Big Ross’s Most Anticipated Pop Culture of 2013

If I were making New Year’s resolutions this year, one would most certainly be to contribute more to CC2K. I’m not actually making that resolution because I’m almost certain that I will break it sooner or later, but it’s in that spirit that I’m contributing to CC2K’s end of the year Look Back and Look Forward. Normally, I’d focus on video games, but I have so little time for that particular passion that I couldn’t speak with much or any insight on the subject. I considered focusing solely on movies, but then I thought, “Wait a sec, it’s a brand new year! Why confine myself to one facet of pop culture when there are so many?” So, here we go.

MOST ANTICIPATED TELEVISION

Luther

Idris Elba is a bad ass. While he was wasted n Prometheus, he looks awesome in Pacific Rim (see below). Luther was sitting in the Watch Instantly section of Netflix for a good long while, and I can’t for the life of me remember why I decided to check it out initially, but Oh Boy am I glad that I did! Elba takes what could be a flat, stock character (troubled genius) in an overdone, tired genre (police procedural) and breathes life and complexity and badassitude into every scene. It’s a great “show” (more of a mini-series) that makes a return in 2013. Check out this announcement from BBC. Can’t wait!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU1kQI3HuOA

Doctor Who

I adore Matt Smith in the role of The Doctor; he has successfully eclipsed David Tennant as my favorite two-hearted master of time and space. Unfortunately, I haven’t been as happy with Stephen Moffat’s story arcs for the eleventh Doctor. I’m not a huge fan of what he did with the River Song character, his season-long plot about the Doctor’s death sort of fell apart, and the demise of the Ponds left me sad and confused (the Doctor can’t visit them at ANY point in their future? Ever?).

But my faith has been somewhat restored. Between her introduction in “Asylum of the Daleks” and her mysterious return in the latest Christmas special “The Snowmen”, I am indeed intrigued (not to mention downright enchanted) with the Doctor’s new companion Clara Oswin Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman). I have no idea where this series is headed, nor where I might like it to go, but it’s still some of my favorite television, and I’m happy to go along for the ride in the blue box that’s bigger on the inside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXqXZepqgMQ

MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS

Man of Steel

Superman. The Man of Tomorrow. The Last Son of Krypton. The Man of Steel. There’s a special place in my heart for Big Blue. A big reason for that are the original films that I grew up watching. Christopher Reeve embodied and conveyed so much of what makes Superman special, what has kept him in the social consciousness for over 80 years. But after two failed sequels Superman on the the big screen stagnated. Then there was the misguided (and mostly failed) homage to Richard Donner’s films by Bryan Singer (Superman Returns). And here we go again, this time with Zack Snyder at the helm. And yet, Henry Cavill looks great (despite the lack of red underouterwear), Amy Adams as Lois Lane has GOT to be better than Kate Bosworth, and despite a retread of General Zod as the villain, this trailer has my hopes high. Here’s hoping for a triumphant return of Superman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVu3gS7iJu4

Pacific Rim

Giant robot mechas fighting giant monsters, brought to you by Guillermo del Toro. Need I say more? Ok ok, co-starring Idris Elba, who I nominate as the next recipient of the mantle of “Baddest Mothafucka on the Planet” – hey, Samuel L. Jackson has to retire it someday. Still not convinced? Watch this trailer 5 or 6 times in a row and tell me with a straight face that it doesn’t tickle your fancy (and please note that it features Ellen McLain (GLaDOS from the Portal video games) as the voice of the giant robots, which BLOWS MY MIND):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A85EtOalcsM

Elysium

There’s no trailer out for this movie yet, but here’s the panel from last year’s Comic Con. I was at this panel, and unfortunately this video doesn’t include the footage they screened there (which looked awesome), but it still gives you a flavor for the movie. District 9 caught me completely off guard, and it stands out as a great sci-fi/action film. The idea of a follow-up by Neill Blomkamp with Sharlto Copley and Matt Damon?!! Count me in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0JnatHJSEc

MOST ANTICIPATED VIDEO GAME

Bioshock Infinite

There is one game, and really only one game, that I am looking forward to in 2013. That game is the follow-up to Irrational Games’ financial and critical success Bioshock. Bioshock was something of a revelation, and it remains one of my favorite video games of all time. Bioshock Infinite, while not directly related to its predecessor, is a spiritual successor. Despite some development hiccups and delays, my enthusiasm for this game hasn’t waned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHW78X1XeE