I want to preface this by saying I don’t know if I will see any of these movies in the theatre (or at all) but going through IMDb’s calender to see all movies coming out in 2009. These are the 10 that intrigued me the most, in (planned) release date order:

Fanboys


Basic Plot: Some nerds can’t wait any longer to see Star Wars: Phantom Menace (oh, the irony) so they road trip to George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch to steal a copy of the movie.

Why does it intrigue me: This movie was supposed to come out a while ago. At one point Kevin Smith was going to direct but he is long gone. Being a Star Wars nerd when I was a kid, and a geek in general, the concept is cool. I guess the fact that they are trying to hard to see a movie that we all know sucks is even funnier. Comedy movies have gotten a revival as of late with Judd Apatow, so who knows. I am sure I will rent this.

Release Date: Feburary 6th

Youth in Revolt


Basic Plot: From IMDb, “While his trailer trash parents teeter on the edge of divorce, 14-year-old Nick sets his sights on dream girl Sheeni Saunders, hoping that she’ll be the one to take away his virginity.”

Why does it intrigue me: I liked Michael Cera in Superbad and Juno. Justin Long (the Mac from the Apple ads), Steve Buschemi, and Ray Liotta also star. This is probably the weakest movie on the list, but I needed a 10th. I can’t find a trailer for this despite the fact that is comes to the US in February

Release Date: February 20th (limited release)


I Love You, Man


Basic Plot: A guy goes on man-dates to find a best man for his wedding. The guy he finds becomes his BFF and his relationship struggles.

Why does it intrigue me: Written and directed by John Hamburg who wrote and directed Along Came Polly (eh), and did the screenplays for Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. Paul Rudd is the star. I am slowing becoming a big Paul Rudd fan. He was so good in 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up that I am instantly interested in anything he does. Jason Segel plays the BFF. He was awesome in Knocked Up as well, and good in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (but I wasn’t that high on that movie). The trailer had a couple of laugh out loud moments, but it wasn’t mindblowing. Borderline theatre possiblity.

Release Date: March 20th

State of Play


Basic Plot: From IMDb: “Based on the BBC mini-series of the same title, a team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman’s mistress.”

Why does it intrigue me: Pretty standard plot I guess, screenplay by the guy that did The Kingdom (loved it) and the guy that did the Jason Bourne movies (loved them). Ben Affleck appears to be the star. And for whatever reason I want to see movies this guy makes even though they usually suck. Russell Crowe also has a big role, and he is solid. I don’t give him enough credit for making great movies (Gladiator, LA Confidential, American Gangster, 3:10 to Yuma, The Insider, Mystery Alaska, plus a bunch I haven’t seen yet: A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Body of Lies). Add in Jason Bateman (underrated actor), Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Helen Mirren and it has potential. After watching the trailer, it appears it’s a Crowe movie. Looks cool. Another borderline theatre movie.

Release Date: April 17th

X-Men Orgins: Wolverine


Basic Plot: So Logan (aka Wolverine) has his girlfriend killed by the guy who later becomes Sabertooth. He seeks revenge and goes through the “Weapon X” program along the way. That is where they replace his skeleton with the indestrutable adamanteam (sp?).

Why does it intrigue me: The X-Men movies were very mediocre in my opinion, but this movie looks sweet from the previews. Jackman is really good at this role (although I have yet to see him in another movie I liked). Liev Schreiber plays Sabertooth but the most exciting part is Taylor Kitsch (aka Riggins from “Friday Night Lights”) as Gambit. I was an X-Men fan as a kid (somewhat) and feel like this is a must see movie at some point. I guarantee that I won’t see it in the theatre though.

Release Date: May 1st