Who's Directing It: Peter Docter, Bob Peterson
Who's In It: Christopher Plummer, Edward Asner
What's the Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn�t alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
What's the Deal: C'mon? It's Pixar animation, which has NEVER made a bad film and who's last feature, Wall-E, was not only one of the best films of 2008 but one of the best animated features EVER...another great storyline will make for the best animated film of 2009.
When to Expect It: May 29th
Who's Directing It: Chan Wook-Park
Who's In It: Korean actors you probably wouldn't know
What's the Plot: A failed medical experiment turns a man of faith into a vampire.
What's the Deal: This is the only foreign film on my list and I'll tell you why in one word: Oldboy.Chan Wook-Park is the mastermind behind that genre bending film. We haven't seen much action from him since his revenge trilogy so I'm betting he'll come back with a bang.
When to Expect It: TBA 2009
Who's Directing It: David O. Russell
Who's In It: Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Marsden, Catherine Keener
What's the Plot: A small town waitress gets a nail accidentally lodged in her head causing unpredictable behavior that leads her to Washington, DC, where sparks fly when she meets a clueless young senator who takes up her cause - but what happens when love interferes with what you stand for?
What's the Deal: This has just the kind of oddball plot that I love in a movie. It's like something that would come out of screenwriter Charlie Kauffman's brain. David O. Russell is one of the more daring directors in the business and I feel like this could be the comedy of the year.
When to Expect It: TBA 2009
Who's Directing It: Spike Jonze
Who's In It: JForest Whitaker, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, James Gandolfini
What's the Plot: An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
What's the Deal: This is another film that has been constantly pushed back, but since the director is the brilliant Spike Jonze, I would like to believe it's because he wants to get this one just right. Early screenshots look amazing and my hopes are extremely high for him to bring this classic children's story to theaters with a dark and beautiful edge to it.
When to Expect It: October 16th
