10 Most Anticipated Films of 2009

I feel like it is safe for me to do this post now, even though we are almost into the 3rd month of 2009. That's basically because there has been nothing I have eagerly anticipated that has come out so far this year. Also, it is a safe time to do this because the first film on this list is coming out next week. The list is going in order of scheduled release (as of now), as opposed to how much I anticipate them by rank. I don't have the time or patience for that right now. Also, the movie has to have an announced release date to make the list. So, without further ado, here are my Most Anticipated Films of 2009:

1. WATCHMEN (3/6/09)
Directed by Zach Snyder, Starring Malin Ackerman, Billy Cudrup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley
First of all, this is one of my favorite books I've ever read. I am rereading it now to get ready for the movie, and I am really picking up on so much more subtext, and just really grasping the world more. I don't know if the movie will be for everyone because the story is so dark, and it is somewhat hard to tell from the previews. It is considerably darker than THE DARK KNIGHT, earning its R rating from what I've heard, but I love the story, and am so pumped to see it on the big screen. Though, after writing that, I feel like I am just shouting the exact same thing everyone else who wants to see this movie is shouting.

2. ADVENTURELAND (3/27/09)
Directed by Greg Mottola, Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Kristen Stewart
The first comedy I really want to see this year. It's about a kid who has to get a job for the summer, and winds up working at an amusement park. His bosses are Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. I love Bill Hader and think he is one of the funniest people around, so any movie where he is strongly featured in the previews immediately draws me to it. Kristen Wiig is also hysterical, and I feel like the two of them play off each other magically. Also, Kristen Stewart is quite attractive, so added bonus.

3. STAR TREK (5/8/09)
Directed by J.J. Abrams, Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, John Cho
Anything J.J. Abrams does is awesome these days, so that is definitely what drew me to this movie. I've never really been a fan of STAR TREK, which is mainly because I have never really committed the time to it. However, everything I have seen and heard about this movie makes me want to see it. I mean, the cast looks phenomenal, and the sci-fi action looks superb, so I am totally going to be there for this.

4. TERMINATOR SALVATION (5/21/09)
Directed by McG, Starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin
I like the first two TERMINATOR movies a lot, and the third one was alright, but this looks like something even better. It really only took Christian Bale's involvement for me to get interested in this, and I know I am not alone there. I don't even care about his recently leaked outburst on set, it just means he was that committed to the movie that he flipped out so much. I also love me some sweet sci-fi action, and this looks like it will definitely deliver.

5. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (6/24/09)
Directed by Michael Bay, Starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro
I expect nothing of substance in any way here. Like with the first movie, I really am in it to see giant transforming robots blow shit up. And word on the street has it that it will be even more abundant with this movie, so I am ready for some adrenaline charged action. Plus more kick ass robots.

6. PUBLIC ENEMIES (7/1/09)
Directed by Michael Mann, Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum
The only thing I need to know about this (and actually the only thing I do know) is that its a 30s gangster movie directed by Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, so it will kick ass.

7. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (7/17/09)
Directed by David Yates, Starring Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon
This is my second favorite HARRY POTTER book for starters. I am, however, a bit worried about Michael Gambon's increased presence as Dumbledore because I have not warmed up to his portrayal of the part. He is alright, but I just haven't believed him in the part so far, so we will see. Also I am eager to see all the Voldemort flashbacks, and the horcrux storyline.

8. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (8/21/09)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, B.J. Novack
Quentin Tarantino was my first favorite director, and this movie looks incredible. From what I have heard it will do for World War II movies what PULP FICTION did for crime drama. I don't know a lot, but the trailer looks sweet.

9. FANTASTIC MR. FOX (11/6/09)
Directed by Wes Anderson, Starring (voices of) George Clooney, Cate Blanchette, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzmann
This is the first animated feature done by Wes Anderson, who is one of my favorite directors. I am very interested to see if his very unique visual feel for live action will translate well into animation. The book is by Roald Dahl, who also did CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, so I am very eager to see this. I do wonder if Anderson will include his typical choice in music for this or do a straight score.


10. SHERLOCK HOLMES (12/25/09)
Directed by Guy Ritchie, Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Guy Ritchie is doing Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. as the title sleuth. I am very interested to see if Ritchie's visual flair in his modern crime movies will translate into this period movie. Also, the cast looks to be pretty amazing, in my opinion. Or at least the 3 I am familiar with excite me. So, we will see how it turns out on Christmas.

So, there you are. Some honorable mentions for me are I LOVE YOU, MAN, the Paul Rudd comedy where he is trying to find a best guy friend to be his best man in the wedding because all of his friends are his wife's lady friends; and AVATAR, the new James Cameron sci-fi epic that will be done in 3D, and is having its details kept very secret. So, we'll see how I feel as these come out through the year, starting next week with WATCHMEN.



Here endeth the lesson.