2007 is firmly behind us now, so it's time to look ahead at what 2008 will bring... in terms of movie entertainment. There are 50 films that I'm personally looking forward to, for a variety of reasons.
Many of the films listed will be quite mediocre (or awful), but that's not the point. The point is: I'm excited, eager, keen, or just intrigued enough to keep an eye on them...
I'll be offering up 10 a day for... um, 5 days. Any available release dates are for the US premiere.
50. Zack And Miri Make A Pornodir: Kevin Smith / winter
Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) and Elizabeth Banks (Slither) star as platonic friends who decide to solve their cash-flow problems by making a porno together. Sex comedy from Kevin Smith, the cult director of Dogma, Clerks and Chasing Amy.
49. Trailer Trash
dir: Eli Roth / 22 August
dir: Eli Roth / 22 August
Inspired by his experience directing a fake trailer for Grindhouse (by far the best aspect of that double-bill turkey last summer), Hostel director Eli Roth is now planning a whole film made up of fake horror movie trailers. The gore-obsessed filmmaker has already confirmed that a second trailer for Thanksgiving will appear, as will a trailer for The Leap Year Killer...
48. The Changelingdir: Clint Eastwood / tbc
Angelina Jolie plays a woman whose kidnapped son is returned, but may not be the child she actually lost. Unusual subject matter for the legendary Eastwood to direct, as he usually focuses on heartwarming drama (Bridges Over Madison County) or war films (Letters From Iwo Jima), written by J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5).
47. The Mummy: Tomb OfThe Dragon Emperor
dir: Rob Cohen / 1 August
An unnecessary (unwanted?) sequel to a franchise that already began to strain credibility with The Mummy Returns. This time Rob Cohen (xXx) wrangles the special effects, Brendan Fraser and John Hannah are back for more, but indie darling Maria Bello replaces Rachel Weisz. Expect more of the same, but with an Asian vibe, as the tomb-raiding family try to stop Jeti Li's bandaged-baddie.
46. Fanboysdir: Kyle Newman / tbc
In 1999, two Star Wars fans travel to the Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of The Phantom Menace to show their dying friend. Stars Sam Huntington, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel... and the scrumptious Kristen Bell in a Princess Leia bikini. Catch the trailer here.
45. 10,000 B.Cdir: Roland Emmerich / 7 March
The director of Independence Day delivers another visual extravaganza; but this time based on reality. 10,000 B.C follows a lone mammoth-hunter on an adventure across dangerous terrain, to secure the safety of his tribe. Hunt down the trailer here.
44. The Forbidden Kingdomdir: Rob Minoff / 18 April
An American kung fu obsessive travels to China and becomes embroiled with a gang of martial arts warriors, to help free an imprisoned "Monkey King". Starring Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Michael Angarano. Take a sneak look here.
43. Chokedir: Clark Gregg / summer
This is an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's popular novel, concerning a sex-addict (Sam Rockwell) who fakes choking in restaurants and has an unusual family lineage. Palahniuk has won a big following since his first novel Fight Club became a touchstone for disillusioned youths after David Fincher turned it into a modern classic. And, while I personally didn't like Choke anywhere near as much, it could certainly be elevated to greatness in the cinema.
42. Babylon A.Ddir: Mathieu Kassovitz / 29 August
Vin Diesel plays a mercenary who must escort a woman from Russia to China, unaware she's carrying an organism that a cult wants to produce a genetically-modified Messiah. Children Of Men-esque, no? But from the director of Gothika. Ahem.
41. Son Of Rambowdir: Garth Jennings / 2 May
This Sundance 2007 critical hit gets a worldwide release. Directed by the talent behind The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy movie, it's set in the world of some children obsessed with films in the 1980s -- particularly First Blood's anti-hero Rambo.
Tomorrow: Brand on a beach, a Cronenberg remake, Dr. Seuss returns, Hitler, Mike Myers, and more...
