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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen [6/29]

Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel (Full Cast)
Studio: DreamWorks SKG

The Plot: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.

THE BUZZ: Nearly two years to the day after the original Transformers was released, it's interesting to note how the personalities involved here have changed. Shia LaBeouf has gone from an up-and-comer to full-fledged star, with attendant backlash and ego bursts; Megan Fox one upped her co-star by becoming a more credible Hollywood bad boy; Michael Bay is still as huffy as producer Don Murphy is angry, though they both do an admirable job of bringing movies news, insights, misdirections, and angry rants to the TF universe. What do we really know about the project? Highlights: A boosted budget (a reported $200 million, which excludes marketing and all that) allowed the creation of some 40 Autobots and Decepticons, who will receive more screen time; LaBeouf will likely channel Mutt Williams a bit, given the ancient-world tie-ins here (hint: Egyptology reveals the origins of TF life?!); rabid worldwide fanbase + four-barrel marketing attack + IMAX footage = biggest film of the year? KIT with TF2 via cheat sheets and spoiler logs.

Message Boards: they are having real people from the military in the movie | $$Opening Weekend Gross$$

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs [7/1]

Director: Carlos Saldanha
Stars: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Animation

The Plot: Rumored plot outline: Manny, Sid, Diego, et al. encounter the dinosaur population who survived extinction in their tropical paradise, which existed below the thick layers of ice ... until now.

Photos (see all 7 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 4)

THE BUZZ: Animation studio Blue Sky might just fulfill their promise to help Twentieth Century Fox bring Pixar-level quality to family audiences this year, as they look to resuscitate this franchise after the touchy, feely, Dr. Phil-y Ice Age: The Meltdown. (Admittedly, we are more primed for their other 2009 offering, Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox.) With just the teaser trailer and other shreds of evidence available, we say prepare for Scrat, and his new lady companion, to be positioned a bit toward the front and center, delivering true entertainment while they possibly distract from the revisionist history taking place.

Message Boards: Ellie and her 'brothers' | This isn't very realistic

Public Enemies [7/1]

Director: Michael Mann
Stars: Christian Bale, Johnny Depp (Full Cast)
Studio: Universal Pictures

The Plot: FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Bale) sets his sights on American gangster John Dillinger (Depp) and others in an attempt to curb a rampant Chicago crime spree during the 1930s.

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

THE BUZZ: Gangster junkies rejoice! Not since Tony Soprano went bada-boom, bada-bye-bye have fans of the crime genre had a reason to get so excited. Bale and Depp teaming up with Mann to tell one of the most famous 1930s gangland tales has easily created one of the most anticipated movies of the year and will probably generate enough fireworks for you to skip out on that picnic this weekend and catch a matinee.

Message Boards: I can't wait to hear them SPEAK!!! | I want to be transported back to the 1930s in this movie

2012

Director: Roland Emmerich
Stars: John Cusack, Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures

The Plot: An academic researcher leads a group of people in a fight to counteract the apocalyptic events that were predicted by the ancient Mayan calendar.

Videos (see all 2)

With the Mayan calendar ending in 2012, a large group of people must deal with natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, typhoons and glaciers.

THE BUZZ: After 10K BC's middling success, Roland Emmerich probably sensed that movie-going audiences worldwide prefer him in present-tense mode, heavy on apocalyptic imagery. I've heard rumors that 2012's script, which Emmerich wrote with composer-turned-screenwriter Harald Kloser, contains an incredibly cheesy twist of Shyamalanian proportions, but I haven't sought out the spoiler(s) just yet. I will say that part of me hopes this end of the world scenario could mint Emmerich as the slightly higher brow Uwe Boll, if only he thought to cast Tara Reid as an anthropologist here. Said differently: This A-and-B-list cast is slumming!

Message Boards: mayan calender is a load of crap. | What will you be doing on December 12, 2012?

I Love You, Beth Cooper

Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust (Full Cast)
Studio: Fox Atomic

The Plot: The last night of high school takes an unexpected turn after geeky grad Denis Cooverman declares his love for hottie cheerleader Beth Cooper in his valedictorian speech.

THE BUZZ: We're just as surprised as you that Michael Cera's not in this. No McLovin' either. And, while this would've been the perfect material for John Hughes to stage his comeback, familiar '80s filmmaker Colombus will totally give this the right retro teen feel. For those unfamiliar with lead dweeb Paul Rust, YouTube him. He's no stranger to the sketch-comedy world.

Message Boards: bad denis casting... | rating?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Director: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same.

Photos (see all 29 \| slideshow)	Videos (see all 4)

THE BUZZ: Director David Yates is again at the helm for this sixth film, which if the book is any indication, trods into decidedly grown-up territory -- we have left Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans far behind. Good news: screenwriter Steve Kloves is back, and the newest high profile cast additions include Jim Broadbent as professor Horace Slughorn) and Helen McCrory as Draco's nefarious mum. (Don't know her? She was Cherie Blair in The Queen) The bad news? You will probably need a hug by the time the credits roll -- darkness, death and despair loom highly for our hero.

Message Boards: THE HARRY POTTER AMAZING RACE GAME! CONTINUED! | A thread for Pat, Vikings vs Eagles

G-Force

Director: Hoyt Yeatman
Stars: Will Arnett, Penélope Cruz, Zach Galifianakis (Full Cast)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Plot: A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world.

Videos

THE BUZZ: Guinea pigs are this year's chihuahua, at least on the Disney lot. Truthfully, while I am not moved by such movies, there are much worse ways to spend 90 minutes with your kids. But I do wish the creative minds here rethought the idea of making animals appear "sexy." And it's interesting to note the normally filthy tongued Will Arnett is the main face here. Watch the trailer.

Message Boards: Leonard Part 5? | Will this do good?

The Taking of Pelham 123

Director: Tony Scott
Stars: Denzel Washington, John Travolta (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures

The Plot: Hijackers take over a New York subway train and hold its passengers hostage in exchange for a ransom, while authorities negotiate with them and try to figure out how they planned on getting away with the money.

THE BUZZ: It's Deja-Vu all over again as Scott and Denzel reunite for this remake of a remake. I can't help but wonder if the hijackers in this version will still ask for one meeee-lee-ion dollars or if today's New Yorkers would seriously sit in a subway car with these goons for an hour (even if one of 'em looked like an aging Tony Manero). Somehow, I don't think so.

Message Boards: WORST / BEST REMAKES | movies that should never be remade:...

Orphan

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Plot: After their unborn baby dies, Kate and John Coleman (Farmiga and Sarsgaard) decide to adopt a child as a hopeful way to bring some joy and normalcy into their lives. Esther (Fuhrman), a 9-year-old orphan, captivates the couple, and comes home to live with them, though a strange sequence of events follows Esther's arrival, who's angelic façade might mask sinister intentions.

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

THE BUZZ: Sigh. Another creepy-kid frightener ... released in July ... starring Vera Farmiga. No offense to the unintentionally campy Joshua, but you'd think Warner Bros. might have opted for a different release angle with this one, the third film from ho-hum director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax).

Message Boards: For those who have read the script! | Filming Locations?

Funny People

Director: Judd Apatow
Stars: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann (Full Cast)
Studio: Universal Pictures

The Plot: When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship inspires him to take a relatively green performer (Rogen) under his wing as his opening act.

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

THE BUZZ: With no Will Smith movie set for July 2009, Adam Sandler looks to rule the season with a comedy-drama (don't say "dramedy") that I'm hoping will feature his best performance since Punch-Drunk Love. Little bits of evidence here and there, such as the presence of Oscar-winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminski and a certain special event, have convinced me that Judd Apatow is looking to crack his mold and usher in a different kind of, ummmmm, masculine realness (?) for his third go-round behind the camera. Also, with Ms. Apatow and Sarah Silverman cast (in major and minor roles, respectively), maybe the director finally will learn how to fold actual-real funny women into a story.

Message Boards: Sad People | Dumbest title ever

They Came from Upstairs

Director: John Schultz
Stars: Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter Jenkins (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

The Plot: In Maine, a group of teenagers must protect their vacation home from the aliens who have taken over the top floor of the dwelling.

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

THE BUZZ: Whoa, it's like a family version of The Mist, with a screenplay by an acutal-real writer! And the most wildly divergent cast (in terms of demographics) we've seen in a while, what with two former "SNL" dudes, an HSM vet, Doris Roberts, and the boy from Step Up 2: The Streets. Does this mean we can expect some singing, dancing, and improv? We wish. Actually, the best thing this movie has going for itself: It's an entirely original story, no pressure to turn some Caldecott-winning kids' lit masterpiece into a potential franchise.

Message Boards: They Came From Upstairs - First Movie Trailer | Regan + Henri Young live in my town!!

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