of things to come

It’s nearly May which means blockbuster season is once again upon us, the time of the year when Hollywood releases their most expensive special effects ridden movies for us to feast upon. This year seems to possibly be one of the more diverse blockbuster seasons in years with for example only one super hero movie (X-men origins - Wolverine) hitting the screen this year. There is plenty to look forward to and there should be something for everyone. Starting off the season this year is X-men origins - Wolverine (April 29 - Australia, May 1st US) which sees Hugh Jackman return as the metal clawed Wolverine and how exactly he came to be. From trailers this promises to be a movie that will have X-men fans getting exactly what they want and still wanting more. Early reviews have been positive and even though a rough cut of the movie was leaked out on the internet a few weeks back should have people streaming into the cinema in no time at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCTDVNgNUeY

Just one day later (April 30) we get Daniel '007' Craig in the World War 2 drama Defiance. Though out in the U.S. a while ago and not technically part of the blockbuster lineup I thought it worth mentioning just because a) I live in Australia and b) it is a movie you should go watch if you are not the type to go for big special effects movies. Daniel Craig plays Tuvia Bielski who with his brothers protects over 1000 Jewish none combatants in the Belarussian forests, Russia. Based on a true story Defiance is reminiscent of such WW2 epics as Schindler's List and Piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8OI0JP50

On the other side of the spectrum we find one of the three truly major epic movies this year, namely the STAR TREK (May 7) reboot by J.J. Abrams. Trekkies and Sci-fi enthusiasts in general cant help but marvel at the current trailers flooding the media waves. It has been a while since a grand science-fiction space epic has graced the silver screen and Star Trek seem to deliver just that. Now for the first time will we see how captain Kirk starts forming his grove in the captains chair and how the fameous crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise come together for the first time. Now it's the guys turn to get payback on their girfriends for Twilight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yrdEe95Hs0

If you are a mystery buff then 2009 offers something just up your mysterious little alley: Angels and Demons (May 14). This follow up to The Davinci Code once again sports Tom 'where have you been' Hanks as Robert Langdon trying to stop terrorists attacking the Vatican as a new pope is being selected and in so doing of course unravels an age old mystery that promises to rock the fundations of civilisation to its very core. Now there is a tagline for you and even though I personally did not like the movie adaptation of The Davince Code I am very excited and intrigued by Angels and Demons. Watch the trailer and be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASVeN-58HKk

Russel Crowe, Ben Affleck Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman and Jeff Daniels all star in a movie you might not even have heard about up until now. State of play (May 28) is by definition not what you would call a blockbuster movie, but given its cast and release date it is worth mentioning. IMDB says it best:

"A petty thief is gunned down in an alley and a Congressman's assistant falls in front of a subway - two seemingly unrelated deaths. But not to wisecracking, brash newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey who spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered. With a turbulent past connected to the Congressman and the aid of ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye, Cal begins uprooting clues that lead him to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins. But as he draws closer to the truth, the relentless journalist must decide if it's worth risking his life and selling his soul to get the ultimate story."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsxWeJngC-M

Next up is the second of the big three epics this "summer" - Terminator: Salvation (June 6). Where Terminator movies in the past have focused on Terminators going back in time to try and, well terminate, the future savior of humanity John Connor or his mother Sarah, Salvation brings us to the post apocalyptic future where humanity is at war with the machines and SkyNet. Christian 'get the f%@k off my set" Bale plays John Connor as he leads humanity in a war they seemingly have to chance of winning. As part 1 of a planned new Terminator trilogy, fans of the Terminator franchise have allot to look forward to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRwby_vjg88

Just on the heels of Terminator comes another robot epic - Transformers 2 - Revenge of the fallen (June 25) I have no idea what this movie is about, but there will be big transforming robots fighting while humans get trapped in the middle. Not being a fan at all of the first Transformers it is hard to get excited over the new chapter, but then again the series has nowhere to go but up so fingers crossed. Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf return.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb2fUOW1ne4

Late last year Harry Potter fans were given the (for them) devastating news that the next film in the franchise Harry Potter and the half blood prince had been delayed until the summer season. Well the wait is almost over and Harry Potter...6? opens July 6. And if you are a big Harry Potter fan it might interest you to know that Hoyts are showing every Harry Potter film on the big screen starting with The Philosopher stone June 11 and every week until July 6. So go and enjoy the magic all over again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96QRVfto7OM

Lastly we have G.I. Joe (August 6) which might prove that this years blockbuster season will end with a whimper and not a bang, ironically enough. Problem is this movie just looks bad, but have a look and judge for yourself.

Well, there is no trailer to be found (good sign there) so you might have to go find it yourself if you can be bothered. I sure can't.