Big Picture Big Sound

January and February are perfect months to catch up on reading and oft-neglected hobbies, as there's next to nothing worth seeing in theaters.  But now it's March. Ah cinema, with your overpriced grub and squeaky seats, how I've missed you.

To see what's in store for spring and summer, I sifted through the 2012 film calendar and selected the ten films that intrigue me the most. Without further ado, here they are in order of release date:

"The Hunger Games"
I have seen every installment of both the "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" series. So either I am a perpetual 8th grader, or I have a thing for adolescent fantasy tales with massive cult followings. That one sounds better so let's go with that.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thehungergames/
Release Date: 3/23

"Bully"
There are few things more depressing than kids being tormented at school and taking their own lives as a result. Such hopelessness needs to be addressed. Enter "Bully," a documentary about this rampant form of emotional terrorism. There's already a lot of controversy surrounding this one, as it got slapped with a dreaded "R" rating, preventing many teens from actually seeing it and being helped by it. Nice one, MPAA.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1682181/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/bully/
Release Date: 3/30

"American Reunion"
Yes, this movie is going to suck, and no, I don't care. I was in high school when "American Pie" came out and I'm curious what these crazy pastry-loving kids are up to these days. My prediction: more embarrassment for Jim, and more action for Stifler's mom.   
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605630/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/americanreunion/
Release Date: 4/6

 

"To Rome With Love"
Woody Allen's European journeys have led to "Match Point", "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Midnight in Paris", so there's no reason to believe his trip to Rome won't provide more movie magic. Bring it.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1859650/
Trailer: Not Available
Release Date: 4/20

"Dark Shadows"
It's been way too long since Tim Burton and Johnny Depp did anything of value together, and here's hoping "Dark Shadows" breaks the curse.  It has potential: A successful playboy in 1752 is transformed into a vampire by a wicked witch, and wakes up to find it's 1972. If they can't get this one right, they should just give up collaborating and leave us with our fond memories of "Edward Scissorhands".
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077368/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/darkshadows/
Release Date: 5/11

"Moonrise Kingdom"
It's co-written and directed by Wes Anderson, and the cast includes Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand. Sold.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/moonrisekingdom/
Release Date: 5/25

"Prometheus"
After seeing "Avatar" theatrically in 3-D, I turned to my friend and said: "This is the geekiest thing I've ever liked." That just may be overtaken by "Prometheus", the newest sci-fi opus by Ridley Scott, made 33 years after "Alien" (but set 37 years before).
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/prometheus/
Release Date: 6/08

"Brave"
I haven't loved a Pixar film since "Up", and that was three years ago. They are due for another smash that's a little more "Finding Nemo" and a little less "Cars 2." They just might find it with "Brave", a needed respite from sequels, and their first original film to star a female character. A redhead, no less.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/brave/
Release Date: 6/22

"The Amazing Spider-Man"
Marc Webb made a strong directorial debut with "(500) Days of Summer", and he is following that up with "The Amazing Spider-Man". The guy has balls. There really hasn't been a mind-blowing Spider-Man movie yet - sorry, Tobey - but this one, with trade-ups Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, just may break that trend.
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/theamazingspiderman/
Release Date: 7/3

"The Dark Knight Rises"
Holy Smokes Batman! What more needs to be said, really?
Prediction: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/
Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thedarkknightrises/
Release Date: 7/20