Top 5 April Film Releases 2012

1. The Avengers

Image via Wikipedia

Release Date: 27 April 2012
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson
It’s what fans of Marvel have been waiting for and what could potentially be one the start of one of the biggest franchises in film history.  Having already established audiences for Captain America, Iron Man and Thor, this film brings them all together (plus a few others – the Incredible Hulk, Blackwidow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury) for what is one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year.  After placing teasers at the end of most related Marvel films (a wonderful marketing tool) over the last few years, people have been talking about The Avengers since the first Iron Man film in 2008.  As usual, the group of superheroes will battle to save the world, presumably from an evil plot planned by Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s evil brother.  But, it wouldn’t really matter what they did, box office glory is pretty much assured.  Based on anticipation alone, this is Filmoria’s Film of the Month.

2. American Reunion

Release Date: 6 April, 2012
Directed by: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Coolidge
It’s hard to believe that this is the fourth film in the American Pie franchise (there were some straight to DVD spin offs as well but they are hardly worth mentioning).  The first was released in 1999 and earned over $235 million world wide with the sequels making fairly equal dollar at the box office.  However, it has now been 8 years since the original cast was together, and those of us in our late 20′s or early 30′s might be a little nostalgic and looking forward to seeing how the gang has fared and changed, just as we have changed.  The film is based on a simple premise of the cast returning to East Great Falls in order to attend their high school reunion.  From the trailer, it looks as if it could be full of laughs, and by capitalizing on the recent success of R rated comedies like Bridesmaids and The Hangover, it may end up being the most lucrative of the series.

3. The Five Year Engagement

Release Date: 27 April 2012
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt

The latest from producer Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up) begins where most romantic comedies end.  Segel and Blunt play Tom and Violet, a couple who get engaged and then have major delays when it comes to actually walking down the aisle.  Supported by the engagingly funny Chris Pratt (TV’s Parks and Recreation), this film looks to follow in the footsteps of most of Apatow’s work.  With a screenplay written by Segel (who must have been VERY busy last year!), we know that we can look forward to more than a few laughs.

4. Titanic 3D

Release Date: 6 April 2012
Directed By: James Cameron
Starring: Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates

Back in 1997 when it was first released, Titanic was the most successful movie of its time.  It still holds the record for most weeks at number one at the box office, with 15 weeks in the top spot.  It also claimed the best picture Oscar that year, along with 10 other academy award statues.  However, if you’ve ever tried to watch Titanic on the small screen, you know that it just loses some of it’s power.  So, to commemorate the centennial of the Titanic’s tragic sinking, James Cameron has re-released his ‘baby’ in 3D, putting the film back on the big screen where it was meant to be enjoyed.  How the film will translate to 3D form remains to be seen, but Cameron isn’t one to cut corners and its lush sets and powerful story are likely to be just as mesmerizing as they were 15 years ago.

5. Headhunters

Release Date: 6 April 2012
Directed By: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Aksel Hennie, Synnove Macodv Lund

Headhunters, a Norwegian thriller, comes complete with an existing audience who are already fans of popular author Jo Nesbo’s work.  Based on the novel of the same name, Headhunters follows Roger Brown, a headhunter for Fortune 500 inductees.  His life seems complete – nice house, lovely wife, a mistress on the side.  But, due to his opulent lifestyle and his spending of money he is forced to moonlight by stealing artwork from his clients.  His latest target however causes him to uncover something that could bring it all crashing down around him.  After opening in Norway this past August, the film was immediately sold to over 50 countries and played several film festivals this fall.  This already successful film will certainly be one to watch.

Related External Articles

• Titanic 3D – Coming In 2012! (mrmovietimes.com)
• ‘Five-Year Engagement’ to open Tribeca (variety.com)
• Marvel Releases New Avengers Poster (comicbooked.com)
• Final Trailer For Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ (thomasjamesmitchell.com)
• Avengers Assemble: Whedon’s superhero epic takes shape (guardian.co.uk)