the most anticipated...

[crippled_avenger]

Sylvester Stallone has set actress Juliana Paes to be a part of his new action film "The Expendables" reports Stallone Zone.

Stallone apparently saw a picture of Juliana Paes in a magazine and found that she would be perfect for a role.

Stallone has been in Brazil's Rio de Janiero since Tuesday finishing up pre-production and locking down the remaining cast.

[crippled_avenger]

James Cameron is apparently considering the "Forbidden Planet" remake as one of his upcoming projects according to IESB.

Post-"Titanic", Cameron was previously attached to the project which never made it into development. He went on to other things.

Since then however "Changeling" scribe J. Michael Straczynski has come in with a whole new take on the classic 50's feature that Warners has gotten excited about.

The studio is said to be keen on making this Cameron's first post-"Avatar" project. Already a 2010 release date has been loosely targeted.

In another report, IESB says that Straczynski's new take on the material is not a remake so much as a prequel.

The original followed a Star Cruiser investigating what happened to the colony ship Bellerophon that disappeared on a planet some two decades before. There they find the only survivors - a scientist and his daughter - and technology left behind by an advanced civilization. The rest of the colonists have been killed by a giant invisible creature that starts killing off the Cruiser's crew.

The new 'Planet' is said to deal with the launch and what happened to the crew of the Bellerophon.

[crippled_avenger]

Director David Fincher ("Zodiac," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") calls his Keanu Reeves-led mysterious "Chef" project "a celibate sex comedy".

Fincher tells MTV News that "It's really about the creative process. It's truly an aromatic art-form, making food. I love that idea. And I love Keanu's passion for that world."

The script tells the story of a chef who tries to make a comeback from major personal issues. He gathers his old friends together as his 'dream team' and ends up falling in love with the newest member of the group.

He also talked about his involvement in the "Heavy Metal" anthology film, saying he'll do "whatever story no one else wants to do."

"We have like twenty-four stories and artwork for it. I have time to do one or two and I have dibs on eight or nine, so somewhere in there we'll figure it out if we can ever get the money together" he adds.

[crippled_avenger]

Kurt Wimmer's script for "Salt" (previously titled "Edwin A. Salt" and at that stage set to star Tom Cruise) is apparently pretty darn good. The Phil Noyce-helmed flick, which tells of a CIA officer who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy, is set to encompass some terrific action, great spades of suspense and a terrifically meaty role for the foxy lead. But silver's not good enough for Sony, so they're going for Gold.

Word around the slightly-cold streets of Hollywood today is that Oscar Winning screenwriter (and director) Brian Helgeland has been hired by Sony to do a quick pass thru on the script, punching up the dialogue, before its March 2nd start date.

Sony want this to be one of their key releases of the next twelve months - if only because they're hoping this first chapter will spin-off into a franchise (with Ms Jolie back as Evelyn Salt).

Helgeland's somewhat of a saving grace in Hollywood. He's been hired to rewrite such scripts as "The Bourne Supremacy" and "Assassins" and the films have been all the more better for it. The man knows character - and you only have to check out one of his scripts (say this one here, for "L.A Confidential") to see how crafty he is at writing converse.

Helgeland, of course, wrote (and consequently won an Oscar for) "L.A Confidential", "Payback", "Mystic River" and the upcoming "Nottingham". This'll be his first collaboration with director Noyce ("Patriot Games", "Rabbit Proof Fence").

[Tex Murphy]

Helgeland, of course, wrote (and consequently won an Oscar for) "L.A Confidential", "Payback", "Mystic River" and the upcoming "Nottingham".

... a pravićemo se da nemamo pojma da je pisao i POSTMANA sa Kevinom Kostnerom  

[crippled_avenger]

The Notable Films Of 2009: Part OneBy Garth FranklinThursday, January 1st 2009 1:15amThe first article of the new year and to celebrate I'm taking a closer look at the most interesting films currently slated for release sometime this year. Not every film is listed here (I've avoided the deliberately bland films like "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" or the "Hannah Montana" movie), and by no means is this a 'best of' list either.

Rather this is a breakdown of the most interesting titles - films that could end up being either Oscar or Razzie nominees but do deserve a closer look. This is a multiple part article with the rest of the parts coming daily over the next week right up until the first official film releases of the year on January 9th:


9
Opens: September 9th 2009
Cast: Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer
Director: Shane Acker

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, 9 awakens and discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. He soon convinces the others to take the offensive if they are to survive.

Analysis: Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted") both produce this very strange looking sci-fi animated tale for Focus Features. Too early to call yet, and the trailer is yielding some quite divided reaction.


17 Again
Opens: April 17th 2009
Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry
Director: Burr Steers

Summary: A 37-year-old washed up man is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17 and attempts to recreate his best years. His attitudes however ar totally uncool to today's kids and in the process he could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

Analysis: Another take on the "Big" formula, the film's main selling point is that it's is the first real feature resting almost entirely on the appeal of tween hunk Zac Efron. Without his musical strengths to back him up, the reviews for the surprisingly buff youngster's rather cliche sounding fantasy comedy may not be as flattering as they were for "Hairspray" and the HSM franchise.


2012
Opens: July 10th 2009
Cast: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson
Director: Roland Emmerich

Summary: From the director of "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow" comes another epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Analysis: After the odious "10,000 B.C.", Emmerich makes a third attempt at an apocalypse. No aliens or global warming this time, rather its the planetary alignment that coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar in December 2012 causing the Earth's core to overheat and global disasters to ensue.

Like most of Emmerich's work the script has generally been panned as ludicrous and vapid. Yet the man can deliver big-time Hollywood visuals, has a $200 million to buy the best effects money can buy, and a pretty decent cast in his corner. There's no doubt it'll stink, but it should be a quite spectacular looking clunker if the surprisingly effective teaser trailer is anything to go by.


500 Days of Summer
Opens: July 10th 2009
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Rachel Boston, Matthew Gray Guble
Director: Marc Webb

Summary: Romantic comedy in which a greeting-card writer reflects on a broken heart caused by Summer (Deschanel), a cynic who doesn't believe in love. He tries to prove her wrong, but she may succeed in the opposite.

Analysis: Fox Searchlight is releasing this so-called 'anti-romantic comedy' right in the middle of a busy Summer which means they likely have faith in it. The pedigree behind it is also impressive, but a lot will depend on reaction to its premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival in a few weeks.


Adoration
Opens: May 8th 2009
Cast: Scott Speedman, Devon Bostick, Rachel Blanchard, Noam Jenkins, Kenneth Walsh, Katie Boland
Director: Atom Egoyan

Summary: A school assignment translating a news story about a terrorist becomes something more when a student, using a false identity, takes his assignment online to probe a family secret. As public reaction grows stronger, the truth about Simon's family emerges.

Analysis: Acclaimed filmmaker Egoyan is back with a very complex story that intertwines two different narrative streams - a reality in which a boy's parents had died in a car crash, and a false story about the father planting a bomb in his mother's suitcase. A Cannes screening yielded divided reaction, many calling it provocative and fascinating but flawed in some of its execution. The cast looks pretty good too (I'm a big fan of Noam Jenkins who plays the father in this).


Adventureland
Opens: March 27th 2009
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Paige Howard
Director: Greg Mottola

Summary: From the director of "Superbad", this is a comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad (Eisenberg) who takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

Analysis: Though Judd Apatow gets all the acclaim, it was writer/director Greg Mottola that turned "Superbad" into the best effort of Apatow Productions to date - far less sentimental, much better paced and notably smarter in its crass humor than the likes of "Knocked Up" or "The 40-Year-Old Virgin".

Now Mottola heads out on his own with another coming of age comedy with a great cast, including Ryan Reynolds and "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart. The 1987 amusement park setting also provides an excellent backdrop and the film's trailer looks like fun.


Agora
Opens: December 18th 2009
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Rupert Evans, Michael Lonsdale, Richard Durden, Ashraf Barhom
Director: Alejandro Amenábar

Summary: A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria.

Analysis: Amenábar's second English-language film, the first being 2002's haunting "The Others", this epic $73 million period piece shot throughout Malta marks the Spanish helmer's first feature film since 2004's "The Sea Inside". The sets look suitably epic, Weisz is a guaranteed great performer and the project looks to be one of those films that could be both a critical and commercial success if marketed and handled properly.


Amelia
Opens: October 23rd 2009
Cast: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Virginia Madsen, Christopher Eccleston
Director: Mira Nair

Summary: Swank will play Earhart in the formative stages of her career. A look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.

Analysis: Could be a serious Oscar contender, especially for Hilary Swank, and there has yet to be a proper biopic about this pioneering aviatrix. The film also has a solid pedigree with a script by Ron Bass and acclaimed Indian helmer Mira Nair behind the camera. Earhart's story itself is fascinating and with Fox Searchlight, the best of the arthouse distributors, solidly behind it - this will be a big film to watch next Fall.


Angels and Demons
Opens: May 15th 2009
Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard
Director: Ron Howard

Summary: In this "The Da Vinci Code" follow-up, an Illuminati assassin is killing off the favorite candidates to become the new Pope and plans to detonate a bomb under Vatican City during the papal enclave. Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon races around Rome trying to stop the killer and his plans.

Analysis: Dan Brown's novel is punchier and lends itself to a film adaptation far better than the narratively inert 'The Da Vinci Code'. Hanks cut his hair, Ewan McGregor in a key supporting role (and a priest's smock), locations are famed Rome landmarks rather than uninteresting French countryside, and there's a much grislier and higher body count with several priests getting the chop. Nevertheless 'Da Vinci' still stunk and the same team behind it is involved so the risk is still quite apparent. Also the central villain's scheme of destroying the Catholic Church will be seen as a quite noble endeavor by audiences who aren't fans of that particular religion.


Armored
Opens: May 15th 2009
Cast: Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Skeet Ulrich, Amaury Nolasco, Milo Ventimiglia, Fred Ward
Director: Nimrod Antal

Summary: A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist... against their own company. When an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels.

Analysis: While "Vacancy" may have been a narrative dud, director Nimrod Antal showed great promise with his limited budget. Now armed with more money and pure action style vehicle with a lot of great talent - this looks like one of those pure fun macho flicks, kind of a lower-rent "Con Air".


Assassination of a
High School President
Opens: February 27th 2009
Cast: Reece Thompson, Mischa Barton, Bruce Willis, Melonie Diaz, Josh Pais, Michael Rapaport
Director: Brett Simon

Summary: A high school senior hottie enlists the help of a neebish school reporter to track down a set of stolen SATs. Outing the school president for the crime, he becomes popular with everyone - only to learn that the truth is something much more elaborate and far-reaching than he anticipated.

Analysis: Receiving generally good reviews at Sundance, the project marks a welcome return of the dark high school comedy which reached its apex with the surprisingly acidic "Heathers". The property also fuses a lot of classic crime noir staples into a modern school setting. The main complaint seems to be that the film is too busy with too many characters, not something that can be said about many of the other films aimed at teens these days.


Astro Boy
Opens: October 23rd 2009
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas
Director: David Bowers

Summary: A CG animated feature based on the classic Japanese anime series. A young robot marshals his super powers and returns home to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and understand what it takes to be a hero.

Analysis: Unlike the older "Speed Racer" which few remember anymore, the original 60's and 80's cartoons remain very popular worldwide while the more recent 2003 series has kept the property fresh in the eyes of a younger generation. On the downside it's the same team that brought us the notably lackluster "TMNT" CG-animated movie. So, the often somber and surprisingly mature emotional storylines of the 80's series will likely be ditched in favor of toddler-friendly action.


Avatar
Opens: December 18th 2009
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder
Director: James Cameron

Summary: "Avatar" tells the story of an ex-Marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.

Analysis: The year's most anticipated and secret movie in many quarters and marking the return of "Aliens" and "Titanic" director James Cameron to the director's chair after twelve years absence. Opening in both conventional and IMAX 3D, the live action/CG motion-capture film promises to break technological ground. A solid cast, led by Aussie spunkrat Sam Worthington who's proven himself an excellent actor on the local scene here in Oz over the past ten years, and Cameron's unmatched skill at large scale epic sci-fi makes this one of the biggest efforts of the year.


Away We Go
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Toni Collette,
Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Catherine O'Hara
Director: Sam Mendes

Summary: A contemporary comedy directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes ("American Beauty," "Road to Perdition"). The story follows the journey of an expectant couple as they travel the U.S. in search of a place to put down roots and raise a family.

Analysis: Ditching his normally heavy-handed drama like "Jarhead" and "Revolutionary Road", Mendes tries modern day comedy with an interesting cast. The premise sounds rather unexciting however.


Bad Lieutenant:
Port of Call New Orleans
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Coolidge, Fairuza Balk, Brad Dourif, Shawn Hatosy, Xzibit
Director: Werner Herzog

Summary: Drawing elements from the original film 1992 Abel Ferrara film "Bad Lieutenant" starring Harvey Keitel, this remake features a crooked cop (Cage) who is a drug addict and takes sexual favors for bribes.

Analysis: While on the surface this looks to be as pointless and dismissible a remake as Nic Cage's last few films (Wicker Man, Bangkok Dangerous), the involvement of acclaimed helmer Werner Herzog ("Rescue Dawn," "Grizzly Man") changes things. Original film helmer Abel Ferrara has been very vocal with his dispassion about the project in interviews, but Herzog has on the record dismissed his comments and claims that despite the title the project isn't really a remake at all.


The Boat that Rocked
Opens: Summer/Fall 2009
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Frost, Emma Thompson, Jack Davenport, January Jones
Director: Richard Curtis

Summary: In 1966, radio stations broadcast rock and pop music to up to 25 million people in the UK from ships anchored in the North Sea, outside of any national jurisdiction. The comedy tells of one such group of DJs at the forefront of the UK pirate radio movement.

Analysis: The first feature film from British director Richard Curtis ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill") since 2003's "Love Actually", the cast is truly brilliant and the subject matter should provide a lot of endearing fun.


The Box
Opens: November 6th 2009
Cast: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella
Director: Richard Kelly

Summary: A suburban couple receive a wooden box that will deliver to its owner a million dollars with the press of a button. The catch? Pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human somewhere in the world...someone they don't know.

Analysis: He won our hearts with the sublimely brilliant "Donnie Darko", then lost them with that film's useless director's cut and the disappointing "Southland Tales". Now Richard Kelly is back for a new film, taking the classic sci-fi short story previously adapted as a "Twilight Zone" episode and turning it into a feature. The premise has a lot of possibility, but numerous lengthy delays to the film's release aren't a good sign.


Bride Wars
Opens: January 9th 2009
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Candice Bergen, Kristen Johnston, Bryan Greenberg, Steve Howey
Director: Gary Winick

Summary: Two best friends since childhood have planned every detail of their respective weddings, however a clerical error causes a clash in wedding dates - they're now to be married on the same date. Now they find themselves in a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners struggle.

Analysis: This year's "27 Dresses", though thankfully the star power of Hudson and potential Oscar winner Hathaway make this an easier pill for those not easily pleased by 'chick flicks' to swallow. The teaming is also one of those that will be interesting to see how they play off each other.


Bright Star
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Thomas Sangster, Kerry Fox, Samuel Barnett, Samuel Roukin
Director: Jane Campion

Summary: Ninteenth century poet John Keats has a three year secret love-affair with the girl next door named Fanny Brawne which was cut short by his death at age 25.

Analysis: "The Piano" director Jane Campion's first feature since 2003's failed sexual thriller "In the Cut", this project looks more promising - especially the inclusion of upcoming British and Aussie thesps like Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish. It's main issue will be competition with that other, higher profile poet love-affair feature "The Edge of Love" with Keira Knightley and Cillian Murphy.


Broken Embraces
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar, Blanca Portilla, Rossy de Palma, Kiti Manver, Chus Lampreave, Lola Duenas, Angela Molina
Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Summary: A four-way tale of amour-fou, shot in the style of '50s American film noir at its most hard-boiled with signature Almodóvar themes such as Fate, the mystery of creation, guilt, unscrupulous power, the eternal search of fathers for sons, and sons for fathers.

Analysis: The always interesting Almodóvar returns with his regular leading lady Penelope Cruz after their biggest success together with "Volver". Little is known about the new project's details but even his weakest films are miles better than many other filmmaker's best.


The Brothers Bloom
Opens: May 15th 2009
Cast: Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane, Maximilian Schell, Ricky Jay
Director: Rian Johnson

Summary: Two brothers have perfected the art of swindling fortunes through years of fraternal teamwork. Now they've decided to take on one last spectacular job—luring a beautiful and eccentric heiress into an elaborate plot that takes them around the world.

Analysis: Stunning the film community with his brilliant contemporary high school-set noir thriller "Brick", Rian Johnson returned to Toronto with this comedic caper that scored excellent reviews. Though the film was delayed almost six months from this past overcrowded Fall, the move looks to be a good one and gives more discerning viewers something to watch amidst blockbuster-heavy May.


Bruno
Opens: May 15th 2009
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Alice Evans, Trishelle Cannatella, Sandra Seeling, Ben Youcef
Director: Dan Mazer

Summary: Sacha Baron Cohen's gay Austrian fashion reporter character Bruno comes to the big screen. Much like his Ali G and Borat personas, the film mixes interviews with Cohen in character - this time the humor targeting specifically men uncomfortable with homosexuality.

Analysis: Expected to be one of the biggest films of the Summer after the wild success of "Borat", it will be interesting to see if audiences find the more abrasive Bruno character as appealing. More awareness of Cohen's crazy antics will also make the on-camera reactions likely more forced than they were on "Borat". Also, the deliberate mocking of people with homophobic views may make this a tough sell with Borat's core crowd of college-age males, quite a few of whom unfortunately share some of those views.

[crippled_avenger]

Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of the acclaimed sitcom "Arrested Development", indicated to Fancast this week that at least one cast member of the show is holding out on the idea of the movie.

Asked about rumors that both Will Arnett ("Blades of Glory") and Michael Cera ("Superbad") are the lone hold outs, Hurwitz says "I don't want to talk about who is holding out right now because we might still work that out and I don't want to pressure anyone through the press...Although I will say that Will Arnett is gung-ho, so there's a big clue."

He also admits that because this is for the fans, the budget will be quite limited - "The fans have been so sincere in their fondness for it. That's really the big motivation to make the film. It's not like it's going to pay very much! It's a really low budget film."

[crippled_avenger]

Cirque du Freak
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Chris Massoglia, Josh Hutcherson, Patrick Fugit, Ray Stevenson
Director: Paul Weitz

Summary: The frightening tale of a boy who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, he will fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

Analysis: Based on the first of Darren Shan's Vampire Blood trilogy, this New Orleans-set, big-budget young adult horror film from Universal will probably be derided as a Twilight cash-in, but the project is more ambitious than that. Having seen his "About a Boy" co-director and brother Chris stumble with his "Golden Compass" adaptation, helmer Paul Weitz is under pressure to deliver and word from the production last year in Louisiana is that he has. Will probably surprise a lot of people.


Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Opens: September 18th 2009
Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg, Mr. T, Tracy Morgan
Director: Chris Miller, Phil Lord

Summary: Inspired by the beloved children's book, the story is set in the tiny town of Chewandswallow where the weather came three times a day and rained things like soup, juice, mashed potatoes, hamburgers, etc. Soon the food gets larger, leaving the town a mess and people fearing for their lives.

Analysis: A cute premise, a fun book and some interesting visuals. Nothing about this really jumps out, but it is one of the safer-looking kiddie fare features of the year.


Coco avant Chanel
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Alessandro Nivola, Maria Gillain, Emmanuelle Devos, Benoît Poelvoorde
Director: Anne Fontaine

Summary: A biopic of the female icon, the story will focus on Chanel's revolutionary effect on the fashion industry after setting up her first shop in 1910. Her creations range from the menswear-inspired female suits, to the signature fragrance Chanel No. 5.

Analysis: One of the most anticipated European projects of the year, the choice of lauded but hard to categorize Luxembourg-born filmmaker Anne Fontaine to direct should yield an interesting project to say the least. Tautou herself will show up everywhere closer to release when she replaces Nicole Kidman as the face of Chanel in an elaborate advertising campaign to be directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("Amelie").


Cold Souls
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Paul Giamatti, David Strathairn, Emily Watson, Dina Korzun, Lauren Ambrose, Katheryn Winnick
Director: Sophie Barthes

Summary: A famous American actor who, undergoing existential crisis, needs relief from his weary soul and decides to explore "soul extraction" as a distraction from the burdens of daily life .

Analysis: A downright strange blend of all sorts of genres, this will face tough comparisons to similar much-loved eccentric indies like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "The Science of Sleep". The film's upcoming Sundance screenings will play a big part in determining how reaction to this will unfold.


Confessions of a Shopaholic
Opens: February 13th 2009
Cast: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb
Director: P.J. Hogan

Summary: In the glamorous world of New York City, a fun-loving girl snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her less-than-spendthrifty past from ruining her future.

Analysis: Former soapie actress Isla Fisher has stolen the show with her supporting turns in the likes of "Wedding Crashers" and "The Lookout", but can she handle being a lead? Producer Jerry Bruckheimer seems to think so and under-rated helmer P.J. Hogan ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "Peter Pan") obviously has faith in her. The premise sounds decidedly thin but if sold right it could be a solid little hit for its distributor.


Coraline
Opens: February 6th 2009
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane
Director: Henry Selick

Summary: A 3D stop-motion animated adventure based on Neil Gaiman's book. A young girl finds a secret door and discovers an alternate and more idyllic version of her life on the other side. When that world turns dangerous, she must count on her resourcefulness to save her family.

Analysis: The first stop-motion animated adventure to be originally filmed in 3D, Neil Gaiman's beautiful original work, "A Nightmare Before Christmas" director Henry Selick at the helm - you can't get much better credentials than that. The only downside is that with only a month to go, Focus doesn't seem to be really pushing the film's promotion that hard - c'mon kids, snap to it.


The Countess
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Julie Delpy, William Hurt, Daniel Brühl, Anamaria Marinca, Jeanette Hain,
Director: Julie Delpy

Summary: Based on the true story of the most prolific female serial killer in history - Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory. After her husband's death, she and her collaborators were accused of torturing and killing hundreds of girls. Never formally tried, she was put under house arrest and walled up in a set of rooms until her death four years later.

Analysis: The third directorial effort by Delpy after such success with her second film, 2007's "2 Days in Paris", sees the French actress take a darker turn. Despite the gothic horror elements of the Bathory legend (eg. bathing in virgin's blood) that have been played up in various films, Delpy claims this is much more a drama about the abuse of power. Though there was a concern about the rival Slovak project "Bathory" starring Anna Friel, that film came out this past July and didn't receive much attention.


Crank: High Voltage
Opens: April 17th 2009
Cast: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., Bai Ling
Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Summary: In this high-octane sequel, hitman Chev Chelios' (Statham) launches himself on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles in pursuit of the Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart.

Analysis: The original 2006 actioneer cost just $12 million and made three times that domestically so a sequel was pretty certain. The first trailer shows this is just as, if not more ridiculously over the top than its predecessor with cartoonish violence and sex galore throughout. Will easily appeal to its young male target demo.


Creation
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Jeremy Northam, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Patterson
Director: Jon Amiel

Summary: A biopic of evolutionary theory developer Charles Darwin, the 'Origin of Species' author finds himself in a struggle between his love for his deeply religious wife and his own growing belief in a world of rational realism where God has no place.

Analysis: The more star-powered and closer to completion of two rival Charles Darwin projects (the other, "Mrs. Darwin", stars Joseph Fiennes and Rosamund Pike). It's hard to say how this will go down as director Jon Amiel is known more for blockbuster action/thrillers like "Copycat" and "Entrapment" than awards fare. Yet he can pull it off with the right material, as demonstrated by his work on the multi-award winning BBC mini-series "The Singing Detective". Shots of Bettany walking around on set show what could well be the most complained about cinematic hairstyle since Tom Hanks' "Da Vinci Code" hairdo.


The Damned United
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Colm Meaney, Timothy Spall, Stephen Graham, Peter McDonald
Director: Tom Hooper

Summary: Despite being considered one of the greatest managers of English football, Brian Clough had a nightmarish 44 days in charge of Leeds United football club. This looks at that period, a time when the club members were all against him and he was sacked for turning the winning team into a losing one.

Analysis: Though it'll almost certainly be a hit in Blighty, it's hard to see how this very British-specific tale will appeal to an international audience - many of whom have never heard of the Leeds club let alone Clough's short involvement with them. The great cast though does make it worth a look.


Daybreakers
Opens: September 11th 2009
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Vince Colosimo, Claudia Karvan, Isabel Lucas, Jay Laga'aia
Director: Peter and Michael Spierig

Summary: In the year 2017, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the dominant plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher (Hawke) works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save the human race.

Analysis: While the constraints of a super low-budget kept 2003 Australian zombie film "Undead" from every really breaking out, the Spierig Brothers displayed such talent that many have been anticipating their follow-up. Finally it has arrived in the form of this $21 million vampire actioneer that should give the early Fall a good dose of action and fun.


The Descent: Part II
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Gavan O'Herlihy, Joshua Dallas, Anna Skellern, Douglas Hodge
Director: Jon Harris

Summary: A search and rescue team take sole survivor Sarah back to where the horrible events happened to find any possible answers and survivors. However, whilst down in the cave... things don't go to plan as the group fight for their lives against the crawlers.

Analysis: The 2005 British horror film "The Descent" was one of the best efforts of the genre this decade and scored excellent reviews upon its release. Yet doing a follow-up to that claustrophobic spelunking effort seems almost sacrilegious as there really is simply no need. Still many are curious to see if this film can keep the suspense as effective even with the original director Neil Marshall stuck only in a producing position this time.


Disney's A Christmas Carol
Opens: November 6th 2009
Cast: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, Cary Elwes, Fionnula Flanagan
Director: Robert Zemeckis

Summary: A 3D CG-animated feature based on the Dickens classic about Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who on Christmas Eve is visited by three ghosts who take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths he's reluctant to face.

Analysis: Zemeckis tries his "Polar Express" and "Beowulf" treatment on the famous story and with the power of Disney behind him. Despite the countless adaptations already on the market (I was quite partial to the animated one with Scrooge McDuck), expect this to do big business in the Fall.


District 9
Opens: August 14th 2009
Cast: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Mandla Gaduka, William Allen Young, Vanessa Haywood
Director: Neill Blomkamp

Summary: "District 9" depicts a fictional world where extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa.

Analysis: The South African-born, Canadian based Blomkamp made his name helming various short films that blended documentary-style hand-held filming with photo-realistic CG imagery. Winning advertising's coveted Grand Prix award for a commercial for the video game "Halo", he was all set to helm the film adaptation of that game before the project fell apart. Instead of heading back to commercials though he's gone and made a feature film remake of his acclaimed six-minute short "Alive in Joburg" which dealt with aliens struggling to integrate into the apartheid like culture of Johannesburg. Could prove one of the year's real surprises.


Donkey Punch
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Jaime Winstone, Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Jay Taylor, Robert Boulter
Director: Oliver Blackburn

Summary: After meeting at a nightclub, seven young twenty-somethings party aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean. But when one dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival.

Analysis: A British snuff horror film, 'Punch' demonstrates that the Brits can do pointless horror just as bad as everyone else. Reviews for the film were understandably dismissive and in some cases labeled it vile due to the sexual tone of the violence. Nevertheless a few solid horror film reviewers warmed to it, and it will be remembered if only for bringing the titular sexual act to unaware audiences.

For those curious I can save you $10 right now - a 'donkey punch' is when a man, anally penetrating his partner doggy style, punches the partner in the back of the neck to supposedly cause muscular contractions to enhance his orgasm. It's as dumb as it sounds with the act often dismissed as not working, and often resulting in injury or even death to the partner.


Dorian Gray
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Rebecca Hall, Emilia Fox, Ben Chaplin, Caroline Goodall
Director: Oliver Parker

Summary: An adaptation of the classic Oscar Wilde novel, the story follows the handsome young playboy Dorian Gray whose youth and beauty are sustained by a magical portrait of him - a painting that visibly displays the toll his true age and hedonistic lifestyle have reaped on his body.

Analysis: Despite countless adaptations over the years - including some recent incarnations of the character by the likes of Stuart Townsend, Josh Duhamel and David Gallagher - there hasn't been a truly definitive film version of Wilde's only novel since 1945's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". A large cast of talented British thesps, led by "Narnia" franchise beefcake Ben Barnes, should pull in adults and young girls alike.


Drag Me to Hell
Opens: May 29th 2009
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Jessica Lucas, David Paymer, Dileep Rao
Director: Sam Raimi

Summary: A young female loan officer denies an old woman a home extension and in retaliation a curse is placed on her. Haunted by an evil spirit, she seeks help to save her soul from eternal damnation and crosses boundaries she never thought she would to be set free.

Analysis: What would be considered a completely generic horror movie with a dull cast is only getting attention due to one critical factor - this being Sam Raimi's first time directing a non-Spiderman project since 2000's "The Gift" and his first attempt at horror outside of the "Evil Dead" franchise. Should be worth a look at least.


Dragonball Evolution
Opens: April 8th 2009
Cast: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat
Director: James Wong

Summary: A live-action adaptation of Akira Toriyama's manga and anime series. It tells the story of an alien sent to destroy Earth, who has a change of heart and decides to join the humans in their fight against various aliens and bad guys.

Analysis: While there may be fans of the original anime keenly anticipating this, lets face it - the trailers quite frankly make this look like a stinker of almost "The Spirit" or "Battlefield Earth" proportions which makes me want to watch it simply for the camp factor. The economically beleaguered Fox is going to have a real challenge trying to make this appeal outside the fanbase.


Duplicity
Opens: March 20th 2009
Cast: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Rick Worthy
Director: Tony Gilroy

Summary: A former MI6 operative and a former CIA agent, who now sell their skills in the world of corporate espionageare, are engaged in a clandestine love affair. When they're hired by rival companies to secure the rights to a secret formula, the tactics get dirtier as their mutual attraction grows.

Analysis: Known more for penning serious fare like the 'Bourne' movies, Gilroy follows up his Oscar-winning directorial debut "Michael Clayton" with what looks like an outright spy-themed farce that quite frankly might rub people the wrong way. It could be this year's answer to the Coens brilliant and under-rated "Burn After Reading", then again it might get lost. Not helping is serious Clive Owen spy thriller "The Internationa" opening a few weeks before and looking remarkably similar in some ways.


Easy Virtue
Opens: May 22nd 2009
Cast: Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson
Director: Stephan Elliott

Summary: In 1929, a young Englishman impetuously marries a sexy and glamorous American woman. Returning to his family home, his mother has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. A battle of wits between the two women ensue over the young man's affections.

Analysis: Aussie helmer Stephan Elliott ("Priscilla: Queen of the Desert," "Eye of the Beholder") directs this adaptation of Noel Coward's play and while the movie promises some sly fun, reviews out of Toronto were decidedly mixed with comments that generally dismissed the film as over-directed fluff with solid performances. Works well as counter-programming on the same weekend as the new "Terminator" sequel.


Edge of Darkness
Opens: Fall 2009
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Denis O'Hare, Peter Hermann, Shawn Roberts
Director: Martin Campbell

Summary: Based on the hugely popular and multi-award-winning British TV miniseries which followed a cop unravelling the truth behind the brutal killing of his daughter. His investigations lead him into a murky world of corporate cover-ups and nuclear espionage with dark forces threatening the future of life on Earth.

Analysis: Though several great British mini-series have been turned into lackluster American film adaptations ("The Singing Detective," the upcoming "State of Play"), this one could be different in that original writer/director Martin Campbell is returning to the material over twenty years on and with several great films ("Casino Royale," "The Mask of Zorro," "Goldeneye") under his belt. Yet going against it is the inherent strangeness of the material with its sci-fi last act twist, the age of the material (Thatcher-ism and nuclear energy management are no longer hot topics), and the question of whether star Mel Gibson's box-office drawing power has been tarnished by his various PR debacles over the past few years.


The Edge of Love
Opens: Spring 2009
Cast: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys
Director: John Maybury

Summary: The story explores the bohemian underworld of war-torn London and the intimate complexities of two young couples whose lives and loves become dangerously intertwined when one of them, brilliant poet Dylan Thomas, falls for the other man's wife.

Analysis: Initially a quite high profile feature with the apparent hiring then exiting of Lindsay Lohan in the secondary female role, the film already opened in the UK to positive notices, though almost all had the stipulation that its style outclassed its substance.


The Escapist
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Brian Cox, Damien Lewis, Joseph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper
Director: Rupert Wyatt

Summary: The story of a motley crew of unlikely companions. Juxtaposing the intricate preparations for their break-out with the actual escape itself, it becomes an intense, existential drama about every man's need to free himself from confinement and to redeem himself for past failings.

Analysis: Scoring good notices at Sundance last year and in general release in the UK over the Summer, this surprisingly elaborate escape thriller has an ending that some saw as bold while others got notably pissed off at. Great actors at work - Brian Cox, Damian Lewis as the slimy crim kingpin on the inside, Steven Mackintosh as a quite disturbing rapist, even normally lightweight Joseph Fiennes channels his inner Rocky. Ladies and gay boys, missing the bald pouting prettiness of Wentworth Miller on "Prison Break", will be satisfied by the sight of tight-buttocked "Mamma Mia" hunk Dominic Cooper dressed only in a pair of red jocks.


Everybody's Fine
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, Katharine Moening
Director: Kirk Jones

Summary: A widower who realizes that his deceased wife was his only connection to his children. He decides on a whim to take a road trip to reconnect with each of his grown kids, discovering that their lives are far from perfect.

Analysis: Miramax's remake of the Giuseppe Tornatore film "Stanno Tutti Bene", the great cast looks promising but this will be heavy reliant on early word-of-mouth if it wants a chance to break out.


Every Little Step
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Bob Avian, Michael Bennett, Charlotte d'Amboise, Ramon Flowers, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Marvin Hamlisch
Director: Adam Del Deo, James Stern

Summary: Documentary following the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line". It also investigates the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and current incarnations.

Analysis: Screened to positive notices in Toronto who also call it a big old crowd pleaser, 'Chorus' is one of those musicals everyone knows and so there should be an in-built audience ready to enjoy this light and breezy affair.

[Shozo Hirono]

Zasto Donkey Punch u tMA,zar tek sad ima premijeru u Americi !Po Evropi on barem pola godine luta po bioskopima !    

[crippled_avenger]

Mickey Rourke has joined the ranks of "The Expendables," joining the ensemble of the Sylvester Stallone-directed action adventure for Nu Image/Millennium Films.
Rourke will play an unscrupulous arms dealer who becomes the go-to guy for a group of mercenaries planning to topple a South American dictator.

Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture and Dolph Lungdren play the title characters. Forest Whitaker and Ben Kingsley are also circling the project.

The Stallone-scripted film begins shooting in March in Brazil. Avi Lerner, John Tompson and Kevin King Templeton are producing, with Boaz Davidson, Trevor Short and Danny Dimbort exec producers.

In recounting his rise to Oscar contention with "The Wrestler," Rourke has credited Stallone for helping him get back in the business at a low ebb, when Stallone met him at a restaurant and gave him a role in "Get Carter."

Rourke is starring in "13," the Gela Babluani-directed remake of the French thriller "13 Tzameti," which also stars Statham, Ray Winstone, Sam Riley, 50 Cent and Ray Liotta.

[crippled_avenger]

D.J. Caruso ("Eagle Eye," "Disturbia") is set to direct "Jack the Giant Killer", a more adult dramatic take on the classic 'Jack and the Beanstalk' fable, for New Line Cinema reports Variety.

When a princess is kidnapped, a long-standing peace between men and giants becomes threatened, and a young farmer is given an opportunity to lead a dangerous expedition to the giant kingdom to rescue her.

Mark Bomback ("Race to Witch Mountain") penned the script, and Neal Moritz is producing.

[crippled_avenger]

Following up a months-old rumor, it now seems that "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead" stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have been confirmed to be playing Thomson and Thompson in director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson's "Tintin" says AICN.

The pair join Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, though Tintin himself remains to be cast after original star Thomas Sangster dropped out.

The 3D, $135 million CG motion-capture film is based on the two-part "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure" books by Herge, both published in the 40's.

In the story, reporter Tintin buys a Spanish galleon miniature for Haddock which promptly gets damaged and reveals a hidden parchment. Later, upon finding his apartment ransacked, the hunt begins for two further parchments that could lead to a hidden pirate treasure that belonged to one of Haddock's ancestors.

The Thompson twins are essentially the comic relief of the series, in these books they have a subplot dealing with a kleptomaniac whose been lifting wallets from all around town.

Spielberg will direct the first installment scheduled for release in 2010.

[crippled_avenger]

I Love You, Man
Opens: March 20th 2009
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau, Jaime Pressly
Director: John Hamburg

Summary: A newly engaged real estate agent realises he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. He sets out on a series of "man-dates," before meeting a charming, opinionated man with whom he bonds. But the closer they get, the more his relationship with fiancee suffers.

Analysis: While Judd Apatow isn't involved in this, the inclusion of two of his regulars Segal and Rudd, along with some other recognisable talent like Favreau, Simmons, Pressly and so on means that many are understandably mistaking it for one of his. The actual big name producer though is Ivan Reitman so expect this to be a bit tamer. Still, the premise is a solid one and should ring true with various males about to get or already married.


I Love You Philip Morris
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Summary: When a married local Texas policeman turns to cons and fraud to allow him to change his lifestyle, his subsequent stay in jail results in his meeting the love of his life, a sensitive fellow inmate named Phillip Morris. Russell soon attempts escape after escape and executes con after con, all in the name of love.

Analysis: One of the year's most interesting looking projects, the true story elements and very frank nature of the main character's gay love affairs push what looks like an otherwise straight up Jim Carrey comedy vehicle into territory that could surprise and hopefully rattle some cages. Helping that along is the directors who smashed through a lot of boundaries with the unrelentingly black comedy "Bad Santa" a few years ago. The film's premiere at this year's Sundance will go a long way to determining its viability and quality however.


Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Opens: July 1st 2009
Cast: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah
Director: Carlos Saldanha

Summary: The third adventure of the CG animated prehistoric creatures. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna, run amuck - and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck.

Analysis: While the last sequel felt like it was decidedly running out of ideas, the incorporation of a 'Lost World' element and dinosaurs should add some much needed fire and action to the mix. The saber-toothed gopher Scrat and his acorn-fetish however are what sell these movies and the producers sound like they're giving him a lot more screen time in this outing.


The Imaginarium
of Doctor Parnassus
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Verne Troyer
Director: Terry Gilliam

Summary: An immortal who made a Faustian-style deal to give up his first born when they came of age tries to stop 'Mr. Nick' from collecting. The wager is renegotiated with whomever seduces the five souls first winning the right to keep the child.

Analysis: The true final work of the late Heath Ledger who died midway through production, this very strange sounding fantasy does seem to take Terry Gilliam back to his strengths which are needed after the poorly-received "Tideland". How Gilliam will visually represent the role switching from Ledger to the other actors like Depp and Farrell at different points in the movie is one of the big questions many want to know right now (the other actors play versions of the character when he enters different fantasy realms).


The Informant
Opens: September 18th 2009
Cast: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey
Director: Steven Soderbergh

Summary: Based on the true story. A rising executive suddenly turns whistleblower for the FBI, but requires evidence of his multi-national's price-fixing conspiracy. Imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent, his ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case.

Analysis: Soderbergh's account of the biggest corporate whistleblower in history will likely garner a lot more awards attention than his recently overlooked Che Guevera biopic. Damon gained a stomach paunch for the role, which means people will probably refer to this as the 'Matt Damon got fat' film if nothing else.


Inglorious Basterds
Opens: August 21st 2009
Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Bruhl, Eli Roth, Samm Levine, B.J. Novak
Director: Quentin Tarantino

Summary: In German-occupied France, a young girl who's family was executed flees to Paris and forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere a squad of Jewish soldiers engage in targeted acts of retribution and their fates soon intertwine.

Analysis: Tarantino brings his self-aware long diatribes and penchant for extreme violence to the macho WW2 team movie most iconified by the likes of "The Dirty Dozen". The script leaked online long ago and has been very well-reviewed with many describing it as simply 'insane'. It also thankfully doesn't even try to be hisortically accurate in the slightest which should give it a lot of leeway with the fanboys but will likely lock it out of anything more serious than box-office glory. The late Summer release date is puzzling though.


Inkheart
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Sienna Guillory, Rafi Gavron
Director: Iain Softley

Summary: Mortimer "Mo" Folchart and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie, share an extraordinary gift for bringing characters from books to life when they read aloud. But there is a danger: when a character is brought to life from a book, a real person disappears into its pages.

Analysis: The most expensive victim of the New Line collapse, the Brendan Fraser-led fantasy movie finallly hits almost a year and a half after its originally intended date release date. With the kiddie fantasy genre now seen as essentially dead outside of the Potter franchise, don't expect much from this.


The International
Opens: February 13th 2009
Cast: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Brían F. O'Byrne
Director: Tom Tykwer

Summary: An Interpol agent and a Manhattan Assistant D.A. are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, they set out on a high-stakes chase from Berlin and Milan to New York and Istanbul.

Analysis: For someone who was very vocally against playing James Bond, Clive Owen has certainly gotten into playing action heroes that obviously wish they were 007. What looks like a very generic conspiracy thriller, not helped by an awful first trailer, may actually work due to two factors - obvious on-location shooting, and the past work of German director Tom Tykwer ("Run Lola Run," "Heaven," "Perfume") which should make this at least somewhat less conventional than its premise sounds.


Jennifer's Body
Opens: September 18th 2009
Cast: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons
Director: Karyn Kusama

Summary: When a gorgeous cheerleader is possessed by a demon and starts feeding off the boys in a small Minnesota farming town, her "plain Jane" best friend must kill her, then escape from a correctional facility to go after the Satan-worshipping rock band responsible.

Analysis: One of the most anticipated early Fall releases, the project is the second script by Oscar-winning "Juno" scribe Diablo Cody while "Juno" director Jason Reitman has a producing credit. "Girlfight" and "Aeon Flux" helmer Karyn Kusama directs and the cast is superb, so it looks like it will easily be one of the year's best genre features.


John Rabe
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Ulrich Tukur, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Bruehl, Anne Consigny, Lu Huang, Zhang Jingchu
Director: Florian Gallenberger

Summary: German businessman John Rabe was a Nazi party member and Siemens executive who was able to create a safety zone within the Chinese city of Nanjing to protect civilians from Japanese atrocities which claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000 civilians during the 1937/38 massacre.

Analysis: A biopic of one of the more unusual unsung heroes of WW2, the mostly German and Chinese cast mean this will be relegated to the arthouse, but Buscemi's role as an American doctor who helped the victims will be a performance many will be looking out for.


Julie and Julia
Opens: August 7th 2009
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Jane Lynch, Vanessa Ferlito, Dave Annable, Chris Messina
Director: Nora Ephron

Summary: A 30-year-old secretary comes up with an unusual personal assignment - cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's 1961 French cuisine recipe book over the space of a year. As the recipes get more complicated, she realizes she has turned her kitchen into a miracle of creation and cuisine.

Analysis: The teaming of Oscar nominees Streep and Adams in a purely uplifting chick flick, combined with direction from Ephron ("Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail") looks like it could be this year's "The Devil Wears Prada"-sized monster hit. There's also an interesting sounding mix of both the contemporary story of Adams' quest with flashbacks of Streep's trip through the French countryside assembling the book.


Kick-Ass
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Lyndsy Fonseca, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Summary: The comic book adaptation centers on a high school dweeb named Dave Lizewski who decides to become a superhero even though he has no athletic ability or coordination. Things change when he eventually runs into real bad guys with real weapons.

Analysis: After the surprising large success of the well-received "Wanted", the author of that comic (which bared little resemblance to the final film) gets another of his works translated in the form of this young superhero movie. What looks interesting here is that director Matthew Vaughn ("Stardust," "Layer Cake") took his time and assembled the film's finances in a way that let him have a LOT of control over what makes it into the film with little to no studio interference. The result should hopefully be something surprisingly edgy.


Killshot
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, Johnny Knoxville, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Thomas Jane, Rosario Dawson
Director: John Madden

Summary: Carmen and her husband Wayne become entangled in a scam with a bumbling, small time con artist and his over-the-hill hitman partner the Blackbird. Ultimately, it all comes down to one wife, one husband, two killers... and one lethal killshot.

Analysis: A truly stunning cast, an Oscar-nominated director, a Tarantino producing credit, and a script based on an Elmore Leonard novel. Yet the film has been delayed over a year and is being dumped in early January which all indicates that despite the stellar mix of talent here, a stinker of high proportions is about to be unleashed.


Knowing
Opens: March 20th 2009
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury, Ben Mendelsohn, Terry Camilleri, Adrienne Pickering
Director: Alex Proyas

Summary: In 1958, a strange girl puts a paper with a list of numbers on it into a timecapsule. Fifty years later it's unearthed and ends up in the hands of a professor who learns its terrifying truth. The paper accurately predicted all global disasters of the past fifty years and an upcoming event that involves him and his son.

Analysis: What could be written off as another of tedious Nic Cage action feature (ala "Next," "Bangkok Dangerous") simply can't be so easily dismissed. Not only is the premise stronger than usual here, but this also marks the return of acclaimed Australian director Alex Proyas whose films like "The Crow," "Dark City" and "I, Robot" show that the man knows how to handle solid sci-fi storytelling. The film was delayed a few months from its original release, but was done well ahead of time and was said to have allowed Proyas proper time to do some final tweaking on it that he was keen to finish.


Land of the Lost
Opens: June 5th 2009
Cast: Will Ferrell, Danny R. McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone
Director: Brad Silberling

Summary: A has-been scientist, his crack smart assistant, and a redneck survivalist are sucked into space-time vortex and land back in prehistoric times. The trio have no weapons, few skills and questionable smarts to survive in an alternate universe full of marauding dinosaurs and fantastic creatures from beyond our world.

Analysis: A property that people are familiar with but not fanatically (allowing for changes), a trio of good comedy cast members, the "Lemony Snicket" director handling the visuals, the blessing of the original kids show creators the Krofts. It all sounds good, but a lot will depend upon tone which we won't know until we see some footage.


The Last House on the Left
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Rhys Coiro, Martha MacIsaac, Aaron Paul
Director: Dennis Iliadis

Summary: Remake of the 1972 film "The Last House on the Left" directed by Wes Craven. A pair of adventurous teen girls are kidnapped, raped and murdered by a gang of thugs. The killers unwittingly hole up in the home of one victim's parents, who, upon realizing what their guests did, devise gruesome revenge.

Analysis: The original torture porn, Wes Craven's debut feature with its graphic rape and very believable tone remains his darkest and most confronting film to date, so much so it was banned for many years in several countries. Now comes the inevitable remake which will probably beef up the violent gore, town down the sexual violence, and essentially deliver a more mainstream interpretation.


The Last Station
Opens: 2009
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Anne-Marie Duff
Director: Michael Hoffman

Summary: Based on Jay Parini's 1990 novel, explores the turbulent final year in the life of the Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy and his troubled marriage to wife, Sofia. His trusted follower Chertkov becomes Sofia's cunning adversary.

Analysis: Despite some casting shifts, Anthony Hopkins and Meryl Streep were to originally play the couple, this $20 million adaptation under the helm of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" helmer Michael Hoffman should get a lot of attention later in the year - especially in international circles. The casting alone seems almost enough to guarantee awards talk.


Leaves of Grass
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell, Lucy DeVito
Director: Tim Blake Nelson

Summary: A college classics professor is lured home from the Ivy League to the backwoods of Southeastern Oklahoma by his identical twin, a hedonistic, pot- smoking career criminal. He soon finds that Plato and Marcus Aurelius have ill-prepared him for dealing with homicidal yokels.

Analysis: A film that could either be Charlie Kaufman-like black comedy genius or a forgettable dope comedy, the inclusion of Norton as twins alone seems worth a look.


The Limits of Control
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Paz de la Huerta, Hiam Abbass, Gael García Bernal, Alex Descas, John Hurt, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton
Director: Jim Jarmusch

Summary: This is the story of a mysterious loner, a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. The film is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain (both urban and otherwise).

Analysis: Acclaimed indie helmer Jarmusch ("Broken Flowers") tries the Woody Allen trick of moving his very American-set storytelling style to picturesque Spanish locales. Giving the lead roles to Spanish actors and the bit parts to Americans though will make for an interesting on-screen representation. Perfect festival fare.


Little Ashes
Opens: March 27th 2009
Cast: Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Adria Allue, Simón Andreu, Adrian Devant
Director: Paul Morrison

Summary: In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change. A young Salvador Dali, Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunel form a trio of socially elite friends. As time passes, Salvador and Federico find their very close friendship one night becoming something else...

Analysis: The first post-"Twilight" project of Pattinson will really shake up his fanbase thanks to reports of scenes featuring nudity and gay sex. In many ways its a good project for the actor, establishing artistic cred in between the blockbuster "Twilight" movies, but the role of Dali is a challenging one and he may get a harsh reception if he doesn't handle it quite right. The subject matter itself is not without controversy, Dali famously denying the affair right up til his death despite glaring evidence to the contrary.


The Lodger
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Simon Baker, Shane West, Rachael Leigh Cook, Donal Logue
Director: David Ondaatje

Summary: Based on the book on which Alfred Hitchcock's silent classic is also based. A grizzled detective is on the trail of a ruthless killer intent on slaughtering prostitutes along West Hollywood's Sunset Strip, one using grisly methods are identical to that of Jack the Ripper.

Analysis: Despite the likes of Molina, Davis and helmer Ondaatje involved, the January dumping date and quick-to-DVD release plan bode ill tidings for this thriller. The updating of the story to contemporary LA, though saving on expenses, has turned it into a very generic looking serial killer movie.


The Lonely Maiden
Opens: May 29th 2009
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy
Director: Peter Hewitt

Summary: The film centers on three museum security guards who have become attached to the artwork they've watched over for decades. When they learn their beloved pieces are to be transferred to another museum, they concoct a scheme to "steal" them back.

Analysis: Macy, Freeman and Walken in a heist movie together. Sounds inspired on first thought, and certainly the early-Summer limited release means the studio has high hopes for this as one of the potential more adult-oriented sleeper hits of the season.


Long Weekend
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Claudia Karvan
Director: Jamie Blanks

Summary: A remake of the classic 1978 Australian thriller. The original features a couple under marital strain who set off for the coast for a vacation. As their weekend rolls on, nature inexplicably begins to react quite unkindly to this couple's presence.

Analysis: One of the classic cheesy 70's Ozploitation films gets a remake by "Valentine" and "Urban Legends" helmer Jamie Blanks. The theme of the environment fighting back is a more interesting one in our more enviromentally aware day and age, but it also invites comparisons to last year's odious "The Happening". Reviews for the film out of Toronto indicated this could be a surprise little sleeper for horror fans.


The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans
Director: Jodie Markell

Summary: A young and rebellious socialite boldly hires a farm hand to be her escort for the elaborate party season. As their passion grows and she defies social convention for a chance at real love, the loss of a priceless diamond sets off a series of accusations and betrayals that threaten to shatter their future.

Analysis: Reviews from Toronto last year were underwhelming, calling it an "admirably earnest but curiously flat attempt" and shooting down many hopes for the film's future. Based on an old and unproduced Tennessee Williams script, the film will likely be dumped in limited release sometime during the year.


The Lovely Bones
Opens: December 11th 2009
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli, Saoirse Ronan
Director: Peter Jackson

Summary: Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, the story centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Analysis: One of the most beloved and acclaimed books of the past decade with "Lord of the Rings" and "King Kong" helmer Peter Jackson in the director's chair promises this will be one of the biggest film releases of the Fall and an almost certain awards contender. A kerfuffle involving original star Ryan Gosling seems to have passed by without any real negative impact on the production.

[crippled_avenger]

Fame
Opens: September 25th 2009
Cast: Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth, Thomas Dekker
Director: Kevin Tancharoen

Summary: Much like the Oscar-winning original, directed by Alan Parker, the story will track the failures and fortunes of super-ambitious young performers and their teachers as they navigate a school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

Analysis: An unnecessary remake, the idea here is to obviously cash in on a whole new soundtrack and a re-release of the title number. Other than that, its a generic cast of young-uns - headlined by teen hunk Thomas Dekker from "Heroes" and the "Terminator" TV series - meeting some great older actors who obviously seem to be here to collect a paycheck. One of 2009's more cynical endeavours.


Fanboys
Opens: February 6th 2009
Cast: Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Kristen Bell, Carrie Fisher, Ray Park
Director: Kyle Newman

Summary: It's 1998 and three former high school friends reunite to undertake the road trip of their fan-tasies - visiting George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch with plans to break in, steal "Star Wars: Episode I" and stake their claim as the first fanboys in history to watch it.

Analysis: The long-delayed, controversially changed and then later restored comedy about geeky fanboys arrives nearly two years after it was originally intended to hit. After so many issues behind-the-scenes, it's hard to imagine this living up to any of the hoopla that has surrounded it. Those going in who aren't aware of all the elaborate backstory will probably appreciate it more.


Fast and Furious
Opens: April 3rd 2009
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Gal Gadot
Director: Justin Lin

Summary: When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him.

Analysis: With 'Tokyo Drift' not proving much of a winner, Universal has brought back the main cast members from the first "The Fast and the Furious" for this fourth time round. Diesel, Walker, Rodriguez and Brewster all went on to other projects but none of them really found great success so this coming back has a mild tinge of desperation about it. Yet the teaser trailer was actually pretty fun so who knows, it could be the best yet.


The Fighter
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Brad Pitt
Director: Darren Aronofsky

Summary: Dicky Eklund is a talented fighter who once went the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard, but then turned to crime and landed in prison. Turning his life around, he helps his underperforming half-brother find the spark for a remarkable run that led to the world lightweight champion title.

Analysis: Following up such great acclaim for his Mickey Rourke comeback effort "The Wrestler", Darren Aronofsky skews into another sports-themed story with this boxing drama. Mark Wahlberg has been working out for a year to get into shape, and the teaming of Pitt and Aronofsky that was supposed to happen with "The Fountain" will finally flower here. One of the year's most anticipated awards contenders.


Fighting
Opens: April 24th 2009
Cast: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao
Director: Dito Montiel

Summary: A scam artist sees that a small-town kid now living destitute in New York has a natural talent for streetfighting. The two form an uneasy partnership as the enter the corrupt bare-knuckle circuit where rich men bet on disposable pawns. Almost overnight, he becomes a star brawler.

Analysis: Dito Montiel's follow-up to the well-received but barely seen "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints", this takes "Step Up" star Tatum into territory that sounds much like last year's "Never Back Down". Yet Montiel's skill at showing the poorer and grittier side of New York in 'Saints' should lend this some good credibility.


Final Destination: Death Trip 3D
Opens: August 21st 2009
Cast: Shantel VanSanten, Bobby Campo, Haley Webb, Nick Zano, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella
Director: David R. Ellis

Summary: On what should have been a fun-filled day at the races, Nick O'Bannon has a horrific premonition in which a bizarre sequence of events causes multiple race cars to crash, sending flaming debris into the stands, brutally killing his friends.

Analysis: The fourth film in the series brings back the second film's director David Ellis whose chapter was the lightest and most fun of the series. This time the major disaster is a car racing stadium collapse with various unknown teens, but the 3D aspect and the series avoidance of nasty gore in favor of elaborate setups should make this one of the more fun films to use the gimmick.


Friday the 13th
Opens: February 13th 2009
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle
Director: Marcus Nispel

Summary: A re-imagining of the classic horror film "Friday the 13th." Searching for his missing sister, Clay heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins. He, and some college kids are about to find much more than they bargained for.

Analysis: Another unnecessary remake, this follows in the footsteps of 2007's simply pointless "Halloween" re-tread. The good news is Platinum Dunes is better at this sort of thing than Rob Zombie, and the company has brought back Director Marcus Nispel who did the effective "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" reboot a few years back. Considering the sorry state of some of the previous 'Friday' sequels, this should at least prove more interesting than them. It's also great to see "Supernatural" star Padalecki get a chance to strut his stuff on the big screen.


Funny People
Opens: July 31st 2009
Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza
Director: Judd Apatow

Summary: A famed comedian learns that he has a rare untreatable blood disorder, and only has six months to a year left to live. Taking a 25-year-old deli counter worker and aspiring stand-up comedian under his wing, he sets out to resolve things with his remarried ex-wife.

Analysis: Judd Apatow's third directorial effort after "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up" is said to be funnier and darker than his previous fare which has often drifted into sickly sweet sentimental territory at the cost of realism (abortion is only vaguely brought up once in all 2.5 hours of "Knocked Up" for example). As long as he can keep the runtime to a more manageable level than usual, and fully exploit talents like Sandler, Bana and Schwartzman - this should prove one of the year's biggest comedy hits.


G-Force
Opens: July 24th 2009
Cast: Bill Nighy, Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz
Director: Hoyt Yeatman

Summary: A comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws.

Analysis: Never underestimate kid-friendly cute critter movies as box-office juggernauts "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" and "Marley and Me" so ably demonstrated this year. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing so expect some bang for your buck, and the late Summer slot means there's little competition for its target demographic until Robert Rodriguez's "Shorts" two weeks later.


Game
Opens: September 4th 2009
Cast: Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Alison Lohman, Amber Valletta, Logan Lerman, Kyra Sedgwick, Ludacris
Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Summary: Set in a future-world where humans can control other humans in mass-scale, multi-player online gaming environments, a star player from a game called "Slayers" looks to regain his independence while taking down the game's mastermind.

Analysis: The guys behind "Crank" and "Pathology" bring their twisted attitudes and taste for reality-defying violence and sex to a virtual game thriller - an environment where that kind of action is actually more believable and fitting. An excellent cast with "300" star Butler, Dexter's Michael C. Hall and even "The Closer" herself Kyra Sedgwick get to go wild. On paper it seems more promising than Neveldine and Taylor's previous work, but we'll see.


Gatchaman
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Not Available
Director: Kevin Munroe

Summary: CG-animated feature based on the classic anime "Battle of the Planets" (aka. "G-Force"). Set in a future world grappling with environmental and technological issues, the story focuses on five reluctant heroes whose remarkable genetic code makes them Earth's only hope of defeating extra-terrestrial invaders.

Analysis: While one shudders to think of the ways Imagi may screw up the "Astro Boy" property like their lackluster "TMNT" did with the Ninja Turtles, this more action-oriented property certainly lends itself more to the CG-animated approach. Certainly the storyboards really look quite spectacular and epic in scope, giving sci-fi fans a new action-heavy space saga to get behind.


Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Opens: May 1st 2009
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Anne Archer
Director: Mark S. Waters

Summary: A committed bachelor, who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, looks like he may ruin his brother's wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships.

Analysis: Aside from a beautiful wedding, one of the top female fantasies must be the ability to turn a dedicated bachelor who refuses to settle down into a loving committed partner. The reality is men rarely change, so consider this "A Christmas Carol"-style story as porn for the hopless romantics out there. A good cast and director should help, but the problematic behind-the-scenes issues with Ben Affleck commiting to then leaving the role which McConaughey then took over does bring up questions about its quality.


G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra
Opens: August 7th 2009
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Christopher Eccleston, Ray Park, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Director: Stephen Sommers

Summary: From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.

Analysis: Already being snickered about as a disaster of "Battlefield Earth" proportions, the idea of changing the very ra-ra patriotism toy line into a more global-friendly live-action movie sounds utterly ridiculous. A good cast is in place, but so is director Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy," "Van Helsing") who doesn't understand the meaning of the word subtlety let alone quality. Could surpise though and turn out to be just mediocre.



Green Zone
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan, Yigal Naor, Antoni Corone
Director: Paul Greengrass

Summary: A pair of CIA agents go in search of evidence of weapons of mass destruction during the Iraq occupation. Meanwhile a news correspondent is following their mission and taking notes. Based upon the acclaimed book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City".

Analysis: As has been proven for several years now, no-one really gives a rat's ass about Iraq-themed dramas. Yet the re-teaming of "Bourne" franchise helmer Greengrass and star Matt Damon, together in a setting that actually lends itself to Greengrass' often frustrating shaky cam style of filming, promises to be one of the more seriously regarded dramas of the Fall.


H2
Opens: August 28th 2009
Cast: Not Available
Director: Rob Zombie

Summary: "H2" will pick up at the exact moment the first movie stopped and follow the aftermath of Michael Myers murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode.

Analysis: A pointless sequel to the tedious remake, it doesn't get much more bottom of the barrel for horror fans than this tripe. Then again the original "Halloween 2" wasn't exactly glorious cinema so who knows.


Harry Potter and
the Half-Blood Prince
Opens: July 17th 2009
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon
Director: David Yates

Summary: Dumbledore and Harry work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts and Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny.

Analysis: The studio's decision to delay this eight months has only increased the anticipation for the film. With its focus on teenage hormones, the return of staples like Quidditch, the significant involvement of some supporting characters who've been short changed in the movies of late, and of course the already famous ending - this already looks like it'll go down as one of the fan's favorite chapters in the franchise.


He's Just Not That Into You
Opens: February 6th 2009
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Ken Kwapis

Summary: An all-star cast is featured in the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life.

Analysis: A truly astounding ensemble cast will pull in a lot of people to this otherwise conventional rom-com about modern love and relationships. The multiple stories approach in this kind of genre is always a gamble though as often only one or two of the subplots reallly click with us while the rest just take up time and often sour us from revisiting even those moments we liked. Will depend upon early review reaction.


The Horsemen
Opens: March 13th 2009
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ziyi Zhang, Lou Taylor Pucci, Clifton Collins Jr., Patrick Fugit, Eric Balfour, Peter Stormare
Director: Jonas Akerlund

Summary: A bitter, emotionally distanced detective investigates a series of murders of rare violence. He soon discovers a terrifying link between himself and the suspects in a chain of murders that seem to be based on Biblical prophecies.

Analysis: A supposedly quite gory serial killer thriller, nothing here really seems that dynamic short of the inclusion of 'Crouching Tiger' actress Zhang Ziyi as a potential suspect. Akerlund made a name for himself a few years ago with the hardcore drug addict drama "Spun" so his take on this overcrowded and formulaic genre may offer one or two interesting angles.


Howl
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: James Franco, David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker, Paul Rudd
Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Summary: A 1950s-era tale, focusing on the obscenity trial launched to censor poet Allen Ginsberg's groundbreaking and controversial book-length poem 'Howl'. Animated segments will recreate the poem itself.

Analysis: Already labelled as this year's "I'm Not There", this unusual semi-biopic take on Ginsberg mixes censorship and morality issues with animated segments and 50's counter-culture themes. Franco, decidedly overlooked by many this year for his brilliantly understated "Milk" work, will probably get a lot more attention for his role as Ginsberg. A truly excellent supporting cast make this very much awards fare.


The Human Factor
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman
Director: Clint Eastwood

Summary: Covers the campaign by rugby star Francois Pienaar and President Nelson Mandela to secure the 1995 Rugby World Cup to give the whites and blacks in South Africa a common cause to rally around as the country was trying to heal from the wounds of apartheid.

Analysis: If you thought Eastwood's two films this year were Oscar bait, just wait til this comes out. Many have been clamoring for Freeman to portray Mandela over the years, most notably in a film adaptations of Mandela's own "Long Walk to Freedom" biography. While that project never happened, having him do it here - and under the helm of Eastwood - seems a match made in heaven. Using Rugby Union as the introduction point will guarantee this big international business but may limit its American appeal as the game isn't well-known States-side.

[crippled_avenger]

Tsui Hark ("Once Upon a Time in China," "Zu Warriors") will direct Andy Lau in the $13 million period martial arts suspense thriller "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame" for Huayi Brothers says The Hollywood Reporter.

Chen Kuofu's script is set during the Tang Dynasty in 690 A.D. around the time of the inauguration of Empress Wu, China's only female leader.

When mysterious deaths of a series of loyal subjects threaten to delay the ceremony, she calls the infamous Detective Dee (Lau) back from an exile into which she cast him eight years earlier.

Dee accepts the challenge and partners with gung-ho Commander Bei and the Ghost Doctor, a master of disguise, to solve the crimes.

Though the case is fiction made for the film, Dee was a real figure (more of a judge than a detective). Casting for the other roles is still underway.

Shooting gets underway Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou and Henan beginning in May for a release in the Summer of 2010.

[crippled_avenger]

Mao's Last Dancer
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Kyle McLachlan, Joan Chen, Bruce Greenwood, Amanda Schull, Jack Thompson, Aden Young
Director: Bruce Beresford

Summary: At the age of 11, Li Cunxin was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Later he managed to defect and went on to perform in the US and Australia.

Analysis: A "rags to riches story par excellence" says Beresford, the Aussie helmer behind such acclaimed films as "Driving Miss Daisy," "Breaker Morant," "Black Robe" and "Paradise Road". Though his last three films barely scored releases, the multiple Oscar-nominee is still regarded as a master of the craft and many have just been waiting for him to get the right vehicle to match his skill with small-scale dramas. He's spent at least two years on this project and the results should hopefully prove fruitful.


Mary and Max
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana
Director: Adam Elliot

Summary: Claymation feature following the simple story of a 20-year pen-pal friendship between two very different people: Mary Dinkle, a chubby, lonely 8-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max Horowitz, a 44-year-old obese Jewish man with Asperger's syndrome living an isolated life in New York City.

Analysis: Scoring an Oscar for his brilliant claymation short "Harvie Krumpet", director Adam Elliott has assembled this full-length claymation feature that took five years to develop. It's also about to become a very high profile film thanks to its prestigious spot as the opening film of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, the first time an animated feature has achieved such status. If reviews for that go well, this could mean another Oscar for Elliott and his team come next February.


Me and Orson Welles
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Ben Chaplin, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan, Leo Bill
Director: Richard Linklater

Summary: Set in the heady world of New York theatre, a teenage student lucks his way into a minor role in the 1937 Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar," directed by 22-year-old genius Orson Welles. Over the course of a week he fell in and out of love.

Analysis: Though teen heartthrob Zac Efron is what will get many through the door, screenings in Toronto last year labeled Richard Linklater's new film as merely a solid little drama but with a truly exceptional and possibly awards-caliber performance by stage actor Christian McKay and his portrayal of the legendary Orson Welles. Will be interesting to see where they schedule a release for it.


Men Who Stare at Goats
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Rebecca Mader, Terry Serp
Director: Grant Heslov

Summary: A desperate reporter stumbles upon the story of a lifetime when he meets a man who claims to be a former secret U.S. military psychic soldier who was re-activated post-9/11. The pair travel through Iraq and look into the secret Army unit tasked with creating paranormal powered soldiers.

Analysis: An utterly strange sounding black comedy, the stellar cast and Clooney's production partner Heslov directing means this will probably be a critical gem. Will it find an audience, especially one which has shown great aversion to Iraq war-themed films in recent years? We'll see.


Middle of Nowhere
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Eva Amurri, Anton Yelchin, Justin Chatwin, Willa Holland
Director: John Stockwell

Summary: Romantic comedy in which a young woman rebels when she discovers her mother has blown her college money on the pageant aspirations of her younger sister.

Analysis: Real-life mother and daughter Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri play the leads in this coming-of-age comedy that scored mediocre reviews in Toronto last year. "Blue Crush" and "Turistas" helmer John Stockwell helms what's described as a formulaic tale which focuses far too much on Amurri's bustline according to one reviewer.


Moon
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Matt Berry, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Malcolm Stewart, Robin Chalk
Director: Duncan Jones

Summary: Sam Bell has spent the last three years alone mining precious Helium 3 on a moon base. With just two weeks to go before his contract ends, he starts seeing things and feeling strange. He soon learns his bosses have their own plans for replacing him and the new recruit is eerily familiar.

Analysis: An arthouse, low-budget sci-fi flick. This very internal drama rests all its potential on the shoulders of Rockwell who has proven himself many times before to be one of the best actors of his age currently out there. Can the film itself be sustained for its runtime without becoming to depressing or ridiculous? We'll see.


Monsters vs. Aliens
Opens: March 27th 2009
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd
Director: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon

Summary: A group of people turned into monsters by accident find their government incarceration cut short when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. The motley crew is enlisted to combat the Alien Robot and save the world.

Analysis: Though various films have been converted to the recent Real-3D technology, and some have been made with it deliberately in mind (ala "Journey to the Center of the Earth"), this Dreamworks Animation feature is generally considered the first real feature developed for truly demonstrating the new technology. Visiting the studios last year, the results are highly impressive with scenes being changed and adjusted to avoid issues that come with the technology such as eye strain and an avoidance of hyper-editing. The story looks like a lot of fun too, something that can't be said for many of the other animated features this year.


Mr. Nobody
Opens: 2009
Cast: Jared Leto, Diane Kruger, Sarah Polley, Rhys Ifans
Director: Jaco Van Dormael

Summary: In the year 2092, a time when Mars is a vacation spot, Nemo Nobody is a 120-year-old man who is the last mortal among humans who have become immortal due to scientific advances. When Nemo is on his deathbed, he reviews the three possible existences and marriages he might have experienced.

Analysis: A $58 million, English language, Belgian experimental sci-fi feature shot in 2007 is led by Leto who says he plays "twelve different versions of one life". Director Jaco Van Dormael has been pursuing this project since 2001 and at this price it is easily the most expensive Belgian film to date. Yet funding came relatively easy based on Dormael's skill and what was said to be the strength of his script which has already been published. The film display's Nemo's life in three stages, and each life's design was also based on the work of British photographer Martin Parr. Certainly amongst the year's strangest projects.


My Bloody Valentine 3D
Opens: January 16th 2009
Cast: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsey Rue, Edi Gathegi, Tom Atkins, Kevin Tighe, Megan Boone
Director: Patrick Lussier

Summary: Tom, an inexperienced coal miner causes a fatal accident and a year on the sole survivor awakes from his coma seeking revenge. Now, a decade after that incident Tom returns home to find things have changed, but the killer may have also returned to finally finish the job.

Analysis: The recent improvement in stereoscopic 3D has been confined to kids films for the most part so far, making this experiment with what's otherwise a pointless slasher remake more interesting than it deserves to be. "Supernatural" star Ackles should make for a better lead than usual, but the premise just sounds ridiculous. Still, axes swinging at audience members in full 3D should at least deliver some screams from the jumpy types.


My Life in Ruins
Opens: May 8th 2009
Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Harland Williams, Rachel Dratch
Director: Donald Petrie

Summary: Georgia has lost her spark. Discouraged by her lack of direction in life, she works as a travel guide, leading a rag-tag group of tourists as she tries to show them the beauty of her native Greece. While opening their eyes to an exotic foreign land, she too begins to see things in new ways.

Analysis: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" creator Vardalos had a major sleeper hit, then followed it up with the atrocious drag comedy "Connie and Carla" which promptly bombed. Now she's back on more comfortable soil with this light romantic comedy. The idyllic Greek Islands location shooting should also deliver some beautiful scenery. Still, don't expect a 'Wedding' style hit.


My Sister's Keeper
Opens: June 26th 2009
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Sofia Vassilieva, Joan Cusack, Jason Patric, Thomas Dekker
Director: Nick Cassavetes

Summary: A couple live an idyllic life with their young son and daughter. But sudden, heartbreaking news forces them to make a difficult and unorthodox choice in order to save their baby girl's life. Their actions ultimately set off a court case that threatens to tear the family apart.

Analysis: Though the likes of "Alpha Dog" and "John Q" never took off, director Nick Cassavetes scored a free pass from a large amount of people for 2004's touching romance "The Notebook". It's doubtful this more dramatic family bonding drama will hit as well, but it does for once give Diaz at least something a bit meatier than she usually gets to show off her range.


Nutcracker: The Untold Story
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: John Turturro, Nathan Lane, Elle Fanning
Director: Andrei Konchalovsky

Summary: A nine-year-old neglected girl is given the gift of a wooden nutcracker doll who comes to life and takes her on a wondrous journey though a stunning dimension where toys assume human form and everything appears ten times larger.

Analysis: A strange sounding fantasy musical, the big news here is that Tim Rice is contributing lyrics to eight new songs using Tchaikovsky's scores which means the soundtrack will probably be more interesting than the film.


New Moon
Opens: November 20th 2009
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Peter Facinelli
Director: Chris Weitz

Summary: The second film in the "Twilight" series. Bella Swan is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love Edward but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with the irresistible Jacob Black. Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of the werewolves, ancestral enemies of the vampires, and finds her loyalties tested.

Analysis: With the first film being one of last year's biggest hits, newly formed Summit Entertainment seems to have gotten cocky and is rushing forward with their franchise - making many fans concerned that quality is going to be sacrificed in favor of haste. The very public firing of original director Hardwicke, one of the first film's great strengths, and her being replaced by the more conventional Chris Weitz seems a bad move. The recasting of Jacob will also cause some consternation. They may pull it off however, but only time and a bunch of rabid fan blogs will tell.



New in Town
Opens: January 30th 2009
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., J.K. Simmons, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Frances Conroy, Mike O'Brien
Director: Jonas Elmer

Summary: An ambitious executive living in Miami is offered a temporary assignment - in the middle of nowhere - to restructure a manufacturing plant. The job soon becomes a life changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and most unexpectedly, the man of her dreams.

Analysis: A cute little comedy about big city girl falling for small town living, this marks Zellweger's first return to romantic comedy genre since the "Bridget Jones" sequel and could be seen as a test as to whether she still has the chops to pull it off.


New York, I Love You
Opens: February 13th 2009
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Orlando Bloom, James Caan, Hayden Christensen, Ethan Hawke, John Hurt, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci
Director: Various

Summary: Twelve separate segments connected together via transitional linking sequences. New York City is the main unifying character and the films will show the city as a living, breathing and loving whole.

Analysis: A follow-up to the festival adored anthology "Paris, je t'aime", this time the setting is the less exotic Big Apple but the cast is more recognizable, and the directors list is surprising with the likes Mira Nair, Shekhar Kapur, Allen Hughes, Yvan Attal, Brett Ratner, Fatih Akin and actresses Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman each helming segments. Reviews of a work-in-progress screening in Toronto were kind but not gushingly positive.


Nailed
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Biel, James Marsden, Catherine Keener, Tracy Morgan, James Brolin
Director: David O. Russell

Summary: A socially awkward small-town receptionist has a nail accidentally shot into her head by a clumsy workman, eliciting wild sexual urges. She soon goes on a crusade to fight for the rights of the bizarrely injured and meets an immoral congressman who takes advantage of her.

Analysis: Already infamous before any material has been shown, this dark comedy had more on-set troubles that pretty much any other production in this whole guide. From numerous stops and starts caused by financial woes to reported screaming diva behavior not from Biel but rather Gyllenhaal, and of course Russell's famously fiery persona that rubs a lot of people the wrong way - the unreleased EPKs would be a real collector's item. Still Russell has delivered the goods with the likes of "Three Kings" and "I Heart Huckabees" so we'll see what ends up on the screen.


Nine
Opens: September 9th 2009
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cottilard, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren
Director: Rob Marshall

Summary: Based on the Broadway musical and inspired by Fellini's classic film "8 1/2". World famous film director Guido Contini prepares his latest picture and balances the numerous women in his life - his wife, his sultry mistress, his film star muse, his confidant and costume designer, his mother and a young American fashion journalist.

Analysis: The year's biggest musical, an all-star cast of award winners and "Chicago" helmer Rob Marshall hope to strike Oscar glory again with the Fellini-inspired feature. The release date gimmick is cute, but the film may be better poised later in the year when musicals have become a recent staple.


Night at the Museum:
Battle of the Smithsonian
Opens: May 22nd 2009
Cast: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Owen Wilson, Christopher Guest
Director: Shawn Levy

Summary: It's a new "Night" and "Museum" for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history - including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Ka Mun Rah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible.

Analysis: The first film was a runaway smash, so the sequel was inevitable. Armed with a stronger cast, most notably plucky Adams as Amelia Earhart, and the more ambitious setting of the Smithsonian museum - expect this to be one of the year's biggest hits.


Ninja Assassin
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune
Director: James McTeigue

Summary: Raizo (Rain) is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by his bosses, he breaks free and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. Meanwhile a Europol agent has stumbled upon a money trail linking back to Raizo's agency.

Analysis: Korean pop star Rain bares his bloodied pecs in this hyper-violent action frenzy from Joel Silver. Originally slated for last Fall, its pushing back indicates the studio may have difficulty marketing it domestically where not many people are aware of him outside of regular "The Colbert Report" viewers or "Speed Racer" fans. Internationally however expect this to do gangbusters.


Notorious
Opens: January 16th 2009
Cast: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Antonique Smith, Naturi Naughton
Director: George Tillman Jr.

Summary: The life of rapper Christopher 'The Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace. Rising from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time, his narratives about violent life were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect.

Analysis: The Biggie Smalls biopic has taken its time in development, but years after his death the rapper remains a well-known and highly regarded artist with a life cut short by time. No matter what the reviews, expect this to be one of January's biggest earners.


Not Quite Hollywood
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Quentin Tarantino, Dennis Hopper, Fred Schepisi, George Miller, George Lazenby, Barry Humphries
Director: Mark Hartley

Summary: Proving that documentaries don't have to be dour affairs with serious issue-driven subject matter, 'Hollywood' takes a nostalgic and often hilarious look back at the Oz-ploitation genre - the often cheesy, B-Grade action, sex comedies and horror movies made in Australia throughout the 1970's and 80's.

Analysis: From giant killer boar actioneer "Razorback" to the Duel-esque "Road Games", 'Hollywood' was one of the most fun times I had watching a film in 2008 and this year international audiences will get a chance to see it for themselves. What really sticks in the memory the most are the hilarious anecdotes of the almost Wild West-nature of the productions. Shot for ultra-cheap, this was filmmaking where health and safety standards were ignored - resulting in some truly dangerous stunts with often unintentionally hilarious consequences. Scoring great reviews at the Toronto Film Festival last Fall, a limited release is planned for this year - I urge you to seek it out.


Observe and Report
Opens: April 10th 2009
Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Jesse Plemons
Director: Jody Hill

Summary: A mall security guard dreaming of becoming a cop, patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. When a serial flasher hits the mall, he seizes the opportunity to showcase his under appreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale. His pursuit of glory launches a turf war with a competitive local detective.

Analysis: Following up the acclaimed but little seen "The Foot Fist Way", director Jody Hill made what many expected to be a straight forward, Seth Rogen-led studio comedy. Instead a not-so-secret test screening led to some unexpected reactions with audiences said to be confused and uncomfortable with the very edgy and quite dark humor more in line with "Bad Santa" than anything else. Rogen's character in particular was described as a "racist asshole" and probably his downright meanest character yet. That won't go over great with the studio big wigs, but lets hope as much of that cut makes it to theaters as possible.


Obsessed
Opens: April 24th 2009
Cast: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti
Director: Steve Shill

Summary: Derek Charles is a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage to the beautiful Sharo. But when Lisa, a temp worker, starts stalking Derek, all the things he's worked so hard for are placed in jeopardy.

Analysis: Another stalker thriller that owes everything to "Fatal Attraction", this is the kind of project the Beyonce should avoid if she really wants to properly branch out into acting. She also is stuck in the thankless Anne Archer role, leaving the juicy vamp bitch routine to "Heroes" star Ali Larter who easily looks to outshine her judging by the trailer alone. Even the teens will call it "Swimfan" in an office setting.


Old Dogs
Opens: November 25th 2009
Cast: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Matt Dillon
Director: Walt Becker

Summary: An unlucky-in-love divorcee and a fun-loving bachelor are unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. The pair stumble in their efforts, leading to one debacle after another.

Analysis: Travolta and Williams is one of those pairings that you wonder why it hasn't happened before, but can't really say that you're keen to rush out and see. Under the helm of Walt Becker who had a hit with "Wild Hogs", expect more of the same style of studio-safe physical comedy and puerile gags that made the likes of "RV" and 'Hogs' into major-earning hits.


Orphan
Opens: July 24th 2009
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, CCH Pounder
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Summary: The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated a couple, taking a toll on their marriage and the wife's fragile psyche. They decide to adopt another child and find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl. Soon an alarming series of events lead them to believe this seemingly angelic little girl is not what she appears to be.

Analysis: Another spooky kid horror film to join the likes of "Bless the Child" and "Godsend", for some reason this is being opened in the height of Summer. Promising Spanish-born commercial and music video director Jaume Collet-Serra disappointed with the "House of Wax" remake so one's not expecting much more from this his third feature effort.


The Other Man
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Antonio Banderas, Romola Garai
Director: Richard Eyre

Summary: The story of Peter who discovers his wife Lisa has been receiving messages a man he never knew existed. Peter's obsession with this unknown rival escalates and, against the advice of his daughter, a hurt and vengeful Peter flies to Milan to seek out the mysterious Ralph and the truth about their relationship.

Analysis: Panned at last year's Toronto Film Festival which said the fine cast were wasted and interesting direction were wasted by the project's simply weak script, the film remains set for a release sometime later in the year.


Outlander
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: James Caviezel, John Hurt, Ron Perlman, Sophia Myles
Director: Howard McCain

Summary: A spacecraft crashes into the majestic fjords of ancient Norway and into the time of the Vikings. From the wreckage emerge two bitter enemies: a soldier from another world and a bloodthirsty creature. As the later ravages the Viking world, the soldier forms an unlikely alliance with the primitive but fierce warriors.

Analysis: Essentially being dumped by the Weinsteins despite a hefty $50 million price tag for the mini-major, this Viking-era set sci-fi tale sounds interesting and scored a lot of buzz a few months back when a very promising trailer showed up online. A few notable Net critics have seen and liked it so genre fans should start hunting hard for showtimes.


Pandorum
Opens: September 4th 2009
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Norman Reedus, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue, Cung Le
Director: Christian Alvart

Summary: A dark and claustrophobic tale about two crewmen who awaken aboard their spacecraft, unaware of their mission or their identities. As they piece things together, the men make a harrowing discovery that threatens the survival of mankind.

Analysis: Little is known about this German co-produced, $40 million sci-fi thriller shot in Berlin late last Summer. A first real look is scheduled to take place at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival in May where Summit Entertainment is shopping it around to buyers.


A Perfect Getaway
Opens: March 13th 2009
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Chris Hemsworth, Katie Chonacas
Director: David Twohy

Summary: The story centers on a newlywed couple who encounter two strange hikers.

Analysis: "Pitch Black" and "Below" director David Twohy returns with an almost urban legend sounding story. Shot last year, the film has been suspiciously absent from MGM's promotional material despite the March release date being firmly locked in. Even Twohy himself is perplexed by this judging by comments on his blog, so keep an eye out as he's usually a solid director.


The Pink Panther 2
Opens: February 6th 2009
Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin, John Cleese
Director: Harald Zwart

Summary: Martin reprises the role of intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen Dreyfus is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international experts charged with catching the thief.

Analysis: The vile and unnecessary Steve Martin-led reboot of the classic Peter Sellers franchise was a big family hit so naturally a sequel is in order. Smartly teased throughout all of 2008 with specially made trailers, scathing reviews shouldn't stop this from raking in the dough.


Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, Fankie Jonas, Noah Cyrys
Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Summary: From Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke"). The animated adventure centers on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess who longs to become human.

Analysis: Forget Disney or Dreamworks, when it comes to good quality animated films only two companies have produced consistently excellent results - Pixar and Japan's Studio Ghibli. From the Oscar-winning masterpiece "Spirited Away", to the delightful likes of "Castle in the Sky" or "My Neighbour Totoro, " Hayao Miyazaki is one of the single greatest geniuses of the field and even his lesser work is never less than compelling. Released in Japan to massive success last year, Miyazaki's first film since 2004's "Howl's Moving Castle" scored very good notices from the international press at a Venice Film Festival screening last year. The English dub version should hit in a limited release sometime in the Summer.


Powder Blue
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, Jessica Biel, Patrick Swayze, Kris Kristofferson, Eddie Redmayne
Director: Timothy Linh Bui

Summary: Several Los Angeles residents - a strip club dancer and the club's owner, a corporate criminal and one of his ex-employees, a mortician, a transsexual prostitute, and a suicidal ex-priest, - meet on Christmas Eve through chance, tragedy and divine intervention.

Analysis: One of those ensemble pieces that could be the next Oscar-winning "Crash" or the next barely scene "The Air That I Breathe", this seems more the latter. Swayze as a strip club owner is certainly the most interesting casting choice while Whitaker's storyline of the ex-priest saved by a transsexual hooker certainly seems the most interesting. Wait for the reviews.


Planet 51
Opens: November 20th 2009
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman, John Cleese
Director: Joe Stillman

Summary: On a remote planet, the inhabitants live in fear of an alien invasion. Their paranoia is realized when astronaut Capt. Charles "Chuck" Baker arrives from Earth. Befriended by a young resident, the astronaut has to avoid capture in order to recover his spaceship and return home.

Analysis: An odd-looking CG animated effort, this was one of the more costly projects in production at New Line when the studio was dismantled. Now its being trundled out around Thanksgiving to try and nab some of the kiddie market. An excellent cast here, and the premise is cute, but something just seems off about it.


Possession
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace, Michael Landes, William B. Davis
Director: Joel Bergvall, Simon Sandquist

Summary: A woman finds her life is torn apart when her husband and brother-in-law are left comatose after a horrific car accident. Soon though the brother-in-law wakes up insisting he is her husband. Could her husband's spirit have returned in his brother's body or is something else at work?

Analysis: Essentially being dumped by its distributor after sitting on a shelf for well over a year, the film continues Gellar's dire post-Buffy track record of poor projects alongside the likes of "The Return," "The Air I Breathe," "Suburban Girl" and the profitable but awful "Scooby-Doo" and "Grudge" franchises. Expect this to end up on many's 'Worst Of' lists, or a fairer comparison - this year's "One Missed Call".


The Princess and the Frog
Opens: December 25th 2009
Cast: Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jenifer Lewis, Bruno Campos
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker

Summary: Set in the great city of New Orleans, a beautiful girl named Tiana and a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, share a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous and swamps of Louisiana.

Analysis: Disney's first traditionally animated major feature since 2004's "Home on the Range", the film is also drawing a lot of headlines for the Mouse House finally (after forty-eight films) acknowledging cultural diversity and giving us an African-American princess character. Designers have gone back to the 50's style of animation, ditching much of the CG elements so there's an "organic feel to the drawing". It's Christmas release slot should mean bumper family business.


The Proposal
Opens: June 12th 2009
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, Denis O'Hare, Betty White
Director: Anne Fletcher

Summary: When high-powered book editor faces deportation to her native Canada, she declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew whom she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own.

Analysis: Never underestimate those Sandra Bullock rom-coms. Back in the formula that's made her a very comfortable living, there's nothing particularly interesting about this one other than the pairing with Reynolds - a Canadian himself which makes for a nice touch of irony.


Public Enemies
Opens: July 1st 2009
Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff, David Wenham
Director: Michael Mann

Summary: The story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger - the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of a fledgling FBI and its top agent, and made him a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

Analysis: Easily the most anticipated film of the Summer outside of a few effects-driven blockbuster sequels, "Heat" and "Collateral" helmer Michael Mann's take on bank robber John Dillinger has amongst the most impressive ensembles of the year in one of those kinds of films that could be both a critical and commercial success. A July 4th holiday weekend slot should ensure a big turn out.


Push
Opens: February 6th 2009
Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, Scott Michael Campbell
Director: Paul McGuigan

Summary: Burrows deep into the deadly world of psychic espionage filled with artificially enhanced paranormal operatives. Against this setting, a young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.

Analysis: Already being dismissed as a "Heroes"-clone, McGuigan's action thriller has suffered from some less than exciting marketing. Yet in a presentation at last year's Comic-Con he demonstrated a very elaborate backstory and mythology to the film which could yield something smarter and deeper than many might expect.

[Kunac]

Traileri za 2009:::

Dance Flick
Taken (been there, done that)
The Uninvited (rimejk Priče o 2 seje)
Underworld III
The Pink Panther II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2hEkYjEDY&feature=related

[Shozo Hirono]

Traileri za 2009:::


The Uninvited (rimejk Priče o 2 seje)

O ne,zasto bre skrnave masterpiece,mada ova milfBanks izgleda dobro ,ali trailer je do jaja banalan i prost !

[crippled_avenger]

Story  


Wasting Away
Wasting Away
Allan Hunter in Edinburgh
05 Jan 2009 13:13

 

Dir: Matthew Kohnen. US. 2008. 96mins.

Does anyone have an appetite for yet another zombie comedy? Shaun Of The Dead felt like the last word on the genre but Wasting Away has enough deadpan wit and genuine charm to suggest there is always room for one more. Matthew Kohnen's inventive, well-acted romp has cult potential written all over it. Theatrically it feels more like a midnight movie, horror festival item but the prospects on DVD and ancillary should be much more full-blooded.

There is something of the Evil Dead series in the manner Wasting Away so readily embraces its B-movie lineage and at the same time brings something fresh and appealing to the table. There is more than enough gore, severed body parts and bad taste antics to satisfy genre fans but there is also gleefully outrageous comedy and warmth that could help nudge its appeal more towards the mainstream.

A military serum with the code name Irresistible Force is designed to create an army of super soldiers. Naturally, it has some unexpected side-effects which result in the recipients of the serum turning into flesh-eating zombies. A keg of the lurid green substance winds up at the back door of a bowling alley. Mike (Davis) has a passion for creating unusual food and drink combinations and uses it to make ale ice-cream. One taste of his cone and his ex-girlfriend Vanessa (Robinson), shy, mild-mannered Tim (Terry), co-worker Cindy (Beutler) and Mike all collapse, die and return to life as shuffling zombies. The catch is that they initially have no idea what has happened. A good deal of the film's humour comes from how the rest of the world responds to them and the dawning realisation of their fate.

Kohnen's topsy turvy approach means that the film unfolds from the point of view of the zombies. The scenes between them are in full colour with everyone unchanged and just as handsome and limber as ever. Kohnen switches to shadowy black and white to show the hideous, ungainly monsters that the rest of the world see.

Kohnen has a good feel for the kind of po-faced dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a more conventional zombie shocker. His film also has the advantage of likeable characters and performers who have personality and comic timing. Matthew Davis is the stand-out as the boorish but ultimately heroic Mike, facing every situation with a positive mental attitude. " Do you think Mexican brains are spicy?" he breezily enquires before tucking into another tasty victim.

Kohnen maximises the comedy by placing the zombies in the most mundane situations; Vanessa is well-equipped to cope with a dodgy job interview whilst Tim is ever the gentleman as he asks Cindy's father if he might start dating his daughter. The response is a hail of bullets and a stick of dynamite thrown in his direction.

Playful and well-sustained, Wasting Away never overstays its welcome and emerges as the kind of material to give cult films a good name.

Production company
Wasted Pictures

International sales
K5 International Ltd
(44) 1923 333 597

Producer
Sean Kohnen

Screenplay
Matthew Kohnen
Sean Kohnen

Cinematography
Allan Fiterman

Editors
Michael Schwartz
Emily Chiu

Music
Newton Brothers

Main cast
Matthew Davis
Julianna Robinson
Michael Grant Terry
Betsy Beutler

[starla]

Wong Kar Wai odavno najavljuje Lady From Shangai sa Nicole Kidman ali sluti da se nikada nece ni desiti....
:[

[Tex Murphy]

Traileri za 2009:::


The Uninvited (rimejk Priče o 2 seje)

O ne,zasto bre skrnave masterpiece,mada ova milfBanks izgleda dobro ,ali trailer je do jaja banalan i prost !

Priča o dvije sestre? Pa toj propasti od filma upravo i treba rimejk! Hopefully neki u kome će dvije seje da hituju off...  

[crippled_avenger]

Race to Witch Mountain
Opens: March 13th 2009
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott
Director: Andy Fickman

Summary: When a Las Vegas cab driver meets two teenagers with supernatural powers, he finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can't explain. With the only chance to save the world lying in unraveling the secrets of Nevada's mysterious Witch Mountain, the race begins.

Analysis: Disney's relaunch of its 70's franchise that began with "Escape from Witch Mountain" goes back to the original Alexander Key book for some of its storyline. The aim though is to obviously introduce the property to a generation who've never heard of the original or its subsequent sequels and TV movies. Trailers look bland but perfectly kiddie-safe, just don't expect this to be a crossover hit.


Red Cliff
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Tony Leung, Zhang Fengyi, Chen Chang, Yong Hou, Jun Hu, Chi-Ling Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tong Jiang
Director: John Woo

Summary: In 208 A.D., an ambitious Prime Minister declares war on two of China's divided kingdoms - beginning a military campaign of unprecedented scale. Left with no other hope, the kingdoms formed an unlikely alliance culminating in a battle that changed the course of Chinese history forever.

Analysis: John Woo's ambitious $80 million epic is cut down from its two film, four-plus hour runtime into a 150 minute single feature for non-Asian markets. The first part of the uncut version opened in several Asian countries in July to stellar box-office and great reviews from both Eastern and Western press. The film's international plans are still being finalized, but expect a lot of attention probably around mid-year as attempts are made to turn this itno the biggest Asian international hit film since "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".


The Road
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Director: John Hillcoat

Summary: An adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2006 novel. The post-apocalyptic tale follows a journey taken by a father and his young son over a period of several months, across a landscape blasted years before by a cataclysm that destroyed civilization.

Analysis: Pushed back from December to avoid the Oscar crunch may have proven a good move if the $20 million project is what many hope it will be. Considered an even better book than his "No Country for Old Men", McCarthy's novel is a bleak and very dark tale that many are worried will be toned down for the big screen. The hiring of director John Hillcoat, who pulled off the uncompromising Guy Pearce and Ray Winstone Aussie western "The Proposition" a few years back, is a brilliant choice and the cast is excellent.


A Serious Man
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Wagner, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Aaron Wolff, Adam Arkin, Jessica McManus
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen

Summary: A Jewish academic living in a middle class Jewish neighborhood in 1967 Minneapolis contemplates his spiritual and existential struggle as his wife contemplates leaving him for his colleague, his brother crashes on his couch, his son is a pothead, and his daughter regularly steals from him.

Analysis: After the success of their recent two all-star outings "No Country for Old Men" and "Burn After Reading", the Coen brothers have gone the complete opposite tack with their next project - hiring little known but well-respected stage and screen actors like Stuhlbarg and Kind for the lead roles. The semi-autobiographical nature of the project will also draw a lot of interest and could give these boys yet another potential awards contender on their resume.


Shanghai
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: John Cusack, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chow Yun-Fat, David Morse, Rinko Kikuchi
Director: Mikael Hafstrom

Summary: In the months leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an American man arrives in Shanghai to find his friend recently murdered. In investigating his friend's death, he stumbles upon a secret the United States government has been keeping and falls in love in the process.

Analysis: After being granted permission to shoot in the Chinese city, the $10 million production found its permit quickly being revoked by the Government who expressed concerns about the script. The result is Bangkok and the United Kingdom standing in for the real Shanghai which seems kind of against the entire point. Still Cusack himself has emphatically endorsed the project in interviews, calling it a ""once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". We'll soon see.


Sherlock Holmes
Opens: November 21st 2009
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan
Director: Guy Ritchie

Summary: In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

Analysis: Here's a project that will either be seen as a brilliant reinvention of the character or another embarassment for Ritchie whose spotty track record doesn't guarantee success. Holmes has been portrayed countless times over the years, reaching his apex with the 80's Granada TV series which remains the most accurate and acclaimed translations of Doyle's work to date, in fact Jeremy Brett's portrayal is easily considered the definitive take on the character - even more so than Basil Rathbone's legendary incarnation in the 1940's.

In contrast Ritchie's "Holmes" seems to bare little resemblance to Doyle's character. Holmes is a cold, distant, obsessive-compulsive - a man whose emotional state we only glimpse through the occasional cracks in his very controlled facade. In contrast the Holmes here is more of a bare-knuckle brawler and swashbuckling man of action. The choice of Downey Jr. is an intriguing one, and the idea of creating a further franchise of Holmes movies with Moriarty coming in at later stages is a good idea that will hopefully open up some of the original works to a new generation. Still, let us see how this pans out first.


She's Out of My League
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Nate Torrence, Krysten Ritter, Geoff Stults, Lindsay Sloane
Director: Jim Field Smith

Summary: An airport security agent is stunned when a successful and outrageously gorgeous babe falls for him. Even his friends, family and ex-girlfriend are equally perplexed. Now he has to figure out how to make the relationship work

Analysis: Another one of those fantasy-fulfillment stories where the geeky kid nabs the hot girl might appeal to a young teen base but has little potential beyond that despite Baruchel's Apatow-backed screen cred.


Shorts
Opens: Augut 7th 2009
Cast: Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon
Director: Robert Rodriguez

Summary: Set in the suburb of Black Falls where everyone works for the same company producing a gadget that's sweeping the nation. A mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky and changes everything for a lonely 11-year-old as it grants wishes to anyone who holds it.

Analysis: Rodriguez is back with his over indulgent, CG-fueled family fantasy filmmaking style that made big money with the "Spy Kids" franchise. The moral lessons and cheese will no doubt be high, but the low-budget high gloss visuals are generally quite original.


Shutter Island
Opens: October 2nd 2009
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow
Director: Martin Scorsese

Summary: The story of two U.S. marshals who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

Analysis: Scorsese returns with an adaptation of "Mystic River" author Dennis Lehane's thriller about the hunt for a female killer hiding out in an insane asylum. With a stunning cast, acclaimed source material and Scorsese's usual skill - expect this to be one of next year's big Oscar contenders.


The Soloist
Opens: April 24th 2009
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton
Director: Joe Wright

Summary: Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives.

Analysis: Following up the acclaimed "Atonement" with this true story of a real life musical prodigy, the concern here is whether this will succumb to formula trappings the way Rod Lurie's "Resurrecting the Champ" unfortunately fumbled its very similar storyline. Wright's touch and the pairing of Downey Jr. and Foxx seem perfect awards material - yet the studio's delay of this until the last dregs of April obviously indicates they have a lack of faith in it.


Sorority Row
Opens: October 2nd 2009
Cast: Briana Evigan, Leah Pipes, Rumer Willis, Jamie Chung, Audrina Patridge, Carrie Fisher
Director: Stewart Handler

Summary: When five sorority girls inadvertently cause the murder of one of their sisters in a prank gone wrong, they agree to keep the matter to themselves. After graduation a mysterious killer goes after the five of them and anyone who knows their secret.

Analysis: Another forgettable teen horror story of frat girls getting stalked by a slasher, a cast of unknowns, and a premise that makes the odious "Black Christmas" remake seem Tolstoy-epic in comparison.


Star Trek
Opens: May 9th 2009
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Bruce Greenwood
Director: J.J. Abrams

Summary: A reboot of the 'Star Trek' franchise, this follows a young James T. Kirk and his initial command of the Starship Enterprise which sets out on a race to stop a rogue Romulan commander from the future who is out to kill the famed Captain and rip the planet Vulcan apart.

Analysis: The franchise is in need of a reboot after the woeful last two films and lackluster spin-off "Enterprise". Abrams has made excellent casting choices all round, especially in the supporting roles (eg. Pegg, Saldana, Urban). There's also an obviously much bigger budget and flashier action in play, which explains why the trailers are really appealing to those who never got into Trek before.

On the other hand Abrams debut directorial feature "M:I-3" was flashy but decidedly hollow, and he has categorically stated he much prefers Lucas' "Star Wars" films to Roddenberry's more understated and grounded Trek universe. Scribes Kurtzman and Orci have yet to pen anything but a mediocre script, and having had to rush this one out due to the writer's strike is not a good sign - yet they are fans of the franchise and in interviews have demonstrated respect and knowledge of Trek canon.

The real fear here is the "Quantum of Solace"-effect - taking a formulaic franchise with issues and stripping it of any recognisable characterization, adequate plotting or coherent action. The result is you've thrown out not just the elements that didn't work, but almost all of those that did as well. The overly busy and somewhat cartoonish visual effects glimpsed so far seem to reinforce this with the shaky cam look and overuse of lens flare in place of the franchise's often graceful wide shots which established a better sense of scale and majesty. Still, one of the year's biggest curiosities - and potential successes.


State of Play
Opens: April 17th 2009
Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn
Director: Kevin MacDonald

Summary: A feature film remake of the highly acclaimed 2003 BBC mini-series. When the assistant of rising congressman Stephen Collins is brutally murdered, his old friend and newspaper reporter Cal McCaffrey untangles a mystery of murder and collusion among the nation's most high-powered political and corporate figures.

Analysis: The first trailer was notably underwhelming and truncating a six-hour mini-series that reveled in exploring shades of grey into a dumbed down two-hour generic thriller never goes well. Other notable changes include the shift from London to Washington DC, the change from oil company collusion to Defense Department misspending, and the seeming removal of the love triangle element with Collins' wife. The miscasting of both Crowe and Affleck is not great either as initial stars Edward Norton and Brad Pitt were a better match for the material.

The upside is that three of the best writers out there - Tony Gilroy ("Michael Clayton," the Bourne trilogy), Peter Morgan ("The Queen," "Frost/Nixon") and Billy Ray ("Shattered Glass," "Breach") - all worked on "Lions for Lambs" and "The Kingdom" scribe Matthew Michael Carnahan's original script. MacDonald is one of the most promising directors in the business thanks to "The Last King of Scotland" and "Touching the Void". The supporting cast of McAdams and Mirren are great, though both will have a hard time matching the work James McAvoy and Bill Nighy did in their respective roles in the original which won the later some prestigious awards.


The Stepfather
Opens: October 16th 2009
Cast: Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley, Sherry Stringfield, Jon Tenney, Paige Turco, Amber Heard
Director: Nelson McCormick

Summary: Michael Harding returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend. As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand.

Analysis: Yet another pointless remake with little to offer other than "Gossip Girl" hunk Penn Badgley potentially whipping off his shirt, or "Nip/Tuck" good guy Dylan Walsh hamming it up as the psycho stepdad. The original 'Stepfather', "Lost" star Terry O'Quinn, makes for a much more convincing threat of a figure than Walsh so it's surprising he wasn't invited back.


Street Fighter:
The Legend of Chun-Li
Opens: February 27th 2009
Cast: Kristin Kreuk, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neal McDonough, Taboo, Chris Klein, Moon Bloodgood
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Summary: A live-action feature film based on Capcom's video game. The new film is focused on female fighter Chun-Li and her journey for justice.

Analysis: The first attempt to adapt the video game in 1994 resulted in a truly terrible film. Yet even it had the likes of Raul Julia, Jean Claude Van Damme at his height, Kylie Minogue and Ming Na in key roles - here the highest profile role has been given to the promising but little know "Smallville" star Kristin Kreuk. The attempt at a more gritty and realistic tone however just comes off as a studio trying to pinch pennies, in this case with a story sounding even more lackluster than its predecessor. Having the helmer of the odious "Doom" doesn't help either. Another Fox Spring dud to rival "Dragonball".


Sugar
Opens: April 3rd 2009
Cast: Algenis Pérez Soto, Rayniel Rufino, Andre Holland, Michael Gaston, Jaime Tirelli, José Rijo
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Summary: A Dominican baseball pitcher, struggling to make it to the big leagues, advances to the United States' minor league system in Kansas. As he struggles with the new language and culture he ultimately questions the single-mindedness of his life's ambition.

Analysis: The duo behind acclaimed Ryan Gosling feature "Half Nelson" return with this feature that screened at both Sundance and Toronto last year to a solid but only modest reception. Will probably not have much appeal outside of the baseball fan market.


Sunshine Cleaning
Opens: March 13th 2009
Cast: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Spevack
Director: Christine Jeffs

Summary: A single mom and her slacker sister go into the crime scene clean-up business in order to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders and other specialized situations. The pair find a true respect they have always craved finally blossoming.

Analysis: What was hoped to be the next "Little Miss Sunshine" at last year's Sundance Film Festival ultimately couldn't live up to the hype. Quickly labelled a disappointment despite its Grand Jury Prize nomination, it was picked up by a distributor and has sat languishing for almost a year. Now, without the pressure to live up to such a high standard, this will probably fare better on the open market than amongst highbrow festivalgoers.


Surrogates
Opens: September 25th 2009
Cast: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, James Francis Ginty, Boris Kodjoe, Ving Rhames
Director: Jonathan Mostow

Summary: In the near future, humans live in isolation and interact through robotic bodies that serve as surrogates. When several surrogates are murdered, a cop investigates the crimes through his own surrogate and is forced to bring his human form out of isolation to unravel a conspiracy behind the crimes.

Analysis: His first film since the third "Terminator", Jonathan Mostow ("U-571," "Breakdown") certainly knows how to create well-paced entertainment and the premise does sound as though it holds a lot of thematic potential. No promo clips have been cut yet but when they do appear they should give us a better idea of which way this will go.


Taken
Opens: January 30th 2009
Cast: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Katie Cassidy, Goran Kostic
Director: Pierre Morel

Summary: When his estranged daughter is kidnapped in Paris, a former spy sets out to find her at any cost. Relying on his special skills, he tracks down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launches a one-man war to bring them to justice and rescue his daughter.

Analysis: Released all over the world except for the US around August last year, the violent revenge thriller scored so-so reviews but should provide a welcome escapist action kick to the otherwise rather unexciting looking January line-up.


Taking Woodstock
Opens: August 14th 2009
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Liev Schreiber, Imelda Staunton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Demetri Martin, Eugene Levy
Director: Ang Lee

Summary: Elliot Tiber played an unexpected but pivotal role in making the 1969 Woodstock Festival into the famed happening it was when he granted the concert a permit to use his neighbor's farm in White Lake, New York. He soon found himself swept up in a generation-defining experience.

Analysis: Ang Lee's first English film since being cheated out of the Best Picture Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain", this tribute to the free-love spirit of the 60's deals with the Woodstock concert from a unique perspective. The release date seems a little strange, but don't be surprised if this becomes not just a critical darling but one of his bigger commercial hits.


The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Opens: June 12th 2009
Cast: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli, James Gandolfini
Director: Tony Scott

Summary: A criminal mastermind and his highly-armed gang hijacks a New York City subway train and threatens to execute the passengers. As a result, a subway dispatcher must use his knowledge of the underground to save the hostages and figure out how the crims were planning to escape.

Analysis: Penned by David Koepp, directed by Tony Scott and starring both Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The result is obviously one of the big action thriller highlights of the Summer. If there's any problem here it's simply the familiarity of the material which has been adapted twice before - in 1974 with Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw, and a TV movie in 1998 with Edward James Olmos and Vincent D'Onofrio. Thus the film's key twist, a rather disappointing one too, has long been spoiled unless Koepp has come up with a completely new angle.


Terminator Salvation
Opens: May 22nd 2009
Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common
Director: McG

Summary: Set in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor finds his fated future as the leader of the human resistance against the machines altered by the appearance of a stranger. The pair embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet's operations and a terrible secret about its plans.

Analysis: While it sounded as unnecessary as the disappointing third film in the series, 'Salvation' has effectively grown to become one of 2009's upcoming highlights. Excellent trailers, the post-Judgement Day setting and promises of exploration of the mythology never before seen are piquing interest. Better still are comments from the likes of Bale and Aussie star Sam Worthington, both well-respected actors who staunchly claim to have joined the project based on the quality of the script rather than the title itself.

While what's there all looks good, the single most gripping thing that sold the project to me still hasn't been shown widely to the public yet. What was it? The final shot of the Comic-Con trailer of Connor lying on a steam-engulfed metal walkway screaming "you son of a bitch" as a T-800's metallic skeletal hand scratches a huge gash in his cheek. Hopefully it'll be added in the next trailer.


They Came From Upstairs
Opens: July 31st 2009
Cast: Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter Jenkins, Austin Butler, Ashley Boettcher, Henri Young, Regan Young
Director: John Schultz

Summary: The story revolves around a group of teens who team up to defend their Maine vacation home from aliens who have invaded their upstairs rooms.

Analysis: Though an obvious kiddie film, the inclusion of "High School Musical" star Tisdale seems a deliberate attempt to pull in the tween crowd and make this more of a 'family movie'. Still, the premise is very trite and familiar, with parents and girls likely to opt for something more suited to each of those demographic age groups rather than this attempted hybrid.


Thirst
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Kang-ho Song, Ha-kyun Shin, Ok-bin Kim, Mercedes Cabral
Director: Park Chan-wook

Summary: A priest who became a vampire through a failed medical experiment finds himself dangerously drawn to the wife of his childhood friend and the pair begin an affair and soon conspire to kill her husband.

Analysis: The $5 million new film from the "Oldboy" and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" director promises his usual touch of outright weirdness in this eccentric "Twilight"-style feature which he calls a "very very sad and tragic melodrama".


This Side of the Truth
Opens: March 20th 2009
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill,, John Hodgman, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest
Director: Ricky Gervais, Matt Robinson

Summary: Set in a contemporary world where no one has ever lied. Gervais will play a performer who tells the first lie and harnesses its power for personal gain.

Analysis: With an absolute stellar roster of talent including those above along with Jeffrey Tambor, Nate Corddry, Patrick Stewart and Jason Bateman, "The Office" creator and British funnyman Ricky Gervais makes his directorial debut with this cute sounding 'what if' premise that seems more suited to his talents than last year's well-received but little seen "Ghost Town".


The Time Traveler's Wife
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston, Jane McLean
Director: Robert Schwentke

Summary: Bana portrays a man with a time-traveling gene who manages to appear and re-appear at different times in the life of his one true love.

Analysis: Time travel romance stories have their own subgenre and when it works you get the likes of the Hugo-award winning "Doctor Who" episode 'The Girl in the Fireplace' or the sadly cancelled before its time "Journeyman". One of the most famous and beloved books of that genre now gets a film adaptation which has unfortunately been sitting on a shelf for a long time due to the collapse of New Line. Still unscheduled, the project will hopefully find a release sometime this year, though one gets the impression it just won't have the impact that Niffenegger's book had.


Tooth Fairy
Opens: November 13th 2009
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Julie Andrews, Chase Ellison, Billy Crystal, Ryan Sheckler, Alex Ferris
Director: Michael Lembeck

Summary: A bad deed on the part of a tough minor-league hockey player (Johnson) results in an unusual sentence: He must serve one week as a real-life tooth fairy.

Analysis: One of those films that just sounds nauseating by premise alone, think "The Pacifier" but with better casting.


Transformers:
Revenge of the Fallen
Opens: June 26th 2009
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey
Director: Michael Bay

Summary: Sam Witwicky, now in college, again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. Rumors are that the latter are looking into freeing a dark and ancient Transformer of immense power.

Analysis: So the script wasn't exactly high art, but you have to admit that 2007's "Transformers" did a remarkable feat - it turned an old 80's cartoon about talking vehicles into one of the biggest action films of the past decade and one that even non-fans of the franchise actually quite liked.

Now comes its sequel, easily one of the year's most anticipated films, with even more robots and the emergence of a more interesting villain. Story wise there's more potential here, Ehren Kruger thankfully lending some polish to Kurtzman and Orci's writing, while Bay has ramped up the scale on the production end, filming all over the shop including shots at the actual pyramids in Giza.

If there's any downside here it's that the public fondness for Shia LaBeouf has cooled in the wake of last year's bad PR misbehavior and disappointing project choices of late (Eagle Eye, Indy 4). Similarly a definite sense of backlash has begun against filmmakers relying on shaky cam, quick-cut editing of their action sequences - something Bay has made his stock in trade.


Two Lovers
Opens: February 13th 2009
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas
Director: James Gray

Summary: A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor.

Analysis: An ensemble romantic drama that would've otherwise gotten little attention has now become something of a minor must-see event due to it being the so-called final film of the recently 'retired from acting' Joaquin Phoenix. Premiering to good notices in Cannes last year, it's being described as an old fashioned love story which emphasizes restraint rather than silly twists.


Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail
Opens: February 20th 2009
Cast: Tyler Perry, Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, Robin Coleman, Jackson Walker, Drew Sidora
Director: Tyler Perry

Summary: Mabel "Madea" Simmons is back and her penchant for trouble-making lands her behind bars. She comes to the rescue of Candace, a fellow inmate preyed upon by a large woman named Big Sal.

Analysis: He could cut together a feature film of his endoscopy exam and call it "Tyler Perry's The Bowel That Moves" and it would still be a license to print money. Marking the seventh film by Perry in just a little over three years, this is also one of his most popular plays with the actor back in drag as the sassy Southern matriach who really gets to let loose here.

[crippled_avenger]

The Ugly Truth
Opens: April 3rd 2009
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines
Director: Robert Luketic

Summary: A romantically challenged morning show producer's search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. Her bosses soon team her with Mike Chadway, a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick.

Analysis: Pure conventional chick flick formula, the only redeeming qualities here are the inclusion of Scottish hunk Butler as the male lead along with "Monster-in-Law" and "Legally Blonde" helmer Luketic directing. The latter should at least guarantee a slick, fast and quite wide appealing production.


The Unborn
Opens: January 9th 2009
Cast: Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Carla Gugino, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba
Director: David S. Goyer

Summary: Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost, a young woman turns to a spiritual advisor who discovers a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany. A creature is determined to come through to our world and is using her as the doorway through.

Analysis: "Blade: Trinity" and "The Invisible" writer/director David Goyer has his fourth go at a feature film with this awful sounding horror flick which hopes to cash in on the early January period when horror films for some reason tend to do big business. Early reviews have leaked out and it's already scoring numbers not much better than "One Missed Call" and "Good Luck Chuck", so expect this to end up on a few of those 'worst of' lists for this year as well.


Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Opens: January 23rd 2009
Cast: Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Steven Mackintosh, Kevin Grevioux
Director: Patrick Tatapolous

Summary: Delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and the barbaric Lycans. Lucian emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against cruel vampire king Viktor who has persecuted them for hundreds of years.

Analysis: Scoring a visit to the set of this in New Zealand early last year, what surprised me was the sheer scale of it. Despite the lack of franchise star Kate Beckinsale, the producers and filmmakers aren't short changing this sequel which looks to take things back toward a simpler story after the overly choreographed and over-plotted "Underworld: Evolution". Only early reviews that should start popping up in a week or two will tell if its a worthy addition to the cult series.


The Uninvited
Opens: January 30th 2009
Cast: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel, David Strathairn
Director: Thomas & Charles Guard

Summary: A remake of the 2003 Korean supernatural thriller. A young girl finds her late mother's former nurse Rachel has become engaged to her father. Soon, her mother's ghost warns her that Rachel has evil intentions and together with her sister they must expose the truth to their father.

Analysis: The marketing one-sheets, and the ghost element, push this into the supernatural thriller genre but otherwise this seems like a play on one of those late 80's/early 90's thrillers like "Flowers in the Attic" or "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle". The inclusion of Browning and Strathairn in the cast is a good sign, but the fact that this another one of those PG-13 Asian ghost movie remakes bodes very ill for its chances of being any good. Also as much as I love her, Banks is much better at playing light and funny than creepy stepmom.


Up
Opens: May 29th 2009
Cast: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Delroy Lindo, Jordan Nagai
Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

Summary: 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen fulfills his lifelong dream when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to South America. Unfortunately an overly optimistic 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer has stowed away onboard.

Analysis: Pixar, what more needs to be said. Coming off the universally acclaimed "Wall-E", this more conventional looking tale probably won't go down as well with the critics but even the studio at its weakest - 2006's "Cars" for example - is still better than almost every other studio's best. The biggest release this year for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend.


Up in the Air
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick
Director: Jason Reitman

Summary: Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road, is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. The cutbacks happen as he is about to reach five million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

Analysis: Based on Walter Kirn's 2001 novel, this rather breezy sounding comedy is getting a lot of attention due to the attachment of "Thankyou for Smoking" and "Juno" director Jason Reitman. Basic details are still slim, but with his acidic skill behind the camera - expect this baby to have a lot of bite.


Watchmen
Opens: March 6th 2009
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley
Director: Zack Snyder

Summary: Set in an alternate 1985 America where the Cold War threatens to spill over and costumed superheroes have been forced into retirement. When one of them is killed, an investigation by the masked vigilante Rorschach uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.

Analysis: The most anticipated film of the fanboy set this year, this certainly looks like it'll be the highlight of the otherwise anemic pre-Summer line-up. However the self-serious approach to superheroics that was so groundbreaking when Alan Moore's acclaimed comic mini-series came out seems almost cliche in the post-"Batman Begins"/"The Dark Knight" world. There's also the worry that Snyder may be TOO loyal to the material, being too concerned with getting the details right rather than conveying the spirit and intent of the work.

Promo material has emphasized goofy slow-mo jumps and cheesy modern music which Snyder has steadfastly claimed will thankfully NOT be the case with the final film. Yet the mob mentality that dominates online superhero geekdom, demanding others conform to a rigid opinion of certain films, could hinder in a case like this where knowledge of the existing property is fairly limited in spite of major acclaim.

Finally of course there's the ensuing legal fallout from Fox's downright despicable and desperate attempt to block the film, or at least nab a big share of its profits. Its motivation is obvious of course, shoring up Fox domestic's increasingly anorexic bottom line so that Tom Rothman can at least delay having his scrotum being turned into Rupert's latest coin purse. Yet the sheer pettiness of it threatens to hurt this project which could lose a significant advantage if pushed back into the flashier and more demanding Summer season. Whenever it comes out though, this should be a must see in the cinema.


Weather Girl
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Tricia O'Kelley, Patrick J. Adams, Ryan Devlin, Kaitlin Olson, Mark Harmon, Jon Cryer, Jane Lynch
Director: Blayne Weaver

Summary: A Seattle weather girl flips out on a morning news show when she discovers that her boyfriend, the morning anchor, has been cheating. Forced to move in with her slacker brother, she has to cope with being 35, single, unemployed, and infamous.

Analysis: A cute looking, surprisingly strongly-casted, low-budget independent rom-com, the film premiered at last year's Slamdance Festival and should hopefully clean up a few dollars in limited release. A photogenic cast and a premise that's quirky but relatable shows it has real potential.


When in Rome
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Will Arnett, Dax Shepard, Danny DeVito,
Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Summary: An ambitious young New Yorker, disillusioned with romance, takes a whirlwind trip to Rome where she defiantly plucks magic coins from a "foolish" fountain of love, inexplicably igniting the passion of an odd group of suitors. When a charming reporter pursues her with equal zest, how will she know if his love is the real thing?

Analysis: Just as Leo & Kate's "flying" on the bow of the "Titanic" has lead to a thankful culling of morons trying to recreate the scene, so to 'Rome' should lead to some accidental drownings or more likely arrests of the intelligence-challenged who mistake movie logic and reality. A large cast of suitors, the utterly photogenic Bell and Duhamel in the leading roles, and the Roman locales should make this appointment viewing for rom-com fans.


Where the Wild Things Are
Opens: October 16th 2009
Cast: Catherine Keener, Benicio Del Toro, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker
Director: Spike Jonze

Summary: Maurice Sendak's classic book "Where the Wild Things Are" comes to the big screen in an adventure tale for every generation.

Analysis: Shot years ago in Australia, the long-awaited adaptation of the classic children's fantasy book hit major controversy last year when a test screening sent children into crying fits or screaming from the theater. Having hired the edgy and visionary Spike Jonze to direct Sendak's famously dark and quite grown-up material, the studio suddenly decided it wanted a more kid-friendly family feature.

The result was a year long delay of the project and Jonze being given more money and time to rework the project so it "delivers for a broad-based audience". The worry now is that all the creativity and quality of Jonze's original vision has been lost in a studio-accepted sterilization. Hopefully even tamed Jonze is still great Jonze.


Whiteout
Opens: September 11th 2009
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Alex O'Loughlin, Tom Skerritt
Director: Dominic Sena

Summary: A U.S. Marshal about to finish a two-year stint at the South Pole is thrust into Antarctica's first murder investigation. As the death toll mounts, the mystery deepens with shifting loyalties, deadly whiteouts, and a relentless killer who will stop at nothing to protect a secret buried for over sixty years.

Analysis: Along with the solid Antarctic-set murder mystery comic story it's based on, the film essentially has British 'Underworld' babe Kate Beckinsale caught in a sandwich between the American hunk from 'The Spirit' and the Australian hunk from 'Moonlight'. Fangirls will write reams of erotic and slash fiction about that coupling I can tell you. The multitude of delays, well over a year now, by Silver Pictures indicates that it probably isn't good.


Wild Child
Opens: May 8th 2009
Cast: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Alex Pettyfer, Aidan Quinn
Director: Nick Moore

Summary: A self-obsessed, pampered Los Angeles teen girl finds herself shipped off to an English boarding school and a foreign world of early curfews, stern matrons and mandatory lacrosse. Her fellow students who won't tolerate her spoiled ways, but she still intends to shake up this rigid system.

Analysis: With all the men at "Wolverine" or "Star Trek" in early May, and the older women at "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" or "My Life in Ruins", the young female tween crowd is being offered this rather tired looking option as one of their only respites of the Summer. Alex Pettyfer, known more for his pretty boy looks and mole-riddled skin than being the lead in that disastrous flop "Stormbreaker", is the Eurotrash dreamboy of Roberts affection.


The Wolfman
Opens: November 6th 2009
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving
Director: Joe Johnston

Summary: A remake of the classic Universal monster feature. A haunted nobleman is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, Talbot sets out to find his missing brother... along the way discovering a horrifying destiny for himself.

Analysis: After the disastrous "Van Helsing", it is easy to become worried about Universal ever again having a go at resurrecting its old classic monster movies. Yet the first preview for this at San Diego's Comic Con showed a lot of promise, a film that opted for little to no computer animation and felt more like an effective throwback to that classic era than anything else. A great cast, Rick Baker's FX makeup, and Johnston ("Hidalgo," "Jurassic Park III") who can handle big studio entertainment with ease.


X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Opens: May 1st 2009
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Will.i.am
Director: Gavin Hood

Summary: This prequel tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several X-Men legends.

Analysis: After a year of multiple comic book superhero movies, Wolverine has pretty much the entire Summer to himself this year along with the coveted first weekend of May release slot. The "X-Men" movies are always huge openers, no matter the quality, and even this slimmed down cast spin-off should do gangbusters.

The release comes amidst various behind-the-scenes rumblings of production issues, notably rumors of Fox having issues with director Gavin Hood and Richard Donner showing up on set to officially 'advise' but unofficially beef up the action quotient. Certainly the Sydney-based production was abuzz with talk of an allegedly very problematic third act.

In a more practical sense, the focus on all the new mutants may undermine development of the Wolverine character himself. Certainly the trailer screenings have seen a lot more reaction to Taylor Kitsch's Gambit, a character fans have been clamoring for since the first film, than Jackman's return. Casting is excellent and this holds more promise than Brett Ratner's last lackluster entry into the series.


Year One
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Hank Azaria
Director: Harold Ramis

Summary: When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world.

Analysis: Harold Ramis returns to helming a comedy after the disappointing "The Ice Harvest" with this prehistoric Judd Apatow-produced feature. On the surface it sounds like something along the lines of the early scenes of Mel Brooks classic "A History of the World: Part One", though sadly nothing as imaginative as the Spanish Inquisition kickline is to be found here. Still, script reviews of the film last year indicated a lot of Bible-related satire that will probably offend the very people whom will actually get the jokes better than those not familiar with th good book's teachings. The teaming of Cera and Black also holds promise.


Yonkers Joe
Opens: January 9th 2009
Cast: Chazz Palminteri, Christine Lahti, Tom Guiry, Linus Roache, Michael Lerner, Michael Rispoli, Roma Maffia
Director: Robert Celestino

Summary: An ode to old time gamblers, now outdated in an age of powerful upscale casinos, "Yonkers Joe" tells the story of a dice hustler whose determination to make one last grab for a big score in Vegas is complicated by the reappearance of his estranged, mentally challenged son.

Analysis: The first limited release film of the year, this con movie meets family drama first hit the Tribeca Film Festival last year. It garnered good but not stellar notices, with most saying that had it been a straight up gambling drama rather than having to incorporate the 'troubled son' storyline it would've been much more effective.


You and I
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Mischa Barton, Anton Yelchin, Shantel VanSanten, Alex Kaluzhsky, Charlie Creed-Miles, Igor Desyatnikov
Director: Roland Joffé

Summary: Two teenage girls, Janie who is American and Lana who is Russian, fall in love after meeting at a t.A.T.u concert and are swept into a dangerous world of obsession, drug abuse and murder along with dealing with the real hardships that come along with relationships.

Analysis: Likely to be saddled as 'that Mischa Barton lesbian movie' by filmgoers, "The O.C." starlet and Anton Yelchin are the only real recognisable names in this $12 million project inspired by Russian pop band t.A.t.u. who exploit lesbian imagery in their videos to sell music. Stuck on a shelf for years, the film premiered at Cannes last year to poor reviews, so bad even Barton herself refused to show up at the premiere or do press for it. Looks like the biggest music-themed film disaster since "Glitter".


Young Americans
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler, Teresa Palmer, Michael Ian Black, Michelle Trachtenberg
Director: Michael Dowse

Summary: Follow an aimless college grad who pursues his dream girl at a wild Labor Day weekend party. He, his twin sister and their best friend struggle with their burgeoning adulthood over the course of the night.

Analysis: Shot almost two years ago and taking its time, this reunites Topher Grace with some writers from "That '70s Show" in what's described as a retro 80's vehicle. The promising inclusion of brilliant Chicago-born funnyman Michael Ian Black in the cast builds hope.


The Young Victoria
Opens: TBA 2009
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee

Summary: Focuses on the early, often turbulent, years of the monarch's rule after becoming Queen at 18. After her legendary romance and marriage to Prince Albert which left her devastated by his death in 1861, she wore black for the rest of her life and remained largely secluded.

Analysis: Shot a while back, this take on the early and rarely covered years of the British monarch looks to gather better notices than last year's lavish but underwhelming Keira Knightley costume drama "The Duchess". A strong supporting cast in particular, helped along by Blunt's charm, make it worth a gander.


Youth in Revolt
Opens: February 20th 2009
Cast: Michael Cera, Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi, Jean Smart, M. Emmet Walsh, Adhir Kalyan, Justin Long
Director: Miguel Arteta

Summary: The irreverent story about the wild adventures of a teenage boy named Nick Twisp who meets the girl of his dreams while on a family vacation and has to turn his life and the lives of all those around him upside down in order to be with her.

Analysis: A massive ensemble cast are part of this C.D. Payne novel adaptation including the talents listed above along with the likes of Fred Willard, Zach Galifianakis, and Mary Kay Place just to name a few. In the book the character is 14, the film upgraded that age to 16, and then 20-year-old Cera was cast which has raised a few eyebrows. The lack of screenings or even promotional material with only about six weeks to go before release is not a very promising sign.

[crippled_avenger]

Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried ("Mamma Mia!") will star in Atom Egoyan's new thriller "Chloe" for StudioCanal and Montecito Picture Co. reports Variety.

Moore will play a successful doctor who suspects her husband (Neeson) of cheating. She tests his fidelity by hiring an escort (Seyfried) to seduce him.

The move creates complications that put her family in danger. Erin Cressida Wilson penned the script.

Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock will produce. Shooting is scheduled to begin February 9th in Toronto.

[crippled_avenger]

Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess ("21," "Across the Universe") and Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement," "City of Ember") have joined writer/director Peter Weir's "The Way Back" reports Variety.

The quartet are final negotiations to star in the fact-based story, based on Slavomir Rawicz's memoir, of a group of soldiers who engineered a grueling escape from a Siberian gulag in 1942.

Farrell plays a tough, tattooed Russian; Harris an American; and Sturgess portrays a young Polish inmate. Ronan will play a Russian on the run who meets up with the fugitives.

Production is scheduled to begin in March in Bulgaria.

[crippled_avenger]

In a webchat for Empire Online, director Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire," "The Beach") has shot down rumors of the various projects he's been linked to as his next gig.

First up the "Judge Dredd" remake which he has been linked to due to his production company DNA nabbing the rights last Summer. Boyle says "Where has this come from? Someone asked me about Judge Dredd the other day...I hated the last version of it; I can't imagine the next one will be any better."

Meanwhile the adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad trilogy has been shelved - "It's fallen apart. Frank Cotrell Boyce ("Millions") and I were going to do it for DreamWorks but sadly no longer. Sorry about that – wonderful novel(s)."

Will he still do Irving Welsh's "Trainspotting" sequel "Porno"? "Just waiting for the original actors to age. Help them if you can. Take them out drinking – get them away from the spas and those moisturisers."

One rumor he did confirm though was that he had been asked to do a remake of Park Chan-wook's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance", the third installment in the Korean helmer's Vengeance Trilogy which also included 2003's "Oldboy". Boyle didn't confirm if he accepted, but did sound keen on the idea of having a female leading character in his next project.

[crippled_avenger]

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" star Lena Headey will make her directorial debut on the dark low-budget British thriller "Kill Drug" reports Empire Online.

Tom Bacon's script follows Sally, the daughter of Sue, a woman who murders her abusive husband in the 70s and then goes on to found a underground vigilante network in present-day London.

When Sally is recruited into the gang, along with two men, she discovers that all is not as it seems, and that absolute power may have corrupted her mother absolutely.

Headey will probably take a small role in the film, but the part of Sally remains to be cast. Jason Flemyng and Charlotte Rampling are attached with shooting to commence in January of next year.

[crippled_avenger]

Rotterdam boasts 43 world premieres
Screen staff
11 Jan 2009 22:42

 

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) will feature 43 world premieres as well as 35 international and 34 European premieres.

The line-up includes a strong showing from Eastern Europe with Andrey Khrzhanovsky's Room And A Half and Alexei Balabanov's Morphia and Armenian director Harutyun Khachatryan's Border. All will appear in the Spectrum section.

As previously announced, eight world premieres will compete for the VPRO Tiger awards. Click here for more.

The festival will also include a record 33 films supported by the Hubert Bals Fund, all of which will compete for the $13,500 (Euros 10,000) Dioraphte Award.

The festival has also announced details of its Bright Future section. Included in the line-up are two British films: Nick Moran's directorial debut Telstar and Pat Holden's Awaydays. Noud Heerkens' Last Conversation and Jiska Rickels' doc Babaji, An Indian Love Story are among the Dutch entrants.

IFFR 2009 World premieres

VPRO Tiger Awards Competition
Dogging: A Love Story (Simon Ellis. UK)
At West of Pluto (À l'ouest de Pluton) (Henry Bernadet, Myriam Verreault .Canada)
Schottentor (Caspar Pfaundler. Austria)
Wrong Rosary (Uzak ihtimal) (Mahmut Fazil Coskun. Turkey)
Tourists (Turistas) (Alicia Scherson. Chile)*
The Hungry Ghosts (Michael Imperioli. USA)
The Strength of Water Armagan Ballantyne. New Zealand, Germany)
Floating in Memory (Liu li Peng Tao. China) *

Bright Future

All My Failed Attempts (Tan Chui Mui. Malaysia)  
Bollywood Hero (Diederik van Rooijen. Netherlands)
Last Conversation (Het laatste gesprek) (Noud Heerkens. Netherlands)
The Tree (El árbol) (Carlos Serrano Azcona. Spain, Mexico)
April Showers (Águas mil) (Ivo M. Ferreira. Portugal)
Looking For Cherry Blossoms (Sakura na hito tachi) Joe Odagiri Japan
Oh My Soul (Nicholas Monsour USA)
The Blessing (Velsignelsen) (Heidi Maria Faisst. Denmark)
Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi (Ian Olds. USA)
Tattoo (Ci qing) (Wang Liren. China)
Agrarian Utopia (Uruphong Raksasad. Thailand)
Babaji, An Indian Love Story (Jiska Rickels. Netherlands)

Spectrum

The Absence (L'absence) Mama Keïta Senegal, France 2009
Kikoe (Iwai Chikara. Japan)
Border (Sahman) (Harutyun Khachatryan. Armenia,Netherlands)*
This Area Is Under Quarantine (Boriven nee yu pai tai karn kuk kun) (Thunska Pansittivorakul. Thailand)
Dazzle (Oogverblindend) (Cyrus Frisch. Netherlands)
The Ferrari Dino Girl (Holka Ferrari Dino) (Jan Nemec. Czech Republic)
Crepuscule (Maartje Seyferth, Victor Nieuwenhuijs. Netherlands)
FILM IST. A Girl & A Gun (Gustav Deutsch. Austria)
Room And A Half (Poltory komnaty ili sentimentalnoe puteshestvie na rodinu) (Andrey Khrzhanovsky. Russia)
The Middle Mystery Of Kristo Negro (Day tingnga ti misteryo ti Kristo Negro) (Khavn De La Cruz Philippines)

* Hubert Bals funded

Rotterdam announces 2009 Competitions line up
Eleanor Kenny in London
07 Jan 2009 16:13

 

Fourteen films have been selected for Rotterdam's VPRO Tiger Awards Competition 2009, including eight world premieres.

The line-up features first or second films from all five continents competing for three top prizes of $20,500 (Euros 15,000) each. For the first time, films from Turkey, New Zealand and Indonesia are included in competition.

In addition, the Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films includes twenty-seven films shorter than 60 minutes; the three Tiger Awards for Short Film each come with $4000 (Euros 3,000).

World premieres include the feature début by Quebec based filmmakers Henri Bernadet and Myriam Verreault, A L'Ouest De Pluton (At West Of Pluto) and Alicia Scherson's second feature Turistas (Tourists) from Chile.

The world premiere of The Strength Of Water, is the first film from New Zealand in competition at Rotterdam. Presented at CineMart in 2002, the film was co-produced by Germany's Pandora Film.

While Wrong Rosary, also a world premiere, is the first Turkish film to be included in the Tiger Awards competition. A love story set in present day Istanbul, it is written and directed by Mahmut Fazil Coskun.

Other European films to have their world premiere include Caspar Pfaundler's second feature Schottentor from Austria; Sois Sage (Be Good), Juliette Garcias's début from France and from Britain - Dogging a Love Story, by Simon Ellis.

Six films in competition are from Asia including: Dark Harbour from Japan; Breathless from Korea; Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly From Indonesia; No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti from Taiwan; and Peng Tao's Floating In Memory.

As previously reported in ScreenDaily, the Tiger Awards Jury comprises visual artist Marlene Dumas; Turkish writer and filmmaker Yesim Ustaoglu, Mr Park Ki-Yong, director of the Korean Academy of Arts and co-director of the Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival; Hungarian writer, director and actor Kornél Mundruzco and Kent Jones, associate director of programming of the Film Society of Lincoln Centre, New York.


The International Film Festival Rotterdam 2009 will open with the world premiere of The Hungry Ghosts, Michael Imperioli's feature début, on Wednesday 21st January. The Hungry Ghosts is also in competition.

The full programme of IFFR 2009 will be announced on January 15, 2009 on www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com



The 14 films in IFFR 2009's VPRO Tiger Awards Competition

(in alphabetical order by international film title)


A L'Ouest De Pluton (At West Of Pluto) by Henri Bernadet & Myriam Verreault (Canada, 2009), world premiere


Be Calm And Count To Seven (Aram Bash Va Ta Haft Beshmar) by Ramtin Lavafipour (Iran, 2008), European premiere.


Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly by Edwin (Indonesia, 2008), European premiere.


Breathles (Ddongpari) by Yang Ik-June (South Korea, 2008), international premiere


Dark Harbour (Futoko) by Naito Takatsugu (Japan, 2008), international premiere


Dogging A Love Story by Simon Ellis (United Kingdom, 2009), world premiere


Floating In Memory (Liu Li) by Peng Tao (China, 2009), world premiere and IFFR 2009 Opening Film


No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti by Leon Dai (Taiwan, 2008), international premiere


Schottentor by Caspar Pfaundler (Austria, 2009), world premiere


Sois Sage (Be Good) by Juliette Garcias (France, Denmark, 2008), European premiere


The Strength Of Water by Armagan Ballantyne (New Zealand, Germany, 2008), world premiere


Turistas (Tourists) by Alicia Scherson (Chile, 2009), world premiere


Wrong Rosary (Uzak Ihtimal) by Mahmut Fazil Coskun (Turkey, 2009), world premiere

[crippled_avenger]

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NHK FINALISTS

The Sundance Institute and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) have announced the twelve finalists for the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards. The annual cash award to support new artists in international cinema (winners announced at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival) is celebrating its 13th year with an impressive list of past recipients including: Alex Rivera (The Sleep Dealer), Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know) and Walter Salles (Central Station).

The twelve finalists for the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards are:

EUROPE

Celia Galán Julve / ROSITA GUZMÁN IS ALIVE (Spain) – When dangerous fugitive Rosita Guzmán disappears into the Mexican desert, criminologist Garcia Navarro, convinced that she is a product of an unjust system, becomes obsessed with finding and unraveling the truth about her.

Lucile Hadzihalilovic/EVOLUTION (France) – A group of young boys who are isolated from the world act as guinea pigs in a series of bizarre medical procedures intended to trigger a reverse evolutionary step. EVOLUTION depicts the attempts of one young, unruly test subject as he seeks to escape experimentation and recall his clouded past.

Marco Van Geffen/AMONG US (Netherlands) - Cross-cultural misunderstandings and miscommunications compound when a Polish au pair goes to work for a Dutch family. Structured in a puzzle-like narrative, AMONG US depicts the young woman's tenure there from various points of view, and the characters failure to connect.

LATIN AMERICA

Fellipe Barbosa /CASA GRANDE (Brazil, co-writer Karen Sztajnberg) - A teenage boy struggles to define his future and explore issues of class privilege among Rio's decadent elite while his overprotective parents spiral into bankruptcy.

Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimarães /THE MAN OF THE CROWD (Brazil) - In a vast Brazilian metropolis, two solitary subway employees gradually come to know one another, triggering a change in perspective on their lonely lives.

Diego Lerman / THE DISCIPLINE MONITOR (LA PRECEPTORA NACIONAL)(Argentina) – During the last years of the military dictatorship, a sexually repressed school monitor in Buenos Aires indulges in a strange compulsion, allowing her dark desires to compromise her role at the school.

UNITED STATES

Dee Rees / PARIAH (USA) - When forced to choose between the fragile cohesion of her middle-class family and imperative loyalty to her best friend, a Bronx teenager is forced to juggle conflicting identities and risk friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.

David Riker/ THE GIRL (USA) - A young, single mother from South Texas is thrown into an unexpected and life-changing journey when her attempt to smuggle immigrants across the border ends disastrously, leaving her stranded with a young girl from southern Mexico.

John Magary / BLOOD ABUNDANCE, OR THE HALF-LIFE OF ANTOINETTE (USA) - Set amidst poverty, with moments of both joy and upheaval, BLOOD ABUNDANCE, OR THE HALF-LIFE OF ANTOINETTE is a retelling of the chaotic life of Antoinette Dawson as she raises her seven children in New Orleans.

JAPAN

qurata kenji / SPEED GIRL (Japan) – Nijiko, a gifted speed skater, runs through the world at full speed, leaving her friend Mitsuo in her wake. When Nijiko mysteriously disappears, Mitsuo learns what it means to look out for someone in love and prayer.

Yukiko Mishima / WHEN NOBODY CALLS YOUR NAME (Japan) – A middle-aged crematorium worker emerges from a life of solitude when an 8 year old boy asks her to pose as his mother so he can join a boxing gym.

Season Noda (niga oolong) /LIMBO MAMBO (Japan) – When Tadahito Urushibara unexpectedly dies and becomes a corporeal ghost, he has the opportunity to reexamine his life, forge new bonds with his family, and resolve his relationships.

[crippled_avenger]

Hitfix knows who will be playing Wallace in Edgar Wright's SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. I'm extremely excited for Edgar Wright's upcoming film... I love Bryan Lee O'Malley's SCOTT PILGRIM books and I love Wright's flicks, so it's natural that I'd be excited for this movie. I have no earthly idea what the hell this movie will look like... at all, but that's kind of the excitement of the project for me. Edgar's going to be doing something different here.

Plus he's assembling a great cast. We already know he has Michael Cera as the title hero and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as his hottie girlfriend to be. Now he's gotten a Culkin according to Hitfix.








Kieran Culkin looks like a lock to play Scott's gay roommate, Wallace.








I love Scott and Wallace's interaction in the books... Wallace's humor is dry, but he's still a likable character.

I'm also a fan of Kieran's. I thought he turned in great performances in IGBY GOES DOWN and THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS. It'll be very interesting to see how he bounces off of Michael Cera. What do you folks think?

[crippled_avenger]

"Coraline" director Henry Selick says that his next project will be an adaptation of "Golden Compass" author Philip Pullman's children's book "Count Karlstein" says JoBlo.

The story follows an evil Count who has become wealthy and powerful due to a deal with the devil. In exchange for his power, he offers up a human sacrifice. When the devil comes calling, Karlstein offers up his two young nieces but as you might expect, they're not ready to go quietly.

"I have a couple of other things, but the primary one is an older Philip Pullman kids book called COUNT KARLSTEIN. I've got a film story worked out and I'll eventually write a screenplay and start designing" says Selick.

The "Nightmare Before Christmas" helmer is also producing zombie comedy "Paranorman" penned by "Coraline" storyboard artist Chris Butler who's currently on his second draft. The story follows a 13-year-old named Norman who's the only chance a small town has to survive a zombie uprising.

[crippled_avenger]

The duo behind the multi-award winning HBO mini-series "John Adams" are adapting John Steinbeck's classic novel "East of Eden" for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment says Variety.

First published in 1952, the story is a retelling of the Cain and Abel story, set in California's Salinas Valley. The multigenerational story focuses on the Trask brothers and a woman who comes between the siblings.

Tom Hooper will direct and Christopher Hampton will adapt the script while Brian Grazer, Jonathan Sanger and Ed Albert will produce.

The project was famously adapted before in to the classic 1955 James Dean movie that was helmed by Elia Kazan. Production aims to begin later this year.

[crippled_avenger]

Alex Holmes ("House of Saddam") is set to pen "The Infiltrator" for 2929 Productions reports Variety.

Based on a memoir by Robert Mazur, the true story follows the customs official who helped uncover a massive money laundering scheme that involved Pablo Escobar.

Holmes' adaptation will focus on Mazur's transformation from a married accountant to an undercover operative who hobnobbed with unsavory figures.

In the process he brought down several major banks that were laundering tens of millions of dollars for Escobar as well as Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega, Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

[crippled_avenger]

Dutch helmer Matthijs van Heijningen ("The Black Meteor," "The Ball") is tipped to be helming Strike and Universal Pictures prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror/sci-fi classic "The Thing" says Bloody Disgusting.

Heijningen is pushing to make the lead character in his prequel the brother of the original film's lead character R.J. Macready (Kurt Russell). In the original an American scientific expedition to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic is interrupted by a group of seemingly mad Norwegians pursuing and shooting a dog.

The team soon realizes that an alien life-form with the ability to take over bodies is on the loose and they don't know who may already have been taken over.

"Battlestar Galactica" showrunner Ronald D. Moore penned the prequel which is said to take place from the Norwegian camp's point of view. Heijningen is also attached to direct "Army of the Dead".

[crippled_avenger]

Rob Cohen is apparently attached to direct "The Sea Artist", a film about modern day pirates reports Production Weekly via Slashfilm.

Details of the story are unknown but the subject is timely considering the heightened awareness of modern day piracy in recent months, the recent Sirius Star oil tanker hostage incident, and a general lack of films dealing with the subject matter (last film I can recall with modern day pirates was "6 Days, 7 Nights").

Tony Puryear, a comic book artist and music video director, penned both this script and an unproduced screenplay based on the "Buck Rogers" property. Both his scripts garnered good reviews.

[crippled_avenger]

Jim Sheridan ("In the Name of the Father," "In America") is developing a film about notorious Boston mobster turned FBI informant Whitey Bulger reports Variety.

Sheridan and Nye Heron are adapting Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill's book "Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob" for Sheridan to direct.

Bulger rose to prominence in Boston as a feared enforcer and built the Winter Hill Gang into an enterprise that did everything from selling drugs to procuring guns for the Irish Republican Army.

His rise was helped by John Connolly, a childhood pal who became an FBI agent. Bulger disappeared 14 years ago, creating a major law enforcement scandal. Bulger himself is considered the main inspiration for Jack Nicholson's underworld kingpin character in Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning "The Departed".

Shooting hopes to begin later this year.

[crippled_avenger]

Focus Features is developing a biopic about Nigerian musician and political maverick Fela Kuti says The Hollywood Reporter.

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti garnered fame in the U.S. for his fusion style of music known as Afrobeat. He often was imprisoned on what human-rights groups called trumped-up charges when he went back to his native country and spoke out against its government and policies. He died in 1997.

Focus will use Michael Veal's book "Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon" as source material.

[crippled_avenger]

Emma Stone ("Superbad") is in final negotiations to star alongside Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg in Sony Pictures horror comedy "Zombieland" reports Variety.

s The story centers on a band of survivors who team to fight the living dead in the post-apocalyptic Southwest after a zombie plague ravages America.

Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese wrote the screenplay and Ruben Fleischer directs. Shooting kicks off February in Atlanta.

[crippled_avenger]

Exclusive! Edgar Wright Draws A Formidable Lucas Lee For SCOTT PILGRIM!
Beaks here...



I'm biased as hell, but I honestly think Edgar Wright has aced every casting decision on SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. Just this week, we learned (via HitFix's Gregory Ellwood) that Kieran Culkin will be joining Michael Cera (Scott) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona) as the title character's gay roommate, Wallace. Now, we can confirm one of Ramona's Evil Exes.

How does Chris Evans as skateboarder/movie star Lucas Lee strike you?

For a younger Jason Lee type (which is what the character obviously needs to be), I really don't think Edgar could've done better than this. Evans was a perfect Johnny Storm in those unfortunate FANTASTIC FOUR movies, and took a huge step forward as an actor in Danny Boyle's SUNSHINE. Playing a parody of a pretty boy actor type? This is right square in his wheelhouse. He's going to kill this.

I spoke with Evans the other day (for the upcoming PUSH), and he was incredibly enthusiastic about joining Edgar and the gang up in Toronto. I've completely avoided the script for this, so I'm not entirely sure which boyfriends are left to cast. Here's hoping there's a part for Craig Wasson.

And if you're wondering who's playing Knives Chau, here's an incriminating photograph of Ms. Ellen Wong.

[crippled_avenger]

With Heath Ledger's last film "The Imagnarium of Doctor Parnassus" all wrapped up, the film's director is looking forward to his next project, or rather backwards.

"Tony [Grisoni] and I have started rewriting Don Quixote just this last week. [We] finally got the script back. I re-read the greatest script ever written and realise we gotta get rewriting! I really wanna knock that one out in the next month or so" director Terry Gilliam ("12 Monkeys," "Time Bandits") tells Empire Online.

A decade ago Gilliam and Grisoni ("Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas") penned "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote", an original attempt to film Cervantes' classic novel. The production only got through a week of filming before being closed down due to various on-set disasters from injuries to key cast-members to flash floods and interference from the Spanish Air Force.

The troubles were filmed and shown in great detail in the documentary "Lost In La Mancha". After various legal issues and insurance claims were sorted out, rights to the 'Quixote' script eventually went back to the pair.

Gilliam is still keen on the project and hopes to begin filming later this year. "[I'm] starting to think I was lucky, because maybe the film will be better seven years later. It will have matured a bit longer" he says.

[crippled_avenger]

Director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "King Arthur"), currently in Park City for the Sundance premiere of his cop thriller "Brooklyn's Finest", tells Coming Soon he wants to stay in New York for his next project.

"It's called 'Scarpa' with Morgan Creek, and it's New York again, Brooklyn, FBI, Italian gangsters, it takes place from the '60s to the '90s, and we're talking to Sean Penn" says Fuqua about the biopic of Gregory Scarpa Sr..

Scarpa was the chief enforcer for the Colombo crime family and an FBI informant for over thirty years. He also earned the nickname "The Grim Reaper".

Much like 'Finest', the film could be produced outside the studio system - "I still want to do it for under a certain amount of money - I would just love to stay under $30, under $25 (million), I'd love to try and have my independence that way."

For more from the interview, click here.

[crippled_avenger]

Sony Pictures has landed screen rights to Isaac Asimov's ground breaking science fiction trilogy "Foundation" and will develop it for Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "2012") to direct reports Variety.

Originally published as a series of eight short stories, Foundation is a complex saga about humans who are scattered on planets throughout the galaxy, living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.

A psycho-historian who can scientifically read the future sees an imminent empire collapse, and sets to work preparing to save the knowledge of mankind.

The project has bounced around the studios over time, originally at Fox before heading to Warner Bros. Pictures. Emmerich and Sony's bid beat out a Warner Bros./director Alex Proyas and Fox/producer Vince Gerardis at an auction for the property.

Emmerich and Michael Wimer will produce the film.

[crippled_avenger]

Despite various premieres there's little in the way of films selling at this year's Sundance Film Festival as distributors reel from the tough economic times and the dismal performance of last year's biggest purchases like "Hamlet 2," "American Teen" and "The Wackness".

The first big deal was Senator Distribution and Sony landed rights to Antoine Fuqua's violent police drama "Brooklyn's Finest" for low-to-mid seven figures. That film stars Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke in a story of police corruption and will score a theatrical release in the Fall with some edits looking likely to cut down on the film's unwieldly length.

Cinemavault picked up international rights to Derick Martini's "Lymelife" on the eve of its Sundance premiere in the Spectrum section. Alec Baldwin, Rory Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Jill Hennessy, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon and Emma Roberts star in the 1970's Long Island-set drama about the dangers of the American dream seen through the innocent eyes of a 15-year-old boy. A Spring theatrical release by Screen Media Films is planned.

Wild Bunch picked up international rights to "The September Issue", the documentary examining a month in the life of Vogue editor Anna Wintour who inspired Meryl Streep's character in "The Devil Wears Prada".

According to the trades other sales haven't happened yet but Lynn Shelton's comedy "Humpday" about two straight men who make a gay porno, Cherien Dabis's immigration drama "Amreeka", and the drama "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire" are getting several offers.

Marc Webb's quirky romantic comedy "500 Days of Summer" and a secret screening of Steven Soderbergh's "The Girlfriend Experience" have also generated a lot of buzz in this first weekend of screenings.

[crippled_avenger]

Cher and Johnny Knoxville are attached to star in the slacker comedy "The Drop-Out" says The Hollywood Reporter.

The story follows a 35-year-old career college student (Knoxville) who is finally kicked out of his parents house. Desperate, he decides to get in good with the 62-year-old woman next door (Cher), so he can keep his food, couch and TV regimen intact.

In the mix is the woman's ne'er-do-well son, who is looking for a father figure, even if it's a guy his own age. That role is still being cast.

Ricky Blitt ("The Ringer") penned and will direct the project which John Jacobs is producing.

[crippled_avenger]

Four More Take On "Scott Pilgrim"By Garth FranklinMonday, January 19th 2009 3:01am Several more people have joined "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead" helmer Edgar Wright's upcoming comic book adaptation "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" for Universal Pictures.

Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel, the story is about how teenager Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) has to defeat his girlfriend Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends in order to win her heart.

First up, AICN reports that hunk Chris Evans ("Fantastic Four," "Sunshine," "Push") is set for the role of pro-skateboarder turned movie star Lucas Lee, the second of the evil ex-boyfriends of Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).

Also according to Empire, Ellen Wong has also signed on to play Scott's 17-year-old Chinese schoolgirl stalker Knives Chau. They also say Aubrey Plaza joined the cast late last week playing Julie Powers, the obnoxious girlfriend of Stephen Stills, the lead singer of Scott's band Sex Bob-omb.

Finally Slashfilm reports that Arshad Aslam (TV's "Zoey 101," "Samantha Who") was up for the role of Matthew Patel.

Last week it was confirmed that Kieran Culkin would play Pilgrim's gay former roommate Wallace Wells. Filming is scheduled to start in Toronto this March.

[Tex Murphy]

Sony Pictures has landed screen rights to Isaac Asimov's ground breaking science fiction trilogy "Foundation" and will develop it for Roland Emmerich

Neeeee! NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   

[crippled_avenger]

I Love You Philip Morris
I Love You Phillip Morris
Mike Goodridge in Park City
in Los Angeles
19 Jan 2009 12:02

 


Dirs: John Requa & Glenn Ficarra. US. 2009. 100 mins.

The studio movie which the studios wouldn't make, I Love You, Phillip Morris is a surprisingly conventional and sweet gay romantic comedy which isn't as funny as you might expect from the writers of Bad Santa, but is inherently remarkable for being a true story. Obviously audacious for the gay romance at its core, it otherwise plays like a polished Hollywood picture starring Jim Carrey and will satisfy a certain percentage of his audience even if the gay elements turn off some of his Yes Man audience.

Financed by Luc Besson's EuropaCorp, which stepped up when others balked, I Love You, Phillip Morris handles its gay characters with both sensitivity and irreverence, neither too politically correct nor off colour. The sexuality of Steven Russell, the extraordinary con artist played by Carrey, is central to the story, but first-time directors Requa and Ficarra and the actors play his gayness un-selfconsciously and honestly. In many ways, the film is as important as Brokeback Mountain in breaking down barriers in mainstream cinema, although the level of US distribution has yet to to be determined after its world premiere last night at Sundance.

We are first introduced to Russell as a happy family man working as a cop in Georgia and living with his wife Debbie (Mann) and young daughter. But it doesn't take long for him to confess in voiceover that he is an active gay man who is living a lie. After a car accident shakes him up, he comes out, moves to Florida and starts dating Jimmy (Santoro). But, as he explains, it's expensive to live the gay lifestyle to the hilt and before long he is committing cons and frauds to pay for it all.

Committed to the state penitentiary, he meets the love of his life – a handsome blond, blue-eyed boy called Phillip Morris (McGregor) and Steven uses all his sway in prison so they get to share a cell. When he is released, he promptly pretends to be a lawyer to get Phillip out and the two start living together but soon he is back to his old tricks, conning his way to become CFO of a large company and embezzling millions.

When he is caught, Phillip leaves him in fury at his deceptions. Steven goes to prison but once behind bars, he commits the ultimate con to break out and win back Phillip's love.

While this is certainly an adult film with plenty of ribald humour and sexual language, I Love You Phillip Morris is at heart a sweet romance with only a couple of glimpses of the two lead actors kissing and very little actual sex. Still, like in the recent Milk from Gus Van Sant (who was originally slated to direct this film), the film-makers don't try to hide their characters' sexuality and, thanks to unfettered performances from Carrey and McGregor. the relationship between Steven and Phillip seems natural and unforced.

The tone is always bright and perky, though the storytelling could have benefited from some more shading, especially as the convolutions of the true story produce a drag on the momentum in the third act. Nonetheless Requa and Ficarra have structured their screenplay cleverly, leaving the audience in the dark to the end as to Russell's final, spectacular con.

Production companies

Mad Chance

EuropaCorp

International sales

US – CAA +1 424 288 2000/Endeavor +1 310 246 3126

Int'l – EuropaCorp + 33 1 53 83 03 03

Producers

Andrew Lazar

Far Shariat

Screenplay

John Requa & Glenn Ficarra

Based on the book by Steven McVicker

Cinematography

Xavier Perez Grobet

Production designer

Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski

Editor

Thomas J Nordberg

Music

Nick Urata

Main cast

Jim Carrey

Ewan McGregor

Leslie Mann

Rodrigo Santoro

Antoni Corone

[crippled_avenger]

Sundance
I Love You Phillip Morris
By JOHN ANDERSON
'I Love You Phillip Morris'
• All Sundance Coverage

A Europacorp presentation of a Mad Chance production. (International sales: CAA, Los Angeles.) Produced by Andrew Lazar, Far Shariat. Executive producer, Luc Besson. Co-producer, Miri Yoon. Directed, written by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, based on the novel by Steve McVicker.

Steven Russell - Jim Carrey
Phillip Morris - Ewan McGregor
Debbie - Leslie Mann
Jimmy - Rodrigo Santoro
Cleavon - Michael Mandel
 Less of a comedy than a hilarious tragedy, "I Love You Phillip Morris" stars Jim Carrey in his most complicated comedic role since "The Cable Guy" and as a character so criminal and gay it will leave auds both laughing and stunned. The rawness of the script by helmers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and sexual bluntness of Carrey and Ewan McGregor's onscreen romance could limit the film's exposure, but curiosity about Carrey's "conversion" will be a big draw. And no one can say that all involved weren't swinging for the fences.
Based on a real-life story and the novel by onetime Houston Chronicle reporter Steve McVicker, "Phillip Morris" (the cigarette maker spells it with one L) is largely a portrait of a born criminal: During his larcenous lifetime, Steven Russell (Carrey) masquerades as a lawyer and a CEO, passes bad checks, and commits bank fraud, insurance fraud and credit card fraud.

That the film is a gay romance -- Phillip Morris (McGregor) will become the love and motivating force of Steven's life -- doesn't change the fact the lead character is a sociopath, whose first instinct when faced with difficulty is to find some felonious way around it.

Helmers Ficarra and Requa (who penned the equally transgressive "Bad Santa") load the first 10 minutes of "Phillip Morris" with so much action and development one can't help but get swept away: After the young Steven is told he's adopted (the scene with his parents is priceless), he resolves to be the best person he can be, grows up to be a Georgia policeman, plays organ in church, marries Debbie (a terrific Leslie Mann), has two kids, infiltrates the police computer to find his real mother (Mary Louise Burke), is rebuffed by her, goes into a tailspin, has a nasty car crash and emerges from it vowing never to live a lie again: He's a gay man, and he's going for it. And he starts living one lie after another.

Carrey has always been a very physical comedian, and though "Phillip Morris" never overplays that fact, Carrey's body is a large part of the comedy, particularly when Steven moves to Florida and adopts a flamboyant lifestyle and a flamboyant boyfriend (Rodrigo Santoro). Steven also cultivates a South Beach existence on a Costco income. "Being gay is really expensive" he discovers, so he starts kiting checks and collecting maxed-out credit cards, eventually going to prison, where he meets gentle blond cell nymph Phillip Morris.

It's hard to tell how viewers will react to "Phillip Morris," which has a distinct vein of darkness running beneath its glossy, well-lit, well-costumed surfaces. The direction is more than adept -- many of the laughs erupt at the end of scenes, as Carrey or McGregor toss off some seemingly random line, and it sticks.

The cutting, juxtaposition of scenes and reaction shots hit their targets precisely, with Steven's occasional suicidal plunge turned into a laugh. But given all the references to oral sex, the clingy physicality of Steven and Phillip and the one spectacular, ride-'em-cowboy sex scene involving Carrey, "Phillip Morris" will give some fans of "Ace Ventura" heart attacks

Production values are topnotch, particularly the lush cinematography of Xavier Perez-Grobet ("Before Night Falls") and the editing of Thomas J. Nordberg.

More than one option(Person) Miri Yoon
(Person) Miri Yoon
Apprentice, Assistant, Co-ProducerCamera (color), Xavier Perez-Grobet; editor, Thomas J. Nordberg; music, Nick Urata; music supervisor, Gary Calamar; production designer, Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski; art director, Helen Harwell; costume designer, David C. Robinson; sound (Dolby/DTS), Paul Urmson; associate producers, Linda Fields Hill, Jeffrey Harlacker; assistant director, Stephen Hagen; casting, Bernie Telsey. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Premieres), Jan. 19, 2009. Running time: 100 MIN.

[crippled_avenger]

Black Dynamite
By ROB NELSON
'Black Dynamite'
• All Sundance Coverage

A Sony Worldwide release of an Ars Nova production, in association with Harbor Entertainment. Produced by Jon Steingart, Jenny Wiener Steingart. Executive producers, Deanna Berkeley, James Berkeley. Co-producers, Jillian Apfelbaum, Alison Engel, Steven Funk, Seth Harrison, Matt Richards, Jenna Segal, Paul Segal. Directed by Scott Sanders. Screenplay, Sanders, Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, from a story by White, Minns.

Black Dynamite - Michael Jai White
Honey Bee - Kym Whitley
Cream Corn - Tommy Davidson
O'Leary - Kevin Chapman
Bullhorn - Byron Minns
Gloria - Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Chocolate
Giddy Up - Cedric Yarbrough
Chicago Wind - Mykelti Williamson
Sweet Meat - Brian McKnight
Back Hand Jack - Bokeem Woodbine
Tasty Freeze - Arsenio Hall
Kotex - John Salley
Richard M. Nixon - James McManus
Patricia Nixon - Nicole Sullivan
 Less screwball farce than affectionate, Tarantino-esque grindhouse homage, Scott Sanders' raucous "Black Dynamite" tips its frilly pimp hat to early '70s African-American action pics. A vastly entertaining film, with a playfully suave and acrobatic perf by co-writer Michael Jai White in the title role, this film will delight both discriminating fans of the blaxploitation tradition and ordinary lovers of goofy, in-ya-face thrills. The rowdy midnight screening at Sundance drew a nearly $2 million sale to Sony by dawn; with proper positioning, the pic, spanning the ghetto to Tricky Dick's White House, could grow from word-of-mouth cult item to mainstream bank-breaker.
Helmer and co-writer Sanders, whose "Thick as Thieves" graced Sundance a decade ago, has assembled a topnotch crew with whom to flaunt the low-budget eye candy of "Dolemite," "Superfly" and, particularly, "The Mack": flared threads, tall 'fros, and, er, 'hos. The director's kung-fu kicks and .44 Magnum blasts are as stupendously timed as his slang-slinging one-liners -- which is to say that, unlike some blaxploitation remakes, "Dynamite" never forgets to deliver the goods.

Plot, such as it is, has muscular, mustachioed ladykiller Black Dynamite avenging his brother Jimmy's murder at the hands of drug-dealing cats in cahoots with the Man -- aka O'Leary (Kevin Chapman).

Teamed with the likes of flamboyant queen Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson) and tough-as-nails Bullhorn (co-writer Byron Minns), suave baadasssss Dynamite follows the Man's menace from a doped-up orphanage to a warehouse stocked with absurdly poisonous malt liquor, eventually getting it on with nectar-sweet activist Gloria (Salli Richardson-Whitfield).

Hilarious climax finds Dynamite going mano-a-mano with a nunchuks-swinging Richard Nixon.Sanders and his key collaborators -- veteran costume designer Ruth E. Carter, production designer Denise Pizzini, d.p. Shawn Maurer and editor Adrian Younge (who also wrote the wah-wah-fueled music) -- make enjoyably funky use of split screens, shaky zooms, and drooping boom mics. (Sanders stops short of digitally manufacturing scratches on the print a la "Grindhouse," which is maybe just as well.)

Pic's many fight scenes, owing to "Enter the Dragon" more than anything in the blaxploitation oeuvre, are ingeniously choreographed by the Yuan brothers, Ron and Roger.

Distinctly not circa '73 are soundwoman Sara Glaser's Dolby thwacks and cap-peelings -- but, like the film, they're loud and fun.

More than one option(Person) Michael Jai White
Actor
(Person) Michael Jai White
ActorMore than one option(Person) Scott Sanders
ADR, Assistant, Boom Operator
(Person) Scott Sanders
Director, Screenplay, Special Thanks
(Person) Scott Sanders
Actor
(Person) Scott Sanders
Associate Producer
(Person) Scott Sanders
Production Associate, Sound
(Person) Scott Sanders
CoordinatorMore than one option(Person) Kevin Chapman
Location Manager, Unit Manager
(Person) Kevin Chapman
ActorMore than one option(Person) Nicole Sullivan
Actor, Voice
(Person) Nicole Sullivan
Camera (color, Super 16-to-35mm), Shawn Maurer; editor, Adrian Younge; music, Younge; music supervisor, David Hollander; production designer, Denise Pizzini; set decorator, Antonia Nunez; costume designer, Ruth E. Carter; sound (Dolby Digital), Sara Glaser; supervising sound editor, Sean Gray; visual effects supervisor, Brian Adler; animation, Six Point Harness; fight coordinators, Ron Yuan, Roger Yuan; stunt coordinator, Ron Yuan; associate producer, Intesar Haider; assistant director, Chad Rosen; casting, Rick Montgomery. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Park City at Midnight), Jan. 18, 2009. Running time: 90 MIN.

[crippled_avenger]

Magnolia Pictures has landed worldwide rights to Lynn Shelton's indie buddy comedy "Humpday", snatching up the rights for mid-six figures after a bidding war says Indiewire.

Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard play two straight best friends, old college recently reunited, who decide to film themselves having sex with each other for an art project to be entered into 'Hump Fest', Seattle's annual amateur and locally produced porn festival.

The film premiered on Friday in the Sundance Film Festival's competition section and scored good notices. Magnolia will launch the pic on VOD before an August theatrical opening.