It’s the season when Hollywood studios roll out some of their biggest films of the year — from top-of-the-line Oscar bait (see “Invictus” or “Nine”) to run-of-the-mill fluff (see “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” or “Old Dogs,” if you must). Mark your calendars, but do so in pencil, as opening dates are always subject to change.
Nov. 20
"The Blind Side." Sandra Bullock is an affluent suburbanite who takes in a homeless kid, encouraging him to be a football star. Shot in Atlanta, the cast features native son Ray McKinnon as a coach and several other locals in smaller parts.
"Planet 51." A computer-animated family film about an astronaut who encounters aliens in a distant galaxy. The voice cast includes Dwayne Johnson and Jessica Biel.
"New Moon." The second installment in the popular "Twilight" vampire series. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson reprise their roles as star-crossed lovers. Newcomers to the cast includes Conyers' own Dakota Fanning.
Nov. 25
"The Fantastic Mr. Fox." From unlikely director Wes Anderson comes a stop-motion animated movie about a crafty fox (George Clooney) who matches wits with some farmers. Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Adrien Brody voice other roles.
"Ninja Assassin." The title character turns against the evil clan that trained him.
"Old Dogs." John Travolta and Robin Williams are irresponsible friends saddled with caring for precocious little twins. From the director of "Wild Hogs." Enough said.
"Red Cliff." A historical action drama set among feuding factions during the final days of China's Han Dynasty. Directed by John Woo.
"The Road." Viggo Mortensen navigates a post-apocalyptic wasteland in this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's celebrated novel. Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall co-star.
Dec. 4
"Armored." In this caper, Matt Dillon, Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne are security guards who scheme to steal $42 million from their own company.
"Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans." Director Werner Herzog's remake of a 1992 cult favorite. Nicolas Cage assumes the original Harvey Keitel role as a drug-addicted detective, with Eva Mendes as his love interest.
"Brothers." Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal play siblings in this drama from director Jim Sheridan. When Maguire is listed as missing in Afghanistan, Gyllenhaal tries to do the right thing for his brother's wife (Natalie Portman) and kids.
"Everybody's Fine." His grown children (Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale) are too preoccupied to venture home for the holidays, so a widowed father (Robert De Niro) hits the road to rekindle their strained relationships.
Dec. 11
"Invictus." A true story set in post-apartheid South Africa, director Clint Eastwood's drama casts Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar (captain of the country's World Cup rugby team), who join forces to unite their people.
"Me and Orson Welles." Zac Efron plays an actor who's cast in a 1937 production of "Julius Caesar," directed by a then-unknown Welles (portrayed by unknown Christian McKay). Claire Danes is the leading lady. Richard Linklater directs.
"The Princess and the Frog." Disney's hand-drawn animated musical (songs by Randy Newman) updates the fairy tale about a princess who kisses a frog — or is he a prince?
"Up in the Air." Corporate hatchet man George Clooney is more concerned about his frequent-flier status than the lives of others (his family or those he travels the country firing) — until his own job is threatened. Directed by Jason Reitman.
Dec. 18
"Avatar." James Cameron directs his first narrative feature since 1997's "Titanic." The human cast includes Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver, but the real star of this futuristic adventure promises to be its state-of-the-art 3-D special effects.
"Did You Hear About the Morgans?" An unhappily married Manhattan couple (Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker) see a murder and find themselves in Wyoming under witness protection.
"Serious Moonlight." Another comedy about another bickering couple (Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton), written by the late Adrienne Shelly ("Waitress").
Dec. 25
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." What else do you need to know?
"Broken Embraces." Told in film noir-ish flashbacks, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's latest chronicles the tragic affair between a blind writer and a call girl. Starring Penelope Cruz.
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Director Terry Gilliam's ill-fated fantasy features Heath Ledger in his final role (ultimately shared with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law).
"It's Complicated." Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin form a love triangle in this romantic comedy.
"The Lovely Bones." The spirit of a murdered girl ("Atonement" Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan) keeps watch over her family — and her killer (Stanley Tucci). Rachel Weitz, Mark Wahlberg and Susan Sarandon co-star, under the direction of Peter Jackson.
"Nine." A screen version of the Broadway musical based on Fellini's "8 1/2." Who knew Daniel Day-Lewis could sing? The stellar supporting cast boasts fellow Oscar winners Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman and Sophia Loren.
"Sherlock Holmes." With Guy Ritchie at the helm, the famous sleuth gets a hip, action-packed makeover. Robert Downey Jr. has the title role opposite Jude Law as his trusty sidekick, Watson.
"A Single Man." Fashion designer Tom Ford directs this 1960s drama about a gay college professor (Colin Firth) struggling to cope with the death of his longtime companion.
"The Young Victoria." Emily Blunt plays Queen Victoria in this British biopic, which chronicles the turbulent early years of her reign.
