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25 Movies to look out for in 2009

By Lachlan Jordan

1. The Wrestler
15 January

A drama centred on 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.

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Even Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Mark Margolis, Judah Friedlander

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=61-GFxjTyV0
 

2.Valkyrie
January 22

Based on actual events, a plot to assassinate Hitler is unfurled during the height of WWII.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Carice van Houten

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=fBxK3frsbxA

3. The Spirit
January 22

Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City.
Based on the comic book series written by Will Eisner, and directed by Frank Miller (Creator of Sin City and 300)

Starring: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes

Official Site: http://www.mycityscreams.com/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=1CPyav6hQlI

4. Revolutionary Road
January 22

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. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.
Looks like an interesting Drama from the brilliant Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Kathryn Hahn, Micheal Shannon, David Harbour

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=bpra9OEw6nQ

5. Milk
January 29

The story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Diego Luna

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=unu-9vM9VZw

6. W.
February 12

A chronicle on the life and presidency of George W. Bush. Directed by Oliver Stone who is no stranger to directing movies involving the President as his resume also includes the 1991 movie JFK. Josh Brolin should be great and the creators have done a pretty good job getting him looking like the former president.

Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Thandie Newton, Scott Glenn, Jeffery Wright, Richard Dreyfuss, Toby Jones, Ioan Gruffudd

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CNj2yOKeKSw

7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
February 19

Lifelong platonic friends Zack and Miri look to solve their respective cash-flow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith, (Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma)

Starring: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EtRjr6eJ_rY

8. Watchmen
March 5

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. Based on the DC graphic novels created by Alan Moore and directed by Zack Snyder, who directed Frank Millers “300”.
There has been a lot of buzz about this movie from old fans of the comics to newcomers. I personally cant wait.

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Jackie Earle Haley, Billy Crudup

Official Site: http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=2VLA0tg5yI0

9. Monsters Vs. Aliens
April 2

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young girl and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. But when aliens invade the motley crew of Monsters, on a desperate order from The President, is called into action to combat the invading Aliens and save the world from imminent destruction.

Starring (voices of): Reese Witherspoon. Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Keifer Sutherland

Official Site: http://www.monstersvsaliens.com/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CfxWOpFNoRM&feature=related

10. The Boat That Rocked
ETA: April 9

A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960's.
Written and Directed by Richard Curtis who has had his hand in other great British comedies such as; Mr Bean, Blackadder, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. Great cast and what looks to be quite a funny movie.

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, and Nick Frost

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=XnQc3lO4JDs

11. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
April 30

Wolverine lives a mutant life, seeks revenge against Victor Creed (who will later become Sabertooth) for the death of his girlfriend, and ultimately ends up going through the mutant Weapon X program.
The first of what may be many X-men origin films. However that is just speculation at this time with nothing officially green lite. Looks like a awesome action movie.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Live Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Dominic Monaghan

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=XeP8Vf0gYq4

12. Star Trek
May 7

A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members. Directed by J.J. Abrams who is responsible for hit TV shows such as Alias and Lost.
So far looks pretty awesome, and Zachary Quinto as Spock looks just like the original.

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Eric Bana

Official Site: http://www.startrekmovie.com/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=puXPozd-kuc

13. Bruno
May 28

Flamboyant Austrian fashionista Brüno takes his show to America. Another movie of a fictional character created by funny man Sacha Baron Cohen, the same man who has brought us characters such as Ali G and Borat.

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen

14. Terminator Salvation
June 4

After Skynet has destroyed much of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, a group of survivors led by John Connor struggles to keep the machines from finishing the job.

Starring: Christian Bale, Anton Yelchin, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zg9ooaozu-8

15. Up
June 4

The story follows 78 year old balloon salesman Carl Fredrickson, who finally fulfils his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell.
Brought to you by Disney’s Pixar and directed by Pete Doctor (Monsters Inc.) means you can’t go wrong.

Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=I789Pr5wLUc

16. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
June 25

Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Michael Bay is back directing, as well as the cast from the first film.

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Peter Cullen

17. Public Enemies
July 2

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.
Johnny Depp as a 1930s Gangster, chased by Christian Bale as a FBI agent in a Michael Mann film! What’s not to look forward to?

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff, Rory Cochrane, Stephen Lang, David Wenham, Stephen Graham, Channing Tatum, Jason Clarke

18. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
July 16

If you have read the books then you should know what to expect. But if you haven’t here’s the story; As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent

Official site: http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthehalf-bloodprince/

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=jpCPvHJ6p90

19. Funny People
July 30

When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.
Written and Directed by Judd Apatow who over the last few years has been responsible for The 40 Year Old Virgin, Superbad, Pineapple Express, with a great sounding comedic cast.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana

20. Inglorious Bastards
August 21

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. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
Directed by Quentin Tarantino featuring a unique all star cast.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mike Myers, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl

21. The Taking of Pelham 123
August 27

Remake of the 1970s thriller, the story of Armed men hijacking a New York subway train in demand of a hefty ransom. As the authorities try to negotiate with the hostage takers they wonder how the hijackers plan to get away.

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta

22. The Wolf Man
November 5

Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten, and subsequently cursed by, a werewolf.

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving

Official Site: http://www.thewolfmanmovie.com/

23. Avatar
December 17

James Cameron (The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss) makes his long awaited return to directing Sci Fi movies in Avatar, the story about a band of humans that are pitted in a battle against a distant planet's indigenous population.

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CGs3_1qKl34

24. Sherlock Holmes
December 26

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. Directed by Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch), and stars the brilliant Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Watson.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong

25. The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus
Late 2009

A travelling theatre company gives its audience much more than they were expecting.
Directed by Terry Gilliam who has directed movies such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which suggests that this fantasy tale could be an interesting movie to watch out for. It is also Heath Ledgers last performance in a movie, and after seeing his performance as “the Joker” last year in The Dark Knight I can’t wait.

Starring: Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Christopher Plummer