Opening this week are "Armored" with Matt Dillon; "Brothers" with Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal; "Everybody's Fine" with Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale and Drew Barrymore; and "Transylmania."

BROTHERS (with Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal)

Synopsis: When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home—with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family. Brothers tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirtysomething Captain Sam Cahill and younger brother Tommy Cahill, who are polar opposites.

First thoughts: I absolutely love Susanne Bier's original "Brødre," so I'm quite interested to see what Jim Sheridan has done with it. Plus, the remake boasts a great cast as well. The trailer sure looks powerful, and this is deinitely the wide release I am most excited about this week. My excitement meter for this one: 8/10.

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EVERYBODY'S FINE (with Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale)

Synopsis: Everybody's Fine, a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's "Stanno Tutti Bene," follows a widower (Robert De Niro) who embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children only to discover that their lives are far from picture perfect.

First thoughts: Kirk Jones helmed "Nanny McPhee," which I enjoyed very much. That said, this drama looks a little too predictable for my taste. I know it's time for happy Christmas movies and all, but I fear this one may be a little flat. The cast looks great though. Come back for my review first thing Friday morning. My excitement meter for this one: 6/10.

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ARMORED (with Matt Dillon, Laurence Fishburne)

Synopsis: A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist... against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none. But when an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels and hell breaks loose; all bets are off and each man must fight to survive on a dog-eat-dog battleground made of steel.

First thoughts: Nimród Antal also directed "Vacancy," which I enjoyed. This one doesn't look as intriguing, but then again, it could still be fast-paced and action-packed. I can't say I'm totally excited about this one, but it's not a film I'm dreading alreay either. My excitement meter for this one: 5/10.

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Transylmania (with James DeBello, Tony Denman)

Synopsis: In Transylmania, a motley group of college students embark on the wildest, sexiest, most outrageous semester abroad ever at Razvan University. Located deep in the heart of the "cursed land" of Transylvania in a centuries-old castle, Razvan isn't your typical institution of higher learning – and the black leather-clad professors, three-foot-tall dean, instruction in crucifix-wielding, and topless vampiresses lurking in dark corners are just the start.

First thoughts: Everything about this one kind of looks crappy, but I hope I will at least get a couple of laughs out of it. To be honest, that's all I can say about this one right now. My excitement meter for this one: 4/10.