Daniel’s Most Anticipated Films of 2009

2009 is shaping up to be a HUGE year for movies.  With the box office running the gamut of films ranging from horror, 3-D, and family films, to big event films from James Cameron and Zack Snyder.

Here are some of the biggest films to look out for in the coming year:

Avatar: James Cameron is set to revolutionize the movie going experience this December, with his epic sci-fi tale being shot in 3-D, and infused with live action characters. Not much is known as to the actual plot as Cameron is keeping the film tightly under wraps, but he’s sure to blow movie goers minds.

Lovely Bones: Peter Jackson returns to theatres with his adaptation of the best selling novel by Alice Sebhold. The film tells the story of a murdered child who watches her over her family from heaven, and who struggles with her decision to let her family heal or seek vengeance.

Watchmen: Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated adaptation of Alan Moore’s seminal graphic Novel which stands as one of Time magazine’s 100 best novels from 1923-present. Anticipation could not be higher for this film though it’s release is still in question due to a court decision to withhold the films release from Warner Bros.

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen: Michael Bay created a fun action packed spectacle with the first Transformers film last summer, and is set to return the favor again this year with it’s sequel. It reunites all the original cast members plus a few new transformers thrown into the mix. Look for the first trailer for this film to air during the superbowl.

Bruno: Sasha Baron Cohen returns to theatres this summer with his original creation of Bruno, a gay fashionista who fancies himself the voice of Austrian youth. The film is scheduled for release May 15th. Look for this film to enrage and elicit laughter the same way his last creation did…

X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Hugh Jackman returns to the screen with his now classic portrayal of the fan favorite, Wolverine character from the X-Men universe. This time the film will lose it’s McG direction as it enlists the help of director Gavin Hood from Tsotsi fame. Fellow mutants along for the ride include Gambit, Deadpool, Sabretooth and many others.

Funny People: Judd Apatow’s latest comedy focuses on the stand up comedy world with Adam Sandler, and cast regulars Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann. Production did start this past October with Sandler and Rogen attending various comedy clubs rehearsing and filming material for the film.

Drag Me to Hell: Sam Raimi’s long awaited return to horror has Justin Long and Alison Lohman in the cast. About an ambitious loan officer who denies a loan to an elderly woman who then places a curse on her and transforms her life into a living hell which she must get out of before it becomes too late.

Shutter Island: Director Martin Scorcese’s follow up to his oscar winning hit film The Departed returns him to familiar ground.  Reuniting him with Leonardo Dicaprio, and bringing in Michelle Williams, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow among others, to bring the tale of Dennis Lahanes now classic novel to the screen.

Public Enemies: Michael Manns latest film reteams him with Christian Bale and Johnny Depp to tell the tale of a depression era government trying to overtake mobsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd.