Okay, Dino may not be the best music to listen to when talking about Larry Fessenden's The Last Winter. I can't quite picture "Hey Mambo" fitting in at a creepy Alaskan wilderness outpost, where an oil exploration team suddenly feels beset by a mysterious and aggressive presence. Fessenden is what you could call an expert at coming up with independent horror films, made with less money than the coffee -and-catering budget of a Jerry Bruckheimer production (no, you're right, less than half of the coffee -and-catering budget). His last film was Wendigo, released in 2001, a movie revisiting the myth of the werewolf, starring Patricia Clarkson and Jake Webber. Now, Fessenden is not a box-office champion, and there is very, very little hope that will change with this movie, shot more than two years ago and premiered in Toronto last year.

Two things that will boost The Last Winter are Fessenden's reputation as an underground director, and the movie's solid cast of character actors such as James LeGros, Ron Perlman and Connie Britton. Plus, the film will only open in New York City, probably in fewer than five theaters, just as Wendigo did five years ago. That would be a favorable factor for the film's PTA chances, but there would have to be at least the beginnings of a buzz for any PTA at all to accrue. It seems the ecological minset of the film won't be a turn-on either — just look at those numbers for The 11th Hour ... yikes! Fantasy Moguls predictions are low, less than a million dollars at the box-office, no Top 5 (of course) and no PTA points. Maybe at the very best the film could snag one PTA point, but that's doubtful. As for the User Ratings, it currently stands at 6, and should stay in this area. The movie only costs $2 whether you're in a Box Office Moguls or Ultimate Movie Moguls leagues, so you won't lose much if you decide to grab it.

Along with the ice of Alaska, the sun of Mexico will shine into theaters on Sept. 21. Trade follows a 17-year-old boy, Jorge, whose sister's kidnapping by a sex-trafficking ring leads him to do everything he can to save her. In his struggle, he finds an ally in a Texas cop who has firsthand knowledge of what Jorge is going through. It's a strong subject for young German director Marco Kreuzpaintner, who's making his English-language debut here, with countryman Roland Emmerich serving as producer. Although primarily composed of Mexican and eastern European actors, the cast of Trade is headed up by Kevin Kline (in the role of the Texas cop), who's been generally liked by audiences since he won an Academy Award for eating a fish (you know, called Wanda), and was last seen in Robert Altman's excellent final film, A Prairie Home Companion.

Trade is not the kind of movie that will ruin you. Whether you're in a September-November Box Office or Ultimate league, it costs only $2. The problem is, it's not quite clear yet how the movie will be handled by its distributor, Roadside Attractions. Is it going to be launched in 10 theaters or 100? 500? In this mist, it's hard to say what are the movie's chances of box-office or PTA are. Probably poor if Variety and The Hollywood Reporter's negative reviews are any indication. But with such a dramatic and "human" subject, it may be more of an audience-pleaser than a critics-pleaser. Fantasy Moguls predicts 5.5 in User Ratings, but my guess is it's going to be higher, at least in the high 6s (it currently stands at 7.8). Be careful though, in August Ultimate leagues, where Trade will run you $7. Spending $2 on it won't damage you, but $7 is a whole different story.

The final limited offering of the week is The Jane Austen Book Club. Ladies in the audience, please raise your hands ... okay, there ain't many among Moguls players (maybe a few more among our visitors). Guys, I'm not gonna lie to you, this probably isn't the movie you've been dreaming of seeing this weekend (or any other), as the title itself probably already made obvious. This is the movie that your girlfriend, your wife, your sister or any female of your acquaintance will push you to see (or if you're like me, you may be interested anyway, because you're ready to see anything that isn't directed by Lars Von Trier).

I can already hear some of you saying, "She's not gonna bring me to see another period chick flick." Take heart, this one's not set in late 18th- or early 19th-century England (as was the recent Becoming Jane). The Jane Austen Book Club is not an adaptation of the famous author's work, nor is it a film about her life. It's a contemporary tale set in California, where six women friends launch a book club of their own to discuss Jane Austen's oeuvre. The more they read Austen's books, the more they find in them similarities with their own lives. The movie is the feature film directorial debut of screenwriter Robin Swicord (Little Women, Memoirs of a Geisha), and features the likes of Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Maggie Grace, Amy Brenneman, Kathy Baker, Jimmy Smits and Hugh Dancy. In this month full of guns, monsters and not very subtle comedies, you quickly realize that there aren't that many films capable of attracting a large female audience. So you can be sure that when a movie like this one comes along, and it's opening in limited release, there won't be many seats left in the theaters.

Unless reviews are terrible (no need to tell you that this is the kind of film that needs good reviews), expect this one to collect a few PTA points on opening weekend. Fantasy Moguls predicts 3, my humble opinion goes the same way. Grosses won't be more than $5 million-$6 million, at best, and the User Rating should stay in the low 7s. If you're in a Box Office league, it will only cost you $2. If you're playing Ultimate Moguls, however, the price of The Jane Austen Book Club is $11, a reasonable investment for that price range.

Before I let you go, it's time for me to call your attention, as I do every week, to a film that's a little further away on the release calendar, but it worth keeping an eye on. It's a sinister and strange title to finish a column with, but the movie could well be worthy of surveillance: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. I'm pretty sure some film buffs around here are awaiting this one with curiosity, if not impatience. Some are probably intrigued by the subject matter: a crime drama that follows two brothers robbing their own parents' store. Others might be drawn to the strong cast, which includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei. Most folks who know about this one, however, are probably into it because of the film's director: Sidney Lumet. Now maybe Lumet isn't, at 83, the great director he used to be. (Remember Find Me Guilty? I wish I didn't ... ) Nonetheless, Lumet is one of the key filmmakers who made the 70s such a fascinating decade of cinema, with such films as Serpico, Network and Dog Day Afternoon. So having the chance of seeing a new Lumet movie with a good, serious theme, and a cast worthy of the director's talent, is a treat. There's no doubt Before the Devil Knows You're Dead will excite movie lovers. Keep an eye on it (I'll let you choose which one).

And now, if there's no more need for me here, I have a movie to catch (no, it's not a Lars von Trier movie). So I'll see you all in a week, ready to discuss new films from Ang Lee, Wes Anderson and a few others. (Sound great already, doesn't it?)

Indie Jones would like to pummel Lars von Trier. Really pummel him. Punch him right in the nose. Send information as to Mr. von Trier's whereabouts or mailing address to danceswiththearthouse@gmail.com.