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My Best Friend's Girl – Opens September 19th

Finally a trailer that really makes me laugh! It's My Best Friend's Girl, a comedy from newbie scribe Jordan Cahan and starring Jason Biggs, Kate Hudson and Dane Cook. From Jason stumbling over his words in the cold open to Dane mouth-raping some Spanish food to old ladies falling to the floor like bricks – and even a guest appearance by Jack Donaghy, er, Alec Baldwin – this preview looks awfully promising. (A big deal of sorts, considering Dane Cook hasn't ever been funny outside of his standup). In My Best Friend's Girl, Biggs stars as Dustin, a man who turns to his best friend, Tank (Cook), to help him win back his girl's (Hudson) heart. The gig sounds easy enough for Tank, who makes a career out of going on purposefully lousy dates with recently-turned-single women so that they run back to their previous boyfriends. The problem here, though, is that Tank can't seem to shake Dustin's former girlfriend, Alexis. My Best Friend's Girl could very well be a September hit. I'm only surprised Lionsgate didn't try releasing it in the summer season.

Grade: A

Also expected to be released on this date: Igor, Ghost Town, Blindness, Lakeview Terrace, Management, Taken

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Opens December 19th

About a week before Christmas, director David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en) will reteam with Brad Pitt for a third time in the release of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, loosely based on a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the film, Pitt plays the title character, a man who is born at age 80 and lives his life in reverse. Further complications arise when Benjamin falls in love with a 30-year-old woman (Cate Blanchett). The trailer is a bit stunning – and not only because Brad Pitt is involved. It's reminiscent of the one released just last month for Woody Allen's Vicki Cristina Barcelona. Certainly not for content, but that they both describe the ensuing narrative through visuals, aided with a simple soundtrack and nothing more.

Grade: B+

Also expected to be released on this date: Yes Man, The Tale of Despereaux

Marley & Me – Opens December 25th

One startlingly useful statistic to know – for conversation starter purposes of course – is exactly how many times Synthesizer Syndicate's "Chariots of Fire" has been used in the movies. (Really, I want to know). The people behind the teaser to Christmas Day's Marley & Me make good use of it here, so much so that any dog lover will surely get excited (in more ways than one) at director David Frankel's take on the popular autobiographical novel by John Grogan. Seriously, it's a baby lab running no where in particular for nearly a full minute. Now, who's going to hate on that?

Grade: B-

Also expected to be released on this date: Bedtime Stories, The Spirit, Patriots

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