Okay, things are getting a bit more serious now. The next 10 of my most anticipated flicks in 2008 come under the umbrella of movies I'm quite excited about seeing:
30. How To Lose FriendsAnd Alienate People
dir: Robert B. Weide / 3 October
Simon Pegg stars as a disillusioned magazine publisher, who has a love/hate relationship with fame and celebrity -- later becoming the very thing he's rallied against all his life. Comedy drama based on Toby Young's best-selling memoir, co-starring Transformers hottie Megan Fox, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges and Gillian Anderson. A little teaser can be found here.
29. The Box
dir: Richard Kelly / autumn
dir: Richard Kelly / autumn
After the catastrophe of Southland Tales, Donnie Darko writer-director has a make or break chance to satisfy his fans – with this big-screen adaptation of a story by renowned sci-fi author Richard Matheson. The Box concerns a couple (Seann William Scott and Cameron Diaz) who discover a wooden box that can bring them untold fortunes... but at a moral cost.
28. Angels & Demonsdir: Ron Howard / 19 December
Prequel to The Da Vinci Code, again directed by Ron Howard, with Tom Hanks reprising his role as academic Robert Langton. Da Vinci may have underwhelmed audiences and disappointed fans, but its written prequel is a cut above its more renowned forbearer. The plot concerns a serial killer in Rome, who has planted a bomb in the Vatican...
27. Get Smartdir: Peter Segal / 20 June
Big screen remake of Mel Brooks' cult spy spoof, starring Steve Carrell (US TVs The Office) as Maxwell Smart, an inept secret agent who has to save the world with the help of sexy Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Co-starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Alan Arkin, Masi Oka (Heroes) and Terence Stamp. Click here for a little teaser.
26. The Day The Earth Stood Still
dir: Scott Derrickson / 12 December
dir: Scott Derrickson / 12 December
Remake of the 1951 science-fiction classic about an alien (Keanu Reeves) and his humanoid robot, who arrive on Earth to warn world leaders that continued aggression will lead to self-annihilation… but find nothing but fear and prejudice from mankind.
25. Pineapple Expressdir: David Gordon / 8 August
Yet another Judd Apatow-produced comedy, this one focusing on two stoner friends (James Franco and Seth Rogen; reuniting after TVs Freaks & Geeks) who go on the run from the police after they witness a cop kill someone. Co-stars Bill Hader, James Remar (Dexter) and Gary Cole. For a full scene, head over here.
24. The X-Files 2
dir: Chris Carter / summer
dir: Chris Carter / summer
Second big-screen adventure for iconic FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson). This will apparently be a standalone paranormal mystery set in the television series' mid-90s history. Co-starring Amanda Peet (the best thing about Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip), rapper Xzibit and… um, Billy Connelly.
23. Iron Mandir: Jon Favreau / 2 May
Superhero adventure based on the successful Marvel comic-book character. A billionaire weapons designer (Robert Downey, Jr) suffers a heart injury in Afghanistan and builds himself a flying suit of armour to defeat criminals. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Leslie Bibb. The international teaser trailer is here.
22. The Fighter
dir: Darren Aronofsky / autumn
dir: Darren Aronofsky / autumn
An Irish boxer (Brad Pitt) struggles to become world light welterweight champion after his half-brother is nearly killed by drugs and crime trying to accomplish the same feat. A crucial film for Aronofsky, who stumbled last year with arty sci-fi The Fountain after the critically-adored Requiem For A Dream and compelling debut Pi.
21. The Time Traveler's Wifedir: Robert Schwentke / winter
Romantic drama based on the celebrated novel by Audrey Niffenegger, about a librarian (Eric Bana) with a genetic defect that causes him to involuntarily jump around in his own lifetime -- causing heartache and problems for his linear wife (rising star Rachel McAdams from Enchanted).
Tomorrow: a lion roars, an 80s icon returns, a spooky disaster, a red demon, a hated superhero, and much more...
