10 films to watch in 2009
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Since I already mentioned Coraline in my last post, here are 10 more movies I am looking forward to seeing in 2009, in no particular order.
Where the Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze presents an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s story, one of my very favorite books from childhood. 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. I can’t wait to see Where the Wild Things Are next fall.
Synecdoche, New York
With Spike Jonze busy directing Where the Wild Things Are, brilliant screenwriter Charlie Kaufman just made his directorial debut with Synecdoche, New York. I may watch this one before 2009.
King Shot
As a follow-up to my September 5, 2007 post, we now have some additional information about Alejandro Jodorowsky’s long-awaited upcoming film King Shot, which David Lynch is producing. Watch this video. I was thinking the same thing as K|LLDOZER about Jodorowsky’s interview: “I loved the fact that Jodorowsky made sure to draw the distinction between ‘artistic’ film and industrial films. I couldn’t think of a more perfect classification for large spectacle than ‘industrial.’ Oversized, expensive, impersonal and belittling. Excellent.” Jodorowsky’s new film is pretty much guaranteed to be simultaneously pretentious, confusing and awesome. What else could a metaphysical spaghetti western gangster flick be?
The Wrestler
Though it will technically be released in December 2008 to limited theaters, I probably won’t get a chance to see the new Darren Aronofsky film The Wrestler until 2009.
The Spirit
On Christmas day, graphic novelist Frank Miller makes his solo directorial debut with The Spirit. He co-directed Sin City with Robert Rodriguez a few years ago. Next should be the Sin City sequels.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The new David Fincher film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt, is finally being released on the day after Christmas.
Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino’s next film, Inglourious Basterds, set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, will be released in 2009.
The Limits of Control
Jim Jarmusch’s latest film, The Limits of Control, a crime drama/thriller starring Bill Murray, is due out next year.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Terry Gilliam will be releasing The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2009.
Stories & Legends: From the Heart of the Valley
On November 21, I went to a free film preview at the OSU Memorial Union of Stories & Legends: From the Heart of the Valley, a popularized history of the town of Corvallis, Oregon, in celebration of its 150th birthday. You can watch a sneak preview on their website. This independent documentary, presented by the Walker family, will be released locally next year.
Finally, I wonder what’s going on with Westworld and Iron Sky, both of which had been scheduled for a 2009 release.
There’s a more complete list of past and future films I’m interested in seeing at Filmometer.com. I am so far behind in the consumption of art/entertainment due to interferences by real life.