2012 was a landmark year in many ways. With the release of \u201cThe Avengers,\u201d \u201cThe Dark Knight Rises\u201d and \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man,\u201d the industry saw the true power of the superhero genre as it established itself as the new Hollywood mainstay. Indie comedies such as \u201cSafety Not Guaranteed\u201d and Your Sister\u2019s Sister\u201d ruled the underground, while big-budget giants like \u201cThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey\u201d and \u201cSkyfall\u201d dominated the box office at the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Going into 2013, the pattern seems to be repeating itself. As Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicks off, audiences can expect an onslaught of interconnected universes in \u201cIron Man 3\u201d and \u201cThor: The Dark World\u201d as they build toward the inevitable sequel to \u201cThe Avengers.\u201d As if that\u2019s not enough, Zack Snyder\u2019s \u201cMan of Steel\u201d and James Mangold\u2019s \u201cThe Wolverine\u201d are both comic book films that are on deck to try to salvage two characters who have only seen moderate success on the big screen for the past two decades.<\/p>\n
In concert with the other major blockbusters of the summer, including \u201cPacific Rim,\u201d \u201cWorld War Z,\u201d \u201cMonsters University,\u201d \u201c300: Rise of an Empire,\u201d \u201cDespicable Me 2\u201d and many others, it\u2019s easy to overlook some of the more promising films of the year.<\/p>\n
In July, Woody Allen is hitting the scene again with his new drama, \u201cBlue Jasmine.\u201d After wowing critics and moviegoers alike in 2011 with the stunning \u201cMidnight in Paris,\u201d Allen had a massive misfire with the lazy vignette film \u201cTo Rome with Love.\u201d With an all-star but not overcrowded cast list \u2014 Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Louis C.K. are all on board \u2014 \u201cBlue Jasmine\u201d looks like it might just be the film to right Allen\u2019s ship and bring him back into the good graces of the public once again.<\/p>\n
Back in 2009, previously unknown South African director Neill Blomkamp impressed audiences with his science fiction film, \u201cDistrict 9.\u201d While some decried it as a not-so-subtle retelling of a well-worn narrative, it was hard not to admire the fidelity of the picture despite its low-budget origins.<\/p>\n
Blomkamp is back this August with his film \u201cElysium,\u201d starring Matt Damon as a gun-toting citizen of a futuristic dystopia and Jodie Foster as the mayor of a space habitat for the ultra-wealthy. The writer\/director again seems to be targeting a social issue with the film, this time focusing on class disparities, healthcare and the consequences of oppression. But if \u201cDistrict 9\u201d is any indication, a fresh coat of paint and smartly-placed drama will elevate the story beyond its relatively simple conceits.<\/p>\n
Moving into September, B-movie action fans around the country will rejoice as they are treated to another bloody outing with Vin Diesel\u2019s terse intergalactic convict, \u201cRiddick.\u201d Written and directed by David Twohy, the man behind the past two live-action \u201cRiddick\u201d installments, the simply-titled \u201cRiddick\u201d doesn\u2019t seem to have much more substance than its predecessors according to its official synopsis. For many fans of the franchise, however, little more needs to be said than that the goggle-wearing, Ulak-wielding Furyan will be back on screen, slicing and dicing once again.<\/p>\n
Not long after \u201cRiddick,\u201d director Alfonso Cuar\u00f3n will release his long-awaited film, \u201cGravity\u201d; after two major successes with the Academy Award-nominated \u201cChildren of Men\u201d and \u201cHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,\u201d fans are eager to see what else the director can do with vividly imagined fictional universes.<\/p>\n
\u201cGravity\u201d features Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts who are stranded on a badly damaged space station. Early CinemaCon buzz indicates that the film will be beautiful \u2014 sweeping space vistas are reportedly awe-inspiring, and cinephiles everywhere are excited to see how this natural beauty clashes or compliments Cuar\u00f3n\u2019s decision not to use any makeup on his actors.<\/p>\n
2012 was a year of highs and lows as fans\u2019 expectations were surpassed and dashed in equal measure. While 2013 doesn\u2019t boast such a familiar or anticipated set of films, it certainly has the potential to engage audiences with unique, challenging and ultimately satisfying stories.<\/p>\n
So even if you don\u2019t see Robert Downey, Jr.\u2019s face mugging on the poster, give these films a chance \u2014 they may just surprise you.