We’re starting to get some buzz around the film “9,” directed by Shane Acker and produced by Tim Burton. Check out the theatrical poster below, offered exclusively to Film Gecko, and watch the trailer and a clip here.

The story follows a ragdoll-like creature named “9” (voiced by Elijah Wood) who comes to life and finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone. When 9 discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from killing machines, he convinces the others that hiding will do no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive, and the future of civilization may depend on them.

Definitely not a light-hearted, fluffy kids’ flick. Also check out the Facebook page, where the back-story of “9” has begun to unfold through the voice of the film’s Scientist. You can see for yourself the Machine that will help rebuild the Nation and his designs that will change the world. 

Set for a Sept. 9, 2009 release date, voice talent also includes Jennifer Connelly, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer. It doesn’t get much better than that.

What do you think of the poster?

Image: © FOCUS FEATURES LLC. All Rights Reserved.

New in theaters today is a bunch of funny, wacky, romantic, scary, and heartbreaking movies. In short, something for everyone! Take a look and see what’s new:

Land of the Lost (PG-13). Has-been scientist Will Ferrell gets "lost" in a land full of dinosaurs and other fun creatures. [35 Images] [Clips and Trailer] [Official Site]

Away We Go (R, limited release). John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are expectant parents in search of a place to raise their child. [Film Gecko Preview] [Contest Giveaway] [Official Site]

The Hangover (R). What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? We’ll find out in this buddy movie starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis. [Official Site]

My Life in Ruins (PG-13). Nia Vardalos is a Greek American tour guide leading an assorted group of misfits around Greece. [Official Site]

Downloading Nancy (not rated, limited release). A missing wife and a nasty cyber-relationship are on tap here. Stars Maria Bello, Jason Patric and Rufus Sewell. [Film Gecko Preview] [Official Site]

Tennessee (R, limited release).  Adam Rothenberg, Ethan Peck and Mariah Carey star in this movie about three people in search of their dreams. [Official Site]

Images: © Universal Studios

Panty raids, wild parties, shocking behavior … yes, it’s another "Van Wilder" movie! The trailer for "Van Wilder: Freshman Year" is posted on FunnyorDie.com now, and the DVD arrives in stores July 14, 2009.

The third installment of the franchise finds young Van (Jonathan Bennett) following in his rich dad’s footsteps by enrolling at prestigious Coolidge College. Needless to say, it’s not exactly the party school he hoped it would be. Oh no, there are strict rules enforced by an uptight dean and what’s more, all the girls have taken a vow of chastity!

Van launches a campaign to free the school from its oppressive rules. All I can say is, don’t try this at home! Or college!

From Tapestry Films and Paramount Home Entertainment, the movie also stars Kristin Cavallari ("Laguna Beach"), Steve Talley ("American Pie Presents Beta House"), Kurt Fuller ("Wayne’s World") and Linden Ashby ("Resident Evil: Extinction").

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"Land of the Lost" hits theaters this Friday, June 5, 2009. After seeing a bunch of clips and all the new images below, I’m starting to get excited about this one.

And Will Ferrell has been publicizing the movie like mad. He’ll be on Man Vs. Wild tomorrow night – Tuesday, June 2, at 10 PM on the Discovery Channel. I’m sure it’ll be a hoot!

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My daughter and I have this running joke about how I can find something to cry about in every movie. I didn’t think that would be the case with “Up,” but sure enough, I got a little weepy a few times! But I was also uplifted and enchanted, too. Pixar has rolled out another winner with “Up.”

The movie starts with two young kids, Carl and Ellie, who are both completely fascinated by a daring adventurer named Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer). He roams the jungles of South America, bringing back bones of animals previously unknown to man. But when he’s accused of being a fraud, he flies off to South America, vowing never to return until he can bring back living creatures to prove he’s indeed the real thing.

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Zac Efron may be moving beyond Disney-type movies, but it seems like his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens is sticking with the tried-and-true formula.

Hudgens ("High School Musical") and Alyson Michalka ("Phil of the Future," "Aly and AJ") are starring in "Bandslam," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009. Michalka plays a gifted singer-songwriter who recruits a new kid in town (Gaelan Connell, "Chocolat") to manage her rock band. Her main motivation? Go up against her egotistical ex-boyfriend (Scott Porter, "Friday Night Lights") and his band at a battle of the bands competition. Meanwhile, Sam (Hudgens) and Will find romance.

My first instinct is this sounds a lot like "High School Musical" kicked up to a PG rating (for some thematic elements and mild language). But it’s produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and distributed by Summit Entertainment ("Twilight"), so it might surprise me. It will definitely appeal to fans of Hudgens and Michalka. Are you looking forward to this movie?

After the jump, more pics and a trailer…

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Three new stills from "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" are online, and I’ve got them below! The movie hits theaters on Nov. 20, 2009, and continues the story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Yes, it’s a love triangle, only with humans, vampires and werewolves. Check out the poster of the werewolf pack here.

Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan) and Edi Gathegi (Laurent):

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I’ll say right off the bat that my kids liked "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" better than I did. I LOVED the first "Night at the Museum," and this sequel seems like a throw-away to capitalize on the first movie and showcase all the stuff in the Smithsonian. That said, there are a few things I like about it; namely, Amy Adams as the plucky Amelia Earhart.

Ben Stiller returns as Larry Daley, only instead of working as a night guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, he’s running a big corporation now and doing infomercials for all his products, like a glow-in-the-dark flashlight.

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Three new images of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" have been released exclusively to EW.com. The pics show:

• Newly 18-year-old Bella after being thrown against a table by her love, Edward.
• The mysterious vampire Laurent (Edi Gathegi) telling Bella not to be fearful of death. "’He was bad in ‘Twilight,’ but still had some compassion," he says. "Let’s just say he’s not conflicted anymore.”
• Bella and Edward about to kiss. "Rob was the first guy to say to me, ‘You know, you don’t really need to have too much of me in this film,’" notes director Chris Weitz. "I don’t want him too present, so his apparition will be a subtle, flitting effect — clearly a reflection of Bella’s will and desire to see him.”

Check out the new images here (I’ll post them as soon as they’re available). What do you think?

Image: TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

I love sequels that bring in lots of references from the preceding movies. “Terminator Salvation” does that, especially from the very first movie, “The Terminator.” 

You remember the story: Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor meets Kyle Reese, who was sent back from the future to keep her safe from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big, bad Terminator. In the process, Sarah and Kyle grow close, and she gets pregnant with John Connor, who later becomes the leader of the resistance movement against the machines and Skynet. John is also the one who sent Kyle back to protect Sarah – so that he could be born.

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