Top 10 Most Anticipated Films Fall/Winter 2008

10. W.











Director: Oliver Stone
Writer: Stanley Weiser (screenplay)
Cast: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks
Release Date: Fall 2008 ?

Assessment:

I'm not 100% clear on when or if this movie is going to come out this year, though there seems to be indications that it will. Helmed by Oliver Stone, who did a biopic on Richard Nixon over 20 years ago, is certainly qualified to take on this film. Whether or not the film will be biased one way or the other remains to be seem, but I'm hoping it will try to be as neutral as possible, simply stating the facts will be sufficient enough to expose Bush as an incompetent fool. Whatever the case, the timing is absolutely spot on.

Synopsis:

A chronicle on the life and presidency of George W. Bush


9. Australia












Director: Baz Luhrmann
Writers: Baz Luhrmann (screenplay) and Ronald Harwood (screenplay)
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman
Release Date: 14 November 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

In the hands of one of the most visionary directors in the world right now, Luhrmann's Australia is unlikely to disappoint. Though Baz hardly ever makes a film, when he does (whether you enjoyed it or not) it turns out to have a very unique and interesting style. Australia seems to look like a more traditional, more pedestrian type of film; it'll definitely be interesting to see what he does with the source material. All signs seem to indicate that it'll be a huge, epic film, possibly being an Oscar contender this year.

Synopsis:

Set in northern Australia prior to World War II and centers on an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man (Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.


8. Vicky Cristina Barcelona












Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Cast: Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson, Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson
Release Date: 5 September 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

Woody Allen has been stringing out quite a lot of decent films in the past few years, what exactly motivates him to work so hard at his advanced age is beyond my comprehension, but I suppose the same could be said for Clint Eastwood. Though he hasn't been able to come out with anything as good as Match Point, he may stumble upon yet another solid movie simply because of how prolific he's been of late -- it just seems like something is bound to stick. Javier Bardem, along with other top starlets today, make up a cast of interesting characters bound to possess a number of quarks and interesting character flaws.

Synopsis:

Two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, the results are both hilarious and harrowing. --© Weinstein Co.


7. Changeling

























Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski (written by)
Cast: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan
Release Date: 7 November 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

Eastwood has emerged as one of the best directors around since Mystic River was released in 2003 and Million Dollar Baby was released just a year later; both garnering an enormous amount of critical acclaim (Million Dollar Baby won 4 Oscars including best picture). I don't know much about the film, but its looking to be an interesting historical thriller with a very solid cast -- I'm certainly pleased to see John Malkovich in better films this year.

Synopsis:

In the film, Christine Collins' (Jolie) prayers are met when her kidnapped son is returned. But amidst the frenzy of the photo-op reunion, she realizes this child is not hers. Facing corrupt police and a skeptical public, she desperately hunts for answers, only to be confronted by a truth that will change her forever. Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter. As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A. women don't challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb (Malkovich), who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. Based on the actual incident that rocked California's legal system, Changeling tells the shocking tale of a mother's quest to find her son, and those who won't stop until they silence her.


6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince





















Director: David Yates
Writers: J.K. Rowling (novel) and Steve Kloves (screenplay)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Release Date: 21 November 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

Surprisingly, out of all the directors that helmed the various Harry Potter films, David Yates did the best job with the franchise. Though I stopped reading Harry Potter books at book 4 many years ago, the films never seem to disappoint. Considering the length of the series and the variety of different directors, the Harry Potter franchise has been surprisingly consistent throughout the years. I'm expecting it to be about as good as the last Harry Potter film, and the film before that, and the... well you get the idea.

Synopsis:

Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts turns out to be quite the exciting year. First off is the arrival of a new teacher at Hogwarts, Horace Slughorn, who is a bit more useful to Harry than he realizes. Next, Harry obtains a Potions book which used to be belong to the very mysterious Half-Blood Prince. Harry finds that the Half-Blood Prince's ancient scribbles are written along the margins of almost every page, giving Harry advice on how to improve greatly on his Potions work, and also teaching him a few helpful (and dangerous) spells along the way.


5. Revolutionary Road




















Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Justin Haythe (screenplay), Richard Yates (novel)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates
Release Date: 26 December 2008

Assessment:

Sam Mendes is one of the most talented directors out there right now, though he has never managed to replicate the critical success of American Beauty (released almost a decade ago now), he has been very consistent over the years. This movie seems to be right up his ally, which is a drama involving dysfunctional Connecticut suburbanites. This adaptation of Richard Yates' classic novel reuniting Titanic's Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, is likely to be up for numerous awards at the end of the year.

Synopsis:

April and Frank Wheeler are a young, thriving couple living with their two children in a Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. Their self-assured exterior masks a creeping frustration at their inability to feel fulfilled in their relationships or careers. Frank is mired in a well-paying but boring office job and April is a housewife still mourning the demise of her hoped-for acting career. Determined to identify themselves as superior to the mediocre sprawl of suburbanites who surround them, they decide to move to France where they will be better able to develop their true artistic sensibilities, free of the consumerist demands of capitalist America. As their relationship deteriorates into an endless cycle of squabbling, jealousy and recriminations, their trip and their dreams of self-fulfillment are thrown into jeopardy.


4. Burn After Reading

Directors: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Cast: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand
Release Date: 12 September 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

Joel and Ethan Coen are back just a year after their Oscar award winning film, No Country for Old Men, came out. The cast is absolutely killer, it has an assemble cast where Brad Pitt is their weakest link in terms of acting ability; very impressive.

Synopsis:

John Malkovich will play Ozzie Cox, a CIA vet who is fired because he is an alcoholic. He takes his revenge by writing some inflammatory memoirs. Cox's soon-to-be ex-wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) steals the disc containing his memoirs and accidentally leaves it at the gym where it is found by a trainer Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) and the gym's owner Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) who believe they can use the info to blackmail Cox. Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney) is an oversexed, fanatically fit, lactose-intolerant federal marshall, who is sleeping with Cox's wife. He meets Linda via an online dating service and gets entangled in the blackmail scheme, when he stumbles across Chad breaking into his and Katie's house.

3. Quantum of Solace






















Director: Marc Forster
Writers: Ian Fleming (characters) & Robert Wade (adaptation)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench
Release Date: 7 November 2008

Assessment:

I don't think this film needs much explanation for being on this list, not many are likely to dispute it being included here. The only thing I'd like to mention is that this time around, Marc Forster, will be helming the project. It's certainly an interesting choice since he's not known for directing action movies, however, he does have a fairly impressive resume which includes the film, Monster's Ball. Whether he can continue to do the franchise justice remains to be seen, hope he can keep 007 in the lime light.

Synopsis:

QUANTUM OF SOLACE continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in CASINO ROYALE. Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (JUDI DENCH) interrogate Mr White (JESPER CHRISTENSEN) who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined. Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille (OLGA KURYLENKO), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (MATHIEU AMALRIC), a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization. On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world's most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano (JOAQUIN COSIO). Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene's sinister plan and stop his organization


2. The Road (Tie)











Director: John Hillcoat
Writers: Cormac McCarthy (novel) Joe Penhall (adaptation)
Cast: Charlize Theron, Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce
Release Date: 26 November 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

I've been meaning to read the book for quite some time now, it is regarded as one of the better contemporary sci-fi novels in recent times, but never got around to it. Less than a year after No Country for Old Men was released, another novel by Cormac McCarthy is in the works to be adapted to film. Now that the book will be brought to the big screen, I probably won't bring myself to ever read the novel. Nevertheless, I have a somewhat of a penchant for post-apocalyptic tales such as The Twelve Monkeys, Planet of the Apes, and 28 Days Later... Also, the cast speaks for it self, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this one.

Synopsis:

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food--and each other.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Tie)















Director: David Fincher
Writers: F. Scott Fitzgerald (story) and Eric Roth (screenplay)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng
Release Date: 19 December 2008 (USA)

Assessment:

I, admittedly, completely forgot about this movie somehow, and that's the only reason there is a tie on my list, I'm just sort of wedging it into my list here. I'm a huge fan of David Fincher, he was one of the most interesting directors coming out in the 90's; he hasn't been as good in the 2000's but he never fails to deliver the goods. Long time collaborator, Brad Pitt, will be starring in the film -- a good match for the role in my estimation. Like many of the Films Fincher chooses to direct, this film has one of the more interesting plots this year. This may be a difficult story to adapt to film, but I think Fincher can pull it off. Incidentally, David Fincher will be directing an even more difficult story to adapt to the big pictures, Rendezvous with Rama -- one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time.

Synopsis:

In the early 20th century, an 80-year-old man (Brad Pitt) is born aging backwards, causing complications when he falls in love with a 30 year old woman (Cate Blanchett). Fincher said, "It's dark, it's romantic, and it also deals with mortality in a pretty unflattering way. The guy is born in 1919 - with the film itself beginning in World War I, traveling around the world and carrying on all the way through to the year 2000."


1. Defiance












Director: Edward Zwick
Writers: Clayton Frohman (screenplay) and Edward Zwick (screenplay)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber
Release Date: 19 December 2008

Assessment:

Directed by Edward Zwick, who directed one of the best films of 2006, Blood Diamond, and starring one of the best emerging action stars of the 21st century, Daniel Craig, add to that a solid story looking at the Russian side of WWII (which has not been well represented in cinema) -- Defiance is looking to be one of the best films of 2008.

Synopsis:

Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others. At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost. --© Paramount Vantage





Honorable Mentions: Righteous Kill, Miracle at St. Anna, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, City of Ember, Milk, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Pineapple Express, Untitled Brüno Project, Tropic Thunder

Unconfirmed Release Date: Synecdoche, New York, The Box