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Director: Nimród Antal
Stars: Columbus Short, Matt Dillon, Laurence Fishburne (Full Cast)
Studio: Screen Gems

The Plot: A newbie guard for an armored truck company is coerced by his veteran coworkers to steal a truck containing $42 million. But a wrinkle in their supposedly foolproof plan divides the group, leading to a potentially deadly resolution.

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THE BUZZ: Did you know that distributor Screen Gems has invested in Columbus Short to the tune of a three-picture deal? Truth be known, so he's the guy I'm figuring will churn the plot here. Director Nimrod Antal offers up his second English-language picture after Vacancy proved a sleeper hit worthy of a DVD sequel (check out his bizarro Kontroll, too), and I can guarantee the man will deliver all the butch action that genre fans require. He might even do so without an endless barrage of gunfire, too!

Message Boards: Sequential bills ***SPOILER *** | Started with promise but completely sank for me because(spoilers)

Brothers

Director: Jim Sheridan
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire (Full Cast)
Studio: Lionsgate

The Plot: Sam Cahill (Maguire) returns from being held as a prisoner-of-war in Afghanistan to find that his ex-con brother (Gyllenhaal) has become the man, of sorts, of the household where Sam's wife, Grace (Portman) had been living under the assumption that she was a widow.

Photos (see all 13 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 15)

THE BUZZ: Hollywood types love Danish director Susanne Bier; the industry has tried to remake a couple of her films, mostly noticeably is/was Zach Braff's on-again/off-again attempt to craft a version of Bier's Open Hearts into his second film as a director. (Remember when Z.B. was a promising filmmaker?) Anyway, it's not hard to imagine that Lionsgate is measuring their Oscar chances with this film, with Jim Sheridan calling the shots, Kite Runner screenwriter David Benioff handling the adaptation, and two of the best American actors under thirty in starring roles. Plus, Tobey Maguire! (He's 34 and, yes, awesome.) Just no "I can't quit you" jokes here, okay? And Natalie Portman knows how to iron?! We don't believe it.

Message Boards: Laughing Audience? | What did Sam say???

Everybody's Fine

Director: Kirk Jones
Stars: Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell (Full Cast)
Studio: Miramax Films

The Plot: A widower (De Niro) takes an impromptu road trip in order to reconnect with his grown children, only to discover that his family members are living far from perfect lives.

Photos (see all 35 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 10)

THE BUZZ: An actor (De Niro) takes a role in a project run through software guaranteed to generate Oscar nominations (Everybody's Fine) ... Less crankily, here's hoping this remake of the nearly two-decades-old Italian film will fare better than The Last Kiss and similar-in-theme Oscar hopefuls from the recent past, such as Last Chance Harvey.

Message Boards: So what was in the envelopes? | 'Everybody's fine...everybody's fine'

Up in the Air [limited: wide expansion: 12/23]

Director: Jason Reitman
Stars: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick (Full Cast)
Studio: Paramount Pictures

The Plot: Ryan Bingham (Clooney) is a corporate-downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

Photos (see all 78 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 20)

THE BUZZ: Critics, award-givers, and everyday people like you and I all seem to put Jason Reitman on the pedestal which Sam Mendes still occupies (and on which Alexander Payne stood for a while). Is this the next Best Picture Oscar winner?

Message Boards: Will I enjoy this movie? | Your Personal Experiences With 'Being Let Go'

The Last Station [LA/NY]

Director: Michael Hoffman
Stars: Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer (Full Cast)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

The Plot: The Countess Sofya (Mirren), wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy (Plummer), uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple (McAvoy), whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people.

Photos (see all 15 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 9)

THE BUZZ: A total of 5 Independent Spirit Awards nominations greeted the period piece a few days before its U.S. release. Dare we say that number will be matched (at least) by its Oscar tally? Is it mean of us to say the production looks ripe for a French and Saunders parody?

Message Boards: Lev Tolstoy, not Leo Tolstoy!!! | Release Date Production Info.

Serious Moonlight [LA/NY]

Director: Cheryl Hines
Stars: Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell (Full Cast)
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment

The Plot: When a high-powered attorney (Ryan) discovers her husband (Hutton) is planning on leaving her for a younger woman (Bell), she duct tapes him to the toilet in hopes of keeping him hostage until they reconcile. Her plan is complicated by the arrival of the mistress, as well as a pair of burglars.

Photos (see all 9 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 8)

THE BUZZ: Cinephiles still miss Adrienne Shelly dearly, but they haven't been kind to her posthumous screenplay, which was developed by her widower, Andy Ostroy, and Waitress co-star, Cheryl Hines, who makes her directorial debut. Wondering aloud if the script was ready by the time cameras rolled, the shrill tone and creepy narrative devices have left most people feeling as though this would have worked better on the stage -- if it had to be produced at all.

Message Boards: Almodóvar | Where can i see this?

Transylmania

Director: David Hillenbrand Scott Hillenbrand
Stars: Patrick Cavanaugh, James DeBello, Tony Denman (Full Cast)
Studio: Full Circle Releasing

The Plot: A horror comedy that follows a group of college kids who travel to Transylvania for a semester at Razvan University, which isn't as picturesque (or safe) as it appeared on its brochure.

Photos (see all 15 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 9)

THE BUZZ: Brothers and co-directors David and Scott Hillenbrand are vets of the National Lampoon scene (technically, this is Dorm Daze 3) and, as you might expect, Transylmania's official site contains a lot of naughty redband content designed to lure you into theaters. Have fun!

Message Boards: CROWD REPORTS | I liked it, there I said it

The Princess and the Frog

Director: Ron Clements John Musker
Stars: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey (Full Cast)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Plot: A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.

Photos (see all 89 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 32)

THE BUZZ: Here, Disney reunites Aladdin creators Ron Clements and John Musker, rekindles their love for hand drawn animation, endures a storm of controversy regarding the initial name given to their first African-American princess ("Maddy" which was changed to "Tiana"), then adjusts their title a bit as to not insult the French (original title: The Frog Princess). Pixar is never this controversial.

Message Boards: Still a tad racist? | Just saw the movie and it's obvious that the Prince is not black

Invictus

Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Plot: A look at life of Nelson Mandela (Freeman) after the fall of apartheid in South Africa during his first term as president when campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen.

Photos (see all 100 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 11)

THE BUZZ: Morgan Freeman has had this project in development for several years, and he sought out a reunion with Clint Eastwood for what has to be the biggest challenge of his acting career to date. The media already seems to be rewarding his efforts, with little to go on but the considerable source material and a mere glimpse of the man in uniform. It's hard to bet against this combination of human interest and Hollywood talent, as Eastwood turns in his 5th film in as many years -- making directors such as Cameron and Fincher seem like slowpokes. Can Matt Damon make like Hilary Swank here?

Message Boards: Matt Damon = TERRIBLE casting | Is Eastwood one of the decade's elite directors?

The Lovely Bones

Director: Peter Jackson
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan (Full Cast)
Studio: DreamWorks SKG

The Plot: Young Susie Salmon (Ronan) watches over her family from "the in-between" as they deal with the aftermath of her brutal rape and murder.

Photos (see all 189 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 17)

THE BUZZ: Pretty touchy subject matter here, so 'xcuse us as we focus on all the nasty backstage drama surrounding this one instead. Like, remember when Jackson gave Ryan Gosling the boot a week before shooting started because he was too demanding, er, young for the role. Then, they couldn't quite figure out the whole "heaven" thing. Then DreamWorks ditched it after their split with Paramount, which put the release date in limbo land? Like you, I'm forgetting most all of that now that the sumptuous trailer appeared online from the in-between. But then, as the release date drew near, and critics weren't responding to the offering, Paramount reportedly rejiggered the marketing to appeal to younger women.

Message Boards: Damn this movie FLOPPED! | Details in book I hope are/not in the movie.

A Single Man [limited -- wide expansion on 12/25]

Director: Tom Ford
Stars: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode (Full Cast)
Studio: Weinstein Company, The

The Plot: In Los Angeles, an English professor (Firth) whose partner recently passed away tries to go about his day in typical fashion.

Photos (see all 50 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 8 NEW)

THE BUZZ: Thus far in his career as a clothing designer, Tom Ford has turned Gucci's fortunes around and made the house of Yves Saint Laurent cool again. Now in filmmaker mode, surely he can take ace source material -- in this case, Christopher Isherwood sophisticatedly fierce call for gay liberation -- and make a mainstream gay film worth watching (finally!). Festival audiences have swooned (Colin Firth won the Best Actor prize at Venice) and insiders say a Best Actor Oscar nomination is likely. I say Julianne Moore could earn a Best Supporting Actress nomination if a key scene from the novel is spotlighted in the film; furthermore, some of "Mad Men"'s crew worked behind the scenes here, so expect top-tier outfits (clearly!) and sets. More than any potential awards, I just want the Weinsteins to be as elegant as TF in one of his signature black tuxedos in their handling of his work.

Message Boards: Vertigo | One of the most pretentious trailers i've ever seen....

The Slammin' Salmon

Director: Kevin Heffernan
Stars: Michael Clarke Duncan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan (Full Cast)
Studio: Anchor Bay Films

The Plot: Cleon Salmon (Duncan), a former prizefighter turned restaurateur, hatches a plan to repay his debts to a Yakuza gang: for one night, the waiter who sells the most food wins $10,000 -- the loser, however, gets a beating from Cleon himself.

Videos (see all 13)

The Slammin' Salmon (2009) -- The owner of a Miami restaurant indebted to the mob institutes a contest to see what waiter can earn the most money in one night.

The Slammin' Salmon (2009) -- A clip from the movie The Slammin' Salmon

The Slammin' Salmon (2009) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

THE BUZZ: If I'm to believe the smattering of early reviews (here's one, and another), this seemingly lightweight offering from the Broken Lizard dudes is actually pretty funny. And the boys have sequels to both Super Troopers and Beer Fest in the works, too -- but don't expect any follow-up to Club Dread.

Message Boards: Theatre info | extremely amusing

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Director: Marc Lawrence
Stars: Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures

The Plot: In New York City, an estranged couple (Grant and Parker) who witness a murder are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program.

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THE BUZZ: I once had the misfortune of going on a very bad date to see Extreme Measures, a medical thriller in which an at-his-height Grant was paired with a pre-Sex and the City Parker; their chemistry was nil, but then again they were dodging needles and who knows what else. (Side note: the script was by Michael Clayton's Tony Gilroy!) Not sure if they'll be doing any better here. Despite the potential mismatch, the warning bell is writer-director Marc Lawrence, the man behind such Sandra Bullock vehicles as Miss Congeniality and Two Weeks Notice (in which Grant co-starred), so you can expect broad regional humor, occasional funny bits, supporting caricature roles, tinkly music near the end, and lots of wacky slapstick.

Message Boards: is there anything RIGHT about this movie? everything is just wrong | To the people who say she looks like a horse....

Avatar

Director: James Cameron
Stars: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

The Plot: A paraplegic former marine (Worthington) accepts a unique mission that sends him to the planet Pandora, where, through a connection to a remotely controlled biological body, he learns the way of the indigenous Na'vi people. His link to this world puts him in direct opposition with his orders to infiltrate the Na'vi and remove the barrier between them and the precious ore desired by military and corporate interests.

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THE BUZZ: James Cameron's response to upping the world of visual effects? He takes a new approach to 3D -- all the way down to creating his own cameras -- and augments the natural world by introducing new plant life and creatures to the aforementioned band of humans. It's the kind of anticipation that even makes President Roslin swoon. Meanwhile, Sam Worthington quietly has become new face of sci-fi. That makes us swoon.

Message Boards: Did anyone rate DISTRICT 9 as a better film? | Will this new film Trigger George Lucas to make more Star Wars films 3D?

Crazy Heart [12/16 -- limited]

Director: Scott Cooper
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell (Full Cast)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Plot: A hard-living country music singer (Bridges) makes a reach for salvation with the help of a journalist (Gyllenhaal) set in her attempt to find the real man behind the musician.

Photos (see all 61 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 12 NEW)

THE BUZZ: A late entry into this year's awards sweepstakes courtesy of Fox Searchlight and first-time director Scott Cooper, Crazy Heart doesn't sound like the story offers anything new, however, the idea of watching Bridges sing, drink, puke, cry, and redeem is undeniably appealing. Assuming Bridges will earn a Best Actor nomination, you might want to revisit Tender Mercies, the Oscar winner to which Heart is intimately linked.

Message Boards: The Reviews Are In | ya, the wrestler

Nine [limited -- wide expansion on 12/25]

Director: Rob Marshall
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz (Full Cast)
Studio: Weinstein Company, The

The Plot: Famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.

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THE BUZZ: This musical adaptation of 8 1/2 (and based on the Tony-winning Broadway show) was originally supposed to headline dreamy Javier Bardem, but the Oscar winner dropped out citing exhaustion. Enter Oscar winner number two, Day-Lewis, who must be thrilled to work with the amazing female cast. We're not sure all of them can sing, but if anyone can make them, it's director Marshall -- we never expected to hear anything tuneful from Renee Zellweger until we saw Chicago. And now that Marshall is forsaking geisha memoirs for his familiar musical turf, we're hoping this turns out glitzy and fun -- heck, we're even excited to see Fergie, too! Just no Best Picture Oscar, okay?

Message Boards: Two Nines in three months?? | Just got back from my local theater

The Young Victoria [limited]

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Stars: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany (Full Cast)
Studio: Apparition

The Plot: A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.

Photos (see all 49 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 10)

THE BUZZ: Upstart indie distributor Apparition, headed by beloved former Picturehouse honcho Bob Berney, beat out the Weinsteins and a couple other competitors for the rights to Jean-Marc Vallee's follow-up to the kinda-weirdly-excellent C.R.A.Z.Y.. But Vallee won't be dealing with queer-glam Canadian teens this time around; instead, he's focused on the even-more-youthful British monarch. The picture didn't exactly dominate in the UK, but I think there's a generation or two of older women who'd flock to this, depending on how it's marketed -- a specialized male audience is ready to be tapped as well. I've heard it drags, though! So maybe a slight re-cut from the UK version. Something tells me, sight unseen, that Jim Broadbent will be positioned for awards nominations here, in addition to the obvious trumping for Ms. Blunt.

Message Boards: Any one else find the proposal scene moving? | OK, We Get it--England

It's Complicated

Director: Nancy Meyers
Stars: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin (Full Cast)
Studio: Universal Pictures

The Plot: During his son's college graduation, Jane (Streep) hooks up with her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin), who's married to a younger woman. As if being your ex's mistress isn't tough enough, Jane also finds herself drawn to Adam (Martin), a smitten architect.

Photos (see all 85 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 10)

THE BUZZ: It's fairly well known that Nancy Meyers was none too happy with Sony for their handling of her last project, The Holiday, a non-hit considering its A-list cast and the pedigree of its creator. So we'll see how Universal handles her post-holiday offering. Aside from the mainstream-dreamy trio of stars here, we're looking forward to seeing how Rita Wilson, John Krasinski, Hunter Parrish (the eldest Botwin child on "Weeds"), and Lake Bell fit into the dysfunctional romantic equation. Meanwhile, did Meyers consciously lift the title of the movie from Facebook? Don't people who are in melodramatic relationships list their situation as being "complicated"?

Message Boards: Is this film a comeback for Steve Martin? | WHAT ABOUT DIANE KEATON?

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Director: Terry Gilliam
Stars: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger (Full Cast)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

The Plot: A story-telling doctor's deal with the devil sends him scrambling to save his daughter on the eve of her 16th birthday.

Photos (see all 60 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 17)

THE BUZZ: Hopes were high that this could be Gilliam's finest masterpiece yet, but its trailer left us thinking this might be more like a collection of his greatest hits. If it doesn't collapse under the weight of its own amazing visuals, stellar cast and curiosity over Heath's farewell performance, then we may have a new favorite Gilliam movie on our hands. If it does, well, then at least it looks pretty.

Message Boards: This film is not for everyone - I lasted 30 mins | My external review (Christian POV)

Sherlock Holmes

Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Plot: Detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Photos (see all 56 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 20)

THE BUZZ: With the anticipation of Iron Man 2, we almost forgot about RDJ's take on the titular master sleuth, until the trailer made us think this could be the hottest bromantic blockbuster of the... winter? Rumors of reshoots and a mysterious cameo made us think they were going to push this back, but it's full steam ahead for Christmas (now if they could only make Jude's wish for a potential franchise come true). Don't look for any hints of Basil Rathbone here, as Downey's ditched the iconic deerstalker for a shabby-chic fedora and throwing down some mean, shirtless fisticuffs. Plus, all the minds behind with this one looked at Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original set of novels and short stories instead of the tired old movies. For more on all things Holmes (and IM2), read Anne Thompson's post-Comic-Con brief with RDJ himself.

Message Boards: I guess I'm the only one that's actually looking forward to this... | Just saw the trailer

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [12/23]

Director: Betty Thomas
Stars: Jason Lee, Zachary Levi, Drew Barrymore (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

The Plot: Alvin, Simon and Theodore must put aside music superstardom and return to school, where they look to win a $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands contest in order to save their school's music program. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes -- Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette.

Photos (see all 20 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 16)

THE BUZZ: Poor Jason Lee and Zachary Levi. One imagines what it must have been like for the duo to consider the fate of their respective flagging NBC programs while filming this ear-piercing sequel. And somehow, Drew Barrymore, whose voice was dubbed over in Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You, scored access to the Chipette vocal booth here.

Message Boards: Is Cameron Richardson in this? | What Language Are The Chipettes Speaking?

Up in the Air [expands on 12/23]

Director: Jason Reitman
Stars: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick (Full Cast)
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Photos (see all 78 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 20)

Message Boards: Will I enjoy this movie? | Your Personal Experiences With 'Being Let Go'

Nine [expands]

Director: Rob Marshall
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz (Full Cast)
Studio: Weinstein Company, The

Photos (see all 149 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 13)

Message Boards: Two Nines in three months?? | Just got back from my local theater

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