3D Month Continues! Jim's 2012 Top Ten 3D Movies Vs. The Results Of Our Reader's Poll!

Ok, so my list has no bearing on who is going to win awards at the 3D Creative Arts Awards for 2012 (only 2 weeks away - can't wait!), but I do have my opinion and where better else to voice it than right here?

Keep in mind my ratings combine my feelings for not only how good the 3D was but also the movie itself (which is different than what I did last year).

Without further ado, here are my selections - have at it! Let me know how yours differs or how much you perfectly agree with me :-)

Top Five 3D Conversions - Re-release:
1. TITANIC 3D
2. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
3. FINDING NEMO
4. MONSTERS INC
5. STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 

Top Five 3D Conversions:
1. THE AVENGERS
2. JOHN CARTER
3. WRATH OF THE TITANS
4. MEN IN BLACK 3
5. FRANKENWEENIE

Top Five Native 3D Movies:
1. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
2. LIFE OF PI
3. PROMETHEUS
4. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
5. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY 

Top Five 3D Animations:
1. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
2. BRAVE
3. ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT
4. THE LORAX
5. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

Top Ten Combined:
10. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
9. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY
8. WRATH OF THE TITANS
7. JOHN CARTER
6. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
5. TITANIC 3D
4. THE AVENGERS
3. PROMETHEUS
2. LIFE OF PI
1. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Ang Lee's LIFE OF PI was absolutely brilliant and on any other year would have easily took top place for me, but wow - Peter Jackson's HFR 3D was spellbinding! My jaw hadn't been locked open like that since AVATAR. Congratulations to all of my top ten list and more for an outstanding year in 2012. And 2013 promises us even more excitement!

Click to enlarge

And here are the results of the MarketSaw Reader's Poll asking the question: "What was your favorite 3D movies of 2012?"

It looks like we were in agreement on THE HOBBIT but you guys have PROMETHEUS in second spot ahead of LIFE OF PI. While I thoroughly enjoyed Ridley Scott's return to sci-fi, Pi's adventure was enough for me to move it ahead. To each there own - you can't go wrong with any of these top ten movies!

It was surprising to me is how well DREDD fared with you though. I found the 3D was headache inducing but perhaps that was my particular screening. In retrospect though, the CG shots were spectacular in 3D and then when we flipped back to native 3D, it went back to mundane for me. I enjoyed JOHN CARTER and WRATH OF THE TITANS so much more. Do I want more of Karl Urban's Dredd though? Darn right. I want better 3D next time too. DREDD didn't make my top ten.

Stay tuned for our annual MOST ANTICIPATED list of movies for 2013 coming up soon!

Jim Dorey's Best 3D Movies Of 2011!!

Here's my annual look at the best of the best 3D movies of 2011! Of course it is solely my opinion and I am seeking your thoughts in the comments.

I wanted to distinguish a few things, like the best native 3D, converted 3D, animated 3D and then combine them all into one top ten list that ALSO considers how well the story was delivered. We may be a 3D site, but a bad movie made with great 3D is still a bad movie. So hopefully these lists help a bit!

Oh and I put them in reverse order to add some dramatic flare... ;-)

Here's my list of the 6 best native 3D movies of 2011 (not considering story):
6. DRIVE ANGRY
5. THE DARKEST HOUR
4. THE THREE MUSKETEERS
3. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
2. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
1. HUGO

My list of the 6 best 3D animation movies of 2011 (not considering story):
6. HAPPY FEET 2
5. CARS 2
4. RIO
3. KUNG FU PANDA 2
2. PUSS IN BOOTS
1. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (it's hard to place a category on this!)

My list of the 6 best 3D conversion movies of 2011 (not considering story):
6. THE LION KING
5. GREEN LANTERN
4. IMMORTALS
3. THE GREEN HORNET
2. THOR
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT.2

So here's my ALL-IN TOP TEN LIST (CONSIDERING THE STORY):
10. IMMORTALS ($196m)
9. THE LION KING 3D [Less impact on this list as a re-release] ($492m)
8. THE THREE MUSKETEERS ($132m)
7. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES ($1,043m)
6. THE DARKEST HOUR ($8m - just opened)
5. THOR ($449m)
4. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON ($1,124m)
3. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN ($271m)
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT.2 ($1,328m)
1. HUGO ($52m worldwide)

And special distinction for CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS as the best 3D documentary. It was simply gorgeous!

...And let me leave you with one final thought, HUGO is not only the best 3D movie of 2011, it is the best movie of 2011 period. What say YOU?

Stats: BoxOfficeMojo

The Top Ten Most Anticipated 3D Movies Of 2011

We have come a long way haven't we? From educating the masses that modern 3D is not about red / blue cardboard glasses and headaches to raving about the number 1 movie of all time!

Let's not forget 2010 just yet - It was a standout year for a number of reasons:
- We learned the hard way that not all 3D conversions will be well done (CLASH OF THE TITANS), yet it was still successful ($493m).
- We learned that some 3D conversions can be spectacular.
- We also learned that native 3D is still the best way to achieve stereoscopic goals.
- AVATAR achieved outrageous box office success, outdistancing the nearest non-Cameron competitor (THE RETURN OF THE KING) by almost three times. Then its subsequent DVD release broke records again!
- TOY STORY 3 broke $1 billion ($1,063,000,000).
- ALICE IN WONDERLAND broke $1 billion ($1,024,000,000).
- 3D screens have exploded everywhere. Of the 39,380 screens in the US in March, 2010 - 3,378 are 3D. 10% and growing!
- Even today, 5 of the top 7 movies are 3D. Impressive because not all screens are 3D capable yet! Indeed, two weekends ago the top three movies were 3D: TRON:LEGACY, YOGI BEAR and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWNTREADER.
- More and more directors are coming aboard! Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, Michael Bay to name a few. It is a better question to ask which directors are NOT shooting in 3D these days. Like Christopher Nolan.
- Huge announcements that THE HOBBIT movies, STAR WARS movies, SPIDER-MAN reboot and Marvel's upcoming slate will be all in 3D.
- We learn that AVATAR 2 and 3 are a go with Cameron attached for his next directing projects.
- Not only has 3D movies become a part of our culture, but so has 3D gaming! The stereoscopic 3D game CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS sets records worldwide (Over $1b).
- 3DTV truly was born in 2010. Multiple 3D channels have been launched including Next3DTV, ESPN 3D, DirecTV with 3 new 3D channels and Discovery / IMAX / Sony teamed up to give us new 3D content for history, space, exploration, adventure, children's programming, science and technology. Don't forget that the 3D movies that were once in theaters and select classics are available in Blu-ray 3D too.

So with that, let's move on to 2011! The sheer number of top quality 3D projects for this year is astounding and I had a hard time selecting the bottom five. Top five were relatively easy though! Looking forward to your debate...

MARKETSAW'S TOP TEN MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2011:

10. KUNG FU PANDA: THE KABOOM OF DOOM (May 27, 2011)
The first of this franchise did very well at the box office despite the fact this was the second to last 2D effort from DWA. I am expecting a huge opening here, rivaling CARS 2. It was a toss up between these two animations for the 10th spot, but I am looking more towards seeing the panda again. Hopefully any CARS 2 story issues have been resolved!

9. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (May 20, 2011)
On a somewhat tighter budget leash this time around, Bruckheimer has is ace up his sleeve with Johnny Depp as Captain Jack. The 3D installment for the franchise should reinvigorate the energy.

8. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (July 15, 2011)
I am anxious to see what is possible with a Potter movie that is totally 3D! We missed seeing the first one as time ran out on them, but this final installment should be done right. We'll see!

7. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (July 22, 2011)
The more appealing Marvel choice for me this summer is CAPTAIN AMERICA over THOR. I think the project has quality written all over it and it needs to be successful to set up a run for THE AVENGERS. I say Chris Evans nails it.

6. SANCTUM (Feb 4, 2011)
What can I say? SANCTUM is a James Cameron production which means incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship. 3D is ideal for underwater adventure so I have a great deal of anticipation for this one.

5. GREEN LANTERN (June 17, 2011)
Ryan Reynolds looks perfect for the role and despite what some say about how the trailer looks, I am 100% for it. I think this is the top super hero movie of the year. Go see it.

4. CONTAGION (Oct 21, 2011)
Steven Soderbergh has been hard at work on this thing for quite some time now. Starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lawrence Fishburne I am expecting nothing less than a summer, edge of your seat yet cranial blockbuster.

3. HUGO CABRET (Dec 9, 2011)
Martin Scorsese's first 3D movie! What more do I need to say?? Can't wait.

2. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (July 1, 2011)
I have been somewhat hard on Bay in the past but I have come full circle. I think he has matured in his career and quite possibly this will be the first of many critically embraced movies. Certainly far better than TF2. The fact that Bay is merging his style of shooting with native 3D is enough for me. But promises of a better story is so enticing. The trailer looks awesome!

1. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN (Dec 28, 2011)
A no-brainer. Steven Spielberg. Peter Jackson. Working together with AVATAR technology with one of the world's most adored animation characters of all time. You can COUNT on this one being the cinematic event of the year. Without reservation.

Honorable Mention: CARS 2, THE GREEN HORNET, THOR, PRIEST, DRIVE ANGRY, HALLOWEEN 3D, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, RISE OF THE APES

My hardest decision was not including CARS 2 in my top ten. There were rumors of story issues which I am sure John Lasseter has worked out, but still personally, I am looking forward to KUNG FU PANDA slightly more at this point.

THE GREEN HORNET may surprise me! It has certainly gained some appeal with me over the past few weeks with their marketing so we will see. Not on my top ten list though.

I love the tandem of director Patrick Lussier / writer Todd Farmer and they have two top quality movies coming out in 2011: DRIVE ANGRY and HALLOWEEN 3D. I am definitely looking forward to seeing both of these but unfortunately the competition on my list this year is fierce.

THOR and RISE OF THE APES may surprise as well.

Let me know what you think! What changes would YOU make?

Sources: Variety | Box Office Mojo

The TOP TEN Of 2010! Jim's S3D Movie Guide...

Jim here. Here is my 2010 S3D Movies Guide for you! I waited a while to ensure I captured all the recent S3D conversion announcements!

Here are my most anticipated S3D movies for 2010:

1. TRON LEGACY - Ok guys, I think this movie is the real deal. It has the budget, an existing fan base and comes from a quality S3D shop so my hopes are high. Word from my sources is the S3D in TRON LEGACY rivals AVATAR's. So if the story is half good, we should be in for a wickedly good time! More when I get it.
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS P1 - When Warner confirmed our scoop about which tentpoles will be converted to 3D, I was thrilled to hear one of them was HP. S3D is perfect for this movie series and too bad we had to wait until the last book to fully experience it! I think the wait will be worth it though, and here's hoping that the conversion is done with care and artistry.
3. ALICE IN WONDERLAND - Yes, another conversion. I have not seen how much the tech has progressed since last year, but one would assume leaps have been made. Again, this is a Disney property and as such, the S3D should be of top caliber. In my opinion, Tim Burton has the mind to capture a great representation of the classic children's tale. Can the conversion hold up to the scrutiny? We will see soon enough. I am looking forward to seeing Depp tackle yet another "un-tackle-able" character and do so marvelously.
4. YOGI BEAR - This may be the surprise of the year and I am calling it my dark horse selection. I think the upside for this movie is tremendous and I am really looking forward to it. The only stumbling block is that it is being released on the same day as TRON LEGACY. Hopefully the 3D screen situation has been corrected enough to allow two concurrent wide releases. Keep an eye on this one! Look for more info coming soon...
5. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON - Another favorite of mine that may become victim of the 3D screen shortage. It will be fighting with ALICE and TITANS for screens soon and that is not good for anyone. My feeling is that DRAGON will be similar in appeal to KUNG FU PANDA last year, but with additional 3D premium box office. It will be a good movie - you can count on it.
6. TOY STORY 3 - Guys, this could be higher in the list but I am failing to get a good grasp on what to expect from Pixar this time around. Sure, it is a proven franchise with top notch characters, but what are they doing differently? Will it be the same old, same old? I expect a great story from them, don't get me wrong. But will the experience be that much more than TS 1 & 2? I hope so. Right now, I am looking forward to CARS 2 (next summer) much more than TOY STORY 3.
7. CLASH OF THE TITANS - Now this is VERY interesting! A S3D conversion done in the knick of time to capture more box office and improve the story immersion. We will see VERY soon just how successful Warner Bros will be with this decision. Personally, I think it is the right decision but a little late. My fingers are crossed that they chose the right conversion company and that the dollars are being spent to do this right. The visuals are SPECTACULAR! I just don't know about the story. TITANS could wind up moving up in my list, but I just can't justify a higher rating right now before seeing the conversion either.
8. SHREK FOREVER AFTER - This movie is bound to EXPLODE at the box office. Seriously. But I can't say as though I am dying to see it either. The world can't get enough Shrek, and the power of the franchise + 3D premiums will send it to the box office stratosphere. But personally I rank Shrek at 8 because, well, there are 7 other movies I would rather see this year. It is as simple as that.
9. SAW VII - The last SAW was a disappointment. I think S3D is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered to revive the franchise and if it is done correctly could really turn 3D horror on its disembodied head. There is an HUGE opportunity here for Lionsgate. I see this becoming the must see for Halloween this fall, no question.
10. MEGAMIND - Dreamworks Animation may have fooled me on this one! It could be higher on my list, but it is not getting the attention that DRAGONS and SHREK are getting this year. Definitely a top ten selection, but I can't move it higher just now.

Honorable Mention (in no order):
STEP UP 3-D - A nice fanbase for this genre movie will pick up more with the S3D.
ALPHA AND OMEGA - A great voice cast helps out this first venture (of a three pic deal) between Lionsgate and an Indian based animation company (Crest Animation Studios).
CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (Jul 30) - Families will drive box office for this movie; there will be plenty who cannot resist the cat and dog antics of this live action comedy.
GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE (Sep 24) - Some distinguished voices in this cast (Hugo Weaving, Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill) will help propel this animation.
THE LEGEND OF SPYRO (Oct 25) - Another dragon focused animation for 2010. It will not do HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON numbers, but will certainly hold its own.
RAPUNZEL (Nov 24) A classic Disney tale told through S3D animation. This fairy tale's history alone should be enough alone to capture the hearts of audiences everywhere.

Could Be In Trouble:
PIRANHA 3-D (Aug 27) - I was really anticipating this movie! I hate to break this to you but I am not hearing good things about this production. I am a huge Alexandre Aja fan so I detest what I am hearing, but the word is that it is campy and the S3D is not up to par. However, I am speaking through the words of others so I am respectfully waiting to see it myself and review it. Until then, I hope this conversion is up to at least par - I would hate to see S3D get a bad name because of a shoddy effort. You know?

For a full list of ALL upcoming 3D movies (as well as rumored and TBA 3D movies) click here.

The Top Ten 3D Movies Of 2009

Jim here. So what do you think - consensus on everybody's number 1? :-) I think so! Anyway, this list was due and I am sure others will want to voice their opinion as well so feel free to chime in with your top ten list too.

Here is mine in reverse order (Title - Studio | World Box Office | Tomatometer | Format - comment):

10. G-FORCE - Disney | $283m | 24% Fresh | CG / Live Action - A notable conversion effort.
9. THE FINAL DESTINATION - Warners | $153m | 28% Fresh | Live Action - Interesting seeing Death work in three dimensions.
8. DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Disney | $255m | 55% Fresh | CG MoCap - Visually quite stunning, though character's faces were soulless.
7. MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D - Lionsgate | $100m | 55% Fresh | Live Action - Very good revisit to the original horror.
6. MONSTERS VS. ALIENS - DWA | $382m | 72% Fresh | Animation - Not Dreamworks best, but far from worst. Expect much more with HTTYD.
5. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS - Sony | $195m | 85% Fresh | Animation - Excellent first outing in 3D animation for Sony. Impressed. Rivals DWA today.
4. CORALINE - Focus Features | $122m | 89% Fresh | Stop Motion - Henry Selick's vision and attention to details is astounding.
3. ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS - Fox | $888m | 45% Fresh | Animation - There is no doubting the worldwide popularity. Family Appeal.
2. UP - Pixar | $683m | 98% Fresh | Animation - A masterpiece of storytelling. 3D used well.
1. AVATAR - Fox | $760m, Still In Theaters | 83% Fresh | CG PerfCap / Live Action - Revolutionary Cinema. Nothing short of an event movie for this generation. A must see... twice.

Honorable Mention: TOY STORY 1 & 2 3D Conversions.
Worst of 2009: BATTLE FOR TERRA

There is no doubting AVATAR as the top 3D movie of 2009. It may be the top MOVIE of the past decade. I certainly believe it is. Pixar has a heckuva entry with UP because the story is typical Pixar and so is the visual quality. And ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS was great family fun AND it raked in the cash.

All in all, a superb year for 3D! I look forward to 2010 and all the surprises in store: ALICE IN WONDERLAND, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHREK FOREVER AFTER, TOY STORY 3, MEGAMIND, RAPUNZEL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SAW VII, TRON LEGACY to name a few.

Stay tuned for the 2010 3D Movie Viewing Guide! Now what is your top ten list for 3D in 2009?

The Top Ten Most Anticipated 3D Movies Of 2009

Jim here. Well it is almost upon us - the year of 3D: 2009!

And what a year it will be. We have seasoned directors with mega budgets all the way to new directors with limited resources but tons of talent. What's the common thread among them? 3D. Mark my words - like I have said all along - 2009 is the year 3D earns much deserved RESPECT. Respect from studios/theaters for the added revenue that it brings in; from audiences for the massive step forward toward total immersion in movies; and from the media who still have members clinging desperately to bygone eras, claiming 3D is a gimmick and nothing but a fad. You are about to be assimulated.

Moreover, audiences will begin to see the creativity of the people involved in stereoscopic 3D movies start to explode with freshness that hasn't been seen in Hollywood since, well probably THE MATRIX. Directors will challenge themselves with 3D projects. Actors will be chomping at the bit to get their mugs up on the silver screen in full three dimensions. The teams behind the scenes will work harder, share more and reach out to learn more about 3D - because there is definitely plenty of opportunity in the 3D business nowadays!

We couldn't have even had this list a year ago - there wasn't enough projects on the go for 2008. That is no longer an issue obviously with the fine slate available to us for 2009...

So it is with a great deal of excitement that I present the Top Ten Most Anticipated 3D Movies Of 2009:

1. AVATAR (James Cameron) (Fox) - December 18
There can be NO doubt this is the most looked forward to 3D movie of 2009. Heck of ANY movie. I am placing this above STAR TREK, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE and TERMINATOR: SALVATION on my own personal catch all list (includes 2D movies obviously) - so you know you better damn well see this movie. AVATAR is a movie of epic proportions set partially on the planet Pandora and starring their indigenous creatures the Na'vi. It seems that these creatures are able to allow humans to combine with them in some fashion (no spoilers here!) and tells the tale of environmentalism and survival. Sam Worthington leads a stellar cast. What a stunning Sci-Fi line up for next year! You really should not need convincing. Cameron is proven. He is one of the top, if not the best in the genre (Aliens, Terminator). He has a mega budget - and he delivers on them (Titanic). The man simply connects to his audiences and is a perfectionist - Did I say that he also invented the damn 3D cameras he is using too? Yes he did. Look for records to fall with this one.

2. MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (Dreamworks Animation) - March 27
With all the evangelism that Jeffrey Katzenberg has been doing for the 3D industry this movie had better be good. And it LOOKS good, given the trailers I have seen. MvsA centers on an invasion of aliens intent on evil when mankind calls on their only viable option: Monsters. The movie is a homage to middle 20th century monsters movies. The premise is delicious. Can they pull it off? Well they are definitely approaching 3D the right way - total commitment. All future tentpoles from DWA will be in stereoscopic 3D and by stating that up front, they are pulling the trigger to develop cutting edge systems to develop in the medium. They have some great talents behind the systems too and I believe they will be the studio to watch in coming years. Some great talent voicing the creatures too like SETH ROGEN and REESE WITHERSPOON.

3. DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Robert Zemeckis) (Disney) - November 6
Zemeckis has had ample time to work on any motion capture issues he may have had while working on BEOWULF and this time around we are going to see some stunning effects. Add in Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman, probably the most beloved Christmas story of all time and 3D and it makes for a heckuva presentation. Disney has commited to only producing 3D movies for their animated tentpoles from now on as well. Ebenezer Scrooge (JIM CARREY) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (GARY OLDMAN) and his cheery nephew (COLIN FIRTH). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Carrey plays SEVEN roles btw!

4. CORALINE (Henry Selick) (Focus Features) - February 6
This could be the sleeper hit of 2009. We all know Selick's work from A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS and many have seen the intricate behind the scenes detail that his team is putting into this stop action 3D movie. How well will it perform? Obviously Neil Gaiman (author) has a huge following to begin with and the younger crowd will be enchanted by the story but can it have broad appeal? I say it will. This should be a visual stunner. The movie is about a young girl (voiced by DAKOTA FANNING) who discovers an alternate reality where things are not quite right. A grand adventure!

5. ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (Fox) - July 1
I am the first to admit that I hate RAY ROMANO as an actor. Really hate him. But his voice is somewhat appealing and thankfully that is what has been injected into this film. The ICE AGE franchise is proven and with the addition of 3D, the box office for this flick should be somewhere north of spectacular. And the trailers are absolutely entertaining.

6. UP (Pixar) - May 29
You guys know what Pixar is capable of in 2D. Well now they are directing their tablet styluses toward an all 3D lineup of movies from now on. Have you seen the trailer yet (only in 2D mind you!). UP is a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. The only reason I am putting Up in sixth and not fifth is that ICE AGE is proven. I could very well enjoy UP much better - we shall see!

7. MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D (Patrick Lussier) (Lionsgate) - January 16th
The first offering of 2009 has had some great reviews already from some super advance screenings. AND it is rated R. Why? Here is the MPAA's reasoning: Rated R for graphic brutal horror violence and grisly images throughout, some strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language. Tom (Jensen Ackles) returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame (Jaime King) is the only one will believes he's innocent. Definitely checking this one out ASAP.

8. FINAL DESTINATION: DEATH TRIP 3D (David R. Ellis) (New Line) - August 21
The second 3D horror movie of the year of note is from the FINAL DESTINATION franchise and is bound to do well as have the predecessors. Inject some 3D and you should have a refreshed approached to a formula that works. I am looking forward to seeing this one because 3D offers directors so many more creative choices. Should be great. Synopsis: After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end.

9. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (Sony Pictures Imageworks Animation) - September 18
I have elected to place CWCM ahead of Disney's G-FORCE because I think the potential is larger for a bigger hit and I am giving the storyline a lot of credit here. Sure, Disney has a little more experience with 3D but I am giving Sony a nod here. Food pours down from above just when the a town called Chewandswallow needs it most - however it soon overwhelms everyone. The movie will be in the style of BEOWULF (motion capture). **Update from Rob Engle of Sony: CLOUDY is 100% keyframe animated - no motion capture. Speaking with Rob has only reinforced my enthusiasm for this movie - sounds awesome.

10. G-FORCE (Disney) - July 24
Could have been higher, but I went with CWCM instead based on storyline and method of animation. Kids will love this one though - An elite guinea pig commando force try to stop a billionaire from taking over the world? Pure mayhem. **Update from Rob Engle at Sony: "G-FORCE is the first hybrid stereoscopic production... part 2-D to 3-D conversion, part CG. All the plate photography was shot in 2-D on film." Interesting to see another 2D->3D conversion project on the go.

Honorable Mentions:
CONVERSIONS! TOY STORY, DAWN OF THE DEAD and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (Romero - colorized) are being converted from 2D to 3D and I am itching to see both of them again! These will obviously do well from their following and indeed sprout new fans with these releases. I have not included conversions on this list, but if readers say so, I will going forth! Note that G-FORCE is a conversion project, but it is an original effort and not a re-release of a 2D movie.

PIRANHA 3D: Let me just say that if Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3D makes it out in 2009 - it will definitely move up in my list! But, it looks like it will be more likely a 2010 release as production was pushed back until spring of 2009 from the fall of 2008. I am a huge Aja fan and REALLY looking forward to this 3D effort from him.

JONAS BROTHERS CONCERT: Oh yeah - the 'tweens will love it and it will probably do as well as Hannah Montana's did this year - sorry it didn't crack the top 10 though!

There are a few 3D movies slated for 2009 without release dates yet - like THE DARK COUNTRY and HORRORWEEN so I could not include them in case they do not get the distribution they want in time for 2009. Both of these examples are definitely on my list to see.

For my constantly updated list of upcoming 3D movies (out to 2012 currently) check out this page.

So what do you think? I want to hear your opinions on what will kick some 3D butt in 2009! How do you think the big 2D movies will stack up against the behemoth AVATAR? Personally, I think Cameron and crew will at least double them up - but I am a wee bit biased...