The 2009 movie release calendar gets up and running for the first time today, and we're not exactly off to a great start. Bride Wars isn't the best way to ring in the new year, but that doesn't mean 2009 won't be packed end to end with must see flicks. Who knows how many of the big movies we're looking forward to will pan out, but standing here on the precipice of a brand new movie year, these are the films we here at Cinema Blend are most looking forward to. Click the titles for details information on each film.
Fanboys
Why you should care: Will this movie just get here already? At this point I don't care if it's the cut of the film that includes the rational incentive of a friend dying from cancer that sets a troop of geeks on a cross-country quest to get a print of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace or if it's just a randomly inspired mission. The truth is, the journey is going to have to be entertaining, since we all know the outcome of Star Wars Episode I was disappointing.
I Love You, Man
Why you should care: It's all about the casting-- Paul Rudd and Jason Segel's scenes together in Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall were magic, and it'll be great to see their bromance spill over to the screen. Director John Hamburg is yet another Apatow veteran (he directed a few episodes of Undeclared) who may be due for a big break.
Coraline
Why you should care: I've been in a real Neil Gaiman mood ever since Stardust was turned into such a spectacular picture. It's about time we get another adaptation of the artist's work, and I can't think of anyone better to handle his darker (yet still friendly) motif than Henry Selick, the director who brought Nightmare Before Christmas to life. In a year that could prove to be just as impressive for animation (and 3-D animation in particular), Coraline is looking very promising.
Monsters vs. Aliens
Why you should care: Pixar no longer has a stranglehold on quality animated films and this latest entry from DreamWorks looks like a lot of fun. After their amazing work in Kung Fu Panda, DreamWorks has really raised the bar when it comes to flat out, animated action and MvA should be loaded with giant, monster stomping fun. In 3D no less!
Why you should care: By this time next week, there may no longer be any reason to have this movie on our lists. If Fox gets its way, this movie will never be released. If it is released though, it has the chance to be a genre changer. Kevin Smith, one of the few who's seen it so far called it the Pulp Fiction of the superhero genre. It's based on what is almost without question of the greatest comic series of all time, and shockingly, what we've seen of the film seems to indicate that the movie has captured every bit of the comic's greatness. It's a must see… if we're allowed to see it.
Crank 2: High Voltage
Why you should care: Love it or hate it, there's nothing quite like Crank. It's so completely over the top, out of control, fucked up and morally reprehensible that it's almost its own genre. It's the only Jason Statham franchise worth a damn and in a year bound to be filled with more mediocre head-punching movies this is the one which, at the least, is wildly unique. Bruce Campbell eat your heart out.
Observe and Report
Why you should care: If for nothing else than what's apparently a rivlary between Seth Rogen and Ray Liotta. Don't be burned by Paul Blart: Mall Cop-- this one promises to be a lot more vulgar, and maybe downright insane. It'll be the first time we might see Rogen stretch, and call me crazy, but he seems perfect for the role.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Why you should care: As long as Fox doesn't manage to block Watchmen from theaters, we're looking forward to seeing Wolverine back on screens again. Otherwise, pass this Hugh Jackman reprisal right on by. Still, X-Men deserves another chapter that doesn't sour fans like Brett Ratner's attempt at a sequel. Gavin Hood seems like a promising choice, and adding in a plethora of other fan-favorite characters is a great move, again, provided Fox doesn't stab those same fans in the back with their treatment of Watchmen.
Bruno
Why you should care: Sacha Baron Cohen has three characters. He's already made movies out of two of them. The first, Ali G Indahouse was based on the most popular and well known of his characters, Ali G… and was terrible. The second was the brilliantly funny and viciously subversive Borat. The third is Bruno, based on the least popular of his former television personas. That doesn't matter. By now though Cohen seems to have found his footing, and if form holds it'll be even funnier than Borat. Expect more offensively brilliant hilarity which in the hands of teenagers will soon become overused catchphrases you'll grow to hate. Very nice!
Drag Me to Hell
Why you should care: Sam Raimi returns to the horror genre for the first time since Spider-Man. Footage shown at Comic Con was eye-popping, a masterful mix of shock, terror, and insane comedy. Sam hasn't lost his gift for the freaky.
Terminator Salvation
Why you should care: The weighty message of destiny and fate disappeared as soon as producers decided to jump ahead in the Terminator timeline and show the world post-Judgment Day. With that in mind, why not have McG handle the latest adventure for John Connor, who has to face the fact that his day of destiny has finally come. As much as we wish they had brought back one of the previous John Connors, you can't complain much about Christian Bale, who is working hard to keep geeks everywhere happy.
Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian
Why you should care: - The first movie turned out to be a surprise delight and we have hopes that the second movie will be the same. We've already seen from the trailer and reported casting announcements that the stakes have been increased, with more historical characters and a larger cast. Can the magic of the first movie endure the number two at the end of the title? We certainly hope so.
Up
Why you should care: Anything Pixar is an automatic must-see, but this story of mismatched adventurers looks particularly wonderful. Maybe it's because grumpy Carl reminds me of my grandfather, or because the balloons attaches to Carl's house are so gorgeous. Who cares! It's Pixar-- we're all seeing it anyway, and have every reason to expect a masterpiece.
Land of the Lost
Why you should care: Will Ferrell fighting Sleestacks is a must see. Of course you'd have to know what a Sleestack is to understand why this is so. Think Ricky Bobby versus rubber-suited rejects from a Bruce Campbell B-movie.
Star Trek
Why you should care: We are both fascinated and terrified by JJ Abrams' re-imagining, rebooting, or whatever you want to call it of the original fanboy franchise. This will either be one of the year's biggest triumphs or most horrible disappointments. Whichever it is, we don't want to miss it. Can he do right by Star Trek and his fans? Or will he ruin everything pander to teenagers by making Fast and the Furious in outer space? Stay tuned.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Why you should care: Giant freakin robots! You either love them or you don't. It's on this list so guess which side we're on.
The Year One
Why you should care: It's too weird to be bad, right? We've been burned by Harold Ramis in the past, but the crossover with the Apatow gang promises something more Groundhog Day than Bedazzled. And would you really want to miss the on-screen reunion of Michael Cera and McLovin?
Funny People
Why you should care: This is the third film directed by Judd Apatow. His previous two were The 40 Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up and in between directing his own movies as a producer he's revolutionized the comedy world. Nobody does it better than Judd.
Public Enemies
Why you should care: Johnny Depp and Christian Bale are an unbeatable pair, and the snazzy period costumes and fascinating real-life figures just sweeten the deal. Bonus points for a summer movie already getting Oscar buzz-- just like another Christian Bale summer movie you might remember.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Why you should care: It's the weakest of the Harry Potter books, but still, we've been waiting for this movie so long it could be a biopic of Argus Filch and I'd love it. It's some of the highest drama of the entire series, including the dreaded Inferi, which are bound to be one of the most terrifying parts of the series. Plus, Harry and Ginny finaly get it on!
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
Why you should care: There's reason to fear this will wind up being an overstuffed failure akin to Street Fighter (part of why you won't find the new Chun Li flick on this list), but there's always the chance it could turn out right too. It may not have giant freakin' robots, but between ninjas, huge firepower, and the potential to see Christopher Eccleston bringing Destro to life, G.I. Joe is too cool to pass up.
Taking Woodstock
Why you should care: As a wise man once said, Ang Lee and Demetri Maartin are like a chocolate-covered pretzel- a duo that shouldn't work, but comes together perfectly. Of all the baby boomer nostalgia stories we get stuck with, this one, about a kid who inadvertently causes Woodstock to happen, might just be original enough to work.
Toy Story in 3D
Why you should care: We've already covered the Pixar movie you should be most excited about in 2009 above, but you can't possibly miss the opportunity to see the film that put Pixar on the map on the big screen again. The fact that it's in 3-D is just gravy, since the movie itself is so darn good. It's amazing how well it holds up over time, and we can't wait to see Buzz and Woody “falling with style” in a 3-D presentation.
Where the Wild Things Are
Why you should care: This was one of my favorite childhood stories, so the idea of seeing it brought to life is on par with Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings success. Who knows if Spike Jonze can live up to that comparison, but based on the few promotional images that have made their way online, hope is running high.
The Box
Why you should care: On one side you have Donnie Darko, one of the most interesting stories to be told on film. On the other there is Southland Tales, one of the most futile pictures of recent memory. With both a striking hit and failure, The Box becomes the proving ground for director Richard Kelly; the difference between Kelly becoming the new Christopher Nolan, or the new M. Night Shyamalan.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Why you should care: Wes Anderson does stop-motion animation, a genre amazingly well-suited to his finicky filmmaking style. Oh, and he's bringing Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, and Rushmore co-stars Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman along with him. Did I mention it's a Roald Dahl adaptation?
Sherlock Holmes
Why you should care: Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are the sexiest crime-solving duo since Starsky and Hutch. Need another reason? Fine. A period piece might be what it takes to get Guy Ritchie out of his rut, and back to making something truly inventive. OK, and one more thing: bowler hats.
The Princess and the Frog
Why you should care: Disney has a gift with princess stories, even when they're so old-fashioned compared to Pixar. The story of a black princess in New Orleans open up a rich, colorful world of possibilities. Plus, it's Disney's first black princess! It's about time!
Extract
Why you should care: It's the latest movie from Mike Judge, director of Office Space, Idiocracy, and creator of many of the funniest things you've ever seen. Better still, he's finally gotten away from 20th Century Fox, the studio that screwed him over on his two previous films. Mike Judge may finally get the respect he deserves.
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus
Why you should care: We'll admit, our primary reason for being excited about this movie is Heath Ledger's involvement, but not for the reason you think. With a lineup of replacement actors that include Johnny Depp and Jude Law, we're curious to see what Terry Gilliam has planned for ensuring his picture doesn't just become “Heath Ledger's last picture” while still preserving what Ledger did manage to film before his death.
High-profile movies that didn't make the cut, and why we snubbed the hell out of them. Take that Tarantino!
Avatar - Once we finally see a trailer for this thing, it may well be one of our most anticipated movies of the year. After all, it's James Cameron . But for now it's been year after year of Avatar talk while Cameron goes out of his way to show us nothing. Show me more more!
Angels & Demons - The first one, The Da Vinci Code, was only tolerable because Ian McKellan was brilliant. For the sequel, no McKellan.
The Lovely Bones - It's Head Hobbit Peter Jackson's next movie, which should be enough to get anybody excited. But the fairly blah sounding horror movie plot doesn't do much to blow our wizard robes up. Is there a giant, cgi monkey? Maybe once we see something from it, we'll be sold.
Shutter Island - Scorsese makes yet another movie with DiCaprio. Been there, done that.
The Wolfman - Benicio Del Toro is a natural as a babe hunting man-wolf… but do we really need another werewolf movie?
Inglourious Basterds - Have you read the script? It's terrible.
Jennifer's Body - Megan Fox as a sexed up, man eating, killer cheerleader should be awesome and hey, there's those nearly nude photos of her floating around on the net. One problem: They're shooting for a PG-13 rating. Give us R, give us nudity, or what's the point?
