Weekender Issue 01.09.08

After posting a record-breaking $9.7 billion in box-office profits in 2007, Hollywood isn't taking any chances as it gears up for the year ahead.

Studios are, by and large, sticking with what they know and packing the 2008 lineup with sequels, remakes, comic-book adaptations and TV-to-movie transfers.

But 2008 has it all over 2007 in at least one way: romance is back on the big screen. Who doesn’t want to see Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman riding across the range together in “Australia”? Or Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth) cozying up in “Sex and the City: The Movie”?

“Titanic” lovebirds Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet head back into each other’s arms in “Revolutionary Road.” And in the as-yet-untitled “X-Files” movie, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson take that Mulder/Scully chemistry out for another spin.

Below, in order of anticipation, the 28 best reasons to look forward to going to the movies in 2008.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

If “Live Free or Die Hard” could generate $323 million in ticket sales, imagine what this puppy is going to do. Harrison Ford is back, whip in hand, for an adventure that pits him against the Soviets in a race for the Crystal Skull and, possibly, the Ark of the Covenant. Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen and Shia LaBeouf co-star, with some guy named Spielberg directing. May 22.

The Dark Knight

The yummiest thing about the second chapter of Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale’s “Batman” series is bound to be Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker. If the trailer is any indication, the “Brokeback Mountain” star will rank as one of the best Bat-villains of all time. Move aside, Jacko. July 18.

Mamma Mia!

ABBA’s jukebox musical is so much fun that it would take real dunderheads to do it any damage. And the folks involved in the movie adaptation are anything but. Allentown’s Amanda Seyfried stars as a young bride-to-be who teams with her mother (Meryl Streep) to figure out her paternity. The potential daddies include Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard. July 18.

Iron Man

The trailer is underwhelming, but fanboys everywhere have ratcheted up the hype for this big screen adaptation of the Marvel comic. Robert Downey Jr. stars as a billionaire industrialist who builds a high-tech suit of armor that allows him to fend off the nasties. The first-rate cast includes Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard. May 2.

Untitled X-Files Movie

It’s been six years since the sci-fi series went off the air and a decade since a feature film spin-off took in $187 million at the box office. There’s no details about the plot, but creator Chris Carter promises that Mulder and Scully’s relationship will go off “in new directions.” What will the Cigarette-Smoking Man say? July 25.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Brad Pitt is talking about giving up acting to become a full-time humanitarian — we give that six months — but just in case he does take a breather, check out the David Fincher-directed tale of a man born in his 80s who ages backwards. It’s based on a 1920s short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and co-stars Cate Blanchett. Nov. 26.

Pineapple Express

From the Judd Apatow factory comes a Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg-scripted comedy about two stoners (Rogen, James Franco) who, after witnessing a murder, get mixed up with some very nasty fellows. If the movie is as funny as the eight-minute preview included on the “Superbad” DVD, Apatow and company will soon be taking over Hollywood lock, stock and barrel. Aug. 8.

Bond 22

Jason Bourne might be gone, but Daniel Craig is back to globetrot, martini sip and world save. The plot picks up two minutes after the end of franchise re-booter “Casino Royale.” For the record, it’s not going to be called “22”; that’s simply the working title. Nov. 7.

Sex and the City: The Movie

C’mon, admit it. You’re dying to get another gander at Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her gang of glamazon gal pals (Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristen Davis). You can bet your Manola Blahniks that Carrie ties the knot with Mr. Big (Chris Noth.) May 30.

Star Trek

J.J. Abrams has been a busy boy. In addition to overseeing “Cloverfield” and TV’s “Lost,” he directed this origin story about the early days of the Starship Enterprise. The casting of “Heroes” baddie Zachary Quinto as Dr. Spock is beyond perfect. Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo alongside a cast that includes Winona Ryder, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood and Simon Pegg. Dec. 25.

Hancock

Will Smith, once again primed to rule the Independence Day weekend, stars as a hard drinking, fast living superhero who’s fallen on hard times. Before he can make his comeback bid, he needs the help of a P.R. whiz (Jason Bateman) determined to restore the champion’s reputation. July 2.

Revolutionary Road

“Titanic” sweeties Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio rekindle their romance in a domestic drama helmed by Winslet’s hubby, director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty.”) Fellow “Titanic” survivor Kathy Bates co-stars. Dec. 19.

Cloverfield

“Lost” mastermind J.J. Abrams produced this much buzzed about monster movie which centers on five New Yorkers (Mike Vogel, Michael Stahl-David, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas) trying to survive the most terrifying night of their lives. The creature in this feature has yet to be glimpsed in trailers or advance publicity, which makes “Cloverfield” seem all the more exciting. Jan. 18.

Baby Mama

It’s a Weekend Update reunion as Amy Poehler and Tina Fey star in a comedy about a career-driven overachiever (Fey) who hires a surrogate mom (Poehler) to give birth to her child. Poehler was the best thing about a string of 2007 flicks, including “Mr. Woodcock” and “The Ex” while “30 Rock” has confirmed Fey as a comedy goddess. This should be good. April 18.

Valkyrie

Does Tom Cruise still matter? After “Lions for Lambs” hit the skids, it’s hard to tell. He tries to reclaim his box office crown by playing Claus von Stauffenberg, a German army officer who leads a group of fellow colonels in an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. With Bryan “X-Men” Singer behind the camera, it’s bound to be, at the very least, interesting. Oct. 3.

Righteous Kill

Acting titans Robert De Niro and Al Pacino only shared one scene in “Heat,” but this time around, they play New York City detectives hunting down a serial killer who might be one of their own. There’s a downside: director Jon Avnet hasn’t made a decent movie since “Fried Green Tomatoes” way back in 1991. April 18.

The Happening

In the latest from “Sixth Sense” helmer M. Night Shyamalan, Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel and John Leguizamo star as survivors of what’s being billed as “an apocalyptic crisis.” Hmmm, sounds a bit like “I Am Legend.” But we’re willing to give “The Happening” the benefit of the doubt. Shyamalan’s “Lady in the Water” was all wet, but the man does know how to spin a good, old-fashioned yarn. June 13.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The Pevensie children return to Narnia for another showdown between good and evil. This time around, the youngsters are called upon to help Caspian (Ben Barnes) reclaim his throne. Too bad Tilda Swinton’s White Witch doesn’t figure into the story because her sinister energy will be much missed. May 16.

He’s Not That Into You

Chick flick lovers, this one’s for you. Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connelly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johannson, Justin Long and Drew Barrymore star in a romantic comedy about the ways in which men and women often misconstrue the intentions of the opposite sex. Aug. 1.

Semi-Pro

How many sports comedies can Will Ferrell pop out? Apparently quite a few. But last year’s “Blades of Glory” was a hoot, so we’re holding out hope that the funnyman still got game. With “White Men Can’t Jump” star Woody Harrelson by his side, Ferrell stars as an ABA player trying to make his NBA dreams come true. Feb. 29.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

“The Golden Compass” failed to become the next “Lord of the Rings,” but there’s a good chance that “Spiderwick” will deliver the same spills and chills as the “Narnia” films. Freddie Highmore plays twins in a fantasy adventure about a family who takes up residence in a seedy mansion, not knowing that the estate is a portal to an alternate world of faeries and other less friendly creatures. Feb. 15.

Leatherheads

For his second outing as a director, George Clooney helms a screwball comedy set in the early days of professional football. Clooney and “Office” regular John Krasinksi vie for a reporter’s (Renee Zellweger) affections well into the fourth quarter. April 4.

Speed Racer

Attention, gearheads: The Wachowski Brothers (“The Matrix”) return with the saga of a race car fanatic (Emile Hirsch) who is blackmailed into participating in The Crucible, a deadly cross-country rally. Also putting pedal to metal: Christine Ricci. May 9.

Wall-E

The premise — last robot on earth saves mankind — sounds iffy but it’s by those clever folks at Pixar, so it’s got to be good. Jeff Garlin and Fred Willard supply the voices for Wall-E and his pet cockroach. June 27.

Australia

Trying to put duds like “The Invasion,” “The Golden Compass” and “Margot at the Wedding” behind her, Nicole Kidman re-teams with “Moulin Rouge” director Baz Luhrmann for a western adventure set in the days prior to World War II. Kidman plays a ranch owner who joins up with a rough-hewn cattle driver (Hugh Jackman) to move 2,000 head of cattle across the country. Giddy up. Dec. 25.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Critics automatically give the “Potter” films a pass but the last entry — “Order of the Phoenix” — was a stiff. In the sixth installment of the series, Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) sets her sights on Ron (Rupert Grint), setting up a romantic triangle with Hermione (Emma Watson). That could be fun. Still, we’re ready for Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) to show up and settle this mess, once and for all. Nov. 21.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Peter Morgan, who penned both “The Queen” and “The Last King Of Scotland,” scripted this historical drama about two sisters (Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson) who become rivals for the affections of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). The story’s been done before — Showtime’s “The Tudors” boasts a similar plot — but hot stars and a whimsical script could equal a ripping royal romance. Feb. 29.

The Incredible Hulk

Director Ang Lee might have botched the first “Hulk” (2003) — remember poor Eric Bana as the green giant? — but this time around, it’s action filmmaker Louis Leterrier (“The Transporter”) who’s holding the reins. Edward Norton plays the title character, with Liv Tyler and William Hurt in supporting roles. June 13.

Untraceable

The great Diane Lane plays an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer infamous for boasting of his crimes on the Internet. OK, so the premise sounds a bit tired. But director Gregory Hoblit ( “Primal Fear,” “Fracture”) is the modern master of the white-knuckle thriller. We’re there. Jan. 25.

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