1. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Release date: June 1, 2012 (Philippines) / Directed by Rupert Sanders / Featuring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Ian McShane
After the less than palatable Mirror Mirror with Julia Roberts comes another retelling of the Brothers Grimm's dark tale. Snow White and the Huntsman is director Rupert Sanders feature debut and it promises to be more sinister than your standard bedtime fairy tale.
Charlize Theron is Queen Ravenna, a vain megalomaniac out for blood. Last seen as the god of thunder in The Avengers, Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth is back as Eric: a woodsman with questionable loyalties. Aiding Snow White are eight—not seven—dwarves (Ian McShane, Johnny Harris, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Brian Gleeson, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost).
The plot sounds familiar, but Theron's icy Queen Ravenna makes braving the long lines and weekend traffic worth it.
2. Prometheus (2012)
Release date: June 8, 2012 (Philippines) / Directed by Ridley Scott / Featuring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron and Guy Pearce
A group of scientists comes across an ancient star map leading to what they believe is the genesis of mankind. A thirst for the unknown leads to conflict, bloodshed and unforeseen consequences.
Originally meant as a prequel to Alien (1979), Prometheus evolved into a standalone movie with its own "mythology and ideas." Interest in the film was bolstered by a marketing campaign that went viral. It also helped that Ridley Scott assembled a fine cast of actors led by Noomi Rapace, a Swedish actress best known as Lisbeth Salander in the original version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009). Rapace is joined by Michael Fassbender as David (an android) and Charlize Theron as Meredith Vickers, a shady character the actress describes as "pragmatic" and "suspicious."
3. To Rome with Love (2012)
Release date: June 22, 2012 (US) / Directed by Woody Allen / Featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Penélope Cruz and Alec Baldwin
Last year, Woody Allen had Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris) find love and inspiration on the streets of France; now it's Jesse Eisenberg's turn to do so in Rome. Sounds familiar?
Allen is on repeat mode; the day he steers clear of his favored theme of dorks in distress will be a day of fireworks and celebration. His new film for 2013 looks good. There's talk that non-geeks Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper are in it. .
