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Brief capsules on new DVDs worth renting.

Behold! Some of the newest trailers for some of the most noteworthy upcoming releases.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

PREDATORS
No more Schwarzenegger. No more Danny Glover. No more Alien collaborations (well, actually, there probably will be more of those). For this new incarnation of the popular sci-fi series, 20th Century Fox has gone the route of its face-hugger franchise by simply pluralizing the title to let you know there are a lot more nasties to contend with. Set on the Predators' planet (I'm assuming), "Predators" stars actual actors like Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne, which is a very good sign. Another good sign: it returns the series to the jungle, where it began and where it certainly thrived best. Not such a good sign: looks like it's one of those humans-as-live-bait-reality-show movies. Did we learn nothing from "The Condemned?"




THE JONESES
Demi Moore and David Duchovny lead a family that's...not really a family. In "The Joneses," a faux family "unit" is paid big bucks by big businesses to tout products to their high-society friends and neighbors. They've got the home, they've got the cars, they've got the goods, they just don't have the blood ties. Cool idea for a comedy, and I love the under-the-radar indie work Demi Moore's been doing lately (see: "Happy Tears"). Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth co-star as the lead couple's fake children.




THE COMPANY MEN
The Weinstien Company recently acquired this corporate-downsizing drama, directed by John Wells. Slated for release in late summer or early fall, the film stars Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello and Rosemarie DeWitt. And you know what? Since the trailer bravely and elegantly goes out of its way to sell you on images alone, those are the only details I'm divulging. See what you make of it -- I think it's best trailer I've seen in months.

KELLAN LUTZ



Whether appearing in Calvin Klein's latest underwear ad campaign or starring alongside fellow pretty boys Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner in a modest little franchise known as "The Twilight Saga," 25-year-old actor and model Kellan Lutz's star seems to be ascending higher with every passing day. Now, I can't very well speak for the North Dakota native's acting ability (his role in the "Twilight" films is the sidelined vampire-of-few-words Emmett Cullen), but there's no denying the guy's got serious screen presence.

And his presence on screen is only set to gain prominence in the coming year. After making a small name for himself by appearing on such TV shows as "CSI," "Heroes" and the newfangled "90210," and movies like "Stick It," "Accepted" and "Prom Night," Lutz, whose involvement in "Twilight" indisputably opened many doors, will be appearing in the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "Warrior" with Cary Elwes and "Twilight" co-star Ashley Greene, "Love, Wedding, Marriage" with Mandy Moore and "Dawn of War," Tarsem Singh's Greek saga that casts him as sea god Poseidon.

And, of course, Lutz is set to reprise his role of Emmett Cullen in the forthcoming "Twilight" sequels "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn," the latter of which will be split into two parts, a la "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Lutz is reportedly quite close with his "Twilight" cast mates, especially Greene, whom he calls a good friend. Good to know he'll have some arm candy for all the red carpets he's bound to be hitting.

Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed promoting "New Moon" on "The Today Show":

Brief capsules on new DVDs worth renting.

Behold! Some of the newest trailers for some of the most noteworthy upcoming releases.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS
Over two decades after Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" comes this absurdly titled but undeniably intriguing sequel, the first Stone has ever directed. Aiming for timeliness, the movie focuses on the 2008 stock market crash, and the relationship between young trader Jacob (Shia LaBeouf) and his soon-to-be father-in-law, the famous Gorden Gekko (Michael Douglas, reprising his role). Co-stars include Oscar favorites Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella and Carey Mulligan, LaBeaouf's real-life squeeze. (April 21)




CHLOE
Directed by Atom Egoyan, the erotic thriller "Chloe" is a remake of the 2004 French film "Nathalie...," written and directed by Anne Fontaine. "Chloe" stars Amanda Seyfried as the title character, an escort who comes between husband and wife Catherine (Julianne Moore) and David (Liam Neeson). Seyfried has been on the rise for some time now, and this movie looks to be one that will truly display her range. (March 26)




DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
Based on the first volume of the best-selling book series by Jeff Kinney, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" looks screamingly funny while still being kid-friendly -- a rare feat in modern cinema. Highlighting the misadventures of middle school student Gregg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), the movie, directed by Thor Freudenthal (how's that for a name?), also stars Robert Capron, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn and Chloe Moretz. Try not to smile while watching this trailer. (March 19)

MIA WASIKOWSKA

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic


Australian actress Mia Wasikowska caught the eye of critics and audiences with her performance as a troubled teen in the acclaimed HBO series "In Treatment," which features Gabriel Byrne as a psychotherapist. Soon, the 20-year-old blonde was landing bit parts in major films like "Defiance" and "Amelia," and smaller projects like "That Evening Sun" with Hal Holbrook.

Wasikowska also caught the eye of director Tim Burton, who cast her as the lead in his hotly anticipated rendition of "Alice in Wonderland," a wild, colorful marriage of live action and 3-D animation. Touted by Walt Disney Pictures for months, "Alice in Wonderland," which opens March 5, co-stars Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.

Wasikowska's star is quickly rising. She'll also be appearing in "The Kids are Alright," a Sundance hit from director Lisa Cholodenko starring Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as a lesbian couple. Wasikowska plays their daughter, on the hunt for her biological father (Mark Ruffalo). She'll also star in "Restless," the latest from "Milk" director Gus Van Sant, and "Jane Eyre," portraying the title heroine alongside Michael Fassbender.

Another sign Wasikowska is a bona-fide star to watch? She graces the cover of this month's Vanity Fair, as one of a handful of young actresses exemplifying "The New Hollywood." Check out the trailer for "Alice in Wonderland":

Brief capsules on new DVDs worth renting.

Behold! Some of the newest trailers for some of the most noteworthy upcoming releases.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic


THE RUNAWAYS
One of the most talked-about films at Sundance, "The Runaways" tells of the formative days of the famed '70s girl group of the title, with Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cheri Currie. Early word is that the two young leads really bring it, adding some street cred to their ever-growing careers. Floria Sigismundi directs and Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road") co-stars. (March 19)




HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
Best title since "Snakes on a Plane?" Well, I certainly don't need to tell you what it's about. John Cusack, Rob Cordry, and that funny dude from "Pineapple Express" star, with a cameo by Chevy Chase. Much of the film takes place in the '80s -- a big plus if you ask me. Most of the jokes in this trailer are lame, but the bits about changing the main characters' futures are intriguing. "Mom?!?" (March 26)




THE GHOST WRITER
The latest movie from controversial master filmmaker Roman Polanski, "The Ghost Writer" stars Ewan McGregor as a young British writer hired to complete the memoir of a former prime minister (Pierece Brosnan) who, naturally, isn't what he seems. Based on the Thomas Harris novel, "The Ghost," "The Ghost Writer" is the film Polanski was working on when he was arrested in September 2009 while en route to the Zurich Film Festival. The director completed the project under house arrest. Kim Cattrall, taking a crack at a British accent, co-stars. (Feb. 19)

SANDRA BULLOCK

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

There's no question about it: Sandra Bullock just had the best year of her career. Not even when her breakout turn in "Speed" got her heaps of work in the mid- to late- '90s did Bullock experience the kind of popularity and success she garnered in 2009. In July, Bullock starred opposite Ryan Reynolds in "The Proposal," a charming if not entirely laudable flick that saw the 45-year-old return to her romantic comedy roots. The movie went on to gross a whopping $314 million worldwide, making it Bullock's biggest box office hit. It also landed her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress (Comedy/Musical).

But, surely, the recent Bullock film that really got everyone talking was "The Blind Side," a fact-based football drama about the unlikely upbringing of defensive lineman Michael Oher. Bullock portrays Oher's adoptive mother, Leigh Anne Touhy, a real-life Southern belle with a pampered, polished lifestyle and fierce maternal instincts. Mildly moving but more than a little patronizing, "The Blind Side" proved very popular with audiences, grossing over $200 million to become the most successful sports-related drama of all time.

"The Blind Side" also landed Bullock a heap of awards recognition, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress (Drama), a SAG award for Best Actress and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Many believe her to be the favorite to win the Oscar, or, at least, the only contender who stands a chance against Meryl Streep, a nominee for "Julie & Julia."

All this amidst starring in what many to believe to be one of the very worst movies of last year, "All About Steve," for which Bullock received a Razzie nomination for Worst Actress not one day before the Oscar nominations were announced. Like it or not (as much as I adore Bullock, I feel the Oscar recognition is undeserved), hers is the most fascinating story of the awards season, especially since her climb to the top coincided with almost universal jeers for a major dud. Another factor that's pulled Bullock through is her sheer likability, which, although it doesn't really warrant award wins, sure makes for some entertaining acceptance speeches.