Film: 2010 Preview

So now that we’re into 2010, it’s time to look at some up and coming films. In the past I have listed twenty films that have caught my eye but this year I thought I would narrow it down to one a month. You may notice that I have nothing for August or September. Not all films have been announced for the year, some changes take place, so we’ll have to wait and see. Right now, there is nothing too exciting in those months. The picks for the rest of the year, again, are based on director/actor pedigree, buzz, trailers and descriptions. Here are my initial picks for 2010.

JANUARY

THE BOOK OF ELI

Release Date: January 15

Director: The Hughes Brothers (From Hell)

Writer: Gary Whitta (newcomer)

Starring: Denzel Washington

Plot: In the future, across the wasteland of America, a lone warrior must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption.

FEBRUARY

SHUTTER ISLAND

Release Date: February 19

Director: Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, The Departed)

Writer: Laeta Kalogridis (Alexander, Pathfinder)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio

Plot: A US marshal goes to a remote island to investigate the disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

MARCH

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Release Date: March 5

Director: Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

Writer: Linda Woolverton (Lion King, Mulan)

Starring: Johnny Depp

Plot: Alice returns to Wonderland, meets up with her friends, including the Mad Hatter and tries to finds her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.

APRIL

DATE NIGHT

Release Date: April 9

Director: Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum)

Writer: Josh Klausner (Shrek the Third)

Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey

Plot: A couple’s routine date night goes awry when they take another couple’s dinner reservation and end up involved in the criminal underworld.

MAY

ROBIN HOOD

Release Date: May 14

Director: Ridley Scott (American Gangster)

Writer: Brian Helgeland (Man on Fire, Payback)

Starring: Russell Crowe

Plot: In thirteenth century England, Robin Hood and his merry men confront corruption in the town of Nottingham. Steals from the rich, gives to the poor.

JUNE

TOY STORY 3

Release Date: June 18

Director: Lee Unkrich (Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2)

Writer: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen

Plot: As Andy goes to college, the toys try to stick together when given to a room full of untamed tots. Also Barbie comes face to face with Ken.

JULY

INCEPTION

Release Date: July 16

Director: Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knigh, Insomnia)

Writer: Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio

Plot: It’s a contemporary sci-fi action thriller set within the architecture of the mind. Watch the trailer and see for yourself.

OCTOBER

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Release Date: October 15

Director: David Fincher (Zodiac, Fight Club)

Writer: Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake

Plot: How Mark Zuckenberg, a Harvard sophomore student, created the most the popular networking site, Facebook.

NOVEMBER

DUE DATE

Release Date: November 5

Director: Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Road Trip)

Writer: Adam Sztykiel (Made of Honor)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis

Plot: Peter has to get home in time for his wife to give birth unfortunately he has to count on Ethan to get there by car.

DECEMBER

VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

Release Date: December 10

Director: Michael Apted (7Up series, Amazing Grace)

Writer: Richard LaGravenese (PS I Love You)

Starring: Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley

Plot: Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace and land on a ship headed fot the very edges of the world.

OTHER FILMS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT

Youth in Revolt (Jan 8); I Love You Phillip Morris (Feb 12); Hot Tub Time Machine (Mar 19); MacGruber (Apr 23); Wall Street 2 (Apr 23); Iron Man 2 (May 7); Shrek 4 (May 21); Prince of Persia (May 28); The A Team (Jun11); Johan Hex (Jun 18); Knight and Day (Jul 2); The Last Airbender (Jul 2); Despicable Me (Jul 9); Dinner for Schmucks (Jul23); Salt (Jul23); Little Fockers (Jul 30); The Other Guys (Aug 6); The Expendables (Aug 13); The Baster (Aug 20); The American (Sept 1); Unstoppable (Nov 12); Harry Potter 7, Part I (Nov 19); The Green Hornet (Dec 22)

Have fun watching films this year.