Seven Movies to Look forward to in 2009
Here are seven films worth checking out this year.
Mar 31, 2009
Terminator Salvation
Even before Christian Bale’s legendary on set freak out Terminator Salvation was getting a lot of buzz. The fourth installment in the Terminator franchise follows John Connor, a soldier who is destined to become the leader of the human resistance to Skynet (an artificial intelligence system that turns against its human creators). This film is sure to attract hardcore action fans and drama buffs alike as Christian Bale remains arguably the best actor of his generation.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Harry Potter gang returns in July for the long anticipated sixth film. Fans have been getting restless since the original release date for the Half-Blood Prince was December 2008, and has been pushed back a few times too many. Despite the wait HBP could very well be the best Harry Potter film yet, as the three main actors have been steadily improving and the subject matter is far darker than in previous installments. David Yates directs again, which is extremely promising. Unfortunately Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who has a knack of leaving out key details and thoroughly annoying wizardry fans, returns to pen the screenplay.
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea has already been favorably compared to beloved Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro, and is directed by renowned Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows a mermaid determined to become human, who befriends a boy who lives on a seaside cliff. Though the story bears some resemblance a certain Disney classic, audiences can be sure that Miyazaki will take it in a much more imaginative and visually inspired direction. However, with a Jonas brother and a Cyrus playing the leads in the English edition it is probably advisable to catch the original Japanese version.
Where the Wild Things Are
Spike Jones adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s boasts a cast of incredible actors including Tom Hanks, Catherine O’Hara and Mark Ruffalo. The film combines actors in massive Styrofoam suits with CGI, live action, and animatronics and the trailer looks pretty awesome. Any adaptation of such a beloved piece of children’s literature will definitely inspire mixed reactions, and there are already rumours that Warner Bros. Studio was canning Spike Jones’s version and commissioning and entire re-shoot. Going by the trailer Where the Wild Things Are looks both true to Sendak’s classic, as well as startlingly original. If the monsters are portrayed as gentle and wise and the film doesn’t stray into cutesy pop culture territory it could be very good.
Nine
Daniel Day-Lewis stars in this film about Guido Contini, a successful director facing his fortieth birthday. Contini soon finds himself in the midst of a powerful mid-life crisis, and entangled in various relationships with a string of beautiful women.
It’s about time for the return of the Hollywood musical, and though the plot sounds somewhat chauvinistically contrived, with Rob Marshall (Chicago) at the helm and a string of famous names attached, including Oscar winners Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren, it is a good bet that Nine will be a hit.
The Lovely Bones
There are a few hit novels being adapted for the screen this year including Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper. But with Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) in the role of murdered protagonist Susie Salmon, The Lovely Bones (adapted from the novel by Alice Sebold) is sure to steal audience attention. The subject matter combining adolescent fantasy and murderous overtones is reminiscent of director Peter Jackson’s critically lauded Heavenly Creatures, and The Lovely Bones could prove to be equally haunting.
New Moon
What teenage girl can resist the lure of more sparkling pecks, meaningful glances, and heartthrobs with sharp teeth? Rumour has it that Robert Pattinson’s hair will be granted its own credit in New Moon, the sequel to the massive hit Twilight. Melissa Rosenberg returns to write the cheesiest dialogue ever for star-crossed lovers Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. And as if sexy vampires weren’t enough New Moon throws a werewolf into the mix to test Bella’s loyalty to the glittery fanged ones.
