Here is my look at the first half of the year in geek cinema. Looking at this list, I can already tell that I am going to be spending way too much money at the movie theatre this year and this list doesn’t even go into July

Gangster Squad (January 11)

This movie was originally supposed to come out last year, however after the shooting that took place at a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Colorado, a section of the film in which a bloody shootout occurs at a movie theatre was reshot. Still I look forward to this one. There is something about the Mickey Cohen era that I just can’t get enough of. If you agree, check out the books of James Ellroy, the author of L.A. Confidential, The Black Dahlia, and other awesome fictions about LA’s most fascinating period.

Mama (January 18)

I already talked about this one in my post last week. Still, anything brought to me by Guillermo del Toro is a must in my book.

Broken City (January 18)

Directed by one half of the Hughes Brothers, this is a movie about a corrupt cop meeting a corrupt politician and it looks to be a fun little political thriller. The trailer is a lot of flash and pop music, and I have to admit, that hooks me every time.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters  (January 25)

Some fun fantasy that would typically be a throw away popcorn movie, however this one has two things going for it. First, it is written and directed by Tommy Wirkola, the writer and director of Dead Snow, an awesome Norwegian horror movie about Nazi Zombies. The Second is that it is rated R, which let’s be honest, makes any movie a million times more fun. (Trailer is NSFW)

Movie 43 (January 25)

Everything about this movie is NSFW. Do not watch this trailer if you are at work. This film is a hard R comedy that stars more A-list celebrities than Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve put together and survives on the premise of trying to offend everyone. Can’t wait!

Bullet to the Head (February 1)

Ever since Stallone made Rambo back in 2008, I have been looking forward to his next big bloody adventure. Bullet to the Head looks like it could be it. I didn’t mind the first Expendables but both it and its sequel were just too light-hearted for me. This is dark brooding Stallone. Oh, and also, there is an axe fight.

Warm Bodies (February 1)

The perfect Valentine’s Day movie about a Zombie becoming sentient (re-becoming?) and falling in love with a girl after he eats her boyfriend. It’s star, Nicholas Hoult has become quite the power player since 2011’s X-Men: First Class, where he starred as Beast.  I have not read the book this is based on, but it is apparently pretty fun as well.

Stand Up Guys (February 1)

Pacino and Walken as some old wise guys, one of which is just out of prison, the other tasked with killing him. It follows a bucket list style plot where they try to make the last hours count. Nice to see Pacino in Scent of a Woman mode here, just having fun.

A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (February 8)

Roman Coppola, son of Francis Ford Coppola, directs his second full-length feature, and it looks to be a cult classic in the making. Get beyond your hatred of Charlie Sheen, sit back and enjoy. Any film that has both Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray is set to be amazing.

A Good Day to Die Hard: February 14

Dark Skies (February 22)

When was the last time we had a great alien abduction horror? Written and Directed by Scott Stewart who is making his first movie without Paul Bettany in a while, Dark Skies looks like it could be the next great one.

Jack the Giant Slayer (March 1)

Another one starring Nicholas Hoult, this movie tries to play revisionist to a classic fairy tale much like Hansel and Gretel above. What has me interested in this one however is that it is directed by Bryan Singer. Haters, be damned! Superman Returns was a great movie.

Stoker (March 1)

Chan-Wook Park, director of one of my favourite films of all time (Oldboy), is about to unleash some more dark and moody material on the world. Written by Wentworth Miller, the film circulated on the 2010 “Black list” of best unproduced screenplays.  Dark, infused with sexuality, this movie takes its influence from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but according to Miller, has nothing to do with vampires, although he assures us it is a horror.

Admission (March 8)

Comedy starring Tina Fey (who I have a massive crush on) and Paul Rudd (who I have a massive crush on).

Dead Man Down (March 8)

The trailer to this film is intense. This movie is directed by Niels Arden Oplev, director of the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. What I love about this movie is how much it feels like a dark David Fincher thriller.

Oz: the Great and Powerful (March 8)

Sam Raimi + James Franco. What could go wrong? Yes this movie is unnecessary, but I don’t care. It looks fun and I am sure Raimi will bring some of his magic to it.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (March 15)

What has sold me on this film is Jim Carrey. In the history of film, I don’t know if there is anyone who has ever been funnier than Carrey in his prime. This looks like classic Carrey here and I hope that he brings his A-game.

Carrie (March 15)

Had this come out two years ago, I may have wanted to pass it by simply because Chloe Moretz was in everything. Spacing out her projects a little more lately, I look forward to what she is going to bring to the role that Sissy Spacek made famous. This remake (or re-adaptation of the book) is being helmed by Kimberly Peirce, Director of Boys Don’t Cry.

G.I. Joe Retaliation (March 29)

I admit it. I was that one guy in ten thousand who liked the first G.I. Joe movie. Yes the plot was stupid, the acting ham-fisted, and the special effects god-awful, but at least it was G.I. Joe and not the bastardization Michael Bay’s Transformers had become. Now we have Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis being added to the cast. The Rock made Fast Five watchable. Let’s see what he can do with G.I. Joe.

The Place Beyond the Pines (March 29)

People’s 2011 sexiest man alive vs. the one everyone said should have been sexiest man alive that year in a corrupt cop meets down on his luck stuntman/criminal. This looks to be a drama of epic proportions.

The Heat (April 5)

This is Paul Feig’s follow-up to Bridesmaids. If that is not reason enough to see it, I don’t know what is. Now I am getting a little tired of Melissa McCarthy. When I went to see This is Forty, three of the trailers playing before the movie had McCarthy in it, but she killed it in Bridesmaids so let’s see if lightning strikes twice.

Evil Dead (April 12)

Another horror remake, but one I am really looking forward to. The red-band trailer attached is disgusting. Viewer Discretion is very much advised as this is bloody and gross.  The original and it’s two sequels are three of my most-watched films of all time, and why I will give Sam Raimi the befit of the doubt any time, even after Spider-man 3. DO NOT WATCH THIS IF YOU DO NOT LIKE BLOOD!!!

Oblivion (April 12)

I love pure unadulterated sci-fi. Yes this looks like Tom Cruise starring in a live-action version of Wall-E, but that actually sounds fine to me. Oblivion is made by the same director as the under-rated Tron Legacy and looks to be a visual marvel. Also, I know people like to hate on Tom Cruise, but aside from Rock of Ages, I have either liked or loved all of his movies since Mission Impossible III, so bring it on.

Pain and Gain (April 26)

Yes this movie looks stupid, but that is exactly its goal. I tend to hate Michael Bay just as much as the next person, but there is one perfect Michael Bay movie that I love to pieces: Bad Boys 2, and this movie feels like Bad Boys 2. This is Michael Bay unhinged, and it will be a glorious monster of a disaster.

Iron Man 3 (May 3)

Although I was slightly disappointed by Iron Man 2, that disappointment was not so deep that I have given up on the series. The fact that this keeps continuity with The Avengers makes it even more awesome. This is more than a franchise. This is a world that Marvel has created. Can’t wait to see this.

The Great Gatsby (May 10)

This movie was supposed to come out at Christmas, and its absence was a real bummer. The fact that I have to wait until May for this is a crap deal. Anyway, I love the book, and although I know that Baz Luhrmann loves to throw his modern spin and pop soundtracks into period pieces, I still love the feel of the decadence of the 20s in this trailer.

Star Trek Into Darkness (May 17)

The only thing that has me worried about this is Damon Lindelof attached as a writer. Having read chunks of the script of Prometheus before he got his hands on it, let’s just say what we got with his help pales in comparison. Nonetheless, the first Star Trek movie was a monster and got me more than re-invested in the franchise.

The Hangover Part III (May 24)

No trailer for this one yet. Not much info at all actually, however we do know that this one is not about a wedding and the night of debauchery that precedes it. Now I really didn’t like the second one, but the first Hangover was brilliant so I am willing to give the third and final in the series a chance.

After Earth (June 7)

M. Night Shyamalan receives a lot of hate. A lot! I understand some of it. Lady in the Water was a tragic disaster, and The Happening was one of the most poorly-acted films I have seen this side of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room. Nevertheless, I will continue to give him a try because when he is good, he is amazing.  Oh, and the trailer ends with a twist.

Now You See Me (June 7)

My favourite movie about magicians is by far The Prestige, but I look forward to seeing where this one goes. A magic caper trailer. Sounds fun.

Man of Steel (June 14)

This trailer gets to me. The music, the atmosphere, I love it. I am already picturing how this movie is put together. I see something similar to Batman Begins where we have a Clark Kent searching for himself with flashes of his youth and the evolution of his power. Could this be the first GREAT Superman film since Richard Donner’s original back in 1978? Also, I can’t wait to see Michael Shannon as General Zod.

This is the End (June 14)

Your typical Apatow crew Summer comedy, without Judd Apatow. Starring Paul Rudd, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, and more celebs all playing themselves, the plot consists of everyone going to a party at James Franco’s place only to have the world end at the same time. Funny stuff.

Monsters University (June 21)

Another Pixar sequel. It is a shame that Brave did not do as well as Pixar had hoped, because I would much rather they keep pumping out original material rather than the sequel happiness that has been on display as of late. Still Monsters Inc. is one of my favourite Pixar films so this will no doubt be great as well. But come on Pixar, you are better than this.

World War Z (June 21)

Loosely based on the book by Max Brooks, World War Z has been a long time in the making. Stories of script trouble and issues with director Marc Foster have propped up throughout its production. Still, this movie has a zombie tidal wave! Who doesn’t want to see that?

Kick-Ass 2 (June 28)

The first Kick Ass was a brilliant surprise. The hyper violence and humour were wed perfectly and the cast was fantastic. Not much info is known yet about Kick Ass 2 but we do know that Jim Carrey has joined the cast, Nicolas Cage reprises his role (most likely in a flashback), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s character no longer goes by Red Mist. He is now The Mother Fucker!

Sorry, no trailer yet.