5.) “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1”

“Twilight” made $191.4 million at the box office, “New Moon” came in at $296.6 million and “Eclipse” finished at the $300.5 million mark, according to rottentomatoes.com. The books and movies are targeted at teenage females, but the series’ popularity has transcended to all age groups of women (and their loyal boyfriends or husbands).

This movie picks up where “Eclipse” left off. I won’t go into the plot line for two reasons. One, if you’re a young lady, you’ve seen the previous three movies, or even read the books, and you obviously know what’s going to happen. Two, if you’re a guy accompanying your girlfriend to a midnight showing, you want to have something to keep you awake, right? And what better way to do that than trying to figure out why Jacob (Taylor Lautner) needs to be shirtless throughout the movie. Plus, I’d fear for my life if I left this movie off of this list.

Releases: November

Who will watch it: Women of all ages and their obedient boyfriends.

 

4.) “Hugo Cabret”

Yes, it’s a children’s movie, but not just any children’s movie. “Hugo Cabret” will be Martin Scorsese’s first children’s movie. Not only is that a first for the legendary director, but it will also be his first film shot in 3-D. The movie is set in the 1930’s and tells the story of Hugo Cabret, an orphan that lives in the walls of a Paris train station trying to solve a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

Scorsese’s track record includes movies like “Goodfellas,” “The Departed” and “Shutter Island,” just to name a few recent ones. This could also be the movie that proves 3-D to be more than just a Hollywood gimmick, given the fact that a Hollywood legend has hopped on the 3-D bandwagon.

Releases: December

Who will see it: Fans of Scorsese’s works and those looking for kid’s movies better than “G-Force.”

 

3.) “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2”

I’ve never been a big fan of the Harry Potter books, but the movies are very entertaining. The books have been translated into 69 languages and are distributed in over 200 territories. They also hit the $400 million mark in total sales back in 2008, according to The Nielsen Company, a consumer research and global media company.

“Deathly Hallows Part 2” will close out an eight-movie series of some of the most loved books of all time. According to boxofficemojo.com, “Deathly Hallows Part 1” grossed an estimated $61.2 million on opening day. Those numbers were the highest for an opening day in the series and the fifth best opening day of all time.

In part two, Harry decides to leave the Deathly Hallows and find the last Horcruxes to destroy Voldemort, but the path won’t be an easy one and danger approaches the wizard community. An epic event is destined to happen. This movie should not disappoint casual Potter viewers and diehard fans alike.

Releases: July

What they say: “All the questions are answered in the last movie. I have read all the books, so I know the answers anyway, but it will be awesome to see how it all plays out in the movie.”- Linzee Crunk, UNA student and Harry Potter fan.

2.) “Green Lantern” 

This is the first DC Comics universe character movie release since 2008’s “The Dark Knight.”  Hopefully Ryan Reynolds will do a great job playing Hal Jordan and won’t just be eye candy to bring more chicks into theaters. I don’t think that will happen, especially with Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”) directing the film.

The movie revolves around test pilot Hal Jordan donning the ring of a dying alien to become a protector of the universe, or the Green Lantern. “Green Lantern” will release in 3-D, and given the nature of the Green Lantern’s ring, this may be the first action movie released in 3-D to actually use the technology to complement the plot of the film.

Releases: June

What they say: “The Green Lantern is probably the greatest superhero to ever walk the Earth. Not only does he have fine tastes in jewelry, he has the most valuable superpower one can possess. He can use his ring to conjure up anything, from a T-Rex to a Freddy Krueger glove to fight crime. Needless to say, I was jacked when I heard about this movie. Ryan Reynolds is the man.” – Steven Herring, UNA student and movie buff. 

 

1.) “Cowboys & Aliens”

Before you jump to conclusions, this was a very “dude driven” choice. I mean, I gave the “Twilight” series it’s fair shout out. Sure, there are some movies that should have taken the top spot, but let me plead my case. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Quorra from “Tron” (Olivia Wilde) all have leading roles. Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”) is directing the film. Damon Lindelof, a writer from the “Lost” TV series, lent his pen to this production. Cowboys. Aliens. Need I say more?

A spaceship lands in Arizona some time in 1873 to take over the Earth, and a posse of cowboys are there to save the Wild West … and the world. The concept is promising, the actors are promising, the directors and writers are promising and my spot at a midnight showing is a guarantee. Does it deserve to be this high on the list? Probably not, but I’m stoked about the idea of “Cowboys & Aliens.”

Releases: July

What they say: “Harrison Ford is in it, along with Daniel Craig, so it’s got to be decent. I think it needs Arnold fighting a predator and you’ve got an epic movie.” – Kyle Thomas, UNA student and action movie specialist