Trailer Time: Nine (To Be Released 25th November)

Let's throw what we know out there: Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Big hollywood musical, Sequel to Fellini's '8 1/2', Italy, Director of 'Chicago' Rob Marshall, The late director of 'The English Patient' Anthony Minghella, The writer of 'The Player' Michael Tolkin... Add it up and you have 'Nine', the 1# contender for the 2010 Awards season. The trailer is exciting and enticing, showcasing Marshall's visual florish and Day-Lewis' uncanny abillity to be anyone at anytime. I am certainly looking forward to this.

(UK Release 25th November)

NB: Why so many films called 'Nine' or '9' this year? It's not like last year we had 'Eight' and '8' all over the place...

Film Future: The Lovely Bones (To Be Released 11th December)

To say I'm looking forward to the first Peter Jackson film in four years would be a horiffic understatement. Normally, a film adaptation of a hugely popular book would bring me doubts, but Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens proved with 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'King Kong' that they have a subtle knack for adaptation. The story of a young girl who is murdered and watches her family from heaven, this is quite a departure from the epic fantasy we have had from Jackson so far this decade, closer in scale to 'Heavenly Creatures'. (Which was not without a touch of fantasy.) Unfortunately this one isn't due until awards time this winter, but I have every reason to believe this is going to be a film of the year contender. (UK Release January 29th 2010)