2010 - The films to look forward to

[_____V_____]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 1

In the first of the two-part movie adaptation of J K Rowling's seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, the young wizard returns with best friends Ron and Hermione in tow seeking the elusive Horcruxes, linked with the destruction of his ultimate nemesis, Lord Voldemort.

Director David Yates, who helmed the previous Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince is in charge of the final installment, which is split in two films owing to its lengthy chapters as well an eye for multiple profit, lending the fantasy its characteristically escalating dark theme.


Iron Man 2

Fresh off playing Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr shows us his true mettle (or metal, if you please) as a billionaire cum superhero in the latest sequel to Iron Man.

While The Wrestler's Mickey Rourke signs up to play a comic-book villain, namely Whiplash in a cast featuring the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johannson and Don Cheadle, Iron Man 2 is already drawing enough attention to promise a bumper opening.

The plot is said to go something like this: Now that Tony Stark's Iron Man status is out in the open, his super-powered technology is eyed by many a power-hungry miscreants. How he doesn't let the baddies have their way is what this film is all about.


Shutter Island

Based on Dennis Lehane's novel, whose earlier work Mystic River was adapted into an Oscar-winning film by Clint Eastwood, Shutter Island is a crazy jigsaw of deceit and mystery set in the 1950s.

A US Marshal is send to a Boston asylum to investigate the disappearance of a patient with a criminal past only to discover there's more to the claustrophobic hospital and its horrific workings than meets the eye.

A Martin Scorsese film is enough to get our curious side up. Plus, it stars his recurring favourite Leonardo DiCaprio. The two have previously collaborated on three projects Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed.


Inception

Christopher Nolan takes a break from Batman's suit to construct a Matrix-like scenario where mind is the 'architecture' and 'scene of crime' and an idea is the 'most resilient parasite'. Though not much is revealed in Inception's ambiguous trailer, there's enough to grab your attention.

Again, starring DiCaprio, the man has quite a few aces up his sleeve this year, the upcoming sci-fi drama features him as a businessman engaging in mind games of the uncanny kind.

Going by Nolan's past record, it's usually a case of as good as it gets.


Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton doesn't do conventional. Then again Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass is not your regular fairy tale. Even if Disney's cutesy animated version has psyched us into believing just that.

The masterful filmmaker twists and bends the stereotypes, employing animation and live-action, to present his trademark take of its spirited heroine and her run-ins with some truly whimsical characters.

And when Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter, Anne Hathway as The White Queen, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, Michael Sheen as White Rabbit, Stephen Fry as Cheshire Cat and Alan Rickman as Caterpillar join the party, it's going to be one hell of an adventure.


The Twilight saga: Eclipse

Bella and Edward return to romance in the latest Twlight vehicle, Eclipse.

While Twlight was mostly harmless fun, New Moon ushered in utter disappointment, box office notwithstanding. Even as the insanely popular Stephanie Meyer novels about two star-crossed lovers a vampire and a mortal continues to rake in the moolah, its big screen version has made international heartthrobs out of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

The question now is will Bella give up her human ways and marry Edward to adopt a bloodsucker's lifestyle? And what about her unresolved feelings for Jacob, a werewolf with a softie's heart and rollicking six-packs? Superficial and soppy but oh-so-sexy, that's the world of Twilight for you.


Shrek Forever After

First: He rescued the princess.

Second: He turned Prince Charming.

Third: He became dad to triplets.

The lovable green ogre is at it again. Aching to get back to his ogre ways, he signs a pact with Rumpelstiltskin only to realise he's been tricked. Now the world is something else where Fiona and he haven't even met and Donkey doesn't have a clue. Knowing Shrek, he'll set things back in order and the scheming goblin will meet a befitting fate.

Realising it's no good to stretch a good thing for too long, Shrek Forever After is the fourth and final film in the series.


The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Unhappy by the underperformance of Prince Caspian, Walt Disney Pictures passed on the distribution rights of the third film in the Narnia series, 20th Century Fox.

Director Andrew Adamson doesn't return to direct either instead The World is Not Enough's Michael Apted pitches in to do the needful.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader explores new adventures by The Pevenie kids Edmund and Lucy, along with their cousin Eustace after they are magically transported onto an enchanted Narnian ship.

So far the Narnia films have retained the clarity and spirit of C S Lewis' vividly told stories. Hopefully, the new one will too.


Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Video games-turned-films can be a tricky proposition. Either they are an instant hit like Lara Croft or duds like Max Payne.

And now, Ubisoft's widely-played Prince of Persia comes to life on celluloid with Brokeback Mountain's Jake Gyllenhaal portraying its swashbuckling hero, Dastan. In an Aladdinesque brand of twist, a courageous Dastan joins forces with a Princess to protect Sands of Time, a mystical gift of the Gods that empowers its possessor with the ability to turn back time from the cunning Nizam, played by Ben Kingsley.

Considering filmmaker Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire) is the creative force behind its aesthetics and assertions, Prince of Persia should make for an engaging experience.


Robin Hood

All rise, the gladiators are back! Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott team up for another adrenalin-packed action adventure to film the legendary character from English folklore, Robin Hood.

What's he going to do? The usual. Rescue his village from the tyrants, rob the rich and serve the poor while serenading a radiant Cate Blanchett

It should be interesting to see the Oscar-winning actor in a role previously essayed by Errol Flynn and Kevin Costner to name a few, as the witty, valiant and sharp warrior kicking butt like only he can.

[roshiq]

Shutter Island
Inception
Iron Man 2
A Nightmare on Elm Street Remake
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

[bwind22]

You forgot Legion. That looks fuckin' wicked!

[cheebacheeba]

and that one with Denzel Washington

[jenna26]

and that one with Denzel Washington

Unstoppable? Parts of that one were filmed near where I live.....though that is probably not even remotely interesting to anyone but me and those that live close to the area.....;)

Definitely looking forward to Shutter Island, Iron Man 2 and the last two Harry Potter films.
Hadn't even heard about Robin Hood. Could be pretty good, I suppose.

[bloody_ribcut]

book of eli and Legion.

[Elvis_Christ]

Not looking forward to any of the shit mentioned so far with the exception of the new Elm St flick.

Amped on the release of Valhalla Rising which is at the end of the month I believe.

[ferretchucker]

Yeah, Elm Street should be good. Lookin at the action figure of him released though, he's...different. Still very much creepy and a lot more realistic. But not very...freddy. Still, I'm glad they're trying new things.

[The Mothman]

all im looking forward to.
http://moviechopshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/expendables_poster.jpg

[The Mothman]

Oh2zSRQipuU

[Elvis_Christ]

Fuck yeh forgot about that one. Not really a fan of Statham or Li but it should be a dope watch anyways.

[kangas]

Book of Eli for sure.
Legion looks cool but I think it's gonna be weak.
The Expendables should be some crazy fun.

[newb]

Fuck yeh forgot about that one. Not really a fan of Statham or Li but it should be a dope watch anyways.

how can you not be a fan of Statham....he's so likable.

[The_Return]

Don't forget about The Wolfman remake!

[Elvis_Christ]

how can you not be a fan of Statham....he's so likable.

I think having to sit thru Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels about a million times during the late 90s was one reason. I just don't buy him as a action hero. I'm still stuck in 80s :)

I hate how he knocks off Eastwood's clenched teeth delivery.

[_____V_____]

The Book Of Eli (Jan. 15)

What it's about: The world ended decades ago, and now Eli (Denzel Washington) is the last guardian of a special book that could save the human race. But Gary Oldman wants it too, and he's got a rocket launcher, among other things.

Why we're pumped: We haven't seen a really fun post-apocalyptic action movie — without zombies — in ages. And the Hughes Brothers, who gave us Menace 2 Society, do know how to create great action set pieces. The gritty look of this film's wasteland is pretty compelling, and this could be the film we were hoping Terminator Salvation and 9 would deliver.


The Lovely Bones (Jan. 15)

What it's about: Peter Jackson adapts Alice Sebold's novel about a young girl who gets murdered by a pedophile, and then finds herself in a kind of purgatory.

Why we're pumped: Our early review, from horror/SF writer John Shirley, praised this movie's mixture of surrealism and suspense. Dali meets Hitchcock, from the man who made a Lord Of The Rings adaptation work — what's not to be excited about?


Legion (Jan. 22)

What it's about: A group of humans under siege in a truckstop discover their attackers are angels, sent to destroy one pregnant woman whose child has a huge destiny. Only one fallen angel (Paul Bettany) can save them all.

Why we're pumped: Maybe we're just in the throes of Supernatural withdrawal, but this story of morally compromised angels and Armageddon seems like perfect cheesy fun. The clips we've seen so far are pleasingly violent, and supernatural mayhem in a truckstop seems like a recipe for good times.


The Wolfman (Feb. 12)

What it's about: Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins star in this revival of Universal's monster movie franchise, about a man who becomes... wait for it... a wolf.

Why we're pumped: Well, it's got to be better than Jack Nicholson. Actually, the trailer was pretty thrilling and promised some old-school horror schlock. The reshoots may actually have helped to give the film more of an edge. And Anthony Hopkins is playing Malcolm McDowell! So why not?


The Crazies (Feb. 26)

What it's about: Did you know they were remaking George Romero's 1970s classic about a town of people infected with a disease that makes them go nuts? The military decides to barricade everyone in the town, and craziness ensues.

Why we're pumped: The trailer is actually pretty fantastic, and the stills do look pretty batshit. And apparently it's about the American Dream gone wrong. Oh whatever, there will be small-town people hacking each other to pieces.


Hot Tub Time Machine ( March 19)

What it's about: A gaggle of middle-aged guys (including John Cusack and the Daily Show's Rob Corddry) discover that their hot tub is really a time machine that lets them go back to their party-boy youth in the 1980s and do it all over again. Or something.

Why we're pumped: We talked to Cusack about this film, and it sounded like he and his costars had a lot of fun doing improv and writing the script as they went along. And you know, every time Corddry got in a hot tub or got immersed in any type of liquids on The Daily Show, it was funny.


Repo Men (April 2)

What it's about: As we mentioned, this one was filmed a while ago and put on ice, until Repo Man director Alex Cox decided to do his own spin-off, Repo Chick. But it's not actually connected to Repo Man at all — it's a movie version ofa novel, Repossession Mambo, about a future where your artificial organs get yanked out if you don't keep up with your payments.

Why we're pumped: The original novel, by Eric Garcia, got a rave review over at SFSignal. The recently released redband trailer was fun, and it's got Jude Law ripping your organs out.


Kick-Ass (April 16)

What it's about: Mark Millar's brutal comic about what superheroes would really be like gets a faithful adaptation from Matthew Vaughn (Stardust) featuring Nic Cage as a psycho version of Batman who pumps bullets into his 11-year-old girl, Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz).

Why we're pumped: Given how many comic-book movies feel neutered or sanitized, it's hard not to feel a bit thrilled at the prospect of a film that brings the wrongness. And each still or trailer has just increased our anticipation for this movie's ultra-violence and Millar's trademark snarky misanthropy.


A Nightmare On Elm Street (April 30)

What it's about: Jackie Earle Haley stars as Freddie Krueger, the serial killer with the knife-glove, who kills people in their dreams, resulting in their deaths in real life. This is another film that's been having a ton of reshoots, and there are rumors it's a bit troubled.

Why we're pumped: Haley was pretty great as Rorschach in Watchmen, and we're always game to see him play another psychopath.


Jonah Hex (June 18)

What it's about: A gunslinger in the old West battles supernatural evil, based loosely on the DC Comics series.

Why we're pumped: We were startled by how exciting our glimpse of this film at Comic Con turned out to be — the footage was frenetic and surreal, with vampires bursting out of the Earth and Jonah Hex barfing up a crow. We were left wanting much more, to our amazement.


Toy Story 3 (June 18)

What it's about: The long-awaited third installment in the series about sentient playthings picks up when the toys' owner goes off to college — and not all of the toys are going to get to stay.

Why we're pumped: The first two films were nearly flawless and built up a great mythology of the toys' metafictional universes. And we're dying for more Buzz Lightyear catch phrases.


The Last Airbender (July 2)

What it's about: M. Night Shyamalan adapts the super-popular animated series about Aang, who has power over the element of air and tries to save his world from the warlike Fire Nation.

Why we're pumped: We loved the animated series, and our visit to this film's set was pretty encouraging. Shyamalan has long since used up his last dregs of good will, but at least this time he's working with great source material, and he seems to be taking it seriously. And maybe a change of pace is what he's needed.


Despicable Me (July 9)

What it's about: Steve Carrell voices the supervillain Gru, who wants to remain the worst evildoer on Earth. (This is actually just one of two animated supervillain movies coming out this year, with the other one, Megamind, coming out towards the end of the year and starring Will Ferrell.)

Why we're pumped: Carrell seems like a good choice to play a bumbling supervillain, and the trailer contains lots of superheroic slapstick. Could be fun. At least it's not Ferrell.


Predators (July 9)

What it's about: Producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimrod Antal relaunch the series about aliens who hunt humans for sport, this time on an alien planet where a few humans are kidnapped and forced to fight for their lives.

Why we're pumped: If anybody can make Predators cool again, it's the man who gave us Planet Terror. This is based on the Predator script Rodriguez wrote years ago, so it's a passion project for him. And yet, the casting of Adrien Brody and Topher Grace makes us very, very nervous.


Priest (August 20)

What it's about: Paul Bettany, our new go-to guy for supernatural action, stars in an adaptation of the TokyoPop comic set in a world where vampires and humans have been at war for decades. Bettany is a warrior priest who defies orders and goes after some vampires who have kidnapped his niece.

Why we're pumped: It's got post-apocalyptic violence, deadly vampires, and Bettany inflicting more supernatural violence. Plus what we saw of the comic was pretty great.


Red Dawn (November 24)

What it's about: Chinese and Russian troops attack a small town in America, and the town's teenagers are the only ones who can mount a defense, in this remake of the 1980s classic.

Why we're pumped: It's a weird mixture of apocalyptic and alternate history, but this film's early photos showing the American town plastered with scary signs in Chinese and Russian got us all pumped.


Tron Legacy (December 17)

What it's about: Disney finally makes a sequel to the 1980s video-game classic, and Jeff Bridges is back, playing his original character as well as a (possibly evil) computerized version.

Why we're pumped:The new footage of lightcycles at Comic Con 2008 blew our brains out, and every glimpse since then has just gotten us more stoked. And Bridges seems to be one of those actors who really does make everything he's in better, so two versions of Bridges seems like a good bet.


The Green Hornet (December 22)

What it's about: Another troubled production, this adaptation of the classic radio and TV superhero serial lost its director and co-star Stephen Chow. Seth Rogen's still on board playing the newspaperman whose super-sidekick is more famous than he is.

Why we're pumped: Really only one reason: Michel Gondry. The director of some of our favorite films of the past decade stepped in to replace Chow, and this instantly flew to the top of our must-see list, even if Gondry hadn't sealed the deal by rapping about it.

[Ferox13]

Shite...

The Road - Ninja Assassin and Daybreakers all opened yesterday and I was so looking forward to at least a doule bill with a bag of cans but I'm snowed in and can't get to town..

[ChronoGrl]

Just saw an ad for...


Piranha 3-D (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464154/)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Chronogrl/piranhatease.jpg


http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16371&count=0


I really hope that it's as much fun as My Bloody Valentine 3-D was. I'm kinda geeking out over this. It might be delightfully horrible.

[bwind22]

I'll say it again... I can't wait for Legion... It just looks badass.

[bwind22]

A quick search of imdb reveals 480 horror films scheduled for release in 2010. A quick scan of the list found some interesting titles....

Nightmare on Elm St (remake)
Hatchet 2
Friday the 13th 2
House of Re-Animator
LA Gothic (Yeah!)
Pet Sematary (remake)
Pirahna 3D
Saw 7
Scream 4
Strangers 2
World War Z

[ChronoGrl]

I'll say it again... I can't wait for Legion... It just looks badass.

Definitely psyched about that one, too.

I'm bummed; my boyfriend is going with HIS friends to see it, and I don't have friends that are interested... bwind - Will you be my date? ;)

[Freak]

Legion is probably the one I'm most psyched about.

Then after that there's Kick-Ass and The Wolfman.

[Elvis_Christ]

House of Re-Animator


Didn't that get canned?

[bwind22]

Quite possibly. imdb has The Evil Dead remake listed for 2010 release too so the list is probably not all that accurate.

[iSeymore]

and that one with Denzel Washington
@ Cheebacheeba: Yes, "The Book of Eli" does look awesome, I also like the fact that Denzel Washington has teamed up with Actress; Mila Kunis aswell, She played Jackie Burkhart from "That 70s Show" on FOX television.
@ Topic: I'm looking forward to "A Nightmare on Elm street" remake; nothing else.

[FreddyMyers]

remakes, 2's, 3D's, 4's and 7's. Id like to see something original. seem like remakes and sequels of remakes are the big thing in hollywood.

[_____V_____]

Clash of the Titans

Release Dates: March 26 (US and UK), April 30 (AU)

Three words: Release the kraken.

Gone are Harry Hamlin's loin cloth and Pantene-Plus hair, and in its stead is Sam Worthington wielding a sword at CG Medusas, scorpions and the aforementioned sea beast straight from Poseidon.

Director Louis Leterrier follows up his above-average The Incredible Hulk reboot with this uber-expensive remake of the 1980s fantasy epic. The trailer is all sorts of flashety flash cutting between set pieces and more set pieces, so the verdict is still out on whether or not this movie will deliver on story. But 300 fans and fans of the original film should be entertained to see Titans get a 21st Century remake treatment. Liam Neeson's Zeus squares off opposite Ralph Finnes' Hades, and Worthington gets his third shot at blockbuster leading man status.

A lot is riding on this March release to deliver.



The Expendables

Release Dates: August 13 (US), TBD (UK & AU)

No, this isn't a remake of the obscure Vietnam War film. The Expendables is a tribute to every cheesy action movie the '80s ever gave birth to. The plot, such as it is, sees a team of trigger-happy soldiers sent to oust a South American dictator. In true B-movie fashion, a few good men and a lot of explosions are all that's necessary to fight off hordes of faceless bad guys.

The premise may be simple, but the casting is where things get really interesting. Sylvester Stallone directs and stars in The Expendables. Joining him are a Who's Who of action movie giants, including Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Micky Rourke, Bruce Willis, and even the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. How could you not want to see a movie with those names attached?

If you need a testosterone boost this summer, we bet The Expendables will send you to the emergency room with a serious overdose.



Let Me In

Release Dates: TBD (all)

Remaking one of the best vampire movies ever made can go one of two ways: Good or downright awful. Such is the task facing Cloverfield director Matt Reeves in his American remake of Let the Right One In.

The movie stars Hit Girl Chloë Moretz as the tween vamp The Road's Kodi Smit-McPhee befriends in his apartment complex. Richard Jenkins plays the girl's keeper/father figure, and anyone who has seen the original knows it doesn't end well for him. We're not sure how exactly this remake will stack up, or how it could top the original's most satisfying (and bloody) finale. Like we said, this movie could turn out one of two ways and we hope the end result doesn't put Reeves in movie jail.



The Losers

Release Dates: April 9 (US & UK), TBD (AU)

2008 basically spoiled us when it comes to comic book and superhero movies. That one summer gave us Wanted, Hellboy II, and The Dark Knight. Hancock, too, but we won't hold it against 2008. While 2010 may have fewer big-name superhero movies, there are plenty of interesting comic book adaptations slated for release.

The Losers is one such project. Based on Andy Diggle's mature-readers re-imagining of the classic DC series, The Losers is a story about the titular band of CIA operatives. After getting screwed over during a mission in Bolivia, they return home gunning for some serious payback.

The cast is full of recognizable comic book movie names, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen), Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), and Idris Elba (Thor). If the film captures the special blend of revenge, violent action, and The Usual Suspects-esque mystery, fans and newcomers alike should have a lot to love.



Machete

Release Dates: TBD (all)

Danny Trejo. Swings from window to window. Using another man's entrails. Did we really, really expect anything less from Robert Rodriguez's movie, based on the Grindhouse fake trailer?

As if the plot for this movie really matters to those that will see it eleventy times: Machete is wronged by a crooked politician (played by Robert Frakkin' DeNiro) and that wrong's got to be righted using lots of bullets and machetes and intestinal Tarzan-ing from building to building. Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba add some eye candy to the mayhem. We're pretty sure Machete is now our Constant. If any movie was made for the peeps, then this be it.



Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Release Dates: TBD (all)

No guy enjoys meeting his lady's ex-boyfriends. But Scott Pilgrim has made it his life's mission to track down each of the seven men who dated the current apple of his eye, Ramona Flowers. Only by defeating these evil ex-boyfriends in combat can Scott truly lay claim to Ramona's heart.

As if it weren't apparent already, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is no ordinary comedy starring twenty-something slackers. For one thing, the film is directed by Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright. For another, it features several high-energy animated sequences to replicate the zany nature of the graphic novels. Michael Cera plays Scott and Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Ramona. Our only fear is whether Cera can display a greater range than he's shown in his past roles. Scott Pilgrim is no George-Michael Bluth, after all. Still, we're eagerly looking forward to Scott's late-summer release.

[Zero]

iron man 2 looks fun