Looking ahead it seems like 2007 will be another ho-hum year for film with the occasional, possibly refreshing film worthy of anticipation. I remember waiting almost a year and half for Brokeback Mountain to come out when I first learned of the film at imdb.com a couple of years back. Just after watching X-Men back in 2000, I remember already looking forward to seeing the next installment. I love anticipating the release of a film. It’s exciting to look forward to a cinematic event. But it’s just as disheartening when the anticipation proves unfruitful. Yet, it’s a risk even watching a film you haven’t had much time to anticipate. Anyway, there seems to be a few films I can reasonably look forward to seeing this year. Some I’ve known of for a while and others I’ve just learned about.

In no particular order, here are a few films I look forward to watching this year (2007):

• 300
  Who? Directed by Zach Snyder with a cast of lesser knowns.
  What? “Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film brings Miller’s (Sin City) acclaimed graphic novel to life by combining live action with virtual backgrounds that capture his distinct vision of this ancient historic tale.” –from 300themovie.warnerbros.com
  When? March 9
  Where? USA
  Why? If you’ve seen Sin City (another Frank Miller graphic novel brought to the big screen) you can’t help but be curious. Though Snyder has not written or directed anything memorable, this might be the film that puts him on the film map ala Michael Gondry with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Lynne Ramsay with Morvern Callar. Also, the visuals look stunning. The film looks like it might be Rome (HBO) calibur. If you’ve seen Rome, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, what the bloody hell are you waiting for? The 300 trailer is a must see.
• The Bourne Ultimatum
  Who? Paul Greengrass directed this installment and the previous two installment of The Bourne trilogy. Matt Damon stars again as Jason Bourne. Julia Stiles and Joan Allen return for this last installment as well.
  What? “Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in this third installment in the action-packed series. Bourne searches for his own identity after a bout of amnesia, leading him on a globe-trekking trip in which he must avoid the zinging bullets of cops and assassins who are out to stop him before he uncovers the truth.” –from rottentomatoes.com
  When? August 13
  Where? USA
  Why? Well, you just can’t see two out of three in a trilogy… well, you can if it’s The Matrix, The Godfather and Lord of the Rings. I could barely stand the second installment of The Matrix, so I passed on the third. I saw all three Godfathers but very much wish I can burn the memory of the third from my mind. And the second installment of Lord of the Rings left a bitter taste in my mouth. So, I guess you can see just one or two and not all three. But, what makes a trilogy successful, or rather what makes me want to watch all three, look forward to all three and want to own all three is that all three has the same director, same main characters and retain the same in quality and inerest. Although The Bourne Identity (first installment) was directed by Doug Litman and is the best of the two, I still suspect The Bourne Ultimatum will be just as interesting, well done and memorable as the first two if it doesn’t sell out as third installments often do. I thought The Bourne Identity was great because it wasn’t gratuitous in sex, violence and cringe-worthy one-liners. It was really one of the first action films I remember seeing that changed the nature and expectation of a film in the action genre. It had drama and action with genuine emotion without sentimentality. The Bourne Supremacy had a couple one-liners that made me twinge a bit, but fortunately that was all.
• Reno 911! Miami
  Who? The bloody funny cast of Comedy Central’s Reno 911!.
  What? “The bumbling cops of Comedy Central’s hit television series take a trip to Miami Beach for a national police convention, only to find that they must leap into action when the convention center becomes the target of a biological terrorist attack. Series co-creators Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, and Kerri Kenney lay the basic outline for an improvisation-based comedy featuring all of the series’ regulars and a slew of celebrity cameos.” –from allmovie.com
  When? February 23
  Where? USA
  Why? Why not? Seriously, Reno 911! is one of the best, funniest and most original comedies on television out there now. Not sure that Reno 911! as a movie will work, but I can’t pass it up. I love the cast!
• Reign Over Me
  Who? Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle and Jada Pinkett Smith star. Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger) directs.
  What? “A man who lost his family in the September 11th attacks and has never recovered from his grief, runs into his former college roommate who is determined to help his ex-roomie come to grips with his loss.” –from Yahoo Movies
  When? March 23
  Where? USA
  Why? Strange, but I really like Adam Sandler. He plays such likable and sweet characters who are a little sad. Well, except for his silly slapstick films like Happy Gilmore, I like Adam Sandler. Don Cheadle rocks. And the film just looks like a smart, dramatic, funny and well made film that could prove that Sandler can do more than one (Punch-Drunk Love) dramatic role. See the trailer.
• Blades of Glory
  Who? Will Ferrell, John Heder (Napoleon from Napoleon Dynamite), and Will Arnett (Gob from Arrested Development). Directed by Josh Gordon adn Will Speck.
  What? “Will Ferrell, John Heder, and Will Arnett headline this high concept comedy concerning two male figure skating rivals aching to compete despite having been banned from the sport as a result of a nasty row at the 2002 Winter Olympics. When they discover a loophole that will allow them to perform together in the pairs figure skating category, they determine to put their differences aside for the sake or their gold medal aspiriations. Amy Poehler, Rob Corddry, Jenna Fischer, and Craig T. Nelson co-star.” –from allmovie.com
  When? March 30
  Where? USA
  Why? I’m starting to really like Will Ferrell. Especially after seeing Stranger Than Fiction and Talladega Nights. He’s probably the only comedic actor who does slapsticky/potty humor that I like. I suppose ’cause he’s just very convincing and seems to do anything for a laugh if it’s actually funny to more people than himself and his friends. He’s a smart comedic actor. Also, I absolutely loved Will Arnett as Gob Bluth in Fox’s Arrested Devlopment! He’s funny, cute and adorable. Plus, Blades just looks like a fun film and is an interesting concept that just might be funny enough to get sincere laughter out of me.
• The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
  Who? Brad Pitt as Jesse James, Casey Affleck as Robert Ford, Mary-Louise Parker and Sam Rockwell. Directed by Andrew Dominik (Chopper).
  What? “Based on Ron Hansen’s critically acclaimed and popular novel, the film delves into the private life and public exploits of America’s most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad Pitt) plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money – and the glory – riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most.” –from wikipedia.org
  When? Conflicting dates appear all over the net and none appear at the film’s official site, but it seems The Assassination of Jesse James will be released in the first half of 2007.
  Where? USA
  Why? After watching Tombstone (1993) and especially HBO’s Deadwood I realized westerns can be more than brawn and guns. I like the comradery, the period, landscape, the history of the time. Anyway, occasionally I like Brad Pitt and I believe he could actually be ok in this film (provided he doesn’t talk too much).
• The Nanny Diaries
  Who? Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti star. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor) direct.
  What? “A recent college graduate with few job prospects is hired to care for a precocious four-year old boy in this satirical urban comedy starring Scarlet Johansson, Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, and Chris Evans. Annie Braddock (Johansson) is attempting to put her Anthropology degree to good use in New York City with little success to show for her efforts. When a posh Upper East Side couple enlists Annie’s aid in caring for their preschool-aged son, Annie’s entire perspective is forever changed as she attempts to adjust to her new surroundings, shares a romance with a wealthy native boy, and strives to teach her charge the true meaning of happiness.” –from allmovie.com
  When? April 20
  Where? USA
  Why? The directors of American Splendor directed this film. I like Scarlett Johansson. And I’m just curious.
• The Golden Age
  What? “Actress Cate Blanchett returns to her Oscar-nominated role and director Shekhar Kapur steps back into the director’s chair for this belated sequel to the critically acclaimed 1998 biopic Elizabeth that explores the 16th century romance between the “Virgin Queen” and noted adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Michael Hirst teams with William Nicholson to pen the screenplay, and actor Geoffrey Rush returns to the role of Sir Francis Walsingham.” –from allmovie.com
  When? October 5
  Where? UK
  Why? I really enjoyed Elizabeth back in 1998. I thought it definitely should have won the Best Picture over Shakerspeare in Love. I’m a huge fan of Cate Blanchett. She’s a truly exceptional actress. Plus, I’ve never known such a film as Elizabeth to have a sequel. Sequels are often for action, horror, superhero or movies with lots of dumb, slapstick humor like Scary Movie. This should be very interesting.
• American Gangster
  Who? Denzel Washington, Russell Crow, Josh Brolin, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Directed by Ridley Scott (
  What? “Director Ridley Scott spins this yarn concerning a Harlem drug kingpin (Denzel Washington) who smuggles heroin into the country by hiding it in the bodies of U.S. soldiers killed during battle in Vietnam. As honest NYPD detective Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe) investigates the case, his integrity is compromised by the meddling of the crooked Detective Trupo (Josh Brolin).” –from allmovie.com
  When? November 2
  Where? USA
  Why? I’m a sucker for a good, smart and meaty gangster film. The Departed, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas, The Godfather I and II, Casino, Mobsters, Public Enemy, etc. I’m not a fan of Denzel Washington. Most of the cast I can take or leave, except Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity, Children of Men, Dirty Pretty Things) who’s a fabulous actor. I enjoy Ridley Scott films (Thelma & Louise, GI Jane, Hannibal, Gladiator–sort of) in general. He’s got a distinct way of directing big films that makes them a bit more intimate and believable than the average big budget director.
• Sin City 2
  Who? Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rachel Weisz, Rosario Dawson, Brittany Murphy, Mickey Rourke and Michael Madsen. Directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez.
  What? “The film’s plot follows multiple storylines. One is based around A Dame to Kill For which follows Dwight (Clive Owen) and his former love Ava Lord (Rachel Weisz), who betrayed him and ended their relationship for a wealthier man. Ava now returns years later claiming her marriage is abusive and insisting that Dwight help her. After she frames him for the murder of her husband, Dwight, with the help of Marv, seeks to clear his name. Dwight’s storyline in this film is a prequel to The Big Fat Kill, which occurred in the first film. It explains how Dwight came to have his “new face” and his connections with the Old Town prostitutes. Another storyline follows Nancy (Jessica Alba) as she grieves the death of Detective Hartigan, the man she had grown to love after he rescued her from That Yellow Bastard who had kidnapped and attempted to kill Nancy when she was a child.” –from wikipedia.org
  When? As of 2/11/07, the release date for Sin City 2 is September 2007.
  Where? USA
  Why? I loved Sin City! Fortunately, the same actors and director is returning for the sequel. What more could I ask for!
• The Other Boleyn Girl
  Who? Eric Bana, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Directed by Justin Chadwick who also directed 2005′s acclaimed BBC/PBS miniseries starring Gillian Anderson, Nathaniel Parker and others.
  What? “A historical drama, based on a novel by Philippa Gregory. The story revolves around the ferociously ambitious Boleyn sisters, Mary (Johansson) and Anne (Portman), who are rivals for the bed and heart of 16th century English King Henry VIII (Bana).” –from countingdown.com
  When? October 26
  Where? UK
  Why? I just love period pieces. And I like all the above mentioned actors. I also just loved, loved, loved Chadwick’s Bleak House. Every year I hope for a truly remarkable period film to watch. Last year I looked forward to and was very satisfied with Marie Antoinette. This year I look forward to and hope to be very satisfied with both The Other Boleyn Girl and The Golden Age (as mentioned above.)
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  Who? Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt star. Directed by David Fincher.
  What? “Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same name… Without warning, a 50-year-old man (Pitt) begins to age backwards, progressively growing younger. As he begins to regain his youth, the man starts to fall in love with a 30-year-old woman. (Blanchett) The question thus looms: how can they have a future together if he continues to grow younger and she older with every year that passes?” –from wikipedia.org
  When? Late 2007 or early 2008
  Where? USA
  Why? Sounds like a very interesting story.

Here are some other 2007 films that have piqued my interest:
The Invasion (November 2) (Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Jeffrey Wright)
Becoming Jane (TBA) (Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, James Cromwell, Maggie smith)
Sweeney Todd (TBA) (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman,Sacha Baron Cohen)
Straightheads (TBA) (Gillian Anderson, Danny Dyer)
Zodiac (March 2) (Jake Gyllehaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo)

Lists of upcoming 2007 films can be found at:
Wikipedia.org
FirstShowing.net
IMDB.com