By Scott Weinberg

As the summer season begins to wind down, the movie freak's thoughts move from high-end spectacle to something a little more... low-key. And while you'll always find a few flashy blockbusters wedged into any movie season, the autumn months are also good for the dramatic stuff, some "grown-up" material, and the first shining flashes of award-worthy goodness. So if you're done stuffing your belly with superheroes, alien invasions, and non-stop CGI spectacle, odds are you're more than ready for the fall flicks to make their debut. Plus, this is the time of year when the temperature starts to drop, so what better way to escape the chilly weather than to head to the multiplex for a double feature (or two)? Here at Rotten Tomatoes, we enjoy nothing more than helping our readers prepare for the next movie season, so sit back, relax, grab a pencil, and prepare for our breakdown of the 2005 Fall Movie Season!

The Dukes of Hazzard August 05, 2005

Probably number 1 on the "I can't believe they made this, but I'll see it anyway" list, this big-screen adaptation of the cult classic TV series stars Seann William Scott, Johnny Knoxville, Burt Reynolds, Willie Nelson, and Jessica Simpson as Daisy! Expect lots of car chases, broad yuks, and, hopefully, Ms. Simpson in those cut-off jeans! Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Jessica Simpson, Seann William Scott Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar More Info: Reviews, Posters, 42 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Broken Flowers August 05, 2005

Funnyman Bill Murray and indie darling Jim Jarmusch team up for what seems to be a quirky comedy with heart. Murray plays an acerbic lifelong bachelor who receives a mysterious letter regarding his son. Since the news of his own fatherhood comes as a bit of a shock, Murray hits the road to revisit a collection of old girlfriends -- in the hopes that he can discover which gal bore him a child. Also on board are Jeffrey Wright, Jessica Lange, Julie Delpy, Tilda Swinton, and Sharon Stone. Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Sharon Stone, Bill Murray Directed by: Jim Jarmusch More Info: Reviews, 19 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

2046 August 05, 2005

The latest mind-twister from Wong Kar-Wai opens in New York and Los Angeles on 8/5, and it's been a fairly long wait for North American movie freaks. (The movie's been on the festival circuit for a while and has been released in pretty much every overseas market already.) Semi-sequel to "In the Mood for Love," the movie tells the story of a writer holed up in a 1960's-era hotel room, where he creates a story of a futuristic train ride that leads to a place of lustful yearning. (Or something like that!) Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Ziyi Zhang, Gong Li Directed by: Kar-Wai Wong More Info: Reviews, 11 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

The Brothers Grimm August 26, 2005

From visionary director Terry Gilliam comes a tale of two yarn-spinning, con-pulling brothers who are enlisted to rid an enchanted forest of something truly supernatural. Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Jonathan Pryce, and Monica Bellucci star in this highly-anticipated adventure flick. Starring: Peter Stormare, Matt Damon, Heath Ledger Directed by: Terry Gilliam More Info: Reviews, 17 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Transporter 2 September 02, 2005

Remember Jason Statham as the no-nonsense and perpetually butt-kickin' Transporter? Well, he's back, and there's a lot more bad guys who are just itchin' for a beating! "Unleashed" director Louis Leterrier is behind the camera, and Mr. Statham will receive support from Amber Valletta, Alessandro Gassman, Jeff Chase, and Hunter Clary. Starring: Amber Valletta, Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman Directed by: Louis Leterrier More Info: Reviews, 10 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

The Man September 09, 2005

From the director of "American Outlaws," "Blue Streak," and "Encino Man" comes this mismatched buddy comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy. One's a hard-nosed FBI agent; the other's a nerdy dental supply salesman (guess which actor plays which role.) This outrageously odd couple must team up to discover who killed the agent's old partner. Luke Goss, Anthony Mackie, and Miguel Ferrer fill in the background. Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Eugene Levy, Miguel Ferrer Directed by: Les Mayfield More Info: Reviews, 13 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride September 23, 2005

If you're among the many who love, adore, and frequently revisit your "Nightmare Before Christmas" DVD, has Tim Burton got a new movie for you! Employing the wonderful stop-motion animation style used in "Nightmare," "Corpse Bride" is about a 19th century gentleman who finds himself in the underworld and engaged to an undead bride. Par for the Burton course, the voice cast includes names like Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney, and Christopher Lee. Starring: Helena Bonham-Carter, Johnny Depp, Emily Watson Directed by: Tim Burton More Info: Reviews, 36 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Serenity September 30, 2005

Based upon the short-lived cult TV series "Firefly," this one's about a crew of outer space outcasts who must stick together to defend one mysterious teenage girl from the forces of overpowering nastiness. With a Western motif, lots of action, and a decidedly oddball sense of humor, "Serenity" may be a tough sell to the general moviegoers, but fans of the series have already signed up. Starring: Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Nathan Fillion Directed by: Joss Whedon More Info: Reviews, 21 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit October 07, 2005

The adorable duo of Wallace & Gromit finally make their feature-length debut in a comedy that (not surprisingly) has taken a LONG time to get finished. Fans of the W&G shorts will be lined up around the block for Nick Park's hotly anticipated film, which includes voice-cast members like Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and (of course) Peter Sallis as Wallace. Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Peter Sallis Directed by: Steve Box, Nick Park, More Info: Reviews, Posters, 25 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Doom October 21, 2005

Based on the seriously popular video game series of the same name, "Doom" stars The Rock, Karl Urban, and Rosamund Pike as futuristic butt-kickers who know their way around the business end of a machine gun. Cinematographer-turned-director Andrzej Bartkowiak is behind the cameras, which means the movie should be as slick as it is bullet-ridden. Starring: Karl Urban, Rosamund Pike, Dwayne Johnson Directed by: Andrzej Bartkowiak More Info: Reviews, 28 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

The Weather Man October 28, 2005

From the director of "The Ring" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" comes a comedy/drama that's been delayed a few times... but for good reasons, reportedly. Nicolas Cage stars as a family man going through some personal issues after deciding to move across the country; Michael Caine's his papa; Hope Davis is the little Mrs. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Hope Davis, Michael Caine Directed by: Gore Verbinski More Info: Reviews, 11 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Chicken Little November 04, 2005

The classic tale of social paranoia comes to life in Disney's long-in-the-works animated comedy. Barnyard hysteria reigns supreme when a young piece of poultry discovers that, after several false claims, the sky really IS falling. Contributing some colorful voices to the expansive cast are Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Steve Zahn, Garry Marshall, Don Knotts, Harry Shearer, Patrick Stewart, Amy Sedaris, Fred Willard, Adam West, Patrick Warburton, and Catherine O'Hara. Starring: Joan Cusack, Don Knotts, Zach Braff Directed by: Garry Marshall, Mark Dindal, More Info: Reviews, Posters, 15 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Zathura November 11, 2005

Fresh off the success of the amazingly profitable "Elf," director Jon Favreau was given the director's chair for this semi-sequel to "Jumanji." Two young brothers find themselves jettisoned into an outer space adventure when they uncover a dusty old board game in the basement. Based upon the book by Chris Van Allsburg, "Zathura" has Dax Shepard as a friendly astronaut, Kristen Stewart as the big sister, and Tim Robbins as "Dad." Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard Directed by: Jon Favreau More Info: Reviews, 17 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire November 18, 2005

The fourth chapter in the cinematic exploits of young wizard Harry Potter is sure to be one of the Thanksgiving season's biggest hits. Harry's about to become a fourth-year student at Hogwart's School for Wizardry, and a rare honor is bestowed upon our hero when the Tri-Wizard Tournament is about to get underway. After Chris Columbus directed the first two entries and Alfonso Cuaron stepped in (wonderfully) for part 3, the directorial reins for "Goblet of Fire" have fallen to Mike Newell, the British filmmaker who gave us "Donnie Brasco," "Pushing Tin," and "Mona Lisa Smile." Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint Directed by: Mike Newell More Info: Reviews, Posters, 55 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Syriana November 23, 2005

George Clooney stars as CIA agent Jeff Baer in this based-on-actual-events tale of Cold War conniving and Middle East messes. Writer/director Stephen Gaghan adapted Mr. Baer's memoirs, so expect a decent dose of reality mixed in with just enough fiction to keep the story moving along. This cool-sounding project also stars Matt Damon, Amanda Peet, Michelle Monaghan, and Chris Cooper. Starring: George Clooney, Amanda Peet, Matt Damon Directed by: Stephen Gaghan More Info: Reviews, 46 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum