Dec. 28, 2007

The movie industry is always a few years ahead in the planning process, but somewhere along the way its collective consciousness no doubt realized, "We're gonna hit the American public with lame blockbuster sequels in 2007. Let's make sure 2008 has a little more originality to it." And while a few familiar faces will certainly reappear this year, they are hardly of the "Rush Hour 3" variety. And aren't we all thankful for that? Who knew a year without Shrek, Spider-Man and Captain Jack Sparrow could be so exciting?

Therefore, without further delay, here's a peek at what excites us most for 2008:

10. "Tropic Thunder"
Mark Your Calendar: July 11
Stars: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Tom Cruise and numerous celebrity cameos
The Story: Movie actors go on location and find themselves stuck in the middle of a real war zone. Hilarity ensues.
The Lowdown: Stiller has recruited a fantastic ensemble of comedic actors in his first directorial effort since 2001's underrated "Zoolander." Word is it's not the more recognizable names who have the biggest laughs, but that up-and-comers Hader and McBride steal the show.
Big Question Mark: Will Cruise stop suing Web sites for showing him in the bald cap and fat suit he wears in his Harvey Weinstein-like cameo in the movie? (Probably not.)

9. "WALL*E"
Mark Your Calendar: June 27
Stars: WALL*E, EVE
The Story: After 700 years of cleaning up junk on a deserted planet Earth, inquisitive robot WALL*E mistakenly flies into space, where he discovers love in the form of another robot, EVE.
The Lowdown: Director Andrew Stanton is less heralded than Pixar peers Brad Bird and John Lasseter. But he's also the creative mind behind "Finding Nemo," and, from what's been shown so far, this flick may prove he's actually the superior talent.
Big Question Mark: Pixar and Disney reached $615 million worldwide with an animated movie about a French rat that takes place mostly in a kitchen. That pretty much proves they can do anything but bring peace to the Middle East. (Give them time!)

8. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mark Your Calendar: Nov. 26
Stars: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Elle Fanning, Julia Ormond
The Story: Based on a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Button (Pitt) is born as a fully grown, old man in 1918 and lives his life by aging backward all the way to the 21st century.
The Lowdown: Director David Fincher's latest flick has an astronomical budget in part because of CG work used to place Pitt's face on all the different bodies that help portray Button along his journey, from elderly men to little kids.
Big Question Mark: Can "Button" hit a "Forrest Gump" nerve?

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