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We look ahead at the key cinematic treats that lie in store for 2009:
DS has had the pleasure of seeing Darren Aronofsky's bleak tale of a washed up wrestler and can tell you that it's pure brilliance. Mickey Rourke turns in a remarkable performance of fractured masculinity that's up there with Marlon Brando's performance in On The Waterfront.
Slumdog Millionaire (January)
The Oscar buzz is certainly deserved by Danny Boyle's brilliantly structured story of a young Indian man who goes on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire to reach the woman he loves. It really is a thrilling emotional rollercoaster that leaves you feeling exhilarated.
Outstanding performances by Michael Sheen and Frank Langella turn David Frost's legendary interview of disgraced President Richard Nixon into something akin to a verbal boxing match. Ron Howard's fim expertly builds the tension and you'll be gripped throughout.
The Reader (January)
Bernard Schlink's remarkable novel of second generation Holocaust guilt has been transformed into a movie by Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry - and is winning rave reviews Stateside. Featuring star performances from Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslet, this flick is sure to shock with its stunning late twist.
Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet reunite as a couple in the 1950s struggling under the weight of their tattered dreams. The last time the pair sizzled on screen was in Titanic - and that didn't fare too badly with cinemagoers or Oscar voters.
Valkyrie (January)
Tom Cruise as a Nazi trying to kill Adolf Hitler? After his legendary turn as a hip-hop loving, bald movie mogul in Tropic Thunder, we're willing to buy anything he does.
Brad Pitt, under heavy makeup, stars as a man who ages backwards and falls in love with a 30-year-old lass played by Cate Blanchett. Director David Fincher's movie, based on a story by F Scott Fitzgerald, has just opened to rave reviews and large takings Stateside.
Watchmen (March)
The trailers for this adaptation of DC Comics' graphic novel have sparked a tremendous amount of interest in the story of a group of fugitive superheroes trying to uncover a sinister plot. Let's hope all the legal problems don't hinder this film's release.
Could this be the year's animation blockbuster like WALL-E was in 2008? The movie does what it says on the tin, featuring some friendly monsters defending the planet from an alien invasion, and includes the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Kiefer Sutherland and Dwight Schrute himself - Rainn Wilson.
State Of Play (April)
Based on the BBC's brilliant 2003 drama series that starred John Simm and David Morrissey, this big screen version stars Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck as the men embroiled in dark political intrigue. Those who fear a glossy Americanisation of the premise should note that the director is Kevin Macdonald, who called the shots on the impressively gritty Last King Of Scotland.
Matthew McConaughey stars in this Scrooge-style romantic comedy about a hedonistic bachelor visited by the ghosts of his spurned conquests. Jennifer Garner and Michael Douglas round off the impressive cast in the latest venture from Mean Girls helmer Mark Waters.
Bruno (May)
Outrageously camp fashion reporter Bruno was never as funny as Ali G or Borat, but Sacha Baron Cohen is a comedy genius and hopes are high for this mockumentary. It should be riotous fun if eye witness reports from the filming are anything to go by, including Bruno gatecrashing a Milan fashion show and the set of psychic drama Medium.
Can Lost creator JJ Abrams beam the ailing franchise into a new era? The story explores the early years of the crew of the USS Enterprise and features Chris Pine as James Tiberius Kirk and Heroes villain Zachary Quinto as Spock. Prepare for a nice cameo by Leonard Nimoy as the older version of the Vulcan to tie events in with the earlier adventures in the final frontier.
Terminator Salvation (June)
Christian Bale tackles the role of resistance fighter John Connor in this bleak man versus machine battle set in a ravaged world in 2018. Fingers are crossed for an Arnie cameo, but at least movie legend Michael Ironside is guaranteed to show up.
Yes, that is the correct spelling of Quentin Tarantino's Second World War action drama featuring a group of Jewish-American soldiers called 'The Basterds' going on a Nazi hunt through German-occupied France. An impressive cast includes Brad Pitt, Mike Myers, Hunger's Michael Fassbender and BJ Novak - best known as The Temp from the American version of The Office.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra (August)
Seeking to be this year's Transformers, this escapist action flick will feature an abundance of explosions, stunts and hot totty in the shape of Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols from Alias. Doctor Who fans can also discover what Christopher Eccleston has been up to in recent times, as he takes on the role of baddie Destro.
Horror and comedy aren't an easy blend of genres, but the omens sound good for this tale of a pair of survivors in a zombie-plagued world. Woody Harrelson stars as a fighter of the undead called Albuquerque.
Avatar (December)
James Cameron is intent on regaining his King of the World crown with this hi-tech futuristic adventure of a group of humans tackling a race of aliens on a distant planet. Sigourney Weaver hooks up with Cameron over two decades after their successful collaboration on Aliens.
