"Rise of the Guardians" is a new spin on some old-fashioned characters!

Copyright Dreamworks Animation

After being banished by the forces of good centuries before, the Boogeyman returns to terrorize the children of the world with fear. That is, unless a group of legendary protectors -- Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost -- can band together to stop him, in Rise of the Guardians.

The story follows Jack Frost (Chris Pine) and his induction into The Guardians. A mischievous character, Jack is also a lonely boy with no memory of his former self. Regular people pass right through him as if he were a ghost; he simply yearns to be seen and believed in. When called upon by Santa, he is reluctant to join, but gets swept up in the action when he discovers that the Boogeyman (Jude Law), aka Pitch, may hold the key to unlocking his past.

Review: "Skyfall"

Image © Columbia Pictures and MGM

After 22 films, the James Bond franchise is a known commodity. That's exactly why some fans enjoy it. I wouldn't blame the filmmakers if they simply relied on a parade of beautiful women, tuxedos, martinis -- shaken, not stirred -- and the famous Aston Martin to land a few hundred million buck for the series' 50th Anniversary. Toss in a few action scenes and call it a day, right? Luckily, while all of those ingredients are included, this series is not simply reheating the same old dish for moviegoers. With excellent direction by Sam Mendes, and a terrific script by John Logan, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade, Skyfall is able to pay homage to the familiar while creating something that also feels fresh.