Coming Up In 2008 January 4, 2008
Posted by gproject in : Articles , trackbackTrying to pick out films for the upcoming year is such a difficult task given the sheer amount of theatrical releases planned for the next 12 months. I still believe that one of the most exciting aspects of cinema-going is discovering something great when you weren’t expecting it, but with ever-present marketing campaigns starting up to 12 months in advance of some releases, it’s hard to go into anything completely cold. So with that in mind, here’s a quick look at some of the most anticipated releases for 2008. I’m slipping in a few of my personal choices too in the hope of bringing them to your attention.
Let’s kick off with the inevitable comic book adaptations, of which there are a few on the way this year. You’ll be able to see the Edward Norton-starring reinterpretation of The Incredible Hulk, as well as a follow-up to 2004’s The Punisher in the form of Punisher: War Zone, and Oscar nominated director Guillermo del Toro’s return to his favourite comic character with Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Sitting slightly higher on the anticipation scale after going over a storm at comic conventions last year, is Iron Man: starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular metal man and directed by Jon Favreau. For me, there’s only one comic book film that really stands out though, and it’s the one I have the highest hopes for. Currently in the middle of the largest viral marketing campaign ever put together, Christopher Nolan’s sequel to his magnificent 2005 franchise reboot, The Dark Knight will reach cinemas this July.
2008 will also see its fair share of computer animated movies, with their compulsory high-profile comic actors attached to provide the vocals. 
Horton Hears a Who! teams up Jim Carrey and Steve Carell for a retelling of the Dr Suess story, while Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer and Chris Rock all return for more zoological japes in Madagascar: The Crate Escape. Already receiving promotion for its July release is the Jack Black project Kung Fu Panda, although almost certainly taking the crown from all these pictures will be Pixar’s bid for summer domination: WALL·E – it already looks like it may become their sweetest picture to date and with Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton at the helm, who’s to argue?
Having mentioned a few sequels and remakes already, it’s worth pointing out some of the others heading our way this year – not least because they form some of the most hotly anticipated releases. The fantasy genre is getting its annual top-up from a Chronicles of Narnia sequel, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, while director David Yates takes us on the penultimate adventure of a particularly famous young wizard in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. 
More interesting are the re-emergence of characters who have been away from the screen for a while, two of which this year are Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo, hitting theatres soon in a new ultra-violent incarnation if the advance trailers are anything to go by, and an updated version of the original Star Trek with Alias and Lost creator J.J. Abrams in the director’s chair. Also falling into this category is a sure-fire summer hit from the legendary Steven Spielberg: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull goes worldwide in May, and will probably take more than its weight in gold. If I have to pick a film out of this pile however, I’d have to choose the as yet untitled 22nd James Bond movie. Apparently picking up where the superb Casino Royale [review] left off, it seems almost impossible that this will make its November release date having just started shooting this month, but I’m hopeful and waiting for big things from Daniel Craig and Stranger Than Fiction [review] director Marc Forster.
On the periphery of these big releases is the anti-budget comedy revolution, headed formerly by man-of-the-moment Judd Apatow. Even though he has no movies of his own out in 2008, we already know that his name and résumé will be plastered all over the promotion for any of the numerous flicks for which he is a producer. These include, in January, the musical biopic spoof
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, followed up by the Owen Wilson-starring Drillbit Taylor in March. You’ll hear his name again in June when Forgetting Sarah Marshall is released, and he’s all over September with both the Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) directed Step Brothers, and the new movie from Superbad writing partners Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg: Pineapple Express – which puts Apatow regulars Rogen and James Franco in the leading roles. I can’t imagine how many promotional interviews he’ll do this year, but with a release list like that, you can bet his face isn’t going away any time soon.
Finally there’s the miscellaneous category – probably the most fun, and often where the real gems lie. Critics who attended film festival showings are already raving about Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood and the new movie from the Coen Brothers, No Country For Old Men. Both look suitably intriguing and are likely to have their 2008 UK releases bolstered by raving critical acclaim. Another film enhanced by much speculation but this time from audiences, is the aforementioned J.J. Abrams mysterious Cloverfield – a new destructive monster movie 
that has revealed its hand slowly through a rather masterful teaser campaign. We won’t have to wait much longer though; the film gets a January release Stateside, for a Feb 1st debut in the UK. I should probably also drop a mention for the Sex and the City Movie, a guaranteed draw if you’re that way inclined (although I’ve got a feeling it may disappoint those anxiously awaiting it – just my prediction), and Tom Cruise taking time out from appearing in newspapers and magazines to grab the lead role in an all-star cast for Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie – not particularly my kind of flick, but I await being proven wrong in October.
So what are my picks? Well, besides those I’ve highlighted so far as pre-emptive favourites, I’ve drawn a few more from this year’s crop as potential entertainment highs. Rest assured I’ll be straight out in February to see indie-smash Juno, which looks like a quirky comedy delivered in the best possible way, while I’m also craving to see Be Kind Rewind, Michel Gondry’s new movie released in the same month – if, like me, you adored Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or The Science of Sleep [review], then definitely check out the fantastic trailer for this new film. Meanwhile there’s a new Kevin Smith film in the form of the uniquely titled Zack and Miri Make a Porno 
that I’ve got high hopes for, as well as John Cusack’s War, Inc. which will hopefully get picked up for a 2008 release – it’s looks like the modern cousin of his fantastic 1996 black comedy Grosse Pointe Blank, which is more than enough of a reason for me to be front of the queue. Finally, Vantage Point may turn out to be silly thriller-fare, but it’s got a nicely put together trailer, and in a year that has started with critical hype for two dramatic works, it’s the Ben Affleck directed drama Gone Baby Gone that has my attention – still awaiting a release date after being put back from last year.
Plenty to contend with then, but whatever you see - have a happy and healthy 2008 everyone! As always, thanks to those who read the reviews and articles posted here, I’m very appreciative of all your support. I guess there’s nothing left to say except, I’ll see you in the theatre!
If you want to find out more about any of the movies mentioned above, I highly suggest visiting Dave’s Trailer Page and checking out the trailers available there.
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?