Film Review of the Year Part 8 of 8

With 2008 drawn to a close all eyes turn to 2009. And as is to be expected the year will see the arrival of the Oscar contenders. But rather than be so miopic in my view of what 2009 can bring us, I am going to list the big 9 films i'm most looking forward to in the new year. So here goes...


1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
David Fincher fresh from the excellent Zodiac delivers an adaptation of Scott Fitzgerald's short story about a man born old who grows young. starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton it has classic written all over it.

2. The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky directs Mickey Rourke in what has already been dubbed "film of the year". Some feat considering it comes out on Jan 16th. But with a trailer that put a lump in my throat and revealed a potentially mesmerising performance from Rourke this film looks destined to be a great film.

3. Watchmen
Who watches the watchmen. More importantly who watches Zack Snyder. Responsible for adaptating the greatest graphic novel of all time to the big screen. the trailer bodes well but despite all my excitement, can it really be as good as the book. unlikely, but im itching to see it nonetheless.

4. Public Enemies
Michael Mann directs a period set crime thriller about John Dillinger played by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis as the FBI man who tracks him down. Nothing about this film doesn't enthrall. Two heavyweights of modern cinema and a director to match them.

5. The Road
Viggo Mortensen is one of those actors to watch. After impressing in Lord of the Rings and blowing me away in A History of Violence, this adaptation from Cormac "No Country For Old Men" McCarthy is directed by John Hillcoat (The Proposition).

6. Broken Embraces
Pedro Almodovar directing Penelope Cruz. After the riveting Volver Almodovar has become one of world cinemas brightest lights. Broken Embraces promises to be just a great.

7. Che Parts 1 and 2
Steven Soderburgh directs two che films starring the superb Benecio Del Toro. Based on earlier word, the films are difficult to watch and intentionally try to subvert traditional biopic conventions. Sounds like a infuriating breath of fresh air. exactly what modern cinema should do.

8. Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino finally gets round to bringing his world war two epic to the big screen. having read the leaked internet script the film is nothing like it imagined and hoped, but the script has some incredible sequences and a cast lead by Brad Pitt and Tarantino may well deliver his best film since Pulp Fiction.

9. Avatar
Two words, James and Cameron. Excited yet, you should be. Back from the wilderness of 3d underwater documentaries the self proclaimed king of the world is back to reinvent cinema for the next decade. Shot in 3D my mouth is already salivating.