Most Anticipated Movies and TV of 2013

It might seem a little strange to be writing about what I’m most looking forward to in 2013 when we’re already two months and change into the year. But it’s not really. January and February are dumping grounds for tired blockbusters (A Good Day to Die Hard and Jack the Giant Slayer, I’m looking at you), and even March isn’t really up to snuff. It’s once March draws to a close, just like the first buds of spring, we start to see the first fruits of our pop-culture tree. So in no particular order, here are the pop culture goodies I’m most looking forward to this year:

TV

Breaking Bad: season 5 part 2 – I said no particular order, but this has to be number one. Out of TV and film. The final eight episodes of what is currently the best show on television, bar none. I have no idea what to expect, as Vince Gilligan and co always manage to zig when I expect them to zag. But the closing moments of last season have set these episodes up nicely.

Arrested Development: new episodes – I hesitate to call this season 4, as apparently Mitch Hurwitz doesn’t want us calling it that, but if it weren’t for the end of Walter White’s misadventures, this would be my most anticipated event of the year. I shall be getting Netflix just so I can watch the further adventures of the Bluth clan. The most brilliant comedy of recent years back on TV, and not a day too soon.

Game of Thrones: season 3 – Here we are. This is the big one. The GoT team begins to adapt A Storm of Swords, arguably (actually it’s not arguable in the slightest) the best of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy saga. After a second season that split fans, I’m hoping that David Benioff and Dan Weiss overcome the slips in their difficult second season, and deliver a season for the ages. All together now, “And who are you, the proud lord said . . .”

Doctor Who: season 7 part 2 and 50^th anniversary special – 50 years of Doctor Who, eh? It’s pretty amazing when you think about it, and I hope that Stephen Moffat and crew are up to the task. On the face of it, a 60-minute anniversary special doesn’t seem like half as much as we need, and with every day that passes I fear more and more that we won’t be getting any kind of multi-doctor tale. Still, I have no doubt it will be spectacular.

Movies

Man of Steel – Superman has always been my favourite superhero, and we haven’t had a good Superman move since Superman 2. I’m really hoping that Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan can do justice to the man of steel. And I do hope that they let the movie be a little bit fun, too.

Star Trek into Darkness – I was always a Star Wars guy, but since J.J. Abrams is straddling both sagas now, they’re not all that different. Looking forward to seeing Benedict Cumberbatch in a villainous role, and I shall be judging this one for more clues of how Abram’s Star Wars will go down.

Ender’s Game – still no trailer as I write this, but there’s a great cast for this, and the first few stills look great. I read the book recently in anticipation for the movie, and completely devoured it. I do hope that the movie is not mired in controversy because of Orson Scott-Card’s own (horrible) personal views.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – I must admit to being disappointed by the first movie, and feeling that the split from two movies to three had hampered these movies. But there was still much to love, and Jackson has the chance to create the definitive cinema dragon in Cumberbatch’s Smaug. Also looking forward to seeing the LEGO rendition of the red dragon – yes, I’m one of those nerds.

Pacific Rim – Guillermo del Toro is a master filmmaker and visionary, and I have huge hopes for this love letter to the kauji movies of Japan. I look forward to seeing the designs for his giant monsters. The only thing that could be better would be vintage-style vinyl figures to go along with the release.

The Alan Partridge Movie –Yes, this is happening, and it’s being filmed right now. Armando Iannucci is on a roll recently with the fourth and possibly final series of The Thick of It, and his new show Veep, which will start its second season in April. Here’s hoping he can bring that genius to the Alan Partridge movie, after when Iannucci himself has called a disappointing second season of Partridge.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – I’ve not read the books, I saw the first film and must admit it left me a little cold, but I am anticipating this movie. And that’s because of the Star Wars connection again. It’s the third movie to have been written by the scribe of the upcoming Episode VII, Michael Arndt.

The World’s End – The third movie in Wright, Pegg and Frost “Cornetto Trilogy”, I’m hoping that it’s up to the standard set by Shaun of the Dead. Yeah, Hot Fuzz kinda left me cold, I’m sorry.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For – We’ve waited long enough for this one, and most of the gang is back for this. Minus of course the two stars of the first movie who have tragically died since, Michael Clarke-Duncan and Brittany Murphy.

Anchorman 2 – We’ve seen nothing from this film yet, but I have high hopes. (Insert Anchorman quote here.)

Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World – Both of these movies are looking good, and look set to start off Marvel’s “Phase Two” with a bang, quite literally. I’m not more excited about these because I feel it will be more of the same. Prove me wrong, guys!

Kick Ass 2 – another superhero sequel, this time to the excellent Kick Ass. Here’s hoping it matches the earlier movie.

The Wolverine – Let’s all just pretend that X-Men: Wolverine: Origins never happened, right guys? I think everyone invlolved in this would like you to, please. (That also counts for Gavid Hood, director of Origins and also of the upcoming Ender’s Game).

Oblivion, Elysium, Snowpiercer – Some great looking sci-fi original movies will be coming out this year, also. Most looking forward to Neill Blomkamp’s follow-up to the excellent District 9.

Frozen – Disney’s take on The Snow Queen, and the animated movie I’m looking forward to most this year. Pixar’s Monster’s University has a lot to prove coming after the disappointing Brave and Cars 2.

All in all, it looks like a great year for fans of great movies and great TV! And it all kicks off March 31^st with the premiere of Game of Thrones season 3. See you there!