Into each season, a few films must fall

The 2009 Fall Movie Sneaks is a broad snapshot of films opening through Oct. 31. Release dates and other details, as compiled by Liesl Bradner, are subject to change.

Friday

American Casino

Documentary looks at how the greed of Wall Street led to the mortgage crisis and the effect it had on working-class Americans. Directed by Leslie Cockburn. Argot Pictures

Bright Star

The love story between the 19th century Romantic poet John Keats and his 18-year-old muse-next-door, Fanny Brawne. With Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw. Written and directed by Jane Campion. Apparition

The Burning Plain

A woman on the edge takes an emotional journey back to the defining moment of her life, connecting her to similar disparate characters, all grappling with their own romantic destinies. With Charlize Theron, Kim Basinger. Written and directed by Guillermo Arriaga. Magnolia Pictures

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Inspired by the children’s book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Directed and screenplay by Chris Miller & Phil Lord. In Imax 3-D. Columbia/Sony Pictures Animation

Crude

An inside look at the $27-billion “Amazon Chernobyl” case -- the largest oil-related environmental lawsuit in global history. Directed by Joe Berlinger. First Run Features

Dil Bole Hadippa! (My Heart Goes Hurray!)

A love triangle between members of a cricket team. With Rani Mukherjee, Shahid Kapoor and Anupam Kher. Directed by Anurag Singh. Written by Jaya & Aparajita. In Hindi with English subtitles. Yash Raj Films

The Informant!

Based on a true story, a whistle-blower at Archer Daniels Midland has heroic aspirations with the FBI. With Matt Damon, Scott Bakula and Joel McHale. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Screenplay by Scott Z. Burns. Warner Bros

Jennifer’s Body

A small-town high school hottie, possessed by a hungry demon, starts offing her male classmates. With Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Karyn Kusama. Written by Diablo Cody. 20th Century Fox

Laila’s Birthday

A Palestinian judge-turned-taxi driver tries to navigate the political and social hassles as he tries to find a cake and gift for his daughter’s birthday. Written and directed by Rashid Masharawi. Kino International

Love Happens

A self-help author and a florist who has sworn off men find love. With Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston. Directed by Brandon Camp. Written by Camp & Mike Thompson. Universal Pictures

Paris

While awaiting a heart transplant, a professional dancer reflects on his life as his sister and her kids move in to help. With Juliet Binoche, Romain Duris. In French. Written and directed by Cedric Klapisch. IFC Films

You the Living

Humanity’s disappointments and failures as seen through 50 sketches. Written and directed by Roy Andersson. In Swedish with English subtitles. Palisades Tartan

Sept. 21

The Age of Stupid

A global archivist living in 2055 takes us back through archival footage wondering why we didn’t stop global warming when we had the chance in this docudrama hybrid on climate change. With Pete Postlethwaite. Directed by Franny Armstrong. Spanner Films

Sept. 23

Capitalism: A Love Story

Documentary tackles the impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans. Directed by Michael Moore. Overture Films

The Third Wave

Filmmaker Alison Thompson documents her year spent in Sri Lanka where she helped build a medical facility, a school and a refugee resource center. Presented by Sean Penn. Virgil Films/Warrior Poets

Sept. 25

The Blue Tooth Virgin

A writer gives negative feedback to another’s screenplay, causing a rift in their friendship. With Austin Peck, Bryce Johnson. Written and directed by Russell Brown. Regent Releasing

The Boys Are Back

A widower struggles to raise his two sons alone. With Clive Owen. Directed by Scott Hicks. Screenplay by Allan Cubitt. Miramax Films

Coco Before Chanel

Traces Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel from her beginnings as an orphan to becoming the legendary couturier. With Audrey Tautou, Alessandro Nivola. Directed by Anne Fontaine. Screenplay by Anne Fontaine and Camille Fontaine with Christopher Hampton. French with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

Disgrace

In this adaptation of the J.M. Coetzee novel, a professor of literature in South Africa is exiled to live in the country with his daughter after having an affair with a mixed-race student. With John Malkovich, Jessica Haines. Directed by Steve Jacobs. Screenplay by Anna Maria Monticelli. Paladin

Fame

Follows a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. With Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer, Debbie Allen. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen. Screenplay by Allison Burnett; based on the motion picture “Fame,” written by Christopher Gore. MGM

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

The adventures of Tucker Max, a beer-guzzling womanizer. With Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford and Geoff Stults. Directed by Bob Gosse. Screenplay by Max and Nils Parker. Freestyle Releasing

Lord Save Us From Your Followers

Writer-director Dan Merchant sets out to discover why belief in God and religion is dividing America. Thunderstruck Films

Pandorum

Stranded on a spacecraft, two astronauts awaken from a hyper-sleep and realize they are not alone. With Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster. Directed by Christian Alvart. Screenplay by Travis Milloy; story by Milloy and Alvart. Overture Films

Surrogates

FBI agents investigate the murder of a college student linked to a man who helped create unflawed robotic versions of people. With Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell. Directed by Jonathan Mostow. Screenplay by John Brancato & Michael Ferris. Touchstone Pictures

We Live in Public

Futurist Josh Harris discusses the effect the Web is having on society. Directed by Ondi Timoner. Interloper Films/Abramorama

Oct. 2

A Beautiful Life

A runaway fleeing her family and an illegal immigrant searching for his befriend a stripper and librarian in Los Angeles. Jesse Garcia, Angela Sarafyan, Bai Ling, Dana Delany. Directed by Alejandro Chomski. Screenplay by Wendy Hammond and Deborah Calla. New Films

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men

To ease her heartache after a breakup, a woman conducts a series of interviews with men in an effort to uncover what drives them. With Julianne Nicholson, Timothy Hutton, John Krasinski. Directed and written for the screen by Krasinski. IFC Films

In Search of Beethoven

A documentary about the composer’s life. Directed by Phil Grabsky. Seventh Art Productions

The Invention of Lying

In an alternate world where lying does not exist, a down-on-his-luck loser suddenly develops the ability to lie, bringing him fame and fortune until things spiral out of control. With Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner. Written and directed by Gervais & Matthew Robinson. Warner Bros. Pictures

More Than a Game

A look at LeBron James’ high school basketball team from Akron, Ohio, and their journey from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Directed by Kristopher Belman. Written by Belman & Brad Hogan. Lionsgate

My Fuhrer

Adolf Hitler seeks help from an acting coach to inspire the masses in a New Year’s Day speech near the end of the war in this farce. With Helge Schneider, Ulrich Muhe and Sylvester Groth. Written and directed by Dani Levy. German with English subtitles. First Run Features

North Face

Based on a true story, two German climbers attempt to conquer the north face of the Swiss massif -- the Eiger -- in a Nazi propaganda competition in 1936. Directed by Phillipp Stozl. In German with English subtitles. Music Box Films

The Providence Effect

Documentary account of Paul J. Adams III and the inner-city Chicago school he founded, and the student lives that the school has changed. Directed by Rollin Binzer. Slowhand Releasing

A Serious Man

A physics professor in 1967 tries to cope as his life spirals out of control. With Michael Stuhlbarg. Written and directed by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen. Focus Features

Toy Story & Toy Story 2

Buzz Lightyear and Woody return in the re-release of the first two of three in the “Toy Story” saga to be released in Disney 3-D. With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen. Directed by John Lasseter. Screenplay by Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow. Walt Disney Pictures

Whip It!

A small-town misfit discovers her talent for roller derby. With Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, Marcia Gay Harden. Directed by Barrymore. Screenplay by Shauna Cross. Fox Searchlight

Zombieland

A mismatched pair of survivors find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies. With Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg. Directed by Ruben Fleischer. Screenplay by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick. Columbia Pictures

Oct. 9

Bronson

A teenager sentenced to seven years on a robbery conviction winds up serving 30 in solitary confinement, resulting in an alter ego -- Charles Bronson. With Tom Hardy. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Written by Winding Refn and Brock Norman Brock. Magnolia Pictures

Couples Retreat

Four couples from the Midwest on a tropical getaway must participate in therapy as part of the vacation package. With Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell. Written by Favreau and Vaughn & Dana Fox. Directed by Peter Billingsley. Universal Pictures

The Damned United

Brian Clough’s doomed 44-day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football, Leeds United, in 1974. With Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent. Directed by Tom Hopper. Written by Peter Morgan. Sony Pictures Classics

An Education

The coming-of-age story of a 16-year-old girl who becomes smitten with a fast-living older man in 1960s London. With Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina. Directed by Lone Scherfig. Written by Nick Hornby. Sony Pictures Classics

Free Style

A young man is determined to win a coveted spot on the Grand National motocross racing team. With Corbin Bleu, Penelope Ann Miller. Directed by William Dear. Written by Jeffrey Nicholson & Joshua Leibner. Samuel Goldwyn Films

Good Hair

Chris Rock explores the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships and self-esteem of the black community. Directed by Jeff Stilson. Written by Rock & Stilson and Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar. Roadside Pictures

The Horse Boy

Documentary follows a Texas couple and their autistic son as they trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in an attempt to treat his condition with shamanic healing. Directed by Michel O. Scott. Zeitgeist Films

Peter and Vandy

An out-of-sequence story line examines one couple’s relationship and what it means to fall in and out of love. With Jason Ritter, Jess Weixler. Written and directed Jay DiPietro. Strand Releasing

Trucker

A vivacious young truck driver leads a carefree life until her estranged 11-year-old son shows up. With Michelle Monaghan. Written and directed by James Mottern. Monterey Media

Oct. 16

Adventures of Power

A small-town dreamer competes in an air-drumming competition in New Jersey despite obstacles and ridicule. With Ari Gold, Adrian Grenier, Jane Lynch. Written and directed by Gold. Variance Films

Black Dynamite

A 1970s African American action hero fights “The Man” who murders his brothers and floods the ghetto with heroin and malt liquor. Directed by Scott Sanders. Screenplay by Michael Jai White & Byron Minns & Scott Sanders; story by White & Minns. Sony Pictures

Law Abiding Citizen

A man who witnessed the murder of his wife and child orchestrates his revenge in a series of high-profile murders from his jail cell. With Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx. Directed by F. Gary Gray. Written by Kurt Wimmer. Overture Films

New York, I Love You

A collaboration of storytelling from several filmmakers weaves tales of love and encounters that unfold beneath the Manhattan skyline. With Orlando Bloom, Julie Christie, Bradley Cooper, Chris Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman. Vivendi Entertainment

Opa!

An archaeologist finds love and intrigue as he travels to the Greek Island of Patmos in search of the cup of St. John the Divine. With Matthew Modine, Richard Griffiths. Directed by Udayan Prasad. Written by Raman Singh and Christina Concetta. Cinedigm

The Stepfather

A student returns home from military school to find his mother in love with a man who seems to be hiding a dark side. With Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward. Directed by Nelson McCormick. Screenplay by J.S. Cardone; based on a screenplay by Donald E. Westlake; story by Carolyn Starin & Brian Garfield and Westlake. Screen Gems

Visual Acoustics

A celebration of the life and career of architectural photographer Julius Shulman. Narrated by Dustin Hoffman. Directed by Eric Bricker. Art- house Films

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak’s classic tale of adventure comes to the big screen. With the voices of James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker. Directed by Spike Jonze. Screenplay by Jonze & Dave Eggers. In Imax DMR. Warner Bros. Pictures

Oct. 23

Amelia

A biopic of legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. With Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor. Directed by Mira Nair. Written by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan. Fox Searchlight

Antichrist

A grief-stricken couple retreat to their remote cabin in the woods after the death of their child, only to find evil awaiting them. With Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg. Written and directed by Lars von Trier. IFC Films

Astro Boy

A young robot must use his powers of super-strength, X-ray vision, speed and the ability to fly to save everything he cares about. With the voices of Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage. Directed by David Bowers. Written by Timothy Harris. Summit Entertainment

The Canyon

A dream honeymoon in the Grand Canyon turns into a game of survival when a mysterious guide comes along. With Yvonne Strahovski, Eion Bailey and Will Patton. Directed by Richard Harrah. Written by Steve Allrich. Magnolia Pictures

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant

A teenager joins the Cirque du Freak and unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. With John C. Reilly, Salma Hayek. Directed by Paul Weitz. Screenplay by Weitz and Brian Helgeland. Universal Pictures

Hannah Free

The story of how two women maintained a lifelong affair despite a marriage, a world war and infidelities. With Sharon Gless and Maureen Gallagher. Ripe Fruit Films

The Maid (La Nana)

A longtime live-in maid engages in desperate acts to hang onto her job. With Catalina Saavedra. Directed by Sebastian Silva. Written by Silva and Pedro Peirano. Spanish with English subtitles. Elephant Eye Films

Motherhood

The trials, joys and daily challenges mothers face. With Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver. Written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann. Freestyle Releasing

Ong Bak 2

In this prequel, a young nobleman uses his martial arts skills to exact revenge. With Tony Jaa. Directed by Jaa. Written by Panna Rittikrai. Magnet Releasing

Saw VI

When the FBI zeros in on Detective Hoffman, the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy, he is forced to set the game in motion. With Tobin Bell. Directed by Kevin Greutert. Screenplay by Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan. Lionsgate

Untitled

A satire poking fun at the nuanced world of the New York contemporary art scene through a pair of competitive brothers. With Adam Goldberg. Directed by Jonathan Parker. Written by Parker and Catherine DiNapoli. Samuel Goldwyn Films

The Yes Men Fix the World

Two guys pose as top executives of corporations they hate in hopes of alerting them to the problems they cause. With Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. Directed by Bichlbaum, Bonanno and Kurt Engfehr. Written by Bichlbaum and Bonanno. Shadow Distribution

Oct. 28

This Is It

Behind-the-scenes footage from Michael Jackson’s last rehearsals in preparation for the series of 50 concerts planned at the O2 Arena in London. Sony Pictures Entertainment

Oct. 30

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

The MacManus brothers return to Boston to avenge the murder of a beloved priest. With Judd Nelson, Clifton Collins Jr., Billy Connolly. Written and directed by Troy Duffy. Apparition.

Gentlemen Broncos

A home-schooled loner pens his first story only to be ripped off by a legendary fantasy novelist and small-town filmmaker. With Michael Angarano, Jennifer Coolidge, Jemaine Clement. Directed by Jared Hess. Written by Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess. Fox Searchlight

House of the Devil

A coed answers an ad for a baby sitter at a creepy old Victorian house in the woods only to discover there is no baby. With Jocelin Donahue, Greta Gerwig. Written and directed by Ti West. Magnet Releasing

Skin

The true story of Sandra Laing, born black to white parents in apartheid South Africa. With Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, Alice Krige. Directed by Anthony Fabian. Written by Helen Crawley, Jessie Keyt and Helena Kriel. Jour de Fete Films

Turning Green

Shipped off to Ireland after his mother’s death, a teenager sells porn and works with a bookie to save enough money to return to America. With Timothy Hutton, Alessandro Nivola, Colm Meaney. Written and directed by Michael Aimette and John G. Hofmann. New Films

TBA

Love of Siam

Two boyhood friends reunite years later in Bangkok where they rekindle their relationship. Written and directed by Chukiat Sakveerakul. Strand Releasing