For those of you who spent several months anticipating Watchmen, life must seem pretty dull now. Unless of course you have a modicum of self-control, and you’ve decided you’ll wait till it makes its proper debut, in which case, I’ll meet you with the popcorn. In the meantime, I hate to be cruel, but really, I think you could use a little more anticipation. Here are a couple of other movies to look forward to in 2009.
Coraline:
Directed by: Henry Selick
Starring: Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones
Release Date: February 6, 2009
With its vivid stop-motion animation Coraline is a film that’s both visually stunning and wondrously entertaining. Based on Neil Gaiman’s beloved novel for children, it tells the tale of a young girl who walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate and seemingly improved version of her life, complete with a mother much like her own. All is not cakes and carnivals for Coraline, though, and the black buttons that have replaced the eyes of these otherworldly imitations hint at darker intentions. Selick’s (The Nightmare before Christmas) Coraline has been hailed by critics as “beautiful, nicely creepy, and all-around fantastic.”
X-MEN Origins: Wolverine
Directed by: Gavin Hood
Starring: Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
Release Date: May 1, 2009
Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar – as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. Leading up to the events of X-MEN, X-MEN Origins: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film series have long been anticipated.
Angels & Demons
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon and Ewan McGregor as Carlo Ventresca
Release Date: May 15, 2009
When Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati – the most powerful underground organization in history – he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization’s most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. When Langdon learns that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, he jets to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican’s only hope for survival.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Directed by: Michael Bay
Starring: Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky
Release Date: June 24, 2009
Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Star Trek XI
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine as Kirk, Eric Bana as Nero and Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson
Release Date: May 8, 2009
J.J. Abrams, hailed as the genius behind television’s Lost, directs a stellar cast in the newest prequel. Set before “The Original Series,” Kirk and Spock are newly graduated Cadets, still fresh from Starfleet Academy. Sent on their first space mission, mayhem and high adventure predictably ensue.
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