I'm actually more excited about most of these than I am of what albums have been confirmed for the new year.
Ghost Rider
February 16
It has the potential to be really lame and most likely will be, but I'm a sucker for any Marvel Comics movie and Nicolas Cage is usually pretty good.
The Number 23
February 23
Jim Carrey in a mystery-thriller, directed by Joel Schumacher. Premise sounds like a dramatic version of Stranger Than Fiction.
Hot Fuzz
March 9
The guys from Shaun Of The Dead take on the genre of cop movies.
Paris, je t'aime
April
20 filmmakers and a huge all-star cast in a series of vignettes based on love in the city of love.
Spider-Man 3
May 4
Despite the presence of Venom, him being played by Eric Foreman, and Sandman being explained as Uncle Ben's "real" killer, this could be good. The last two were pretty great and my expectations are pretty low.
Bee Movie
November 2
Yet another Dreamworks movie. Yet another animated movie about bugs. The only difference? Jerry Seinfeld, John Goodman, Matthew Broderick, and Chris Rock. Even if it's aimed at children, it still should be as entertaining as any of the first Pixar movies.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
November 16
The writer of Stranger Than Fiction writes and directs a film about the most amazing toy store in the world, owned by a 243 year-old eccentric. Also: Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman, and Jason Bateman.
Sweeney Todd
December
Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter in a creepy musical. Hasn't failed yet. Also: Sacha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman.
Other possible releases:
8 Track
Zach Braff-cowritten coming of age film.
Be Kind Rewind
Michel Gondry and Jack Black. A man whose brain becomes magnetized unintentionally destroys every tape in his friend's video store. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, an aging woman with signs of dementia, the two men set out to remake the lost films, which include Back to the Future, The Lion King, and Robocop.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Based on the great, great book.
Open Hearts
Zach Braff writes, directs and stars in this remake of the 2002 Danish film.
Persepolis
Animated film of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Based on the graphic novels.
The Savages
From the writer and director of Slums Of Beverly Hills. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney as siblings caring for their sick father.
Synecdoche, New York
Charlie Kaufman and Philip Seymour Hoffman. 'Nuff said.
Wasington
Third and final chapter in Lars Von Triers'
USA: Land Of Opportunities series, following Dogville and Manderlay.