Remember the Titans?

There's a renaissance afoot.

I haven't been this excited about a crop of upcoming movies since I don't know when.

And that's due not in small part to some particularly compelling trailers. (I'm hopeful that the films will live up to the hype. I stubbornly cling to faith in the art of filmmaking -- perhaps the only example of eternal optimism on my part.)

After a year in which we saw a dozen films, maybe, the anticipation is all the more welcome.

So take a look, and be enthralled. Set aside the skepticism. Downplay the disbelief. Get your hopes up, people! Maybe, if enough of us believe, we can will the movie world back to excellence.

Here's the rundown on what I can't wait to see:

Clash of the Titans

I have quite a nostalgic fondness for the 1981 original, stemming from middle school studies of Greek mythology for Super Bowl -- the academic battle of wits, not the one with all the Roman numerals. (Laurence Olivier as Zeus! Harry Hamlin as Perseus! An epic battle for our hearts!) So I was rather skeptical when I first heard rumors of a remake. But having watched this trailer. I'm sold, and I'm psyched.

The Wolfman

We've been waiting for this one a long time. It's been years since the news that Benicio Del Toro was to play the iconic Universal monster -- a great choice, I thought then, and still do.

Then, the movie got pushed back. And back.

But now, it looks like our wait might finally pay off.

The buzz has attributed delays to the need for time to work on fx. With Rick Baker, of An American Werewolf in London fame, on set, surely it will be worth it.



The A-Team

I know what you're thinking. Another remake?!? I thought I was sick of them too. But here I am, talking up a third one. And the source material for this one is classically '80s, too. But ever since the release of the first official picture of the main characters, I've been wildly hoping for the best.

The trailer showcases all the kitschy cache of the old TV show. (And, for you District 9 fans, note that Murdock is played by Wikus himself, Sharlto Copley.)

It promises to be a fun summer romp.



Shutter Island

Another long-anticipated film, the release of which was pushed back. Scorsese does terror. I reeeeally hope it works. And I really hope patient 67 isn't who I think it is.



Inception

Another Leo DiCaprio film, another thriller. Add Christopher Nolan (director of Memento, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), and I don't need any convincing. This trailer messes with your head, leaves you with questions begging for answers ...



Hot Tub Time Machine

Continuing with the '80s theme ... This looks like it might be fun. And John Cusack comedy? Yes, please. The premise is simple: Four funny guys time travel by way of a hot tub. Hilarity no doubt ensues. (The trailer is red band for language. If you're offended, you can't say I didn't warn you ... )



Other notables

The Green Hornet -- I have to be honest and say that I don't know much about the source material. The Green Hornet's no Batman, after all. But director Michel Gondry is one of my favorite filmmakers -- such an artist! -- that I'm completely intrigued nonetheless.

Eclipse -- No trailer yet, but I have been looking forward all along to seeing what David Slade -- director of the great and terrorising vampire flick 30 Days of Night -- would do with the story. My prediction: Steve will hate it, I will enjoy it. The series (books and films) has its faults, but I'm tuned in till the end.

Machete -- So, seems as if the what-ifs might've gotten out of control on this one. It seemed like such a simple little story back when it was a mock trailer in the Grindhouse package. But now that it's materialized, in addition to the great Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin, it has Robert DeNiro, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba and ... Lindsay Lohan?!? I love Robert Rodriguez, but I dunno ...

The Expendables -- Seems it's the year of the macho renegades. This one's no exception. Sylvester Stallone (directing and starring), Jet Li, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin, Randy Couture, Danny Trejo, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Zayas (Angel Batista from Dexter) and more. It's definitely got potential.

The Lightning Thief Greek mythology redux. Modern kids are the progeny of the gods. Director Chris Columbus has quite a pedigree (Adventures in Babysitting. Gremlins. Goonies.) Might be fun ...

The Last Airbender --M. Night Shyamalan. Dev Patel (of Slumdog Millionaire fame). Looks interesting. But compelling? Jury's out.

Morning Glory -- JJ Abrams. A newsman with scruples(?). Rachel McAdams. It's got good things going for it. Will I see it in the theater? I don't know. Maybe the trailer will get me more excited ...