Santa’s bag includes plenty of special treats for movie fans this December. My most eagerly-awaited films of the month run the gamut from a dramatic new Clint Eastwood offering plus James Cameron’s fantastic looking Avatar to an updating of Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. in the title role. Check out the schedule below, but remember release dates are always subject to change.      

DECEMBER 4

Armored. Laurence Fishburne, Matt Dillon and Jean Reno play armored-truck guards planning to steal $42 million from their truck. A rookie guard portrayed by Columbus Short has other ideas. 

Brothers. A dangerous romantic triangle develops when a young army wife turns to her brother-in-law after her husband is reported missing in Afghanistan. Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire star in this emotional drama.

Everything’s Fine. Why would three grown children cancel their annual trip home for a visit? Widowed dad Robert De Niro decides to find out. Cast also includes Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckensale and Sam Rockwell.

Up in the Air. Frequent-flyer miles matter to George Clooney’s character, a corporate downsizer, in this Jason Reitman film. Vera Farmiga co-stars.

Serious Moonlight. Can this marriage be saved? Meg Ryan portrays a wife who takes her philandering hubby hostage in an extreme attempt to bring about a reconciliation. Timothy Hutton portrays the unlucky spouse.

DECEMBER 11

Invictus. Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, and Matt Damon is a white South African rugby star in Clint Eastwood’s film about how the team was used to help bring a troubled country together.

The Lovely Bones. This film version of Alice Seybold’s best-seller about the murder of a 14-year-old girl boasts a splendid cast including Saoirse Ronan, Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci and Mark Wahlberg.

A Single Man. Colin Firth portrays a gay English professor mourning the death of his partner in this feature debut of fashion icon Tom Ford.

The Princess and the Frog. A waitress kisses a frog – and voila! – the frog becomes a prince. Right? Not in this animated Disney movie. There’s an entirely new twist here.

DECEMBER 18

Avatar. James Cameron long-awaited sci-fi adventure/fantasy about humans using a bizarre technology to interact with inhabitants of an exotic land looks awesome in the trailers. A must-see, for sure!

Did You Hear about the Morgans? The Witness Protection Program will probably never be the same after Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen get through with it in this romantic comedy.

NINE. Daniel Day-Lewis in a musical? He seems to be able to do any kind of role, but I wanted to see Antonio Banderas play the struggling director here. After all, Antonio was a big hit in the Broadway version. Also in the star-studded cast are Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman.

The Young Victoria. Queen Victoria is played by Emily Blunt in a biopic which promises to offer a fresh perspective on the British monarch.  

DECEMBER 25

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. The Chipettes join Alvin and his furry group for more holiday fun.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Heath Ledger’s final -- but unfinished -- performance sparks increased interest in Terry Gilliam’s latest creative offering. Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell stepped in to help complete the Ledger role.

It’s Complicated. Romance blooms again for a divorced couple played by Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. But don’t count out Steve Martin as an architect who's also vying for Streep’s affection.  

Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively, in this updating of Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular detective adventures. Don’t expect an old-fashioned Holmes mystery. This movie version emphasizes action and the charisma of its two stars.

DVD RELEASES:

DECEMBER 1

A Christmas Tale

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Paper Heart

Terminator Salvation

DECEMBER 8

Carriers

The Dog Who Saved Christmas

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Julie & Julia

Public Enemies

World’s Greatest Dad

DECEMBER 15

G-Force

The Hangover

Inglourious Basterds

The Other Man

Taking Woodstock

DECEMBER 22

(500) Days of Summer

All About Steve

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Extract

It Might Get Loud

DECEMBER 29

9

District 9

Jennifer’s Body

(Poster for Sherlock Holmes: © 2009 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.)