Hollywood Films Coming to Manila in 2009

Mario Bautista of Malaya published 22 Hollywood movies set to invade the Philippines this 2009. Since having a child and and soon children, I only get to see these big movies on DVD. Mas nauunahan pa ako ng mga Pinoy sa Pilipinas kasi halos sabay na rin ang premier dates dun. Nauuna pa nga minsan dahil sa international dateline. I do hope to catch at least some of these films on real wide screen movie theaters. Among the major movies that I am personally looking forward to are Star Trek, Transformers, X-Men Origins and Land of the Lost. Below is the list and its expected showing dates. Be sure to check the film's rating if its appropriate for you and your family.

Which film are you anticipating?

"Watchmen" (March 6) – Based on the graphic novel of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons starring Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson and Carla Gugino.

"Monsters vs. Aliens" (March 27) – Dreamworks animated flick about a rag-tag band of mutants assembled by the US military to thwart an invasion, with voices by Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Laurie.

"The Fast and the Furious 4" (April 3) – Paul Walker and Vin Diesel reunion in this new sequel about driving really fast.

"X Men Origins: Wolverine" (May 1) – Hugh Jackman recreates his Wolverine role but stars solo to show how he became the blade-wielding mutant.

"Star Trek" (May 8) – This is a prequel of the hit sci-fi franchise showing the younger days of Capt. Kirk and Spock, from JJ Abrams, creator of the hit TV series "Lost."

"Angels and Demons" (May 15) – This is from the same author of "The Da Vinci Code" and Tom Hanks reprises his role as cryptologist Robert Langdon who aims to foil a dastardly plan by some bad guys to blow up the Vatican.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" – This is the sequel to Ben Stiller’s previous hit comedy fantasy about museum exhibits coming to life at night. This time, Ben reprises his role as security guard Larry Daley who rescues his favorite museum characters when they are put in danger.

"Terminator: Salvation" (May 2) – Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the first three "Terimator" robot action franchise. This time, it’s the turn of "Batman" Christian Bale to do a lot of time-traveling in this new "Terminator" flick which is both a sequel and a prequel.

"UP" (May 29) – This is an animated movie for Pixar about gourmet rats and lonely robots who get entangled with a grumpy old man and his balloon-powered floating house.

"Land of the Lost" (June 6) – Comedian Will Ferrell stars in this remake of the popular ‘70s TV show about three people who find themselves transported to a strange world populated by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptiles.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (June 26) – Sequel to the hit first "Transformers" flick, again starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox with more warring robots who transform into giant warriors, once again directed by Michael Bay.

"Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (July 1) – Pre-historic creatures Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellier are back in this new adventure once again featuring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Dennis Leary, and Queen Latifah.

"Public Enemies" (July 1) – Johnny Depp stars as legendary bank robber John Dillinger and Christian Bale is the G-man on his tail in this true crime drama directed by Michael Mann.

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" (July 17) – Harry, Hermione, Ron and friends return to Hogwarts and face Lord Voldemort again in this sixth installment of the series.

"Funny People" (July 31) – A new comedy from "Knocked Up" and "40-Year-Old Virgin" creator Judd Apatow, who writes and directs this comedy/drama about a stand-up comedian starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.

"G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra" (July 7) – A live-action extravaganza based on Hasbro’s popular line of action figures starring young hunk Channing Tatum with Dennis Quaid and Sienna Miller.

"Inglorious Basterds" (July 21) – After tackling kung-fu action and grind-house horror, writer/director Quentin Tarantino goes to war with Brad Pitt leading a team of Nazi-hunters.

"Where the Wild Things Are" (October 16) – Director Spike Jones brings to life Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book about a boy transported to a world of monsters.

"The Wolfman" (November 6) – Benicio del Toro stars as a nobleman who is bitten by a werewolf and starts the massacre of the people in his village.

"Sherlock Holmes" (November 20) – Robert Downey Jr. stars as the legendary London detective, with Jude Law as his sidekick Dr. Watson, directed by Guy Ritchie.

"Avatar" (December 18) – Director James Cameron of "Titanic" comes with a sci-fic action epic in 3-D with ground-breaking eye-popping special effects.

"The Princess and the Frog" (Christmas 2009) – This is Disney’s return to traditional hand-drawn animation after focusing on computer animation for five years. The story is a fairy tale set in New Orleans during the Jazz Age.

(image from firstshowing.net)