If you're a fan of H-Town films, the year ahead is gonna see you holding several ticket stubs. And here's why...
If you're a fan of H-Town films, the year ahead is gonna see you holding several ticket stubs. And here's why...
We've gone through several lists and have picked the best of the lot from Hollywood this year for your viewing pleasure. These include films you cannot miss this year and those that come to us several weeks or months late. Also, there are films that may or may not do well in India. We'll keep our fingers crossed, thenu2026
Note: While all release dates are India-specific, they are subject to change. Watch this space for weekly updates.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Dir: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham-Carter, Anne Hathaway
Release Date: April 9, 2010
Why it's here: Tim Burton. Johnny Depp. The imaginative landcape of Wonderland. Also, this one's in 3D. By the way, this 'sequel' to the Lewis Carroll classic sees an older Alice return aged 17, to an overgrown and haunted Wonderland. While Depp's the star attraction here, supporting Brit acts by Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Matt Lucas will try to steal the show.u00a0 
Sureshots
They've got everything going for them. Either the best banner or the best director or the best cast. Some of them get it all right. You wouldn't wanna bet against these ones doing a slo-show at the box-office.
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SHUTTER ISLAND
Dir: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Mark Ruffalo
Release Date: March 5, 2010
Why it's here:u00a0The last time Martin and Leo came together, we got The Departed. This time around, Scorsese delves deep into the genre of psychological horror.u00a0 Set in 1954, Shutter sees US Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo) investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.u00a0
CLASH OF THE TITANS
Dir: Louis Leterrier
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Gemma Arterton
Release Date: March 26, 2010
Why it's here:u00a0 Man goes head-to-head with gods in this remake of a 1981 VFX benchmark. Going by trailers, Sam Worthington could finally make it as an action hero (Avatar and Terminator: Salvation don't count). Trailers look promising.
IRON MAN 2
Dir: Jon Favreau
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson
Release Date: April 30, 2010
Why it's here: This one is easily my must-watch flick pick of the year. Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark more or less screamed 'Sequel!' when he made that announcement at the end of the film. One surprise u2014 that is, if you're not the type who sits through end credits u2014 is Samuel L Jackson's entry into the franchise as Nick Fury. Going by pedigree (the original was one of the best comic-to-movie adaptations EVER), we shouldn't bother being disappointed. Favreau makes a cameo as Hogan, a wrestler.u00a0
SHREK FOREVER AFTER
Dir: Mike Mitchell
Cast: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas
Release Date: May 21, 2010
Why it's here: Simply because this one may be the last in the series. And because they're all so watchable u2013 Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey, Puss et al. In this one, a bored Shrek (Myers) meets a dark deal-maker named Rumpelstiltskin (anyone remember how that story went?) to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away. And it's all in 3D.
TOY STORY 3
Dir: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tim Allen, Tom Hanks
Release Date: June 25, 2010
Why it's here: It's an enduring franchise for Pixar. And the animated short at the beginning is usually always a draw. Its in 3-D. If you haven't watched Parts I or II, fikar not. The two films are set to release later this month in 3-D as well.u00a0 In this one, Andy is off to college. While his toys are waiting to make their ascent to storage in the attic, they are accidentally put out with the rubbish.
INCEPTION
Dir: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio
Release Date: July 16, 2010
Why it's here: Insiders who've seen bits and pieces call it a 'game changer'. Guess we'll just have to wait to watch then.
CHRONICLES OF NARNIAu00a0- VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER
Dir: Michael Apted
Cast: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley
Release Date: December 10, 2010
Why it's here: Ben Barnes returns and this time as King (note: not Prince) Caspian. In this one, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Shooting of this third installment wrapped up late November 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. Really wonder why we have to wait till December to watch this film.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I
Dir: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Release Date: Nov 19, 2010
Why it's here: While David Yates's 2009 outing with the Half-Blood Prince was appreciated, it was based on the weakest book in the series. However, Yates prepares for a change of scene with this one. Hogwarts doesn't appear in the picture in the first part at all and is being described as a "road movie". A lot of hand-held cameras (ala the 'Bourne' series) might make a debut in the series as the hunt for the Horcruxes ends before returning to the more classic style of shooting for the Hogwarts-set finale.
Maybe, baby
This one could go either way. Become a big hit and surprise us or tank miserably. We're really not too confident about these films for the simple reason that they inspire reasonable doubt.
VALENTINE'S DAY
Dir: Garry Marshall
Release Date: February 12, 2010
Big star cast with little else to show for it. You decide. Anyway, expect your girlfriend to drag you to watch it.
WALL STREET 2
Dir: Oliver Stone
Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin
Release Date: April 23, 2010
The Stone and Douglasu00a0duo sounds potent but the subject is dated. It focuses on the state of markets in 2008.
PRINCE OF PERSIAu00a0-- SANDS OF TIME
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton
Release Date: May 28, 2010
Expect a prince to ally with a rival princess to fight an evil vizier, all the while surrounded in perfectly toned landscapes (and stars). 
THE KARATE KID
Cast: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith
Release Date: June 11, 2010
The original 1984 film came to us quite late. It was a product of its times, remaking it now doesn't seem right.
SALT
Cast: Angelina Jolie
Release Date: July 16, 2010
Angelina Jolie stars in a film where she is left questioning her own identity.u00a0 Now, where have we heard that before?
PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Cast: Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman
Release Date: February 26, 2010
A Greek god's son living in New York? It happens only in Hollywood! Chris Columbus directs this fantasy that has ancient Olympia shift base to the top of Empire State Bldg.
Tried and tested
They're either still running in screens abroad or have met with critical and commercial success.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Dir: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law
Release Date: January 8, 2010
This one released in the US on Christmas Day and has since made more than $65 million.
INVICTUS
Dir: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Release Date: January 29, 2010
Nominated for three Globes. Has been accepted well by most critics.
UP IN THE AIR
Dir: Jason Reitman
Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick
Release Date: January 29, 2010
Six Golden Globe nominations.
THE LOVELY BONES
Dir: Peter Jackson
Cast: Stanley Tucci, Saoirse Ronan
Release Date: February 12, 2010
Peter Jackson strips it all down to emotions. Don't go thinking King Kong or Lord Of The Rings, though.
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