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The Most Awaited Hollywood Blockbusters of 2011
Let's be clear, we aren't remotely talking arthouse fare here. We aren't talking about nuanced little films, subtle emotional undercurrents, victory through silences...
We're talking popcorn-fuelled explosions, unsahamedly larger than life. Blockbusters so big they make us believe in the power of the movie theatre, dropping our awestruck jaws with their megabudget magic.
So here then are ten mammoth 2011 releases that have us drooling:
Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn
The big-screen adaptation of Herge's iconic Belgian reporter is by far the most eagerly anticipated film of next year.
And justifiably so, considering Tintin-obsessed Steven Spielberg has joined forces with Peter Jackson and promised a new kind of motion-capture-animation.
And when the sultans of the spectacular promise a circus, it's best to hold your breath and get in line.
Captain America
Chris Evans might have already been a Marvel comics superhero before (he was Johnny Storm in the Fantastic Four movies) but that was just the warm-up.
Evans steps into seriously legendary territory as he takes on the story of America's Hitler-clobbering super-soldier.
Wolfman director Joe Johnston directs.
Cowboys & Aliens
After raking in the billions with the Iron Man films and before he takes on Iron Man 3, Jon Favreau takes on this plainly mad graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg that has a blast living up to its awesome title.
Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig star, and the prospect of Indiana Jones and James Bond slinging it out sounds too cool.
The Green Hornet
Sure, more millions are probably at stake with DC Comics' Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds, but Green Hornet looks to be, quite simply, a lot more fun.
With a drastically slimmed-down Seth Rogen in the lead with Jay Chou as Kato and Christoph Waltz from Inglourious Basterds as the main baddie.
And Michel Gondry's directing, oh joy.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
So this should be called Harry Potter Part Seven Part Two? Groan.
Well, the good news is that you won't have to worry about keeping track of Potter-films anymore because this is it, the final Potter film.
For now, that is. Something tells me that JK Rowling may well do a George Lucas and bring back her franchise after a few years, but for now, this is it: enjoy grown-up Hermione and Ron getting it on.
Hugo Cabret
Now this is truly mouthwatering.
Martin Scorsese's making his first 3D film, and the master filmmaker is thrilled to bits as he explores the new technology.
Based on Brian Selznick's fantastic bestselling novel, the film boasts of a massively talented, delightfully eclectic cast, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Lee and Jude Law.
It sounds Burtonic, and it'll be fascinating to see Scorsese's take.
The Muppets
Jason Segel -- currently starring as Marshall on hugely popular American sitcom How I Met Your Mother -- is restarting this franchise, himself writing, acting and assembling a bunch of celebrity oddballs, including the increasingly perfect Zach Galifianakis and the immaculate Amy Adams.
It sounds goofy as can be, and that's just what Kermit the Frog and his friends deserve.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Cap'n Jack is back, and he isn't alone.
Johnny Depp continues to rule the stormy seas, and this time his irresistibly flamboyant alter-ego is paired with the most beautiful woman in the world.
Penelope Cruz stars as the daughter of the infamous Blackbeard, and apparently crosses more than swords with Sparrow.
Chicago director Rob Marshall is at the helm for this fourth Pirates outing, and he might likely be a visually interesting choice.
Rise Of The Apes
Alright, so it's a Planet Of The Apes prequel, a rummy idea considering the disastrous Planet Of The Apes remake turned out by Tim Burton a while back.
Yet this origin story could well be interesting largely because of its cast, with the uber-cool James Franco starring alongside our very own Freida Pinto.
Even if it lands belly up, we're definitely watching this epic.
Thor
And speaking of epics, here's the God of Asgard.
Superheroes are often called the new Gods, but Thor's an old-school Norse God working as a superhero and saving the Earth on a near-daily basis.
Frequent Shakespeare adapter Kenneth Branagh takes on this Marvel Comics saga, with Chris Hemsworth in the title role alongisde the sensational Natalie Portman.