10- Battleship

Click here to view the embedded video.

I admit when I first heard they were making a film based on the Hasbro board game Battleship I thought it was a terrible idea. I thought it was an even worse idea when I heard it was starring Rihanna. But after this full trailer was released a few weeks back, I can’t help but grin while watching it. This movie looks like a blast.

Release Date: May 18^th 2012

I personally loved the film and our very own Alia Haddad gave it a glowing review, so here are 5 reasons why you should check out ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ in theaters:

5. The Opening Credits: This is by far the best opening credits sequence I’ve seen in a long time. It’s like watching the opening to a Bond film on crack! Not to mention the ‘Immigrant Song’ cover by Trent Reznor and Karen O is dynamite.

4. The Ending: For those of you that have read the books, don’t worry about being bored! While director David Fincher managed to create a very faithful adaptation to the book, there is a major alteration in the film’s ending making it a great surprise for all audiences.

3. It’s Rated R: Director David Fincher had stated he wanted to create a franchise for adults, and he definitely has accomplished that. This film is extremely dark and gruesome, and deserves its R rating from the MPAA. Fear not this is not a ‘Saw’ film, but the realism in its brutality will shock you. Sometimes it’s good to see a true rated R film, and in this case the R should stand for REAL, because this film is just that.

2. The Plot: Similar to number 3, this plot is not for kids. It’s totally complex and complicated, but in a great way! This is the type of film that keeps you guessing and engrosses you even if you have already read the books. I knew everything that was going to happen but I still was totally absorbed into this world. A true testament to director Fincher, screenwriter Steve Zaillian, and most importantly, author Stieg Larsson.

1. Rooney Mara: Ladies and gentleman, believe what you have heard, Rooney Mara is electric in this performance. If you have seen the original Swedish films you probably thought Noomi Rapace was the only Lisbeth Salander possible, think again. Mara owns this role, making her tough on the outside but still vulnerable on the inside. Lisbeth Salander is one of the best female characters in the last decade, and Mara commits to the role 100%. See the movie just for her performance.

Overall, while ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ was not a bomb at the box office, it did under-perform. I think that is a real pity because it was a wonderful adaptation of a beloved book franchise, not to mention a fantastic stand alone film for those unfamiliar with the books. Now that all of your holiday shopping and returns are completed, I recommend you head to a theater as soon as possible and check this baby out, you won’t regret it!

To make life a bit easier, we wanted to consolidate all our 2011 rankings into one article.  This way you won’t get lost searching the site for our favorites and least favorites of 2011.  Let’s not forget our 2011 superlatives as well.  See below for links to each article and feel free to let us know what you think. That’s why we do all this in the first place…to start some grade A bantering.

Top 10 Best Movies of 2011

Top 10 Worst  Movies of 2011

2011 Movie Superlatives

Best 5 Movies of Summer 2011

Worst 5 Movies of Summer 2011

Top 5 Best Halloween Movies

Top 5 Characters from the Harry Potter franchise (not named Ron, Harry, or Hermione)

Top 5 Scenes from the Harry Potter Franchise

This is usually the time of year that theaters are flooded with big box office movies.  Unfortunately, that means that theater goers, like yourselves, may not get a chance to see every movie in theaters. You have to sit back and make a choice on what movie you want to see. Maybe you make a good decision, maybe a bad one, but you won’t know until you leave that theater.  Let me say that I understand this frustration and as such will try to alleviate some of that built up tension. See below for a list of movies currently out, a few words on each of them, and our rating.

1. Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Brad Bird uses Tom Cruise to create the most entertaining film in the Mission: Impossible franchise…SEE IT

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – David Fincher proves he’s still got it with his latest movie, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo…SEE IT

3. Young Adult - The latest Diablo Cody/Jason Reitman film, Young Adult, may have done everything right!…SEE IT

4.  Shame – You may go see ‘Shame’ just for the nudity and sex, but I promise you will leave with so much more…SEE IT

5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – Peter Travers says “In an act of criminal negligence, Ritchie has wasted Robert Downey Jr. in a sequel that eliminates smarts in favor of relentless headbanging.” Click here for the complete review.

6. Hugo - Hugo is a movie of two halves. While boring at first, the film delivers a brilliant and heart-warming story that is definitely worth the wait…SEE IT

7. Carnage – Roman Polanski delivers a film like he’s never attempted before…SEE IT

8. Tintin - Despite a Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson production, Tintin supposedly falls short of being the animated epic it’s being promoted as…RENT IT

9. The Descendants - George Clooney’s Oscar contender, The Descendants, falls short of its emotional goal…RENT IT

10. War Horse - Betsy Sharkey of the LA Times says – “The incredible emotive power of this horse and the way in which the filmmakers were able to translate it on-screen are what stay with you.” Click here for the complete review.

2011: A Great year for genre films. Though, to say that for film’s themselves is a bit of a stretch. Overall, this was definitely one weak year for movies.  So while the Oscar worthy film’s are few and far  between, 2011 was filled with some great comedies, action films, sci fi adventures, and family films. They show what can happen when sticking to the script doesn’t mean churning out another bland remake. So without further ado, here are TheMovieBanter.com’s Top 10 films of the year:

Honorable Mention: Real Steel,  50/50, Moneyball, Warrior, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part II

10. Young Adult

Charlize Theron plays the girl everyone hates in high school, but everyone feels sorry for years later. Riding out the glory days for far too long, Theron plays a woman straddling the line between sane and childish so well, that, by the end, you dislike her as much as her high school peers. Another win for the Jason Reitman-Diablo Cody collaborative team.

9. Super 8

J.J. Abrams you’ve done it again! It’s impossible to dislike anything this man does. With also the most fascinating online campaign this year,Super 8 delivers with nothing more than good storytelling. Sure, the ending is a little corny, but it’s hard NOT to picture Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg running around with their cameras when they were kids. There were probably less aliens, but who knows looking at their collective output.

8. Ides of March

Rebounding form the awful Leatherheads, Clooney gets to stride once again behind the camera. Ryan Goslin, the ‘winner’ of this year, leads an all-star cast that include Clooney himself, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei. Political strife is big right now as the elections approach, and Ides of March shines a bright light behind the scenes of those running for office.

7. Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol

The best summer blockbuster of the year came out in December. Tom Cruise converts even the biggest doubter in this action packed experience. A franchise on the verge of extinction comes back with so much brute force, the over two hour running time passes by with a breeze. Props to Brad Bird on his first live action film, and even more props to the Burj Khalifa in a great supporting role. See it in IMAX.

6. The Help

Emma Stone had a big year this year but this isn’t about her. The Help succeeds on the heavy shoulders of Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. The film about racial struggle in the 1960’s became a hit with audiences old and young alike. You’ll be hearing even more about this triumph when award season rolls in. That is a guarantee.

5. The Muppets

Yeah. The Muppets. Who can argue that? Who didn’t love this movie? It’s no Oscar contender, but you’re lying to yourself if you didn’t come out of this movie on cloud 9. Jason Segel, being the obsessive puppet fan he is, brought back another rather dead franchise. A perfect family film.

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Let the critics be hushed. From the moment the first teaser trailer revealed itself, it was clear David Fincher was destined to helm this adaptation. Dark, mysterious, and strange is his forte and Stieg Larsson’s novel became his great specimen. Daneil Craig is great, but Rooney Mara! Wow! A year ago (roughly), no one would have guessed the little girl who broke Mark Zuckerberg’s heart at the beginning of The Social Network would return as a tattooed, pierced detective. The transformation amazes, but it’s the powerful performance that sets Mara up as Hollywood’s next big thing.

3. Midnight In Paris

Woody Allen has done it again? Or has he done it for the first time? Midnight in Paris is now his most financially successful film of all time, which says a lot for the 76-year-old writer-director. It advertised itself as a movie for everyone and delivered on that promise. European cities have become Allen’s muses and this one is no different. It seems that all the others were stepping stones to this Woody Allen masterpiece.

2. Bridesmaids

Forget the “Hangover for women” titles. Drop the “best female comedy of all time” stuff. Bridesmaids was this year’s best comedy by far. It has the potential to be as influential as Old School, and it has nothing to do with the cast being predominantly female; it has to do with every single one of those females being funny as hell. When you get down to it. Kristen Wiig had created a movie with huge heart and huge laughs. What more can you ask for from a comedy?

1. Drive

What didn’t Drive do right? Excellent cast? Check. Phenomenal soundtrack? Yup. Suspense? Oh, absolutely. The Ryan Gosling led picture is exactly what happens when all the pieces come together. Sound and picture were used in such a beautiful way that the strong, violent subject matter untangled itself into more than a movie, but also a beautiful art project. These image-driven pictures tend to draw themselves out and end up ‘pretty’ rather than good, but Drive hurdles over these stereotypes and ends up as the best movie of 2011.

10. Most Underrated Film of 2011: Real Steel

In a world where Hugh Jackman Films tend to fall under the Most Overrated Films category, it certainly comes as a surprise that Real Steel takes this year’s Most Underrated Film honor. Well, did you actually see the movie? If not, I think we have a point. To be fair, the marketing of the film didn’t help matters: is it a kid’s film or a Hugh Jackman film? Pick your audience. However when push came to shove, Real Steel was a great feel good movie between dad and son all the while having some of the coolest on screen fights in some time.  And the trailers did make the movie seem a little (okay, a lot) over-the-top, but when the movie receives a 7.5 on IMDB, you know you’ve overlooked a potential goodie.

9. Most Overrated Film of 2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Okay, okay. Calm down. I’m not attacking a Harry Potter movie, per se.  I’m simply suggesting that it is possible that the last (ever) installment– Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2–did not live up to the greatness of the other 7 movies. Okay, fine. I’m not suggesting it. I’m saying it. That’s right.  Maybe I should just say that it’s not as good as everyone says it is. And, Best Picture nod? That has to be a joke, right? The movie could have been better. In fact, it should have been better. Before you all start sending me hate mail, I’m simply confirming how good the overall series is. It’s a shame that this last one didn’t live up…Go out with a bang, right?

8. Most Ridiculous Movie Scene (s): Thor & Fast Five

That’s right. This category defies the “superlatives” title, since there are two movies with scenes that are so perfect for this category. The first is found in this summer’s huge hit Thor: where Thor rips his way through a ton of super agents only to fail to lift his hammer, all while being human. I mean, come on! The second most ridiculous scene comes in a movie which can be wholly categorized by this most ridiculous scene category: Fast Five. While the whole movie seems to qualify it for this title, there is one scene (and a highly advertised one at that) that rings especially true in this category– when Dominic and Brian not only jump out of a convertible after its started its free fall into the ocean so many feet below, but that they also manage to survive this fall despite the impact. This entire scene begs the question: but what about physics? Well, Fast Five defies physics, clearly.

7. Best Remake of 2011: Fright Night

Every year, a slew of remakes come out, perhaps confirming the notion that nothing new has come out of Hollywood in quite some time. But with a bunch of remakes, comes us, judging the best ones. This year, Fright Night certainly takes home the prize. Colin Farrell seems to have found his niche playing the scary yet awesome next door neighbor vampire. Why he hasn’t played a vampire in all of his films is beyond me. Aside from excellent casting, Fright Night was able to achieve the perfect balance between comedy and horror. A commendable remake, indeed.

6. Most Discussed Movie of 2011: Shame

It pretty much goes without saying that when any movie receives the undesirable NC-17 rating, it will be the topic of conversation for quite some time (uh, the Blue Valentine debacle of 2010, anyone?). So, when Shame received this rating, all that anyone could think about, was just how graphic was this movie about a sex addict in New York. What’s interesting is that the NC-17 rating is so dreaded because in limiting the age group of the audience, it limits the actual size of the audience. But also, when something gets this rating, it seems to get more attention than it would ever had had with a typical R rating. Does all this discussion make up for it? I guess only (Oscar)time will tell.

5. Best Ensemble Cast of 2011: Contagion

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Put Gwyneth Paltrow in a role who is essentially responsible for spreading and extremely contagious and deadly disease to the entire world, and it’s gonna be good. Well, Contagion offers that, but also much more. How much more? Well, let me list them: Laurence Fishburne, John Hawkes, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, and Bryan Cranston. Wow, that’s quite a cast– and exactly what qualifies it as the best ensemble cast of 2011. Well, I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: if Steven Soderbergh can do anything, it’s assemble a cast of high-profile actors. And he’s proven this right once again.

4. Most Unbearable Movie of 2011: One Day

Oh man. Just writing about One Day forces me to relive the unbearableness that surrounded the movie. What made this movie so dreadfully awful? Well, supreme over-acting aside on Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess’s parts, the script was dripping in cheesiness and predictability, the dialogue trite, and the ending resembled a Nicholas Sparks novel. Not a good combination. Not a good combination at all. Haven’t seen the movie? Well, if you take one thing from this post, it’s that  you should consider yourself lucky. Spare yourself.

3. Biggest Flop of 2011: Cowboys & Aliens

Well, this is certainly hard for me to write about. If you know me at all, then you know that my two favorite things in this world (aside from dinosaurs and sharks) are cowboys and aliens. So, when Jon Favreau offered me a movie that put those two disparate things together, along with a stellar cast made up of Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano, and Sam Rockwell, I was buzzing with excitement. I, clearly, was one of the only ones. Why did this big (BIG) budget movie do so poorly? It’s hard to say. Perhaps the cowboy and alien combination doesn’t excite anyone nearly as much as it does me? Or maybe Harrison Ford just can’t open a movie like he used to? Whatever the case, it doesn’t change the fact that Cowboys & Aliens, despite big (BIG) hype on the studio’s end (and mine, too!), just did not achieve the box office money it had counted on. Sad.

2. Best Bromance of 2011: 50/50

This category, the best bromance category, only came about in the past couple of years– with the growing popularity of Judd Apatow. Even so, this remains one of the most fun categories to write about. I mean, who doesn’t love a good bromance? After all, a good bromance just warms even the coldest heart. This year the ultimate bromance (no, not War Horse, ha) comes in the form of 50/50. The movie that not only pairs Seth Rogen with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, two of the bromance-iest people to start with, but also pairs them together in an inspiring cancer-battling story. Who’s heart isn’t warmed and tear-ducts inspired by a couple of  young friends, one battling cancer, and the other trying to come to terms with it. Downright bromance.

1. Guiltiest Pleasure of 2011: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Well, it’s certainly no surprise that this year’s guiltiest pleasure comes in the form of a romantic comedy. And it is also no surprise that this year’s guiltiest pleasure stars Ryan Gosling (I mean, wasn’t he in EVERY movie this year?). But the thing about Crazy, Stupid, Love is that it’s an actually good movie (it is, guys!). Good acting, great cast, fun plot– it has everything a “chick flick” should have. Plus Ryan Gosling. Sounds great. So why, then, is it a guilty pleasure? Well, because it has Ryan Gosling, duh. And more specifically it has Ryan Gosling falling in love and taking off his shirt. A deadly, guilty combination.

So there  you have it. Top 10 superlatives of 2011. What were some of the superlatives you liked?

10. New Year’s Eve

You know you have a bad film on your hands when people are saying it is worse than ‘Valentines Day.’ These movies are like a big Hollywood competition for director Gary Marshall, try and get as many A-list talented actors in one film and see how ridiculous you can make them all look! He usually succeeds at that. What’s even worse is there are a pretty good amount of Oscar winners in this one (Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank). Let’s pray ‘New Year’s Eve’ is the last of these films!

9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Well of course this was going to make my list. Listen, I’m not a hater of all things Twilight, I can respect the movies for what they are. I even dug the first one a little. But when you have no plot or action in a vampire film, you really leave me no choice! Who wants to see a movie about a vampire/human wedding and pregnancy? Not me!

8. Your Highness/No Strings Attached

I think everybody was thinking the exact same thing when they saw these movies. What in the world was Natalie Portman thinking? She followed up her Oscar winning role in ‘Black Swan’ with these two terrible films. It’s not that she necessarily put in bad performances, but it was so obvious that she was attempting to just cash in on easy paychecks after a working hard on ‘Black Swan.’ Both were completely unfunny and pointless. Not to mention ‘No Strings Attached’ and ‘Friends With Benefits’ were basically the exact same film, but FWB was arguably better which is saying a lot. Let’s hope people forget these two films fast and remember her for the Oscar this year.

7. Beastly

I’m a huge fan of re-interpretations of old tales. Can’t say the same for this one. Terrible performances all around from Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, and Mary Kate Olsen. The film really doesn’t even make much sense to me, why does Vanessa Hudgens move in with the “beast”? I literally spent the entire time laughing my head off and it was completely unintentional. I can sit around making fun of this movie for days if I wanted to, but I feel too bad for Neil Patrick Harris who at least managed to turn in a likeable performance.

6. How Do You Know

The only thing worse than watching this movie is watching it on a plane. These were two of the most excruciating hours I’ve ever had. Watching this movie was like bashing your head into a wall. Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon, who I both usually love, are completely ridiculous in this movie. I spent the entire time confused at what the hell was going on. All of these characters make the dumbest decisions possible in this movie. I really don’t know what Jack Nicholson was thinking when he read this script!

5. The Human Centipede II: Full Sequence

Not much to say here, this movie was disgusting and pointless. Complete lack of plot or tension, just grossness. It’s fine for a movie to be gory, but not okay for it to only be gory and nothing else. Let’s hope “full sequence” means the last.

4. Abduction

This is the second of Taylor Lautner’s films to make it on the list and it’s not a coincidence. While I can respect the man for beefing up with a trainer and being skillful at master arts, he is truthfully one of the worst actors working today. I just feel sorry Sigourney Weaver had to be apart of this train wreck.

3. Zookeeper

This film makes no sense to me. It’s a kid’s film, but half of the jokes are adult-themed. And on top of that, the adult-themed jokes aren’t even funny. So overall it’s a complete bust. This is just a string of terrible films that Kevin James has made in the last couple of years. I think it’s time he heads back to TV.

2. Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star

Behold ladies and gentlemen, the film that actually managed to garner a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. There is nothing remotely intriguing about this film. Anybody who even watches the trailer would know that. I don’t understand why anyone would even greelight this movie! It has no major stars, a terrible title, and a terrible plot. An unattractive loser wants to become a porn star? Yeah, okay!

1. Jack and Jill

I’m not really sure what to even say about this movie. I really believe anyone that went to go see this should’ve been arrested upon entering the theater. This was a tough year for Adam Sandler (he also wrote #2’s ‘Bucky Larson’). At this point he has just become a joke in Hollywood in my eyes. I used to absolutely adore his films and now it seems like he is just playing a huge prank on America and gets a kick out of making the worst movies ever and tricking audiences into seeing it. What’s worse is this movie actually did well at the box office! The downfall of American cinema is in Adam Sandler’s hands.

And with that we have our 10 worst films of 2011. Like I said earlier, it’s been a great year for movies, and I guess if it weren’t for these 10 terrible movies, the good ones wouldn’t seem as good as they are. With that said, I hope not to see any sequels to these films in 2012…with the exception of the final installment of ‘The Twilight Saga,’ the sooner that franchise ends the better!

What were your least favorite films this year Banters?

5- ‘Trick R Treat’

PLOT: Four interwoven stories that occur on one Halloween night: a high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer, four women cross paths with a costumed stalker at a local festival; a group of pranksters goes too far and discovers the horrifying truth buried in a local legend; and a cantankerous old hermit is visited by a strange trick-or-treater with a few bones to pick.

WHY: One of the best things about Halloween is all of the different myths and tales centered on it. So what’s better than a film that showcases multiple Halloween-themed stories? This film manages to get everything right; it’s scary but still has a certain quality of fun that you only get during Halloween.

4- ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

PLOT: Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween — but alas, they can’t get it quite right.

WHY: Growing up this was one of my favorite films of all time. It combines my two favorite Holidays (Halloween and Christmas) in the best way possible. What’s obviously so great about this film is you get to watch it two times during the year! With such a unique and gothic tone, this is definitely my favorite animated film by far.

3- ‘Halloween H20: 20 Years Later’

PLOT: Laurie Strode, now the dean of a Northern California private school with an assumed name, must battle Michael Meyers one last time 20 years later, and now the life of her own son hangs in the balance.

WHY: This is the sequel to the original ‘Halloween’ we have always wanted. During the decades after the original in 1978 so many people forgot just how chilling Michael Myers could be. Much like Jason and Freddy, he became a caricature after so many regurgitations. But not in this sequel which managed to get Jamie Lee Curtis back and finally give her character some much needed closure.

2- ‘Hocus Pocus’

PLOT: After 300 years, three sister witches are resurrected in Salem Massachusetts on Halloween night, and it us up to two teenagers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to put an end to the witches reign of terror once and for all.

WHY: This film definitely holds a strong place in my childhood. As far back as I can remember I have watched ‘Hocus Pocus’ every year (2011 included) during October. Sure it’s a little cheesy, but that is part of the fun and I can honestly say no matter how old I am this film will always be nostalgic to me.

1- ‘Halloween’

PLOT: On Halloween night 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers inexplicably slaughters his teenage sister. His psychiatrist Dr. Loomis can’t penetrate Michael’s psyche after years of institutionalization, but he knows that, when Myers escapes before Halloween in 1978, there is going to be hell to pay. Myers spots bookish teenager Laurie Strode follows her, constantly appearing and vanishing as Laurie and her looser friends Lynda and Annie make their Halloween plans. By nightfall, the responsible Laurie is doing her own and Annie’s babysitting jobs, while Annie and Lynda frolic in the parent-free house across the street. But Annie and Lynda are not answering the phone, and suspicious Laurie heads across the street to the darkened house to see what is going on….

WHY: I suppose this should come as no surprise to many of you readers. I absolutely adore slasher films and ‘Halloween’ is the king of them. Despite its numerous plot holes and obvious low budget, with a genius score and an unbearably constant tension throughout, John Carpenter created the ultimate film to watch on Halloween.

What’s your favorite film to watch on Halloween banters?

10- The Skin I Live In

Release Date: October 14, 2011

Starring Antonio Banderas as a deranged, but brilliant plastic surgeon, who creates a synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage, his guinea pig, a mysterious and volatile woman, holds the key to his obsession. To be honest even after that synopsis I don’t know too much about the film, and after watching the trailer I know less. But this actually intrigues me more. Watch the trailer and you’ll see, this film will definitely be different than anything you’ve ever seen before.

Click here to view the embedded video.

9- Carnage

Release Date: December 16, 2011

You can’t really go wrong with a Roman Polanski film in my book. Not to mention a dynamite cast of Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. It tells the story of two sets of parents who decide to have a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl. If the trailer is any indication of the film itself, we can look forward to some incredible chemistry among the cast.

Click here to view the embedded video.

8- My Week With Marilyn

Release Date: November 4, 2011

While we haven’t seen a trailer yet for this film, early positive buzz and a solid cast already has this one a lock at awards season next year. While some people had their doubts about Michelle Williams pulling off a convincing Marilyn Monroe, I always had faith in her and after the first few promo pics were released, I see that I am right. Look out for Emma Watson in a supporting comedic role too!

7- J. Edgar

Release Date: November 9, 2011

Like ‘Marilyn,’ we don’t have much information on this film yet. But how can you go wrong with Clint Eastwood in the director’s chair and a spectacular cast of Leonardo DiCaprio (as J. Edgar Hoover no less), Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Judie Dench, Ed Westwick and more! Throw in a controversial gay subplot and I’m hooked. Does anyone else think it’s time DiCaprio won an Oscar?

6- Warrior

Release Date: September 9, 2011

I have to admit, when I first heard about this film all I could think of is how it is just a rip-off of last year’s ‘The Fighter.’ But after checking out the emotionally driven trailer, and reading up on some positive early buzz, I definitely have had a change of heart. Some people are even saying it is better than ‘The Fighter’! I’ll believe that when I see it, but I’m definitely intrigued.

Click here to view the embedded video.

5- The Ides of March

Release Date: October 7, 2011

The moment I saw the trailer for this flick I was sold. Not only is it directed by George Clooney, he also stars in it, along with a few other names you may know. Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. I’m sure one of those names at least rings a bell huh? With a scandalous and exciting political storyline to boot, this film is definitely a must see.

Click here to view the embedded video.

4- Drive

Release Date: September 16, 2011

Ryan Gosling sure has a big year ahead of him. There is already some talk that ‘Drive’ is going to be the biggest surprise hit of the year and while I’m not convinced yet, I can’t deny the story of a Hollywood stunt performer who turns into a heist driver by night doesn’t grab my attention. Throw in tons of great action sequences and the talented Carey Mulligan and I’m in.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3- Contagion

Release Date: September 9, 2011

Without a doubt, ‘Contagion’ has to be one of the most anticipated films of the year. A high-profile cast? Check. A slick marketing campaign? Check. A gripping and exciting trailer? Check. Yep, the Steven Soderbergh directed flick not only has a roster of Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, and Laurence Fishburne, it also has a sinister plot. An action film with a thriller tone? Count me in!

Click here to view the embedded video.

2- 50/50

Release Date: September 30, 2011

I have already had the pleasure of seeing ‘50/50’ in theaters (expect my review closer to release), and let me just squash any doubts about a cancer comedy now. Not only is this film hysterical, well-acted (Joseph Gordon-Levitt killed it!), and emotional, it’s actually my favorite film of the year by far! Even Seth Rogen (who usually annoys me) nailed his role. Don’t miss out!

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Release Date: December 21, 2011

Of course my most anticipated movie of the year also has the latest release date. Not only is this based on my favorite book series, it’s also being helmed by my favorite director, David Fincher. The cast is filled with plenty of international stars and the teaser trailer proves Fincher is going dark with this one, real dark. The tagline reads ‘The Feel Bad Movie of Christmas’ and I couldn’t be more excited!

Click here to view the embedded video.

What do you think Banters? Any of these grab your attention? And what’s YOUR most anticipated film of the Fall season?

5. Captain America

If there was one movie I did not want to see this summer it would have been Transformers: Dark of the Moon. If you go down that list I made, Captain America: The First Avenger would have been somewhere on there. But, alas, I trekked to the theater on opening weekend ready to shrug it off. NAY! Captain America was actually a blast. The charm of Chris Evans, I was expecting. The charisma, out of this world. Evans has good comedic timing and his good looks probably get him most places (namely the title role in this America-centric film). He can make even the biggest fan boys and girls swoon. But the film has more working for it than just Evans. I won’t lie to you. The story is straight Comic Book 101. It is just as much of an origin story as every other. We see measly Steve Rogers morph into the giant and powerful Captain, which is why I think, we connect here more than the muscular godliness of Thor. Everyone can relate to struggle, so once Rogers perseveres and overcomes his struggles, everyone rejoices. Between that and going to war with his childhood BFF-for life, he really is an American hero. Throw in a love story with a British military official, for get about it; our heart’s melting. Hugo Weaving does a great job as Red Skull and does not deserve to be forgotten for that. As does director Joe Johnston (who has experience with other big, fun movies) but when it really comes down to it, the movie is Evans’. Opening up hundreds of opportunities with it’s box office and critical acclaim, he proves that he can take the lead, and does not have to be stuck playing fourth banana to a no name and Jessica Alba the rest of his life.

4. Horrible Bosses

I am so happy to report that Seth Gordon’s Horrible Bosses was one of the funniest comedies I have seen all summer. There was nary a moment when I wasn’t buckled over in my seat gasping for air from all the laughter that came from watching three men attempt to kill each one of their terrible, terrible bosses. It caught me off guard, for sure. After all, I’d venture to say that it has been a long time since any one of us laughed heartily at a movie Jennifer Aniston was in. So, it’s also been a long time coming, and laugh I did along with everyone else in the packed theater. While the movie was ripe with quick wit and a more-than-not original comedic plot, a testament to screenwriters Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan M. Goldstein, the screenplay’s quick wit and plethora of jokes wouldn’t have gone nearly as far without the charisma and chemistry shared between Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman and Charlie Day, the film’s three leads. The movie’s supporting cast should not be overlooked either. Kevin Spacey, Collin Farrell, Donald Sutherland, Jamie Foxx and the aforementioned Aniston also excelled in the comedy department. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, skeptics be turned: Horrible Bosses was a great summer comedy, and one that I’d be happy to watch year round.

3. Bridesmaids

I think all the hype around Bridesmaids has been a shame. Most of it being based on the fact that ‘women can be funny too!” Of course women can be funny. This is not a “female Hangover.” This is a laugh-out-loud comedy for anyone who likes humor whether they’re women, men or dogs. Kristen Wiig leads a hysterical cast rounded out by Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne. Whether it’s getting drunk on an airplane or being grossed out by what bad Brazilian food can do to you in the middle of the street, the film has exactly what your average Judd Apatow-produced comedy requires. Another necessity: heart. Wiig, who proves she can lead a cast to superstardom, is the emotional backbone. From a script writer by herself and Annie Mumolo, Wiig gives her character heart and makes those who surround her just as emotionally valuable. Maybe it’s director Paul Feig (creator of fan favorite Freak & Geeks) who is able to take all these wonderful pieces and put them together for a coherent yet flat out hilarious great summer movie. Women can damn sure be as funny as men, and this movie sure as hell proves it. Here’s to more universal, female-centric comedies in the years to come and less Hangover sequels!

2. Crazy, Stupid, Love

I am not going to lie to you. I was a little bit embarrassed to see Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love. So embarrassed that it took me three weeks from when it came out to bite the bullet and see it. Boy was I surprised and so relieved to find out it was actually a really entertaining film. Gone is the guilty pleasure of watching a so-called chick flick with bad acting, chemistry, and dialogue and in its place comes Crazy, Stupid, Love: a probably not so realistic but nevertheless enjoyable representation of what it is like to find love at any age nowadays. Like Horrible Bosses, Crazy, Stupid, Love had the benefit of having a solid cast. I mean, come on, Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, Ryan Gossling, Emma Stone, Marissa Tomei and Kevin Bacon round out a dream cast, and this dream cast sure did produce, acting-wise that is. The script achieved the perfect balance between romantic comedy and drama, a balance which is hard to come by this genre. So there’s all of that, plus Ryan Gossling does take his shirt off, which definitely adds a certain something to the movie. Every summer has a great feel-good-movie and this was definitely this summer’s. I left the theater feeling warm, fuzzy and believing in love, which probably all isn’t attributed to seeing Ryan Gossling topless, but let’s be honest, it couldn’t have hurt.

1. Super 8

The J.J. Abram’s directed and the Steven Spielberg produced there’s-an-alien-among-us movie, Super 8, came out in the beginning of the summer. And thank God it did, because I had been waiting patiently for months. I was so excited that I saw a midnight showing of it on the opening day, which always gets a little tricky because, you see, expectations were high. And I am happy to say that the movie did indeed produce to my expectations. It was very clear throughout the whole movie that Steven Spielberg was the producer. This isn’t a bad thing, just that where Abrams, if working alone, may have been inclined to include scenes of cheap thrills, it was like Spielberg kept reminding him of the importance of a good, heartwarming scene as well (think E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, or Jurassic Park). And while it did manage to come off a little cheesy, especially at the end, I’m not sure that that took away from the movie at all. Rather, this so-called “cheesiness” kind of added to the film’s campy-feel (it does take place in 1979, after all). Another plus was how much credit the movie gave to children. The children in this movie, led by Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney, are the true stars as they are the ones that discover said alien and the reasons behind his existence on earth. Abrams handled the children in the film well, really giving them the authority and leading roles they deserved. Additionally, and very importantly I might add, the alien was a good-looking one. What do I mean? Well, it seemed Abrams put a lot of thought into what the alien should actually look like and I wasn’t disappointed to finally catch a glimpse of the creature, which is always a huge plus in a movie involving any alien. After all, I maintain that the viewing of the actual alien is what ruined M. Night Shymalan’s Signs. No, this one was a good looking one. So, thank you Abrams for giving us a great alien, family flick (because really, we don’t have enough of those) perfect for warm summer nights.

And for some Honorable Mentions:

Thor
Also a comic book adaptation better than expectation, Thor showed Chris Hemsworth proving not only is he a massive Thor but also funnier and more likable than we ever imagined. With a supporting cast of Natalie Portman Anthony Hopkins, and Stringer Bell, a film directed by Kenneth Branagh could hardly be anything but good.

Midnight in Paris
Woody hits his mark again. With recent success of films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Match Point, Woody is making sure he stays relevant through the new millennium. In his most successful film yet, Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams star as two lovers turned upside-down by the beautiful city and prestigious director.

X-Men: First Class
An “indie” superhero movie of sorts, X-Men: First Class rode on the talent of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, playing Professor X and Magneto, respectively. The two proved that superheroes can be just as engaging and important when they’re British, young, and talented.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
How could anyone NOT love the final chapter in this eight-part series. With incredible reviews across the board, the final Potter grossed well over a billion dollars worldwide. That and it wraps up most of its 20+ year old fans’ childhoods.

(Much thanks to fellow banterer Alia for help on this post.)