Tub-thumping for flicks

The 2009 Holiday Movie Sneaks is a broad snapshot of films opening through early January. Compiled by Liesl Bradner, these release dates and other details are subject to change.

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Nov. 6

The Box

A suburban couple faces a moral dilemma when they receive a wooden box promising $1 million if they push a button that will cause the death of another person. With Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella. Screenplay by and directed by Richard Kelly. Warner Bros. Pictures

Died Young,

Stayed Pretty

A look at the underground indie-rock poster subculture in North America. Interviews with Tom Hazelmyer, Art Chantry, Brian Chippendale, the Ames Brothers, Jeff Kleinsmith, Jay Ryan, Print Mafia and Rob Jones. Directed by Eileen Yaghoobian. 3DD Group and Norotomo Productions Inc.

Disney’s

A Christmas Carol

The classic Dickens tale is updated with a 3-D twist. With Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, Cary Elwes, Fionnula Flanagan. Screenplay by and directed by Robert Zemeckis. In IMAX 3D. Walt Disney Pictures

The Fourth Kind

Evidence of alien abductions in Nome, Alaska, based on actual case studies. With Milla Jovovich, Will Patton, Elias Koteas. Screenplay by and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. Universal

Looking for Palladin

An arrogant Hollywood talent agent travels to Guatemala to ink a deal with a retired Oscar-winning actor. With Ben Gazzara, David Moscow, Talia Shire and Vincent Pastore. Written and directed by Andrzej Krakowski. Wildcat Releasing

The Men Who Stare at Goats

A reporter stumbles across an experimental U.S. military unit that utilizes psychic powers and is searching for its missing founder. With George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Directed by Grant Heslov. Screenplay by Peter Straughan. Overture Films

Precious: Based

on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

An abused and pregnant 16-year-old is offered a chance to transfer to an alternative school where she can learn to read and write. With Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and Gabourey Sidibe. Directed by Lee Daniels. Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher. Lionsgate

Victory Day

A war photographer takes on an oligarch guilty of sabotaging Russia’s reforms and privatization of the 1990s. With Natalie Shiyanova, Sean Ramsay and Gabriela Stern. Directed by Ramsay. Written by David Fellowes. New Media International

The Wedding Song

Two childhood friends, sharing a house in 1942 Tunisia where Jews and Muslims live in harmony, struggle to attain their dreams. Written and directed by Karin Albou. Strand Releasing

The Yes Men

Fix the World

Two guys pose as top executives of detested corporations in hopes of alerting them to the problems they cause. With Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. Directed by Bichlbaum, Bonanno and Kurt Engfehr. Shadow Distribution

Nov. 13

2012

A global cataclysm brings an end to the world as people struggle to survive. With John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson. Directed by Roland Emmerich. Written by Harald Kloser & Emmerich. Columbia Pictures

Dare

Three teenagers in their last semester of school try to shake things up before graduating. With Emmy Rossum, Ashley Springer, Zach Gilford. Written by David Brind and directed by Adam Salky. Image Entertainment

The Fantastic

Mr. Fox

Based on the story by Roald Dahl, the noble and charming Mr. Fox uses his wits and cunning to outfox three dimwitted farmers. With the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray. Directed by Wes Anderson. Screenplay by Anderson and Noah Baumbach. 20th Century Fox

The Little Traitor

Set in Palestine in 1947, a few months before Israel becomes a state, an 11-year-old Israeli boy befriends a British officer and is sent to trial for being a traitor. With Ido Port, Alfred Molina, Jake Barker and Theodore Bikel. Screenplay by and directed by Lynn Roth. Westchester Films

Love Hurts

Down in the dumps since his wife left him, a middle-aged man’s son forces him into the social scene. With Richard E. Grant, Carrie-Anne Moss. Written and directed by Barra Grant. Lantern Lane Entertainment

Oh My God

Filmmaker Peter Rodger attempts to answer the age-old question “What is God?” by exploring various religions and cultures and interviewing spiritual leaders, everyday people and celebrities. With Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, Bob Geldof. Gussi S.A. and Mitropoulos Films

Pirate Radio

A band of rogue DJs blasts rock ‘n’ roll to the U.K. from the high seas during the 1960s. With Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh. Written and directed by Richard Curtis. Focus Features

Ten9Eight: Shoot

for the Moon

A chronicle of several teens from low-income communities learning how to be entrepreneurs by competing in an annual business plan competition. Directed by Mary Mazzio. 50 Eggs Films

Women in Trouble

A day in the lives of 10 seemingly disparate women all headed for trouble. With Carla Gugino and Josh Brolin. Written and directed by Sebastian Gutierrez. Screen Media Films

Nov. 20

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

A rogue detective and drug addict navigates post-Katrina New Orleans along with his prostitute girlfriend. With Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes. Screenplay by William Finkelstein. Directed by Werner Herzog. First Look Studios

The Blind Side

Based on the true story of an African American boy from a broken home taken in by a well-to-do white family. With Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates. Written and directed by John Lee Hancock. Alcon/Warner Bros. Pictures

La Danse

Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman turns his attention to the Paris Opera Ballet. Zipporah Films

The Messenger

The friendship between two officers who notify the loved ones of fallen soldiers is threatened when one of them is attracted to a young widow. With Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton. Directed by Oren Moverman. Written by Alessandro Camon & Moverman. Oscilloscope Laboratories

The Missing Person

A private detective is hired to tail a man presumed dead after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles. With Michael Shannon and Amy Ryan. Written and directed by Noah Buschel. Strand Releasing

Planet 51

An American astronaut lands on Planet 51, where he discovers little green people living an idyllic life, fearful only of alien invaders. Animated. With the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long and John Cleese. Written by Joe Stillman. Directed by Jorge Blanco. Tristar Pictures

That Evening Sun

An aging Tennessee farmer returns home to confront betrayal, an old enemy and the loss of his farm. With Hal Holbrook. Written and directed by Scott Teems. Freestyle Releasing

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

This sequel to “Twilight” finds Bella drawn into the world of werewolves after the devastating departure of her vampire love. With Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Directed by Chris Weitz. Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg. Summit Entertainment

William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe

Filmmakers Emily and Sarah Kunstler explore the life of their father, the late radical civil rights lawyer who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and represented the famed Chicago 8 activists. Arthouse Films

Nov. 25

The End of Poverty?

Economists, politicians and activists engaged in anti-poverty campaigns and impoverished citizens discuss whether the true nature of contemporary poverty is rooted in colonialism and its consequences. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Directed by Philippe Diaz. Cinema Libre Studio

Me and Orson Welles

A coming-of-age story about a teenage actor who lucks into a role in “Julius Caesar” as directed by a young Orson Welles circa 1937. With Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay. Directed By Richard Linklater. Written by Holly Gent Palmo & Vincent Palmo Jr. Freestyle Releasing

Ninja Assassin

A young assassin on the run from the clan that trained him must team with a Europol agent to save both their lives. With Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, and Rick Yune. Directed by James McTeigue. Screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. Warner Bros. Pictures

Old Dogs

Best friends, an unlucky-in-love divorce and a fun-loving bachelor, are unexpectedly charged with the care of 6-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. With John Travolta, Robin Williams and Seth Green. Directed by Walt Becker. Written by David Diamond & David Weissman. Walt Disney Pictures

The Princess

and the Frog

This animated musical marks the return of hand-drawn animation in this modern twist on a classic tale set in New Orleans. With the voices of Anika Noni Rose and John Goodman. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Written by Clements, Rob Edwards, Greg Erb, Don Hall (story supervisor), Musker and Jason Oremland. Walt Disney Pictures

Red Cliff

A historical adaptation revolving around the naval Battle of Red Cliffs during the final days of the Han Dynasty. Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro star. Directed by John Woo. Written by Woo and Khan Chan. Magnet Releasing

The Road

An adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning post-apocalyptic novel. With Viggo Mortensen. Directed by John Hillcoat. Screenplay by Joe Penhall. The Weinstein Co.

Nov. 27

The Private Lives

of Pippa Lee

A married woman leading a seemingly idyllic life embarks on a journey of self-discovery after moving to a retirement community with her older husband. With Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Blake Lively and Keanu Reeves. Written and directed by Rebecca Miller. Screen Media Films

The Sun

A portrait of Japan’s wartime emperor, Hirohito. With Issei Ogata and Robert Dawson. Directed by Alexander Sokurov. Written by Yuri Arabov and Jeremy Noble. Lorber HT Digital

Dec. 4

Armored

A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on a heist against their own company. With Matt Dillon,

Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Nimrod Antal. Written by James V. Simpson.

Brothers

When a decorated Marine goes missing in Afghanistan, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home. With Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Sam Shepard. Directed by Jim Sheridan. Screenplay by David Benioff. Lionsgate

Everybody’s Fine

In this remake of Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Stanno Tutti Bene,” a widower embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children. With Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell. Written and directed by Kirk Jones. Miramax Films

The Last Station

Countess Sofya, Leo Tolstoy’s devoted wife, suddenly finds her world turned upside down when the Russian novelist renounces his noble title, property and family. With Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and Paul Giamatti. Screenplay by and directed by Michael Hoffman. Sony Pictures Classics

A Prophet

The life of an illiterate young Arab is in danger when he is transferred to a penitentiary split between two organized gangs. With Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup and Adel Bencherif. Directed by Jacques Audiard. Written by Jacques Audiard and Thomas Bidegain. French, Arabic and Corsican with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

Serious Moonlight

A Manhattan lawyer holds her husband captive when she arrives at her upstate country home to find him expecting a romantic weekend with his mistress. With Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long. Written by Adrienne Shelly. Directed by Cheryl Hines. Magnolia Pictures

The Strip

The employees of a low-end electronics store find creative ways to stave off boredom and their impending adulthood. With Dave Foley, Rodney Scott, Billy Aaron Brown, Federico Dordei and Jenny Wade. Written and directed by Jameel Khan. Truly Indie

Transylmania

In this spoof of vampire movies, a group of college students embarks on a semester abroad deep in the heart of Transylvania. With Patrick Cavanaugh, James DeBello, Tony Denman, Paul H. Kim and Jennifer Lyons. Directed by David Hillenbrand and Scott Hillenbrand. Screenplay by Patrick Casey and Worm Miller. Full Circle Releasing

Up in the Air

A corporate downsizing expert’s cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching 10 million frequent flyer miles and has met the woman of his dreams. With George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick.

Directed by Jason Reitman. Screenplay by Reitman

and Sheldon Turner.

Paramount

Dec. 11

Broken Embraces

Before he can move on with love, a blind writer working under a pseudonym must heal from a car accident 14 years earlier that took his wife and directing career. With Penelope Cruz. Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar. In Spanish with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

Four Seasons Lodge

A community of Holocaust survivors comes together every summer in the Catskills to celebrate their lives. Written and directed by Andrew Jacobs. First Run Features

Invictus

The true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. With Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Screenplay by Anthony Peckham. Warner Bros. Pictures

The Lovely Bones

A murdered girl watches over her family and her killer from an in-between realm. Directed by Peter Jackson. Screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Jackson. Paramount Pictures

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year

An impossible love story between a geek and a college hottie. With Ranbir Kapoor, Shazahn Padamsee, Sharon Prabhakar and Gauhar Khan. Directed by Shimit Amin. Written by Jaideep Sahni. Hindi with English subtitles. Yash Raj Films

A Single Man

Set in 1962 Los Angeles at the height of the Cuban missile crisis. A British college professor struggles to find meaning to his life after the death of his longtime partner. With Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. Directed by Tom Ford. Written by Ford and David Scearce.

Until the Light

Takes Us

A look at Norwegian black-metal music. Directed by Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell. Variance Films

Dec. 18

Avatar

An avatar, a human mind in an alien body, finds himself torn between two worlds in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. With Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver. Written and directed by James Cameron. Also in IMAX 3-D.

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

A Manhattan couple whose marriage is on the rocks witness a murder and become targets of a contract killer. With Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence. Columbia Pictures

Nine

This musical follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini as he tries to balance the numerous women in his life. With Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Judi Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren. Directed by Rob Marshall. Screenplay by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella. The Weinstein Co.

The Young Victoria

Emily Blunt stars as Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her reign. With Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson and Jim Broadbent. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee. Written by Julian Fellowes. Apparition

Dec. 23

Police, Adjective

A police officer on a surveillance mission has a crisis of faith. With Dragos Bucur. Written and directed by Corneliu Porumboiu. In Romanian, with English subtitles. IFC Films

Dec. 25

Alvin and the Chipmunks:

The Squeakuel

The chipmunks head to school to save the music program in a battle of the bands where they face off against the Chipettes. With Jason Lee and the voices of David Cross, Justin Long, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate. Directed by Betty Thomas. Written by Jon Vitti and Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger.

The Imaginarium

of Doctor Parnassus

A traveling show in which members of the audience get

to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom is run

by Dr. Parnassus, who is desperately trying to renege on a

deal with the devil. With Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Johnny Depp,

Colin Farrell and Jude Law. Directed by Terry Gilliam. Written by Gilliam and

Charles McKeown. Sony Pictures Classics

It’s Complicated

A divorced mother is caught up in a love triangle when she renews a romance with her ex. With Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Universal

Sherlock Holmes

An updated portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, Sherlock Holmes, and his stalwart partner, John Watson. With Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson and Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg. Warner Bros. Pictures

Dec. 30

The Loss of

a Teardrop Diamond

The relationship between a rebellious Southern debutante and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks is in jeopardy when she loses a valuable family diamond. With Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ellen Burstyn, Ann-Margret and Mamie Gummer. Directed by Jodie Markell. Screenplay by Tennessee Williams. Paladin

The White Ribbon

Strange accidents occur in a Protestant village in northern Germany on the eve of World War I. Written and directed by Michael Haneke. German with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

Jan. 8

Daybreakers

Humans have become an

endangered species, hunted and forced into hiding after a mysterious plague transforms the majority of the world’s pop- ulation into vampires. With Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. Written and directed by the Spierig Brothers. Lionsgate

Leap Year

A woman follows her boyfriend to Ireland to ask him to marry her, but complications arise when she is stranded and must enlist the help of a surly Irishman. With Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott and John Lithgow. Directed by Anand Tucker. Written by Harry Elfont & Deborah Kaplan. Universal

Wonderful World

A folk-singing, compulsive marijuana-smoking dad’s negative world views are confirmed when his Senegalese roommate falls ill. With Mathew Broderick and Sanaa Lathan. Written and directed by Josh Goldin. Magnolia Pictures

Youth in Revolt

A 14-year-old attempts to lose his virginity to the girl of his dreams. With Michael Cera. Directed by Miguel Arteta. Screenplay by Gustin Nash. The Weinstein Co.