On the Horizon: September & October

Having forgotten to conjure up a list of must-sees for the first month of the Aug-Oct period, I figured that I could at least pick up the slack by devoting some coverage to September and October. Turns out that the next two months have more than enough in store for several worthwhile trips to the theater.

The Rum Diary dir. Bruce Robinson [October 28th - Wide]

Though it's hard not to hear the words 'rum' and 'Johnny Depp' and not think of Jack Sparrow,The Rum Diary couldn't be any further from Pirates of the Caribbean, location aside. Adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's novel, Bruce Robinson's film follows Paul Kemp (Depp), a writer struggling to find himself while writing for a second-rate newspaper in the Caribbean. The film feels like it's been pushed back over and over (much like John Madden's The Debt), but it seems like 2011 is the year we'll finally get to see this project hit theaters. In addition to boasting a great cast (Depp, Amber Heard, Giovanni Ribisi), the source material promises that, at the very least, it won't be a boring. Let's just hope those delays aren't the bad sign they could easily be interpreted as.

Martha Marcy May Marlene dir. Sean Durkin [October 21st - Limited]

With its fondness for the 13th letter of the alphabet, expect this one to leave theater-goers mixing up the title in any number of combinations. That silliness aside, Sean Durkin's debut, which earned raves at Sundance, has been gaining buzz for months now. In addition to indie sensation John Hawkes (Winter's Bone), the film has earned raves for leading lady Elizabeth Olsen (as in, sister of Mary Kate and Ashley) in the role of a young woman trying to reconnect with her family after breaking away from an abusive cult religion. To say that the footage out there is intriguing is an understatement, and Durkin looks like he could be headed for debut of the year status with this indie breakout.

50/50 dir. Jonathan Levine [September 30th - Wide]

Cancer sin't exactly a word that inspires fits of laughter, but that's exactly what Jonathan Levine is aiming for with 50/50. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Adam, a 27 year old who tries to beat his cancer diagnosis along with his friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) and therapist (Anna Kendrick). The film has earned surprisingly strong early word of mouth, with heaps of praise being thrown at Levitt and Angelica Huston (as Adam's mother). The subject matter's slightly comedic twist might be uncomfortable for some, but if early reviews are any indication, Levine and co. have managed to navigate the plot with enough sensitivity in order to earn both laughs and tears.

Moneyball dir. Bennett Miller [September 23rd - Wide]

Despite an incredibly dry first trailer, and those snarky commenters labeling the film "Brad Pitt's The Blind Side," Moneyball actually has quite a bit going for it. In addition to the strong cast (Pitt, Jonah Hill, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright), the script was written by Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List) and a little writer named Aaron Sorkin. Then there's Bennett Miller in the director's chair, whose last film was the acclaimed Capote (2005). So even though the baseball-oriented subject matter might not be a draw for many, this one's got credentials in spades, and could be one of the surprise hits of the fall.

Restless dir. Gus van Sant [September 16th - Limited]

I can't decide if I find the whimsical details of Restless intriguingly quirky, or annoying and desperate. The latest from Gus van Sant follows the romance between a terminally ill girl (Mia Wasikowska) and a boy (Henry Hopper) who is visited by the ghost of a Japanese kamikazi pilot. Also, he likes to attend funerals for fun. It would be a lot easier for me to write this one off were it not for the people involved, especially considering some of the less-than-kind reviews it received at Cannes. But van Sant is always worth a look, and Wasikowska has quickly become one of the most promising new talents, so I'm hoping that all of the ingredients here will come together to create something special.

Like Crazy dir. Drake Doremus [October 28th - Limited]

Another Sundance title that I've heard tons about for months, Like Crazy tells the story of a British student (Felicity Jones) who falls for an American (Anton Yelchin), only to be separated from him when her visa expires. Early reviews have generally been positive, calling Doremus' debut a complex and honest depiction of young love, like a college-aged (and less bleak) Blue Valentine. Jones and Yelchin (especially the former) have picked up strong reviews as well, further cementing their statuses as young talents to watch in the coming years.

The Thing dir. Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. [October 14th - Wide]

It may technically be a prequel to the 1982 John Carpenter film, but that hasn't stopped the studio from keeping the title (or the plot, for that matter) from being almost identical. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) and Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom), this prequel traces the first meeting between an Antarctic research team, and a crashed alien spacecraft (along with its hostile passenger). Early buzz has been positive, claiming that even though the film is uncomfortably close to the Carpenter version, it holds its own in terms of story and scares.

The Ides of March dir. George Clooney [October 7th - Wide]

George Clooney is back in the director's chair, and his latest looks more like Good Night and Good Luck than Leatherheads, which is definitely for the best. Based on Beau Willimon's play (reportedly based on Howard Dean's campaign), the film follows campaign staffer Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) as he gets a crash course in dirty politics. Boasting a terrific cast which includes Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marissa Tomei, and Clooney himself, Ides' real draw is Mr. Gosling. A talented actor with a good knack for picking scripts, he's seemed reluctant to fully embrace his star potential until now, which can (hopefully) only mean good things from here on out.

Drive dir. Nicholas Winding Refn [September 16th - Wide]

And speaking of Ryan Gosling, here's yet another star vehicle of his coming out this year, one with solid pre-release buzz firmly in place. Though the story could have easily been another run of the mill project featuring the likes of Jason Statham, Drive has picked up strong reviews, flat out raves even, and managed to win the Best Director prize at Cannes back in May. That's no small feat for a graphically violent crime thriller.

Contagion dir. Steven Soderberg [September 9th - Wide]

This virus thriller from Steven Soderberg may have a star-studded ensemble, but don't expect the big names to get special treatment when it comes to the story. Much like TV shows The Sopranos or Game of Thrones, Contagion's trailer, which boldly lets us know that Gwyneth Paltrow's character dies, very clearly sets up a world where no one is safe. There isn't much early buzz on the project, but what can be found makes one thing clear: Soderberg and co. are striving for a level of realism so graphic that it's left some test screening audiences feeling nauseous. The only worrisome thing about the film is that it was bumped from an October release. It's not as bad of a sign as constant delays, but considering the shift gave the film less time for promote itself, it could be a sign that Warner Bros. doesn't want to spend too much marketing the finished product. Still, Soderberg is a pretty reliable director (not to mention an efficient one), and he's done great work with large casts before (Traffic).

The Skin I Live In dir. Pedro Almodovar [October 14th - Limited]

I can't remember the last time that a film's sheer weirdness has enticed me so much. Without giving away an ounce of concrete plot, the images and trailers for Almodovar's latest have me hooked, and I'm thrilled that the film will be hitting American screens this early. Starring Antonio Banderas, all I've learned (or cared to learn) about Skin is that it's a plastic surgery revenge thriller. That description could easily be a schlock torture porn film from the director of SAW, but this is Almodovar, one of our best living directors. The material itself may be darker than his past few films (although he's always included dark story elements), but the footage is classic Almodovar, with touches of noir, melodrama, camp, and vibrant colors (the man sure knows how to use red). Consider me sold.

Take Shelter dir. Jeff Nichols [September 30th - Limited]

This second feature from Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories), has been earning strong reviews, and after re-visiting the trailer, it's easy to see why. The film follows Curtis (Michael Shannon) as he tries to figure out if his dreams about cataclysmic storms are visions, or the onset of schizophrenia. The majority of the trailer has an eerie calm to it, before teasing us with quick glimpses of craziness at the end. All of it, however, is compelling, whether it's as a character study, a pyschological drama, or a thriller. Throw in Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire), Jessica Chastain, and Kathy Baker, and you have what very well could be the definitive indie break out film of the year, which is saying a lot.

On the Horizon: May-July

Even with the release of Fast Five this weekend, the summer movie season doesn't officially kick off until next weekend with the first week of May. However, it's understandable as to why Hollywood would want to gets things started a week early. An unusually large number of buzzed about/heavily publicized big-budget studio fare is coming our way over the next three months, in addition to a handful of smaller films to act as counterweights. In addition to sequels and superheroes, we also get auteur offerings from the likes of Allen and Malick, along with small films from indie hopefuls. So, here's a glimpse at 15 reasons to stay out of the summer sun

15. Green Lantern, dir. Martin Campbell [June 17 - Wide]

As far as superheroes go, I've always been surprised that it took so long for the Green Lantern to make it to the big screen. While not quite as prominent as Batman or Spiderman, he's certainly a prominent and beloved character with a complicated universe that has the potential for many, many sequels. Regardless, the wait is almost over, and despite so initial bad buzz, it looks halfway decent. I'm still not sold on Blake Lively as the love interest (how flat are her line readings in the trailer?), but Reynolds seems convincing, and the action should have plenty of diversity, given the endless possibilities of the Green Lantern's weapon. What's truly worrying, though, are the effects. The Green Lantern suit is completely CGI, and parts of it fail to look completely seamless in the footage released so far. Post-production work has become such a hassle that Warner Bros. has given the film an extra $9 million to get it all done on time.

14. Cowboys and Aliens, dir. Jon Favreau [July 29 - Wide]

No, that's not a joke, or the name of the latest MST3K spoof. Jon Favreau's (Iron Man) latest, is a legitimate action/adventure, where the Old West meets outer space. Despite the giggle-inducing title, it does look like fun (plus, you'll get to see Olivia Wilde naked, albeit with PG-13 restrictions). The cast is solid (Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde), the effects look slick, and the action looks intense. The only thing that could hold it back is tone. Will it be too serious, too silly, or an awkward mix of both?

13. Transformers: Dark of the Moon, dir. Michael Bay [July 1 - Wide]

Damn you, Michael Bay, for once again making me want to see your latest explosion orgy. After that heinous sequel two years ago, I thought I was done with this franchise. And then, with the release of the first theatrical trailer, I'm intrigued all over again. And honestly, it does look like an improvement. The action sequences look less frenetically edited (that clip of Bumblebee dodging, climbing, and catching Sam was only one shot; not a single cut), and the robot design slightly less busy (which often made them hard to distinguish as well as hard to look at). One thing I will say, though (and never thought I would), is that I miss Megan Fox. Her replacement, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has one expression, and it's completely blank. To counterbalance, however, we have Frances McDormand as a bitchy government agent, which is oddly inspired. I never thought I'd live to see Marge Gunderson talking to Optimus Prime. First Turturro, and now McDormand? Apparently Mr. Bay has decided that the best way to fill his ensembles is with members of the Coen brothers' roster.

12. Captain America, dir. Joe Johnston [July 22 - Wide]

It's about time the good Captain got a second shot at the silver screen. His previous endeavor was in 1990, and it didn't exactly go well. Considerably more enticing is the latest entry in the build up to 2012's The Avengers movie, starring Chris Evans as the most patriotic superhero, well, ever. The set up, with its ahead-of-its-time science, pulpy style, and Nazi villains has something of an Indiana Jones feel to it in the best way possible. The production values look gorgeous, and the cast is filled with talent, including the underrated Hugo Weaving as arch-nemesis Red Skull. The only question mark is director Joe Johnston, whose last film, The Wolfman, wasn't exactly a big success.

11. Submarine, dir. Richard Ayoade [June 3 - Limited]

And now it's time for something completely different. Having already earned good reviews in Europe, Richard Ayoade's adaptation of Joe Dunthorne's coming-of-age novel finally hits US markets this summer, and it looks like a nice break from all of the superheroes and explosions. The main plot, a young teen's quest to lose his virginity, has been done before, but Dunthorne's acclaimed source material seems to have transfered nicely to the screen, with a nice mix of humor and drama. The young actors seem engaging, and the adult cast (Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine) is only another reason to give this British indie a look.

10. Another Earth, dir. Mike Cahill [July 20 - Limited]

If you're looking for a mix of independent cinema and sci-fi, look no further than this Sundance entry. Like Moon or the upcoming Melancholia, Another Earth's goal is to take sci-fi elements (in this case, the discovery of a duplicate earth), and use them for something other than disaster sequences or alien invasions. Reviews have been decent, though not spectacular, but the premise is certainly intriguing. Some of the imagery is really striking, and despite the indie roots, it feels convincing.

09. The Beaver, dir. Jodie Foster [May 20 - Wide]

As easy as it is to make fun of/despise Mel Gibson, it's hard for me to deny that I'm really interested in his latest cinematic outing. Walter (Gibson), divorced and down on his luck, turns his life around when he begins to treat himself with a puppet, with whom he has conversations about his life. The premise always seemed iffy, and potentially laughable, but the trailer has me mostly convinced. The film seems to have a balance of humor and drama, which should keep it from becoming nothing more than a concept movie (imagine the same thing, but strictly as a comedy and starring Jim Carrey...not a pretty sight). Reviews out of Sundance were mostly positive, though some have questioned Foster's handling of the script's tonal shifts. Still, it's hard for me to deny that Gibson's performance looks engaging and riveting, perhaps even enough to forget all of his recent scandals.

08. Midnight in Paris, dir. Woody Allen [May 20 - Limited]

For our annual dose of Allen, the prolific director has returned to Paris with this Cannes opener. Despite the enticing cast (Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates), the trailer was lacking, and made the film seem goofy without actually being funny. So why is it up at number 8? Because it's Woody Allen, and even though he's been extremely hit/miss lately, when he's on form, he's spectacular. There's even been some very limited/low-key whispers that the trailer misrepresents the film, and that it's actually one of his best efforts in recent years (maybe those scantly-teased midnight sequences are really something...). And, to be fair, the trailer isn't a complete disappointment; Michael Sheen's role (a pompous pseudo-intellectual) looks like a blast, and as usual, the ensemble is terrific (at least on paper).

07. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, dir. Rob Marshall [May 20 - Wide]

I was never completely thrilled at the prospect of a fourth 'Pirates' film, but I can't deny that I do want it to be good. Keira and Orlando may be gone, but Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane are in, which gives me hope. And of course there's Depp and Geoffrey Rush, back in action and chewing the scenery up in the best sense of the term. I'm not terribly excited about the likely doomed romance subplot between a young sailor (Sam Claflin) and a mermaid (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), but hopefully it will only be a minor distraction. And even though Rob Marshall's had a rough few years, this lighter fare could potentially pay off in spades for him. There's also been hints that, if the 3D trailer was any indication, this is one of the best uses of post-conversion 3D work to date.

06. X-Men: First Class, dir. Matthew Vaughn [June 3 - Wide]

Though Captain America will take us back to the 1940s, you'll have a chance to enter the 1960s one month earlier in Matthew Vaughn's (Kick Ass) prequel. The story isn't the most enticing, as we know that a good number of the major characters will survive. The real draw here is the cast, even if it is Jackman-free. Led by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, the film is rounded out with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Kevin Bacon, and January Jones. The story could also prove more interesting than other superhero flicks, because it has more to focus on than simple The (Lone) Hero's Journey. Watching McAvoy and Fassbender go from friends to archenemies should be great fun. There's always the chance that this will be a disaster, but it's hard to believe it will be anything other than an improvement over Wolverine.

05. Crazy, Stupid, Love, dirs. Glenn Ficarra & John Requa [July 29 - Wide]

Mainstream romantic comedies are in a dire state right now, which is why I'm hoping that Crazy, Stupid, Love will prove to be an exception. Story-wise, there's nothing noteworthy; man with broken marriage gets his groove back from hot ladies man. The draw here, like the previous entry, is the cast. Steve Carrell and Ryan Gosling are our male leads, with Julianne Moore and Emma Stone as their respective interests, along with Marissa Tomei as a woman the newly single Carrell falls for. And it's not just the cast that's impressive; the trailer feels legitimately funny (hopefully it's not a case of the best bits all being used up in the promos), especially Moore's killer delivery on that Twilight joke. And best of all, Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Aniston are nowhere in sight.

04. Thor, dir. Kenneth Branagh [May 6 - Wide]

Look for the god of thunder to take the box office by storm upon its debut. The latest superhero adaptation from Marvel Studios, and one of the first major summer blockbuster hopefuls, is following in the footsteps of Iron Man, in that it's earning surprisingly strong reviews (currently sitting at 94% on RottenTomatoes). Not that the film wasn't going to make solid money anyway, but such strong early press can only help. Apparently unknown leading man Chris Hemsworth gives a star-making performance, while Kat Dennings steals the show as the film's comic relief. In essence, it's the ideal summer movie: big, loud, and flashy, but also engaging and with the right amount of humor to keep it from becoming laughably self-serious.

03. Super 8, dir. JJ Abrams [June 10 - Wide]

The teases began just shy of a year ago. A truck slid onto train tracks, a train derailed, and a tightly locked steel door burst open before the screen cut to black. Since then, we've been given significantly more information, although master of mystery Abrams has yet to give us even the tiniest glimpse of whatever 'it' is. Instead of looking like a run of the mill monster tale, though, Abrams' latest has a magical quality to it, suggesting a darker and grittier E.T. for the 2010s. The use of young kids (including Elle Fanning), who happen to be aspiring movie makers, as protagonists only heightens the sense of adventure and wonder that Abrams is clearly striving for. Consider me sold.

2. The Tree of Life, dir. Terrence Malick [May 27 - Limited]

In a career spanning almost 40 years, The Tree of Life marks Terrence Malick's fifth feature film. And, by the looks of it, it promises to be his biggest and grandest. A fan of evocative imagery, narration, and simplistic narratives, Malick's style can be a turn off for many. I'll admit, I don't really care for Days of Heaven or The New World (as gorgeous as they are). Still, I love Badlands and The Thin Red Line, and I can't deny that Malick is a visionary, even if I don't always agree with his stylistic choices. The Tree of Life, as vague as the title seems (in regards to the trailer, at least) conjures up images of the mysterious and mythical, and considering the tremendous amounts of buzz about the film (those loose 2001 comparisons are a huge draw, to say the least. Also, dinosaurs...), I have a hard time finding a reason not to go. The whole thing just looks so epic and haunting, simple and complicated, and I can't wait to see how Malick's latest work of visual poetry turns out. The only reason this isn't number one on my list is because of...

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, dir. David Yates [July 15 - Wide]

If ever a film earned the right to call itself "the motion picture event of a generation," this is it. It's been an incredible ride, regardless of whatever bumps there were along the way. As much as I hate to officially bid the series good-bye, I also can't wait for the end, and to see the book's action-packed second half (the Gringotts dragon!) come to life. Whereas 'Part 1' was full of character development and slow in pace (at times too slow), 'Part 2' looks like a massive, gorgeous adrenaline rush. It's the culmination of 10 years of film making, and I can't place this anywhere else but at number 1.

On the Horizon: Notables for early 2011

Having been so busy (or just tired) the past two months or so, I've realized that I failed to make my quarterly Season Preview post for the first three months of the new year. And while January and February haven't exactly offered much (though I did see unintentional howler The Room Mate), March and beyond have plenty of new and "old" films to look forward to. And now that I've finally decompressed from Oscar Season, it's time to start looking forward in 2011, because there are a surprisingly large group of films that appear worthwhile. For the sake of this post, I'll only be covering March and April (with one exception), albeit excluding some films which have already opened (Rango and The Adjustment Bureau, which I do plan on seeing). Even though the first two months of 2011 have provided little of interest, March and April are filled to the brim with potential:

Of Gods and Men [February 25 - Limited]In addition to the haunting trailer, this real-life religious drama picked up the Grand Prix Award at Cannes. Reception has been strong, though some have faulted the film for being overly pious. Still, it looks very mature in its treatment of the story, and refreshingly hysteria-free in its presentation of religious conflict.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives [March 2 - NYC]Speaking of Cannes, here's the film that beat Of Gods and Men for the Palme D'Or last may. Apichatpong Weerasethakul's latest film is said to be a hypnotic and mesmerizing modern ghost story. Judging from the trailer (and previous footage), it's easy to understand why the Tim Burton-led Cannes jury picked this for the top prize.

Certified Copy [March 11 - NYC]Another Cannes favorite, this one from Abbass Kiarostami, has been noted mainly for its acclaimed performance from leading lady Juliette Binoche. It looks like a slightly more melancholic Before Sunrise/Before Sunset, though that's certainly not a bad thing. Oh, and the promotional posters are absolutely gorgeous.

Red Riding Hood [March 11 - Wide]Alright, onto something more mainstream. Despite my general hatred for all things Twilight, this film from Catherine Hardwicke (who directed the first TW film) does look interesting, and not just because of its cast (Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, some guys with faux hawks). In addition to some striking visuals (the red cape on the snow), this reinvention of the Red Riding Hood legend may have some real merit to it; the script was placed on the 2009 Blacklist, which highlights the best unproduced screenplays in a given year.

Battle: Los Angeles [March 11 - Wide]We need another alien invasion movie like we need another romantic comedy with Katherine Heigl, so credit my interest in Battle: LA to the film's strong marketing. The film's whole look boasts a more gritty, dirty look to it, and it looks like an intense, non-stop thrill ride. And unlike Skyline, which was made by two VFX artists who broke off of Battle: LA, this film won't be about a bunch of idiot 30 somethings arguing in an apartment for most of the run time.

Jane Eyre [March 11 - Limited]Probably the last thing anyone was expecting from Cary Fukunaga (director of border thriller Sin Nombre) was a take on Bronte's classic novel. Starring rising actress Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, Fukunaga's film looks grim and Gothic, and could prove to be an invigorating look at a story that has been adapted countless times for the screen.

Win Win [March 18 - Limited]The latest from Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor and The Station Agent) tells the story of a high school wrestling coach who finds a surprise star athlete and takes him under his wing, only to have his mother come into the picture and threaten everything. I wasn't in love with The Visitor, but I adore The Station Agent, and the cast (Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Melanie Lynsky) is to die for. Early reviews have been extremely positive, which means this could be one of the first winners (no pun intended) of the year.

Paul [March 18 - Wide]Director Greg Mottola has been on a winning streak (Superbad and Adventureland), which makes me hopeful for this sci fi/road trip comedy. I like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and it will be interesting to see how the pair work with a different director (instead of usual collaborator Edgar Wright), and the ensemble is filled with talented and funny people. While there's sure to be a handful of gross-out jokes, Pegg and Frost generally forgo cheap gags in favor of funny word play, which gives me hope.

Sucker Punch [March 25 - Wide]If you've been waiting for the next green screen action orgy from Zack Snyder (300), fear not, because it's almost here. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Snyder's latest venture into the land of over-saturated colors tells the story of "Baby Doll," (Emily "I was almost Lisbeth Salander" Browning), a young girl forced into a mental institution. There, she and the other girls free themselves through batshit insane fantasies that will likely feature bloodshed and eyeliner in equal amounts. It'll have as much substance as a stick of Trident, but it looks like fun...and there's a dragon, which helps considerably. P.S., Abbie Cornish, you're better than this.

Source Code [April 1 - Wide]The real draw here isn't the talented cast (Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Michelle Monaghan), rather it's the director, Duncan Jones, whose debut was the excellent Moon. Strip away Jones, and what you're left with is a pseudo-high concept thriller that will either be surprisingly strong, or a rehash of similarly themed thrillers that are unique in concept, but unfortunately ordinary in execution.

Your Highness [April 8 - Wide]The likely of result of what would happen if you smoked pot while playing Dungeons and Dragons, and that's not a bad thing. The (R-rated) trailer looks absolutely loopy, with a fun cast, including Natalie Portman and James Franco running around medieval sets, slaying dragons, and getting high with...whatever that purple creature is.

Hanna [April 8 - Wide]You can't accuse Joe Wright of making the same movie twice. After classy period adaptations (Pride and Prejudice and Atonement) and a modern drama (The Soloist), Wright is back with this teenage assassin tale. Reuniting with Atonement star Saoirse Ronan, along with Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett, the film certainly looks gritty and intense (I never thought I'd see Ronan snap someone's neck). Of course, the whole teenage assassin angle is bound to cause some level of controversy, and the handling of the material could prove problematic (will it be cartoony? Graphic? Both?). But if Wright and co. pull it off, we could have something special on our hands.

Meek's Cutoff [April 8 - Limited]Kelly Reichardt's latest, which premiered to generally strong reviews at Toronto last year, is finally making its way to US theaters. The film centers on a group of travelers in the mid-1800s, who become stranded in the desert. Led by a strong cast (Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Kazan, and Paul Dano), this ensemble piece will likely be hit or miss, depending on how you take to Reichardt's preference for long silent stretches. Still, the trailer makes it look quietly intense, and some of the landscape shots are starkly beautiful.

Scream 4 [April 15 - Wide]It's been 10 years since Scream 3, but Wes Craven is finally back after a string of failures with a fourth installment of his meta-slasher series. In addition to old cast members (Neve Campell, Courtney Cox), 4 also boasts a host of new faces, all of whom will likely end of meeting grisly deaths. Frankly, I'll see any film if there's a chance that I'll get to see Anna Paquin bite it. Personally, I'm just looking forward to seeing how Allison Brie (NBC's Community and AMC's Mad Men) fits into it all. Guilty pleasure of the year? Signs point to YES.