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Although several apocalyptic stories have hit the big screen within the past couple years, "2012" stands out with higher quality and an advanced plot. Director Roland Emmerich captures audiences' imagination with a multi-layered plot and visually stunning special effects. This epic adventure critiques the humanity of the governments of the world's most powerful nations by assessing how the world would respond to an apocalypse.

Disney's "A Christmas Carol," is the latest in the long line of film adaptations based on Charles Dickens's 1843 classic of the same name. In this brilliantly animated re-creation, Jim Carrey stars as the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas, but unfortunately falls short in delivering the heart-warming magic.

Horror films like "The Fourth Kind” have solidified the horror industry's move from gore and sadism to the kind of psychological thriller that made Alfred Hitchcock a household brand. With a recurring style of imposing suspense and cinematography over gruesome and gaudy storylines, the meaning of hardcore thriller is being redefined and "The Fourth Kind" is more than enough proof that change is good.

Director and screenwriter Richard Kelly has been known for thought-provoking thrillers such as "Donnie Darko" and "Southland Tales." With "The Box" he deviates from his original story telling and creates an adaptation of the Richard Matheson short story, "Button, Button." The result is bland and slow and epitomizes what a thriller should not be.

In June 2009, the world was riveted by the sudden passing of Michael Jackson. The record-breaking artist was just days from beginning his last curtain call with 50 concerts. Although the chance to experience his majesty has vanished, "This Is It" delivers the "man in the mirror" with all of Jackson’s magic.