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Year of the remake: Top 25 movies to watch in 2009
Updated Thu. Jan. 1 2009
Constance Droganes, entertainment writer, CTV.ca
Call it the year of the remake if you will. Seems that's what Hollywood's
betting on to surpass 2008's record-breaking box office fever ignited by
Indy, Bond, Iron Man and Batman.
It's a tall order to fill. But with a new slew of classic remakes,
eye-popping 3D fare and a supernova of CGI-driven extravaganzas,
Hollywood's dishing up some rare fine amusements for these tough times
with its big blockbuster contenders for 2009.
'Avatar' (December)
Poised to become 2009's biggest blockbuster, James Cameron's
US$185-million, 3D flick touts technological advancements never before
seen in Hollywood. Set 200 years in the future, a paraplegic ex-marine
(Sam Worthington) unwillingly travels on his race's behalf to the planet
Pandora to exploit its natural resources. But this cosmic traveller with a
conscience nixes his associate's plans for planetary genocide and joins
the enemy in their fight for their survival.
Inspired by "every single science fiction book I read as a kid," bets say
Cameron's intergalactic extravaganza will tank "Titanic's" mega-success at
the box office.
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' (July)
Disgruntled Potter fans won't have to gnash their teeth practicing
Patronus spells any longer, not with the sixth entry of J.K. Rowling's boy
wizard saga finally headed for theatres in July of 2009.
Bumped from its November 2008 release date, unprecedented millions could
vanish from fans' pockets as they sweep into theatres faster than a Nimbus
2000 to see what happens to Harry, Lord Voldemort and the warring world of
wizards and Muggles -- as if they didn't already know!
'Public Enemies' (July)
Christian Bale and Johnny Depp in the same movie? Is Santa bringing
Christmas early? Starring in this gritty gangster epic from "Miami Vice"
creator Michael Mann, Bale and Depp make some mighty fine Hollywood hay in
this flick about the FBI's search for the Great Depression's slickest bank
robbers: John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson and "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Nicely
timed for 2009's tough recessionary times.
'Star Trek' (May)
Diehard Trekkies - and I mean those of you who are still peeved that
William Shatner isn't in this movie - should get over it. To revitalize
the stale sci-fi franchise, director J.J. Abrams has compiled a cast with
the kind of plasticine perfection that emmotes volumes in a galaxy overrun
with Klingons, Romulans and other pesky intergalactic scum.
Set before the first TV series, Abram's prequel follows the rip-roaring
adventures of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Dr.
Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban), and Scotty (Simon Pegg). With Eric Bana as
Nero, the film's sexy Romulan villain, and Leonard Nimoy back as the older
Spock, looks like it'll be fun times once more in space, the final
frontier.
'Watchmen' (March)
Alan Moore's famed comic book from the 1980s finally gets the epic,
Hollywood superhero treatment. Starring Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman and
Matthew Goode, Zack Snyder's ode to this awesome adventure series is set
in an alternate 1985 and follows a group of ex-vigilantes as tensions peak
between the United States and the Soviet Union.
After one of the masked avengers is murdered, the superheroes reunite to
prevent their destruction and, in the process, uncover a diabolical plot
that threatens the world. If it's anything at all like Snyder's "300,"
"Watchmen" should KO moviegoers with plenty of knockout moments.
'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (May)
Hugh Jackman (aka People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive) is back in all his
superhero glory in this prequel set 17 years before the franchise's first
movie, 2000's "X-Men." Although critics panned 2006's "X-Men: The Last
Stand," the third instalment in the film series, this look back at Logan
before his Wolverine days -- and the wicked hairdo -- should be enough to
pack 'em in at the movie theatres this spring.
>From the real story behind Wolverine's deadly talons to the secrets that
define Logan's long lost life, this flick's got everything it takes to
make this mutant and indestructible metal skeleton look super fine.
'Angels & Demons' (May)
Remember that blurp in time known as "Da Vinci Code" mania? Even if Ron
Howard's 2006 movie didn't live up to Dan Brown's bestseller the A-list
director is back again with another murderous adventure through Vatican
City.
In this sequel Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) investigates the murder of a
physicist branded with the Illuminati ambigram - a graphical figure that
spells out a word not only in its form as it's presented but also in
another direction. The symbol helps Langdon uncover the secret society's
scheme to murder four cardinals and destroy St. Peter's Basilica during a
papal conclave using antimatter Sounds like Armageddon to me!
Critics might still hate this one, but our bet says "Angels & Demons"
brings home plenty of box office pancetta.
'Monsters vs. Aliens' (March)
The first computer animated movie produced in real 3D, this wild one from
DreamWorks Animation could easily become 2009's family flick of the year.
Starring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd.Hugh Laurie, Seth
Rogen, Stephen Colbert and Kiefer Sutherland, the adventure begins when
Californian resident Susan Murphy (Witherspoon) gets hit by meteorite
rubble and then mysteriously grows to the gigantic size of 49 ft., 11 in.
Whisked off to a secret military base housing other inexplicable freaks,
among them an insect-headed mad scientist (Laurie) and an indestructible
gelatinous mass (Rogen), these odd outsiders show their real human metal
when they ban together to save mankind from a pesky alien invasion. Take
that, you intergalactic trash!
'Terminator Salvation' (May)
If you're expecting Arnold Schwarzenegger to show up in this blockbuster,
don't. He's too busy running California.
With Christian Bale on hand to reinvigorate this killer robot franchise,
this long-awaited future war segment of the Terminator saga finds John
Connor (Bale) leading the anti-Skynet forces - the creeps causing all the
ruckus since the film series began.
Set in a post-apocalyptic 2018, Connor and stranger Marcus Wright (Sam
Worthington) embark on a perilous odyssey that takes them into the heart
of Skynet's operations. There they discover a terrible secret that could
destroy mankind for good. Did we expect anything less?
'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' (release date TBA)
>From "Brazil" to "The Fisher King" and "The Adventures of Baron
Munchhausen" director Terry Gilliam has always specialized in cinematic
oddities. But "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" pumps Gilliam's odd
factor to unprecedented levels.
Known as Health Ledger's final film, that alone should make this one of
the most-talked about movies of 2009. But with the help of Johnny Depp,
Colin Farrell and Jude Law, Gilliam moved this flick beyond Ledger's
untimely death in 2008. Together Gilliam and team tell the strange,
Faustian tale about Dr. Parnassus, the dark secret he harbours and his
extraordinary "Imaginarium" -- a travelling show where people can choose a
life lived between good and evil.
'Inglourious Basterds' (June)
Don't you just love it when those Nazi scumbags get their comeuppance?
In this wild ride from director Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Mike Myers
and Rod Taylor -- the star of Alfred Hitcock's "The Birds" -- comprise a
team of Jewish-American special forces operating behind German lines. With
all the verve of those do-or-die guys in "The Dirty Dozen," these freedom
fighters pop off Nazis faster than Hansel and Gretel can unhitch their
lederhosen and start gorging on gingerbread. Tarantino's very eclectic
casting should make this one of 2009's most memorable movie outings.
'The Soloist' (April)
Oscar buzz was trailing DreamWork's true-life tale back in November 2008,
when this uplifting drama starring Robert Downey Jr. was first meant to
hit theatres.
As L.A. journalist Steve Lopez, Downey discovers Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie
Foxx), a former classical musical prodigy. After developing schizophrenia
during his second year at The Juilliard School of the performing arts in
New York City, Ayers becomes one of L.A.'s many homeless people and plays
his violin in the streets for pennies. Determined to help this
down-on-his-luck virtuoso shine again, Lopez helps Ayers fulfill a
life-long dream and, in the process, cements their unlikely friendship.
Bring Kleenex!
'The Informant' (September)
Director Steven Soderbergh serves up a little of "The Insider" and "A
Beautiful Mind" in this twisted black comedy about the highest-ranked
American executive to ever turn whistleblower in U.S. history.
Starring Matt Damon as real-life, bipolar hero Mark Whitacre, this true
tale about corrupt price fixing in corporate America serves up plenty of
unexpected twists. Based as it is on Kurt Eichenwald's 2000 book, good guy
Whitacre actually left in more hot water than the cons he helps convict.
'The Taking of Pelham 123' (July)
The remakes of film classics just keep coming in 2009! While many would
argue that the 1970s' original starring Walter Matthau still stands up,
director Tony Scott saw things a little differently.
With pal Denzel Washington on hand, as well as John Travolta, James
Gandolfini and John Turturro to round out this cat-and-mouse thriller,
this New York City subway hijacking comes with the kind of A-list acting
ammo that should give the legendary Matthau a run for his money.
'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' (June)
Oh Megan Fox! What would the Transformers ever have been without your pole
dancer-worthy charms?
Not surprisingly, Fox, Shia LeBoef and director Michael Bay return for
this sequel to 2007's box office hit. More action, more shape-shifting
robots. More Megan Fox in clingy costumes. Yup, fine times all around for
those tweens and 20-somethings destined to see summer's hottest piece of
heavy metal.
'The Lovely Bones' (December)
In this Hollywood adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestselling novel, Saoirse
Ronan narrates from beyond the grave as Susie Salmon, a girl who was raped
and murdered by her scumbag neighbour (Stanley Tucci). From heaven's
pearly gates she sees that this creep who has eluded the police is about
to kill again. Torn between bringing him to justice and doing what she can
to ease her parents' grief, (Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg), Susie's dilemma
gets the deluxe treatment by "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson.
Look for these lovely bones to be Oscar bound in 2010.
'2012' (July)
What would a recession be with an apocalyptic tale about the end of the
world as we know it? Master of disaster Roland Emmerich ("The Day After
Tomorrow," "Godzilla," "Independence Day") pulls out all the stops in this
sci-fi thriller based on a 7th-century Mayan prophecy. Starring John
Cusack, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson and Danny Glover, Emmerich does
this one right: He starts his nail-biting epic with earth already
destroyed by cataclysmic volcanic eruptions and typhoons and blows things
up from there. Nice.
'Sherlock Holmes' (November)
Dubbed 2008's entertainer of the year by Entertainment Weekly, Robert
Downey Jr. brings new, ass-kicking depths to super sleuth Sherlock Holmes
in Guy Ritchie's retelling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic.
Detective Holmes and his stalwart partner Dr. Watson (Jude Law) engage in
a battle of wits and brawn with a brilliant nemesis plotting to destroy
all of England. Natch! And with talk of this becoming the first of
"Sherlock Holmes," series, look for Downey and Law to make the doings at
21 Baker St, Holme's famed London residence, seem far from dull.
'Dorian Gray' (Fall 2009)
For those who consider the 1945 original with Hurd Hatfield in the title
role a masterpiece, then this remake will seem as sinful as Dorian Gray's
devilish deeds. But with its impressive collection of British acting eye
candy, including Colin Firth, Emilia Fox and "Prince Caspian's" Ben
Barnes, director Oliver Parker's update on the beautiful young man who
wishes for eternal youth makes Oscar Wilde's chilling tale look mighty
good. FYI: Be careful what you wish for!
'The Wolf Man' (November)
Dracula, Frankenstein and the Mummy have all been brought to life lately.
So why shouldn't Hollywood resurrect the venerable Wolf Man and let him
have a howling good time up on the big screen?
With Benicio Del Toro as unlikely lycanthrope Lawrence Talbot and Anthony
Hopkins as his estranged nobleman father, Talbot is lured back to the
family estate after his brother vanishes. As he searches the sleepy
Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor - a place he's spent decades trying to
forget - Talbot encounters his own terrible troubles. Sure to be a
fang-filled romp on the moors that'll be a scream
'G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra' (August)
Poised to become the big, popcorn-chomping winner at the box office next
summer, this action adventure from "The Mummy" director Stephen Sommers
features all the brawn and might-for-right battles it takes to keep G.I.
Joe fans fabulously amused. Toss in Brendan Fraser, Dennis Quaid, Sienna
Miller and Christopher Eccleston and you've got all the necessary ammo to
make this pitting of good against evil a kick-ass adventure.
'Nine' (December)
The guys who decided to remake Federico Fellini's masterpiece "8½" are
either super brilliant or working with few bowls short of an all-out pasta
smorgasbord.
Called one of the most influential films of the 20th century, messing with
this masterpiece is, in some books, a pretty dumb-ass move. But if they
can do it to Dorian Gray then why not to Guido Anselmi, the sullen, sexy
character made famous in 1963 by Italy's Marcello Mastroianni.
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Dame Judi Dench, Nicole
Kidman, Penelope Cruz and, mamma mia, Sophia Loren, if this remake tanks
it won't be because of the talent.
'Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian' (May)
Security guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) infiltrates the Smithsonian
Institute in order to rescue Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and Octavius (Steve
Coogan), both of whom have been shipped to the museum by mistake. In the
process, the Smithsonian comes to life. As if you didn't think it would?
>From Amelia Earhart's airplane to Archie Bunker's lounge chair, once Larry
and company are done, this venerable hall of history gets a new blast from
the past. Fun times for the whole family.
'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' (July)
Playing fast and loose the dinosaur science and facts, this third "Ice
Age" instalment has the primitive mammal heroes of the first two films
getting mixed up with a "lost world" of surviving dinosaurs trapped
beneath a glacier. John, Ray Romano, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah will
surely entertain fans and infuriate paleontologists with their wacky ways.
