Steele’s Reels: Hype builds for ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Cloud Atlas’

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By Dave Steele

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It’s that time of year again. Fall is approaching, and with it are some of the year’s most anticipated movies.

In summers past, high-budget blockbusters have sometimes oversaturated the market with smothering action sequences that usually have trouble finding common ground with the script.

Fall movies have usually faired better when it comes to critical acclaim. However, 2012 has shattered this stigma with mega-hits such as “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight Rises,” that were rich with humanity.

Sure, you’ll have the usual childhood memory crushed by Michael Bay (“Battleship”), but overall, this summer has held its own. If the Mayans are right, at least we got to see what happens to Batman.

Here are a couple of titles that are worth checking out. After all, this is the first year without a new Harry Potter title, a looming withdrawal we must face together.

“Cloud Atlas” (October)

It’s been a while since the Wachowskis have put out anything worth watching (“V for Vendetta,” “The Matrix”).

But from the looks of this compelling premise, that is about to change. After seeing the trailer, most audiences will be quick to forgive them for “Speed Racer” and dive right into this intriguing science-fiction tale.

This movie will explore how emotions and actions connect us with past, present and future versions of ourselves.

Every action has a unique ripple effect that can shake the foundations of birth, lifeand death. With a stacked cast including Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent and Halle Berry, this sci-fi take on a killer’s transformation into a hero shouldn’t be missed.

“Skyfall” (November)

The project deemed “Bond 23” by eagerly awaiting fans is finally here. Bearing the mission name Skyfall, James Bond must face a threat that could tear MI6 apart. The hard drive containing every known terrorist and agent has been leaked and targets are being sold to the highest bidder.

However the trailer begins with M ordering a kill shot on a preoccupied James Bond. This twist adds a layer of intrigue that some of the older titles may have lacked. The new generation of Bond is living up to, if not exceeding, the legacy built by the franchise’s 50 years.

With Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes joining Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, this movie should keep pace with 007’s compelling new direction