So today’s post is my list of hopefuls for the 2012.  The films that I am most anticipating and the films I think have the best chance at “wow”-ing me.

12. The Avengers (May 4th)

I love super hero movies.  It’s honestly hard for me to not enjoy a superhero movie.  Even at the extreme rate at which Hollywood is cranking them out these days, it has been a while since we’ve had a really great one.  And with Joss Whedon at the helm, I think this could be a fun and exhilarating film. While I’m a little disappointed that Edward Norton won’t be reprising his role as the Hulk, I’m excited to see how the extremely talented Ruffalo will portray the character.

11. Lincoln (December)

I love U.S. History, and have always been fascinated with this particular time period.  That alone will get me in the theater, but then when you tell me that Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate method actor, will be playing Lincoln, well now you got me really excited.  Not to mention Joseph Gordon-Levitt will playing his son.

10. Django Unchained (Dec. 25)

Leonardo DiCaprio has owned the past decade, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is working real hard to steal it from him. And Tarantino has enlisted them both to tell his story of a freed slave-turned-bounty hunter on a mission to rescue his wife.  But I think his best move may have been bringing back Christoph Waltz.  I’m hoping their partnership can bring back some of the magic that was in Inglorious Basterds.

9. The Great Gatsby (Dec. 25)

Two Leo films coming out on Christmas Day? I think Popcorn and Coke will suffice for presents this year.  So I will see just about anything DiCaprio does, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard he would be taking the lead role in the new adaptation of one of my absolute favorite books.  If it weren’t being filmed in 3D, this would be much higher on my list.

8. Moonrise Kingdom (May 16)

It’s a new Wes Anderson movie, why wouldn’t I be excited about it?  Glad to see some new faces among Anderson’s usual favorites. Looks to be a fun one.

7. Blue Like Jazz (April 13)

Another one of my favorite books is being made into a film this year.  Donald Miller’s hilarious collection of essays should make for a fun film, and knowing that Miller himself was involved in the making of this film, gives me confidence that the faith aspect of the film will be done well.

6. The Hunger Games (Mar. 23)

My wife and I both devoured these books when we first discovered them a couple years ago.  Although I kind of doubt that this will end up being a good movie, I can’t help but be excited about watching.  I just don’t know how you could pull off the intensity of this film in a tasteful way.  But if they somehow pull it off, it will be epic.

5. The Hobbit (Dec. 14)

Peter Jackson reunites the whole gang with the addition of Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Office) to adapt my favorite Tolkien book. Yes please!

4. Gangster Squad (Oct. 19)

Ryan Goslin, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, and Sean Penn in a 40′s Mafia film.  Not a fan of the title, but that won’t stop me from seeing this flick.

3. Argo (Sept. 14)

While I still have my doubts about Ben Affleck as an actor, after watching Gone, Baby, Gone and The Town, I am a firm believer in Affleck the director, and will watch anything that he directs from here on out.  And with both Bryan Cranston and Kyle Chandler leading the way, I have pretty high hopes for this film.

2. Jeff Who Lives At Home (Mar. 16)

Jason Segel is quickly becoming one of my favorite comedians and I continue to be impressed with Ed Helms as he branches out into different comedic roles.   Just looks like my kind of indie comedy.

1. The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)

The Dark Knight was my favorite film of 2008 and I thought their absence from the Best Picture nominations was the biggest snub of the year.  Christopher Nolan hasn’t made a bad film yet.  It’s unfortunate that Ledger will never be able to reprise his terrifyingly awesome role, but I’m excited about the addition of Tom Hardy as Bane.  Excited to see how Nolan finishes up this epic superhero saga.

Hope you enjoyed the list. What film are you most excited about seeing this year? What egregious error did I make?

The BQE is, for one, an orchestral suite, commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music and adapted from a 2007 performance at the Howard Gilman Opera House. Now it’s also the soundtrack to Stevens’ homemade film of the same name.

Of course, the package includes all sorts of eclectic goodies, from View-Master disks to a 40-page color comic book. “Maximum” is the word with Stevens, from his early electronic work to the widely lauded orchestral pop of his 2005 offering, Illinois.

Thus the expressway is a strange but perfect muse for the artist. Throughout seven movements, The BQE weaves a day in the life of the roadway, including a tranquil sunrise (“Movement I: In The Countenance of Kings”) and the whirlpool of exits and interchanges (“Movement III: Linear Tableau with Intersecting Surprise”).

The influences (mostly classical) are countless, but Steve Reich looms large over many of the suite’s best moments. In fact, for the first time in his prolific career, Stevens sounds more like a modern composer than a pop star.

Visually, The BQE is devoted to the bleached, tidy aesthetic of any Wes Anderson film. Like the expressway, the hula-hoop serves as bizarre symbol of futility and frivolity. The result is a vibrant, slightly pretentious ode to urban sprawl; it’s a wholly singular work.

So, the entire affair is something of a red herring, but what isn’t with Stevens? “Movement IV: Traffic Shock,” is the prime example; it pairs 8-bit synthesizers with a chorus of flutes for an unexpected thrill. On the heels of an orchestral reworking of his 2001 electronic album, Enjoy Your Rabbit, it’s clear the artist is arranging his past for the purpose of a new weird future.

If you are unfamiliar with Company of Thieves check out this great Wes Anderson inspired music video.

or you can go here and watch the video interview we did with them back in February.

A few more details about the contest:

Make sure and leave your e.mail address so that we can contact you if you are the winner.  Also this contest is unfortunatly only open to our U.S. readers.  Sorry if that leaves you out, it doesn’t mean we don’t love you. Good luck. Hope your ears are filled with blood.