by Shannon Schilling and Cindy Carr
editorial staff
The Hunger Games
Release Date: March 23, 2012
Director: Gary Ross
Known for: Seabiscuit, Pleasantville, The Tale of Despereaux
Main Players
Jennifer Lawrence
Known for: Winter’s Bone, X-Men: First Class
Character: Katniss Everdeen – Female tribute from District 12. Volunteers to go into the games in place of her little sister, Primrose. Especially talented with a bow and arrow.
Josh Hutcherson
Known for: Bridge to Terabithia, RV, The Kids are All Right, Journey to the Center of the Earth
Character: Peeta Mellark – Male tribute from District 12. Baker’s son. Boasts upper body strength and camouflage skills.
Liam Hemsworth
Known for: The Last Song, Knowing
Character: Gale Hawthorne – Katniss’s best friend in District 12. Hunter who is particularly good at setting traps.
Elizabeth Banks
Known for: Zack and Miri make a Porno, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Role Models
Character: Effie Trinket – Capitol representative for District 12. Escorts tributes from District 12 to the Capitol for training, interviews, and the games. Fan of the color bubble-gum pink.
Lenny Kravitz
Known for: Precious, Albums “Circus,” “Five,” and “It’s Time for a Love Revolution.”
Character: Cinna – Katniss’s stylist for the 74th Hunger Games. Gives Katniss her “Girl on Fire” image and helps her gain sponsors.
Woody Harrelson
Known for: Cheers, No Country for Old Men, Zombieland
Character: Haymitch Abernathy – Middle-aged drunk who is a former District 12 tribute and winner of the 50th Hunger Games. Mentors Katniss and Peeta, teaching them everything he can about survival.
Amandla Stenberg
Known for: Columbiana
Character: Rue – The youngest tribute in the 74th Games from District 11. Katniss befriends her during training because she reminds her of her sister, Prim.
Synopsis:
Set in a post-apocalyptic world called Panem, 16-year-old Katniss competes in the annual Hunger Games, a televised event sponsored by the Capitol that puts a male and female tribute from each of the 12 districts into an arena, forcing them to fight to the death. The winning tribute and their district is rewarded with food and wealth until the next Games.
Why you should see it:
Possibly the most anticipated movie of 2012, The Hunger Games young-adult trilogy by Suzanne Collins has sold more than 8 million copies and is the biggest phenomenon since Twilight and Harry Potter. Complete with sci-fi elements, action, violence, and romance, The Hunger Games has a little something for everyone.
The Avengers
Release Date: May 4, 2012
Director: Joss Whedon
Main Players: Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johannson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
Synopsis: A team of Marvel Comics superheroes are recruited to save the world from annihilation by Loki, the Norse god of mischief. The team includes Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye.
Why you should see it: When have you ever seen this many superheroes in one movie? Plus, it was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio.
Brave
Release Date: June 22, 2012
Director: Mark Andrews
Voices: Kelly Macdonald. Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Craig Ferguson
Synopsis: Set during the 10th century in the highlands of Scotland, the movie follows Princess Merida whose unconventional ways bring chaos to her kingdom. She is granted one wish and must use her bravery and archery skills to undo a terrible curse.
Why you should see it: Brave is several firsts for Pixar: first fairy tale, first movie with a female protagonist, first movie since the passing of cofounder Steve Jobs. Those still recovering from the end of Harry Potter will happily recognize the voices of Professor Trelawney (Thompson), Hagrid (Coltrane), and Mrs. Weasley (Walters).
The Amazing Spider-Man
Release Date: July 4, 2012
Director: Marc Webb
Main Players: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
Synopsis: Outcast Peter Parker discovers secrets from his path that lead him on the path to becoming Spider-Man and causes him to collide with Dr. Curt Connors, who transforms into a 9-foot-tall reptile, The Lizard.
Why you should see it: “It” girl Stone plays Parker’s love interest, Gwen Stacy, NOT Mary Jane Watson. This rebooting of the Spider-Man story hopes to redeem the film franchise. The film will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D and there are already sequels in the works.
The Dark Knight Rises
Release Date: July 20, 2012
Director: Christopher Nolan
Main Players: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman
Synopsis: Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman is a fugitive after taking responsibility for Harvey Dent’s crimes. Gotham experiences a rare time of peace until terrorist leader Bane, forces Batman to return to the city.
Why you should see it: The third and final installment in Nolan’s Batman trilogy was filmed in Pittsburgh. Also, the film is said to have “Occupy Wall Street” undertones, portraying the Dark Knight as the “1 percent.”
Honorable Mention: Titanic 3D
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Director: James Cameron
Main Players: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates
Synopsis: You know.
Why you should see it: It’s one of the best movies of all time. Why not see it again in 3D just because?
