An avalanche of sequels and remakes turned the last decade into a dull canvas of high-octane, creatively-degenerate trash, mixed of course with the occasional masterpiece, the odd gem that caused us to give thanks to the wonders of HD, 3-D and Carey Mulligan's sparkly eyes. The current OSCAR nominations speak volumes about our current creative input and the cattle market that is the Hollywood film industry.

Thus, as we move into a new decade, full of renewed hope for another Little Miss Sunshine to land on our cinema screens, what exactly do we have to look forward to in 2010?

Well, we have Meet The Fockers - The Sequel and...well...another Shrek...oh and there's Toy Story 3 and Hairspray 2, Harry Potter 7 - Part I and Sex and the City 2. Not to mention the new Twilight...

Oh dear.

Films to Miss:

Robin Hood

Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe hold hands for the fifth time in their futile quest to recreate the success of Gladiator. Tell me Ridley, what was wrong with Costner's American-English twanged cheese-fest? Sorry, but I think I'll pass...

Karate Kid

Set in China and starring the legendary Jackie Chan - of course, you might think for this to be a hit. Well, not when the original was such a classic. Don't waste your time.

Films to Watch:

The Expendables

Yes, it's a remake, but think of the comedy value. Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger, Statham and Li - all vying to see who has put on the mostweight in the last decade (that would be Arnie...). They should have renamed this The Expandables and thrown in a couple of kids and a Weight Watchers program. Still, a laugh's a laugh.

The Matarese Circle

From the writer of the Bourne novels comes this action-thriller directed by David Cronenberg and starring Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise. Still in pre-production this should make for some great family viewing over Christmas.

Inception

Chris Nolan's first film since The Dark Knight was undeservedly shunned by the OSCAR community. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard this is a mind-bending plot about an idea changing the world. Literally changing the world, that is. Yes, it's a bit too obvious, in fact very obvious, I can even hear the pitch to the financiers in my head...oh well, if Cotillard's in then so am I - let's see him pull this one off.

Risks:

Wall Street 2

Yes it's another sequel, but this one at least has an excuse given the significant economic upheaval since the original was released in 1987. However, whilst we can't be sure whether this remake will live up to its great expectations (it almost certainly won't) we can at least be certain that Michael Douglas will look ten years younger than before, and that Carey Mulligan will bring her sparkly eyes (they really do sparkle) and profound acting talent to the table. Give it a whirl.

Written by Ben Lamy

Follow me on twitter@lamyben
www.benlamy.com