Sorry about that dreadful rhyming title, folks, but I always get excited about December movie releases! Why? Because many studios save the best films for the last month of the year, hoping it's easier for Oscar voters to remember them. This year is probably no exception. Here’s the line-up for December 2007:

DECEMBER 7

The Golden Compass. A young girl, played by Dakota Blue Richards, travels through a parallel universe and meets incredible creatures in this film adaptation of the first volume of Philip Pullman’s The Dark Materials trilogy. Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Sam Elliott also appear in key roles.

Atonement. An accusation by a 13-year-old girl damages the lives of her older sister and the sister’s lover. Keira Knightley and James MacAvoy portray the lovers in question; Saorise Ronan and Romola Garai play the accuser at different ages.

Grace Is Gone.  In this dramatic movie starring John Cusack, a father takes his children on a road trip after learning his wife has been killed in Iraq.

DECEMBER 12

The Perfect Holiday. Hoping to find a husband for her divorced mom, a youngster seeks help from a department store Santa Claus, played by Morris Chestnut.  Lovely Gabrielle Union portrays the mother in this holiday romantic comedy.

DECEMBER 14:

I Am Legend.  Will Smith stars as the last human survivor in the world. But is he alone? Not on your life! Watch out for those mutant victims of a virus plague in this sci-fi horror flick.  

The Kite Runner. In this dramatic film version of Khalid Hosseini’s popular novel, a man goes back to Afghanistan in order to help an old friend. The book is a revelation -- but how will it transfer to the big screen?  

Juno.  What a young girl decides to do about an unplanned pregnancy forms the basis of this dramedy starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. This one is already a big hit on the film festival circuit.

Alvin and the Chipmunks. Jason Lee interacts with the chipmunk musical group made famous in those popular 1980s cartoons. It could be fun!    

DECEMBER 21

National Treasure: Book of Secrets. In this exciting action adventure, Nicolas Cage’s character must clear his great-grandfather’s name or be known as the descendant of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. Will he succeed? I’m betting on it. 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Johnny Depp sings!  It’s true. Under the deft direction of Tim Burton again, Depp portrays a vengeful man out to get even with the people who wronged him and his family. I can hardly wait to see this film version of the dark and disturbing Tony-winning musical!    

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. The rise and fall – and rise again -- of a musician played by John C. Reilly. Jenna Fischer, from TV’s “Office,” co-stars as a back-up singer in this quirky comedy directed by Jake Kasdan. 

P.S., I Love You. Messages from her late husband inspire a widow to move on with her life in a film designed for incurable romantics like me. Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank portray the married couple who are happy together until tragedy strikes.     

DECEMBER 25

The Bucket List.  Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are two terminally ill men who go on a road trip to fulfill their adventurous wishes before they die. Despite the downer theme, who wants to miss seeing these amazing actors in a film together?  Definitely not me!

Charlie Wilson’s War. Many film fans are ecstatic over Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts as co-stars in this drama based on true events. It's about a Texas congressman who becomes involved in covert efforts to help Afghanistan rebels with their war against the Soviets. The trailer certainly promises intriguing things to come. 

Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem.  A bloody Christmas faces viewers and residents of a small town where alien and predator races meet to battle against each other in this sci-fi horror sequel.

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. This family fantasy depicts what happens when a young Scottish boy finds a mysterious egg that hatches into a legendary sea creature.

The Great Debaters.  In 1935, a Texas college debate team challenged Harvard for the national championship. Denzel Washington (who also serves as director) and Forest Whitaker co-star in this drama based on a true story. As a debate team member in days of yore, I’m eager to watch exciting verbal sparring again. 

The Orphanage. This horror movie zeroes in on events set in motion after a woman, who turns the house where she grew up into an orphanage, discovers her son makes an invisible friend there. One question: why not release this at Halloween instead of Christmas?

Persopolis. An outspoken Iranian girl comes of age during the Islamic Revolution in this acclaimed animated film.  .

DECEMBER 26

There Will Be Blood. Well, maybe not lots of it, but you can bet there will be -- as usual -- a brilliant performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. This time he portrays a greedy Texas prospector at the turn of the century. 

NOTE:  Remember all release dates are subject to change.