"Tuned Into Pop Culture" guest contributor Nick Carrabine is a News-Herald staff writer.

Part two will focus on the most anticipated films (in my opinion) that are scheduled to be released in 2009. Each film title is linked to it’s imdb page for more information regarding the plot, the director and the film’s cast.

Watchmen
-I know I’m in the minority when I say this, but I’m not usually a big superhero film type guy, but something about this film is catching my eye. Maybe I’m just intrigued by the Smashing Pumpkins song, The Beginning is the End is the Beginning, in the trailer.
Release Date: March 6

I love You, Man
-Paul Rudd showed last year that he can hold his own as the main comedic lead following the 2008 Role Models. This time around, he’ll a better wing man in Jason Segel. Sorry Seann William Scott.
Trailer
Release Date: March 20

Adventureland
-The director of Superbad returns with a film about a nerd who takes the only job he can get out of college, working at an amusement park. If it’s anything like Mottola’s previous film, I’m all in.
Trailer
Release Date: March 27

The Soloist
-A part of me makes me wonder why this was delayed. It was supposed to be released during the awards season but was pushed back to April. None-the-less Robert Downey Jr. hopes to continue his blazing hot streak into 2009. Early previews look like a cross between Reign Over Me and Resurrecting the Champ, hopefully more towards the former.
Trailer
Release Date: April 24

I Love you Phillip Morris
-Jim Carrey kissing Ewan McGregor? Gross, but this film is getting some early buzz out of the Sundance Film Festival. This is being tagged as a comedy-drama and I’ve always felt that Carrey is an extremely underrated dramatic actor in roles such as Eternal Sunshine, Truman Show and Man on the Moon. The trailer isn’t out yet but I hope it leads more towards the dramatic side but less down the path of the highly overrated Brokeback Mountain.
Release Date: Spring (tentative)

Bruno
-After the 2007 surprise hit Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen is back with another one of his awkward, socially inept, and controversial characters, Bruno. Expect this to be undoubtedly the most controversial film of the year, but probably amongst the funniest.
**Nick’s tip: If you haven’t already, check out Cohen’s Da Ali G Show for some more Bruno, Borat and well, Ali G.
Release Date: May 15:

Public Enemies
-Speaking of hot streaks, Mr. Batman himself, Christian Bale teams up with Johnny Depp and Michael Mann for this gangster flick set in the 1930s. Need I say more?
Release Date: July 1

All Good Things
-I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the movie with my favorite actor, Ryan Gosling, which is due out this year. The drama-mystery is about a detective who begins to unravel a missing-persons case that spell doom for the heir of a New York real estate dynasty. Gosling, as cited by many critics, is one of the best actors of his generation. In 2007, At just 26-years-old, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Half Nelson. He’s not Al Pacino or Robert De Niro...at least not yet.
Release Date: July 24

500 Days of Summer
-Cinemablend.com claims this film is “without question one of the best films to grace Sundance.” Those are some high expectations so it’s worth a top 10 spot on this blog.
Trailer
Release Date: July 24

Funny People
-Seth Rogan, Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow team up for this comedy-drama about two stand-up comedians, one of which suffers from a terminal health condition. A new territory for all three of these men. Should be interesting and probably anything but funny once the credits roll.
Release Date: July 31

Inglourious Basterds
-Quentin Tarantino. Enough said.
Release Date: Aug. 21

I’m sure there will be a plethora of films that will be scheduled to be released near the end of the year in time for the 2009 awards season. We’ll have to do another anticipated list when those dates are released near the summer of fall.

-Nick Carrabine