@ The Movies: Fall Film Preview

Thanks to the heartbreaking story of an ill-fated actor from Iowa, this year's crop of fall movies has gotten off to a super start.

"Hollywoodland," a crime drama that examines whether television's Superman George Reeves (Ben Affleck) was murdered or did indeed commit suicide, officially kicked off the fall movie season with a solid debut at the box office last weekend.

It also provided a pad to relaunch Affleck's career -- a resume that's been maligned by such recent bombs as "Gigli," "Jersey Girl" and "Surviving Christmas."

And if a performer like Affleck can fly up, up and away from disaster by playing the man said to have started the storied "Superman Curse" -- then the blessing of the actor by critics and fans has to be sign of good things to come in theaters in the coming months.

Out Of The Gate
Riding the cape-tail of "Hollywoodland's" success is another seedy true Hollywood tale that opens in theaters Friday: "The Black Dahlia." Directed by master suspense filmmaker Brian DePalma, the film, starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Swank, examines the brutal death of B-movie actress Elizabeth Short.

Even with hot actors and a talented director, "The Black Dahlia" can expect stiff competition Friday in the Zach Braff ("Scrubs") comedy drama "The Last Kiss," as well as two sports films.

A computer-animated family adventure, "Everyone's Hero," starring the voices of William H. Macy, Rob Reiner and Whoopi Goldberg, follows a young boy trying to track down Babe Ruth's missing bat; while "Gridiron Gang" finds former pro wrestler The Rock as a counselor who uses football to unite teens at a juvenile detention center.

And that's just this week. Here's a look at other films hitting theaters in September and October.

Oscar Hopefuls
Since the Motion Picture Academy took the initiative a few years back to move its ceremony date to February, studios have been bringing their self-annointed "Oscar-worthy" films out a bit earlier.

Films in September and October that have "Oscar" stamped all over them include "All the King's Men" (Sept. 22), which follows a Southern politician's (Sean Penn) rise to power, and "The Departed," Martin Scorsese's underworld crime thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.

Other Oscar hopefuls include The Queen" (Oct. 6), starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in the days following Princess Diana's death, and "Infamous" (Oct. 13), yet another Truman Capote tale that stars Toby Jones as the legendary author, Sandra Bullock as Harper Lee and Daniel Craig as "In Cold Blood" killer Perry Smith.

Also hoping to work its magic on Academy voters this fall is "The Prestige" (Oct. 20), where "Batman" director Christopher Nolan swaps out a magician's cape for his "Dark Knight" star Christian Bale. Bale and Hugh Jackman play rival magicians at odds over the dark secret of a mysterious trick.

Meanwhile, "Lost in Translation" writer-director Sofia Copolla will no doubt be looking for her second Oscar with "Marie Antoinette" (Oct. 20), a costume drama starring Kirsten Dunst in the title role.

Also in October, Clint Eastwood will be staking a claim for another Best Director and Best Picture Oscar with "Flags of Our Fathers" (Oct. 20), a historical drama looking at the six men behind the iconic flag-raising at Iwo Jima.

On the documentary side, look for some noise from "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" (Oct. 20), which follows the country trio's travails after singer Natalie Maines' anti-President George W. Bush comments at a London concert in 2003.

Comedy
Back for another kick in the pants and other private places is Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and company with "Jackass: Number Two" (Sept. 22). Also, the hunt is on for laughs with "Open Season" (Sept. 29), a computer-animated wildlife romp featuring the voices of Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence.

Meanwhile, "Old School" director Todd Phillips hopes to enroll some new gags in "School for Scoundrels," a campus comedy starring Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite"), Billy Bob Thornton and Ben Stiller; and Knoxville's "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star -- singer Jessica Simpson -- hopes to work the kinks out her acting technique with "Employee of the Month" (Oct. 6).

Also hoping to capture our hearts, mind and funny bones are "Man of the Year" (Oct. 13), a presidential comedy starring Robin Williams; and "Running With Scissors" (Oct. 27), a dysfunctional family comedy starring Annette Bening, Alec Baldwin and Brian Cox from "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy.

Action
Jet Li will be back in full form in the martial arts extravaganza "Jet Li's Fearless" on Sept. 22; and "The Fugitive" director Andrew Davis has recruited Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher for "The Guardian" (Sept. 29), an action-adventure drama about the elite Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers.

Also, "Alex Rider: Stormbreaker" (Oct. 6) logs in with Ewan McGregor, Mickey Rourke and Alex Pettyfer -- who stars in the title role in the first film based on bestselling Alex Rider novels. John Cena stars as "The Marine," marching into theaters Oct. 13.

Horror
The fall movie season wouldn't be complete without a visit from ol' Leatherface, and this time, we get a peek at his early years with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" (Oct. 6). Takashi Shimizu follows up with a sequel to his hit thriller "The Grudge" with "The Grudge 2," as Amber Tamblyn takes over the cursed house from Sarah Michelle Gellar.

On the macabre side of the aisle, the much lighter, Halloween-themed classic "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Oct. 20) comes back to the big screen -- this time in 3-D.

Looking Ahead
I'll be back in October to preview November and December's releases, including the Hugh Jackman fantasy-drama "The Fountain," the animated musical "Happy Feet," the next James Bond adventure "Casino Royale" and Christopher Guest's next documentary-style comedy, "For Your Consideration."

Until next time, have fun @ The Movies.