SCIENCE-FICTION, FANTASY, AND HORROR FILM SCHEDULE 

JANUARY 4 - 2008

ONE MISSED CALL: Warner Brothers releases this film, after pushing it back from an August date. A remake of a Japanese film by Takashi Miike, the American version stars Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, Ray Wise and Margaret Cho. Eric Valette directed, from a scipt by Andrew Klavan, based on the story by Yasushi Akimoto.

JANUARY 11

IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SEIGE TALE follows a farmer (Jason Statham) out to avenge his son’s death and to rescue his wife from some animal warriors under the control of a nefarious villain called Gallian (Ray Liotta). Directed by the inimitable Uwe Boll (who has unaccountably earned some fans for his violent videogame adaptation POSTAL).

ROGUE: Yahoo Movies list this film as scheduled for release on this date, but this is a mistake. This killer croc pic from writer-director Greg McLean (WOLF CREEK) was delayed after the poor performance of PRIMEVAL, with rumors that it would go direct-to-video (no home video release date has been set, either).

JANUARY 18

CLOVERFIELD: This is the mysterious monster movie that set the Internet a-buzzing when its teaser trailer made its debut before TRANSFORMERS. According to IMDB, the plot “revolves around a monster attack in New York as told from the point of view of a small group of people.” Matt Reeves directed from a script by Drew Goddard. Produced by J. J. Abrams. With Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Lizzy Capian, Jessica Lucas.

TEETH: A horror comedy about a high school girl (Jess Weixler) who gives new meaning to the Freudian phrase “vagina dentata.” Roadside Attractions plans to open this film, directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein, in limited engagements.

FEBRUARY 1 - 2008

THE EYE: Originally targeted for October 12, this film was pushed back. Blind for most of her life, concert violinist Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba) is the recipient of a double corneal transplant that restores her sight at long last. With the help of her doctor (Alessandro Nivola) and sister (Parker Posey), she learns to see again. Soon, however, frightening visions convince her that a terrifying alternate world exists, and only she can see it. David Moreau and Xavier Palud direct from a script by Sebastian Gutierrez, based on the excellent Asian horror film directed by the Pang Brothers.

OVER HER DEAD BODY: Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, and Lake Bell star in this romantic comedy about a dead woman whose ghost returns to subvert her boyfriend’s budding relationship with a psychic. Written and directed by Jeff Lowell.

FEBRUARY 14

THE CARETAKER: RELEASE DATE UNCONFIRMED. The IMDB lists this film as coming out on February 14, which falls on a Thursday (i.e., Valentine’s Day), but there confirmation on the film’s MySpace page, just a banner ad that suggest the film will receive a direct-to-video release. Jennifer Tilly and Judd Nelson headline the cast of this horror film about a group of boys who try to give their girlfriends a scare on Halloween, taking them to an abandoned house to relate the legend of a mad caretaker. Bryce Olson directs from a script by Jackie Olson. Cast includes Kira Verrastro, James Immekus, Jennifer Freeman, Andrew St. John (from TV’s LIFE IS WILD).

JUMPER: 20th Century Fox release this teen sci-fi adventure, which re-united Hayden Christensen and Smuel L. Jackson (for those of you who didn’t get enough of them in REVENGE OF THE SITH). Once David Rice (Christensen) discovers he has the power to teleport from one place to another, he uses his ability to search for the man he believes is responsible for the death of his mother. Complicating his mission is the existence of a secret organization who want to exterminate people like David, which causes the young man to enter into a shaky alliance with a fellow “jumper” (Bell). Doug Liman directed.

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES: Paramount Pictures releases the latest in the apparently unending series of family fantasy films. Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures. Mark Waters directs Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, and David Strathairn.

FEBRUARY 15

DIARY OF THE DEAD: George A. Romero’s latest installment in his on-going zombie opus gets a limited nationwide release in the U.S. Check out a list of theatres here.

FEBRUARY 22

THE SIGNAL: Although misperceived as a zombie movie, this intriguing flick is closer to David Cronenberg’s RABID in tone and style: on New Year’s Eve a mysterious television “signal” turns those who see it into homicidal maniacs. Told in three separate episodes, each one helmed by a different writer-director, the film follows a handful of people who try to negotiate their way through the nightmarish results.

FEBRUARY 29

PENELOPE: Not actually cinefantastique, more of a fanciful conceit that combines fairy tale with a commentary on modern celebrity, this film tells the tale of the titular girl (played by Christina Ricci) who has the misfortune to be born with the snout of a pig - a curse that can be broken when she finds true love. Directed by mark Palansky. Co-starring James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon.

MARCH 7

10,000 B.C.: Rolland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY) directs this adventure about primitive humans battling sabre-tooth tigers and w0oley mammoths. The script is by Emmerich and Harald Kloser. The cast includes Nathanael Baring, Tim Barlow, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, and Omar Sharif (???).

CJ7 (limited): Stephen Chow’s fantasy family comedy gets a small release from Sony Pictures classics. A change of pace for the filmmaker, this attempt to ape E.T. was a huge hit in Asia. The plot involves a struglging father (played by Chow) who cannot afford to purchase a popular toy for his son but ends up giving him a mysterious green orb that transforms the tyke into the most popular kid in school.

MARCH 14

DOOMSDAY: The new thriller from Neil Marshall (DOG SOLDIERS, THE DESCENT) hits theatres in the U.S. A authorities brutally quarantine a country as it succumbs to fear and chaos when a virus strikes.  The literal walling-off works for three decades-until the dreaded Reaper virus violently resurfaces in a major city. An elite group of specialists, captained by Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra), is urgently dispatched into the still-quarantined country to retrieve a cure by any means necessary.  Shut off from the rest of the world, the unit must battle through a landscape that has become a waking nightmare.

FUNNY GAMES: Writer-director Michael Haneke remakes his own 1997 thriller, which probably seemed like a sure fire hit to Warner Independent Pictures hoping to cash in on the torture porn craze. Naomi watts and Tim Roth star as a married couple who vacation home is invaded by two grinning psychopaths; abuse and terror follow… We might be more interested in this one if the trailer did not shameless ape the trailer for A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.

HORTON HEARS A WHO: Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell star for directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino in this adaptation of the Dr. Suess story. Jim Carrey is not the sure-fire box office draw he used to be, and Dr. Suess adaptations are no guarantee either. We’ll have to wait and see with this one.

MARCH 21

SHUTTERS: Set in Japan, this film follows a newly married  couple who discover disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident.  Based on the 2004 Thai horrror film of the same title, the new screenplay was written by Luke Dawson. Masayuki Ochiai directs Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, David Denman, John Hensley, and James Kyson  Lee (”Heroes”).

MARCH 28

SUPERHERO MOVIE: Writer-director Craig Mazin performs his typical SCARY MOVIE treatment, this time on the superhero genre. Drake Bell, Leslie Neilsen, and Sara paxton star in this comedy about a freak accident that turns a bumbling young man into “Dragonfly.”

APRIL 4

NIM’S ISLAND: Jodi Foster stars in this comedy-adventure that mixes fantasy in the form of an author who imagines her most famous creation come to life. The story follows Nim, a young girl living on an island. When her father goes missing, she writes for help to her favorite hero, Alex Rover - who is actually a character dreamed up by author Alexandra Rover (Foster), who answers the call for help, trying to live up to the heroism of her fictional creation. Directed by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin; written by Johse Kwong & Paul Mazur and Mark Levin & Jennifer Flackett. With Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Michale Carman, Mark Brady, Anthony Simcoe.

THE RUINS: At first blush, this sounds like another holiday horror torture porn movie (a la TURISTAS), about a group of friends whose vacation in Mexico goes horribly wrong. Apparently, there is a bit more of a fantasy element, as the story focuses on a remote archaeological dig, where something evil awaits. Carter Smith directed from a screenplay by Scott B. Smith, based on his novel. The cast includes Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, and Joe Anderson.

APRIL 11

PROM NIGHT: Screen Gems releases this unnecessary remake of the old Jamie Lee Curtis slasher film. Donna’s senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life. But a sadistic killer from her past has different plans for her and her friends. Cast:Brittany Snow, Dana Davis, Jessica Troup, Scott Porter, Collins Pennie, Kelly Blatz, Idris Elba, Jonathan Schaech. Nelson McCormick directs from a screenplay by Ernesto Foronda, J.S. Cardone, and Stephen Susco (THE GRUDGE), trying his hand at writing a non-Japanese horror film remake.

APRIL 18

THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM: Jackie Chan and Jet Li team up for the first time in this film about a kung-fu obsessed American teen who is magically transported back to ancient China, where he unites with a band of martial arts warriors to free an imprisoned king. Rob Minkoff directs. With Michael Angarano.

APRIL 25

ROGUE: This 2007 killer crocodile movie from Greg McLean (writer-director of WOLF CREEK) finally gets a limited theatrical release. After PRIMEVAL (a rival killer crock film) bombed last years, ROGUE’s planned released in 2007 was pushed back, and at one time it seemed doomed to go direct-to-video. So we should be thankful that it is appearing in U.S. theatres at all. With Radha Mitchell, Michael Vartan, Sam Worthington, Caroline Brazier, Stephen Curry. Celia Ireland.

MAY 2

IRON MAN: Paramount releases this adaptation of the Marvel Comics superhero. Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Bill Smitrovich, Nazanin Boniadi, Leslie Bibb. Director: Jon Favreau. Screenwriter: Arthur Marcum, Matt Holloway Script: Comic Book Adaptation. ‘

MAY 9

FRONTIER(S): A band of criminals seek refuge in a secluded country inn, unaware that they are stepping into the lair of some psycho-crazy torturing killers. Directed by Xavier Gens, this film was scheduled for last October’s After Dark Horror Fest, but was forced out when it could nto earn an R-rating from the MPAA. Now it receives a limited, platform release before its debut on home video

SPEED RACER: Warner Brothers releases this Village Roadshow production. Based on the classic 1960s series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida that later was retooled for North American audiences, the big-screen film will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering gadget-laden vehicle, Mach 5. The movie will feature other characters from the show, including Speed’s family and his mysterious archrival, Racer X. Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Kick Gurry, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Paulie Litt, Roger Allam, Ji Hoon Jung, Melvil Poupaud, Richard Roundtree, Christian Oliver. Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski. Screenwriter: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski.

MAY 16

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN. Walt Diney releases the sequel to the 2005 blockbuster. Cast: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell, William Moseley, Ben Barnes, Alicia Borrachero, Peter Dinklage, Vincent Grass, Warwick Davis, Ken Stott, Shane Rangi, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sergio Castellitto, Damian Alcazar, Simon Andreu. Voices of: Liam Neeson. Director: Andrew Adamson. Screenwriter: Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, Steve McFeeley.

MAY 23

INDIANNA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL: Paramount releases the long-awaited follow-up to the Indiana Jones saga. Cast: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, Karen Allen. Director: Steven Spielberg. Screenwriter: David Koepp, Jeff Nathanson.

MAY 30

THE STRANGERS: Liv Tyler stars in this movie about a home invasion, allegedly based on true incidents. 

STUCK: Stuart Gordon’s take on the infamous real-life incident (about a woman who left a homeless man stuck in her windshield until he bled to death) gets a limited release, including a one-week engagement at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles. 

JUNE 6

THE MOTHER OF TEARS: The conclusions of director Dario Argento’s “Three Mothers” trilogy (following 1977’s SUSPRIRIA and 1980s INFERNO) receives a national release. Dario’s daughter Asia stars as a student restoration on the trail of the Mother of Tears, the last of three witches who have spread death and destruction for eons. Daria Nicolodi and Udo Kier co-star.

JUNE 13

THE INCREDIBLE HULK: Universal releases this follow-up to HULK, which will try to jump-start the franchise after the disappointing first film. Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson, Christina Cabot, Lou Ferrigno, Martin Starr. Director: Louis Leterrier. Screenwriter: Zak Penn.

THE HAPPENING: The talented M. Night Shyamalan tries to bounce back after the double bad juju of THE VILLAGE and LADY IN THE WATER. Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo star in this tale ofa family on the run from a natural disaster that threatens the entire planet.

JUNE 20

GET SMART: Steve Carell stars in this remake of the ’60s spy spoof. Peter Segal directs. With Anne Hathaway and Alan Arkin.

JUNE 27

WALL-E: Disney releases this Pixar piece of sci-fi animation, about a robot looking for a home in space. Andrew Stanton wrote and directed.

JULY 2 (WEDNESDAY)

HANCOCK: Will Smith stars as an apathetic, hard-living superhero who has lost the public’s affection - until a PR pro reinvents his image. Peter Berg directs. Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman co-star.

JULY 11

HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY: Universal releases this second film based on the comic book superhero. The mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth. Hellboy and his team must save the world from the rebellious creatures. Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Thomas Kretschmann, Anna Walton, Brian Steele, Roy Dotrice, John Hurt. Director: Guillermo del Toro. Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTN in 3-D: New Line Cinema releases this 3-D remake of Jules Verne’s JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. A teenager and his scientist father stumble onto a message hidden in an ancient artifact. Their attempt to solve the riddle leads them into a previously unseen world and the creatures that inhabit it. The scientist makes the discovery that Verne might have gone down to the center of the Earth himself, and that he hid clues in the text. Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem Director: Eric Brevig. Screenwriter: D.V. DeVincentis.

MEET DAVE (formerly STARSHIP DAVE): 20th Century Fox releases this sci-fi comedy. Tiny aliens, led by Barthoon the Captain, are seeking a way to harnessing energy to save their doomed world. They land a spaceship (in the shape of a man, complete with tiny crew members inside) on Earth. During their stay on Earth, the Captain and his many minions are “contaminated” by Earthlings’ buoyant joie de vivre. Cast: Eddie Murphy, Gabrielle Union, Ed Helms, Elizabeth Banks, Judah Friedlander, Pat Kilbane. Director: Brian Robbins. Screenwriter: Bill Corbett, Rob Greenberg.

MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN: Bradley Cooper, Roger Bart, Vinnie Jones and Brooke Shields star in this adaptation of the short story by Clive Barker (which appeared in the first of volume of his Books of Blood series). It’s about a photographer whose search for a serial killer leads to an even more horrible discover beneath the city streets.  Ryuhei Kitamura (GODZILLA: FINAL WARS) directs.

JULY 18

THE DARK KNIGHT: Warner Brothers releases this sequel to BATMAN BEGINS, which pits the Caped Crusader against the Joker. Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall, Nestor Carbonell, Michael Jai White. Director.

SPACE CHIMPS: In this animated film, Ham III (Samberg), the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, is blasted off into space by an opportunity-seeking senator (Tucci). Soon, the fun-loving chimp has to get serious about the mission at hand: Rid a far-away planet of their nefarious leader (Daniels). Fortunately for Ham III, two of his simian peers (Hines and Warburton) are along for the ride. Kirk De Micco directs. Voices: Andy Samberg, Stanley Tucci, Jeff Daniels.

JULY 25

X-FILES 2: 20 Century Fox releases a second film based on the television series. Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. Screenwriter: Chris Carter.

AUGUST 1

THE MUMMY 3 - TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR: Universal releases THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR. Cast: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li, Luke Ford, Michelle Yeoh. Director: Rob Cohen. Screenwriter: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Stephen Sommers.

AUGUEST 29

BABYLON A.D.:  20th Century Fox releases this sci-fi action-thriller. A mercenary, charged with delivering a young woman from Russia to Canada, learns that she has been manipulated by a synthetic virus and what lies inside her could doom the human race. Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry, Mark Strong, Gerard Depardieu, Charlotte Rampling, Radek Bruna, Lambert Wilson Director: Mathieu Kassovitz Screenwriter: Eric Besnard, Mathieu Kassovitz.

UNDETERMINED 2008

ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE: This slasher film earned lots of attention on the festival circuit, where it was picked up for release by the Weinstein Brothers - who promptly shelved it. A year later, Senator International stepped in to provide a limited release, which was orignally announced for February. Directed by Johnathan Levin. Starring Amber Heard. 

 THE POUGHKEEPSIE TAPES: Ho-hum - director John Erick Dowdi offers us another fictional film trying to pass itself off as a documentary (BLAIR WITCH, what have you wrought upon the world of cinema?). MGM had orignally annouced this title for a Feburary release before pushing back to a yet-to-be-named date in 2008. 

TRICK ‘R TREAT: Originally scheduled for October 5, 2007, this this comedy horror film was pushed back by Warner Brothers, perhaps to make room for their re-release of BLADE RUNNER on that date. The film consists of four interwoven stories that take place on Halloween night. A staid high school principal is a Halloween serial killer, a college-age virgin seeks that special guy, a woman who hates dressing up for Halloween and a group of young teens who pull a cruel prank. Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, and Dylan baker star for writer-director Michael Dougherty.