Eva Mendes - The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

	The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)  140 min   -   Crime | Drama A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective. Director:  Derek Cianfrance Stars:  Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne

THE BUZZ: Hopefully Ryan Gosling's second project with writer/director Derek Cianfrance will reconfirm that Blue Valentine provided Gosling with his best role to date while Rose Byrne continues to build an admirable string of big- and small-screen successes and Bradley Cooper gets some much-needed tarnish on his near-perfect face. And, yes, we too think the premise recalls Drive a bit too much on paper.

Saoirse Ronan - The Host (2013)

The Host (2013) Sci-Fi | Thriller A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans. Director:  Andrew Niccol Stars:  Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, William Hurt, Jake Abel

THE BUZZ: Twilight author Stephenie Meyer's other lit sensation does not have any sequels in place just yet, though Meyer said they have been outlined. Chances are everyone in her circle will wait to see how the movie performs; if it's a smash, perhaps The Seeker will be announced after opening weekend.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. Director:  Jon M. Chu Stars:  Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Ray Park, Bruce Willis

THE BUZZ: The action figure franchise has really doubled-down with its follow-up to 2009'sRise of Cobra by adding bigger star power (The Rock, RZA and Bruce Willis as the original Joe!) and a midsummer release date that proves Hasbro has confidence this can pull a Fast and Furious-like improvement over its predecessor. Go Joe!

Admission (2013)

	Admission (2013)  Comedy A Princeton admissions officer who is up for a major promotion takes a professional risk after she meets a college-bound alternative school kid who just might be the son she gave up years ago in a secret adoption. Director:  Paul Weitz Stars:  Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nat Wolff, Gloria Reuben

THE BUZZ: Tina Fey + Paul Rudd = considerable comedic promise. But (1) Fey had no hand in this screenplay; (2) Paul Weitz has lost his directorial touch since About a Boy; and (3) the first trailer is warm-hearted, but is it truly funny?

The Croods (2013)

	The Croods (2013) Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family The world's very first prehistoric family goes on a road trip to an uncharted and fantastical world. Directors:  Kirk De Micco | Chris Sanders Stars:  Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener

THE BUZZ: Though DreamWorks Animation has remained mostly mute on this project, what has me primed is the presence of co-director Chris Sanders, who has co-captained How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch with Dean DeBlois. In development since at least 2005, the project was almost made with Aardman Animations, and John Cleese had an early hand in the screenplay.

Hummingbird (2013)

Hummingbird (2013) Thriller The story of an ex-Special Forces soldier who has found himself homeless on the streets. Director:  Steven Knight Stars:  Jason Statham, Vicky McClure, Senem Temiz, Lee Asquith-Coe

THE BUZZ: Gritty screenwriter Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Dirty Pretty Things) makes his directorial debut with a thriller that will hopefully help us distinguish Jason Statham's latest movie from everything that has preceded it.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)

	The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) Comedy Magician Burt Wonderstone splits from his longtime stage partner after a guerrilla street magician steals their thunder. By spending some time with his boyhood idol, Burt looks to remember what made him love magic in the first place. Director:  Don Scardino Stars:  Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, James Gandolfini

THE BUZZ: Give partial credit to Horrible Bosses for this long-gestating comedy finally getting a green light; the two projects share the same writing team -- Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who saw their rivaling magician screenplay pushed to the forefront after their workplace comedy scored with audiences. The on-screen pairing of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey should sell itself in a year that should steady Carell's career trajectory and stoke the embers that will reignite Carry's fire come Kick-Ass 2 time.