Discuss: Which Film(s) Are You Anticipating Most This Fall?

I may be a jaded and cynical movie 'professional', but that doesn't mean I don't like to get in touch with my innocent side every once in awhile -- which is why, after all this time, I still get excited about the fall movie season. Now, traditionally, the fall season is the time to release those serious Oscar-type films (or awards contenders), but this year there's more to offer than just drama, and this year's slate has a little something for everyone.

This season is littered with kids movies, sci-fi and horror, and a little touch of comedy -- basically you're looking at a line-up that's all over the map. But, everyone has their own tastes, and what makes me froth at the bit may leave you cold, and inevitably some films just naturally find their way the top of your must-see list. So today, I've laid out some of my most anticipated fall flicks, and I hope you'll do the same.

September:
Well, we're already a week into the start of the season, and we've gotten Mike Judges' Extract and the action no-brainer Gamer from Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, but there are still some pretty tasty selections coming in the following weeks. So let's get started, shall we?



9 (09/09/09)
Shane Acker's tale of a post-apocalyptic world packed with 'stitchpunks' and killer machines may have had the bonus of getting a bit of a boost from the reputations of its producers (Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov), but there is still plenty of reasons to recommend the animated sci-fi tale. Judging by the buzz surrounding this flick, it could turn out to be one of the big sleeper hits of the season, but there's still the small matter of whether or not Acker's flick will be more than style over substance.

After the jump: the rest of what September has to offer, and my top picks for October and November...



Jennifer's Body (09/18/09)
Granted, our own Jenni Miller has already asked the $64,000 question when it comes to Diablo Cody's 'feminist' horror. But as a fan of gore and girl power, I'm willing to give Megan Fox a chance.

The Informant! (09/18/09)
It really seems like Soderbergh can do it all. The man has an equal flair for art house flicks and star-powered vehicles. The Informant! is a true life comedy starring Matt Damon as a corporate informer with some serious personal ticks and looks like it could be a 'wacky' companion piece to Soderbergh's other real-life hit, Erin Brockovich.

Honorable mentions:
Pandorum: (09/25/09)

October
I think the movie gods have conspired to make my birthday month a busy time at the box-office, because I've got Zombies, smarmy Brits, childhood memories and a nuclear apocalypse to choose from. It's a big list and I almost didn't know where to start .... almost.



Where the Wild Things Are (10/16/09)
My expectations are high for this one. Not only will Spike Jonze have to live up to some treasured childhood memories, but he has the double whammy to deliver a film that can match that kick-a** trailer.

Zombieland (10/02/09)
Vamps may be winning the 'trend war' at the moment, but don't count out our other undead friends just yet. The horror-comedy stars Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg as unlikely Zombie-hunters, and it looks like it has just enough silliness to keep the film on my 'can't miss list'.

The Road (10/16/09)
Reviews for the McCarthy adaptation are slowly coming in (both good and bad), but I'm a big enough fan of the book (and Viggo Mortensen) that I'm willing to reserve judgment until October.

Honorable mentions:
The Invention of Lying (10/02/09)
Good Hair (10/09/09)
Gentlemen Broncos (10/30/09)

November
So here we are gearing up to Christmas and we've got killer ninja's, a sci-fi morality tale, and a little song and dance.



The Box (11/06/09)
I love a good cautionary tale, and the story of a financially strapped couple (played by Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) who are the owners of a magical box could be spectacular -- or we might be looking at Southland Tales Pt. 2. Either way, I am awfully curious to see what Richard Kelly comes up with this time.

Nine (11/25/09)
Granted, I'm not the biggest fan of musicals (as imagined by Rob Marshall) but the thought of watching Daniel Day Lewis romance the ladies while singing and dancing is just too much to pass up.

Ninja Assassin (11/25/09)
There might be some more highbrow choices this month, but damn if I'm not curious to see the Wachowski's return to action with James McTeigue. Not to mention that if Hollywood is preparing pop singer Rain to be the 'next big thing', I'd like to see what he's capable of.

Honorable Mentions:
The Men Who Stare at Goats (11/06/09)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (11/20/09)
The Fantastic Mr. Fox (11/25/09)

Okay, I've only just scratched the surface of what the fall season has to offer us, so sound off in the comments below and tell me what movies you're looking forward to the most this fall...