In this week's issue, I will be previewing the weekend of Oct. 26, the last Friday before All Hallows Eve, and although there will be a whole host of smaller releases (which you can read about in Indie Jones' column), there are only two films scheduled for wide-release: Dan in Real Life, a romantic comedy starring Steve Carell and Dane Cook, and the not-so-long-awaited fourth go-round in the Saw series. This also marks the end of the first part of the fall season, which is significant because next week is when the really heavy hitters start coming, films which are aiming for high-profile and high-dollar crowds. To that end, I'll be giving the lineups for the newly-started October-December leagues the once-over as well as my impressions as to which are the best and worst picks of the bunch.

"Oh, yes, there will be sequels." Create any horror film that meets with any modicum of success, and that is pretty much the watchword. When James Wan and Leigh Whannell created the original Saw film back in 2004, it came out to terrific reviews, shocking many with its originality, especially at the numerous film festivals where it was showcased. It was able to earn $50 million dollars pretty much on word-of-mouth alone (and it absolutely killed on DVD). And thus, a gravy train for Lionsgate was born. Every Halloween since, we have been treated to another chapter in the series, and 2007 brings us Saw IV.

Put together, the three Saw films have garnered over $220 million domestically, and have posted average User Ratings of just under 7.0, which ain't too bad, when you think about it. However (and I am speaking as a staunch admirer of this series), I can't help but wonder how much more "originality" this series has left. I have decried the genre labeled "torture porn" in past columns (though it certainly applies to the Hostel movies and The Hills Have Eyes movies), yet despite their gritty coolness, that's all any of the Saw movies are. They're about finding new and creative ways to tear human bodies apart in an ever more graphic, horrifying manner. And despite the fact that the original creators of this series have long since moved on, and also despite the fact that most of the particulars in this series died in the last installment, there's talk afoot of one, perhaps two more sequels. Seriously, I can't help but see (and I can't fathom how anyone else could either), that this is just ... More. Of. The. Same. (FYI, this installment is being directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who also directed Parts II and III.)

Of course, this film will only have 30 Days of Night to compete with as far as horror enthusiasts are concerned, which is a plus. But Saw III was the tipping point for this series, and I feel assured that the downward spiral will not only continue, but be visibly noticed. Fantasy Moguls predicts that this film will earn $45 million dollars (which would make it the least successful of the series); I predict it will have just enough juice to cross $50M. I feel safe in predicting that this film will handily win its opening weekend, and hang on for perhaps one or two more weeks after that, for 8-10 Top 5 points (nearly double the five that Fantasy Moguls predicts). Three PTA points are possible (but not likely, given that there are some high-probability limited-release features also coming out this weekend), and projected User Ratings of 5.9 seem about right, but might be higher considering that the largest percentage of this film's target audience doesn't really mind "more of the same." Even Saw III managed a 6.5, so I'll go that way too. For $15 (in either Ultimate or Box Office), this is actually not too bad a pick. It won't help you in User Ratings, but you can make that up with a few shrewd limited-release picks.

In 2003, Peter Hedges made his directorial debut with Pieces of April, which was praised both for its casting and its ability to use emotions to connect to its audience. Four years later, he's back with notable stars Steve Carell and Dane Cook, who play brothers in Dan In Real Life. Despite the fact that this film is categorized as a "romantic comedy", which would seem to have been confirmed by the trailer, I have it on good authority that this film is nothing like the (at times, literally) balls-out comedies that have hit theaters in the last few months.

The story: writer Dan Burns (Carell) is a loving father of three young daughters, who is still mourning the loss of his wife, four years after she passed away. However, during a weekend at his family's retreat, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche), and, neglecting everything he's convinced himself capable of, he instantly falls in love with her. The problem: she is the girlfriend of his younger brother Mitch (Cook). Awkward!

One reviewer calls Dan in Real Life a "variation of the slice-of-life serio-comedy that Rob Reiner and James Brooks used to make," which bodes well. Don't be fooled by the cast, either: despite coming off critical flops, Carell (Evan Almighty) and Cook (Good Luck Chuck), it would seem, are merely parts of a much bigger, deeper sweeter story. You can probably expect chaos, confusion and a multitude of embarrassing moments, but isn't that what most family get-togethers are about? It seems to me to be the kind of film that you could take either your kids or your parents to, and be able to enjoy it equally.

Fantasy Moguls predicts three PTA points, but no Top 5 points, which I find a little bit perplexing ... it's clearly being given a wide release, I'd say at least 2,000 screens. I've seen many TV commercials advertising it, not to mention trailers and posters all over the place at my local theater. I'm thinking that the buzz for this movie will be fairly sizable by the time it is released, so the $9 you'd pay for this in Ultimate could be a good investment (and in Box Office, it's an even bigger bargain, at $6), and I would be surprised if this film brought in User Ratings under 7.5. In other words: this film can only help you.

Now, if you are a frequenter of the message boards, you'll know that just about everyone has an opinion on something or other. Naturally, given what Fantasy Moguls IS, the most popular discussions are, of course, what films will thrive, and which will bomb. Given the myriad of choices in these newly-created October leagues, it is far more difficult to pick the wheat from the chaff than one might imagine. If you read Mr. Informative's column last week, you'll be aware of some of his insights on some of the greater (and lesser) known films of December. However, one of the benefits of having my own column is that I get to expound to my heart's content, so here is the skinny on what I think this winter season will bring. (Disclaimer: I do not, and will not, ever profess to being more cinematically gifted or clairvoyant than any of you who are reading this column. My opinions are just that: opinions. Using the benefit of experience and knowledge of current trends, I am simply sticking my two cents into your piggy banks. You are under no obligation to agree or disagree with anything I say; I can assure you, I'm just as full o' ...um, beans as the next opinionated so-and-so.)

I'll start with the films expected to be the biggest box-office winners. I agree with Mr. I that the pick with the most potential is His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass. Big-budget family adventures do mondo business around the holidays (Eragon notwithstanding), and I am picking this film to be the box-office champion of the season. Think about it, there's something to enjoy for moviegoers of all ages: great effects, a compelling story (based on a best-selling novel), and enough star-power to keep this film humming right on into spring. Plus, it's got a one-week jump on I Am Legend, but a lower Moguls price tag. And speaking of Will Smith's War Of The Worlds-meets-The Omega Man heart-pounder, I have no doubt that Legend will pack a pretty mean punch of its own. If you feel yourself drawn to Compass for the October league, you may want to try Legend for the (upcoming) November or December leagues just to, you know, mix it up a little.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a sequel that we all knew was coming, continuing a storyline that succeeded despite ho-hum reviews a couple of years ago. It comes out the weekend BEFORE Christmas, but I'm betting that it won't be the draw that the original was, despite the presence of Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Ed Harris. Bee Movie ... well, it's Dreamworks, right? This studio, which has produced most of the highest-earning animated films of the last five years NOT bearing Pixar's name, invariably knows how to pack theaters, regardless of the overall quality of its product. I mean, these are the people behind Over the Hedge, Madagascar, Shark Tale and the Shrek series, after all. You just know it can clear $100 million without breaking a sweat. $150 million? That's a mite iffier, but even opening opposite surefire critics' pick American Gangster, this film is almost a shoo-in to be the big dog, erm, insect of November. The Heartbreak Kid, well ... I have a feeling the honeymoon will be over long before the league concludes. (Wink.) And the most expensive item on the menu? Anyone, and I mean anyone who thinks that Beowulf will crack $150 million, raise your hand. Hmm ... that's what I thought. Frankly, if it makes even half that, I'll be surprised.

In the projected $50-$100 million range, I think the best picks are Fred Claus, Hitman and American Gangster. Fred has got Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti, and the two of them put together are at least as talented as Will Ferrell, who made the brainless Elf a smash a few years ago. Hitman, near as I can figure, is the only pure action movie in the entire three-month span, and unlike brainless flops like WAR and Shoot 'Em Up, this one looks like it could have enough muscle to rival Resident Evil in the video game-adaptation category. Gangster, of course, is an obvious early favorite to grab an Oscar nom for Best Picture, but can even the mighty presence of Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott find footing amidst the inevitable comparisons to last year's winner The Departed? I think it can, though I doubt it will match Scorsese's baby in total output.

I was completely underwhelmed by the trailer for Lions For Lambs, and I think it could be a flop on the level of All the King's Men, despite the presence of Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Herr Cruise. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium could be a surprise hit given its Tim Burton-esque look and Lemony Snicket-ish feel. Enchanted looks way too cutesy-poo to really catch on, and titles like Sweeney Todd, The Water Horse and Charlie Wilson's War are opening too late in the season to really do much good, though they might bring in a few Top 5 and PTA points. Alvin and the Chipmunks? Don't even ...

In the $20-$50 million range, there's a lot more uncertainty. Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? seems to be the best per-dollar choice, but there's that chance that you may take a face-plant in User Ratings. George Clooney's Michael Clayton has the potential to do big numbers, but I remain unconvinced that he can draw big crowds without Brad Pitt and Matt Damon at his side. The Mist could do well in the horror genre (effectively spanning the gap between 30 Days of Night/Saw and I Am Legend), but it's been a very long time since a Stephen King-created horror story hit big screens, and his name just doesn't carry as much weight as it used to.

There are buzz-worthy dramas aplenty, such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Rendition, Things We Lost in the Fire, No Country For Old Men, Gone Baby Gone and We Own the Night. All possess various degrees of quality, but which one is the best overall pick? Your guess is as good as mine. Atonement could be a huge PTA and User Ratings bonanza, but my guess is that it won't find its legs until after the year ends. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox story looks like it could be Judd Apatow's third smash of the year, but again, it's opening too late to really do you much good in the October leagues (and the same goes for P.S. I Love You and The Bucket List). August Rush and Martian Child look like they won't make an impact at all, but Dan in Real Life (remember Dan?) could be a real sleeper hit if it gets a wide enough release.

Props Department: Congratulations to Mogul stalwart A_Roode for his victory in the just-concluded July-September Regulars Ultimate league; he handily polished off the rest of the field in "July To Me" by cunningly avoiding titles like Transformers, Harry Potter, Bourne Ultimatum AND The Simpsons Movie. (E-mail me if you want to know how he did it.). Kudos also to dranscht, who came back from $70 million down on the final weekend, to score a razor-thin victory over rupertp75 in the "Robots & Wizards" Box Office league. Well done, squire.

Well, that's about all I have for you today. Please return next week, when I'll be ushering in the month of November with three new movies, all scheduled for wide release on Nov. 2: Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington team up for the first time in twelve years in American Gangster, courtesy of Ridley Scott; Jerry Seinfeld takes the lead in Bee Movie, Dreamworks' latest foray into the animal kingdom; and John Cusack adopts a 6-year-old boy who believes himself to be an alien in Martian Child.

TTFN!

Shrykespeare believes himself to be a man-raptor, bird-Bard encyclopedia of cinematic knowledge, though he has never met or been adopted by David Gerrold (or John Cusack). Commune with him at shrykespeare@gmail.com.