*ing: Leonardo DiCaprio
and Russell Crowe
Directed by Ridley Scott
Release date: October 2008

Adapted from Washington Post columnist David Ignatius's novel Body of Lies, the film is about CIA agent Roger Ferris (Leo DiCaprio) who uncovers evidence against a major terrorist ring leader, operating out of Jordan. He approaches CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) in infiltrating the vast underground network. But soon it becomes clear that Ed Hoffman might be playing both sides.

The film reunites Russell Crowe with director Ridley Scott after the continuous success in films like American Gangster and the Oscar-winning Gladiator.

Another interesting combo is of William Monaham's team-up with Leonardo DiCaptrio after The Departed.

Swing Vote

*ing: Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper
Directed by Joshua Michael Stern
Release Date: September 2008

The antics of a 12-year-old girl leaves her father in a position to decide the fate of the world by being the one man whose vote in American Presidential elections will decide the verdict. A typical American guy, Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), is a man whose life has passed him. But through the mischievous tricks by his daughter, he is thrust into national limelight. The two American Presidential candidates are played by Dennis Hopper and Kelsey Grammar.

Burn After Reading

*ing: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton
Directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen
Release date: September 2008

A dark spy comedy from the Coen brothers, the film is about CIA analyst Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) who leaves his job after being demoted for drinking. He writes his memoirs which lands in the hands of Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) who tries to sell them. Meanwhile Harry (Gearoge Clooney) is having an affair with Cox's wife, Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton).

According to the Coens, the film takes a look at the CIA and Washington. But unlike No Country for Old Men, which led the brothers Ethan and Joel to an Oscar, this film is much lighter in tone.

W

*ing: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell
and Elizabeth Banks
Directed by Oliver Stone
Release date: November 2008

Perhaps the most controversial film of the year, W is based on the life of the current US President George W Bush and will see him in his years after Yale in Texas as will as in power. Josh Brolin will play his most important role to date as President W while Elizabeth Banks will play Laura Bush.

Oliver Stone is not new to films on American Presidents. He has two to his credit already - JFK (1991) and Nixon (1995) - but it will be the first time for even him to release a film on a President still in power. Slated to release in November, it will premiere at the height of the Presidential elections and we might even see John McCain too!