13 Films To Watch in 2013

The media students over at New College gave us the low down on their pick of the most highly anticipated movie releases of 2013.

With a hoard load of superhero sequels, The Lord of the Rings prequel and a Seth Rogen comedy on the cards, we're going to be spending a lot of time at Empire Cinema.

1. The Hobbit - 13/12/2012

Ok, so we know this film was released at the tail end of 2012, but there’s no disputing that this Lord of the Rings prequel is going to massive way into 2013. We've already seen it here at TGtS and it's incredible! Without trying to give too much away, the Dwarfs, Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf have successfully escaped the misty mountains and Bilbo has gained the one ring (my precious). The gang are then swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

2. Gangster Squad - 10/01/2013

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star in this gripping chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s.

3. Django Unchained - 19/01/2013

We do love a good western here at TGtS, written/directed by Quentin Tarantino and staring Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio, this flick could quite possibly we our favourite one yet! Clint Eastwood, who? With the help of his mentor, Django a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner, cue cowboys, a bar brawl and the obligatory tumble weed.

4. Lincoln - 25/01/2013

After 2012's political smash about the antics of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s Iron Lady of Downing Street, it only seemed right our American friends should cobble together a film about former US President Abraham Lincoln (we're expecting a little bit more action though). As the Civil War rages on, the American resident struggles with the continuing carnage, fighting with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate slaves. - We could take it or leave it if we're honest.

5. In the House 29/03/2013

This year’s artsy, low budget and thought provoking foreign thriller comes in the form of 'In the House' a French film, directed by François Ozon. The film follows a sixteen year old boy who hides himself in the house of a fellow literature student (bit creepy) and writes about it in essays for his French teacher. The boy's teacher faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, rediscovers his enthusiasm for his teaching, but the boy's intrusion unleashes a series of uncontrollable events..Swings and roundabouts we guess.

6. Hyde Park on Hudson - 01/02/2013

The Roger Michell directed film is a British biographical comedy-drama film story of the love affair between Franklin D. Roosevelt and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley, centered on the weekend in 1939 when the King and Queen of the United Kingdom visited upstate New York. In the build-up to Valentines we couldn't think of anything better to drag your partner along to.

7. This is 40 - 14/02/2013

In theatres just in time for Valentine's Day, this romantic comedy takes a look at the lives of Pete and Debbie a few years after the events of Knocked Up.

8. Cloud Atlas 22/02/2013

Already dubbed the 'Inception' of 2013, be prepared to be totally perplexed. The German film, based on the novel of the same name explores how actions can impact one another in the past, present and future.

9. The Host - 22/03/2013

Aliens called 'Souls' have invaded the Earth and have begun to possess the minds of humans. Scary right! Our protagonist Melanie Stryder has been inhabited by a Soul named Wanda but she refuses to fade away. Creepy yet touching Wanda starts to see Melanie's memories, in which she sees her loved ones and eventually finds a connection with them, too.

10. Oblivion - 12/04/2013

At nearly 50 we're as surprised as you are Tom Cruise is still running around like a lunatic with the fate of mankind in his hands. Cruise one of the last few remaining drone repairmen assigned to Earth discovers a crashed spacecraft with contents that bring into question everything he ever believed about the war, that devastated the earth's surface after decades of fighting with an alien race, called the Scavs.

11. Iron Man 3 - 03/05/2013

Last spotted in 2012's Marvel Comic's summer smash The Avengers, Tony Stark is back and using his ingenuity and whit to fight Iron Man's most powerful foe yet: the Mandarin. Expect plenty of explosions, epic fights scenes and some seriously gnarly baddies. We can't wait!

12. Man of Steel 14/06/2013

We've got high hopes for this one. Produced by Batman director Christopher Nolan, you just know the latest re-boot of the Superman franchise is going to be pretty darn epic. Ditching the iconic red undies in favour of a sleeker more mature look, Clark Kent is an alien infant is raised on Earth, etc etc and grows up with superhuman abilities. You should know the drill by now! Kent then sets out to use his abilities to guard his adopted planet and probably save Lois Lane from peril along the way.

13. Thor: The Dark World 26/07/2013

Another Marvel Comics favourite;Thor, battles an ancient race of Dark Elves led by the vengeful Malekith who threatens to plunge the universe back into darkness after the events of Avengers last summer.