7. The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg plays the Harvard kid who may (or may not) have ripped off the idea for a company loosely based on Facebook. Written by Aaron Sorkin, directed by David Fincher, and co-starring Justin Timberlake and Hollywood’s next Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield. Start your updates now. Oct. 1.
2. "The Social Network," d. David Fincher
The behind-the-scenes story of Facebook's tumultuous creation and rise to success, brought to you by the director of "Zodiac," "Seven" and "Fight Club." Some are writing this movie off simply because of its subject matter, but if anyone can make this film interesting, it's Fincher. The trailer certainly backs that up. I'm most intrigued by the casting of Justin Timberlake as Napster co-founder Sean Parker; will this be the project that finally turns to multi-talented JT into a bona fide movie star? (Oct. 1)
THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Not rated)
In theaters Oct. 1
Apparently, there's a controversial story behind the founding of Facebook, one of the world's most popular social networking sites.
And it gets told with "The Social Network," which is helmed by darkly visionary director David Fincher ("Zodiac," "Fight Club") and stars Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake.
"This guy (Fincher) knows how to do dry material and kind of do it in an exciting way," says Bob Shultz, St. Joseph movie critic and member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. "It seems like a real timely situation and I hope they kind of do it justice."
16. Due Date
En route to the birth of his child, Robert Downey Jr. gets into an airplane altercation with Zach Galifianakis; the two end up on a sure-to-be-madcap (and Hangover-reminiscent) road trip to the hospital. Nov. 5.
DUE DATE (Not rated)
In theaters Nov. 5
One of comedy's kingpin directors Todd Phillips is taking a road trip. And he's doing it with "Iron Man" himself, Robert Downey Jr., and taking Zach Galifinakis along with him. These two strong performers play opposite each other in Phillips' follow-up to the comic blockbuster "The Hangover" as an odd-couple pairing whose circumstances force them into a cross-country journey where comic shenanigans are guaranteed to be plentiful.
15. Megamind
In the DreamWorks toon, warmly received at Comic-Con, Will Ferrell voices a sweetly evil genius, Brad Pitt an overmatched superhero, and Tina Fey a Lois Lane–style reporter. Nov. 5.
MEGAMIND (Not rated)
In theaters Nov. 5
Of the few animated offerings left through the rest of the year, Dreamworks Animation's "MegaMind" looks to be the most promising.
The film, about a rivalry between a cranially endowed supervillain and a righteous justice-seeking superhero, features a cavalcade of A-list voice talent (Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill) and could potentially be Dreamworks' next big family franchise.
18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
It’s hard to imagine a world without Harry Potter movies, but Daniel Radcliffe has to get back to Broadway. In the first part of a two-film adaptation of the final book, Harry faces his nemesis, Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). David Yates directs, and Bill Nighy joins the cast as Rufus Scrimgeour. Nov. 19.
3. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I," d. David Yates
The unknown director delivered the two best installments of the franchise so far, earning a chance to close the book on "Potter" amid speculation that a bigger name would be brought in. This first part is said to be a smaller, more intimate brand of "Potter" film, putting the pieces in place for July's grand finale. Will Oscar finally come calling with its widened field of best picture nominees, or wait until next year? This singular franchise -- eight movies in 10 years, all with the same principle cast and crew -- has earned the recognition, and its acting ensemble is certainly long overdue. Bill Nighy, Ciaran Hinds and Rhys Ifans join the fun on Nov. 17.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I (Not rated)
In theaters Nov. 19
It's the beginning of the final book in the infinitely popular "Harry Potter" literary phenomenon. This will lead up to the impending climactic battle between Harry and Voldemort and help viewers find out the fate of a cast of characters people have grown to love through the series of books and films that only seem to get better.
1. "TRON Legacy," director Joseph Kosinski
I have to let my geek flag fly. There's a very good chance this unlikely sequel will be lame -- like, "Matrix Revolutions" lame -- but the prospect of seeing "TRON's" digital world reinvented in our digital age is too exciting. Jeff Bridges plays two roles (one with the help of youthifying CGI), Bruce Boxleitner returns as the title character's human counterpart, and two of my recent favorites, Olivia Wilde and Michael Sheen, enter the game grid. The trailers have been spectacular and the music should be even better, thanks to Daft Punk. (Dec. 17)
TRON: LEGACY (Not rated)
In theaters Dec. 17
The original "Tron" came out in 1982 with innovative special effects that helped it become a cult classic. With "Tron: Legacy" parts of the original cast return (namely, Jeff Bridges) and based on the trailers, the technological upgrade is substantial (and in 3-D) while keeping to the look and spirit of the original.
Whether the movie's cult status is enough to guarantee a big box-office might be questionable, but Matthews says the film is definitely on his radar.
"'Tron' was not a movie I was big into when I was a kid, but the new trailer is really good," he says. "That is one movie I will actively see in 3-D."
3. The Town
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Rebecca Hall (Please Give), and Jon Hamm give already buzzed-about performances in Ben Affleck’s second directorial effort, a heist pic set, once again, in working-class Boston. Sept. 17.
THE TOWN (Not rated)
In theaters Sept. 10
While his movie roles have been questionable throughout his career, after Ben Affleck made his directorial debut with the gritty 2007 crime drama "Gone Baby Gone," it was evident he had a talent behind the camera.
With "The Town," (starring Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm and Blake Lively) Affleck is tackling similar material as director and co-writer of this drama set in his native Boston about a bank robber juggling a relationship with a former victim while evading the Feds.
"He's definitely sticking to what he knows and the buzz is pretty good on it," says Eric Melin, film critic and founder of Scene-Stealers.com.
4. "True Grit," d. Joel & Ethan Coen
The Dude steps into The Duke's shoes in what the Coen brothers are billing as an adaptation of the Charles Portis novel, not a remake of the 1969 film that brought John Wayne his only Oscar. Bridges' co-stars include Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper; could this film repeat the critical and artistic success of "No Country For Old Men"? Don't bet against it. (Dec. 25)
TRUE GRIT (Not rated)
In theaters Dec. 25
The Academy Award-winning Coen Brothers have directed the work of Cormac McCarthy and Homer and made a stoner classic with "The Big Lebowski." So, why not try a true Western?
That's what they're doing with "True Grit." This remake of the classic John Wayne flick, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin, will surely find the brothers putting their distinctive twist on the material.
With the Coen Brothers' pedigree, it's already right up there on many critics' lists.
"It's the Coen Brothers. I mean, let's be honest. Even when they do genre films these days, people take it very seriously," Melin says. "I think when the Coens do a Western, people take notice."
11. Red
A team of veteran killers (Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Richard Dreyfuss, John Malkovich, and … Helen Mirren?) team up for one last ride in Robert Schwentke’s hyperviolent thriller. The trailer, at least, is merrily insane. Oct. 15.
RED (PG-13)
In theaters Oct. 15
The fact that it features a team of some of the most unlikely action heroes only makes it more intriguing. Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich, "Red," based on the DC graphic novel, follows a group of retired CIA operatives who re-team to fight off agents sent to track them down.
9. "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," d. Oliver Stone
Gordon Gekko is back in the age of economic turmoil, and his daughter (Carey Mulligan) is about to marry an ambitious trader (Shia LaBeouf). This could be pointless or poignant; I'm seeing it either way. (Sept. 24)
WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS (R)
In theaters Sept. 24
The sequel may have come more than 20 years later, but "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" definitely has the potential to tap into the zeitgeist of corporate corruption and economic crisis.
The film re-unites "Wall Street" director Oliver Stone with Michael Douglas reprising his Oscar-winning role as greed-driven Gordon Gekko, who grooms a would-be trader played by Shia LeBouf.
Even though the film was moved back from its original spring release date, Melin still sees promise.
"I don't think it's going to be the big letdown that everybody thought it was going to be," he says. "If you're going to take an Oscar-winning character like Gordon Gekko and bring him back, you better have a good reason for it."
12. Jackass 3-D
Just when it seemed there was nothing left for Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O to do … This is what those glasses were made for: pure, disgusting shock value. Oct. 15.
JACKASS 3D (R)
In theaters Oct. 15
Talk about taking the art of 3-D filmmaking to a place it's never been before. The low-brow buddies in the "Jackass" crew once again re-unite for a new set of funny pranks and dangerous stunts -- now in eye-popping 3-D.
It may not be enriching cinematic experience, but Shultz thinks it will be hilariously entertaining.
"I'm such a sucker for 'Jackass' films. It boils down to my lowest common denominator of funny," he says. "I'm a moron and I like when moron's do punishment to one another."
Others mentioned:
Let Me In (Oct. 8), Machete (Sept. 3), I'm Still Here (Sept. 10), Never Let Me Go (Sept. 15), Catfish (Sept. 17), Enter the Void (Sept. 17), Jack Goes Boating (Sept. 17), It's Kind of a Funny Story (Oct. 8), Nowhere Boy (Oct. 8), Conviction (Oct. 15), The Company Men (Oct. 22), Hereafter (Oct. 22), Morning Glory (Nov. 12), Unstoppable (Nov. 12), Love and Other Drugs (Nov. 24), The King's Speech (Nov. 26), Black Swan (Dec. 1), The Fighter (Dec. 10), Somewhere (Dec. 22)
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