Movies

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

 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.

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.

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.