Plot: A great warrior named Beowulf (Ray Winstone) comes to a land in need of a hero. He attempts to battle a beast known as Grendel (Crispin Glover), but then Beowulf realizes the monster has a seductive mother (Angelina Jolie) who is even more evil. Who’s it for: If you love stories of warriors and the monsters they must conquer, then “Beowulf” is for you. But keep in mind, it’s bloody, violent and pretty sexual for the PG-13 rating. And I can’t stress this enough, SEE THE FILM IN 3-D!

Expectations: I wasn’t one of the students forced to read “Beowulf” in school, so I wasn’t familiar with the tale. The action sequences looked great in the preview, but I was also excited about “Final

Plot: Injuries to two Army rangers on a new military assignment in Afghanistan are all connected to Senator Irving (Tom Cruise), reporter Janine Roth (Meryl Streep) and a political-science professor (Robert Redford). Who’s it for: There is a little action here, but mainly this film feels like a play with the majority of time being spent with people sitting across a desk from one another.

Expectations: It’s impossible not to respect the careers of Redford (who also directs), Streep and Cruise. It just doesn’t seem that films about the war are really breaking new ground or creating a different debate.

SCORECARD Actors: Robert Redford as Professor Stephen Malley: Redford certainly fits the bill as a liberal political-science professor. There is a decent debate between Malley and

Plot: Based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer Cormac McCarthy, this is the story of Llewelyn (Josh Brolin) stumbling upon pickup trucks surrounded by dead men, drugs and $2 million. He takes the cash, which leads to a killer (Javier Bardem) chasing him down and a local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) attempting to contain the violence. Who’s it for: There is a fair amount of blood, mainly at the hands of Javier Bardem’s character, and it’s a great game of cat and mouse.

Expectations: The Coen brothers haven’t been great lately with “The Ladykillers” and “Intolerable Cruelty,” so I had slightly lower expectations.

SCORECARD Actors: Josh Brolin as Llewelyn: Wow, Brolin is no longer best known as the older brother in “The Goonies.” Llewelyn

Plot: We’ve never been told the tale of Santa’s brother Fred, until now. Fred (Vince Vaughn) is stuck in the shadow of Santa (Paul Giamatti), but after Fred gets into some financial trouble, he is forced to head to the North Pole and work with the jolliest man alive. When Clyde (Kevin Spacey) shows up for an audit, the future of Christmas is in jeopardy. Who’s it for: You must love Vaughn. The beginning of the film is just him talking and talking. Sure, it’s not the usual colorful language, after all this is the family film, but still the delivery is all classic Vaughn. Plus, you have to be willing to enter the land of make-believe. In other words, Scrooge, this isn’t for you

Plot: “American Gangster” is based on the true story of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the heroin kingpin of Harlem in the 1970s. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is an outcast cop who heads up the newly formed DEA. Both have a deep pride in what they do, and approach a confrontation where only one can come out on top. Who’s it for: If you like Washington, this film is right in your wheelhouse. Crowe has the quieter role of the two, and anybody who is a fan of Mafia films will like this story.

Expectations: I assumed this film would be better than Crowe and Washington’s first collaboration, the 1995 film “Virtuosity.” Director Ridley Scott is hit (“Gladiator”) and miss (“A Good Year”).

SCORECARD Actors: Denzel Washington as

Plot: Through the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld comes an animated story of a bee name Barry B. Benson (Seinfeld) who wants more out of working in the bee factory. He sets off on an adventure and breaks the cardinal rule, he talks to a florist (Renee Zellweger). This leads to a crash course in interacting with humans that could have disastrous consequences. Who’s it for: “Bee Movie” falls in line with the standard family animated movie. There are some jokes for adults, and the kids should be entertained.

Expectations: I have my blinders on when it comes to Seinfeld. I thought I couldn’t get enough of the guy. Then he kept showing up during my Thursday night TV on NBC, with “Bee” promotions. My wife

Plot: Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widowed advice columnist with three daughters. He meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) in a bookstore and immediately falls for her, but then Dan realizes Marie is his brother’s (Dane Cook) girlfriend. Chaos ensues when they are all under one roof with the rest of the Burns family at their parents’ annual get-together. Who’s it for: No matter what it looks like, this is an average romantic comedy, though I could see this film appealing to the father who has daughters and feels like he is in over his head.

Expectations: The preview seems to be all about an advice columnist whose life unravels because he doesn’t follow his own wisdom. Nothing really looks funny in the preview, but then

Plot: For 30 days every winter, the town of Barrow, Alaska, is plunged into a state of complete darkness. This time, a group of vampires takes advantage of the uninterrupted darkness to feed. Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett), his estranged wife Stella (Melissa George), and the rest of the town must attempt to survive until the sun rises again. Who’s it for: There are tons of vampire movies, so there must be a huge fan base ready to suck up the newest one.

Expectations: Because of “Sin City,” “A History of Violence” and “300,” I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to any film based on a graphic novel, which is exactly what the people behind “30 Days” must be counting on.

SCORECARD

Plot: Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane (“Mystic River”) comes a story of two Boston private investigators hunting for a kidnapped 4-year-old girl in the seamiest parts of the city. This quickly becomes an obsession for Patrick (Casey Affleck) and Angie (Michelle Monaghan) both professionally and personally. Who’s it for: If you’re wanting to see Ben Affleck fall flat on his face with his directorial debut, you’ll have to look elsewhere. If you like detective stories that are able to tap into some serious emotions, then this film is for you.

Expectations: I was curious to see what the Affleck brothers were capable of here, plus it is one of my friend’s favorite books, so I was optimistic.

SCORECARD

Actors: Casey Affleck as Patrick: Affleck

When we last left off, Elizabeth entered into the “Virgin Queen” stage. Cate Blanchett reprises her role as the Queen, and now she faces family betrayal and a challenge to her throne by the Spanish King Philip II. Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) is back by her side, and Elizabeth also seeks affection and advice from Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Who’s it for: If you like slow period pieces (I know there aren’t many of us) then this falls in to your bread and butter.

Expectations: Even though I remember liking “Elizabeth,” I don’t recall what happened in the film and I was very shocked to find out a sequel with Blanchett, Rush and director Shekhar Kapur was happening.

SCORECARD

Actors: Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth: Now this

Plot: Bobby (Joaquin Phoenix) has turned his back on the family business, which is the New York City Police Department. Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) is an up-and-coming officer who runs into brother Bobby while working a case. And when Burt (Robert Duvall), their legendary father and police chief, enters the mix the family is once again forced together during the escalating drug problems of the 1980s. Who’s it for: Fans of the 2000 film “The Yards.” Phoenix and Wahlberg star and James Gray wrote and directed it as well.

Expectations: Something didn’t feel right going into this one. I’m a fan of all three actors, but I just wasn’t jazzed to sit through this film. Maybe it was just because I returned from a vacation in

Plot: A young Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) gets his wish and joins Jesse James’ (Brad Pitt) gang. Slowly, Robert begins to resent the legendary outlaw and hatches a plan to kill the man he idolized. Who’s it for: If you like slow-moving westerns that dive more into character flaws than action, here’s the film you’ve been waiting for your whole life.

Expectations: I knew it was long (over two and a half hours) before I sat down, so mentally I had prepared myself. I’m a huge Brad Pitt fan, and for some reason I keep rooting for Casey Affleck, probably because of “Good Will Hunting” and his line “I think I swallowed a bug.”

SCORECARD

Actors: Brad Pitt as Jesse James: There is

Expectations: I’m still bitter about Bill Murray not winning (or even being nominated for) an Oscar for “Rushmore.” Also, I really liked “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and thought “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” was OK. SCORECARD

Actors: Owen Wilson as Francis: If your favorite Wilson character is Dignan

Plot: Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house fixer for a law firm. He takes care of the dirty work for Kenner, Bach & Ledeen, one of the largest corporate firms in New York. He’s unhappy with his job, his divorce and a failed business venture with his brother. But now, he has to focus on dealing with the brilliant Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) who goes off the deep end with a case that could jeopardize more than Michael’s job. Who's it for? This is an adult drama that has confusing storylines, unanswered questions, but most of all, quality suspense.

Expectations: I saw this movie back in August and when I sat down, I couldn’t remember the name of it. In fact, I

Plot: In a coffee shop in Portland, Harry (Morgan Freeman) witnesses relationships coming and going. Extreme romantic Bradley (Greg Kinnear) keeps falling, no matter how hard. And young love blossoms between another couple, Chloe and Oscar. Who’s it for: If you need to cling to some sort of faith that things will work out with your relationship, this film could help I suppose.

Expectations: I’m a sucker for Morgan Freeman, the city of Portland and films that dissect relationships, so it seems like I’d be a fan.

SCORECARD

Actors: Morgan Freeman as Harry Stevenson: Harry has me for a second when he explains to his wife that he just saw two women fall in love, but after that it’s just Harry observing others and barely dealing

Plot: Right after graduating college, 22-year-old Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) walks away from his privileged life and toward a search for adventure. Eventually, his travels take him to Alaska where he attempts to brave the elements. Based on Jon Krakauer’s acclaimed bestseller. Who’s it for: Well, I’ll tell you who it’s not for … parents. I just don’t think most parents will be able to get over Chris’ abandonment of his family.

Expectations: I really liked the book, and with names like Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch and Vince Vaughn attached to it, I was hoping for something good. Also, it’s over two hours long. This shouldn’t detract from seeing it, just get comfortable.

SCORECARD

Actors: Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless: Whenever I have the chance, I

Plot: After a horrific attack on a Western housing compound in Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. Special Agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) takes his team into uncharted territory and attempts to work with the Saudi police to try to locate the terrorist behind the crimes, bring him to justice, and make it out alive. Who’s it for: If you like action films, this is a must. Not only that, “The Kingdom” should appeal to people who like the “C.S.I.” shows, and these actors are hard to beat.

Expectations: Peter Berg started off slow as a director with “Very Bad Things,” but since then he keeps getting better with “The Rundown, “Friday Night Lights” and now “The Kingdom.” As far as the cast goes

Plot: A cameraman named Duck (Terrence Howard) has followed TV reporter Simon Hunt (Richard Gere) into some of the most dangerous war zones around the world. After an on-air break down, Simon goes off on his own. Five years later, he crosses Duck’s path again in Sarajevo. This time, Simon wants to go after Bosnia’s “most wanted,” a man known as “The Fox.” So he tries to convince Duck and a rookie reporter (Jesse Eisenberg) to go along for the ride. Who’s it for: There is a lot of male bonding in this one, with the story mainly focusing on the back and forth between Gere and Howard. Plus, this film gives a glimpse into trying to report the chaos of war.

Expectations: Gere has been hit or miss with me