So we are already a month and a bit into 2010, but I’ve been lazy and have let this blog fall into a state of disrepair. So without further a due here is my list of the top 18 theatrical films that I am looking forward to seeing the most in 2010.
17: THE EXPENDABLES
DIRECTED BY?: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa)
WHO’S IN IT?: Sylvester Stallone (Kambakkht Ishq), Jason Statham (Crank), Jet Li (Unleashed), Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), Eric Roberts (DOA Dead Or Alive), Bruce Willis (North), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Kindergarten Cop), Danny Trejo (Spy Kids), Charisma Carpenter (TV’s Buffy), Mickey Rourke (Domino), Steve Austin (The Longest Yard)
WHAT IS IT?: Sylvester Stallone directs the ultimate men on a mission film, complete with South American locale and an evil dictator villain.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Just look at the cast list! If Van Damme wasn’t such a dick and agreed to appear it really couldn’t get better than that.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: With such a sprawling cast the threat that no-one will get the screen time that they deserve is very real. Also the recent Rambo proved that Stallone can sometimes forget to put a plot in his films.
16: STEP UP 3D
DIRECTED BY?: Jon Chu (Step Up 2: The Streets)
WHO’S IN IT? Rick Malambri (Surrogates), Harry Shum Jr. (Glee) Adam G. Sevani (Step Up 2), Sharni Vinson (TV’s Home and Away*)
*is it just me, or does it seem that all Hollywood is doing anymore is watching Home and Away and casting all their roles from there? Chris Hemsworth, Naomi Watts, Heath Leger, Melissa George, Simon Baker, Julian McMahon, Isla Fisher and the list goes on!
WHAT IS IT?: The 3rd instalment in the epic Step Up series. There hasn’t been much revealed about the plot. Presumably it will be about two young attractive people from different economic backgrounds who are forced to dance with each other and eventually fall in love….IN 3D!!!
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The first two Step Up films had fun performances, great music and absolutely spectacular dance numbers. Director Jon Chu proved he had the chops in number two, he just has to replicate it.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: The 3D has the potential of being used in a gimmicky and distracting way. This will be the first major non special effect driven, non horror, non animated 3D film released in theatres. Its success be a good indicator of James Cameron’s future vision of all theatrical films being in 3D.
15: PROVINCES OF NIGHT
DIRECTED BY?: Shane Dax Taylor (The Grey)
WHO’S IN IT?: Hilary Duff (Greta), Kris Kristofferson (Blade), Val Kilmer (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang), Hilarie Burton (TV’s One Tree Hill), Dwight Yoakam (Crank), Reece Thompson (Rocket Science)
WHAT IS IT?: A southern gothic tale about a man returning to his home after forty years of roaming and discovering the ruins of his family that he had left behind.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Quite simply, because I am a Hilary Duff fanboy, That being said the film is based on a acclaimed novel by William Gay and has been receiving buzz on the festival circuit.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: It will probably follow the fates of Hilary Duff’s last three films (Greta, War Inc and What Goes Up) and not get a theatrical release in Australia.
14: PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
DIRECTED BY?: Mike Newell
WHO’S IN IT?: Jake Gyllenhaal (Bubble Boy), Ben Kingsley (War Inc), Alfred Molina (Frida), Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace)
WHAT IS IT?: Adaptation of the popular video game series in which a time travelling prince sets out to save the world and get the girl in ancient Persia.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The trailer looks like a lot of fun. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing and he seems to be in Pirates of the Caribbean mode, which is fine by me. Plus Mike Newell directed my favourite Harry Potter film and in it proved that he is fantastic at blending action, fantasy and humour.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: The film looks gloriously over the top and ridiculous, so if it takes itself too seriously, it could get old very quickly.
13: DEAR JOHN
DIRECTED BY?; Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat)
WHO’S IN IT?: Channing Tatum (She’s the Man), Amanda Seyfried (TV’s Veronica Mars), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Henry Thomas (E.T.)
WHAT IS IT?: The new Nicolas Sparks (The Notebook) adaptation about two lovers torn apart by 9/11, who keep their love alive by writing letters to each other
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Anyone who has seen The Notebook will know the power of Nicolas Sparks (the power to rip your heart out and squeeze until you are in a puddle of your own tears). The trailer of this film feels like The Notebook 2, and that is not a bad thing at all. Plus I have a major soft spot for Amanda Seyfried.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Despite rocketing to first place in the US box office and dethroning Avatar, the film only received middling reviews, but then again, so did The Notebook, and everyone loves The Notebook.
12: STAY COOL
DIRECTED BY?: Michael Polish (The Astronaut Farmer)
WHO’S IN IT?: Hilary Duff (Raise Your Voice), Sean Astin (Lord Of The Rings), Winona Ryder (The Ten), Josh Holloway (TV’s Lost), Chevy Chase (Orange County), Jon Cryer (Pretty In Pink), Marc Blucas (TV’s Buffy)
WHAT IS IT?: Ensemble comedy about an author returning to his home town and getting mixed up with some old flames and some students at his old school.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Yep, Hilary Duff again. Despite an atrociously edited trailer the film looks like it will be a fun easy watch. Michael Polish also directed The Astronaut Farmer which looked great and featured some solid performances, so count me interested.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Another Hilary film that could quite possibly go straight to DVD, but here’s hoping for some sort of Australian theatrical release.
11: RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE 3D
DIRECTED BY?: Paul W.S. Anderson (Mortal Kombat)
WHO’S IN IT?: Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element), Wentworth Miller (Dinotopia), Ali Larter (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back)
WHAT IS IT?: The forth instalment in the Resident Evil action/zombie films. Set 18 months after Extinction, this film will follow Alice and an army of her clones bringing down the evil Umbrella Corporation.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Besides the woeful second entry to the franchise, Apocalypse, the Resident Evil films have been pure fun. This series has constantly been inventive with its action and hasn’t held back for a second in the gore department.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Paul W.S. Anderson, returning to the director’s chair, after sitting out of Apocalypse and Extinction, could go either way. He has directed some fun, if flawed films (Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat, Event Horizon) and some real turkeys (Alien Vs Predator, Soldier). The 3D is also concerning, as again, could turn out to be a distraction and an excuse for a lack of story.
10: IRON MAN 2
DIRECTED BY?: Jon Favreau (Elf)
WHO’S IN IT?: Robert Downey Jr (Charlie Bartlett), Mickey Rourke (Sin City), Scarlett Johansson (The Perfect Score), Sam Rockwell (Moon), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shallow Hal), Don Cheadle (Hotel For Dogs)
WHAT IS IT?: The sequel to superhero blockbuster. This time Tony Stark will be battling against villains Whiplash, Black Widow and his own alcoholism.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Watch the original Iron Man film, if not completely hyped for it’s sequel after viewing, please consult a doctor because you may not have a pulse.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Jon Favreau has hinted that this film will be darker than the original. I am personally hoping not too much, what made the original so special was its fun tone.
9: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
DIRECTED BY?: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead)
WHO’S IN IT?: Michael Cera (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), Chris Evans (Sunshine), Brandon Routh (Zack and Miri Make a Porno), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Live Free or Die Hard), Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore), Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air)
WHAT IS IT?: Based on the cult graphic novels about a geek who must fight and destroy his new girlfriend’s seven exes before he can win her heart.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Edgar Wright’s last two films were works of comedic genius. The concept seems really inventive and ripe for comedic gold and the cast is amazing.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Michael Cera has been spewing out the same performances again and again of late. This film will hinge on his ability to bring something new to the table.
8: HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
DIRECTED BY?: Steve Pink (Accepted)
WHO’S IN IT?: John Cusack (War Inc), Rob Corddry (Harold and Kumar 2), Lizzy Caplan (TV’s Party Down), Clark Duke (Sex Drive), Chevy Chase (Stay Cool), Sebastian Stan (The Covenant), Crispin Glover (Like Mike), Craig Robinson (Zack and Miri Make A Porno)
WHAT IS IT?: A comedy about a group of friends that enter a hot tub in the year 2010 and end up in the 80’s, giving them a chance to change their own futures.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The trailer is hilarious, the cast is hilarious, the concept is hilarious and the best thing is, the film is going to be rated R.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: It could be a case of a film where all the funny bits are in trailer. However with the comedic pedigree behind it, I would be very surprised.
7: COP OUT
DIRECTED BY?: Kevin Smith (Dogma)
WHO’S IN IT?: Bruce Willis (Colour of Night), Tracy Morgan (TV’s 30 Rock), Michelle Trachtenberg (17 Again), Adam Brody (The Ten), Sean William Scott (Role Models)
WHAT IS IT?: A buddy cop comedy about a veteran NYPD cop trying to track down his rare baseball card when it is stolen.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Its Kevin Smith, and if you’re a Kevin Smith fanatic such as myself you have been reading his tweets and listening to his podcasts, and he would have convinced you that this film will be hilarious already.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: The trailer has a scary Hollywood Homicide vibe which doesn’t bode well. Kevin Smith didn’t write the script on this one, which is a first for him, and frankly no one watches a Kevin Smith film for his amazing directing. Another worrying sign is Kevin Smith’s admission that he has been stoned ever since the release of Zack and Miri, if I can’t drive a car stoned, should have Kevin Smith been allowed to direct a $40 million action comedy film stoned? But, in Kevin Smith we trust, so ill be first in line.
6: TANGLED
DIRECTED BY?: Nathan Greno (Super Rhino*), Byron Howard (Bolt)
*yeah I don’t know either
WHO’S IN IT?: Mandy Moore (Saved!), Zachary Levi (TV’s Chuck), David Schwimmer (The Pallbearer)
WHAT IS IT?: Disney’s first 3D animated theatrically released adaptation of a fairytale. Based on the story of Rapunzel, but with a comedic and action based slant.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: As a lover of animation, you have to stand up and pay attention to Disney’s yearly offerings. Tangled is of particular interest as it is pioneering a new style of animation that is said to blend 3D animation with the style of 2D animation. The artwork released so far, looks beautiful and unique.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Byron Howard’s last effort Bolt was kind of lame. Hopefully his second time out of the gate will be more successful.
5: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART ONE
DIRECTED BY?: David Yates (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
WHO’S IN IT?: Daniel Radcliff (December Boys), Emma Watson (The Tale of Despereaux), Rupert Grint (Thunderpants) and every other working British actor in England.
WHAT IS IT?: The first half of the final chapter in the Harry Potter saga.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The producers kindly decided to split the final film in two to ensure that they could leave every last detail in from the epic book. I have grown up with these films and it has been fascinating seeing these characters grow up.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: The gap between the two halves of this film will be excruciating. In the end however we will have a superior version of this story sitting on our DVD shelves so that’s a consolation.
4: THE LAST AIRBENDER
DIRECTED BY?: M Night Shyamalan
WHO’S IN IT?: Noah Ringer, Jackson Rathbone (Twilight New Moon), Shaun Toub (Iron Man), Cliff Curtis (Sunshine), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)
WHAT IS IT?: The adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon animated series. It is set in a world divided into four tribes, Fire, Water, Air and Earth. The populace of each tribe can control their given element. When the Fire tribe starts on the warpath, the only person that can save the world is a young boy who can control all four elements.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The animated series was phenomenal, with truly memorable characters and a fantastic story. If the movie can replicate the feel of the series, it could wind up being an adventure classic.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: M Night Shyamalan has been on a terrible directing streak lately, he manages to keep outdoing his own awfulness. His decision to cast white actors in all the lead roles betrays the multicultural feel of the series which isn’t a good start. The trailer was also devoid of humour, which was definitely a strong point of the series. That all said, the trailer still made me a bit giddy, the action and effects are all top notch, so I still have hope.
3: TOY STORY 3
DIRECTED BY?: Lee Unkrich (Monster’s Inc)
WHO’S IN IT?: Tim Allen (The Santa Clause), Tom Hanks (Castaway), Joan Cusack (War Inc), Bonnie Hunt (Cheaper By The Dozen), Michael Keaten (Jack Frost), Timothy Dalton (Looney Tunes: Back In Action)
WHAT IS IT?: The third outing in the Toy Story series, this time centring on the toys as they are donated to a child care centre.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Ignore Cars and Pixar have a spotless record. The Toy Story films in particular have been standouts at the studio. The film has a lot to look up to, and I have a feeling it will pass with flying colours. Plus it was just revealed that a stuffed toy version of Totoro is a character in the film!
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Can’t think of much. Maybe Pixar will explode before the films release, other than that, this film will be pretty much untouchable.
2: KARIGURASHI NO ARRIETTY
DIRECTED BY?: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
WHO’S IN IT?: No one confirmed as yet
WHAT IS IT?: Studio Ghibli’s newest animated epic. Based on the story The Borrowers, but with the action being moved to Japan instead of England. The story centres on a village of little people who create their world using objects they borrow from normal size people.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: Apart from Pixar, Studio Ghibli is the only other production company currently in existence that releases nothing but quality films. All that you need to know if that it is one of their films, the sumptuous production art and the fact that Hayao Miyazaki is personally animating the film is just icing on the cake.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: Miyazaki isn’t directing, but it shouldn’t be an issue, if you need a reminder of that watch Whisper of the Heart, Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko…
1: KICK ASS
DIRECTED BY?: Matthew Vaughn (Stardust)
WHO’S IN IT?: Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy), Nicholas Cage (Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans), Clark Duke (TV’s Greek), Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer) Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes)
WHAT IS IT?: Based on the comic book series about a bunch of normal kids, adults and teenagers who decide to put on tights and become superheroes, despite their lack of superpowers.
WHY AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?: The comic book is hilarious, smart, action packed, violent, crass and completely entertaining. The trailer and early buzz from those who have seen it confirm that this is an extremely faithful adaptation. Plus the movie will be out before the first run of comics, so the movie will be the first time the fans will get to see the end of the story.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?: According to everyone lucky enough to have seen the advanced screenings, nothing!
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