"A Rodriguez regular, the character and film were created around Trejo and his signature, erm, charm..."

Ah yes, with 2011 comfortably over it's time to shift focus to the films of 2012. Not to get ahead of myself, but it's going to FREAKIN' AWESOME BRO! Even Bane's excited. Although there were some gems last year — as evidenced in my top 10 and honourable mentions — in general the films of '12 could be summed up with one word; disappointing. From Sucker Punch to Red Riding Hood, blockbuster after blockbuster sucked. It was the small films from unexpected corners of Hollywood that brought audiences to the proverbial yard.

In 2012 that's likely to be the opposite. With two new films from Tim Burton, the first instalment in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, the superhero movie to end all superhero movies Avengers, Robert Rodriguez’s Machete, World War Z, The Great Gatsby, Tarantino's newbie Django Unchained and SO many other massive flicks, it's safe to have our expectations set relatively high. There are big directors making big movies this year. There are also some smaller gems that will bring an entirely different (yet tasty) meal to the table. I'm talking genre flicks like Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters from the stylish team behind Dead Snow, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and a movie adaptation of one of my favourites books Warm Bodies. Out of left field there’s The Grey which pits Liam Neeson against wolves, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Michelle Williams vehicle My Week With Marilyn, the hilarious A Few Best Men and Ralph Fiennes directorial debut Shakespeare war film Coriolanus.

The film I’m most looking forward to in 2012 is unsurprisingly The Dark Knight Rises. Everything else I’m excited about is on this list, including the epic looking Snow White and The Huntsman and animated charmer The Pirates! Band Of Misfits. I’m also going to make an early call and predict Mirror, Mirror as the worst film of the year and The Hunger Games as the biggest disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a colossal fan of Suzanne Collins' book series but from the casting to the severely disappointing trailers, I think this is going to be a disaster. I hope I’m wrong.

Let me preface this by saying; I'm not joking. I actually interviewed Kim Sasabone (the one at the top end of the rocket) a few weeks ago ahead of their first Australian tour in over a decade. My eight-year-old self would have been so please with 23-year-old me. When the Vengabus isn't coming and everyone's not jumping, Kim says she enjoys nothing more than chilling out and watching a movie. What movie, you ask? Read on:

"Oh, that's hard because there are so many I love. One of my favourites from my childhood is The Wizard Of Oz. That's such a beautiful movie with so many great songs and moments. If we're talking about later on in life I'd have to really think about it. The Wizard Of Oz is my stand out favourite though.''

Doritos recently announced the details of the seventh Crash The Super Bowl Ad Contest and as of today you can officially submit your ad! The 2013 Crash The Super Bowl VII should see some great consumer created ads considering this years grand prize winner is getting the opportunity to work with Michael Bay on the film "Transformers 4."

Is your ad ready to be submitted? Check out the submissions already rolling in on the Doritos FaceBook App, more details below:

What has become one of the most popular of all the Super Bowl Ads on game day are the finalist of the Crash The Super Bowl contest. Now the seventh year that Doritos is running the contest they kick it up big time by announcing this years winner has the opportunity to work with Michael Bay on the next installment of the “Transformers” movie franchise, along with a shot at a $1 million bonus!

Bay who actually started his career in advertising had this to say: "...creating television spots and trying to make a name for myself, I can definitely relate to those who enter the Crash the Super Bowl contest," said Bay, who began directing commercials and music videos one week out of film school in 1989. "I know firsthand how challenging it can be to succeed in such a competitive industry, so I’m excited to help someone else truly make a name of their own."

The contest invites people to use their own creativity to create homemade ads for the Doritos brand, the top two spots will air during the Super Bowl XLVII broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. One of the ads will be selected by America’s votes; the second by the Doritos brand team. The ad that ranks the highest on the USA TODAY Ad Meter rankings will be awarded the grand prize of working with Michael Bay, and if that ad lands at the top of the USA TODAY Ad Meter, Doritos will be handing its creator $1 million!

The contest will run exclusively from a Crash the Super Bowl-branded app on the Doritos Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/DoritosUSA) for the first time. You can upload your 30 second commercial starting today Oct. 8, 2012 to Nov. 16, 2012. The app is designed to engage and socialize with consumers in a much broader way than in previous years with app features like a "Pitch In" tool that allows fans to interact with each other. The tool will also allow people to help ad creators by requesting or offering up props, talent and other items contestants might need to create their ads. The traditional toolbox is still available and loaded with the Doritos logos, product shots, music and animations for use in creating your ad. The gallery of submissions is already filling up.

The top five ads will be announced in January 2013, awarded $25,000 and a trip to New Orleans to attend Super Bowl XLVII in a private luxury suite. Then it will be up to fans to vote for their favorite ad, where they will tune in to learn for the first time which two ads will compete for the top spot in the USA TODAY Ad Meter. Bonus prizing will be awarded, based on how each ad ranks on the USA TODAY Ad Meter:
• No. 1 spot on the USA TODAY Ad Meter wins you a cool $1 Million
• No. 2 two spot on the USA TODAY Ad Meter wins you a $600,000 prize
• No. 3 spot on the USA TODAY Ad Meter wins you $400,000

Ram Krishnan, vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America added, "Over the past six years, our fans have created thousands of Doritos ads, dominating the USA TODAY Ad Meter year after year and making Doritos the brand to watch on Super Bowl Sunday. Every year, our fans deliver for us, so this year we’re bringing them a contest grand prize that we know will be a true game changer. The opportunity to work on a blockbuster film like ‘Transformers 4’ is an experience we know will help catapult our lucky winner to the big time."

Consumer-created Doritos ads have ranked in the top-five of the USA TODAY Ad Meter the last six years, and in three of the last four years scored the No. 1 ranking, the campaign is clearly one of the greatest ad campaigns ever created.

Sponsored Post for CTSB

Joss Whedon brings together the ultimate team of superheroes in the first official trailer teaser for Marvel's The Avengers movie due out in the summer of 2012.

Press:
When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

The Avengers continues the epic big-screen adventures started in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger". Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

Official movie trailer for the upcoming Dr. Seuss' The Lorax movie, can't wait to discover the legend of the Lorax for myself.

In theaters: March 2nd, 2012
Director:Chris Renaud
Cast: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Betty White
The 3D-CGI feature Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted's dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O'Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted's wise Grammy Norma.

The highly anticipated 2013 Subaru BRZ rear-wheel-drive sports coupe makes its debut in Canada with the launch of a new campaign ‘Scorched,’ and car aficionados and passionate drivers will agree, car porn has never looked so good.

Developed by DDB Canada’s Toronto office, the national campaign features a 60-second online film, ‘Scorched,’ shot with Phantom camera technology, creating extreme slow-motion shots. The suspenseful story unfolds inside a garage where an unknown source of heat melts everything in its path. Amplified by a dubstep track, “Execute” by Excision, the final shot reveals the heat source to be the Subaru BRZ emerging out of a drift, demonstrating that the BRZ handles as incredibly as it looks.

“The Subaru BRZ is a hot car, with a great deal of excitement already surrounding its release,” says Todd Mackie, creative director, DDB Canada. “We wanted to create a visual story to mirror that anticipation while captivating both existing fans and reaching new ones.”

Print, online, ambient, social media, public relations and targeted blogger outreach round out the campaign; each highlighting the sizzling sports coupe. Selectmedia and bloggers also got the opportunity to feed their gear head inside by attending the ‘Scorched’ shoot, to get a rare, behind-the-scenes peek at the Subaru BRZ in action.

“This is Subaru’s first rear-wheel drive sports coupe and with limited quantities available in Canada this year, it’s the most highly anticipated launch in the category,” says Geoff Craig, director of marketing, Subaru Canada. “We challenged DDB to accelerate the buzz and launch the BRZ with creative that’s just as hot as the car.”

A hologram lenticular in The Grid and attention-grabbing creative in national newspapers and magazines reveals the BRZ burning through the pages. Similarly, online advertising burns up computer screens and tablets to unveil the hot new sports car.

The Subaru BRZ turned heads at the 2012 Montreal Grand Prix (June 8-10), with an ambient street-art installation produced by DDB Public Relations. The BRZ was showcased as part of an eye-popping, movie-style set featuring a burnt mailbox, singed bike rack, melted street lamp and a massive 32’ heat-blasted brick wall. The result was a surreal replica of a Montreal street corner that appeared to have been utterly “scorched” by the hot new sports car.

To enhance the installation DDB Public Relations engagedCanadian NFC tech firm, TAPmeTAGS Inc. to provide NFC enabled tags as part of a test-pilot program to encourage consumer interaction onsite. Singed wild postings surrounding the installation encouraged passersby to “tap or snap” using their NFC phones. This directed consumers to a dedicated BRZ landing page where they could learn more about the vehicle, view images and book a test drive.

The Montreal ambient installation is the first of a series, with more coming to major cities across Canada this summer.

Credits:
Advertising Agency: DDB, Toronto, Canada
Creative Directors: Denise Rossetto, Todd Mackie
Associate Creative Directors: Paul Riss, Adam Bailey
Copywriter: Adam Bailey
Art Director: Paul Riss
Agency Producer: Ken Rodger
Account Team: Michael Davidson, Peter Brough, Julia Morris
Media Company: OMD
Production Company: Radke
Director: Common Good
Common Good Creative Directors: Eric Makila, Jamie Webster, Jordan Clarke
Executive Producers Common Good: Marie-Pierre Touré, Stefanie Kouverianos
Executive Producer Radke: Miriana DiQuinzio
Line Producer:Dwight Phipps
Director of Photography:Chris Mably
Editorial: Ross Birchall, Bijou Editorial
VFX: Common Good
VFX Supervisor: Alex Avram
Post-Production: Alter Ego
Colourist: Erin Whipp / Alter Ego
Online Editor: Darren Achim
Music: “Execute” by Excision

BATMAN 3 TO START FILMING NEXT YEAR?!

I’m sorry if my overuse of capitals hurt your eyes, but really, your pain pales in insignificance compared to the prospect of Batman 3 getting underway next year!!! After the colossal success of The Dark Knight, rumours surrounding director Chris Nolan’s third Batman film have been flying out of every A-Lister's orifice. The latest comes from cast member and all-round stellar chap Gary Oldman who plays police commissioner Gordon in the films. Whilst taking part in a panel at Comic-Con with Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis to promote their latest film The Book of Eli, some ballsy person probed Oldman on the latest Batman 3 news. He had this to say:

“We’re starting filming on the next Batman next year. So it won’t be out for another two years at least, I think. But you didn’t hear it from me!”

Actually, Oldman, we did hear it from you since you’re the only semi-reliable person to dish anything about the movie in recent months. Hmmm, another two years you say? That would make a new Batman film due for release around 2012-ish which sounds about right considering Nolan is busy festering away on his latest project Inception. What’s that? Nolan is making a non-Batman film? Yes, kids, believe it or not he’s extremely good at it too. For those wanting to hear all about Nolan’s sci-fi actioner, stay tuned as I intend to post a full run-down on Inception in the next few days.

P.S. Breaking news y'all! The trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland leaked on the net last night and it looks radical! You can watch it in its entirety here. Considering this puppy isn't released in Australian cinema's until March 11 next year, I'm quite ecstatic to see a trailer this early. No doubt a longer version will be released closer to the opening date but as far as sneak peeks go this is psychedelic. You MUST watch. There has been so much hype surrounding this film and the atmosphere was elevated to frenzy this week when a bunch of new stills from the film were shown at Comic-Con (one of which is above). Early days yet, but this looks like it's shaping up to be one of the most original and exciting adaptations of anything in recent years. Not to mention much more faithful to the book which was about an acid trip. Burton's versions looks very much like an acid trip and I'm pretty sure I will try to eat my face if I see it in 3D.

To celebrate the launch of the all-new 2012 CR-V, Honda brought Ferris Bueller's Day Off back in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial. They cast Matthew Broderick as himself, skipping out on a day of acting work and living it up in his all-new CR-V. Relive movie history with Honda's fresh twist and wonderful homage to this '80s classic.

They also hid over two dozen references to the movie throughout the commercial. Some are obvious, some are very subtle. See how many you can find. #dayoff

Credits:
Advertising Agency: RPA, USA
Executive Creative Director: Joe Baratelli
Group Creative Director: Jason Sperling
Creative Director: Chuck Blackwell
Associate Creative Director / Copywriter: Ken Pappanduros
Art Director: Ariel Shukert
Copywriter: David Sullivan
SVP, EP: Gary Paticoff
Senior Producer: Isadora Chesler
Director of Business Affairs: Maria Del Homme
Production Co: Moxie Pictures
Director: Todd Phillips
DP: Larry Sher
Executive Producer: Lizzie Schwartz
Head of Production: Roger Zorovich
Line Producer: Salli Zilles
Production Supervisor: Barry Heaps
Production Designer: Shepherd Frankel
Editorial Company: Union Editorial
Editor: Jim Haygood
Executive Producer: Michael Raimondi
Producer: Lynne Mannino
Asst. Editor: Dylan Firshein
VFX/Telecine: The Mill
Managing Director: Ben Hampshire
Telecine Artist: Adam Scott
Lead Flame Artist: Andy Bate
Producer: Enca Kaul
Music: Beacon Street Studios
Composers: Andrew Feltenstein, John Nau
Mixer: Paul Hurtubise
Executive Producer: Adrea Lavezzoli
Producer: Caitlin Rocklen

Air New Zealand promotes Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" with an in-flight safety check in airlines newest marketing ad tie-in for the movie. ANZ, the Airline of Middle Earth.

Air New Zealand partnered with WETA Workshop on a brand new Hobbit inspired Safety Video. It features cameo appearances including Sir Peter Jackson. Visit http://www.airnzcode.com/hobbitmovie to Find and Unlock the Elvish Code for your chance to win one of six double passes to the World Premiere Screening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in New Zealand on the 28th of November 2012

Official movie trailer for "ParaNorman" in theaters August 2012. From Laika, the makers of Coraline, comes ParaNorman, a stop motion, ghost-filled zombie comedy in 3D. A film about a small town that is invaded by zombies, where the local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead and the zombies, takes on ghosts, witches and the grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
The ParaNorman trailer features the music of Donovan and his 1966 song, "Season of the Witch."

ParaNorman will feature the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee, John Goodman, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jeff Garlin.

See Also «My Favourite Films of 2008»

If you’re talking about Australia’s heavy music scene there’s really only one name you need to be discussing; Parkway Drive. The Byron Bay boys have had a hectic past 12 months, touring everywhere from Guatemala to Kolkata. I spoke to drummer Ben «Gaz» Gordon ahead of their gigs at the 20th Big Day Out and, naturally, I asked him the tough questions like `what are your favourite movies of all time?’ Here’s what he said:

“I’m a bad person to ask about movies because I mainly like to watch documentaries. I guess my favourite series would have to be the Die Hard movies. (I tell him there’s going to be a fifth Die Hard movie) No way, that’s awesome. I reckon he’s going to die in this one. Bruce Willis is a legend.
Besides that I haven’t watched many movies in the past 10 years. I’m a terrible person to watch movies with because I’m very judgemental of the Hollywood system. My favourite documentaries are The Human Planet, it’s the best, and Frozen Planet. Also anything that David Attenborough has touched or is involved with is awesome.”

Parkway Drive have a new concert DVD and album scheduled for release in 2012.

Here's an interesting advert for all you creative minds to analyze...This Youtuber uploaded a 2012 Olympic themed commercial for "Body In Motion", labeled it "Banned Advert" which features nothing more than several women athletes doing what do they best, and sits back and watches his few count soar. (I'll give it a few days considering it was uploaded today).

Here are a few other banned Olympic commercials, the first is from Ugg Australia (it's actually pretty good), takes a page from the Chariots of Fire classic movie, as 5 Ugg wearing runners in boxers battle the rough terrain in their Uggs of course.

Oh and btw...the NIKE "Find Your Greatness" ad campaign is NOT an official London 2012 Olympic sponsor, and their ad agency Wieden+Kennedy deserve a gold medal pulling this brilliant campaign off.

Daniel Day-Lewis is Lincoln, just released today the movie poster for the Steven Spielberg film "Lincoln", in theaters November 2012.

Who doesn't love cats? Released earlier this month was the "Seven PsychoCATS" — a remake of the Seven Psychopaths trailers featuring just cats.

Credits:
Agency: Ignition Interactive/Santa Monica, CA
Client: CBS Films
Title: Seven Psychocats
First Airdate: October 5, 2012 (YouTube)
VP of Interactive: Matt Gilhooley
Creative Director: Paul Nguyen
Producer: Parker Sapp
Broadcast Producer: Troy Courtney
Production Company: THEM Media/New York
Director: Jim Tozzi
DP: Fortunato Procopio
Executive Producer: Tony Harding
Editorial Company: THEM Editorial/New York
Editor/VFX Director: Matthew Lincoln
Cats: Animal Actors/Hollywood

A preview teaser movie poster was released at Comic-Con 2012 for the much anticipated "SuperMan Man Of Steel" movie.

Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent and Amy Adams as Lois Lane. It features Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Mr. and Mrs. Kent and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. Superman's mother Lara Lor-Van is being played by Ayelet Zurer, and his father, Jor-El, will be played by Russell Crowe. Man of Steel is directed by Zack Snyder.