#5 - Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes Release Date: Fall 2008

In the face of an impending high school reunion and mounting money problems, two platonic friends, Zack and Miri, decide to foray into the world of amateur porn. Director Kevin Smith is atypically quiet about this movie, but the amusing premise is in good hands. As long as it does not fall victim to Seth Rogen backlash between now and then. Which is a possibility.

#4 – Choke

Director: Clark Gregg
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly Macdonald
Release Date: August 28, 2008

A sex addict who works as a Revolutionary War reenactor supports his hospitalized mother by pretending to choke at upscale restaurants to get money from his rescuers. Or as I like to call it, “the first great family film of the fall.” Choke received good press at Sundance but inexperienced director Clark Gregg has some large shoes to fill. The last movie to be adapted from a Chuck Palahniuk novel was Fight Club. If they can keep the confusing story together this has the makings of a classic.

#3 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis
Release Date: November 21, 2008

As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.
Moving towards the seventh and final book, the series continues to ramp up the energy and anticipation. With the decision yet unmade to split the Deathly Hollows into two movies, this could be the final Potter movie based on a full novel.

#2 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone
Release Date: May 22, 2008

The latest installment of Indiana Jones is set at the height of the Cold War in 1957. Returning to the screen after an 18 year absence, Indiana Jones returns most of the players from the original films (wherefore art thou, Sir Sean Connery?). If anyone can make this movie a hit, it is Spielberg. But arriving with Phantom Menace-like anticipation, the trailer failed to blow me away as much as I expected. I still can’t wait but I have mild reservations. Let’s hope the introduction of Shia LaBeouf doesn’t go the way of Jar Jar Binks.

#1 - The Dark Knight

Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal Release Date: July 18th, 2008

The sequel to Christopher Nolan’s franchise redux finds Batman now fighting the Joker. This film was among the most anticipated movies of the year before it started. The trailer was remarkable and the viral marketing was some of the best of the year. Christopher Nolan has never disappointed but now with the untimely passing of Heath Ledger, the entire tone of the film has shifted. For better or worse it is hard to see this not being one of the biggest movies of the year.