So, dissecting my choices into an honourable mentions overspill seems ideal.
An honourable mention gives the impression of a child missing out on a class prize but told by their teacher they’re special anyway. All a little patronizing. But expect some of these films to be held up as the year’s finest as the sun sets on 2009.
In no particular order:
Sherlock Holmes (dir. Ritchie)
Expected Release Date: 20th Nov
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law & Rachel McAdams
Downey Jr. has had a huge career revival in the last few years. From Kiss Kiss Bang Bang through to Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. His rise should continue with this the
latest offering from Guy Ritchie. There’s not much information on the script at the moment but expect the usual Ritchie fare (which means it may be hit and miss).
Terminator: Salvation (dir. McG)
Expected Release Date: 5th June
Starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington & Bryce Dallas Howard
The fourth outing in the Terminator series is what can only be described as a gamble. McG, director of fine works such as Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, is at the helm. Two lifelines. One, Christian Bale is involved (and signed up for two further installments), and two, the first trailers suggest a gritty, grey direction which is encouraging.
Broken Embraces (dir. Almodóvar)
Expected Release Date: 28th August
Starring: Penelope Cruz
I won’t lie, plot details are as sparse as Jack Nicholson’s receding hairline. However, what is certain is that the last offering from the Almodóvar/Cruz magical axis, Volver, was…umm…magical, so I have high hopes for this one. It revolves around the story of a man, who 14 years after an accident which left him blind, remembers the woman he adored. Lovely.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox (dir. W Anderson)
Expected Release Date: TBA
Starring: Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray & Anjelica Huston
After The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited, it’s fair to say Wes Anderson needed a change in direction. Though fine films in their own right they seemed to just stretch out the blueprint laid out in The Royal Tenenbaums, namely dysfunctional ‘families’ and their ultimate redemptions. The Fantastic Mr. Fox, adapted from the Roald Dahl novel, should be perfect fodder for director and starry cast.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (dir. T Gilliam)
Expected Release Date: 6th June
Starring: Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law & Colin Farrell
Ex-Python Terry Gilliam hasn’t had a good track record in recent years with Tideland and The Brothers Grimm having little impact on global audiences. I concede my only curiosities with this film surround the late Heath Ledger’s final on-screen performance and how Depp, Farrell and Law have been integrated into the same role after Ledger’s untimely death. Here’s hoping it’s a fitting tribute.
This Side of The Truth (dir. Gervais)
Expected Release Date: TBA
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest & Ricky Gervais
The directorial debut from Ricky Gervais is shaping up to be fantastic on many levels. The cast reads as a who’s who of prime time American comedy and film. So why is this film not in my top 20? Well there are a few reasons but mainly the fact that the film seems to have been pushed back to 2010 (US release). Whether this is a scripting or production issue is unknown, but with this talent on board all things wonderful are possible.
Funny People (dir. Apatow)
Expected Release Date: 31st July
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana & Jonah Hill
Apatow, who brought us The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up is back with his latest effort, Funny People. Rogen and Sandler play stand up comedians who become friends after they perform at the same club one night. Like This Side of The Truth, Funny People has a talented cast and a director on the crest of the new wave of comedy. If it’s anywhere near as funny and touching as Knocked Up, then it’ll be a welcome summer treat.
Where The Wild Things Are (dir. Jonze)
Expected Release Date: 11th Dec
Starring: Forest Whitaker, Paul Dano, Catherine Keener & James Gandolfini
I love it when a story and director are matched in wild and unexpected ways. Where The Wild Things Are, a classic in illustrated literature for children, and Spike Jonze are exactly that match. Jonze, whose previous films include the Charlie Kaufman-penned Adaptation and Being John Malkovich, is hugely admired in the indie world and this off-centre adaptation should keep the respect flowing.
Jennifer’s Body (dir. Kusama)
Expected Release Date: TBA
Starring: Megan Fox
Diablo Cody, how acerbic and witty art thou…
In her much-anticipated follow up to Juno, Diablo Cody writes the story of a cheerleader who kills of her male classmates. Anyone remember Heathers? Well this sort-of-homage to the cult 80’s teen flick seems to tick all the boxes as possibly one of the biggest teen hits of 2009. It’s Megan Fox’s first major leading role (discounting Transformers) and at the very least it will get your man out of the house. Woof!
The Informant (dir. Soderbergh)
Expected Release Date: 9th Nov
Starring: Matt Damon
This one could go either way. To be fair Soderbergh’s filmography stands up as one of the most popular in recent cinema, ranging from Traffic, the Ocean’s series to the recently released and criminally underrated Che Guevara double bill. My only concern would be that Soderbergh’s last drama/thriller, The Good German, wasn’t as involving as it should have been. IMDB describes the film as a comedy foremost, and that definitely perks my interest up a notch (as does the presence of Damon).
Duplicity (dir. Gilroy)
Expected Release Date: 20th March
Starring: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Tom Wilkinson & Paul Giamatti
A pair of steamy ex-lovers pulling a con on their ex-bosses? Im up for that. Especially since the writer and director is possibly the king of thrillers at the moment having written the Bourne series as well as last year’s Michael Clayton. The plot does remind me of Out of Sight to a certain extent and if the chemistry between Owen and Roberts is anywhere near as strong as that Lopez/Clooney sexual steamboat then I’m sold and front of the queue.
Taking Woodstock (dir. Ang Lee)
Expected Release Date: TBA
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Live Schrieber & Paul Dano
Ang Lee makes masterpieces comfortable in their own skin, never breaking out into something artificial and disposable. Lust, Caution. Brokeback Mountain. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Each soulful hymns, poetic and poignant and embedded in cinema’s consciousness. Taking Woodstock is Lee’s return to the English language and is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. Starring exciting young talents in Hirsch and Dano, this should be another gem to add to an already sparkling collection.
Biutiful (dir. Inarritu)
Expected Release Date: TBA
Starring: Javier Bardem
Biutiful, like Broken Embraces, seems to be wrapped in cotton wool as plot details seem to be completely redundant. I’ll keep an eye out for this one though as it is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu who helmed the outstanding Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Best Picture-nominated Babel.
Check back over the next few days for my top 20. Should be a hoot!
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