2008 was a monumental year for movies, and the question that we now all face is: Will there be a movie in 2009 that can top the colossus that was the Dark Knight? Well I’ve taken a look at the movies scheduled for the up-coming year and selected a handful that we should look forward to.
Watchmen (March 6): Set in an alternate 1985 America with the world ticking closer to an all-out nuclear war, a band of ex-superheroes once again join together to investigate the murder of one of their own. Based on Alan Moore’s landmark graphic novels.
Why it should be awesome: Potential apocalyptic nuclear war, slaughtering of superheroes and a government conspiracy? How is this movie not going to be awesome? As a fan of the graphic novel, I’m pumped. Zack Synder, director of both 300 and Dawn of the Dead, has directed the film and from the trailers it appears to be a visual masterpiece.
Terminator Salvation (May 22): Set in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale, The Dark Knight) is the man to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington, Rogue). Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final attack, Connor and Wright embark on a journey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations.
Why it should be awesome: With Salvation, there is the hope of ending the Terminator franchise with a bang. With big names such as Christian Bale and Helena Bonham Carter, it should be interesting, at least, to see what they come up with.
Up (May 29): By tying balloons to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner, Gigantic) sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the South American wilderness. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn’t alone on his journey, since Russell (Jordan Nagai), a wilderness explorer, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Why it should be awesome: A Pixar movie! Pixar has a long list of hits including Monsters Inc., A Bug’s Life, Cars, and the Incredibles. This promises to be an interesting addition to the monster company’s resume.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 17): As Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously, “This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince,” and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort’s dark past.
Why it should be awesome: It’ the 6th movie in the series, getting darker as it goes along. Already a popular series, it’ll be nice to see how close it will be to the books.
X-Men Origins:Wolverine (May 1): Chronicles the origins of the superhero known as Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
Why it should be awesome: Hopefully Gavin Hood is making the right choice with continuing the X-Men series; there’s certainly enough comics to keep the movies coming.
Public Enemies (July 1): The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
Why it should be awesome: A movie about gangsters? With Johnny Depp? It’s boasting a host of pretty big names and a gangster, true-life motif and is certainly going to be worth watching.
Angels and Demons (May 15): Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican.
Why it should be awesome: Being the sequel to the totally awesome Da Vinci Code, this movie should reasonably be a hit. Not to mention, it’s based off a hit novel as well.
9 (September 9): Takes place in a world parallel to our own, in which the legacy of humanity is threatened. A group of living rag dolls, living a post-apocalyptic existence find one of their own, 9 (Elijah Wood, Lord of the Rings), who displays leadership qualities that may help them to survive.
Why it should be awesome: Post apocalyptic rags dolls are frankly disturbing and yet completely fascinating. Living rag dolls, people. Rag dolls that are alive in a post apocalyptic world.
Taking Woodstock (August 14): A man working at his parents’ motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969 (Woodstock).
Why it should be awesome: Woodstock was an epic event in the ‘60s and effectively captured the emotions of a generation. Woodstock hasn’t been documented nearly as much as it should be. Besides, hippies were cool.
