13 Movie Releases for 2008: Narnia to Sex and the City

The following information was compiled using the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) and the Sex and the City Official Movie Web site (www.sexandthecitymovie.com).

"Horton Hears a Who"

(Blue Sky Studios) Release date 3/14/2008

Not yet rated (probably PG-13)

Starring the voices of Jim Carey, Steve Carrell and Carol Burnett, this Dr. Suess classic about and elephant (Horton) struggling to protect a microscopic community from his neighbors, who refuse to believe it exists. Can this tale make the leap from book to 1970's animated television special (released by Chuck Jones Enterprises) to full modern day CGI film? Or will we be subject to another Meyer's innuendo filled Cat in The Hat or the Carey's lost love version of the "Grinch"? From all accounts, they are once more slipping sideways from the original Suess storyline, adding new characters and making some crude humor choices (which is not very Suess-ian of them). With a March 14 release date, we won't have too long to wait to find out.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

(Walt Disney Pictures) Release date 5/16/2008

Not yet rated (probably PG, for the violence)

The Pevensie siblings (along with the actors who played them I the previous movie) return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian. In London, only a year has passed since the adventure in the "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", where the Pevensie children first encountered Narnia. But in this fabled land it is now 1300 years later. Political / royal intrigue and subterfuge ensure as once more good versus evil fight for the land of Narnia. Liam Neeson (voice of Aslan) and Tilda Swinton (The White Witch) once more reprise their roles from the previous film. This second film in the adaptation of the C. S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series may prove to be more successful than the first. And look for the third in the series, Voyage of The Dawn Treader, due in 2010.

"Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull"

(Paramount Pictures) Release date 5/22/2008

Not yet rated (but don't expect anything less than a PG-13)

Well, he's back. Both Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford, that is. In this age of recasting, it's refreshing to see a beloved character played by the actor who made them beloved. But on the caveat side, Harrison Ford is getting up there in age. This having been said, who cares?! It is Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones, knee deep in adventure. In this Steven Spielberg epic tale set in the 1950's, Indiana is back and he's battling the forces of the Soviet Union over a mysterious crystal skull. Also appearing in the film will be many of Indy's old flames such as Karen Allen and Cate Blanchett. Many question if Harrison and Indy still have it. They ask if nostalgia will be much of a box office draw. All I have to say to all that is, it's Indy, Harrison and Spielberg. That's a combination will be tough to go bad.

"Sex and The City"

(Darren Star Productions) Release date 5/22/2008

Not yet rated (but we can all guess it won't be "G")

OK, I'm not a big fan of the television series and I couldn't understand why they would even be interested in making a big screen version of this. But they did. According to the movie's "official" site, it will continue the adventure of the four women - played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon - living in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Reprising their roles as the ladies' love interest will be Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis. Also joining the cast for this movie extravaganza will be Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), playing Carrie Bradshaw's assistant. Not much more can be said.

"Get Smart"

(Mad Chance) Release date 6/20/2008

Rated PG-13 (for some rude humor, action violence and language)

Maxwell Smart (played by Steve Carrell), Agent 86 for CONTROL, battles the forces of KAOS with the more-competent Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) at his side. Alan Arkin plays The Chief (originally Edward Platt in the television series) and Terrence Stamp has been cast as Siegfried (originally performed by Bernie Koppell, who is rumored to have a cameo). Rounding out the cast will be Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and Bill Murray. Don Adams made this role funny and enjoyable with his dry humor and slapstick antics. We will have to wait and see if Carrell can re-capture the charm of the series or if this will be a dud.

"Hancock"
(Forward Pass) Release date 7/2/2008

Not yet rated (but we will guess at PG-13)

A hard-living superhero (Will Smith) has fallen out of favor with the public. He saves the life of a public relations professional (Jason Bateman), who decides to repay this act by trying to repair his rescuer's image. However, the superhero soon falls in love with and enters into a questionable relationship with the PR man's wife (Charlize Theron). From all accounts, this movie may be a blockbuster not because of the superhero angle, but due to the humanistic aspects. Not to mention the sidebar effect of Will Smith joining force again with DJ "Jazzy" Jeff Townes during the promotion of this movie.

"The Dark Knight"

(Warner Bros. Pictures) Release date 7/18/2008

Not yet rated (but figure on PG-13, as that is what Batman Begins was rated)

This film continues the tale of how Batman began. After the fall of Carmine Falcone the remaining crime bosses try to pick up the pieces. However, someone is killing them off one by one. Batman (Christian Bale) and James Gordon (Gary Oldman) join forces with Gotham's new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), to take on a psychotic bank robber known as The Joker (Heath Ledger), whilst other forces plot against them, and Joker's crimes grow more and more deadly. Reprising their roles from Batman Begins are Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Michael Caine (Alfred) and Cillian Murphy (Dr. Crane / Scarecrow). Taking over the role of Rachel Dawes (originally played by Katie Holmes) is Maggie Gyllenhaal. If the previous addition to the Batman legend is any indication, this should prove to be a great, if very dark, movie. The only shadow hanging over this film is the recent death of Heath Ledger. This young and rising star had his job cut out for him, filling the shoes of such greats as Jack Nicholson and Caesar Romero. But now his performance will forever be prefaced by the fact of his tragic death.

"The Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor"

(Alphaville Films) Release date 8/1/2008

Not yet rated (PG-13 most likely)

In the Far East, Alex O'Connell is tricked into unearthing the mummy of the first Emperor of Qin (Jet Li), the shape shifting Dragon Emperor, who had been intent on dominating the world but was cursed by a wizard (Michelle Yeoh) centuries ago to lie in suspended animation for eternity. So, once more, he must get the help of his adventurous parents to save the world. Reprising their roles from the previous Mummy movies is Brendan Fraser (Rick O'Connell) and John Hannah (Jonathan Carnahan). The unenviable task of replacing Rachel Weisz as (Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell will fall to the talented Maria Bello. Newcomer Australian actor Luke Ford will take on the role of the now older Alex O'Connell (a role originally created by Freddie Boath, who did a splendid job as the son of two strong-willed adventurers). Can the O'Connell family, along with brother-in-law Jonathan Carnahan, save the world from this supernatural force? Will Rick recognize his wife? Will Jonathan find some new valuable artifact to distract him? Will Alex ever learn to stay out of trouble? Will the recasting help or hinder this third movie in the Mummy franchise? Maybe we'll wait for the DVD to find out.

An Untitled X-Files movie

(Ten Thirteen Productions) Release date 7/25/2008

Not rated yet (Are you surprised? There isn't even a title yet.)

Chris Carter has brought together David Duchovny (Agent Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully) to once more open the FBI files hidden in the deep dark basement. Also on hand will be Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly and Xzibit. Beyond all that, the secrecy continues. The only information on this movie is that it is a stand alone story and will not involve aliens or government conspiracies. It is promised that this movie will be more like the earlier X-Files episodes involving such things as cults, ancient curses, mutants, monsters and ghosts/paranormal. If true, this will be a welcome sight to many X-Files fans.

"James Bond: Quantum of Solace"

(Metro-Goldwyn Meyer) Release date 11/7/2008

Not yet rated (but expect a PG-13)

Not much on the story line of this one but it takes place one hour after the story in Casino Royale ended. With little known of the plot as of this date, what is known is that many characters reprise their roles in this 22^nd Bond movie. Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis and Jesper Christensen as Mr. White are set to return. As well, setting a historical note, Jeffery Wright will be back as Felix Leiter. This will be the first time that the same actor has been cast as Felix in consecutive Bond movies. (David Hedison played Felix in two movies, Live and Let Die and License to Kill, but not consecutively.) Daniel Craig (Bond) and Judi Dench (M), of course, are back as well.

"Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince"

(Warner Bros. Pictures) Release date 11/21/2008

Not yet rated (but will more than likely be PG-13)

Harry and crew are back in this 6^th tale from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. Now that everyone knows Lord Voldermort is truly back, things should get a bit easier for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore, right? After all, now they can have more help. Not true. In fact, there is more danger afoot than ever. With Harry convinced that Malfoy has been up to something dastardly, Ron and Katie Bell nearly being killed, Lord Voldermort plotting Harry's death and unexpected feelings for Ginny Weasley, Harry is up to eyeballs and elbows in all sorts of problems. And Harry finds a book titled "Property of the Half Blood Prince", which gives him great insight into Voldermort's history. On top of which, he has private lessons with Dumbledore, his regular schoolwork and is now captain of the Quidditch team. Expect more thrills, chills and dark dangerous spills from this next to last installment. (The final book, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows, will be made into a movie and is expected to be out late in 2010.)

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

(Kennedy/Marshall Company) Release date 11/26/2008

Not yet rated

This movie adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's tale, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (a short story first appearing in the May 1922 edition of Collier's Weekly), is the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences. Fitzgerald once said he wrote this after hearing Mark Twain remark that the best part of life came at the end and the worst part at the beginning. David Fincher (Panic Room and Alien3) is at the directorial helm of this picture, reuniting with his Fight Club and Se7en star Brad Pitt. Among this star studded cast is Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and Elias Koteas. This seems like it could be quite an interesting movie, almost like a Jack (with Robin Williams) in reverse, or inside out. I'm not sure. But I look forward to seeing how the filmmaker does it all.

An Untitled Star Trek movie (probably just Star Trek)

(Paramount Pictures) Release date 12/25/2008

Not yet rated (probably PG-13)

The only thing certain about this eleventh installment in the Star Trek movie franchise is that the story line involves the early adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and company aboard the starship Enterprise. There are rumors that it will also involve an elder Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and a crew of Romulans traveling back in time to stop a Romulan attempt to distort the timeline. But what we do know is that Nimoy will be among the cast that includes Eric Bana (Nero), Zachary Quinto (young Spock), Chris Pine (Kirk), Winona Rider (Spock's mother, Amanda), Karl Urban ("Bones"), Bruce Greenwood (Christopher Pike) and Ben Cross (Spock's father, Sarek). An interesting note will be whether fans will accept a Kirk not played by William Shatner and a Spock played by the villain of the television show Heroes.

There are plenty more movies coming out in 2008, but these seemed the most intriguing. Hold onto your ticket stubs and keep the popcorn buttered.