5 Most Anticipated Movies of 2010

1. The Three Stooges

Plot outline: A brand new comedy based on the original exploits of Larry, Curly, and Moe, the Columbia Pictures comedy team from the 1930s and 1940s.

Director: Bobby and Peter Farrelly

Cast: Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro



Let's get this straight, it's not a biopic. It's not a remake of any particular Three Stooges short. Instead, writer/directors the Farrelly brothers are basically making a new Three Stooges adventure just with Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro stepping into the roles created by Larry Fine, Curly Howard, and Moe Howard, respectively. Will that work? I have no idea, I'm still baffled at the thought of Jim Carrey gaining weight and Sean Penn doing physical comedy.



2. The A-Team

Plot Outline: A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed. Director: Joe Carnahan

Cast and Crew: Bradley Cooper, Bruce Willis, Common, Woody Harrelson



When I heard that they're making a feature-length version of "The A-Team", the first thing I thought of is, of course, Mr. T, badass (but cheesy) action and a sweet van. And we're hoping they stick to that formula as closely as possible. With A-class actors, like Liam Neeson, Bruce Willis, Woody Harrelson and Common all rumored to be on-board, that still leaves some room for hope. And if director Joe Carnahan can pull this one off, it will be a huge hit. Otherwise, I pity the fool� (Sorry, I couldn�t resist.)



3. Alice In Wonderland

Plot outline: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) take on Lewis Carroll's classic.

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Michael Sheen, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lee



Who better to take on Carroll's cracked-out, drug-influenced Alice in Wonderland than Burton and Depp? Plus, the six of you who saw the first season of HBO's In Treatment already know that Mia Wasikowska will give a terrific, star-making performance as Alice. The only red flag? An odd March release date. I thought the combination of Depp and a big budget made for an automatic summer debut.



4. Iron Man 2

Plot outline: Tony Stark, with his buddy Jim Rhodes, squares off against Whiplash and the Black Widow while continuing discussions with Nick Fury about the Avengers Initiative.

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson



Emily Blunt was originally going to be the Black Widow but had to drop out because of scheduling, so Johansson took over. Blunt would've been way better, but everything else about this film indicates lots and lots of awesomeness. Don Cheadle taking over the role of Jim Rhodes/War Machine from Terrence Howard? He'll knock it out of the park. Jackson, Rockwell, and Rourke? Yes, please. Jon Favreau back in the director's chair? If it's half as good as the first one, it'll still be one of the better movies of the year.



5. Grown Ups

Plot outline: thirty years after their high school graduation, five friends reunite for a Fourth of July weekend.

Director: Dennis Dugan

Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello



Which Adam Sandler are we getting here? The upcoming Funny People Adam Sandler or the You Don't Mess with the Zohan Adam Sandler? The presence of Rob Schneider would seem to suggest the latter, but this one is an ensemble movie a rarity for Sandler and Schneider aside, it would be really hard for this good of an all-star cast to screw up. Plus, we just kind of like high school reunion stories.