Box Office Buzz: My most anticipated movies of 2013

By Ashley Bergner
Box Office Buzz

2012 is going to be a tough year for Hollywood to top. The year’s most anticipated movies — such as “The Hunger Games,” “The Hobbit” and the new Bond movie, “Skyfall” — were, for the most part, relatively well received by fans and also performed quite well at the box office. However, there are quite a few films slated for release in 2013 that look promising, as well, including several sequels to popular franchises.

While there are quite a few films I’m looking forward to this year, here are the top five I’m most excited about:

Why the Hunger Games sequel is suddenly in jeopardy

By Marc Bernardin, Source: Blastr.com

You’d think that, given The Hunger Games’ gargantuan success at the box office, the sequel would be a no-brainer. But a new monkey wrench got thrown into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that is threatening to extinguish Catching Fire before it even lights up.

While there are many things one can attribute the film adaptation of The Hunger Games’ success to—the popularity of the book, the stellar marketing campaign, a desire for a straight-up movie heroine—no one can argue that the film itself was leaps better than many other movies based on young-adult book hits (yes, Twilight, we’re talking about you).

Movie review: ‘The Hunger Games’

By Ashley Bergner
Box Office Buzz

I’m pretty sure by now, I’m one of the last people on the planet to read “The Hunger Games” novel. However, I finally picked up a copy last week, and since then, I haven’t been able to stop reading it. It’s a smartly-written, fast-paced and thought-provoking novel, and the good news for fans is, the film version is just as powerful.

The story takes place in a civilization called Panem, a post-apocalyptic society in North America that’s divided into 13 districts. Years ago, the districts of Panem tried to rebel against the oppressive government but were brutally crushed (the 13th district was even obliterated). As punishment for the rebellion, the government started the “Hunger Games,” a televised gladiator-style competition where teenagers are forced to fight to the death.

The Hunger Games Is Going To Be Awesome

The Hunger Games is a book trilogy that has gained substantial popularity since the first book’s release in 2008.  The first book’s film adaptation will be released this year, and people can hardly contain themselves.  If one had to describe the Hunger Games to someone unfamiliar with the series, the best way would be: George Orwell’s 1984’s totalitarian world meets the Gladiator fighting arena meets the reality show Survivor.

Without giving too much away, the following is the general plot of the first book and film.  The Hunger Games series follows a 16 year-old-girl, Katniss Everdeen, in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world ruled by a totalitarian governmental power.  Said government is located in one of thirteen existing districts, i.e. the central district deemed “Capitol,” that arose from North America; this new country is known as Panem.  Due to a rebellion against the Capitol, the government now holds what is known as the “Hunger Games” tournament every year.  Said games are a fight to the death by one boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from all districts except the Capitol.  The games are televised and highly watched by all districts.  When Katniss’ younger sister is chosen to participate in the games, Katniss volunteers herself as a replacement.  From here, the movie truly begins.

‘Hunger Games’ tops poll as most anticipated film of 2012

Source: Entertainment Weekly

“The Hunger Games” topped the list of most anticipated films in 2012, according to a recent poll by Entertainment Weekly magazine. About 38 percent of responders said the film, which is slated for release on March 23, is the movie they most want to see next year.

Also making the list were:

- “The Dark Knight Rises” (release date: July 20), 27 percent
- “The Hobbit: An Unexpected J0urney” (release date: Dec. 14), 10 percent
- “The Avengers” (release date: May 4), 8 percent
- “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2″ (release date: Nov. 16), 5 percent
- “The Great Gatsby” (release date: Dec. 25), 2 percent
- “Prometheus” (release date: June 8), 2 percent

What film are you most anticipating in 2012?