2008 Movie Preview: Paramount Pictures
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on December 29, 2007
We’ve already rolled through Universal and Walt Disney, so now it’s time to talk about Paramount Pictures’ lineup for 2008. You know what that means: one superhero makes his debut in live-action, a legendary hero makes his triumphant return, a big undisclosed monster eats New York City and Jack Black gets animated. And those are just a few. Take a peek below.
Cloverfield
Release Date: January 18, 2008
Genre: Action / Thriller
Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman.
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Synopsis: Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives.
Our Thoughts: Great marketing, but the film is still suspect. Crowds should be out in force based on the buzz, but will they come back? Our gut says no.
Strange Wilderness
Release Date: February 1, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jonah Hill, Ashley Scott, Peter Dante, Harry Hamlin, Robert Patrick, Joe Don Baker, also starring Justin Long with Jeff Garlin and Ernest Borgnine as Milas.
Directed by: Fred Wolf
Synopsis: Animal enthusiast Peter Gaulke (Steve Zahn) and his sidekick Fred Wolf
(Allen Covert) host an ailing wildlife TV show “Strange Wilderness,” which is in a steep ratings decline. Desperate to save the show, Peter hatches a Hail Mary scheme to find the one animal that could truly turn the show around and change the nature-show landscape forever – Bigfoot.
Our Thoughts: Steve Zahn has done some bad movies — those are facts. But then again, he does entertain us here and there. Combine him with a very stellar supporting cast and we may have ourselves an enjoyable film for early 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Release Date: February 15, 2008
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, with Joan Plowright and David Strathairn and the voices of Seth Rogen and Martin Short.
Directed by: Mark Waters
Synopsis: From the beloved best-selling series of books comes “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a fantasy adventure for the child in all of us. Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mom) leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the family blames Jared. When he, Simon and Mallory investigate what’s really going on, they uncover the fantastic truth of the Spiderwick estate and the creatures that inhabit it.
Our Thoughts: We a drawn to wonder why a bigger budget fantasy flick would get dumped off in February, but it may just be trying to cherry pick some box office receipts from lesser films. The book upon which this based had a solid fanbase, but without good marketing this one may end up as this year’s Golden Compass — just without the atheism.
Drillbit Taylor
Release Date: March 21, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, David Dorfman, Danny McBride and Josh Peck.
Directed by: Steven Brill
Synopsis: Ryan (Troy Gentile), Wade (Nate Hartley) and Emmit (David Dorfman) attend their first day at high school and they’re pumped…until they meet up with Filkins (Alex Frost), a school bully who comes off like a little Hannibal Lecter. Before they become completely engulfed in Filkins’ reign of terror, they seek out some protection by placing an ad in Soldier of Fortune magazine. Their best response – and the cheapest – comes from Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), a down-on-his luck soldier of fortune who lives a homeless – he likes to say “home-free” – existence on the beach. He enrolls them in some physical and mental training.
Our Thoughts: Owen Wilson had a breakdown somewhere during or after the filming of this film — that’s not a good sign. Although, the world of film can’t survive without a few cheap kids comedies before we get to the summer movie season.
Stop-Loss
Release Date: March 28, 2008
Genre: Drama
Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ciaran Hinds, Timothy Olyphant, Victor Rasuk and Rob Brown
Directed by: Kimberly Pierce
Synopsis: Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Philippe) makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. He tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), who served with him in Iraq. Along with their other war buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. Then, against Brandon’s will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world. The conflict tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor.
Our Thoughts: Movies about the Iraq war had almost no luck in 2007, with the exception of the actioner The Kingdom, so why keep trying?
Shine A Light
Release Date: April 4, 2008
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood with Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy and Jack White III
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Synopsis: Martin Scorsese’s concert documentary “Shine a Light” will show the world the Rolling Stones as they’ve never been seen before. Filming at the famed Beacon Theatre in New York City in fall 2006, Scorsese assembled a legendary team of cinematographers to capture the raw energy of the legendary band.
Our Thoughts: The Rolling Stones viewed through the eyes of the always brilliant Martin Scorsese — hmm, we are officially interested. Let’s just hope we don’t see too much about the Stones that we didn’t already know — there are just some things about Keith Richards that should be left unsaid.
The Ruins
Release Date: April 4, 2008
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
Directed by: Carter Smith
Synopsis: Based on the terrifying best-seller by Scott Smith, “The Ruins” follows a group of friends who become entangled in a brutal struggle for survival after visiting a remote archaeological dig in the Mexican jungle – where they discover something deadly living among the ruins. “The Ruins” stars Jonathan Tucker (“The Black Donnellys”), Jena Malone (“Pride and Prejudice”), Shawn Ashmore (“X-Men: The Last Stand”), Laura Ramsey (“She’s the Man”) and Joe Anderson (“Across the Universe”). The film is directed by Carter Smith from a screenplay by Scott B. Smith.
Our Thoughts: This one looks like another bit of torture porn akin to Turistas or Hostel. Hopefully we are surprised with something more along the lines of The Descent, but we doubt it.
Iron Man
Release Date: May 2, 2008
Genre: Action / Adventure
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub and Gwyneth Paltrow
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Synopsis: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment’s big screen adaptation of Marvel’s legendary Super Hero Iron Man will launch into theaters on May 2, 2008. Oscar(R) nominee Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. The film also stars Oscar(R) winner Gwyneth Paltrow and Oscar(R) nominees Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges and is directed by Jon Favreau.
Our Thoughts: The most anticipated movie of the first half of 2008, hands down. Iron Man looks so cool, our collective geek brains may explode. And that Robert Downey Jr. guy is so money.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Release Date: May 22, 2008
Genre: Adventure
Cast: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent and Shia LaBeouf
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Synopsis: Indiana Jones is back in a new globe-trotting adventure, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford as Indy, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” features an outstanding cast, including Oscar(R) winner Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Oscar(R) winner Jim Broadbent and Shia LaBeouf. Frank Marshall is the film’s producer. George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy are the executive producers. The screenplay is by David Koepp from a story by George Lucas.
Our Thoughts: What fanboy isn’t looking forward to the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise? Harrison Ford is back, George and Steven are back — hell, even Karen Allen came back. Not to mention the addition of Shia Labeouf. I think someone at Paramount is smelling some Transformers-sized box office bliss here.
Kung Fu Panda
Release Date: June 6, 2008
Genre: Animation / Comedy
Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Dan Fogler
Directed by: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne
Synopsis: Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around…which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five — Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey — under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart – and his girth – into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.
Our Thoughts: It seems like every comedic star these days wants their own animated franchise. Mike Myers got Shrek, Ben Stiller got Madagascar and even Jerry Seinfeld got Bee Movie. Now Jack Black wants to play, too. The cast of voices looks solid but the premise looks dumb — a recipe for success.
The Love Guru
Release Date: June 20, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Romany Malco, Meagan Good, Omid Djalili and Ben Kingsley
Directed by: Marco Schnabel
Synopsis: In the comedy “The Love Guru,” Pitka (Mike Myers in his first original character since Austin Powers) is an American who was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child and raised by gurus. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between Toronto Maple Leafs star hockey player Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) and his estranged wife. After the split, Roanoke’s wife starts dating L.A. Kings star Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake) out of revenge, sending her husband into a major professional skid – to the horror of the teams’ owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) and Coach Cherkov (Verne Troyer). Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old “Bullard Curse” and win the Stanley Cup.
Our Thoughts: As much as I personally love hockey, I don’t know if I am digging on Mike Myers’ look in this new film. But then again, Jessica Alba (most likely clothed) will co-star alongside Justin Timberlake and Verne Troyer — ok, so that doesn’t save it. This one has immense potential for suckage. Keep your fingers crossed.
Tropic Thunder
Release Date: July 11, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Bill Hader and Nick Nolte.
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Synopsis: In the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder,” Ben Stiller plays pampered action superstar Tugg Speedman, who is cast in the biggest, most expensive war movie ever produced. He sets out to Southeast Asia with a “Who’s Who” of celebrity co-stars. They include Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), an intense, three-time Oscar(R)-winning actor; Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), star of the popular gross-out comedy franchise “The Fatties”; multi-platinum hip-hop-star-turned-entrepreneur-turned-actor Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson); and first-timer Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel). Soon after the production begins the actors are thrown into a real-life situation and are forced to become the fighting unit they’re portraying, in order to find a way out of the jungle in one piece.
Our Thoughts: Tom Cruise in a fat suit, Ben Stiller in the director’s chair. We don’t know how this one will go, but we will surely be watching.
Eagle Eye
Release Date: August 8, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Synopsis: “Eagle Eye” is a race-against-time thriller starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton. Two unsuspecting Americans are separately drawn into a conspiracy by a mysterious woman they have never met, but who seems to know their every move. By the time they discover her frightening identity, they have become her unwitting accomplices in a diabolical assassination plot.
Our Thoughts: D.J. Caruso directed a wicked thriller with Disturbia in 2007 and we can’t wait to see what he and Shia “Adopted by Steven Spielberg” Labeouf cook up next.
Case 39
Release Date: August 22, 2008
Genre: Horror
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper
Directed by: Christian Alvart
Synopsis: “Case 39″ is a horror film starring Renee Zellweger as family services social worker Emily Jenkins. Emily thinks she has seen it all until she meets her newest, most mysterious case, troubled 10-year old Lilith Sullivan (Jodelle Ferland). Emily’s worst fears are confirmed when the parents try to kill Lilith, their only daughter. Emily saves her and decides to take her in herself until the right foster family comes along. Then the real horror begins…
Our Thoughts: Renee Zellweger in a horror movie? Interesting. We’ll wait for the trailer.
Nowhereland
Release Date: September 26, 2008
Genre: Family Comedy
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox and Martin Sheen
Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick
Synopsis: In Paramount Pictures’ family comedy “Nowhereland,” Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old daughter (Yara Shahidi). When he has a crisis of confidence and his career starts going down the drain, however, he finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter’s imaginary world.
Our Thoughts: This one looks like Daddy Day Camp goes on vacation… Weeee…
Ghost Town
Release Date: Fall 2008
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni, Greg Kinnear
Directed by: David Koepp
Synopsis: In the comedy “Ghost Town,” Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen (Tea Leoni). That puts Pincus squarely in the middle of a triangle, with spirited results.
Our Thoughts: The world needs more Ricky Gervais. Period.
Madagascar: The Crate Escape
Release Date: November 7, 2008
Genre: Animation / Comedy
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter
Directed by: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Synopsis: All the loveable characters are back — Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins — in “Madagascar: The Crate Escape.” Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane – sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all – the vast plains of Africa itself — where our zoo-raised crew encounters species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly realize the differences between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa. Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a “crack-a-lackin” great place…but is it better than their Central Park home?
Our Thoughts: The first film was mildly entertaining. We can only hope for a bigger story line for those awesome penguins.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Release Date: November 26, 2008
Genre: Drama
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas
Directed by: David Fincher
Synopsis: I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: A man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond, “Benjamin Button,” is a grand tale of a not so ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.
Our Thoughts: If there is anything that is guaranteed with a David Fincher flick, it is that it will be weird. After Zodiac, we at least hope that this one will be under 2.5 hours long.
Revolutionary Road
Release Date: December 19, 2008
Genre: Drama
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour and Kathy Bates
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Synopsis: Based on the celebrated novel by Richard Yates, director Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road” is the story of a young couple (Oscar(R) nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) trying to find fulfillment in an age of conformity. Trapped in a world of encoded convention, they dream without faith, as lies and self-deceptions build to explosive consequences.
Our Thoughts: If the names of the young couple in this film are Jack and Rose, we are skipping this one.
Star Trek
Release Date: December 25, 2008
Genre: Action / Adventure
Cast: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, with Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Synopsis: From director J.J. Abrams (“Mission: Impossible III,” “Lost” and “Alias”) and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (“TRANSFORMERS,” “MI: III”) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, “Star Trek,” featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before.
Our Thoughts: J.J. Abrams hasn’t destroyed the Star Trek franchise yet, but his casting is suspect. Look on the bright side though: this will certainly have some great CGI!
Tale of Two Sisters
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Drama
Cast: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel and David Strathairn
Directed by: The Guard Brothers
Synopsis: Based on Kim Jee-Woon’s 2003 Korean horror film of the same name, “Tale of Two Sisters” revolves around Anna (Emily Browning), who returns home after spending time in the hospital following the tragic death of her mother. Her recovery suffers a setback when she discovers her father (David Strathairn) has become engaged to her mother’s former nurse, Rachel (Elizabeth Banks). That night, Anna is visited by her mother’s ghost, who warns her of Rachel’s intentions. Together, Anna and her sister (Arielle Kebbel) try to convince their father that his current fiancee is not who she pretends to be, and what should have been a happy family reunion becomes a lethal battle of wills between stepdaughters and stepmother.
Our Thoughts: Great! Another horror-remake-adaptation from an Asian country. Why can’t they just re-release the original movie dubbed in English, again?
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