Ladies & Gentlemen: Life, Love and History

I'm no romantic, but the trailer for the upcoming film Paper Heart really got me. The documentary, er story, of a girl who earnestly doesn't understand love and goes looking for answers by interviewing people. Looks charming and refreshing. Stars Charlyne Yi as Charlyne Yi. Release date: August 7, 2009.

(500) Days of Summer is coming out very soon and looks like it might be the festival sweetheart * film of 2009. Right off the bat it seems to set up being a romance but not a romance and veers from tradition even more by telling it not only from the guys perspective but also his emotional perspective. It also appears to be on everyone 'to see' list. Stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. More info and trailer at the official Film Site & Trailer. Rekease date is this week, Friday July 17, 2009.

Okay, so maybe the guy perspective romantic comedy is catching as it happens again with Love Happens. Aaron Eckhart stars as a widower and accidental self-help icon/author who chance meets with florist Jennifer Aniston. Directorial debut from Brandon Camp. I think I saw the trailer three times in one day at the theatre and have to say looks pretty good and Aaron Eckhart performance looks strong. Jennifer Aniston looks charming as always. Hits theatres September 28 2009.

Are you ready to Whip It? Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut this October 9, 2099 with the roller derby movie based on the Shauna Cross novel. The awesome cast includes Ellen Page, Zoe Bell, Juliette Lewis, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig and Drew Barrymore. The big questions is - will they use the Devo song? To early to say. No trailer as of yet but check out the pics over at Screen Crave if you need to know more.

Time to get a little historical on you, staring with Amelia, a biopic on the pilot Amelia Earhart with Hilary Swank in the titular role. I'm happy to see anything from director Mira Nair (The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding) so this one certainly goes on the to see list. Additional casting includes Mia Wasikowska, Ewan McGregor, Richard Gere and Christopher Eccleston. Release date October 23, 2009.

Continuing with the biopics we have Coco Before Chanel / Coco avant Chanel starring
Audrey Tautou (Amelie) in the story of Coco Chanel. The trailer showcases how pitch perfect the casting choice is, as if there was any doubt (no, there wasn't any doubt). Release date is set for 2009 but currently still to be determined. Directed by Anne Fontaine (The Girl From Monaco).

* A Festival Sweetheart film is the one film that starts on the festival circuit and everyone loves. Everyone. Think Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in for 2008 or Juno in 2007.

Check out the lists of 2009 and 2010 to see more upcoming releases.