Coming attractions: Aliens at the multiplex

The recent lunar eclipse was another reminder that we should be looking to the stars, whether to spot an impending invasion or to plan our escape from a dying planet. Early in the new year, the mini-theme at the movies is extraterrestrial contact.

Sounding the alarm Feb. 18 is "I Am Number Four," in which a seemingly ordinary teen (Alex Pettyfer) is pursued by deadly visitors who know his out-of-this-world identity.

On March 4, "Apollo 18" blows the lid off the moon-landing coverup and the real reason for our space program.

On March 11, a sci-fi cartoon informs us that "Mars Needs Moms" -- and the Martians are willing to abduct them from the suburbs of Earth. Also March 11, little green men become big, bad invaders in "Battle: Los Angeles."

On March 18, writer Nick Frost and writer/actor Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead") team up with director Greg Mottola ("Adventureland") for the sci-fi comedy "Paul." Seth Rogen provides the voice of an alien who hitches a ride out of Area 51 in a rented RV.

All of this is a prelude to a summer that includes "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (July 1) and "Cowboys & Aliens" (July 29).

Only slightly closer to the everyday world that we earthlings inhabit are these upcoming releases:

Another CGI event is the release of "Gnomeo and Juliet" on Feb. 11. It's an unlikely love story between garden gnomes (James McAvoy and Emily Blunt).

Another odd couple are Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in "Just Go With It" (Feb. 11), in which the latter tries to trick the former by pretending to be a single father, with rented tots in tow.

Couples don't come much odder than Mel Gibson and the titular hand puppet in "The Beaver" (March 23). Misunderstood Mel plays a downsized dad whose only friend is an imaginary mammal.