So the final part of our preview of 2008 begins. The following films I have to be honest I just don't know what to make of, I want to see them all but something tells me based on what I have heard or seen so far that they are either going to fail completely or be the best thing since sliced bread. Of course I'm making a pre-emptive judgement on all this so I am probably going to be wrong with most of these.

Doomsday

After the success of Dog Soldiers and The Descent, director Neil Marshall was hyped much like Eli Roth was as one of the savior's of horror. Based on his previous movies you would think that whatever was coming next would no doubt be a scary as hell horror thriller which would become a big breakout success. Unfortunately it looks like Marshall has decided to take the movies he loved as a child, namely Mad Max 2 and Escape from New York and mix them with 28 days later to create this derivative looking action flick. Rhona Mitra stars in a film that could be called Escape from Glasgow. After a deadly virus sweeps the nation Scotland is walled off to the rest of the country. Alas several years later the virus returns and some scientists and military types must journey out of the walled city into the savage wasteland beyond. Early word has not been kind and the recent trailer showed Mitra doing an impression of Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies which probably isn't a good thing. Probably a film to enjoy after three or four beers late on a Saturday night. Released: March

The Love Guru

Mike Myers doesn't make films very often and to some people this is a good thing but not me as I'm a huge Austin Powers and Wayne's World fan. In between voicing Shrek and counting the vast amounts of cash he made,he came up with a new character, Pitka the relationship guru of the title. To be honest there isn't a trailer yet so we cannot judge but something about this fills me with fear, wasn't this the same plot as that movie The Guru released back in 2000 or so? I hope that this retains the silliness of the Austin Powers films and isn't watered down and bland like License to Wed or some shit. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba also star. Released: July

Speed Racer

                                                   

When I first heard about this new film from the Waschowski Brothers I was suspicious. The details emerging through the press made it sound like they were being astonishingly faithful to the original Anime. Then I saw that trailer. Although visually impressive they have stayed so faithful that they have more or less made a carbon copy of an Anime that was popular in the 1980's. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for staying faithful to the source, look at the success of Sin City, but something like this probably needs a little updating as otherwise the kids will stay away and they are the target audience for this film. I will see this for sure, from the looks of the visuals though its probably best to stay off the drugs beforehand. This could be a huge success or die a horrible bloody death as its sandwiched between Iron Man and Indiana Jones. Released: May 16th.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

                                                                

Did we need another Mummy movie? probably not. The suits have decided that 800 million or so in box office says we do. This time we no longer have Arnold Vosloo as the villain we have Jet Li as some kind of ancient evil Chinese emperor. Brendan Fraser and actor we don't see much these days but has three big releases out in 2008 returns as adventurer Rick O'Connell this time with a fully grown son who is following in his footsteps. Rob Cohen takes over as director from Stephen Sommers.  Cohen can go between dire (The Skulls) and fun (XXX) with his movies so the jury is out on this one. Could be good taken with a large soft drink and a bucket of popcorn during the summer holidays. Released: August 8th.

Wanted

When I saw the trailer for this film I died a little inside. Now on paper the marriage of material and director is perfect. Timur Bekmambetov, the visual genius of the Nightwatch movies adapting Mark Millar's twisted,sick and darkly funny six part comic series. Then they cast Angelina Jolie and James Mcavoy who aren't Eminem and Halle Berry but still I could accept that. The trailer emerged and lo and behold they have just made a Matrix wannabe out of it. Gone is the world ruled by Supervillains after an epic battle with Superheroes presented in the comic. This has been replaced by A Secret Order of Assassins. In my brain I cant get over the loss of potential this film had. I could be wrong and maybe the trailer hasn't shown us the whole picture yet but so far I'm not impressed. If Angelina Jolie gets naked then maybe it will be good, maybe…..Released: June

Death Race

A Paul WS Anderson (Soldier, Alien Vs Predator) remake of a Roger Corman film from the 70's starring David Carradine and a young Sylvester Stallone.Updated with Jason Statham in the lead. I have my doubts…….Released: September

CJ7

I could be completely barking up the wrong tree on this one and we are in for something special. After Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle I was hoping for some kind of mad take on the buddy cop action movie from Stephen Chow or another kung fu oriented comedy. After seeing the trailer for this one I'm not quite sure what to expect. It looks like its about some kids magical toy. Hopefully my fears will come to nothing and we will get another quality Hong Kong comedy but with a more kiddie angle this time around. Released: March

The Incredible Hulk

                                                           

On the surface of it this doesn't seem very promising. A semi-sequel/reboot of one of Marvel's most popular characters from the director of The Transporter. Plus for a movie released in June we haven't seen one frame of footage yet. Then when you consider the fact that Edward Norton stars, produces and wrote the script and is a big fan of The Hulk maybe its not so bad. Norton doesn't make anything less than interesting films and the interview with him in the latest issue of Total Film shows that he has a lot of interesting idea's on how to make a good Hulk film. This could go either way at this point. Also contains more signs we will get an Ultimate's movie: Robert Downey Jr has a scene as Tony Stark in this film! Released: June 13th

Get Smart

                                                        

Another old TV series gets the big screen makeover treatment. This show used to be on in the mornings during school holidays when I was 12 or so and it was amusing slapstick fun. Peter Segal directs and the film stars Steve Carell (on a losing streak since 40 year old virgin) The Rock (still not had a breakout hit) and Anne Hathaway (kind of hot I suppose). Segal previously directed The Longest Yard and The Nutty Professor 2 so hopes are not high. Released: August

Hancock

After the disappointing I Am Legend, Will Smith returns to his early July opening slot with a film about an alcoholic superhero whose popularity is on the wane due to the mass destruction he causes. He falls in love with the wife of a publicist who is trying to improve his image. Okay the trailer that has been released is pretty damn funny and has some impressive moments. The director is Peter Berg who made The Kingdom, Welcome to the Jungle and Very Bad Things. For some reason though I can't get Wild Wild West out of my head. This will no doubt open big and may well drop off hugely after the opening if it turns out to be a superturd. Released: July 2nd.