STREET FIGHTER: The Legend Of Chun Li (2009)

“Her strength. Her fury. Her vengeance. Will become legend.”

Capcom’s “STREET FIGHTER” vaults back onto the screen with this film from director Andrzej Bartkowiak (”ROMEO MUST DIE”).

Fanboys can start drooling now over “SMALLVILLE”’s Kristin Kreuk in the role of high-kicking heroine Chun Li, while Neal McDonough, Chris Klein, Michael Clarke Duncan, and a number of impressive actors round out the rest of the cast.

Star(s) to watch : Kristin Kreuk (”EuroTrip”) as Chun-Li, Moon Bloodgood (”Eight Below”, “Pathfinder”) as Maya, Chris Klein (”American Pie”) as Nash, Neal McDonough (”The Hitcher”, “Darkman”, “Minority Report”) as M. Bison, & Michael Clarke Duncan (”Armageddon”, “Sin City”, “The Whole Nine Yards”, “The Green Mile”, “Daredevil”) as Balrog.


Fact : Kristin Kreuk’s father is Dutch and her mother is Chinese. She was voted #10 in FHM’s 100 Sexiest Girls of 2002 poll (U.K. edition), #71 in FHM’s Sexiest Girls of 2002 poll (American edition), #24 in FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women list in 2003, #67 on the Maxim magazine “Hot 100 of 2005″ list, #18 on askmen.com’s Top 99 Most Desirable Women in 2005, #28 in FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005″ special supplement, #46 in FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006″ supplement, and #10 on Wizard magazine’s “Sexiest Women of TV” list (March 2008).

Note : Based on the popular video game franchise, female fighter Chun Li embarks on a quest for justice.Fox really hasn't done anything for this film just yet. At least the title character looks good and, surprisingly enough, this film does have a pretty strong cast. However, as Fox doesn't have the best track record for successfully adapting video games.

Director(s) : Andrzej Bartkowiak.
Producer(s) : Ashok Amritraj & Patrick Aiello.
Genre : Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adaptation, Thriller.
Release date : February 27, 2009
Official website : http://streetfightermovie.net/
Poster : http://www.movieposterdb.com

ECHELON CONSPIRACY (2009)

“Even the truth can be killed.”

Mysterious cell phone messages promise a young American engineer untold wealth — then make him the target of a deadly international plot.

Dangerous security operatives chase the engineer across the globe, while a powerful government official pursues a mysterious agenda that threatens the stability of the entire world.

Star(s) to watch : Edward Burns (”A Sound of Thunder”, “One Missed Call”, “27 Dresses”) as John Reed, Shane West (”The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, “Dracula 2000″) as Max Peterson, Martin Sheen (”Catch Me If You Can”, “The Departed”, “Hot Shots! Part Deux”, “Spawn”) as Raymond Burke, & Ving Rhames (”Con Air”, “Mission: Impossible”, “Entrapment”) as Agent Dave Grant.

Fact : Irish-American Edward Burns has the same birthday (January 29) as ex-girlfriend Heather Graham, but 2 years older.

Note : Ving Rhames’ big break came in 1994 when director Quentin Tarantino cast him as the merciless drug dealer Marsellus Wallace in the mega hit “Pulp Fiction” (1994). Not long after, director Brian De Palma cast Rhames alongside Tom Cruise as the ace computer hacker, Luther Stickell in “Mission: Impossible” (1996). With solid performances in both these highly popular productions, his face was now well known to moviegoers, and the work offers began rolling in more frequently.


Director(s) : Greg Marcks.
Producer(s) : Charles V. Bender, Stephen Bender, Alexander Leyviman, Navid McIlhargey, Steve Richards, Roee Sharon, & Jonathan Tzachor.
Genre : Action, Mystery, Thriller.
Release date : February 20, 2009, USA February 27, 2009 (limited), South Korea March 26, 2009
Official website : http://www.EchelonConspiracy.com/

FIRED UP (2009)

“2 guys. 300 girls. Now there’s something to cheer about!”

Shawn Colfax (Nicholas D'Agosto) and Nick Brady (Eric Christian Olsen), the stars of the Gerald R. Ford High School football team, are dreading the prospect of another summer at football camp. After Nick hatches a scheme for the two to join their schools cheerleaders at cheer camp instead, they find themselves awash in a sea of gorgeous young women. The guys are having the time of their lives until Shawn falls for Carly (Sarah Roemer), the beautiful head cheerleader who is very suspicious of their motives. To win Carly over, the boys must come up with some surprising new moves to prove Shawns intentions before the all-important cheer competition finals.

Star(s) to watch : Nicholas D’Agosto as Shawn Colfax, & Eric Christian Olsen (”Cellular”, “Eagle Eye”, “Pearl Harbor”, “The Hot Chick”) as Nick Brady.

Fact : Written, produced, and directed by Will Gluck.

Director(s) : Will Gluck.
Producer(s) : Will Gluck, Peter Jaysen, Matt Gross, & Charles Weinstock.
Genre : Comedy, Teen.
Release date : February 20, 2009
Official website : http://www.FiredUp.com

THE INTERNATIONAL (2009)

“They control your money. They control your government. They control your life. And everybody pays.”

In “The International”, an edge-of-your-seat action thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks.

Uncovering illegal activities including money laundering, arms trading, and the destabilization of governments, Salinger and Whitman’s investigation takes them from Berlin to Milan to New York and to Istanbul.

Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as the bank will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war.

Star(s) to watch : Naomi Watts (”The Ring”, “King Kong”) as Eleanor Whitman, & Clive Owen (”Sin City”, “Shoot ‘Em Up”, “The Bourne Identity”, “The Rich Man’s Wife”, “Hostage”, “The Pink Panther”) as Louis Salinger.

Fact : “The International” is based on an original screenplay written by Eric Singer, with director Tom Tykwer helming the film.

Note : Hailed as “the Martin Scorsese of Asia,” John Woo was a legendary action director in the burgeoning Hong Kong film industry before emigrating to Hollywood to produce “The Big Hit” (1998), “Bulletproof Monk” (2003), and direct “Mission: Impossible 2″ (2000), “Face/Off” (1997), & “Broken Arrow” (1996).

Director(s) : Tom Tykwer.
Producer(s) : John Woo, Terence Chang, Jeffrey Lurie, Alan G. Glazer, Ryan Kavanaugh, Chuck Roven, Richard Suckle, & Lloyd Phillips.
Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller.
Release date : February 13, 2009
Official website : http://www.everybodypays.com/

FRIDAY THE 13TH (2009)

"Welcome to Crystal Lake"

Returning to the story that started it all, this retelling of the original Friday the 13th heads back to summer camp where a mysterious killer is systematically slaughtering the teenage camp counselors.

Whitney (Amanda Righetti), Clay (Jared Padalecki), Mike (Nick Mennell), Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), Trent (Travis VanWinkle) and other young adults end up exploring the old Camp Crystal Lake (made famous by the original 1980 film).

Soon enough however their seemingly fun weekend turns into a nightmare when each one finds themselves hunted down by a machete weilding maniac known as Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears).

Star(s) to watch : Jared Padalecki (”House of Wax”) as Clay.

Director(s) : Marcus Nispel.

Producer(s) : Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, & Sean Cunningham.

Fact : Producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form are responsible for the remakes of some classic horror films - “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “The Amityville Horror,” “The Hitcher” - and now they’re bringing back to life another franchise: “Friday the 13th”.

Note : Jared Padalecki is used to dealing with supernatural beasts and otherworldly creatures on a weekly basis on the TV series “Supernatural,” but he has to face off against a real psycho - Jason Voorhees (played by Derek Mears) - in “Friday the 13th”.

Tagline : “Welcome to Crystal Lake”
Genre : Suspense, Horror, Remake.
Release date : February 13, 2009
Official website : http://www.fridaythe13thmovie.com/

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (2009)

“All she ever wanted was a little credit …”

Rebecca Bloomwood is a sweet and charming New York City girl who has a tiny, little problem that is rapidly turning into a big problem: she’s hopelessly addicted to shopping and drowning in a sea of debt.

While Rebecca has dreams of working for a top fashion magazine, she can’t quite get her foot in the door — that is, until she snags a job as an advice columnist for a new financial magazine published by the same company.

Overnight, her column becomes hugely popular, turning her into an overnight celebrity, but when her compulsive shopping and growing debt issues threaten to destroy her love life and derail her career, she struggles to keep it all from spiraling out of control — and is ultimately forced to reevaluate what’s really important in life.

Note : Jerry Bruckheimer was the man behind this movie, which was also known as “The Secret Dream World of a Shopahol


Star(s) to watch : Isla Fisher (”Wedding Crashers”) as Rebecca Bloomwood.
Director(s) : P.J. Hogan.
Producer(s) : Jerry Bruckheimer, Mike Stenson, & Chad Oman.
Fact : Based on source material from novel “The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella.
Genre : Comedy, Drama, Romance, Adaptation.
Release date : February 13, 2009
Official website : http://confessionsofashopaholic.movies.go.com/
Poster : http://www.impawards.com

CORALINE (2009)

“Be careful what you wish for.”

A high-definition stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D – based on Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book.

Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door and discovers an alternate version of her life on the other side.

On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life and the people in it – only much better.

But when this seemingly perfect world turns dangerous, and her other parents (including her Other Mother voiced by Teri Hatcher) try to trap her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination and bravery to escape this increasingly perilous world – and save her family.

Fact : Based on source material from the Hugo Award-winning international best-selling novel “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman, this movie features the voices of Dakota Fanning (as the voice of Coraline), Teri Hatcher (as the voice of Coraline’s Mother/Other Mother), & Ian McShane (as the voice of Mr. Bobinski).

Note : Dakota Fanning has two movies scheduled to be released in exactly the same day (February 6, 2009). The other movie is one of 2009’s blockbuster movies “Push”.

Director(s) : Henry Selick.
Producer(s) : Bill Mechanic, Mary Sandell, & Claire Jennings.
Genre : Kids, Family, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Animation, Adaptation.
Release date : February 6, 2009
Official website : http://coraline.com/

FANBOYS

"Coming soon to our galaxy"

It’s the Halloween party they’ve all been waiting for, to have fun with friends and hang out with fellow Star Wars fans and partners in crime.

However, events take a turn when one of their bunch who long ago outgrew his old gang and took on adult responsibilities is suddenly in their midst again.

Reconnecting is not easy.

But soon, Eric, Windows, Hutch and Zoe realize that Linus will not live long enough to experience what’s been on their minds for ages: The long-awaited theatrical release of Star Wars - Episode I, which is still several months away.

Linus once again suggests to his friends what he’s been scheming since fifth grade: Breaking into Skywalker Ranch, this time to steal a print of the movie.

Crazy, right?

But it might be the only way for Linus to see the movie before he dies.

So as insane as it sounds, they take Hutch’s van and embark on a mission to drive across half the country to the Ranch.

Four extreme “Star Wars” fans and childhood friends drive across America to Skywalker Ranch in order to sneak a peak at the yet unreleased “Episode 1: Phantom Menace” as one last hoorah for their dying friend.

Star(s) to watch : Kristen Bell (”Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, “Pulse”) as Zoe, Jaime King (”Sin City”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Bulletproof Monk”) as Amber, & Pell James (”Zodiac”) as Crystal.

Fact : Produced by Kevin Spacey, a chameleonic actor equally at home on stage or in film, either as a hero or a villain, who produced one of must-see movies of 2008 : “21″.

Note : A great comedy for all Star Wars fans.

Director(s) : Kyle Newman.
Producer(s) : Kevin Spacey, Kevin Mann, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Dana Brunetti, Matthew Perniciaro, & Evan Astrowsky.
Genre : Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Crime, Gangster.
Release date : February 6, 2009
Official website : http://www.myspace.com/fanboysfilm

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU (2009)

“If he’s not calling you … if he’s not marrying you … if he’s not sleeping with you … he may just not be into you.”

An all-star ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connelly, Bradley Cooper, Drew Barrymore, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson and Justin Long headline the romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

The film is based on the bestselling book of the same name, which was written by former “Sex and the City” writers Greg Behrendt and Liz Tucillo, and is about modern day relationships and how men and women often misconstrue the intentions of the opposite sex.

A hard-line advice guy falls for a woman who seeks him out because she can’t figure out the men in her life.

Fact : Based on source material from best-selling book: “He’s Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys” by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo.

Note : Also known as “Just Not That Into You”.


Star(s) to watch : Bradley Cooper (”Yes Man”, “The Midnight Meat Train”, “Wedding Crashers”) as Ben, Ben Affleck (”Armageddon”, “Smokin’ Aces”, “Reindeer Games”, “Pearl Harbor”, “The Sum of All Fears”, “Daredevil”) as Neil, Justin Long (”Live Free or Die Hard”, “Jeepers Creepers”, “Herbie Fully Loaded”) as Alex, Jennifer Connelly (”The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “Hulk”) as Janine, Scarlett Johansson (”Eight Legged Freaks”, “The Island”, “The Spirit”) as Anna, Drew Barrymore (”Scream”, “Batman Forever”, “Charlie’s Angels”) as Mary, & Jennifer Aniston (”Bruce Almighty”) as Beth.

Director(s) : Ken Kwapis.
Producer(s) : Drew Barrymore & Nancy Juvonen.
Genre : Comedy, Adaptation.
Release date : February 6, 2009
Official website : http://www.hesjustnotthatintoyoumovie.com/

PUSH (2009)

“One push can change everything.”

The Division, a shadowy government agency, is genetically transforming citizens into an army of psychic warriors—and brutally disposing of those unwilling to participate.

Nick Gant (Chris Evans), a second-generation telekinetic or “mover,” has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier.

He has found sanctuary in densely populated Hong Kong—the last safe place on earth for fugitive psychics like him—but only if he can keep his gift a secret.

Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old clairvoyant or “watcher,” seeks his help in finding Kira, (Camilla Belle), an escaped “pusher” who may hold the key to ending the Division’s program.

Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic powers: the ability to influence others’ actions by implanting thoughts in their minds.

But Cassie’s presence soon attracts the attention of the Division’s human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for their lives.

With the help of a team of rogue psychics, the unlikely duo traverses the seedy underbelly of the city, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities as they search for Kira.

But they find themselves square in the crosshairs of Division Agent Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a pusher who will stop at nothing to keep them from achieving their goal.

Star(s) to watch : Camilla Belle (”When a Stranger Calls”, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”, “The Patriot”, “The Quiet”, “10,000 BC”) as Kira Hudson, Chris Evans (”Fantastic Four”, “Cellular”, “Street Kings”) as Nick Gant, Dakota Fanning (”War of the Worlds”, “Man on Fire”, “Trapped”) as Cassie Holmes, & Djimon Hounsou (”Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”, “Never Back Down”, “Deep Rising”, “Stargate”, “Eragon”, “Gladiator”) as Agent Henry Carver.


Fact : Written and produced by David Bourla. Paul McGuigan, the director of “Lucky Number Slevin” (2006) and “Wicker Park” (2004) directed this blockbuster movie.

Note : Oscillating between high tension and high camp projects, exotic young actress and aspiring classical pianist Camilla Belle became one of Hollywood’s new “It” girls after surviving a brutal killer in “When a Stranger Calls” (2006).


Director(s) : Paul McGuigan.
Producer(s) : David Bourla, Gretchen Somerfeld, Kerry Rock, William Vince, Michael C. Ohoven, Bruce Davey, & Kyle Mann.
Genre : Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thriller.
Release date : February 6, 2009
Official website : http://www.push-themovie.com/

THE PINK PANTHER (2009)

"Inspect The Unexpected"

Hollywood funnyman Steve Martin returns to the role in this high-concept sequel to the 2006 comedy hit “The Pink Panther”.

The world’s most valuable treasures are being stolen.

The legendary Pink Panther Diamond is the latest to disappear, and Chief Inspector Dreyfus is assembling a team of international experts and detectives to track down the thief and recover the missing artifacts.

The latest addition to the crack team is Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the awkward French detective who always seems to get his man.

Inspector Jacques Clouseau teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is.

Their mission: Stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts.

Star(s) to watch : Emma Bunton as Mylie Baxter, Steve Martin (”Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Looney Tunes: Back in Action”) as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, Jean Reno (”Godzilla”, “Mission: Impossible”, “The Da Vinci Code”) as Ponton, John Cleese (”The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “Die Another Day”, “The World Is Not Enough”, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”) as Chief Inspector Dreyfus, Alfred Molina (”Spider-Man 2″, “Species”, “Identity”, “Maverick”) as Pepperidge, & Andy Garcia (”Smokin’ Aces”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, “Twisted”) Vicenzo.

Fact : Written by Steve Martin.

Note : Shawn Levy is a filmmaker of youthful vigor and a penchant for lightweight family-friendly comedies, who produced “Night at the Museum” (2006).

Director(s) : Harald Zwart.
Producer(s) : Shawn Levy, Ira Shuman, & Robert Simonds.
Genre : Comedy, Thriller, Sequel, Mystery.
Release date : February 6, 2009
Official website : http://www.sonypictures.com