By Bert Osborne

For the AJC

Take the mix of films opening here this week -- “The American,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Centurion,” “Going the Distance,” “Machete” and “Mesrine: Killer Instinct” -- as a sign. The upcoming fall season promises an eclectic array of offerings for moviegoers of every inclination.

Release dates are subject to change, of course, but nearly 50 films are slated to open in Atlanta over the next two months. Here are some of the highlights:

ANIMATION:

“Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.” Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren, Sam Neill and Abbie Cornish lend their voices to this computer-generated fantasy (in IMAX and 3D), directed by Zack Snyder (“Watchmen”). Sept. 24.

“Alpha and Omega.” Two wolf cubs, separated from their pack, venture home in this 3D family film. The voice cast includes Hayden Panettiere, Justin Long, Christina Ricci and the late Dennis Hopper. Sept. 17.

COMEDIES:

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story.” In this quirky coming-of-age tale, a clinically depressed teen (newcomer Keir Gilchrist) checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward, where he meets the ever-offbeat Zach Galifianakis. Oct. 8.

“Life As We Know It.” When their mutual best friends die in an accident, singles Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl become unlikely caregivers for their friends' orphaned daughter. Filmed in Atlanta. Oct. 8.

“Easy A.” A modern-day twist on “The Scarlet Letter,” with Emma Stone as a high schooler forced to defend herself against idle gossip. Sept. 17.

“You Again.” Kristen Bell discovers her brother is engaged to her former rival. Featuring Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis. Sept. 24.

DRAMAS:

“The Social Network.” Director David Fincher’s biopic about Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg), the Harvard student who created Facebook. The supporting cast includes Justin Timberlake. Oct. 1.

“Never Let Me Go.” This British character study, featuring Oscar nominees Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan, is based on an acclaimed novel by Kazuo Ishiguro (“The Remains of the Day”). Oct. 1.

“Secretariat.” A true story about the famous racehorse that won the Triple Crown in 1973. Diane Lane plays his inexperienced new owner, with John Malkovich as the veteran trainer whose help she enlists. Oct. 8.

“The Town.” Ben Affleck stars in and directs this crime caper about four Boston thieves and the FBI agent pursuing them. Chris Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm also star. Sept. 17.

“The Company Men.” Affleck, Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones struggle to redefine their lives after they’re downsized out of their corporate jobs in a first film from John Wells (creator of TV’s “ER”). With Kevin Costner. Oct. 29.

“Conviction.” Two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank stars in the true story of a woman who dedicates her life to exonerating her brother (Sam Rockwell), who was wrongfully convicted of murder. Oct. 15.

“Stone.” An imprisoned arsonist (Edward Norton) schemes to manipulate a parole officer (Robert De Niro) into releasing him. Oct. 8.

“Buried.” Ryan Reynolds plays an American contractor in Iraq who wakes from an attack to find himself buried alive in a coffin. Oct. 8.

ACTION:

“Red.” Based on a D.C. Comics series of graphic novels, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich are cast as former CIA agents who are framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Oct. 15.

REMAKES:

“Let Me In.” A Hollywood version of the Swedish vampire thriller “Let the Right One In,” featuring youngsters Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Road”) and Chloe Moretz (“Kick-Ass”). Matt Reeves (“Cloverfield”) directs. Oct. 1.

“A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop.” A Chinese version of the early Coen brothers classic “Blood Simple,” transplanted by director Zhang Yimou (“The House of Flying Daggers”). Sept. 24.

SEQUELS:

“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.” Michael Douglas reunites with director Oliver Stone to reprise his Oscar-winning role as greedy stock-market guru Gordon Gekko. Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan and Josh Brolin head the supporting cast. Sept. 24.

“Jackass 3D.” More mindless pratfalls and practical jokes from Johnny Knoxville and the gang. At least the 3D gimmick is something new. Oct. 15.

“Saw VII 3D.” The gruesome “torture porn” franchise continues. At least the 3D gimmick is something new. Oct. 29.

“Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D.” Milla Jovovich is back for the fourth time as Alice, a popular video-game action heroine battling zombies in futuristic Los Angeles. At least the 3D gimmick ... Sept. 10.

“Paranormal Activity 2.” What? No 3D gimmicks? Oct. 22.

HORROR:

“My Soul to Take.” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” meets “Scream”? Director Wes Craven jumps on the 3D bandwagon with his latest movie about a group of small-town teens being stalked by a serial killer. Oct. 8.

“Devil.” A group of strangers is trapped in an elevator. One of them may be Satan. Based on a story by M. Night Shyamalan. Sept. 17.

SUSPENSE:

“Hereafter.” Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard co-star in director Clint Eastwood’s supernatural thriller, in which three seemingly unrelated people each experience a brush with death. Oct. 22.

“Case 39.” Renee Zellweger plays an idealistic social worker who rescues a young girl from her abusive parents -- only to learn that the kid might not be as innocent as she appears. Oct. 1.

DOCUMENTARIES:

“I’m Still Here.” If not quite all here. Actor-turned-director Casey Affleck focuses on the sudden career change of flaky actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix. Sept. 10.

“The Tillman Story.” A chronicle of the military cover-up involving the 2004 “friendly fire” death of Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative football career to serve in Afghanistan. Sept. 10.

“Waking Sleeping Beauty.” Roy Disney, Don Bluth, Tim Burton, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg are among those interviewed about the current state of animated films. Oct. 15.

“Waiting for ‘Superman.’ ” Davis Guggenheim (who won an Oscar for “An Inconvenient Truth”) directs this examination of the public education system. Oct. 8.