Hollywood offers diverse mix this season

The holiday season is upon us, and you know what that means: lots and lots of family, food and football. But it also means movies. And not just any movies, but the much-buzzed-about ones and the potential Oscar contenders.

Thanksgiving is always one of the most crowded weekends at movie theaters, and Christmas isn't that far behind. And the trend is likely to continue as Hollywood certainly hasn't disappointed with its selection.

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1'

Twi-hards rejoice! The "Twilight" series is back and picks up where it left off in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" with the vampire-human couple Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) preparing for their wedding ... and for baby.

Their "bundle of joy" proves to be trouble as it threatens the Quileute wolf pack, the Volturi vampire coven and mom's life. As far as the box office goes, this will be the one to beat, at least for a while.

'The Muppets'

Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang are back in action, with some help from the likes of Jason Segel and Amy Adams. This singing-dancing spectacular brings Jim Henson's famed characters back to the big screen after a 12-year hiatus ("Muppets From Space").

Here's hoping Kermit finds it a bit easier to be green this time around.

'My Week With Marilyn'

The Oscar buzz is already humming around Michelle Williams' portrayal of sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. She reportedly has nailed the look, the actions and the voice.

The star's battle between the icon and the girl next door are documented in a story that revolves around the production of "The Prince and the Showgirl" and the week that a lowly production assistant (Eddie Redmayne) got to spend with Marilyn.

Keep an eye on this one during the lead-up to the January announcement of Academy Award nominees.

'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'

An intelligence head forced into retirement, George Smiley (played by the remarkable Gary Oldman) is brought back into the mix to hunt down a Soviet mole in this Cold War-era film. Backed by Best Actor Oscar-winner Colin Firth and the underrated Tom Hardy, it's no surprise that this film is another among those garnering Academy Award buzz.

'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'

The dynamic duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, a comic match-up of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, are back to their sleuthing ways in this second installment, again by Guy Ritchie.

Hot on the trail of Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), who outwitted the pair in the first film and somehow always seems to be a step ahead, the investigation takes them country hopping as they try to stop a plan that will alter the course of history.

Look for more of the things you liked about the first film, not to mention RDJ in drag.

'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol'

Tom Cruise is at it again. No, not jumping on couches, but doing his own stunts playing dogged spy Ethan Hunt (for the fourth time) in this series that didn't fare so well with fans in its last installment.

This round follows the agent and his team as they try to clear the spy organization's name after being implicated in a bombing at the Kremlin.

Filmed extensively in Dubai, the setting provides a lot of opportunity for some amazing stunts. This one also has potential in the form of Jeremy Renner, so here's hoping.

'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

Stieg Larsson's best-selling novel-turned-film gets a Hollywood makeover after it's 2009 Swedish release, but don't let the glitz and glam fool you. It will be dark, though not as graphic as the original.

A journalist (Daniel Craig) and a tattooed, pierced computer hacker (Rooney Mara) are thrown together to research the mystery of a woman who disappeared 40 years ago, only to uncover that there are crimes more heinous and widespread than first suspected.

This much-anticipated film is another garnering early Oscar talk. It's too early to tell if it will win awards, but it's sure to win at the box office.

'In the Land of Blood and Honey'

With no marquee celebs playing the leads, this film is unlikely to be a financial boon. So why is it on this list? The draw lies in the fact that it marks Angelina Jolie's debut as a writer-director.

Filmed against the backdrop of the Bosnian War, Jolie used local actors to portray the story of how war changes the relationship between Danijel (Goran Kostic) and Ajla (Zana Marjanovic), Bosnians from different sides of the ethnic war.

'The Darkest Hour'

The tag line says it all: "Survive the holidays." Set in Moscow, the story follows a group of young adults struggling to survive after an alien attack.

Led by Emile Hirsch of "Into the Wild" fame, the film has the potential for some mind-blowing special effects, especially since it's being released in 3-D. What says Christmas better than energy-consuming invisible aliens?

'War Horse'

This World War I-era film is just about guaranteed to bring you to tears. Steven Spielberg helms this tearjerker that highlights the bond between man and animal -- a horse, in this case. Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his horse, Joey, are separated by war, and despite being too young to enlist, Albert goes to France in search of his steed. This is another film that has Oscar talk swirling around it. The word is this one may be up for Best Picture and Best Director, though with Spielberg behind the scenes, that's not a big surprise.

'The Iron Lady'

Another film garnering Academy buzz stars Meryl Streep in the role of Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Though this film has caused a bit of a to-do with some regarding the portrayal of Thatcher as an elderly woman with a deteriorating mental state, the film primarily focuses on her history though flashbacks. Streep is spot on, no surprise there, and is expected to net her 17th Oscar nod.