Sequels, Defanged

"Films," people say, "have gotten too violent." Or too scary. Or too emotionally searing. That may be so, but a new slate of sequels scheduled for late 2008/early 2009 is poised to turn around the trend.

No Country for Old Women

An escapee from a minimum security women's prison (Sigourney Weaver) goes on a rampage along the US-Mexico border in Texas. Her target: chocolate bars owned by other women. Can anyone stop the criminal and save the ladies' chocolate? There can only be one man for this job: Inspector Gadget (Matthew Broderick)!

Hotel Rwanda II: Trouble in Paradise!

Spurred on by an ambitious new wife, buttoned-down hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) is trying to transform his little jungle bungalow into a world-class resort. But when monkeys get into a deluxe cake prepared for a visiting dignitary, not even visiting world-famous chimpologist Lance Huffleworth (Cedric the Entertainer) can keep things under control!

Beowulf: The Journey North

Snarling barbarian hero Beowulf (Ray Winstone), an animated bee (Jerry Seinfeld) and a talking rat (Patton Oswald) can't seem to get along, even though they're stuck hanging out together in the same small Northern European swamp. But when a mysterious train arrives bedecked with garlands and gifts, the trio set forth on an adventure beyond their wildest imaginations... to the North Pole!

Ring Three

Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son Aidan (David Dorfman) have once again moved cross-country to escape vengeful evil spirits, this time arriving in suburban Schaumburg, Illinois. But before long, the family is haunted by a cursed mp3 file that makes anyone who listens to it believe that King of Queens is the apex of television comedy. Can anyone stop the curse and save the country from nightly repeats of King of Queens?

2:15 to Yuma

Strangers at the outset of their journey, train passengers James (Jeff Daniels) and Lila (Emma Thompson) enjoy the surprisingly comfortable accommodations aboard the new passenger liner traveling from Contention City, Arizona to Yuma. Along the way, they discuss America's seemingly infinite prospects, the poetry of Walt Whitman and the breathtaking natural scenery along their route. When they arrive at Yuma, they put their pre-existing plans on hold and continue their conversation at a local teahouse.

Eastern Promises II: It's Good to Be King

Scotland Yard informant Nikolai Luzhin (Viggo Mortensen) now reigns as the acting boss of London's Russian mafia — but the job is a little more work than he was expecting! It turns out that the Eastern European underworld can sometimes be a hectic place. In a hilarious series of montages, Luzhin convinces each of the city's six "families" of gangsters to get into a new "racket" — all of which are entirely legal! From artisanal brewing, to starting up an Internet-based grocery delivery service, to carefully crafting Norwegian sweaters, each is more productive than the last. But will the families stick to their new gigs, or fall back into their old mischievious ways?

Crash: Bandicoot

You think racism is tough? Try dealing with the psychopathic Doctor Neo Cortex and his right hand man Doctor Nitrus Brio! A series of crimes (both petty and major) force sympathetic marsupial Crash Bandicoot and both the doctors to confront their prejudices and also break a large number of crates with either spinning or jumping attacks. This one has "Oscar" written all over it.