My Top Ten Most Anticipated Movies of 2013

The beginning of the year is typically a rough time for movies. Every now and then you'll find a good one, but most of the films arriving in theaters week after week are subpar. That is, until the Summer arrives with its big budget blockbusters (some disappointing, others incredible), and then comes the Fall movie season which brings quality dramas and thrillers that are usually in contention for Oscars. So, since I am not making it to the movies a whole bunch during this bland part of the year, I figured I would look ahead and what is coming out later this year and rank my personal choices for Most Anticipated Movies of 2013.

Movie Review: "Burt Wonderstone" Underuses Its Stars

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Director: Don Scardino
Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, and Jim Carrey.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, dangerous stunts, a drug-related incident and language.

This movie had a lot going for it: a great comedic cast, a premise depicting outlandish magicians, the minds of 30 Rock behind the camera, and Jim Carrey as an edgy rock and roll rival magician. There are some humorous moments, but there's not much that will have your cheeks hurting from laughter. This is mostly due to the underusage of nearly the entire casts' talents.

Movie Review: "Oz" the Good, Not Great.

Oz the Great and Powerful

Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Zach Braff.
Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language.

Only Disney would have the stones to take a beloved classic and try to capitalize on its fan base. The gamble may pay off financially, but perhaps the only return to Oz should have been an adaptation of the already widely popular musical, Wicked. I am hoping that this Oz does not keep studios from wanting to produce the musical version. If you are a fan of the musical and are expecting to see some similarities between that prequel and this one then you may find yourself disappointed. The two could not be more different.