If it worked once before, then try to repeat it as much as possible -- that is perhaps the oldest practice in Hollywood.

Variety reports that Paramount Pictures is conjuring a production division that will dedicate $1 million annually to the development of 10 to 20 films, each with a budget that doesn't exceed $100,000. The studio is, of course, trying to replicate the phenomenal success of Oren Peli's horror film 'Paranormal Activity,' which was produced for a mere $15,000 and has grossed over $100 million.

In addition to two possible 'Avatar' sequels, James Cameron also has his sights set on a remake of the 1966 sci-fi flick 'Fantastic Voyage,' reports Variety.

Shane Salerno -- the writer of the second best movie involving 'Aliens' and 'Predators' on screen at the same time -- will adapt 'Fantastic Voyage' for 20th Century Fox.

It's not hard for many leading ladies to strike up chemistry with a co-star like Matt Damon. Now it's Bryce Dallas Howard's turn to see how sparks fly.

Howard has signed to star opposite Damon in Clint Eastwood's supernatural drama 'Hereafter' for Warner Bros., Variety reports.

We adore the pretty Natalie Portman, but can she really pull off a version of Jane Austen's heroine Elizabeth Bennett, who also happens to be as expert at killing the undead as she is at winning the heart of one Mr. Darcy? We think -- and hope -- so.

According to Variety, Portman will produce and star in a film based on Seth Grahame-Smith's bestselling novel 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.' This very loose adaptation of the Austen classic involves Bennett trying to connect with Darcy in a time where a lethal virus turns the dead into flesh-eating zombies.

'Tis the season, after all.

Some argue that bad Christmas movies aren't as horrible as bad non-Christmas movies, if only because at least the intentions of bad Christmas movies are more or less good. We disagree -- those good intentions actually make bad Christmas movies worse. Some bad movies get off the hook because they're not attempting to be anything more than just a bad movie -- there's actually a sense of self-awareness to some bad movies, as if they know they're never going to appear on anyone's All-Time Favorites list, but hey, it's not like they're spreading infectious diseases or anything.

J.J. Abrams likes walking on tightropes. Witness the chances he's taken with TV's 'Lost' and 'Fringe' and the big-screen reimagining of 'Star Trek' (and possibly 'Mission: Impossible IV'). Now the multi-hyphenate wants to take on a book that revolves around tightrope walking, Colum McCann's National Book Award-winning novel 'Let the Great World Spin.'

According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, Abrams and his Bad Robot production company (which has a deal with Paramount Pictures) is negotiating to grab the rights to McCann's novel, his fifth, which was published in June by Random House. Abrams would produce and McCann would adapt the screenplay.

Somewhere in the lukewarm middle is where critics find the comedy of the Broken Lizard troupe -- no longer a newbie act (they're almost eight years into making movies) -- and their new one, 'The Slammin' Salmon.'

With a bizarre title, 'The Slammin' Salmon,' which hits theaters Friday, is about a restaurant wait staff scrambling to raise $20,000 in one night to pay off a Mob boss.

After 'Super Troopers,' 'Club Dread' and 'Beerfest,' the cerebral-free comedy team of Broken Lizard is a cult voice that does have some celebrity support – they managed to pull Will Forte, Cobie Smulders, Michael Clarke Duncan and Vivica A. Fox into 'The Slammin' Salmon.'

They also have critical support -- with the Village Voice calling the movie "likably stoopid" and Cinematical calling it "inspired." Check out reviews after the jump.