"I Am Legend"
Opens: Dec. 14
Why: As the last man alive in a desolate future, Will Smith plays a scientist attempting to find a cure for the infected remnants of the human race, which is too obsessed with trying to eat him to appreciate his gesture.
Biggest Misconception: It's a rip-off of "28 Days Later." The long-gestating project is actually based on Richard Matheson's 1954 sci-fi novel that first came to the big screen in 1971's "The Omega Man" and found Charlton Heston in Smith's role.
Standout Performance: Director Francis Lawrence. The longtime music video director turned the underrated "Constantine" into a visual and haunting thriller. This time around, he promises to depict a deserted and wasted New York expected to blow away Danny Boyle's groundbreaking depiction of a similarly empty London in the aforementioned "28 Days Later."

"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"
Opens: Dec. 21
Why: The third movie produced by Judd Apatow this year after "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" finds John C. Reilly playing the fictional Dewey Cox, a parody of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley and every other flawed musical legend out there.
Biggest Misconception: It's a serious movie. There are actually people who don't get that it's mocking Oscar bio flicks such as "Walk the Line."
Standout Performance: The songs. If you thought the "South Park" songs were funny, wait till you hear the sexual innuendo of "Let's Duet" and "A Hole in My Pants."

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Opens: Dec. 21
Why: Combine Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical of a revenge-seeking barber, Tim Burton's distinctive vision, the charisma of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, and you're up for one hell of a bloody (literally) ride.
Biggest Misconception: It's not a musical. Judging from the trailer, you would never guess it's a musical, but it is, and those stars will sing.
Standout Performance: Johnny Depp is said to channel David Bowie in a rock-star interpretation of the demon barber role. Place your Golden Globes bets now, because he will definitely earn a nomination.

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets"
Opens: Dec. 21
Why: For such a kitschy concept -- treasure hunter finds clues to a secret bounty in the Declaration of Independence -- the first "Treasure" was a delightful surprise. Ed Harris and the recent Oscar-winning "Queen" herself, Helen Mirren, join star Nicolas Cage for the second installment.
Biggest Misconception: Helen Mirren is barely in the film. Far from it, she appears to be right there through the end.
Standout Performance: The sets. Having visited a massive and stunning "Secrets" set on the Universal Studios lot a few months ago (one that was initially mistaken for something from the upcoming "Indiana Jones" flick), I can testify that this sequel isn't lacking in scope.

"There Will Be Blood"
Opens: Dec. 26 (limited)
Why: Director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights") returns with this adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel "Oil!" which finds Daniel Day-Lewis playing an early 20th-century tycoon desperate to obtain the rights to land owned by a passionate church.
Biggest Misconception: It's another dark independent flick from Anderson, whose credits include "Magnolia" and "Punch-Drunk Love." Word is the movie plays out more in the style of a big Hollywood epic from the '50s, such as "Giant."
Standout Performance: Paul Dano (the silent brother in "Little Miss Sunshine"). The talented actor is already being lauded for a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as a charismatic young preacher.

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