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Who's up

Last update: August 21, 2008 - 3:02 PM

Who's up

Tom Cruise's cursed "Valkyrie" is back on the 2008 schedule -- shifted from Feb. 13 to Dec. 26 -- and thus the Oscar hunt. We know World War II movies are academy bait, but for our money, we don't think he can beat his turn in "Tropic Thunder." Critics agree that Cruise's hairy, porcine, profane studio head represents his best work since 1999's "Magnolia," a nominated role that confirms that Cruise is at his best when he works blue.

Who's down

Fans of "Watchmen" are watching nervously after a judge last week denied a request by Warner Bros. to dismiss claims of copyright infringement by 20th Century Fox. In its lawsuit, Fox claims that Warner had interfered with contracts by filming the movie in spite of earlier agreements under which Fox acquired the rights to Alan Moore's graphic novel. Fox lawyers have said they plan to seek an injunction blocking the release of the film -- one of 2009's most anticipated -- pending a trial over the rights.

CYNTHIA DICKISON