TOP 10 GENRE FILMS

2010 has a lot to offer film fans, and we here at Famous Monsters are eager to point out to you, the reader, some of the genre titles we’re most excited about in the coming year. There are loads more films that we are anxious to see, but here’s our top ten Must-Watch Genre Films of 2010:

1. Inception

Release Date: July 16, 2010

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine

Writers: Christopher Nolan

What the hell is this movie about? You know, I have no clue – and I’m absolutely okay with that.

I can’t remember the last time I walked into a movie having no idea what it was really about. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure plenty of Inception will be spoiled by July, but so far I’m in love with the fact that Nolan’s managed to keep so much of this flick a secret. We’re six months away and we don’t even know the basic plot! According to the newest trailer, Paris folds in half, people look serious and beverages break the laws of physics. Oh, and a train finds a quicker route through mid-town.

Color me perplexed and very, very jazzed.

2. Iron Man 2

Release Date: May 7, 2010

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwenyth Paltrow, Mickey Roarke, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson

Writers: Justin Theroux

Who needs to be sold on this one?

While Iron Man had its weaknesses (mainly a limp climax and an incongruously hammy villain), everything that needed to be good was, in fact, great. Everything usually lacking in blockbuster action films -  complex characters, witty writing and charming performances – was cannily presented under confident direction.

So what can we expect from Iron Man 2? Judging from the trailers, looks like more of the same. And I couldn’t be happier.

With a decidedly more threatening villain (in the form of Mickey Roarke’s vengeful Ivan Vanko, aka Whiplash), higher stakes in the form of added characters (Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, Sam Rockwell’s slippery arms dealer Justin Hammer) and the promise of War Machine (with Don Cheadle stepping in for a departed Terrence Howard) as well as more Nick Fury (a returning Samuel L. Jackson), IM2 looks as bright and shiny as its metal hero.

3. Shutter Island

Release Date: February 19, 2010

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max Von Sydow, Jackie Earle-Haley

Writers: Leata Kalogridis, from the novel by Dennis Lehane

Martin Scorsese directing Leonardo DiCaprio has become a welcome treat every few years, but to have Scorsese direct a mystery thriller from writer Denis Lehane (whose Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone have already been adapted into excellent films) is an enticing proposition.

A ’50′s-era thriller which finds DiCaprio’s U.S. Marshall lost amid mad-goings-on in an offshore insane asylum, Shutter Island pays stylistic tribute to the genre thrillers that so influenced Scorsese throughout his career (everything from the works of producer Val Lewton, to Orson Welles’ adaptation of Kafka’s The Trial).

Nothing is quite as splendiferous like Scorsese in his element, and Shutter Island – with its paranoid protagonist trapped in a plot as claustrophobic and labyrinthine as the nut house itself – certainly looks like prime territory for him.

Too cool.

4. The Wolfman

Release Date: February 12, 2010

Director: Joe Johnston

Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving

Writers: Andrew Kevin Walker, David Self

Make no mistake, this is one troubled film. But by “troubled,” I by no means infer “doomed.” A director jumping ship prior to shooting, reshoots, two pushed release dates, four editors and multiple, variant test-screenings are not traditionally good signs, but who can argue with the trailers?

In look and tone it feels as though we’re getting a film that may live up to the legend of the original. I’m also comforted by the dedication and respect to the source material so far demonstrated by all concerned (Del Toro’s favorite film is original 1941 The Wolf Man, and this project was a labor of love). Any chance to see Rick Baker tackle the daddy of all werewolves is a must (even if there are unconfirmed reports he’s unhappy with how much CGI has been used to augment his creature).

I’m curious in the extreme, but cautious as well.

5. Kick Ass

Release Date: April 16, 2010

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Cast: Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Lyndsy Fonseca

Writers: Jane Goldman, based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar

This one’s as big a “no brainer” as they get. Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust) adapts Mark Millar’s (Wanted) gritty, hilariously subversive comic book sensation with style and wit (if we can gauge anything from the, ahem, kick-ass trailers). With great word of mouth from early screenings (including raves from Butt-Numb-A-Thon), and a secret weapon in the form of Chloe Moretz as the foul-mouthed, deadly Hit Girl, and anticipation on this one is riding high.

6. Daybreakers

Release Date: January 8, 2010

Director: Peter and Michael Spierig

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Willem Defoe, Sam Neill

Writer(s): Peter and Michael Spierig

Released by: Lionsgate

Words cannot express how sick I am of vampires. Really. The words have yet to be articulated, written down and canonized in any language, from Catalan to Farci. I don’t care if it’s good (True Blood), bad (The Vampire Diaries) or unspeakable (sorry Twi-Hards), I just don’t have the energy to care anymore.

Enter Daybreakers, with what could be a ridiculous premise (a vampire-run future society must deal with an extinction of the human blood supply), though seemingly classily told (initial word is quite positive) and artfully shot (those trailers look nice). Couple that with an intriguing cast (I’ll watch Sam Neill eat a McRib sandwich. Seriously. Test me.) and a cool marketing campaign (love those striking, eighties-esque posters) and I’m interested, which is an incredible accomplishment, considering the general vampire malaise.

7. Tron Legacy

Release Date: December 17, 2010

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Michael Sheen, Olivia Wilde, Beau Garrett, John Hurt, Daft Punk

Writers: Richard Jefferies, Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

Is 28 years too long to wait for a sequel? If it’s Tron, I guess not. Legacy finds the son (Gerrett Hudland) of Bridges’ computer hacker Flynn drawn into the program his father created, a program which has apparently evolved into a much larger and more dangerous place. The original film was a groundbreaking exercise in early CGI, and has garnered a healthy cult fan base based off of the stunning look of the film (not to mention the obvious draw for the tech-geek audience), and in that sense Legacy – with decades of digital advancement between the original and now – has a lot to live up to. Judging from the early teaser trailer and test footage screened at Comic-Con, Kosinski might do the original justice yet.

This movie has Bruce Boxleitner in it. What more do you need?

8. Predators

Release Date: July 9, 2010

Director: Nimrod Antal

Cast: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Danny Trejo, Laurence Fishburne, Alice Brage, Walton Goggins,

Writers: Robert Rodriguez, Alex Litvak, Michael Finch

Based on a treatment Rodriguez penned for Fox some years back, the film is intended to wipe the slate clean on the beloved franchise, giving audiences the Predator sequel we should have had from the beginning.

Danny Glovers and Requiems aside, director Antal (Vacancy, Armored) has assembled a hell of a fine cast for this picture, which – it is rumored – will take us to the Predator home world.

Title and style inspired by James Cameron’s Aliens, we cannot help but be excited for what Rodriguez and company have in store for us.

9. Toy Story 3

Release Date: June 18, 2010

Director: Lee Unkrich

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, Blake Clark, Timothy Dalton, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Bonnie Hunt, Jeff Garlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Kristen Schaal

Writers: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich

I’m tempted to be a little anxious about the prospect of a Toy Story 3…

Both previous Toy Story films were masterful: beautifully designed, emotionally charged, classic family filmmaking. 3 has been gestating for years and now, here at the precipice, I feel like I should be nervous – I mean, what “Part III” has ever lived up to expectations? (Return of the King doesn’t count…)

But, this is Pixar. And, therefore, I have nothing but faith.

With Andy going off to college (the trailer makes it seem like Andy’s been playing with these toys all the way up through high school; is he… okay…?), the toys are left wide open for donation to a local day care center, leaving the toys no choice but to plan a Great Escape-style, well, escape.

Sounds great, and the aforementioned trailer is plenty funny. Pixar’s 10 for 10, and expectations aside, I’d wager Toy Story 3 delivers.

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 1

Release Date: November 19, 2010

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Writers: Steve Kloves, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling

I have admit, I’m not the biggest Harry Potter devotee – not out of any dislike, but purely from being out of the loop. Call me a Muggle, I guess. I mean, I’ve enjoyed my brief flirtations with Rowling’s books, each of which became more confident, complex and complete with each volume, but my exposure to the Potter universe has been largely through the films. Last years Half-Blood Prince delivered a lot of fury, drama and some crushing blows to young Harry Potter, and while I thought David Yates’ direction perfectly fit the world of the books and his understanding of their coming of age themes dead on, the film felt somewhat rushed.

With any book as lengthy as the late-series Potter’s tended to be, a film adaptation will no doubt leave a lot behind, all while it struggles to cram in as much as it can. One can see the difficulties the filmmaker’s face each time out. So the two-film approach to Deathly Hollows (a book of nearly 800 pages!) makes sense. It will be intriguing to see if the added total length will give the story the breathing room it needs as the story draws to its emotional close.

One thing is for sure, and that’s that the three main players mature (in performance, not just in physicality – I see you looking at Watson like that…) with each picture, and that they feel primed to deliver for the climax of the series. Millions of fans are primed right along with them.

Honorary Mention:

Note – the only reason this title is not included in the Top 10 is because it is yet to be confirmed as a 2010 release. That, and we like to cheat.

Tree of Life

Release Date: 2010 (tentative)

Director: Terence Malick

Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain

Writers: Terence Malick

2 films in five years is, for Terrence Malick, a break-neck speed.  For the man who usually spends a decade or so between films this is a pleasant surprise to those of us who are big fans of the man’s work.  There may be no more a polarizing director than Malick.  To all who see his movies they’re labeled as either ‘brilliant’ or ‘boring’ (I fall into the former).  Some call his movies ‘slow, others ‘deliberately paced’.  But most can agree that no one captures images quite as beautifully or as well-composed as Terrence Malick.

While details are scarce on the film, it seems to be a departure from the normal Malick fare in that there may be some fantasy elements involved.  The story surrounds a man’s (Brad Pitt) journey through life as he makes mistakes and tries to find redemption.  As normal as that may seem, people from the FX team have discussed prehistoric landscapes that have been designed for the film.  Additionally, the tree (a massive, real-life, oak that was transplanted to a field in Texas for the shoot) is said to have magical properties of its own.

While his style is definitely not intended for a wide audience, those of us that are fans will have this one right at the top of our lists.  The man has made some of the most brilliant films and each new one is a very welcome addition to our future DVD and Blu-Ray libraries.

That’s right, ladies and gents – it’s our first real glimpse of War Machine. And it really raises the question – what on Earth was Terrence Howard thinking when he turned this role down? Don Cheadle is gonna be in action movie heaven – and so are the rest of us.

Check out the full-size version, and other stills from the movie, at Yahoo! movies.

By the way – I feel a bit guilty that, as tinglingly excited as I am for Iron Man 2, all these promo images and video clips make me even more excited for the Avengers movie. As great as Tony Stark’s next adventure will be – and, yes, I’m absolutely certain this flick’ll blow my mind – he’ll be even greater when onscreen with Cap, Thor, and the rest. Plus, Avengers will have the Disney financial firepower behind it… yeah. This is a very exciting time for fans of superhero movies – and I count myself very much among that group.

Bloody Disgusting has reported that Kate’s sister, Rooney Mara (Dare, Youth in Revolt), will soon ink a deal with Platinum Dunes to star as Nancy Thompson in their remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. She joins previously announced Jackie Earle Haley (Freddy Krueger), Kyle Gallner (Quentin), and Thomas Dekker (Jesse) in the film. Filming begins next month in Chicago with Samuel Bayer at the helm. The film is due out in theaters April 16, 2010. Best get your sleep before then…

Again, no official deals have been inked. Because Iron Man 2 has not scheduled hard shoot dates, Blunt cannot say yay or nay just yet to suit up for the Black Widow due to potential scheduling conflicts with her role in the adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels.

Though Eliza Dushku has tried to appeal to fans she would be a perfect fit as the Black Widow, Entertainment Weekly revealed that Johansson has spoken with the filmmakers for the part. Many disagree she’s a strong contender against Emily Blunt, but I believe there’s a more to Johansson’s seductivity than her usual roles (and we can’t blame her for The Spirit’s box office plunder).

With the recent reports of Samuel L. Jackson threatening to opt out of his Nick Fury role, or previously announced Emily Blunt potentially dropping of her Black Widow role due to scheduling conflicts, at the very least we have one lead in regards to Mickey Rourke rumored to be circling the sequel to play the role of the Crimson Dynamo.

MTV, after speaking with Robert Downey Jr., shot down rumors that Mickey Rourke was being cast as the Crimson Dynamo in Iron Man 2. When asked about the matter, Robert Downey Jr. quickly replied, “That’s actually incorrect.” And when pressed if, instead of Crimson Dynamo, Rourke was up for the role of Whiplash, another potential role bandied about on blogs these days, Downey had a more cryptic response.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that,” said Downey. “Or maybe it’s some semblance of both.

For the complete sit down with RDJ and MTV you can head over here.

Starring along side Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming Universal remake of The Wolf Man, Ms. Blunt is now rumored to be in talks to play Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow in the Iron Man sequel reports Variety.

If the rumors are true Ms. Blunt would possibly be joining Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell as the new adversaries to Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Black Widow is a Soviet Superspy who uses high-tech weaponry and a sexy skin tight outfit to get what she wants, imagine that.

Jon Favreau is directing the sequel scripted by Justin Theroux. The Marvel Studios production is scheduled to begin production this spring for a summer 2010 release.

Look for more exciting details on Iron Man 2 to emerge in the coming weeks.

The characters are unnamed, however we can speculate the lead male will be supervillian Crimson Dynamo and the lead female likely the Black Widow, Natalia Romanova aka Natasha Romanoff. Both characters are of Soviet origin so it makes sense they would appear together and maybe this could lead into the Black Widow’s role as a reoccurring ally in Marvel’s upcoming The Avengers?

Who do you think should be cast as the Crimson Dynamo and the Black Widow? Sound off below.

After seeing a few finished scenes from Avatar, Favreau seems to be convinced that Cameron’s integration of live action with motion capture and CGI will be a cinematic revolution. Referring to Cameron, Favreau tells Quint,

“He’s sort of tireless in how much he invests into it as far as his time and effort. You know, he doesn’t make a lot of movies, so a lot of thought and effort goes into each one. And I think that he’s trying to present this format in a way where it is a game-changer and in seeing it I think it’s the future. I don’t think it’s a flash in the pan. I think it’s going to open up a whole new door and I think more so than the glasses it becomes about how many screens could actually present it in its pristine form.”
“The amount of screens is just growing at a very, very fast rate in the States and I think in Europe as well and I think Avatar is going to be the kind of movie that’s an event that you have to go see and you want to see again just to understand what you’re looking at. And then you still have his very effective storytelling. He really creates an adventure and draws you into it in the hero’s journey sense of storytelling, the Joseph Campbell sense of storytelling.”
“[Cameron’s] really pushing the boundaries on motion capture, he’s integrating live action with motion capture and CGI. It takes a painstaking technical approach to that. And he really wants to make it a very visceral, emotional experience.”

From a production standpoint, Avatar will certainly revolutionize the way motion capture and CGI are integrated to create a more organic experience. Favreau plans now to use similar techniques in Iron Man 2. “The line between animation and live action is blurring in many ways,” he states. Not yet a full believer of IMAX, Favreau explains that shooting Iron Man 2 on IMAX presents a problem.

“The difficulty with our film is that our main character is CG a lot of the time. And when you start shooting in IMAX format… it’s a bit unwieldy on the set first of all and second of all, I’m not convinced yet that CGI is going to look…”
“I think it works well for Dark Knight because a lot of that was just practical shots and helicopter shots or shots where there’s CGI in the background, set extensions things like that. But you didn’t have a CGI Batman running through the frame all the time.”
“And I think that IMAX, I’m warned, costs a lot more, it’s a lot harder to render because of the resolution and I’m not sure at that resolution CGI is convincing yet. So, there are a lot of drawbacks, but in meeting with them the blowups to IMAX format are as effective in many ways, so we’ll see where we land on it, but I doubt that we’re actually going to have IMAX cameras on the set. It becomes very difficult for processing and all of that.”

Being a full fan of the IMAX experience, I hope Avatar lives up to the hype that Favreau’s praising it to be—especially if they’re going to take Iron Man 2 in a similar direction. For more on the story, you can read Quint’s full interview with Favreau here.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2

As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.

Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.

In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.

DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2

Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.

“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN’S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.

Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.

Justin Theroux is currently writing the screenplay, which is rumored to take Rhodes role in another direction. Marvel Studios has not commented on the change, but according to sources from The Hollywood Reporter, the switch was made as a result of “financial differences, among other reasons” between Howard and the studio. My gut tells me its likely the other reasons. The change may not sit well initially, but perhaps Marvel had more in mind when they approached Cheadle?  Both are A-list actors, but one commands more attention than the other…