2011 Films Bring Aliens, Comic Book Heroes, the Supernatural, and a Little History

Films to be released in 2011 are circling around four themes; comic books, the supernatural, aliens, and historic movies.

Comic Book Heroes

First, 2011 brings us 5 different films ripped from the pages of classic comic books. "Thor", starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins, recalls the tale of the arrogant but mighty warrior, Thor being banished down to earth to live amongst the humans.

"Green Lantern", from DC Comics, is the story of a pilot who is given a mystical green ring that grants him with supernatural powers, as well as entrance into an intergalactic squadron commissioned with keeping peace within the universe. "Green Lantern features Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

In "Captain America", Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers who after being considered unfit for military service volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to preserving America's values.

The already released "Green Hornet" has been taking theater box offices by storm with Seth Rogan and Jay Chou as the latest crime fighting team.

The last, from a little known comic, "Priest", stars Paul Bettany. Priest depicts a priest who ignores church law by going after vampires. Bettany is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. From portraying Jeffery Chaucer in "A Knight's Tale" to the Archangel Michael in "Legion", Bettany truly shows he's got the chops to make it in Hollywood.

The Supernatural

Topping off the Supernatural movies this year are two epic sequels, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (Part 2) and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" (Part 1).

The third features another of my favorite male actors, Anthony Hopkins, in "The Rite". "The Rite" tells the story of an American priest (Colin O'Donoghue) who goes to Italy to take a class on exorcism.

Brad Pitt and Sean Penn band together in "The Tree of Life" a 1950's story of a family with three sons who go in search of a mystical tree said to give supernatural powers.

Aliens

Every few years, Hollywood releases several alien-centric movies in a row and 2011 is one of those years. Starting with "Cowboys and Aliens", Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, and Daniel Craig star in what has got to be the oddest alien story in a while. Aliens come to the Wild West in 1873 to overtake the world. All that stands in their way is a posse of cowboys.

Next, "Battle: Los Angeles" tells the tale of a Marine platoon who has to save Los Angeles from an alien invasion.

"The Thing" pits scientist against graduate student when at an Antarctica research site, an alien craft is discovered.

Last, in what looks to be the most entertaining of the lot, is "Paul". "Paul" is about a very different alien who meets two comic book geeks outside Area 51. With Seth Rogan and Jason Bateman, this film is sure to be hilarious.

Historical

Captain Jack Sparrow returns as he teams up with Captain Barbosa to find the Fountain of Youth in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"

Robert Downy Jr. also returns as Sherlock Holmes in a currently untitled sequel as Holmes and Watson take on their arch nemesis Professor Moriarity.

"Your Highness" is a historical comedy set in the Middle Ages as Prince Fabious goes on a quest to rescue his bride when she is kidnapped, accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous.

Channing Tatum stars in "The Eagle" where in Roman-ruled Britain, a young Roman soldier endeavors to honor his father's memory by finding his lost legion's golden emblem.

Also joining the movies set back in time are "The Three Musketeers" and "Water For Elephants". "Water For Elephants" stars Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson and portrays the story of a young vet student who joins the circus as their vet after his parents death.

This is just a taste of the movies to come this year. Grab the popcorn and the candy; we are about the be thoroughly entertained.