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House of Sand and Fog Comedy-drama about a recovering alcoholic who discovers her house has been mistakenly seized by the county for back taxes – and sold at an auction to a stubborn former Iranian colonel whose life savings are tied up in the property. Based on the novel by Andre Dubus III (“Bluesman”). Commercial director Vadim Perelman makes his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay. With Jennifer Connelly (“Hulk”), Ben Kingsley (“Tuck Everlasting”), Ashley Edner (“Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star”), Frances Fisher (“Blue Car”) and Ron Eldard (“Phone Booth”). R: Some violence/disturbing images; language; a scene of sexuality. Dec. 26. DreamWorks.     The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The final installment of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy reveals the identity of the true King of the West, the outcome of the Great War, and the fate of Frodo and Sam in the dungeons of Mordor, and takes the One Ring to the Crack of Doom. Returnees from parts one and two include the “Heavenly Creatures”-”The Frighteners” team of writer-director Peter Jackson and screenwriter Fran Walsh, as well as screenwriter Philippa Boyens and actors Ian McKellen (the “X-Men” series”) as Gandalf, Elijah Wood (“The Bumblebee Flies Anyway,” “Ash Wednesday”) as Frodo Baggins, Sean Astin (“Deterrence”) as Sam Gamgee, Christopher Lee (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Star Wars: Episode III”) as Saruman, Liv Tyler (“One Night at McCool’s,” “Jersey Girl”) as Arwen, Viggo Mortensen (“28 Days,” “Hidalgo”) as Aragorn, Cate Blanchett (“Heaven,” “Veronica Guerin,” “The Missing,” “The Aviator”) as fairy queen Lorien, Billy Boyd (“Master and Commander”) as Pippin Took, Dominic Monagham as Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck, John Rhys-Davies (“The Medallion”) as Gimli, and Orlando Bloom (“Black Hawk Down,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Troy,” “The Remains of the Piano”) as Legolas. Returnees from part one include Ian Holm (“The Emperor’s New Clothes”) as Bilbo Baggins. New Line.     Mona Lisa Smile Drama, set in 1953 Massachusetts, about a Berkeley graduate and art-history teacher who encourages students at all-female Wellesley College to seek out roles not traditionally earmarked for women of the era. Directed by Mike Newell (“Donnie Brasco,” “Pushing Tin”) from a screenplay by Mark Rosenthal & Lawrence Konner (“Mighty Joe Young,” “Planet of the Apes”). With Julia Roberts (“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”), Kirsten Dunst (“Levity”), Julia Stiles (“A Guy Thing”), Maggie Gyllenhaal (“Casa de Los Babys”), Marcia Gay Harden (“Casa de Los Babys” “Mystic River”), Ginnifer Goodwin (TV’s “Ed”), Dominic West (“Chicago”) and Topher Grace (“Traffic”). Flat. PG-13: Sexual content; thematic issues. Dec. 19. Sony.     Peter Pan Live-action fantasy about children led to a land where they never grow up. Based on J.M. Barrie’s classic story. Directed by P.J. Hogan (“Muriel’s Wedding,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding”) from a screenplay by Hogan and Michael Goldenberg (“Bed of Roses,” “Contact”). With Jeremy Sumpter (“Frailty”) as Peter Pan, Jason Isaacs (“Passionada”) as Captain Hook, Richard Briers (“Love’s Labour’s Lost”) as Smee, Ludivine Sagnier (“Swimming Pool”) as Tink, Olivia Williams (“The Heart of Me”) as Mrs. Darling, Lynn Redgrave (“Spider”) as Aunt Millicent, Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy, Freddie Popplewell as Michael, Harry Newell as John and Rupert Simonian as Toodles. Scope. 104 min. Dec. 25. Universal.   Honey Drama about a young inner-city dance instructor who finds her new career in music-video choreography short-lived when she refuses to sleep with the music mogel who hired her. Music video director Bille Woodruff (Nelly’s “Hot in Herre”) makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by Alonzo Brown and Kim Watson. With Jessica Alba (“Idle Hands”), Mekhi Phifer (“8 Mile”), Joy Bryant (“Antwone Fisher”), Lonette McKee (“Fast Food, Fast Women”), David Moscow (“Just Married”), Anthony Sherwood (“Guilty as Sin”), Zachary Williams (“Star Trek: Insurrection”) and hip hop artist Lil’ Romeo. Flat. 95 min. PG-13: Drug content; some sexual references. Nov. 14. Universal.   The Last Samurai Drama, set in the 1870s, about an American Civil War vet – hired by the Japanese emperor to help wipe out the nation’s remaining samurai warriors – who finds his loyalties tested when he is captured, healed and educated by the men he was hunting. Directed by Edward Zwick (“Courage Under Fire,” “The Siege”) from a screenplay by John Logan (“Star Trek: Nemesis,” “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas”). With Tom Cruise (“Minority Report”), Ken Watanabe (“Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald”), Timothy Spall (“Nicholas Nickleby”), Billy Connolly (“White Oleander,” “Timeline”), Tony Goldwyn (“Abandon”) and Togo Igawa (“Topsy-Turvy”). Scope. R: Strong violence; battle sequences. Dec. 5. Warner Bros.   Love Don't Cost a Thing Romantic comedy about a disenfranchised teen who, in an effort to upgrade his popularity, hires a beautiful cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend. Written and directed by Troy Beyer (“Let’s Talk About Sex”). With Nick Cannon (“Men in Black II,” “Drumline”), Christina Milian (“The Wood,” “Torque”), Steve Harvey (“The Original Kings of Comedy,” “The Fighting Temptations,” “Johnson Family Vacation”), Kenan Thompson (“The Master of Disguise”) and Vanessa Bell Calloway (“The Brothers,” “Biker Boyz”). Also known as “If You Were My Girl.” Warner Bros.     Paycheck Sci-fi thriller, set in the future, about a man who must regain his memory of the last two years in order to uncover a government secret. Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick (“Minority Report”). Directed by John Woo (“Mission Impossible II,” “Windtalkers”) from a screenplay by Dean Georgaris (“Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”). With Ben Affleck (“Gigli”), Aaron Eckhart (“The Core,” “The Missing”), Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill: Vol. 1”), Paul Giamatti (“American Splendor”), Colm Feore (“National Security”), Michael C. Hall (TV’s “Six Feet Under”) and Chelah Horsdale. Dec. 25. Paramount.