25. Watchmen (March 6)
Plot: A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, "Watchmen" is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the Watchmen?
Personal opinion: I've never read this acclaimed graphic novel, but the concept of it seems interesting and it appears to have several cool, unique characters. This one falls so far down the list because there's a chance it may not actually come out this year. There is currently a major lawsuit over who truly owns the distribution rights to these characters. WB is trying to release this film, but a judge recently ruled that Fox owns the rights. Hopefully this will get settled and the film will come out, but things are really up in the air right now. As they say in the news business, more on this to come.
24. 2012 (July 10)
Plot: Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. "2012" is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.
Personal opinion: From the looks of things, this seems like it might as well be called The Day After Tomorrow 2. Directed by the same guy, 2012 looks to focus heavy on visual effects and little of quality dialogue. This may not be for everyone, but I found The Day After Tomorrow to be escapist fun, so I'm hoping for the same with this.
23. The International (February 13)
Plot: In "The International," a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war.
Personal opinion: This won't be the first time you'll be seeing Clive Owen on this list. While this movie seems to have all the makings for a decent action thiller, I'm still not sold on Clive Owen as a lead actor. If the reviews for this one are good though, this could be your best option during a time of the year that typically doesn't have many blockbusters.
22. Monsters vs. Aliens (March 27)
Plot: When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.
Personal opinion: Dreamworks looks to continue their push to rival Pixar in terms of quality computer animated films. This one not only has a cute concept, but also has a strong cast of voice actors who look like they'll be able to really add something to their characters. I probably won't see this immediately, but I think this one will be popular with the kids.
21. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Plot: From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." is directed by Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns").
Personal opinion: You have to wonder why it's taken so long for them to make a live action G.I. Joe movie. But with the success of Transformers, this was a no-brainer. There are no real big name actors in this, which could either be a big mistake or a wise move. Stephen Sommers has shown he can make some solid popcorn fare and with this being the only real major release in August, this could be the final blockbuster of the summer. Then again, if this is anything less than spectacular, it may get lost in the shuffle amongst the rest of the bigger summer blockbusters.
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