Summer Blockbusters 2008
 

Okay, so we might be well into spring and still catching up with last year's fantastic crop of sleeper sensations, but summer is so close you can smell the popcorn roasting.

Things officially kick off in May, and we're just over a month away. Here are the 10 biggest blockbusters-to-be this season, the films you need to watch on the big screen. Prepare for lift-off:



1. Iron Man

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Director: John Favreau
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard
Release Date: May 2

Honestly, it's hard to think of anyone better suited to play Richard Stark, the egotistical millionaire drunk and playboy who also happens to be the crimefighting Iron Man, a character Marvel Comics originally modelled after Howard Hughes.

One of the most intriguing and flawed heroes in the Marvel canon, this movie has been a long time coming. And, thanks to Downey Jr in the lead, it looks like it'll be worth the wait. At least the trailers look incredible.



2. Speed Racer

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Directors: The Wachowski Brothers
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox
Release Date: May 9

Okay, so the original was a bizarrely immature and rather cheesy animated series -- a guilty pleasure, at best, now only for the nostalgic. However, when Andy and Larry Wachowski of The Matrix say they are going to redefine cinema visually with a new constant-focus technique, you jolly well stand in line and prepare to gape.



3. The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Adventures Of Prince Caspian

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Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley
Release Date: May 16

Disney seems to have hit upon quite the meal-ticket in CS Lewis' superb saga, and Caspian is a great story for children of all ages. Adamson, who did deftly with the first film, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, reprises his role as do pretty much the entire cast. All seems to be well.



4. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

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Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf, Cate Blanchett
Release Date: May 23

Tan-ta-ta-ta-dan-tan-tan! Can't you hear that theme music ringing in your ears just as you read the words 'Indiana Jones?'

Yup, the world's studliest archeologist is back, hat and all. Also holding on tight to the director's hat is Spielberg, who's never once let this franchise out of his sight.

All good signs, plus the fact that nobody quite knows what the plot is yet -- there are glorious rumours, however, that it involves the Ark Of The Covenant, thus coming full circle.

As Indy'd say, hold on for the ride.




5. The Incredible Hulk

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Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler
Release Date: June 13

Okay, I'll admit it. The opening trailer looks pretty sad.

Then again we have Tim Roth in it, as well as a serious enemy for The Hulk in The Abomination, which will doubtlessly make up for the big green giant toying with attack dogs in that embarrassing Ang Lee film.

The film's climax apparently involves a 26-minute war between the two giants. Just what we need, some predictably fun and spectacular green cheese. Bring it on.

The only ones I'm interested in seeing are Narnia and Indiana Jones.

6. Wall-E

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Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Ben Burtt, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Release Date: June 27

Honestly, this could be Pixar's biggest success yet. There isn't one person I've heard of who hasn't been completely bowled over by the trailers, and there is tremendous industry buzz about this lovable robot film that works almost without using language!

Imagine the global box office possibilities of this squeaky and irresistible bunch as they zip across space and find love. It's taken Stanton ages to make but since we loved his Finding Nemo five years ago, we're betting on this one big time.



7. Wanted

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Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Stars: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie
Release Date: June 27

First off, it's spun off from a fantastic Mark Millar graphic novel. It's foulmouthed and really, really dark and, in short, just what we'd like to see McAvoy in after The Last King Of Scotland and Atonement.

Timur is an extremely talented Russian filmmaker making his English debut and while having Morgan Freeman back in the guide role -- albeit here doling out assassination lessons -- scares us a bit, lets hope for the best. And the bloodiest.



8. Hellboy II: The Golden Army

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Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones
Release Date: July 11

What, you need to know why this is such a big deal? Well, because between this one and the first insanely loyal Hellboy adaptation, del Toro directed the jawdroppingly incredible Pan's Labyrinth.

His partner in crime, cinematographer Guillermo Arriaga has been consistently by his side throughout, and Ron Perlman makes for the most perfect bit of comic-book casting ever. If you love the Mike Mignola graphic novels -- and you should, really -- then stay tuned for this one.



9. The Dark Knight

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Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
Release Date: July 18

Um. Christian Bale is back! Heath Ledger stars as The Joker. Everyone should watch...think I said enough.



10. Untitled X-Files Sequel

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Director: Chris Carter
Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson
Release Date: July 25

Yup, another memorable theme tune. We'd almost forgotten that repetitive skeptic-versus-believer FBI duo though, but ever since David Duchovny's madcap turn in the constantly shocking TV series Californication, we're warming up to the idea of this sequel.

The good thing is that it's supposed to be a stand alone story, and -- I have this crucial fact on very high authority -- bees do not feature. Yay.

So...which stunner will you be excited about?




Source - rediff.com

looking forward to ironman, batman, and maybe the hellboy sequel.


not too pumped on any of the others

Can't wait for Dark Knight and X-Files!

I'm way too stoked for Hellboy and the golden Army. The new X-files movie sounds good too but apprently it's not about UFOs or aliens and that's just not right. Indiana Jones looks okayy.

Being the big fan of Robert Downey Jr. that I am, I just can't wait for Iron Man. :D And also Dark Knight and Hellboy II.

I am somewhat interested in The Incredible Hulk, The X Files and Prince Caspian as well. And I know I will see the Indiana Jones film. The others I am not too sure about.

Looks like this will be a good year for film! The iron man looks interesting, as they haven't opted for the best looking candidate, but the one who looks the most true to the comic which seems to be quite rare in any page to film adaptation.

Iron Man is going to be the shit.
Harrison Ford looks incredibly good for his age. (at least from what ive seen on IMDB)
new Indiana Jones should be good

I can't wait for Indiana Jones, Hellboy, The Dark Knight, and X Files.


The rest seem mildly interesting.