You probably shouldn't if you're squeamish, as Maniac is shot almost entirely in first person POV meaning that we see every horrific kill that our "protagonist" commits in gory detail.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Director: Don Scardino

Cast: Steve Carrell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey

Release Date: March 15th

The pitch: Burt Wonderstone (Carrell) is not in the least incredible anymore - in fact, the magician is a has-been, shoved off the stage by a lack of credibility and competition in the shape of Steve Gray (Carrey). He's going to need to pull something much more exciting than a rabbit out of the hat to stay in business.

Why you should see it: The inspired rivalry of Steve Carrell versus Jim Carrey will surely have conjured up some fantastic improvised one-liners, along with solid support from Boardwalk Empire's Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde and Alan Arkin.

Jack The Giant Slayer

Director: Bryan Singer

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Warwick Davis

Release Date: March 22nd

The pitch: Adapted from the classic Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale, Jack The Giant Slayer takes the story to an epic scale. Nicholas Hoult stars as the titular Jack, a common boy who volunteers to join the knights of the kingdom to save the princess from the giants who have stolen her. 

Why you should see it: This is probably more for kids, but British ex-Skins star Nicholas Hoult is proving to be quite the talent, with turns in the likes of X-Men: First Class and Warm Bodies proving that he's got some mad skills, it'll be fun to see him take the lead in his own action adventure. X-Men's Bryan Singer directs, while Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci make up some of the all-star supporting cast.

GI Joe: Retaliation

Director: Jon Chu

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki, Channing Tatum

Release Date: March 27th

The pitch: The world leaders are under the influence of a new power - Zartan, an extraterrestrial creature who has taken over the President's body. Convincing the military that each and every "G.I Joe" is a traitor, the President orders their destruction. With their numbers dwindled severely, the Joes hatch a plan with original GI Joe General Joseph Colton (Willis) to overthrow the deadly powers threatening the world.

Why you should see it: Okay, so the first one was a complete shambles but with the writers of Zombieland on screenplay duty and the likes of Bruce Willis and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson beefing up the cast, GI Joe Retaliation is a contender for one of the most action packed, explosive movies of the year.

Trance

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, Rosario Dawson

Release Date: March 27th

The pitch: After an art-heist goes awry, a criminal gang goes to unusual lengths to discover the whereabouts of a lost painting - lengths that involve hiring a hypnotist to delve into the mind of the only person who truly knows where it is. 

Why you should see it: It's a Danny Boyle movie - so you can expect your mind to be blown by some fantastic ideas. Fans of Inception are sure to like the mind-intrusion aspects of the narrative, while a central performance from James McAvoy of Wanted fame will keep us tied into the complex, thrilling story.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope over the rest of the month for reviews of all of these films as they are released. Stay chilled!

5 Things To Know About Wreck-It Ralph

5 Things To Know About Wreck-It Ralph

Planning on taking a trip to see Wreck-It Ralph after its release this Friday but have no idea what it's about? Fear not, bluffer. Here are 5 things you should know before visiting Ralph's arcade...

1 - The Plot

Ralph is a wrecker by both name and nature. As the antagonist in a retro arcade game called "Fix It, Felix!" in which the gamer's main goal is to fix the structures that Ralph destroys by controlling the heroic builder named Felix, Ralph has felt unloved, unappreciated and unwanted within his own game. When he finds another way to achieve a "hero" medal, he travels through the different games in the arcade, inadvertently releasing a cyber bug that could infect and destroy all of the other games within the system. With the lives (or respawns) of all his fellow game characters threatened, Ralph decides to become the hero he always wanted to be and take on the conspirators behind the bug.

2 - The Production

The concept of Wreck-It Ralph was actually initiated in the late 1980's under the working title "High Score". Originally thought of as a hand-drawn animation (in the same category as the likes of The Fox and the Hound and 101 Dalmations etc), the film was then renamed Joe Jump in the early 90's, before Disney decided to focus on other projects. Put on the back burner for over 10 years, the movie finally underwent rewrites in the late noughties under the name "Reboot Ralph" and it was not until early 2012 that Disney finally settled upon "Wreck-It Ralph." Initially planned for a March 22nd, 2013 release in America, the movie was brought forward to November 2, 2012 (February 8th, 2013 in the UK) as it was ahead of schedule. 

3 - The Cast

Leading the fantastic cast is Step Brothers star John C. Reilly. When taking on the role of Ralph, Reilly said "I don't really have to change my voice a lot for this movie. Even though he's considered a bad guy, Ralph is still an honest guy. So they just wanted me to be really honest. I did enjoy watching some of the other guys having to change their voices though."

One of these voice changers is American comedian Sarah Silverman who plays Vanellope von Schweetz, one of the racers in a Mario Kart meets Barbie World style racing game called Sugar Rush. Also joining the movie is 30 Rock's Jack McBrayer as Felix, as well as Glee's Jane Lynch playing Sergeant Calhoun, the main protagonist of the Halo-esque shoot-em-up Hero's Duty.

4 - The Cameos

In addition to its main characters, Wreck-It Ralph also features a wealth of cameos from video game stars past and present. From Sonic the Hedgehog to the Pac-Man inks, Lara Croft to Super Mario and Zombie from House of the Dead, the movie is sprinkled with references and appearances from the game characters we know and love. Look out for the blink-and-you'll-miss-it nods to hundreds of games, as Wreck-It Ralph should prove to be the ultimate gamers movie.

5 - The Critics

Since its American release, Wreck-It Ralph has had an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the general consensus stating: "Equally entertaining for both kids and parents old enough to catch the references, Wreck-It Ralph is a clever, colourful adventure built on familiar themes and joyful nostalgia."

Sounds good then, right? According to most, yes. The New York Times call it "a 93 minute blast of noise, fun, colour and ingenuity," while TotalFilm have cited it as "a Disney flick which feels like on-form Pixar. You'll want another go." Conversely, however, The Atlantic have called it "overplotted and underdeveloped, leaving it feeling like a franchise money maker with the promise of an inevitable sequel." Still, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Wreck-It Ralph is released this Friday (February 8th) and you can catch a review of it right here at Movies Under The Microscope.

Also on the way this week are reviews of Sylvester Stallone's new movie Bullet To The Head, as well as Lincoln and Flight. In the meantime, you can check out the review of Arnie's new flick The Last Stand by clicking right here, and you can take your pick of recent articles and reviews by using the sidebar on the right.

February Preview

February Preview

The return of two action legends, the ultimate videogame movie and an Apatow spin-off - just some of the reasons to take a trip to the cinema this February. Here's a peek at the best movies hitting the silver screen in month number two.

Bullet To The Head

Director: Walter Hill

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa, Christian Slater, Sung Kang

Release Date: February 1st

The pitch: Taking centre stage once again, Sylvester Stallone returns to kick ass in this year's first shoot-em-up action flick. He plays Jimmy Bobo, a hitman whose partner is violently murdered. Teaming up with a by-the-books detective whose story reflects Bobo's, the comically mismatched duo embark on a mission of vengeance against their common enemy. 

Why you should see it: The premise shines with the spirit all the best 80's and 90's action flicks possessed, ala Lethal Weapon. This is also Stallone's solo comeback and, after the success of his Expendables franchise, the evidence is clear that Sly is still well and truly at the top of his game. 

Flight

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Kelly Reilly

Release Date: February 1st

The pitch: Denzel Washington plays captain William "Whip" Whitaker, a substance abusing airline pilot whose routine flight from Orlando to Atlanta undergoes severe turbulence - so much so that he loses control of the plane. Stuck in a dive towards an area of houses, Whip manages to miraculously land the plane relatively safely, to the disbelief of all of his peers and superiors. When he awakes in hospital however, it is revealed that he had alcohol and cocaine in his system during the flight meaning that, despite displaying an extraordinary capability for handling such a paramount emergency, Whip has broken the law tremendously.

Why you should see it: Washington is on top form and the moral dilemma in the story should keep audiences hooked right from the thrilling aircraft landing all the way to the nail-biting courtroom finale.

Warm Bodies

Director: Jonathan Levine

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Dave Franco

Release Date: February 8th

The pitch: After one of those casual zombie apocalypses, "R" wanders around an America filled with abandoned cars, broken buildings and his fellow undead. He craves living flesh, claiming he "gets high" from the memories of the living, so when Julie Grilgo and her boyfriend stumble onto his path, he eats the latter's brain and is suddenly overcome with love for her. The problem is of course, he can't talk save for generic moans and grunts - plus his undead friends may not be so keen to preserve her life.

Why you should see it: If, unlike me and the rest of the sane world, you have been missing some Twilight-esque romantic fiction in your life Warm Bodies will certainly be for you. If, however, you have taste, Warm Bodies may not be for you. Still, fans of zombie movies may enjoy a different take on the genre and the Romeo and Juliet-inspired love story will most likely have female teenage audiences queueing like a horde of the undead.

Wreck-It Ralph

Director: Rich Moore

Cast: John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman

Release Date: February 8th

The pitch: Hyped as the best videogame movie of all time, Wreck-It Ralph follows the story of Ralph, a "bad guy" inside a retro arcade game known as Fix It, Felix. Fed up with constantly feeling unpopular, unloved and unappreciated, Ralph decides he wants a shot at being the hero for a change. Abandoning his game and leaving his former game-mates in fear of being "unplugged", Ralph crosses over into other games such as the Halo-esque "Hero's Duty" and the Mario Kart inspired "Sugar Rush". However, his game hopping uncovers a dark secret hidden away inside the arcade - one which threatens the existence of every hero and villain in the games.

Why you should see it: Have you ever played any videogame? Ever? That's why. Aside from Ralph and his game-mates, there are retro cameos aplenty from the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Bowser from Super Mario Bros, Q*Bert, M-Bison from the Street Fighter series, the Pac-Man ghosts and even Frogger from, er, Frogger. With subtle nods to countless more franchises hidden here there and everywhere, this is the ultimate gamers' movie given a boost by an extremely talented cast.

A Good Day To Die Hard

Director: John Moore

Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Cole Hauser

Release Date: February 14th

The pitch: John McClane hasn't settled down quite yet. Travelling to Russia in order to save his son from arrest, John soon finds that Jack's proposed jail-time is just one small factor in a sinister plan to threaten the freedom of the western world. Caught up in a terrorist plot, McClane and son take on the terrorists together. Yippee Ki-Yay.

Why you should see it: Despite reaching his golden years, Bruce Willis has shown that he's still got a hell of a way to go yet. Now with the addition of his son, Jack McClane, the Die Hard franchise may be about to head in an exciting new direction with a younger protagonist. You don't want to miss that. Oh, and there are guns. Lots of guns, shooting, action and general manly stuff - and on valentine's day too! The perfect date.

This Is 40

Director: Judd Apatow

Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Megan Fox

Release Date: February 14th

The pitch: Knocked Up side-characters Debbie and Pete get their time in the spotlight with their own spin-off This Is 40. Covering themes such as long-term relationships, mid-life crises, bringing up kids and obsessions with iPads, Apatow's latest looks to be a sweetly amusing (yet unashamedly gross) look at married life and the trials it comes with.

Why you should see it: Apatow is very hit and miss (see: Funny People compared to Bridesmaids) but with a great cast (cameos from Knocked Up alums Jason Segel and Jonah Hill as well as appearances by John Lithgow and Chris O'Dowd) he looks to be on top form with This Is 40. 

Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Thomas Mann

Release Date: February 22nd

The pitch: It sounds goofy and in most ways it is. After their horrific candy-house ordeal as kids, Hansel and Gretel of fairytale fame have grown up and become masters of witch-slaying badassery. Vowing to hunt down and kill the leader of a clan of witches, the sibling duo find themselves on a mission to reclaim several lost children. Cue lots of blood, gore and f-bombs.

Why you should see it: Van Helsing meets Django Unchained with a huge splattering of black comedy to mix things up. With Anchorman's Adam Mckay and (bizarrely) Will Ferrell on producing duties, as well as a decent fronting cast, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters may be the most senselessly fun movie of the year so far.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope over the next month for reviews of all of these films.

13 For '13

13 For '13

Well, 2012 was pretty enjoyable wasn't it? From mega sci-fi blockbusters like The Avengers and Prometheus, anniversary spectacles in the form of Skyfall and a certain fantasy adventure by the name of The Hobbit, the year of the apocalypse didn't fail to impress.

Now, however, it's time to (quoting Slade here) "look to the future". Here are 13 of the biggest movies hitting your screens in 2013 - a year that has a lot to live up to.

January

Gangster Squad

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Sean Penn

Release Date: January 11th

The pitch: Expect a severe vibe of vigilante classic The Untouchables mixed with Sin City as Gangster Squad bursts its way violently on to the big screen. Determined to take down notorious villain (and real-life mobster) Mickey Cohen (Penn), various officers and detectives of the Los Angeles police force become the "Gangster Squad". To protect the law, they'll simply have to break it. Gosling and Brolin lead the action with gusto, while Emma Stone is the femme with the fatale.

Also in January: Les Miserables (11th), Django Unchained (18th), Lincoln (25th)

February

This Is 40

Director: Judd Apatow

Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Megan Fox, Chris O'Dowd

Release Date: February 14th

The pitch: Remember Debbie and Pete, the ridiculously argumentative and typical couple from Knocked Up? Well, they've been given their own spin-off. After casting his gaze over topics such as unexpected pregnancy, cavemen and terminally ill stand-up comics, Judd Apatow is tackling the simple yet complex tale of marriage. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles as the bickering couple, while cameos from Knocked Up stars Jason Segel and Jonah Hill should ensure a barrel of laughs - if you can stand Leslie Mann's hysterical voice, that is...

 Also in February: Wreck-It Ralph (8th), A Good Day To Die Hard (14th), Cloud Atlas (22nd)

March

Oz The Great And Powerful

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff

Release Date: March 8th

The pitch: Ever wondered what happened before The Wizard Of Oz? Wonder no more, as original Spiderman trilogy director Sam Raimi brings to life a tale exploring the origins of the magical world. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician with big dreams. When he is inadvertently whisked away to the vibrant world of Oz, he finds an opportunity to not only redeem his questionable morals but to save Oz and its inhabitants from the evil forces within.

Also in March: Welcome To The Punch (15th), Jack The Giant Slayer (22nd), GI Joe: Retaliation (27th)

April

Iron Man 3

Director: Shane Black

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley

Release Date: April 26th

The pitch: Phase One of Marvel's cinematic initiative culminated in The Avengers last April, and Iron Man 3 kicks off Phase Two with a bang. With his personal and professional life under threat, Tony Stark finds himself back to square one. Backed up against the wall with no help from The Avengers gang available to him, how will Tony cope against the evil Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) alone? All the while he must finally answer the question which has haunted him for years - does the man make the suit, or does the suit make the man?

Also in April: Carrie (5th), Oblivion (12th), The Place Beyond The Pines (12th)

May

The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast: Leonardi DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton

Release Date: May 10th

The pitch: A must see for anyone suffering permanent states of confusion due to numerous Gatsby essays at school, this particular adaptation of the classic American novel sees Leonardi DiCaprio playing the titular role of Jay Gatsby. A mysterious man whose life is shrouded in secrecy, his acquaintance is made with a new neighbour Nick Carraway (Maguire), a World War I veteran who becomes increasingly intrigued by the life of the wealthy man next door. It becomes clear that Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope that one Daisy Buchanan will attend - a beautiful woman who may hold the truth behind Gatsby. 

Also in May: Star Trek: Into Darkness (17th), Epic (24th), The Hangover: Part III (24th)

June

Man Of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon

Release Date: June 14th

The pitch: Produced by Christopher Nolan, this is DC's attempt to bring some credibility back to the Superman character with a 'dark re-imagining' of his origin story. The plot? Well, it's pretty much what you'd expect. Twenty-something journalist Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world due to his extraordinary extraterrestrial powers. Transported to Earth as a baby while his home planet Krypton was destroyed, Clark grew up on a farm under his adoptive parents. However, when Earth is threatened by alien villains, Clark will have to accept his destiny as Superman and show the world who he really is.

Also in June: R.I.P.D (21st), World War Z (21st), End Of The World (28th)

July

Monsters University

Director: Dan Scanlon

Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly

Release Date: July 12th

The pitch: Definitely absolutely positively not evidence that Pixar are running out of ideas, Monsters University takes us back in time to when the Mike Wazowski and Sully, the stars of Monsters Inc, were students learning the tricks of the scaring trade. Initially enemies, Mike and Sully attend the same college, however the movie will explore the circumstances regarding the forming of their friendship.

Also in July: Pacific Rim (12th), Kick-Ass 2 (19th), The Wolverine (25th)

August

The World's End

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan

Release Date: August 14th

The pitch: The final movie in the "Cornetto Trilogy" (which has so far consisted of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), The World's End sees five friends reunite after twenty years to take on a legendary pub crawl. However, it soon becomes clear that reaching the 'World's End' pub may be the least of their worries as the apocalypse looms. Expect typically excellent humour and boomerang scriptwriting once again mixed with a hilarious British cast.

Also in August: The Lone Ranger (9th), The Alan Partridge Movie (16th), Insidious Chapter 2 (30th)

September

Elysium

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Faran Tahir, Carly Pope

Release Date: September 20th

The pitch: One for fans of the Gears of War video-game series, Elysium sees Matt Damon star as Max, an ex-con tackling a perilous mission on the scorched surface of a future Earth. The wealthy live on habitable space-crafts above the planet - the poor live on the Earth, stranded, desperate and alone. If Max succeeds in his mysterious mission, he could guarantee more equality amongst the survivors of the future, as well as his own freedom.

Also in September: Riddick (6th), Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones 3D (20th), Rush (20th)

October

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith 3D

Director: George Lucas

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee

Release Date: October 25th

The pitch: A re-release of the Star Wars saga's final live action cinematic outing - this time in 3D. As if you don't know, Revenge Of The Sith follows Anakin Skywalker's descent into the dark side, accepting his destiny as Darth Vader.

Also in October: The Delivery Man (4th), Oldboy (11th), Paranormal Activity 5 (25th)

November

Thor: The Dark World

Director: Alan Taylor

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston

Release Date: November 8th

The pitch: Marvel's Phase Two continues with the further adventures of Thor, the God of Thunder. Fresh from defeating his half-brother Loki in The Avengers, Thor (Hemsworth) has travelled back to his home planet of Asgard. However, he must battle to save the Nine Realms (including Earth) as a mysterious foe emerges from the mythic shadows. Confronted by an enemy that even his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) cannot face, Thor must reunite with Jane Foster (Portman) to find a way to defeat Malekith the Accursed. Alan Taylor of Game Of Thrones fame directs an all star cast in his big screen debut, so expect a mighty royal affair.

Also in November: Ender's Game (1st), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (22nd), Frozen (27th)

December

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Will Ferrel, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrel, Vince Vaughn

Release Date: 20th December

The pitch: Little details have been released regarding the plot for Anchorman 2, the sequel to arguably the most hilarious comedy of the last ten years. Various rumours have surfaced, such as a custody battle between Ron and Veronica, a girlfriend for Brick, "racism being the new sexism" and, most bizarrely, Ron deciding to shave his moustache. One thing's for sure though - with all the original cast and writers on board, Anchorman 2 will definitely be the funniest movie of the year.

Also in December: Monuments Man (18th), Jack Ryan (26th), The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (26th)

Movie Of The Year

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian Mckellen, Benedict Cumberbatch

Release Date: 13th December

The pitch: Bilbo's unexpected journey continues in part two of Peter Jackson's epic adventure through Middle-Earth. Whereas part one took a while to get going, The Desolation Of Smaug will take us straight into the action as Bilbo and the dwarves tackle wood-elves, giant spiders and of course the dragon himself Smaug the Terrible. Meanwhile, the White Council, led by Gandalf the Grey, launches its attack on Dol Guldur, a decrepit fortress where an ancient evil hides in the shadows waiting for its chance to seize Middle Earth - an evil which may prove to be very familiar. The sequel to one of the most highly acclaimed movies of 2012, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the one to look forward to in 2013. 

You can catch reviews of all of these movies right here on Movies Under The Microscope. 

Happy New Year!