BY RACHEL LUX

FAME

(MGM)

WHEN: Sept. 25



STARS: Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Asher Book, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally



SO WHAT: The world needed a remake of this 1980 song-and-dance classic, they were just waiting for the right crop of young, near-unknown, slightly affiliated-with-Disney, actors to surface. And in case you can’t remember 1980, the original Fame followed the lives of several students at the New York Academy of Performing Arts, and the lengths they’d go to in achieving their ultimate goal: a full-time gig as a famous person. Either way, prepare to suppress both your urge to dance in the movie theater aisle and your jealousy over the fact that the closest your high school got to being a "performing arts" school was the square dancing unit in sophomore gym class.

SHUTTER ISLAND

(PARAMOUNT)

WHEN: Oct. 2



STARS: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Ben Kingsley



SO WHAT: WARNING: If you scare easily, you might wanna skip the trailer for this one. Director Martin Scorsese’s entry into the horror-pic rat race looks to be a doozy. When two U.S. marshalls (DiCaprio and Ruffalo) are sent to Shutter Island, just off the coast of Boston, to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a mental hospital there, not all is as it seems. Deranged doctors, murderous patients, terrible weather and self-doubt add up to one unpleasant experience for Mr. DiCaprio & Co. Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, this is looking to be one of the most terrifying flicks of the fall (but it’s still has to compete with Anti-Christ…).

ZOMBIELAND

(COLUMBIA)

WHEN: Oct. 9



STARS: Emma Stone, Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, Jesse Eisenberg



SO WHAT: A group of people forced to work together to survive a spoofy zombie apocalypse? We really liked this movie when it was called Shaun Of The Dead. However, we’re willing to give it a shot for two big reasons: 1) Look at the cast. Bill Murray? In a zombie movie? Yes, please! 2) We’re so gosh-darn tired of vampires that we’re pretty much ready to be terrorized by any other character from the list of undead. (Even if zombies are so, like, 2003.) Still, this horror/comedy looks promising–we think even Simon Pegg would approve.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

(WARNER BROS.)

WHEN: Oct. 16



STARS: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini (voice), Paul Dano (voice), Lauren Ambrose (voice), Forest Whittaker (voice)



SO WHAT: If no one read this book about a little boy and his imaginary wild island to you when you were a little tyke, then we feel very sorry for you. (Luckily, it’s one of those classic books that you can get away with reading at any age, so turn off the computer and head to your nearest book store or library and give it a quick read.) Adapted from Maurice Sendak’s original book by director Spike Jonze and author Dave Eggers, the wild and ferocious beasts (costumes designed by the Jim Henson Company) finally get their moment of glory on the big screen. Re-writes/approval issues have allegedly plagued the production of the film, but it’s still one of the most anticipated films of the fall (with a killer soundtrack, to boot).

ANTICHRIST

(IFC)

WHEN: Oct. 23



STARS: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg



SO WHAT: Written and directed by one of Denmark’s most celebrated, Lars Von Trier (Dancer In The Dark), this is set to be one of the most chilling cinematic experiences of the year. When a couple (Dafoe and Gainsbourg) experiences the death of their only child, they retreat to their secluded cabin to grieve. However, something evil has happened at the cabin, and whatever it was is still lingering when they get there. Based on the trailer, it looks to be a classic possession film, though going by Von Trier’s previous work, we’re sure the themes and true horror lie much deeper than a demon-possessed woman terrorizing her husband.

YOUTH IN REVOLT

(DIMENSION)

WHEN: Oct. 30



STARS: Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Steve Buscemi, Ari Graynor, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart



SO WHAT: We’ve already seen Michael Cera in a movie about his quest to lose his virginity (that would be Superbad, for those keeping score are home). However, Youth In Revolt, adapted from the novel by C.D. Payne, is a different type of funny–one less crude and bombastic and more heartfelt and awkward. (Not that it won’t have its moments, folks. If you didn’t hitch your star to Zach Galifianakis after his breakout role in this summer’s The Hangover, it’s time to meet your new fave funnyman.) Still, we wonder how much longer Cera’s gonna be able to pull off "awkward teen boy"; here, he’s supposed to pass as 14. But with a terrific supporting cast and a strong script, we’re guessing this is gonna qualify as excellent date and buddy flick fodder for the fall.