The Most Anticipated Films of 2009
Posted by Stephen Fairbanks on January 8, 2009
Jan
8
We film fans are suckers. We may leave the majority of our cinema visits thinking: “Why do I do this to myself?” and in the case of Indy IV: “How can I delete that from my memory?” – yet we still go back, time and time again, ice-cream / popcorn in hand…
…grumbling about paying so much… trying graciously not to scream as the idiot behind you kicks your chair and fails so spectacularly to retrieve their last Malteser from the bottom of the packet…
But we do it because there’s the smallest chance that the next film we see may actually live up to all we’d hope for. That, maybe THIS time, we’ll experience that strange magic that only cinema or a powerful blow to the head can provide.
And lo! Here be 2009’s turn to be judged. Where 2008 had the big franchises (Indy, Batman, Bond) 2009 has… well, Potter? Transformers? To prevent further disappointment, let’s hope 2009 will be the year of the underdogs.
My Most Anticipated Films of 2009:
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Watchmen
Watchmen
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Starring: Patrick Wilson, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Carla Gugino
- Expected: Mar 2009
- Website: www.watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/
- Plot: When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorshach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.
- “For the comic book / graphic novel geeks out there, this is THE big film of 2009. After 20 years of false starts and production hell, Watchmen will finally make it to the big screen. Let’s hope Zack Snyder can continue his ‘300’ success.”
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Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Freida Pinto
- Expected: Jan 2009
- Website: www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
- Plot: The story of the life of an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik, who becomes a contestant on the Hindi version of “Who Wants to be A Millionaire?”, wins, and is then suspected of cheating.
- “This has the leftfield potential to be an indie-gem and one of the most original and perhaps best films of the year.”
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Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road
- Director: Sam Mendes
- Starring: Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Fitzgerald, Jonathan Roumie
- Expected: Jan / Feb 2009
- Website: www.revolutionaryroadmovie.com/
- Plot: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children.
- “Where Sam Mendes slipped up slightly with Jarhead, he showed with American Beauty that he does rather wonderfully in dissecting suburban life. And apparently Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio has worked together before.”
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Director: David Fincher
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond
- Expected: Feb 2009
- Website:www.benjaminbutton.com/
- Plot: And so begins ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’ adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. A man, like any of us, unable to stop time.
- “CCoBB reteams Messrs Pitt and Fincher, and it if manages to be anywhere near as brilliant as Seven or Fight Club, we’re all in for a weepy bitter-sweet treat.”
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The Wrestler
The Wrestler
- Director: Darren Aronofsky
- Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis
- Expected: Jan 2009
- Website: www.foxsearchlight.com/thewrestler/
- Plot: Retired professional wrestler Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson as he makes his way through the independent circuit, trying to get back in the game for one final showdown with his former rival.
- “Sadly, many people didn’t quite ‘get’ Aronofsky’s The Fountain, so this could be a comeback to not only for Mickey Rourke, but for Aronofsky also.”
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Green Zone
Green Zone
- Director: Paul Greengrass
- Starring: Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan
- Expected: Late 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: A thriller about a pair of CIA agents on the trail of certain Weapons of Mass Destruction and a foreign correspondent following their mission.
- “Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass have both become industry darlings, not least for their excellent Bourne sequels. Expect this to be a smart, gritty and intelligent affair. With copious amounts of hand-held action.”
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Where the Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are
- Director: Spike Jonze
- Starring: Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini
- Expected: Oct 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world–a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
- “Spike Jonze is one of my favourite directors, and this dark fairytale seems right up his street.”
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Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Mark Strong, Rachel McAdams
- Expected: Nov 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.
- “No longer Mrs. Madonna but once again a ‘hip’ director, Guy Ritchie did well in picking the in-form Robert Downey Jr. and the underrated Jude Law to re-enfranchise the fables of Sherlock Holmes.”
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Public Enemies
Public Enemies
- Director: Michael Mann
- Starring: Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup
- Expected: July 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: 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.
- “Michael Mann is a wonderful director, don’t let his big-screen Miami Vice fool you. Starring a top-of-their-game Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, this has the potential to be very, very exciting.”
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Inglourious Basterds
Inglourious Basterds
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Mélanie Laurent, Mike Myers
- Expected: Sep 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.
- “It’s about time Quentin stopped pissing about slapping photographers and making rubbishy ‘homage(s)’ to cinema and go back to making ‘proper’ films. Let’s hope with the Basterds he can do it.”
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Avatar
Avatar
- Director: James Cameron
- Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi
- Expected: Dec 2009
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet’s indigenous population.
- “James Cameron doesn’t do small, he does very, very big… and rumour has it Avatar (in 3D no less) could be his biggest and most daring film yet.”
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Tree of Life
The Tree of Life
- Director: Terrence Malick
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Crystal Mantecon, Jessica Chastain
- Expected: 2009 (hopefully)
- Website: Coming soon…
- Plot: The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence.
- “Terrence Malick, one of the great directors, specialises in creating lengthy, thoughtful and extremely beautiful films. Let’s hope this one is no different.”
So,
What film of 2009 are you most looking forward to? What looks great? And what looks terrible? Will Watchmen manage everything we hope for? Will Quentin Tarantino silence the critics with his Inglourious Basterds? Will Wolverine measure up to the first 2 X-men films? Can McG resurrect the Terminator franchise?
Have your say below…
Reader Comments
I think Avatar will be great.
ohhhhhhhhhh, so much to chose from. I have the feeling that this year wont be as good as teh last 2 for films. Tell you what, Choke was utterly brilliant. Its got a release for Feb and was awesome. Fight Club fans pay special attention, its as good!
I think Bruce Campbell is going to make some sweet B movies for this year. Harry Potter is supposed to have the best story twist in that saga too.
Watchmen, well, course Im looking forward to it but with caution. That way I cant be disapointed.
Strangely, a lot of BIG movies seem scheduled for next year. (Hobbit, Halo, Transformers, Thor, Iron Man 2, Hulk 3 etc).
THis could be a very good year for Indie films in my opinion. You know, unheard of films that you discover and they are just unexpectantly brilliant.
Anyway, thats my opinion on how 2009 will roll out. What am I looking forward to? Some nice Anime CG movies to be released for me to be dumbstruck with. Out of your list I think Avatar is perhaps what Im looking forward to – its based on Avatar the last airbender.
Jim Cameron’s Avatar isn’t based on ‘Last Airbender’… from what I hear, it’s based on a distant planet. To be honest… I really don’t know much about Avatar… but i’m excited anyway. Should be ‘an event’.
Choke was out last year wasn’t it? I’ve read the book actually… the foreskin of christ, is it? I never watched the film tho… i’ll have to wait for DVD.
And Transformers out this year isn’t it? They’re not making ANOTHER back-to-back sequel, are they?
looks like there’s some good stuff coming out. I read a little bit about watchmen in this month’s Empire and it’s getting an R rating because Snyder won’t compromise to get a lower more ‘audience friendly’ rating which sounds positive.
Like you though I’m worried that I’m gonna be let down. It’s never gonna be as good as we want but I’m hoping that it’s not a trainwreck or Indy IV proportions.
i’m quite interested to see how the Thor film develops – Kenneth Brannagh is attached to direct which should mean a different approach to the comic book genre. Should be out sometime in 2010 I imagine. It will also be interesting to see how it ties in to the inevitable Avengers movie.
Thor sounds like an interesting one. I can’t say i’m massively knowledgeable on the character, but it sounds like it’ll be a different kind of superhero movie.
And yeah… to be honest, i’m trying to downplay my expectations of Watchmen as it’s never going to be as good as I’d want.
I saw a clip of Dave Gibbons who’d seen a rough cut last year and he said: “It’s good.” but not: “It’s great.” ya see?
IMDB says The Avengers film will be out 2011. How the hell is it going to work having all that talent (ego) on the screen at once?
And Sai… I think The Hobbit has been pushed back to 2011… a full decade after the wonderous Fellowship of the Ring.
Ah, all these years and differences going on. My bad, Transformers is this year so Ill put that as my fav film. 2011 for Hobbit? Ok, oh well, as long as they do it right.
I think the Avengers can work no problem. It’ll just be a mash of established characters. sweet. Cant go wrong. Betting on the bad guy now… Im going to say Red Skull.
If Holywood was smarter, they would present the Avengers story blending with Captain A. So, the film would primarily be him, but More… It could also be done as a trilogy with plenty of focus, ah, but who knows.
You could argue though that Spiderman 3 was so rubbish because they threw in too many characters… wouldn’t this be the same with Avengers? I think each character needs a decent amount of story dedicated to them in order to work.
Oh man, I don’t think there’s one of these films that I’m not jizzing myself over. Benjamin Button is actually already out here. I keep missing it at the movies.
I’m saving my uber-jizz for Watchmen and The Wrestler. In my opinion Aronofsky has not made a shit film yet. I have no doubt that he’ll deliver with this one.
And after seeing the Watchmen trailers, I’m cautiously optimistic. Plus I have a big ol’ crush on The Comedian. Yes, the rapist. Why hello thar issues!
Seriously though, if it’s awful then somebody’s in for a world of pain. You don’t piss off the geeks!
I think Watchmen can’t possibly be as good as everyone hopes it will be. I need to rid myself of any expectation and just try and forget how angry it will make me if it’s rubbish. Getting some negative feedback may actually help my enjoyment of it.
Slumdog is out this week over here. Today actually… I might watch it this weekend. Jan / Feb seems to the best time of the year for films as it’s Oscar-country. Benjamin Button / Revolutionary Road / The Wrestler will all be shown in the next 4 weeks or so. :)
I haven’t finished reading the Watchmen yet but i’m in awe of it- i love all the past-present-future time issues with Jon- reminds me of Haruki Murikami, but i think i may be disappointed the film- it looks a bit flashy….
I cant believe I forgot my first love…..
New street fighter film and series this year. I nearly feel sick with anticipation. I know its gonna suck too and thats what is really churning my stomach.
Trailer shows just how cheesy and American cash-in its going to be and break my heart
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi652149529/
Ha! How did I miss Street Fighter off my list of most anticipated films?
Looks lovely though… stopping swords with hands and EXPLOSIONS! Didn’t see that coming.
Gah, I love kung-fu type films. There simple aren’t many good ones.
Actually, Sai…
What do you think of the movie Kick-Ass?
Not enough kung fu films? riiiiiiiiiiiiight…. There are too many good ones. Im suprised I cant keep up with them. All the good ones ARNT in English though. We’d need another thread if we delve into this topic though
Chris Morris’ film should be out for xmas 09 and sounds super sweet. He can turn projects into gold.
Four Lions?
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/wannabe-suicide-bombers-beware-chris-morris-movie-gets-goahead-1228152.html
Sweet lord! A Chris Morris film! This is the best news i’ve heard about a potential Chris Morris film i think i’ve ever received…
Just reading the article… it sounds amazing:
“Morris spent three years researching, “understands how terrorism relates to testosterone. It understands jihadis as human beings. And it understands human beings as innately ridiculous.”
And you should let me know what GOOD kung-fu films i should be watching. I don’t mind about subtitles, a long as there’s inpired ass-whooping.
ALright, Some that spring to mind.
Warrior King is the best kick ass film Iv ever seen.
Ong-Bak
Drunken Master 2 (1 is great too but is old…)
fearless (oh the weaponry in that!)
The forbidden Kingdom will have you cream yourself as Chan and Lee fight is just sooooo good.
Old School has a fantastic story and one fight scene just had me gawping.
Obvious choices –
house of flying daggers
hero
try em out.
I’ve seen Hero and Flying Daggers. Hero is amazing. I’ve seen Ong-Bak too. I remember that was pretty good…
I heard Fearless was supposed to be pretty crap? I’ve never seen Warrior King tho… maybe i’ll check that the hell out.
I cannot wait until “Green Zone” has been released as maybe I will get some peace from my housemate who delights in regularly informing me that his Uncle has a small part in the film.
Other than that, I am excited about “The Wrestler” and also one film not mentioned here, “Rachel Getting Married”.
Rachel Getting Married eh? It’s always a treat to see Anne Hathaway.
Evil Dead 2, not watched it yet this year
WOW
This trailer has got me!
Nazi Zombies in the snow
Looks like the best zombie film ever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-KQh87_V2Q&eurl=http://www.stefairclough.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2686&start=2745&feature=player_embedded
25 more anticipated films…
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/the-25-most-anticipated-movies-of-2009.php/
Dead Snow looks rather funny. Isn’t is just a tongue-in-cheek version of Outpost: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892899/ -?
Evil Dead 2 Dave? Aren’t you excited about Raimi’s new Horror? Drag Me To Hell?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127180/
Sai… some other films you’ve linked to that i’m excited about:
The Brothers Bloom – Brick was ace.
Monsters Vs. Aliens – in 3D, innit?
Shutter Island – If it’s anywhere near as good as Departed, i’ll be happy.
Lovely Bones – should be a weepy