2008 Movie Guide

Phil Villarreal - Arizona Daily Star

2008 movie guide: Blockbuster sequels will dominate screens this year

Jan. 10--Everything old is new again, and that's just one of the trends bubbling under the surface of the 2008 movie schedule. The full story won't be known until some hot independent movies snag distribution deals at film festivals, and surely some dark horses are lurking under wraps. Long- distance sequels

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" opens 19 years after the last Indy outing ("Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"). Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo" comes out firing 20 years after "Rambo III." "Star Trek," the prequel, comes six years after "Star Trek: Nemesis." The usual suspects

As you'd expect, the box office will be filled with sequels of more recent blockbusters. Expect visits from old pals the Incredible Hulk, Hellboy, Harry Potter, Batman, James Bond and "The Chronicles of Narnia" gang. Silly comedies reign

Outlandish laughers with big stars are out in abundance this year. Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Martin Lawrence, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Jim Carrey and Seth Rogen will all sell their wares. A couple of slapstick-heavy, "Naked Gun"-style spoofs -- "Meet the Spartans" and "Superhero Movie!" -- are also on the docket. Brainy comic excursions in the vein of "Charlie Wilson's War" and "Juno" are in short supply. The war goes on

But the pipeline has slowed following the general indifference that met last year's slate of war/terrorism-themed movies, including "In the Valley of Elah," "Rendition," "Lions for Lambs" and "Redacted." "Stop-Loss" (March 28) seems to be the only film focused on the conflict in Iraq.

Release dates, titles -- even casts -- of the following 2008 movies are subject to change.

Cloverfield (Jan. 18) -- Remember the trailer for the disaster flick that played before "Transformers?" Well, here it is. Now we'll see if the rampaging monster lives up to the mysterious marketing campaign.

Mad Money (Jan. 18) -- Three Federal Reserve employees plot to steal money that's marked for destruction. Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes look to steal some box office dough.

There Will be Blood (Jan. 18) -- A ruthless Texas prospector (Daniel Day-Lewis) ventures to strike black gold on the West Coast. The film, which is earning rapturous reviews, is the latest from director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights," "Magnolia"). Judging from the title, you can guess that he doesn't prospect in a nice, friendly way.

Be Kind Rewind (Jan. 25) -- After a man's brain gets magnetized, he inadvertently destroys all the VHS tapes at his friend's rental store, so he re-enacts famous movies. It's no surprise Jack Black is the star of such a film with such a geeky concept.

Meet the Spartans (Jan. 25) --A dumb spoof in the vein of "Scary Movie," mocking the likes of "300" and "Meet the Parents." Hmm. I thought "Meet the Parents" already had a dumb spoof -- "Meet the Fockers."

Rambo (Jan. 25) -- The soldier comes out of retirement -- don't all 1980s Sly Stallone characters? -- to lead a group of mercenaries to rescue missionaries. I'll be disappointed if there is more dialogue than explosions.

Untraceable (Jan. 25) -- Diane Lane plays an FBI agent who tracks down a serial killer said to be untraceable. So the movie is probably about Lane just giving up and not even trying, because why waste the effort trying to trace the untraceable?

The Eye (Feb. 1) -- One day, every Asian horror film will be badly remade by Hollywood. Jessica Alba joins the phenomenon, playing a woman who has an eye transplant that lets her see into the netherworld.

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Concert Worlds (Feb. 1) -- A 3-D film of the teen musician's 2007 concert tour, with 100 percent less ticket scalping.

Over Her Dead Body (Feb. 1) -- In this romantic comedy, a ghost (Eva Longoria Parker) messes with her boyfriend's new relationship with a psychic. Creepy, but if you must be stalked by a ghost, it's nice to have it be an attractive one.

Persepolis (Feb. 1) -- Iranian-born artist and writer Marjane Satrapi tells the animated story of growing up during the Islamic Revolution. The trailers are so good that the movie just has to be brilliant.

Strange Wilderness (Feb. 1) --Pals (Steve Zahn and Allen Covert) try to save their TV animal show by finding Bigfoot. Hopefully, they'll discover a few laughs as well.

Fool's Gold (Feb. 8) -- Bored marrieds (Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey) re- invigorate their stale marriage when they go on a treasure hunt.

Honeydripper (Feb. 8) -- Writer/director John Sayles' musical drama tells of a piano-playing bar owner (Danny Glover), struggling in the 1950s Deep South.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (Feb. 8) -- In this drama with a no-name cast, a serial killer's recordings are discovered in an abandoned house. No wonder no one wanted to live there.

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (Feb. 8) -- A Los Angeles talk show host (Martin Lawrence) reconnects with relatives in the Deep South. Doesn't sound so great, but at least it's not another "Big Momma's House."

Definitely, Maybe (Feb. 14) -- A political consultant (Ryan Reynolds) explains his impending divorce and relationship history to his 11-year-old daughter.

Step Up 2 the Streets (Feb. 14) -- An urban dance drama sequel to "Step Up," and it just has 2 be hip because it uses "2" instead of "to." How edgy.

Jumper (Feb. 15) -- A man (Hayden Christensen) learns he has the genetic ability to teleport, then finds there are others who share his ability -- and people out to kill them. And Hayden thought the crowd of "Star Wars" prequels-haters were tough.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Feb. 15) -- Siblings move into a new estate and then are pulled into a fantasy world with magical creatures. Freddie Highmore stars, as he does in seemingly all children's lit adaptations.

Vantage Point (Feb. 15) -- A presidential assassination attempt unfurls from five different points of view. It's "Rashômon" on steroids! And with a Dennis Quaid syringe.

Charlie Bartlett (Feb. 22) -- A high school student (Anton Yelchin) appoints himself a psychiatrist to serve his high school. Must have stolen the idea from Lucy of the "Peanuts" comic strip.

Foot Fist Way (Feb. 22) -- A low-budget, no-marquee-actors indie comedy about a martial-arts star trying to get his life back on track after his wife cheats on him.

Possession (Feb. 22) -- A woman's life is thrown into turmoil when her husband and brother-in-law are rendered comatose in a car accident. At least we know Sarah Michelle Gellar handles turmoil well. And by "turmoil" I mean "vampires."

The Signal (Feb. 22) -- A horror film told from three perspectives about a transmission signal that makes people kill. Maybe it's the ghost from "The Ring," having upgraded after realizing VHS tapes are obsolete.

Witness Protection (Feb. 22) -- A small-town sheriff tries to stop government agents from kidnapping a woman. When Jenny McCarthy is in a movie, quality is guaranteed.

Babylon A.D. (Feb. 29) -- A mercenary who escorts a woman on an international voyage learns she may carry a disease that could destroy the human race. Vin Diesel stars, and we'll see if there's any gas left in his tank.

Bonneville (Feb. 29) -- Three middle-age women (Joan Allen, Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange) travel with ashes of one of their dead husbands. For some reason, this doesn't sound like a guy movie.

The Other Boleyn Girl (Feb. 29) -- Sisters compete for the love of King Henry VIII. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson make the monarch (Eric Bana) one lucky man indeed.

Penelope (Feb. 29) -- A woman (Christina Ricci) dogged by a family curse tries to make it on her own.

Semi-Pro (Feb. 29) -- Will Ferrell plays an owner/coach/player of an American Basketball Association team who tries to help his friends get to the NBA. Just goes to show all it takes for a funny movie is Will Ferrell and a ball. And the ball is optional.

The Accidental Husband (March 7) -- The title refers either to the comedy with Uma Thurman as a radio relationship advice guru who discovers her own relationship is fake, or the nickname for the dude who married Britney in Vegas.

College Road Trip (March 7) -- A father (Martin Lawrence) and high school daughter (Raven) visit colleges together. This must be a horror movie, because few things are more frightening than the idea of traveling around in a car with the shrill Lawrence.

The Ruins (March 7) -- American tourists in Mexico help a man search for his brother, then end up in danger. Jena Malone stars in a film the Mexican tourism industry can't be too pleased about.

10,000 B.C. (March 7) -- A young mammoth hunter makes a dangerous journey to protect his tribe. At its heart, the movie is just an excuse to get Suri van Sornsen and Camilla Belle into sabertooth-skin togas.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (March 14) -- A winner of the Cannes Film Festival's Golden Palm, this Romanian drama tells the 1980s-set tale of a woman who seeks an illegal abortion.

Funny Games U.S. (March 14) -- Director Michael Haneke is running a funny game, making a scene-for-scene do-over of his 1997 drama about psychos who hold a family hostage in a cabin. Naomi Watts lights up the place.

Sleepwalking (March 14) -- An 11-year--old girl (AnnaSophia Robb) tries to get over being abandoned by her mom.

Drillbit Taylor (March 21) --High school freshmen enlist a mercenary soldier (Owen Wilson) to fight off a bully in this comedy. Where was this guy during my freshman hazing?

Meet the Browns (March 21) -- In the latest from writer/director/star/cash machine Tyler Perry, a single mother takes her family to the funeral of her father, whom she never knew.

Synecdoche, New York (March 21) -- Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman steps into the director's chair for the first time, in a sure-to-be-fascinating tale of a theater director who builds a replica of New York City in a warehouse.

Run, Fatboy, Run (March 28) -- A comedy about a man (Simon Pegg) who left his pregnant bride-to-be five years ago, but now realizes she was the love of his life. Not so funny for the woman or the child.

Stop-Loss (March 28) -- An Iraq war hero (Ryan Phillippe) returns and tries to re-establish his life, only to be called to duty again. It's the first film from director Kimberly Pierce since "Boys Don't Cry" in 1999.

Superhero Movie! (March 28) -- An action comedy that spoofs comic book superheroes. It's "Scary Movie" in a cape and spandex.

21 (March 28) -- Six MIT students use mathematic knowledge to win millions playing blackjack at the behest of their leader, played by Kevin Spacey. A horror story for casino pit bosses.

Leatherheads (April 4) -- A screwball football comedy set in the 1920s -- a pro football owner drafts a star player, who seduces the owner's intended bride. George Clooney and Renee Zellweger run the option.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (April 25) -- Slacker, pothead buddies (John Cho, Kal Penn), having sated their hunger at White Castle, are suspected of being terrorists in this comedy sequel.

Iron Man (May 2) -- Marvel's hero in an iron shell makes his silver screen debut. Robert Downey Jr. plays the man in the mask. I always thought Iron Man's alternate identity should be a housekeeper who's terrible at pressing shirts.

Speed Racer (May 9) -- A young racecar driver strives for success. Based on a Japanese cartoon series. It's Larry and Andy Wachowski's first directorial effort since "The Matrix Revolutions."

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16) -- Children return to Narnia to help overthrow an evil king in this sequel to "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Should pull in a buck or two.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22) -- Harrison Ford reprises the memorable swashbuckling role once again, with Steven Spielberg at the helm. The last Indy flick came out just about two decades ago, when Ford was only sort of old.

Sex and the City: The Movie (May 30) -- Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte shimmy to the big screen four years after the hit HBO series ended. The gal pals will be joined by Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson as Carrie's assistant.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan (June 6) -- An Israeli secret agent (Adam Sandler) tricks his employer into thinking he's dead so he can work as a hairstylist in New York. The comedy would probably play well in a double feature with "Munich."

The Happening (June 13) -- A family is stuck in the middle of a natural crisis that threatens humanity. The title proves writer/director M. Night Shyamalan is pretty much out of ideas.

The Incredible Hulk (June 13) -- The bulging green Marvel superhero gets another movie, this time played by Edward Norton, who's about as un-Hulky as an actor can get.

Get Smart (June 20) -- In a remake of the 1960s TV comedy, agents battle evil forces. Steve Carell fills in the lead role, looking to rebound from his last summer comedy, the awful "Evan Almighty."

WALL-E (June 27) -- Pixar's latest is the story of a lost robot looking for a home in outer space, where no one can hear you weep.

Hancock (July 2) -- A burned-out superhero (Will Smith) decides to change his life after he falls into a relationship with his P.R. guy's wife (Charlize Theron).

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (July 11) -- Supernatural monsters try to conquer the globe, but a devil-spawned hero (Ron Perlman) says, "Oh, hell no."

Tropic Thunder (July 11) -- Ben Stiller stars and directs this comedy about an action star who's forced to become a real soldier when a movie shoot is broken up by a battle. Cover your eyes and ears, Stallone.

The Dark Knight (July 18) -- Batman's adventures continue after "Batman Begins" as the caped crusader (Christian Bale) battles what looks to be a very creepy Joker (Heath Ledger).

Mamma Mia! (July 18) -- The stage musical, featuring the music of ABBA, comes to the big screen. It's a likely chance to hear Meryl Streep sing.

Pineapple Express (Aug. 8) -- A stoner and a drug dealer see a cop committing murder, then go on the run. Seth Rogen, who simply doesn't star in unfunny movies (yet), shows up here.

Valkyrie (Oct. 3) -- Set during World War II, a plot to assassinate Hitler unfolds. Tom Cruise stars, not as Hitler.

Bond 22 (Nov. 7) -- The new James Bond outing doesn't yet have a title, but at least it's got a heck of a star, "Casino Royale" dynamo Daniel Craig.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Nov. 21) -- Daniel Radcliffe, fully clothed, reprises his role as the boy wizard, who enters year six at Hogwarts, in which the magical community readies for all-out war with Lord Voldemort.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Nov. 26) -- Adapted from the writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald, it's about a man (Brad Pitt) born in his 80s who ages in reverse. Pitt reteams with "Fight Club" director David Fincher.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (Dec. 12) -- A remake of the groundbreaking 1951 sci-fi film in which aliens visit the planet and give humanity a warning. Keanu Reeves, who once saved us all from robotic annihilation, tries to make it two for two.

Angels & Demons (Dec. 19) -- Tom Hanks, and possibly his greasy Robert Langdon hair, investigate hidden-symbol-related wrongdoing at the Vatican.

Revolutionary Road (Dec. 19) -- "Titanic" stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite in this drama about a couple who want to break from conformity.

Yes Man (Dec. 19) -- Jim Carrey plays a guy who agrees to say yes to everything. Judging from Carrey's agreeing to star in "The Majestic," "Fun With Dick and Jane" and "The Number 23," it seems to be based on real life.

Star Trek (Dec. 25) -- J.J. Abrams directs this reboot for the franchise, which details the early adventures of Kirk and Spock.

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