The Biggest Letdowns of 2012 

Talk about 'Prometheus' with any sci-fi fan and you'll get varying passionate opinions, on par with the lasting arguments about the 'Lost' finale. While some people loved the film's undeniably amazing effects and that alien abortion scene that sure made us squirm, the not-prequel 'Alien' prequel had sky high expectations that were hardly met thanks to the film's inane premise, countless unanswered questions, and overall disappointing vibe. Though the film was hardly a box office flop, what should have been one of the year's biggest hits was quickly shut down by poor word of mouth. [20th Century Fox]

Speaking of sky high sci-fi disappointments, the remake of 'Total Recall' not only felt like an assault on the senses, but a completely and entirely unnecessary one at that. Bringing nothing new to the table, and losing the message of the classic original in the process, the film did no favors to the careers of Colin Farell, Jessica Biel, or Kate Beckinsale. Silver lining: this could once and for all put an end to remakes and reboots. [Columbia Pictures]

The show may have an 'X' in the title, but this music competition is just a big ol' 'Zzzzzzzz'. When 'American Idol' started its descent into irrelevance a few years back, many thought Simon Cowell and 'X Factor' might save the day. (Ultimately, it was 'The Voice' that took all the glory.) Instead, it was a dull-as-dishwater knockoff that relied on its celebrity judges, including a drama-free Britney Spears. We can't blame LA Reid for bailing after one season. Most viewers did, too. [Fox]

Adam Shankman hit all the right notes with his big screen adaptation of the Broadway smash 'Hairspray', but the same couldn't be said for the bomb that was 'Rock of Ages': a joyless, unfunny recreation of the hit musical. Not even a shirtless Tom Cruise could save this mess. [New Line Cinema]

After enduring countless casting changes (Sean Penn, Jim Carrey, Hank Azaria were just some of the talents attached to the long-gestating project) the Farrelly Brothers finally landed on Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, and Chris Diamantopoulos. Still, the three stars couldn't salvage the 2012 remake of the classic comedy trio, which attempted to pay homage the legends and infuse current pop culture cameos by the likes of the 'Jersey Shore' cast and Kate Upton. Can't have it both ways, guys. [20th Century Fox]

Between the hyper-adorable pairing of Jason Segel and Emily Blunt and a reunion of Segel and his 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' director Nicholas Stoller, this romantic comedy should have been great. Only, it wasn't very romantic (in fact, it made love seem like a downright miserable slog) and, with the exception of scene-stealing co-star Chris Pratt, it wasn't very funny either. Earning a paltry $28.7 million at the box office, it was an engagement moviegoers wisely didn't RSVP to. [Universal Pictures]

What woulda, coulda, shoulda been the next 'Desperate Housewives' just came off as a desperate knockoff. The over-the-top ABC comedy (which underwent a name change that probably hurt it in the long run) never connected with audiences, who apparently already had their dance card full with another b**ch — the one in 'Apartment 23'. [ABC]

Not even Terry O'Quinn ('Lost') and Vanessa Williams ('Ugly Betty') returning to ABC could save '666 Park Avenue' from damnation. The haunted hotel series wasn't nearly fun enough or scary enough to compete with the twisted and infinitely more entertaining 'American Horror Story'. The series was canceled after one forgettable season. [ABC]

There could only be one good Abraham Lincoln movie in 2012 and this definitely wasn't it. Even with a talented leading man (Broadway vet Benjamin Walker, who deserves better), the backing of Tim Burton, and a script adapted by the very author who penned the novel upon which the movie was based (Seth Grahame-Smith), it couldn't add up to a decent movie. Schlocky (but not in the fun way) and utterly void of any self-awareness, this messy, horrific take on an important chapter in American history felt like a joke, in every sense of the word. [20th Century Fox]

Sure, 'Weeds' had lost its luster long before the final season, but we still wanted a better sendoff for Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) and co. The two-part series finale featured an absurd flash-forward involving Starbucks that even 'Lost' would have called overreaching. We'll remember the drug dramedy fondly...from Seasons 1 through 4. [Showtime]

Ask any gamer what the biggest letdown of 2012 was and they'll unanimously declare the disappointing conclusion to the once-great 'Mass Effect' series. But it wasn't weaker graphics that irked fans, rather a third act narrative that doesn't give its characters a proper or satisfying sendoff. If anything was going to get gamers to go outside this year, it was this. [BioWare]

Paul Ryan was supposed to be the 'hip' youngster that revived the Republican party and the Mitt Romney campaign. Instead, Ryan became a meme sight gag thanks to those old workout photos. And as far as being an exciting Vice Presidential candidate... well, that just turned out to be a bunch of malarkey. [WENN.com]

Poor Taylor Kitsch. The handsome actor starred in not one, but three massive bombs this year ('John Carter' , 'Battleship', 'Savages') and caught the brunt of much of the criticism. As any fan of 'Friday Night Lights' can attest, Kitsch is actually pretty, but his transition to the big screen has been anything but. Didn't Coach Taylor teach him better than this? [Universal Pictures]

Don't get us wrong, Taylor Swift hardly had a disappointing year career-wise. Her album 'Red' was a chart-topping smash, and she was one of the highest-paid stars in the world. But while the 23-year-old is music to tween ears, her personal life (especially her very public love life) makes her downright exhausting for the rest of us. Like Rihanna, Swift was a disappointment when it came to being a positive role model for her largely female fan base. Swift's constant not-so-coy songwriting revenge about her exes became a tiresome act. And when she dated a teenager (Conor Kennedy, pictured here with the pop star) it all went so far over the line. When did girl power go by the way of being boy crazy? [WENN.com]