Movies to last you until May
Hollywood is trying to make the winter and spring of 2009 look like a blast from the past.
From now through Memorial Day, studios are going back to the future with reboots and continuations of sci-fi favorites such as “Star Trek,” starring Green Tree's Zachary Quinto, and “Terminator: Salvation.”
Remakes and sequels will also arrive in glossy cinematic packages. Expect to see “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian,” “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” “Pink Panther 2,” “Friday the 13th,” and “Crank 2: High Voltage.”
Eye-popping effects will jump off screens thanks to “My Bloody Valentine 3D,” “Monsters vs. Aliens 3D,” “Coraline 3D,” “Under the Sea 3D” and “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.”
Big-budget mainstream titles will include “The Soloist” with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., “Angels & Demons” with Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor and “The International” with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts.
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Love will be in the air during romantic comedies such as “New in Town” with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr., “All About Steve” with Sandra Bullock and Thomas Haden Church, “Duplicity” with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, “The Ugly Truth” with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner and “He’s Just Not That Into You” with Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck.
And fantasy fans are already arguing whether the graphic novel “Watchmen” can be adapted to the big screen. We’ll all find out March 6.
Here’s a look at many of the titles (with dates all highly subject to change) arriving between now and July. Mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy:
Jan. 9
“Bride Wars,” with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in a comedy about two best friends who battle each other after their weddings are scheduled for the same day.
“Not Easily Broken,” with Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) in a relationship drama based on pastor and author Bishop T.D. Jakes’ book about a couple whose 10-year marriage begins to crumble due to outside forces.
“The Unborn,” with Odette Yustman (“Cloverfield”) and Gary Oldman in a chiller about a young woman who fears that an evil spirit possesses her.
“The Wrestler,” with Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in a film-festival favorite about an aging professional wrestler willing to get in the ring and put his life on the line if it means reconnecting with his estranged daughter.
Jan. 16
“Che,” with Benicio Del Toro in director Steven Soderbergh’s two-part, 270-minute drama about Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara, who fought alongside Fidel Castro during the revolution in Cuba.
“Defiance,” with Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber in a fact-based drama about two Jewish brothers who become resistance fighters battling Nazis during World War II in Poland.
“Hotel for Dogs,” with Emma Roberts and Don Cheadle in a family tale about teens who create a living area for nine stray canines with nowhere to go.
“Last Chance Harvey,” with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson in a romantic comedy about an aging man who finds his love life renewed during a visit to London.
“My Bloody Valentine 3D,” with Jaime King in a remake of the 1981 fright film in which a madman returns to his hometown on the 10th anniversary of a killing spree and begins a new reign of terror.
“Notorious,” with Derek Luke and Angela Bassett in a screen biography of Brooklyn native Christopher Wallace, who became Notorious B.I.G., a best-selling rap artist.
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” with Kevin James in a comedy about a meek security guard forced to confront criminals who have taken over his shopping center.
Jan. 23
“The Dark Knight IMAX,” with Christian Bale and Heath Ledger as Batman and the Joker, respectively, in a bigger-than-life version of the mega-hit directed by Christopher Nolan.
“Inkheart,” with Brendan Fraser and Helen Mirren in an adventure fantasy about a man who has the ability to bring story characters to life when he reads aloud to his 12-year-old daughter. Things become complicated after his child is absorbed into the pages of the mystical book and he must rescue her.
“Killshot,” with Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson and Thomas Jane in a thriller about a couple placed in the witness-protection program and then hunted by an assassin and his deadly assistant.
“Possession,” with Sarah Michelle Gellar in a chiller about a woman whose spouse and brother-in-law go into comas after a freak car accident. Afterwards, one awakens with a different personality.
“Taken,” with Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace (TV’s “Lost”) in an action thriller about an ex-spy who uses deadly skills after his estranged daughter is kidnapped.
“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” with Rhona Mitra (“Doomsday”) and Michael Sheen (“Frost/Nixon”) in the third installment of the horror franchise about the battle between vampires and werewolves.
“Wendy and Lucy,” with Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”) in a drama about a young woman facing hard times after her car breaks down as she’s driving to a new job in a faraway city and her beloved dog is placed in an animal shelter.
Jan. 30
“New in Town,” with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. in a romantic tale about a powerful Miami businesswoman who decides to leave the rat race of the financial world and move to a quiet area of Minnesota.
“The Uninvited,” with Elizabeth Banks (“Zack and Miri Make a Porno”) in a chiller about a young woman who returns home after a stay in a psychiatric hospital and then discovers a ghost in her residence.
Feb. 6
“Coraline 3D,” with Dakota Fanning providing a voice for a stop-motion-animation title, directed by Henry Selick (“The Nightmare Before Christmas”) and based on the book by Neil Gaiman, about a girl who discovers an alternate reality of her life that exists in her new home.
“Dance Flick,” with Marlon Wayans in a spoof of high-stepping favorites such as “Flashdance,” “Save the Last Dance” and “High School Musical.”
“Fan Boys,” with Kristen Bell (TV’s “Veronica Mars”) in a comedy about hyper “Star Wars” fans who in 1998 plot to break into George Lucas’ production facility to steal an early copy of “Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace.”
“He’s Just Not That Into You,” with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore in a romantic comedy about twentysomethings and thirtysomethings in Baltimore trying to connect with each other.
“The Pink Panther 2,” with Steve Martin (returning as Inspector Clouseau), Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer in a comedy sequel in which the bumbling detective is put in charge of an international effort to stop a thief from stealing historical artifacts.
“Push,” with Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning and Djimon Hounsou in a thriller about the world of psychic espionage where paranormal operatives can murder people without ever touching them.
Feb. 13
“Confessions of a Shopaholic,” with Isla Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”) in a romantic comedy about a young professional who uses her income to support her shopping habit.
“Friday the 13th,” with Jared Padalecki (TV’s “Supernatural”) in a remake of the teen fright favorite that introduced hockey-mask-wearing Jason Voorhees.
“The International,” with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts in a thriller about financial wizards earning fortunes from the sale of weapons.
“Under the Sea 3D,” with Jim Carrey narrating an IMAX adventure that captures images of mysterious water creatures in places like Australia and New Guinea.
Feb. 20
“Fired Up,” with John Michael Higgins (“Yes Man”) and Molly Sims (TV’s “Las Vegas”) in a teen comedy about two football players who decide to join the cheerleading squad and then find it more physically demanding than gridiron action.
“Tyler Perry’s Medea Goes to Jail,” with Keshia Knight Pulliam (TV’s “House of Payne”) in a comedy about a grandmother who becomes mixed up with eccentric characters during a prison stay.
“Youth in Revolt,” with Michael Cera, Justin Long and Steve Buscemi in a comedy about a 14-year-old guy who feels losing his virginity will help ease the depression he feels due to the impending divorce of his parents.
Feb. 27
“Assassination of a High School President,” with Mischa Barton as a high-school beauty who teams up with a student reporter to find out who stole SAT tests and then discovers that a school administrator may be behind the thefts.
“Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” with the singing siblings performing during their “Burning Up” tour and relaxing in backstage footage.
March 6
“All About Steve,” with Sandra Bullock and Thomas Haden Church in a romantic comedy about a woman who believes a TV cameraman is her one true love and follows him as he travels the globe covering news stories.
“Watchmen,” with Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson and Carla Gugino in director Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the Dave Gibbons/Alan Moore graphic novel that’s set in an alternate universe and follows a masked vigilante who sets out to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.
March 13
“A Perfect Getaway,” with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant (HBO’s “Deadwood”) in a thriller about a couple who fear they are being stalked while on their honeymoon in Hawaii.
“Race to Witch Mountain,” with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a family adventure about a cabbie and a UFO expert who help two youngsters with paranormal powers escape from pursuers seeking to harness their special gifts.
“Sunshine Cleaning,” with Amy Adams and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) in a comedy about a mother who finances her son’s education at a prestigious private school by going into the business of toxic-waste removal and crime-scene clean ups.
“12 Rounds,” with wrestler-turned-actor John Cena and Ashley Scott in an action film about a lawman who must save his girlfriend by enduring a dozen physical challenges posed by the madman who kidnapped her.
March 20
“Duplicity,” with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen in a romantic thriller about two corporate spies who team for a con after their bosses mistreat them.
“I Love You, Man,” with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel in a comedy about an engaged guy who has no close male friend to be best man at his wedding, so he embarks on a series of “man-dates” to find a buddy.
“Knowing,” with Nicolas Cage in a thriller about a professor who uncovers terrifying predictions about the future and fights to keep them from coming true.
March 27
“The Accidental Husband,” with Uma Thurman and Colin Firth in a comedy about a talk-show host who advises a listener to dump her boyfriend and then must deal with the revenge-seeking guy.
“Adventureland,” with Kristen Stewart (“Twilight”) and Jesse Eisenberg (“The Village”) in a 1987-set comedy about a college graduate who takes a summer job at a resort amusement park and finds the work helps prepare him for life in the real world.
“Janky Promoters,” with Ice Cube and Mike Epps in a comedy about two struggling concert promoters who sign a superstar rapper for an appearance and then run into numerous problems putting on the show.
“Monsters vs. Aliens 3D,” with the voices of Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland in a computer-animated tale about a 50-foot woman who teams with some other unusual earth creatures to fight an invasion by extraterrestrials.
April 3
“The Ugly Truth,” with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler (“300”) in a romantic comedy about a chauvinist who sets up a series of tests that he claims will help a lonely TV producer find true love.
April 8
“Dragonball Evolution,” with Justin Chatwin and Emmy Rossum providing voices for a computer-animated anime tale about samurai warriors and royal battles.
April 10
“Case 39,” with Renee Zellweger and Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) in a horror thriller about a young girl being psychically and emotionally abused by an evil spirit.
“Hannah Montana: The Movie,” with Miley Cyrus in a tween tale that has the singer’s screen character needing a break from touring and returning home to rediscover — with the help of her father (singer Billy Ray Cyrus) — what’s really important in life.
“Observe and Report,” with Seth Rogen and Anna Faris in a comedy about a mall security guard who dreams of becoming a real police officer and believes he’ll have that opportunity if he can capture a flasher who keeps exposing himself to patrons.
April 17
“Crank 2: High Voltage,” with Jason Statham, whose character died at the end of the original, returning from the grave and going on the run again thanks to a mechanical heart.
“State of Play,” with Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Ben Affleck in a police thriller about an investigation into the murder of the mistress of a high-profile politician.
“17 Again,” with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann in a comedy about a thirtysomething guy who has an opportunity to re-energize his life by being transformed back into a teenager.
April 22
“Earth,” with James Earl Jones narrating a Walt Disney production that transforms the series “Planet Earth” into a big-screen experience.
April 24
“Obsessed,” with Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba and Ali Larter in a thriller about a wife who must deal with a woman stalking her husband.
“Fighting,” with Terrence Howard and Channing Tatum in an action tale about an hard-hitting ticket scalper who enters the world of underground street battles.
“The Goods: The Ron Ready Story,” with Jeremy Piven and Ving Rhames in a comedy about an outrageous salesman who’s asked to use any means necessary to save a local car dealership from bankruptcy.
“The Soloist,” with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. in a fact-based tale about a newspaper columnist who befriends a former classical musical prodigy now living on the streets of Los Angeles.
“Vanilla Gorilla,” with Pierce Brosnan and Dennis Haysbert in an environmental melodrama about a little girl who uses sign language to communicate with an endangered albino gorilla.
May 1
“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in a romantic comedy about a bachelor who uses and discards women, a habit he stops after the ladies from his failed relationships of the past, present and future come back to haunt him.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” with Hugh Jackman, who plays the title character in the “X-Men” franchise, in a big-budget comic adaptation that shows how the mutant got his lethal powers.
May 8
“My Life in Ruins,” with Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), Richard Dreyfuss and Rachel Dratch (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) in a romantic comedy about a travel expert who goes looking for love while on a trip to Greece.
“Next Day Air,” with Mike Epps and Mos Def in a comedy about a stoner who mistakenly receives a box containing 10 kilos of cocaine and then discovers that the wrong delivery could cost him his life.
“Star Trek,” with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, John Cho and Zoe Saldana as Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Bones, Sulu and Uhura, respectively, in director J.J. Abrams’ re-imagining of the classic sci-fi series.
“Wild Child,” with Emma Roberts in a tween comedy about a wealthy California girl whose antics cause her father to send her to a strict British boarding school.
May 15
“Angels & Demons,” with Tom Hanks returning as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of “The Da Vinci Code” for this thriller in which the intellectual/adventurer must solve a crime and prevent a terrorist attack against the Vatican.
“Bruno,” with Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat”) in a comedy about an outrageous Australian designer who showcases his bizarre clothing designs at an American fashion show.
May 22
“Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian,” with Ben Stiller returning as a guard who in this sequel must find rare artifacts that were mistakenly sent to another museum.
“Terminator: Salvation,” with Christian Bale and Bryce Dallas Howard in the fourth installment of “The Terminator” franchise. Set in 2018, the story follows John Connor as he intensifies human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators and uncovers a terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.
References for this story include Variety, Entertainment Weekly, Film Journal International and the Internet Movie Database.