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JANUARY 8th: Opening This Week | Top 10

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Director: Michael Spierig Peter Spierig
Stars: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill (Full Cast)
Studio: Lionsgate

The Plot: In the year 2017, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher (Hawke) works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.

Photos (see all 23 | slideshow)

Videos (see all 12)

Daybreakers (2009) -- A clip from the movie Daybreakers

Daybreakers (2009) -- Daybreakers TV Spot

Daybreakers (2009) -- Daybreakers TV Spot #2

$Daybreakers (2009) -- Daybreakers Trailer #2 - In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher (Hawke) works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.$

$Daybreakers (2009) -- In the year 2017, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher (Hawke) works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.$

THE BUZZ: I mean, why not try your luck at releasing a vampire movie this year? Beyond the Twilight saga, even the third Underworld movie proved it could make an equal profit to its predecessors. And distributor Lionsgate, who is refining its box-office prospects to focus more on horrors and thrillers, acquired this Australian production with the intriguing premise and cast -- though I'm not sure if this one will receive a Saw-like marketing push since the studio has vowed to keep marketing expenditures at a minimum. While I am all for this movie's success, directors the Spierig Brothers could be in for a come-and-go experience similar to their first slash at American success, the underseen Undead.

Message Boards: New Promo Pics and Out of Place Product Placement | I AM Legend (Book) Ripoff

Youth in Revolt

Director: Miguel Arteta
Stars: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta (Full Cast)
Studio: Dimension Films

The Plot: Like most teens, young Nick Twisp (Cera) is ruled by his libido. And from the recesses of a trailer park in Northern California, Twisp concocts a plan -- make that multiple schemes -- to lose his virginity to a local girl, the precocious Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday).

Photos (see all 11 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 13)

THE BUZZ: Portia Doubleday, who lost her part on "The United States of Tara" as it went to series, won the coveted (?) role as Sheeni Saunders, which could give rise to Ellen Page-like sudden fame. The young actress joins a phenomenal cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Jean Smart, and Zach Galifianakis in this year-starting comedy (originally slated for December of 2008) that is sort of like a boy version of Juno? OK, enough with the Diablo Cody references ... Michael Cera's role here should be a natural extension of the characters he's played thus far, seeing that YiR plays a bit more with teen identity and the imaginable embarrassments that come to those who try to find a place to masturbate while living with dysfunctional parents in an RV. (Is that more difficult than having a crush on your cousin? Hard to say.) Though Twisp is written as a 14 year old, I imagine his age will be blurred to be more Cera-appropriate.

Message Boards: Zack Galafanakis | Rated R

Leap Year

Director: Anand Tucker
Stars: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott (Full Cast)
Studio: Universal Pictures

The Plot: Anna (Adams) has spent four years with her boyfriend, Jeremy (Scott), without a wedding proposal. During his business trip to Dublin, Anna opts to act on Leap Day, an Irish tradition that encourages women to propose to men on the date February 29th. A re-routed plane trip, however, lands her at the door of a Welsh innkeeper (Goode), who might offer a diversion of his own.

Photos (see all 21 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 12)

THE BUZZ: Most everyone involved with this romantic comedy is way too talented to be worked into such formulaic entertainment; however, that's the very thing that could make this a not-so-bad date movie. Would it be too much to ask for an actual-real surprise ending, though? Otherwise, you've seen 98% of the story outlined in the trailer.

Message Boards: guys with beards = box office fail in the usa | whats the song in the trailer?

Crazy on the Outside [limited]

Director: Tim Allen
Stars: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Jeanne Tripplehorn (Full Cast)
Studio: Freestyle Releasing

The Plot: Tommy (Allen) has just been released from jail and moves in with his supportive sister (Weaver) and her family. The only trouble is explaining Tommy's whereabouts to grandma. The answer: "He's been in France!"

Videos (see all 7)

Crazy on the Outside (2010) -- Tommy (Tim Allen) is fresh out of prison and ready for a second chance in life. Enter his loving sister Viki (Sigourney Weaver), her cynical husband Ed (J.K. Simmons) and their family. Tommy moves in with them, and when it comes to explaining to Grandma Tommy’s whereabouts for the last three years, the truth-challenged Viki has the answer: “He’s been in France!”

Crazy on the Outside (2010) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

THE BUZZ: The fact that Tim Allen's directorial debut is being released by a truly indie studio is one of countless indications of Hollywood belt-tightening. Just a couple years ago, regardless of the movie's quality, you can imagine Touchstone Pictures putting out Crazy. You did hear we won't be seeing Allen, Travolta and company in the now-cancelled Wild Hogs 2, right? Seems to be a lot of story ingredients at work here, and I can't shake the notion that the movie looks as if it were made in the 1990s. The whole "he's been in France" thing seems to be a distraction from the foregone conclusion that the ex-con winds up with Rene Russo -- I mean, Jeanne Tripplehorn.

Message Boards: Poster | Car in trailer?

Wonderful World [LA/NY]

Director: Joshua Goldin
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Sanaa Lathan, Michael K. Williams (Full Cast)
Studio: Magnolia Pictures

The Plot: Ben Singer (Broderick) has his cynical worldview darkened by his roommate Ibu's sudden medical situation, though the arrival of Ibu's sister, Khadi (Lathan), might be the best remedy for both men's ills.

Photos (see all 12 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 6)

THE BUZZ: In dicey box-office times such as these, Josh Goldin's directorial debut might rake in its fortunes on VOD, but we're always up for Broderick in misanthrope mode, especially if he gets to vibe with Sanaa Lathan (we could say her name all day, every day) and Michael K. Williams, perhaps best known as Omar from "The Wire" -- who is the President's favorite TV character ever, just so you know.

Message Boards: Theaters it opens in...January | Awesome FIlm! I highly recommend this movie!!

Bitch Slap [LA/NY/SF]

Director: Rick Jacobson
Stars: Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo (Full Cast)
Studio: Freestyle Releasing

The Plot: Three bad girls travel to a remote desert hideaway to steal $200 million in diamonds from a ruthless underworld kingpin.

Videos (see all 8)

Bitch Slap (2009) -- Three bad girls travel to a remote desert hideaway to steal $200
million in diamonds from a ruthless underworld kingpin.

Bitch Slap (2009) -- MovieMaze.de - Trailer (Quicktime & Flash)

THE BUZZ: For the last 10+ years, Rick Jacobson has carved out a niche as director of tough-woman TV programs such as "Cleopatra 2525" and, most notably, "Xena: Warrior Princess". Nowadays he's working on the buzzing 2010 series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" so I'm sure he had no trouble getting Lucy Lawless and Kevin Sorbo to take supporting roles in his tribute to the B-movie and exploitation genres. I'm always in for this sort of ride, but I have to say B-Slap could benefit from more savvy marketing -- somethings to distinguish it from the pack and the dozens of other things to do in the cities where it will be released initially. Couldn't the stars mud wrestle with drag queens in San Francisco during opening weekend before a midnight showing, then fly to Los Angeles and New York for similar wildness?

Message Boards: Such an amazing movie!! | better than porn

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.

User Rating:

Photos (see all 170 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 18)

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: GET THIS *beep* OFF TOP 250 | similarities between Avatar/Titanic

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.

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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: My favorite scenes in the movie (spoilers) | Irene, gold pin scene in trailer, pink+black corset

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

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.

User Rating:

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: Names for the third installment | The movie that killed imdb ratings

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.

User Rating:

Photos (see all 85 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 11)

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 you read about this?

Message Boards: So, they only had sex twice? | A terrific actress

The Blind Side

Director: John Lee Hancock
Stars: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Plot: A disadvantaged teenager is taken in by a conservative family who see tremendous promise in the young man. Despite certain obstacles, the attention and inspiration he receives helps him mature into an athletically and academically successful NFL prospect.

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Photos (see all 33 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 24)

THE BUZZ: This is the true story of Michael Oher, whose first season in the NFL will be underway by the time Sandra Bullock blitzes (?) the big screen with her third movie of the year. If Oher and the Baltimore Ravens, who selected the young man in the first round of this year's draft, are both performing well, some sort of uncharted cultural zeitgeist could occur at the box office. This is also great counterprogramming for all the non-Twilight moms out there.

Message Boards: TOO FAT FOR THE ROLE!!!! | This movie lost credibiliy in 20 minutes

Up in the Air

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.

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Photos (see all 78 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 22)

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: This movie is so racist! | Oscar Buzz? No way

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.

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Photos (see all 89 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 35)

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: We're Getting Closer to the Budget Mark! | How could anyone NOT love this movie??

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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Photos (see all 85 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 12)

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: Could it be because of the question mark? | 2,7 / 10??? god, really?

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.

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Photos (see all 100 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 12)

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: the song colorblind/out of place | Matt Damon = TERRIBLE casting

Nine

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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Photos (see all 149 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 14)

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: PENELOPE was the BEST | What kind of sunglasses does Guido Contini wear?

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