Class of 2010?: Love Ranch, The Concert, Biutiful, The Tempest and The Illusionist

With the final Gala and Special Presentation announcements for TIFF out of the way, and unless Telluride, BFI London and Rome reveal some major world premiere coups, we can expect to see new works from Alejandro González Iñárritu, Taylor Hackford, Géla Babluani, Radu Mihaileanu, Mark Ruffalo, Olivier Dahan, Julie Taymor, Sylvain Chomet only in 2010. Curiously, among the titles listed below, three of them happen to star Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren. Here are 9 must see titles of 2009 that we should end up seeing in 2010. 

* Biutiful
It’s being sold by Focus Features Intl. who will logically distribute the film domestically and while Focus have nothing on slate for December, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s latest which stopped shooting sometime this summer, could logically be bumped until a Cannes premiere next summer. Prediction: Fall 2010 release.

* The Concert
This will receive a November 4th release in France and while The Weinstein Company own this one – I think they’d rather back Melanie Laurent in Inglourious Basterds before setting out on this one. Looks like a Berlin Film Festival entry at this point. (See pic)

* The Illusionist
It was supposed to be in Toronto, but for some reason backed out at the last minute. Look for Sylvain Chomet to prep it for Cannes instead.

* Love Ranch
Taylor Hackford’s film is a done deal, Capitol Films’ financial woes only means that they need a little bit more prepping. Could be a huge pick-up opportunity for Sundance.

* My Own Love Song
Olivier Dahan’s Louisiana-shot pic has a definite shot at Berlin, since this is where Dahan first preemed La Vie en Rose in 2007.

* Sympathy for Delicious
Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut has been completed for a while now, and I’m sure that the music track is laid down. Ruffalo could be gunning for Sundance.

* The Tempest
I thought Julie Taymor’s latest was heading to TIFF, but I have a feeling that they are stuck in post because they might be layering the film by adding some special effects?

* 13
Géla Babluani’s remake of his own film was produced by Paramount Vantage, so it may be a while before they figure out what to do with the title. Film Market screenings or a Sundance preem is not out of the question.

* The Last Station
It doesn’t appear that Michael Hoffman’s film will make the cut for TIFF, so a London Film Festival preem seems likely. The pic opens in U.K. in January.

Finally, I’m adding this pair of titles who despite having a locked release date come with an air of uncertainty. Terrence Malick and Andrew Jarecki’s latest who are pegged with 2009.

* All Good Things
A December 11th date is pegged, but we will have to see how the future pans out for the Weinstein Co. who might decide to back this as their Oscar hopeful.

* The Tree of Life
Apparition will be ready if Malick delivers on time. Come this December, we’ll know whether this becomes the most talked about Holiday title. Sorry James Cameron.

Apart from the last pair of films mentioned in this piece, do you think there are some that will make the 2009 cut?