Top 10 fall blockbusters: Muppets, musketeers and vampires

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From swashbuckling felines to sword-wielding Titans, star-studded and much-anticipated offerings dominate the fall film line-up. From the beginning of the end for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 to Spielberg's Adventures of Tintin, the return of The Muppets and Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible, major releases through 2011 are targeted for families and holiday viewing. A selection of the box office highlights follows.

The Three Musketeers (3D)
Release dates: opens in Europe in September, rolling out worldwide through October

Opening the Tokyo International Film Festival, this romantic action-adventure in 3D is the latest adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's tale by director Paul W.S. Anderson ( Resident Evil), starring Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom (‘Pirates of the Caribbean'), Christoph Waltz ( Water for Elephants) and Ray Stevenson ( Thor). Young D'Artagnan joins three legendary swashbucklers down on their luck but the Musketeers rally to defeat a beautiful villain, save the French throne and spare Europe from war.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQd3MwT2fAM
Website: http://www.threemusketeers-movie.com

Puss in Boots
Release dates: November 4 in North America and rolling out worldwide in November

Starring the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek ( Across the Universe) and Zach Galifianakis (‘The Hangover') in the spin-off about the animated swashbuckling cat with the big eyes from the Shrek franchise. Directed by Chris Miller ( Shrek the Third), this origin story follows the younger feline, who is tricked into robbing a bank with friend Humpty Dumpty and must clear his name.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55gmAtakjJ4
Website: http://www.PussInBootsTheMovie.com

Immortals (3D)
Release dates: November 11 in North America, worldwide through November

An epic story in 3D of Greek warrior Theseus who battles King Hyperion's war on mankind and efforts to obtain the legendary Epirus Bow and unleash the vengeful Titans. Directed by Tarsem Singh ( The Fall) the film stars Hendy Cavill (the new Superman), Mickey Rourke ( Iron Man) and Freida Pinto ( Slumdog Millionaire).
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVPAErSh-vg
Website: http://www.immortalsmovie.com/splash

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One
Release dates: November 16-18 worldwide, with a few markets in January

After Edward and Bella marry, the Quileute and the Volturi target the expecting parents, whose half-vampire child threatens both the wolf pack, the coven and the young mother. Director Bill Condon ( Dreamgirls, Chicago) adapts this first part of Stephenie Meyer's final book in the trilogy, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIpeBi6SG4A
Website: http://www.BreakingDawn-themovie.com

The Muppets
Release dates: November 23 in North America,; France, Brazil and Singapore in December; worldwide through February

Starring Amy Adams ( The Fighter), Jason Segel (Bad Teacher) and Chris Cooper ( The Town), Kermit and Miss Piggy. Jim Henson's beloved puppet creations return to the big screen after a 12-year absence. With the help of three fans, the Muppets reunite in 3D to save the Muppet Theater from a greedy oil tycoon. Actor Segel resurrected the franchise for nostalgic fans and a new generation of kids.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaeXrigYkGY
Website: http://disney.com/muppets

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Release dates: December 16 in North America, Singapore and the UK; rolls out worldwide in January

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Noomi Rapace ( The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). The sequel, also directed by Guy Ritchie, continues the humorous take on Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective's adventures. This tale follows Holmes facing off with his nemesis Professor Moriarty, joined by his partner, Dr. Watson.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILz_AC8OHQQ
Website: http://sherlockholmes2.warnerbros.com/

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Release dates: December 21 in North America and Scandinavian countries, December 26 in the UK, January worldwide

Starring Daniel Craig ( Quantum of Solace), Stellan Skarsgard ( Thor), Christopher Plummer ( Beginners) and Rooney Mara ( The Social Network). Director David Fincher ( The Social Network) adapts the American version of the Swedish hit The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, based on Stieg Larssen's bestselling trilogy about a crusading journalist and troubled computer hacker Lisbeth Salander who team up to solve a 40-year-old mystery.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVLvMg62RPA
Website: http://dragontattoo.com

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Release dates: December 14-16 worldwide, followed by North America the 19th, the UK the 26th.

Starring Tom Cruise with Jeremy Renner ( The Hurt Locker, The Town) and directed by Brad Bird ( Ratatouille), the fourth installment of the MI franchise. When the Kremlin is bombed, a new IMF team goes rogue to find the culprits.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP337Ey1cfQ
Website: http://www.missionimpossible.com/

The Adventures of Tintin (3D)
Release dates: October 26-28 Belgium, France, UK, Russia, Sweden and other markets; opens wider through November,in Japan on December 1 and in North America December 23

Adapted from three books by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, Steven Spielberg directs this 3D motion-capture animated film with stars Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell ( Billy Elliot) and Andy Serkis ( Lord of the Rings). The story finds Tintin and friends discovering a sunken ship commanded by Capt. Haddock's ancestor and head off on a treasure hunt.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz3j8gKRUTg
Website: http://www.tintin.com

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (3D)
Release dates: December 16 in North America, worldwide in December; Russia follows

Starring Jason Lee ( Almost Famous, My Name is Earl) and the voices of Justin Long ( Live Free and Die Hard) as Alvin and Anna Faris ( Scary Movie 4) in a live action/animated kids adventure in 3D. This threequel from the recent franchise redo, finds the chipmunks and chipettes stranded on a luxury cruise.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKJ7kDLd2o8
Website: http://munkyourself.com

RC