Fall Flicks
Finally, summer movies have come and gone, and with them (hopefully) went the endless stream of big blockbusters.

The new movies coming out this fall promise a variety that stretches from the inane to the fantastic, so there should be at least one movie out there for everyone.

Beware: With the Academy Awards rolling around again, some of this year’s more serious movies are making their way to the theaters. But to those inclined to avoid the more intellectual fare — no worries. In with the mix of upcoming sure-to-be-hit movies are some sure to be not...

By Lara Hendrickson
Features Editor

Anything Else
Jerry (Jason Biggs) is an aspiring writer who falls in love with a free-spirit, Amanda (Christina Ricci). She gives him a run for his money and he soon learns that his life is not like “anything else” at all. Uh, did anyone see 2000’s “Loser” with Biggs and Mena Suvari? Jason, really. If it didn’t work the first time, it probably won’t work the second.

House of Sand and Fog
Massoud Amir Behrani (Sir Ben Kingsley) has brought his family to America from Iran to begin a new life. He barely makes ends meet until he sees his chance in the auction of a home being sold for back taxes. The twist? Through a bureaucratic mishap, the house was improperly taken from its rightful owner, Kathy Lazaro (Jennifer Connelly). Her home was the last stability in Kathy’s life and she decides to fight to get it back, at any cost. “House of Sand and Fog” is the epitome of the American Dream gone wrong. The book by the same name was an Oprah Book Club selection. It gets my vote.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Perhaps the Oscar for best picture will finally be in Peter Jackson’s hot little hands. The other two parts of the trilogy were nominated for Oscars but didn’t win. I could explain the movies, but jeez, just rent them already.

Intolerable Cruelty
Divorce attorney Miles Massey (George Clooney) is seeking new challenges when he meets the multi-divorced Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who is pursuing financial independence. What ensues is the ultimate battle of the sexes. With Academy Award-winning producer Brain Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, 8 Mile) and the Coen brothers (Fargo, Raising Arizona) working with George and Catherine, the movie should fare quite well, especially with the built-in fanbase (Oh, George).

Honey
Honey Daniels (Jessica Alba) struggles to succeed as a professional dancer. When she finally does, her dream becomes revised by a group of neighborhood kids who remind her of the joys of letting it all out on the dance floor. If you liked either 2001’s “Save the Last Dance,” or 2000’s “Center Stage,” you should probably see this. If not, bravo.

The Matrix Revolutions
This movie has the enormous task of living up to its prequels in visual imagery. As far as having a decent plot and actually making you care, hopefully it can’t get much worse than the second installment. But really, who cares, see it anyway.

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat
Mike Myers stars as the Cat in this highly-stylized Seussian film, about an uninvited visitor turning the world of two children upside-down and inside-out. Surely playing along the same theme as Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, this movie will appeal to kids and adults alike. Unless they have some unusual hatred of cats.

The Last Samurai
Tom Cruise returns to the theaters as an American military officer sent to Japan to train troops. The movie explores his appreciation for the samurai culture’s system of honor. Once again, built-in fanbase of about 10 million women (Oh, Tom).

School of Rock
Starring Jack Black. Enough said. Jack Black rocks. No pun intended. (Pardon my future journalism degree — those are some really lousy sentences. However, I feel it is the only way to emphasize my strong feelings toward the likes of Jack Black).

Kill Bill: Volume 1
Quentin Tarantino’s fourth film was split into two movies after attempts to cut footage failed. Lucy Liu, who stars in the film, said it is so violent she wouldn’t be surprised if people walked out of the theater. Lunch, anyone?