At the moment, 2008 looks like it could possibly top the incredible year we had for movies in 2007. There are about 20 films I already can’t wait to see. To keep this post more on the short side, I’ll refrain from writing too much about each entry, but I will post links to each film’s IMDB page, in case you want to know more. This is one of those lists that will change weekly as the year progresses, but here it is as of January 31st…
20) The Argentine/Guerrilla
A Che Guevara biopic from Steven Soderbergh (Traffic). Guevara will be played by Benicio Del Toro, who is always fantastic.
19) Be Kind Rewind
Michael Gondry is directing, and his films have all been unique and moving. This looks just plain fun.
18 ) Where the Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) has always been wonderful, and this is a great story. Plus, this is Paul Dano’s first starring role. Hopefully this actually comes out this year.
17) Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt
As much as I loved Borat when it first came out, I’m a little sick of it now. However, that doesn’t make me any less excited for Bruno. This should be completely over-the-top.
16) The International
From the director of Run, Lola, Run. It’s got Clive Owen and Naomi Watts in the lead roles. That’s all I know, but I can’t wait to see it.
15) The Wrestler
The only reason this made it on the list is because Darren Aronofsky, who made The Fountain and Requiem for a Dream, is the director. I love his past work, and so while I’m looking forward to this, I honestly don’t think it looks all that great. Hopefully I’ll be wrong.
14) Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
It was either this or Seth Rogen’s Pinapple Express. Only one stoner comedy could make the list. This, in my opinion, had a much funnier trailer, so here it is.
13) Body of Lies
This is a new Ridley Scott crime thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. All the big names give me hope.
12) Revolutionary Road
Stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and is directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty). This has oscar written all over it, which means it’ll probably crash and burn, but we’ll see.
11) Synecdoche, New York
Anything involving Charlie Kaufman is at least worth a look. He’s the mind behind films like Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Human Nature, and Being John Malkovich. This is his first time directing, and he’s got Philip Seymour Hoffman in the lead role. It’ll be good.
10) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on the book by F. Scott Fitgerald. Directed by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club). Stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Mhmm.
9) Quantum of Solace
Casino Royale’s follow up. They’ve got a great director for this one (Marc Forster), and Daniel Craig is back as bond. I’m excited.
8 ) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Even if this turns out to be awful I’ll be there opening day. It’s a guaranteed fun time.
7) The Lovely Bones
It’ll be great to see Peter Jackson directing again. This will probably be more in the vein of Heavenly Creatures, smaller budget and all. Saoirse Ronan, the incredible child actor from Atonement, is the star. Can’t wait.
6) Wall-E
The new Pixar film. I’ve enjoyed everything they’ve put out so far (maybe not Cars, though), and I think this looks as good, if not better, than all of them, even Ratatouille and Finding Nemo.
This is Baz Luhrmann’s follow-up to Moulin Rouge. It should be epic, beautiful, and daring, just like everything he’s done in the past.
4) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
Director David Yates is back. Considering how well he did with Order of the Phoenix, despite it being my least favorite book, I can’t wait to see what he can do with Half-Blood Prince, which just happens to be my favorite of the 7 books. I actually expect this to be the best Harry Potter yet.
3) Burn After Reading
This is high on the list for no other reason than it’s the new Coen brothers film, and last year’s No Country for Old Men was pretty amazing.
2) Ponyo on a Cliff
Legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki’s (Spirited Away) swan song. This, unlike most animated films, will be done with water-colors. No CGI, completely hand-drawn. It’ll be beautiful. Plus, Miyazaki’s managed to never make a bad movie.
1) The Dark Knight
My most anticipated for mostly obvious reasons. Batman Begins was pretty incredible, and all signs are pointing to the sequel being even better.
Owl Pellets 
January 31st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I’m looking forward to The Dark Knight the most, too.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
…I’m not sure what I think about how Ledger may play the character. At first, I was stoked after seeing the trailer, then I realized his performance is oh-so familiar — I’ll wait until I see the movie, but is it a good thing if his character is like Jack Nicholson’s (because of the fact that it’s a continuation of the story) or a bad thing (that Ledger didn’t make the character his own; assuming the trailer is a good representation of the full movie)?
January 31st, 2008 at 8:00 pm
18) Where the Wild Things Are: What? I had no idea this was beign made, but I am pretty skeptical b/c Where the Wild Things are is one of THE most bad ass books of all time. I might not even go see this one out of fear that it will taint my love for the book.
14) Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay: I know the little teaser on the Superbad DVD made their “stoner” flick look bad, but, when it comes down to it, II have more faith in that crew than H&C 2. My money is not on H&C 2 being all that good, but I haven’t really checked out the writers, etc.
Otherwise, I’m totally jacked about your list.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
to lauren: i see what you mean about heath’s joker, but even if his portrayal is similar to nicholson’s it’ll still be great to watch, plus i’m sure the dialogue will by *way* different. also, heath’s appearance looks pretty wild and doesn’t really resemble nicholson’s joker, so hopefully it’ll really stand apart, but we’ll see.
to bob: give where the wild things are a chance! it shouldn’t ruin the book, even if it’s awful. i mean, did golden compass ruin anyting for you? and plus, great director, great story, great cast = great movie. unless something goes horribly wrong, but i don’t think it will.
and yeah, harold/kumar and pineapple express is kind of a toss-up. about the writers, harold and kumar is being written/directed by the same people who did the first one, which i think is good news.
i’m pretty pumped for both movies, but i’m really worried/skeptical about pinapple express.
July 12th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
so, looking back at this (now that it’s getting a lot of hits all of a sudden), it looks crazy that i put harold and kumar over pineapple express, though in my defense i’d yet to see the actual trailer. also, a lot of these movies (international, bruno, wild things, wrestler) have been pushed back to 2009. also, the argentine has been renamed “che,” and will probably also be released in 2009. bummer.