The director who brought you such classics as 'Dazed and Confused', 'Waking Life', and the 'Sunrise'/'Sunset' duo is back in theatres again with yet another film of an unpredictable topic. This time, Richard Linklater brings us a film about theatre and the late, great Orson Welles. 'Me and Orson Welles' focuses on a teenager (Zac Efron) fascinated with the world of art in all its forms, from music to theatre, who will stop at nothing to get a role onstage.

Linklater once again approaches an aspect of life familiar to him, within his range of interests and desires. He takes a slice of life – in this case a post-Depression theatre troupe – and breathes new meaning and zest into it. While some directors balk at the whole play-within-a-play theme, Linklater dives in head-first. Moviefone Canada spoke to the famed director about his famous wide-eyed protagonist, why he chose Orson Welles, and why he'll never make a vampire film.

The first time I saw 'High School Musical', my eyes glazed over Zac Efron and his co-star Vanessa Hudgens. I simply assumed, as many did at the time, that Efron and his castmates were Disney products, people who would fade away over time and never really make that big an impact on Hollywood. When 'HSM 2' and 'HSM 3' were released, I figured my suspicions were confirmed.

But at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, I caught wind of Richard Linklater's ('Dazed and Confused', 'Waking Life', 'The School of Rock') latest - 'Me and Orson Welles'. Co-starring another big-name actor who was famous in her teens -- Claire Danes -- I approached the film with some trepidation. A movie about theatre in the late 1930s? Sounds like a yawner.

This could be an unusually exciting year for the Best Director category. At least five likely contenders are women, the first time that's happened since ... well, ever.

In eight decades, only three women have ever been nominated for a Best Director Oscar, and none has won. This year, however, at least one woman has a lock on a nomination, and several others have decent shots at awards recognition as well.

The good thing about making a movie based on a book is that the foundation is already there. The not-so-good thing is when the film doesn't follow the book closely enough for viewers ('My Sister's Keeper'), leaves viewers wanting more ('The Men Who Stare at Goats'), or just plain doesn't translate well to the big screen ('Angels & Demons').

But even condensed into a meager two hours, there are plenty of films that do measure up, either in full or enough to make our list of the top 10 film adaptations of 2009. See if you agree with our choices, and feel free to add your own in the comments below.

Only a pro can go from Country-Western to 'Tron' and back to a Coen Bros.' Western.

Jeff Bridges -- who is garnering Oscar buzz for his earthy turn as a country singer in Fox Searchlight's 'Crazy Heart,' hitting theaters Dec. 16 -- will next star in the Coen brothers' 'True Grit,' after having finished shooting on 'Tron: Legacy.'

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and the girls are getting ready to head back to the big screen for another round of NYC-set romantic adventures in 'Sex and the City 2,' and we've got the exclusive poster premiere to prove it.

And, although the plot of new movie is being more closely guarded than the Female Fab Four's collection of Manolos (that's right, my girlfriend told me what Manolos are), judging by the poster, Carrie's future is so bright she's gotta wear shades. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda don't strut back into theaters until May 2010, but you can check out the poster right here, right now. See it after the jump.

Silver screen siren Zoe Saldana reveals the most "sexy" part of working on 'Star Trek' and 'Avatar.' [AskMen]

'New Moon''s Summit Entertainment taps Brad Pitt to produce vampire flick, 'Vlad.' [Hollywood]

Acclaimed films 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'The Orphanage' -- and even Oscar winner Javier Bardem -- are spoofed in 'Scary Movie' series' latest overseas offshoot, 'Spanish Movie.' [ScreenJunkie]

Russell Crowe's new action-thriller, 'Tenderness,' has a very -- very -- exclusive opening in NYC. [MovieLine]