For those of us feeling a little jaded after a fairly lack-lustre year of cinema, Martin Scorsese saves us from falling into the abyss.
Hugo is his first foray into 3D and is a masterpiece of storytelling, reminding us all of the enduring magic of the movies, a must see for all ages.
David Fincher's also back, with his version of the enormously successful The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. See what he and Daniel Craig can do with this dark and violent Swedish thriller, when it arrives in Kiwi cinemas in late January.
Swedish director Tomas Alfredson takes on the most British of stories this year; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, with Oscar buzz abounding for Gary Oldman.
The first out of the kiwi starting blocks for 2012 will be the return of the duck rockers. Siones 2: Unfinished Business hits screens on January 19.
George Clooney's form in Alexander Payne's The Descendants is getting plenty of awards chat, as is the film and director, deservedly.
Tilda Swinton's no stranger to the awards podium and we could see her up there again with her outstanding performance in We Need To Talk About Kevin, a gruelling watch but an excellent one. It hits here early February.
2011 was the year of the Gosling and he kicks of 2012 nicely as well with his Clooney pic Ides Of March, landing in February.
Michael Fassbender may get an Oscar nomination for shame, so might Carey Mulligan, which opens February.
Keeping it Kiwi this year, we've got a several to keep an eye out for.
While Conchord Bret McKenzie could yet tempt Oscar with his song-writing skills in The Muppets movie, he's also on the big screen in two little boys. Shot in and around Invercargill, it opens in March.
We also have a film called The Most Fun You Can Have Dying starring Matt Whelan (star of My Wedding And Other Secrets) hitting town late April.
There is enormous hype for the book to big screen blockbuster The Hunger Games. With a massive fan base frothing at the mouth for this first of no doubt many sequels, this could be the new potter.
The Avengers is the bargain movie of the year. For the ticket price you get Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, and a host of other superheroes. Sign me up.
Now one film I'm really, really excited about is Ridley Scott returning to his alien past for Prometheus.
This entire project has been shrouded in secrecy, rumoured to be a prequel to the earlier Aliens series and due to land on planet Earth in June.
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