What's on target for 2013

Let us keep you ahead of the curve this year! Pick up a print copy for complete coverage of what entertainment highlights you can look forward to in 2013.

Based on our exhaustive (google-researched) analysis of the music, movies, and shows set to drop this year (or at least the ones that have been announced at this point), here are a few general trends you'll be seeing this year:

Dystopian future movies

There’s at least one big-budget dystopian future action movie coming out every month this year, except in March and October. You’ll be seeing lots of aliens fighting humans for Earth. Perhaps as a reaction to December’s end-of-the-world letdown, it seems we’re still finding new and creative ways to fictionally kill off the future members of our race. If you like guns and space and science fiction, you'll be a happy camper.

Sequels

There’s at least one major sequel or remake coming out every month this year, save September. Hollywood has really gotten behind multi-movie franchises, and some of these follow-ups (and by some, we mean the Star Trek sequel) look juicy, but it begs the question: is nothing new?

Awful comedies

There are a lot of star-studded comedies coming out this year, but with the exception of “This Is The End,” they all look exceedingly awful. Don’t expect too much. Check out next week's section for our take on the other decent-looking comedy of 2013, the buzzed-about "Movie 43."

Old people attempting comebacks

Bret Michaels. Cher. Ethan Hawke. Bruce Willis.  The Backstreet Boys. Ozzy Osbourne is even struggling out of his walker to get Black Sabbath back together. Lots of formerly relevant people are depending on 2013 to relaunch their lagging careers. Most probably won’t succeed.

Female-driven television

HBO’s “Girls,” which just began its second season, is quickly becoming the most talked-about show on TV. “The Carrie Diaries,” a prequel to “Sex and The City,” is set to launch on the CW in February. ABC is also launching the juicily-titled “Mistresses” in May. All of these shows are about women, for women. It’s TV to feed an audience that's often neglected.

Dueling pop divas

Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Cher, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Carly Rae Jepsen and Selena Gomez are all duking it out with pop albums this year. We’re especially excited to see whether Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj’s respective albums will reflect their rocky relationship with one another as American Idol judges.

Trap-star producers

With Justin Timberlake back in the studio making futuristic R&B and some hip-hop heavyweights set to release albums this year, stars like Kanye West  and Azealia Banks are snapping up rising trap super-producers like Hudson Mohawke and Lunice to give their music a competitive edge. Unfamiliar with trap music? Google it. You’ll know it when you hear it, and familiarity with the rising hip-hop genre will impress your friends.