12 in movies!

Writer: Naseem Randhawa

To mark the special day that is 12.12.12 we pay homage to the auspicious number of the moment and reflect on its relevance in the cinematic world. Here are some of the few at the top of our heads. Can you think of more? Sound off below!

This Sci-Fi movie by Terry Gilliam is set in a post-apocalyptic contaminated world where Bruce Willis' character is sent on a time travel mission to collect information for a deadly virus. The number twelve makes its appearance not only in the title of the movie, but also the mysterious Army of the Twelve Monkeys led by Brad Pitt's character who is supposedly responsible for the virus.

The late director William Wyler has been nominated 12 times at the prestigious Academy Awards. Wyler had won four Oscars out of the 12 nominations during his active years, and they are; "Mrs. Miniver" (1942), "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), "Ben-Hur" (1959) and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1965.

The sequel to "Chinese Zodiac" will see Jackie Chan return to deliver some flying kicks and punches as he goes on an action-packed mission to collect 12 bronze heads based on the Chinese Zodiac animals. This film is reportedly Jackie Chan's last action movie so be sure to catch it when it releases here on 20 December 2012!

Although it is a tragic occurrence indeed, the incident is noted for claiming 12 lives when a mass shooting occurred at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises. The reportedly deranged gunman was dressed up to gear and had set off tear gas before using multiple firearms for an open fire, wounding 58 others.

This Russian-American alien fare was deemed exciting when it first got into production as it starred up and coming talented actor Emile Hirsch of "Into The Wild" fame. However the excitement was quickly dispelled right after the trailer was released, earning the "The Darkest Hour" an infamous reputation for being a 'spoiler' as the whole movie was basically revealed in the 2 minutes plus promo. Apparently the movie didn't justify itself either, earning itself a 12 per cent 'rotten' rating on the movie review site Rotten Tomatoes. "Batman & Robin" (1997) starring George Clooney and his infamous bat suit nipples also holds a 12 per cent 'rotten' rating.

"12 Angry Men" is a 1957 American drama film based almost entirely in a courtroom and is directed by Sidney Lumet. The film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the verdict of an 18-year-old defendant who is on trial for murder. The movie stars Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, ED Begley and more that make up the 12 angry jurors.

Produced by WWE Studios, this movie stars wrestler John Cena as the lead who gets propelled into a dangerous game of revenge called 12 Rounds. If John's character manages to complete all of the 12 rounds and lives through it, then the baddies would let his girlfriend whom they are keeping hostage go free.

In "The Hunger Games" (2012) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth play Katniss, Peeta and Gale respectively, who hail from District 12. The dystopian world in the nation of Panem is made up of 12 poorer districts that are each forced to send two child representatives every year as tributes to compete in the annual Hunger Games.

The Indian equivalent of Chuck Norris, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth turns 62 today on 12.12.12! The next film to look out for from Rajini is the Tamil period film "Kochadaiyaan", which is shot in motion capture 3D. The movie is reportedly in post-production phase and may very well make its way to the cinemas in 2013!

The 2004 American crime comedy film, the sequel to 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" gets the gang reunited by Terry Benedict (Andy García) whom rounds up the original eleven members of Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) gang consisting of Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac and more.

The remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950) in 2003 stars Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Hillary Duff and Tom Welling just to name a few. The premise of the movie is similar to the original as it describes a family of twelve children that get up to all kinds of mischief.

Mackenzie Christine Foy who is best known as Renesmee Cullen, the daughter of Bella and Edward Cullen, in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 "is actually 12-years-old. This budding child star would soon star in the 2013 film adaptation of the David Baldacci book, "Wish You Well" as the lead.