Summer movie fatigue began pretty early this year (did anybody even see a movie in August?), which makes the upcoming slate of fall movies all the more exciting. Most notably, there's no movie based on a board game.

Here are 10 highlights of the upcoming season:

The Master (expanding

in September)

The latest from Paul Thomas Anderson ("There Will Be Blood") is a drama loosely inspired by the origins of Scientology (though Anderson denies almost all connections). The film has earned raves on the festival circuit, notably for the performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix.

Looper (Sept. 28)

Buzz-generating sci-fi about a hired gun who kills people transported from the future. But what happens when an older version of yourself is sent back? Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis star as Young and Old "Joe."

Argo (Oct. 12)

More rave reviews for director Ben Affleck for his latest drama about a CIA specialist who creates a fake movie production in order to rescue American hostages in Iran. The fact-based drama stars Affleck, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman.

Seven Psychopaths (Oct. 12)

A kidnapped dog leads a screenwriter into the dark underbelly of Los Angeles in this comedic follow-up from "In Bruges" director Martin McDonagh. Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken are a few of the psychos.

Cloud Atlas (Oct. 26)

An ambitious (some would say crazy) premise from the Wachowskis ("The Matrix" trilogy) about how individual choices cause ripples throughout the world in the past, present and future. Actors like Tom Hanks and Halle Berry play multiple roles.

Skyfall (Nov. 9)

Drama guru Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") takes on the latest James Bond entry with a returning Daniel Craig chasing a villain (Javier Bardem) who tries to take down MI6.

Lincoln (Nov. 16)

Steven Spielberg's long-awaited biopic focuses on the final months of Abraham Lincoln's life. The great Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Lincoln.

Life of Pi (Nov. 21)

Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain") directs this visually spectacular adaptation of the Yann Martel novel about a boy adrift at sea with a Bengal tiger.

Zero Dark Thirty (Dec. 19)

A sprawling chronicle of the hunt for Osama bin Laden from Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker"). The ensemble cast includes Jessica Chastain and Kyle Chandler.

Django Unchained (Dec. 25)

The latest Quentin Tarantino adventure stars Jamie Foxx as a slave-turned-bounty hunter who plots to rescue his wife from a ruthless plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson co-star.

Other notable features:

Taken 2 (Oct. 5) - Liam Neeson is angry again. So angry he'll kill kidnappers and (probably) punch wolves.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Nov. 16) - Thank God it's almost over.

Les Miserables (Dec. 14) - Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe sing their hearts out.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Dec. 14) - The first of three "Hobbit" movies from Peter Jackson. Three? All from one book? Really?

Ticket Stubs is sponsored by the Hayden Cinema Six Theater. Showtimes at www.HaydenCinema6.com. Tyler Wilson can be reached at [email protected].