B Movies: Most Anticipated Films of 2010

There is a lot to be excited about this year in film; epics focused on ancient mythology and apocalyptic battles between archangels, screen adaptations of some of our favourite books, plus new movies from respected directors like Martin Scorsese and Paul Greengrass.

For Trespass' cover story this week I ask some Trespassees to gaze into the future and pick their 3 most anticipated 2010 film releases.

Here are my picks;

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call- New Orleans

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Director: Werner Herzog
Writer: William M. Finkelstein
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Michael Shannon, Xzibit
Australian Release Date: Unconfirmed

Terence McDonagh (Nicholas Cage) is a cop in post-Katrina New Orleans, trying to solve the murder of 5 African immigrants, the twist- he has some pretty bad character traits including serious gambling and drug addictions. Based very loosely on the much praised 1992 film, Bad Lieutenant which starred Harvey Keital in the title role, this 2010 reimagining looks completely over the top. Main drawcard- Werner Herzog (Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World), a man who it appears will try anything filmic once, remaining completely non-genre specific. With Nicholas Cage channelling full ‘Nicholas Cage’ madness and eccentricities accompanied by a no holds-barred script, this film is either going to be cinematic genius or absolutely awful.

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Hesher

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Director: Spencer Susser
Writer: Spencer Susser, David Michôd
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, Devin Brochu
Australian Release Date: Unconfirmed

TJ (Devin Brochu), a lonely 13 yr old, is befriended by the disturbed Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who acts as both his mentor and tormentor. Getting attention last year for his short film I love Sarah-Jane, which was filmed in Australia and featured Mia Wasikowska, Hesher is Susser’s debut feature length film and is set to premiere at Sundance this year. With the increasingly brilliant Gordon-Levitt (Mysterious Skin, Brick, (500) Days of Summer) topping the casting, it is hard not to be excited about this indie flick.

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Fish Tank

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Director: Andrea Arnold
Writer: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing
Australian Release Date: 25/03/10

Mia (Katie Jarvis) is a troubled 15 yr old, excluded from school, her life is set to change when her mum (Kierston Wareing) brings her new man (Michael Fassbender, Hunger, Inglourious Basterds) home. Academy Award winner Andrea Arnold (Best Short Film 2005) is definitely a director to watch. Her jaw-dropping debut feature Red Road won the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2006. Fish Tank also won the Jury Prize at Cannes 2009- co-incidence, I don’t think so. I can’t wait to see this film which promises to be both confronting and thoughtful.