The movies of 2009

With 2008 quickly coming to an end it's time to look forward to 2009 and the films we can expect to see. So far several of the biggest movies look to be no better than the fare presented to us in 2008. Hollywood seems to have forgone entertainment for quick easy bucks. But we can hope that at least this time they might gwet some of these retreads right.

What we do know for sure is that there will be at least 4 movies that are sequels, 4 that are based on comic books, graphic novels and/or cartoons. There will also be at least 2 movies based on video games. Originality seems to be dead.

Starting with cartoons and comic books we have Dragonball. Based on the original manga, this japanese sensation has taken the world by storm. Dragonball (in which I include Dragonball Z) is the most watched cartoon in the world, with an estimated 64 million fans across the world. That also puts it far above shows like Seinfeld, Friends, American Idol, Survivor and so many other television shows. So expect this to be completely screwed up, sadly. Even worse since Chow Yung Fat is in it.





All the better trailers got pulled. Sorry.

Next on the list will be Watchmen. I've discussed this previously. You will want to see this. From everything I can tell this is a near literal translation of the graphic novel, which means an experience that truly will be entertaining by definition.



Then there is GI Joe. A decent cartoon and previously done as an animated film before they became all the rage. This will be live action like Dragonball. The potential is there for a good film, though the characters and storyline are being changed. Instead of all Americans it will be international and include a bad guy that was a former American GI Joe. Thank Hollywood for that bit of tarnish.

Best I could find is a discussion of the cast if that helps. I hate presenting fan fiction instead of a trailer.



Then there are the sequels. Lots of them.

Wolverine is of course on top of the list. As one of the most popular X-Men ever, and as personafied by Hugh Jackman expectations are high. It looks like this group of writers actually read the source comic books and got it right.



Another talked about trailer is Fast and Furious. With the prior 2 movies being bombs, and with the assurance that Paul Walker cannot handle a film lead on his own, Vin Deisel is back. So is Michelle Rodriguez. Of course the fact that both have had problems being bankable may have more to do with this version. Does that mean it will be good?



Another sequel with lots of cars and following up a prior theme is Transformers 2. The first film was short on plot, full of holes, and stupid. But it made money. What can we expect from the first sequel (of undobtedly many more). This is possibly a fan made trailer. Can't be quite sure.



But I can be sure of this next trailer. Terminator 4: Salvation. With Christian Bale who is a very good actor. No more Governator though. Still it looks decent if not a bit gritty. This John Connor looks far better than the one in the 3rd film too. Should be quite the film, and a secure box office smash.



And more of a prequel than sequel is the new Star Trek movie. From what I have seen so far I am unimpressed. Maybe younger fans that have never seen the original might like it. Fans of Star Trek: Enterprise might like it. Fans of Voyager could like it. But not anyone else I think. Unless there is a lot more to the film than what the trailer hints at.



And then there are the video game movies. Honestly the video games today are more like movies than the movies. And of better quality. But occasionally we get something good. Here are the 2009 choices.

Halo

As best as I can tell this is what the movie may look like and contain. There are a slew of fakes out there but this seems authentic. And if it is real it starts kind of slow. But it definitely give the impression that if this is how the movie starts, it will just get really crazy and fast from there.



Then there is the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Another good game with an interesting trailer for the theaters.



And then there is the classic game Legend of Zelda. While the movie is focused on the original game in the setting it seems to also have deviated quite a bit too. But there have been numerous versions of the game in the last 20 years so a bit of mixing is to be expected. This will likely be very family friendly with at least one love story in it for the ladies. Will it be worthy of the title?



Continued in part 2

Beer, Spice Girls and T4 - which do you want? - 5.22.2007.1

While traveling for meetings, my recent book review, and an upcoming giveaway contest have all kept me quite busy, there has been no lack of noticing the news. [Did I just mention the giveaway?] The odd and serious news has kept on coming, and now I will try to catch up on a couple of things I noticed.

One shameful act was the disposal of 196,000 beers in Malaysia. Yes that is a lot of beer, and sadly there was no party. Smugglers got caught preparing to sell the duty-free stash, and since that much beer would kill the local markets, down the drain they went. That is truly alcohol abuse. I mean that is easily a 3 maybe 4 day party for a college somewhere, if they made a donation they could start their own version of spring break. A very American idea I am sure, but come on. Well the fish were having a huge toga party at least.

For those trying to figure out what to do over Christmas this year, rejoice. The Spice girls are reputed to be getting back together. I know that far too many fans have been depressed since the girl band broke up, but here is a gift just for you. Yep all 5 of you. Ok, so there must be more fans than 5 since they are getting $2 million a piece, but I don’t think I know any of them. Can anyone name 3 top songs by the Spice Girls without using Google or Limewire? I mean the Police are in Atlantic City. Now that is a reunion that works. Sometimes I just think promoters put together old bands just to see if they can. What’s next, the adult members of Menudo doing a concert? [Yes Ricky Martin is a good singer, I just don’t like the band since my girlfriend at the time loved them. A 20 year old grudge, what can I say.]

Speaking of comebacks, have you heard about T4? I mean Terminator 4, which should be out in theaters in the not so far future of 2009. The saga continues, sans Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some might be upset about this but if the storyline is anything like the old Dark Horse comic books I recall it will be fine. [If you don’t know who Dark Horse is, you aren’t a real comic book fan – or geek. They had a great line of comic books dealing with storylines for several good movies, and a few that became movies. If you ever saw their version of Aliens Vs. Predator you could never sit through the awful movie of the same name.] Hint to the executives working this Terminator concept, read some of the Dark Horse books, then get their writers to make your movie. Otherwise, I give the odds of the movie being worth seeing about 7-2 against. Now watch them get a great movie and someone making me eat my words in 2 years.

More soon I promise.