The Christmas movie
"Four Christmases" (Nov. 26)
The likeable Reese Witherspoon and fast-talking funnyman Vince Vaughn intentionally spend Christmas alone and far away from their families. When this year’s holiday plans are irreparably disrupted and the four sets of parents/stepparents find out, the couple must face the consequences of their familial neglect by spending the holiday celebrating four separate Christmases. As the only mainstream holiday film, I am hopeful that the inspired casting of Witherspoon and Vaughn will yield Yuletide magic.
Homegrown action films
"Punisher: War Zone" (Dec. 5)
Based on the Marvel Comics action hero, this is a reboot of the franchise after the lukewarm reception of the 2004 Punisher film. Directed by the maker of the cult hit “Green Street Hooligans” and starring a new actor in the role of Frank Castle (the relatively unknown Ray Stevenson), it remains unclear whether this third version of the ultra-violent comic book will be the charm for audiences.
"The Spirit" (Dec. 25)
Another comic book property, this one is adapted and directed by comic industry visionary Frank Miller in his second directorial outing. Filmed in a similar style to the brutal but beautiful “Sin City,” this will be Miller’s opportunity to shine or sink on his own. The film’s hero is returned from the dead and seeking retribution against the city’s sometimes sexy, sometimes sinister super villains, like Samuel L. Jackson’s The Octopus.
"Killshot" (Jan. 23)
Based on the Elmore Leonard novel, this thriller places a married couple in danger after seeing something they shouldn’t have. Two mob enforcers, track the couple down and seek to silence them permanently. Thomas Jane (“The Mist”) and Diane Lane (“Untraceable”) must do all within their power to protect themselves. This traditional thriller has some respectable acting talent and an Oscar-winning director behind the camera, leading me to believe it will be a genre stand-out.
Luc Besson's international action-thrillers
"Transporter 3" (Nov. 26)
Besson returns to the series with a new director but the same Frank Martin (Jason Statham). Frank is being forced by a crime boss to transport a human package to its final destination, in this latest installment of the professional driver-for-hire series. The twist in this third film is that he can’t go farther than 75 feet from his car or the explosives attached to his body will explode. The stunts of this series are incredibly fun to watch and Statham is a charming tough guy with some legitimate acting talent.
"Taken" (Jan. 30)
Luc Besson co-wrote this film about a father who must rescue his kidnapped daughter (Maggie Grace, TV’s “Lost”) from being sold into the international slave trade. The father, played with righteous intensity by Liam Neeson (“Batman Begins”), is a former spy who is willing to ply his trade to save his child.
Fantasy for Kids
"Bedtime Stories" (Dec. 25)
Adam Sandler stars in this family film as an uncle who tells fantastic bedtime stories to his sister’s kids. He is surprised when the events in the stories about the ancient past or the distant future begin to happen in his own life. Seeing Sandler return to his sweet, grown-up-kid persona from “Click,” rather than the flat stud persona from his last two features will be welcome.
"Inkheart" (Jan. 23)
Based upon the first story of the children’s book trilogy by Cornelia Funke, this fantastical adventure revolves around a father and daughter who accidentally bring fictional characters and places to life. The family must find a way to return everything to normal. Brendan Fraser continues in the family fantasy vein after the success of “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” joined by Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) and Andy Serkis (“Lord of the Rings” trilogy) as the villain.
Sci-fi/Fantasy for Adults
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (Dec. 12)
This remake of the 1951 science fiction classic features Keanu Reeves stepping into the lead role of an alien visitor to Earth. The special effects have been upgraded considerably. This is a solid star vehicle for Reeves and will fill the big budget event vacancy of the holiday season.
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Dec. 25)
Visionary director David Fincher is again in demand since the critical success of the true crime film “Zodiac.” Fincher teams with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett to bring to screen an epic story of one man’s life as he ages backwards towards the present. Pitt’s performance has the buzz attributed to a potential Oscar nomination.
Mainstream Actors in Oscar hopefuls
"Doubt" (Dec. 12)
Based on the play about a nun who accuses a priest of abusing a child, the movie is written and directed by the playwright, and stars Meryl Streep in another scene-chewing role as the hard-boiled nun who must confront the well-liked priest. She is ably assisted by Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Capote”) and Oscar nominee Amy Adams (“Enchanted”).
"Seven Pounds" (Dec. 19)
Box office juggernaut Will Smith returns to drama with the able assistance of the director of “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Smith has a secret, which requires him to help seven strangers without them knowing why. The trailer gives the secret an air of menace, which causes Smith’s character some anxiety. Rosario Dawson (“Sin City”) and Woody Harrelson (“No Country for Old Men”) co-star.
World War II Dramas
"Valkyrie" (Dec. 26)
The buzz surrounding this film suggests that it will either be a fantastic triumph or a spectacular dud. Based on a true story, Tom Cruise plays a Nazi officer involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler. The detail-oriented director Bryan Singer is hoping this movie will be more “Usual Suspects” than “Superman Returns” to audiences and critics. This is Cruise’s first major blockbuster since his star began to fall.
"Defiance" (Jan. 16)
Another World War II film based upon a true story, this movie focuses on three Jewish brothers who escape Poland and lead a resistance against the Nazis in the Belarussian forest. They find others who are fleeing the Nazis and decide to train and protect them. The director has significant war movie experience and the tough Daniel Craig may be better suited as a resistance fighter than the suave super-spy James Bond.
Rom Coms
"He’s Just Not That Into You" (Feb. 6)
Bumped from its release date in the fall of 2008, this film based on the bestselling book is looking to fill the romantic comedy niche before Valentine’s Day. The interconnecting stories of several main characters will need to be well constructed to keep the narrative flowing, which the director proved he could do in the original “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” The large cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck and Justin Long.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" (Feb. 13)
Based on two books in a series by Sophie Kinsella, the main character loves to shop the glamorous stores in New York City to the point of going deeply into debt. Can she change her ways and become more responsible while falling for a man above her pay grade? The talented Isla Fisher of “Wedding Crashers" stars in her first major leading role.
Bride Coms
"Bride Wars" (Jan. 9)
Hoping to get a jump on the rom-com competition is the Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway wedding rivalry film. Starting as friends until they both want the same place and date to hold their wedding, Hudson and Hathaway look to undermine each other's special day. The vindictiveness of the main characters’ efforts does not make the film as funny as it hopes to be, from a first look at the trailer.
"I Love You, Man" (Jan. 16)
A more original take on the wedding comedy comes from this film about a man (Paul Rudd, "Role Models") without any close male friends who holds introductory man-dates to find his best man. Written and directed by the under-appreciated filmmaker behind “Along Came Polly,” this movie co-stars fellow comedian Jason Segel (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”).
Fam Coms
"Marley & Me" (Dec. 25)
This rather mundane-looking, uncontrollable dog film stars two of Hollywood’s heaviest comic hitters, Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. The couple decides to get a puppy but doesn't expect the consequences of having a particularly willful dog. Though both actors are infinitely likeable, the movie looks like a slightly more serious “Beethoven” sequel rather than a comedic gem.
"Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (Jan. 16)
The funny everyman on TV’s “King of Queens,” Kevin James has had a tough time making the transition to the big screen. In this custom-made movie by the Adam Sandler production company, James is a mall security officer who is caught in a hostage situation and must prove his “Die Hard”-ness.
Carrey Com
"Yes Man" (Dec. 19)
This film marks the return of Jim Carrey to live action comedy since “Bruce Almighty” in 2003. The story looks similar to his big hit “Liar Liar,” except instead of not being able to tell a lie, he is hypnotized into saying yes to everything. When Carrey is in top form, no one is better at making people laugh, but has he been gone too long for anyone to remember?
Slasher remakes
"My Bloody Valentine" (3D) (Jan. 16)
This is a remake of the 1981 movie about the killings of townspeople by a masked man in miner gear. Jensen Ackles (TV’s “Supernatural”) stars as Tom, who returns to his hometown 10 years after the massacre and is suspected of the murders. The original movie isn‘t well-known enough to cause a big stir over its remake. It looks scary, especially if seen in digital 3D (where available).
"Friday the 13th" (Feb. 13)
The other main actor from TV’s “Supernatural” (Jared Padelecki) stars in this remake of a horror classic. The director, Marcus Nispel, succeeded in creating a comparable quality reboot of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series and hopes are high he can make lightning strike twice. The faithful may have problems with Jason appearing in this first installment (as revealed in the trailer) and wearing the hockey mask. It also looks as if Jason will not walk but run after his victims. Good luck.
Asian-inspired horror
"The Unborn" (Jan. 9)
A girl is haunted by the ghost of someone who was never born and is looking to break through into our world. Gary Oldman co-stars in this inventive story shockingly not based on a prior movie or book.
"The Uninvited" (Jan. 30)
This is a remake of a Korean horror film focusing on a teenage girl who returns home from a mental institute. Glad to be back with her sister, her father has remarried a woman who is not as nice as she appears. A ghost appears to the girl to either hurt her or warn her of an impending danger. One of the most prolific actresses of 2008, Elizabeth Banks plays the stepmother.