From The Headlines To Hollywood

What a year 2010 has been for natural and not so natural disasters. An abundance of cataclysm and catastrophes ensures that screenwriters all over tinsel town are very busy these days. So what can we expect? An abundance of terrorizing bad disaster movies, or some heart-wrenching tragedy with very human drama, brought to the big screen for our, umm, enjoyment?

Putting the usual extreme weather conditions, heavy rains, floods, mudslides, severe cold, and snow, to one side for a minute, you can guarantee that at least one of 2010’s headlines will get the blockbuster treatment. From volcanoes to avalanches, oil-spills to gigantic holes in the ground, there’s a multitude of disastrous news headlines to choose from. I’ve put together a list of possibilities in true Hollywood style… prepare yourselves!

KOREA KOREA

Starring: Harrison Ford, George Clooney, and Megan Fox

The US Naval commander is struggling with a stammer. He seeks out the help of America’s top therapist who has gone into hiding due to a mistake he made in China some years ago which got his partner killed. Can he help the commander deliver a crucial speech bringing the two opposing sides together and stop world war three… before it’s too late?

HAITI 7.3

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Swank, and Jaden Smith

Christian Aid worker Josh, caught up in the devastation of the first mega-quake, decides to rescue a school of orphaned boys and smuggle them into the US on a visiting cruise ship. The city is in turmoil, and about to be quarantined, there’s rioting in the streets. Josh will have to captain the ship and sail it himself. But can he get everyone out… before it’s too late?

DEEPWATER HORIZON

Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, and Scarlett Johansson

After an oil rig explosion and subsequent leak, scientists think they’ve got everything under control, until strange noises begin to emanate from beneath the ocean floor sending all marine life into frenzy. Florida diving instructor Lucy discovers a strange mutated marine mammal stuck to the hull of her boat. A strange green gas cloud forms in the sky. Lucy has no choice but to locate the State Governor and persuade him to call the President… before it’s too late.

DARK SKIES

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Audrey Tautou, Cillian Murphy, and Sandra Bullock

Iceland’s volcanic eruption at Eyjafjallajökull closes airspace while desperate scientist and mother Julia holds the antidote to the outbreak of flu like virus which is mutating and spreading from person to person. Julia attempts to fly to Europe with her children, in search of her estranged husband, a top microbiologist who has gone missing on a business trip to Pakistan… before it’s too late.

AGATHA

Starring: Dame Judi Dench, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ben Affleck

Guatemala City is evacuated. The Pacaya volcano erupts. Suddenly a giant sinkhole appears 18 m (60 ft) wide. Ex-pat school teacher Agatha notices that predictions of doom written by a local child on the playground wall correspond with events. She seeks the help of an eminent geologist, who is living in seclusion on the outskirts of the jungle writing her memoirs. Tropical Storm Agatha is about to make landfall. Together the two women must find a way to stop the next prediction from coming true… before it’s too late.

RED SQUARED

Starring: Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, and Daniel Craig

Russia is stifled under wildfires which cause gigantic poisonous red smog to engulf Moscow. The government warns people to stay in-doors. City streets are deserted. It’s the perfect night for the perfect crime, as international jewel thief, and side-kick prepare the ultimate heist. But as daylight approaches, and the smog begins to lift earlier than expected, will the duo get what they came for and make their escape…before it’s too late?

SLUDGE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Robert Pattinson, and Nicolas Cage

Strange shining lights appear like UFOs over Manhattan during day-light, just as an explosion at a Hungarian alumina plant releases red toxic chemical sludge throughout Eastern Europe threatening to kill thousands. Danny, a reckless young graduate astrophysicist from MIT makes a startling discovery. He must convince his professor that the two events are linked… before it’s too late.

MOON OVER MERAPI

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Colin Farrell, and Sylvester Stallone

In the shadow of the Mount Merapi volcanic eruption – US Marine Sgt. Clare Lucas battles with her fear of water while searching for her estranged husband. He has spent the last five years building a school for orphans devastated by floods. Using a stolen canoe, can she save the inhabitants of a small village at the foot of the mountain… before it’s too late?

PHOENIX

Starring: Javier Bardem, Benicio Del Toro, and Brad Pitt

33 Chilean miners are trapped 2000 feet below ground…

Well you can guess the rest!