One Busy Guy reviews...

Movies New and Next

Well let’s see. Did you know there will be yet a fourth dino movie? That’s right, 'Jurassic Park 4: the Extinction’. We know Laura Dern is on board. One of my favorites ‘Star Trek XI’ hits your local cinema in June of ‘09. It's a prequel to the original series. 'Iron Man 2', 'Mission Impossible 4', 'Scream 4' and 'School of Rock 2' all arrive in 2010. Two  incarnations of Harry Potter: ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince ’, and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows' (2010).

'Sin City ' was a big hit for a small fee and will reappear in sequel ('Sin City 2' in ’09 and 'Sin City 3' in 2010) with a few of the original cast. Similarly for Nicholas Cage who reprises his roles as the 'Ghost Rider' in '09, and 'National Treasure 3' in 2010. Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins team up for ‘Wolfman’ in 2009. ‘The Hobbit’ is in pre-production and will not be directed by Peter Jackson (although he will produce it). That film will be in two parts (2010 & 2012) both directed by Guillermo del Toro. Tom Hanks will star in the most famous book burner of all time ‘Fahrenheit 451’ (2010). Also, look for ‘The Scorpion King: Akkadian’ (as yet uncast).

 Expect a ‘Three Stooges’ movie (2009) from the brothers Farrelly and ‘Pee Wee’s Playhouse’ in 2010. 'Elfstones of Shannara' based on the books, and the big screen treatment of 'Magnum PI', moustache and all! Notice that the TV series 'Witchblade' has achieved big screen treatment. 'I Dream of Jeannie' and 'Hawaii 5-0' are two of the latest TV shows to go all Hollywood.

‘The Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is likely the newest of the Universal movie monsters to reach the big screen. Other sequels include: ‘Silent Hill 2’, ‘Rambo 5’, ‘Ace Ventura 3’, ‘Jackass 3’, ‘High School Musical 4’ (TV), ‘Pink Panther 2’ (with John Cleese, Jean Reno and Alfred Molina), ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’, 'Alvin and the Chipmunks 2', ' I Am Legend 2', 'Harold and Kumar 3', ‘Descent 2’ and ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Trader’ (2010) as well as 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair' in 2011. We will also be treated to 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans', 'Raging Bull 2', 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen', 'Fast and Furious' (third installment) and a remake of the 80's charmer 'Fame'.

The recent X-Men movie sets up solo films for ‘Magneto’and also ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ (2009) as well as 'X-Men: First Class'. The latest comic book characters to spring onto the silver screen: ‘The Flash’ (2010), and also 'Buck Rogers' (2011), ‘Wonder Woman’ ('09), ‘Masters of the Universe’ and ‘The Green Hornet’ (2010). You can look for ‘Superman: Man of Steel’ (directed by Bryan Singer), Vin Diesel will star in and direct ' Hannibal ', this about the Carthaginian leader and his march of elephants over the Alps to battle Rome. Another history driven flick starring Tom Cruise: ‘Valkyrie’ about the plot to assassinate Hitler. Fans of Tyler Perry can look forward to 'Madea Goes to Jail'.

Pierce Brosnan will do a sequel to Thomas Crown: ‘The Topkapi Affair’. Topkapi is a venerated antiquities museum in Cairo and is home to the first playing cards. Angelina Jolie also stars. Look for Elmore Leonard’s novel ‘Killshot’ starring Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, and Rosario Dawson. James Cameron’s first film since ‘Titanic’ entitled ‘Avatar’ with Sigourney Weaver in ’09 (22 May). A 'Night at the Museum' sequel, 'Bloodrayne' (3), 'Butterfly Effect 2',  'Final Destination 4', 'Spiderman 4' and 'Sex and the City 2' in 2011.

AND! Antonio Banderas is on contract to reprise his role as ‘Puss n’ Boots’ (from ‘Shrek’) in a flick of the same name. A variety of animated films arrive including: 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Open Season 2', Ice Age 3' (Dawn of the Dino), 'Alice in Wonderland' from director Tim Burton, 'Rapunzel', 'Toy Story 3', 'Cars 2' (2012), and 'A Christmas Carol' with the voices of Colin Firth and Jim Carey that being directed by Robert Zemekis. ‘Madagascar 2’, ‘The Jetsons’, and ‘Fraggle Rock’ arrive soon.

 Another sixties series hits theaters as well that being ‘It Takes a Thief’. The original series starred Robert Wagner. And ‘Knight Rider’ the talking car from the 80’s TV series of the same name. 'The A Team' also makes it into your local cineplex in '09. 'Dallas' the eighties drama reaches the big screen.

A curious remake of the 1951 sci-fi flick ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ starring Keanu Reeves as ‘Klaatu’ (12 Dec ’08). ‘Terminator 4: Salvation (2009) is preparing to shoot in Summer ‘08… no casting info yet. 'Barbarella', the scandalous 60's take on alien sexuality comes to visit in 2009 starring one of the charmed witches (Rose McGowan). Someone has deigned to remake 'the Birds' a classic from Alfred Hitchcock.

 Sword and Sorcery fans will delight that three popular eighties movies are being remade: ‘Red Sonia’, ‘Conan the Barbarian' and 'Dune'. Get ready for more puzzles when the prequel to Dan Brown’s masterpiece ‘The Da Vinci Code’ arrives in 2009, ‘Angels and Demons’.  Additionally, the red menace scare of 'Red Dawn' gets a 21st century makeover as 'Wolverine'.

‘Swiss Family Robinson’ arrives and it is not a Disney film. Disney will be releasing a ‘Hannah Montana’ movie. A remake of ‘Westworld’, the most lethal amusement park ever. A number of classic movie remakes will come on line including: 'All Quiet on the Western Front', and 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes'. This group also includes: 'The Incredible Shrinking Man', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'The Jungle Book' and 'Robocop'.

Some new fair is scheduled as well. 'Sherlock Holmes' directed by Mr. Madonna (Guy Ritchie) starring Robert Downey Jr., 'Johnny Appleseed' and a best seller 'the Historian'. So too 'The First Avenger: Captain America ' (2011).

 ‘Thor’ the story of a mild mannered salesman who discovers his inner Norse God. Not that we need this but look for ‘Godzilla 3-D’. Perhaps the most promising new release will be a series of Charlie Chan mysteries from the days of black and white cinema starring the famous Chinese detective and his number one son. 'Mein Kampf' will soon arrive as well for whatever reason no one can say.

Several noteworthy biopics are scheduled. They include ‘Andre’ about wrestling great ‘Andre the Giant’, ‘Osama’ (billed as a love story) as well as a biography of Edgar Allen Poe (animated). 'Lincoln ’ with Liam Neesan and Sally Fields, ‘The Carl Perkins Story’ and ‘Anna Nicole’. Also a Barack Obama documentary, an 'Earth' documentary and a portrait of composer Antonio Vivaldi in two parts.

It is in 2009 that Jay Leno will end his decades long hosting of 'the Tonight Show'. He will be succeeded by Conan Obrien. The Late Show will feature its' newest host: Jimmy Fallon.

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