10. The Adventures of TinTin: The Secret of the Unicorn (26th October 2011)
Everybody’s favourite Belgian reporter, cow licked hair and all, is making his way to the big screen in
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Thankfully veering well clear of live-action, this Steven Spielberg directed film could very well be the animated film of the year. Voices are provided by Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkins. Phew. Not bad.
9. Thor (29th April 2011)
Definitely one of the most anticipated comic book films of 2011.
Thor (with the titular hero being played by
Star Trek’s Chris Hemworth) will follow the rise of the legendary warrior/demigod of Norse mythology. Sneakily referred to at the end of
Iron Man 2, past the credits that is,
Thor will form part of
Joss Whedon’s super-tastic-hero entourage of
The Avengers for 2012 and promises to be one of the biggest releases yet. Oh and
Natalie Portman is in it as well. As if a blond giant wielding a massive hammer to smash enemies wasn’t enough.
Read our
Thor review
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Thor – the Graphic Novel in the Best For Film Shop
8. Cowboys & Aliens (12th August 2011)
Cowboys. Check. Aliens. Check. Epic looking bracelet that’s actually the BFG in disguise. Double check. There isn’t too much more that needs to be said about
Cowboys and Aliens other than Bond front man Daniel Craig and Professor Jones Harrison Ford are in it. This is yet another ‘comic books turned into movies’ film that will no doubt be jam packed full of action and given the featured picture – an intriguing story to the origin of aliens in the wild west.
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (18th May 2011)
Johnny Depp returns as the lovable scallywag Captain Jack Sparrow, this time in search of the fountain of youth rather than just rum in the latest film in the
Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Although it seems likely that there will be an abundance of that too. Joining him this time are newcomers to the series: Ian Mcshane as Blackbear, and Penelope Cruz, as…well presumably as a substitute for Keira Knightley’s disappearance from the franchise. Thankfully she did take Orlando Bloom with her.
Read our
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides review
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Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy on DVD Box Set in the Best For Film Shop
6. Captain America: The First Avenger (22nd July 2011)
Falling well short of subtlety,
Captain AMERICA: The First Avenger, is nonetheless is probably the biggest comic book adaptation to look out for in 2011. Chris Evans takes up another superhero mantle, previously playing the Human Torch, as the lead and is joined by Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel “I’m-always-yelling-in-movies” Jackson. While there are an abundance of comic book adaptations due in 2011, just have another look at this list,
Captain America: The First Avenger seems to be trying to set itself apart as far as story and characters are concerned – and it’s the reason it actually looks pretty darn good. That and the fact that for the next two years Joss Whedon will have a definite influence in whatever has an Avenger’s tag.
5. 127 Hours (7th January 2011)
Director
Danny Boyle has created some of the most intense and memorable films in history.
Trainspotting,
The Beach, Sunshine and
Slumdog Millionaire – not too many directors can lay down a list as impressive as that. And
127 hours definitely seems to be heading in the same direction as the previous successes. Detailing the incredible story of a hiker’s survival, courtesy of James Franco in the lead,
127 Hours looks incredible and while the story is eerily intense due to the real life conclusion, Boyle might be up for further Oscar recognition with this gem.
Read our
127 Hours review
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127 Hours on DVD in the Best For Film Shop
4. The Hobbit: Part 1 (31st December 2011)
It’s been a long road for
The Hobbit. *Smirk*. Yes terrible puns aside, the “prequel” to Peter Jackson’s epic
Lord of the Rings has finally gotten itself a release date. For quite some time it was feared the project would never get off the ground but it seems New Zealand hasn’t had enough yet of Middle-Earthness and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
LOTR was possible the greatest trilogy of all time – other than the
Godfather series of course or
Jurassic Park. Minus the second two that is. But if
The Hobbit: Part I is done on the same scale as Jackson’s previous venture with Tolkien’s story he could once again raise the bar for fantasy – something that hasn’t been done since his first foray into Middle Earth.
3. Sucker Punch (25th of March 2011)
Sweet baby Jesus. Emily Browning…erm…I don’t know how to say this – but will you marry me? Zack “Slow-Mo” Snyder, director of such epics as
300 and
Watchmen, has officially won me over yet again with
Sucker Punch. A film so ludicrous in content it’s almost too good to be true. Guns, explosions, giant samurai facing off against girls with swords and a giant dragon flying around WWI like trenches! Plus Emily Browning! Is there no end to the awesome? Maintaining his recognizable visual style, putting up a story that while completely unlikely is still fairly intriguing – damn, we salute you!
Read our
Sucker Punch review
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Sucker Punch on DVD in the Best For Film Shop
2. The Hangover 2 (27th May 2011)
A lot of people had never heard of Zach Galifianakis before
The Hangover. Those fortunate of us had however gotten a taste in
Out Cold, and were wondering when the funny man would pop his bearded head out again. He did so gloriously with 2009 hit
The Hangover, and there’s no doubt that he contributed a massive amount to the film’s success. He returns now with his “Wolf Pack” in the second instalment and number 2 on this list for Top 20 Films To See In 2011 in the
Hangover 2. While exact details are sketchy in terms of story – it’s safe to say the key is in the title. With cameos from former US President Bill Clinton and surprisingly funny Mike Tyson, this will definitely be one of the funniest films of 2011.
Read our
The Hangover 2 review
And coming in at Number 1…
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (15th July 2011)
The Harry Potter series took the world by storm and audiences watched gleefully as both the story and characters evolved over the ten years the films have spanned. The latest film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, has broken box office records, proving that we all have a soft spot for ‘the boy who lived’. And possibly that Emma Watson needs to disregard what I said about Emily Browning and consider herself proposed to as well. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part II screens July 15th and is 2011’s number one film to see. Be sure you watch it – it’s the end of an era.
And that’s that! From comic book heroes, pirates and aliens – to girls with katanas, drunken bearded men and boy wizards, these are The Top 20 Films To See in 2011 laid out so beautifully in front of you! See anything you like?
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Harry Potter 1-7 DVD Box Set on DVD in the Best For Film Shop
