As the 84th Academy Awards move closer, we’re starting to get a better sense of how things will pan out. We recently shared the 39 songs that will contend for the Best Original Song category, and now the Academy has announced the 97 original scores eligible for the Best Original Score award. AMPAS is notoriously picky when it comes to eligibility in this category, and as we feared the scores for both Drive and Attack the Block have been deemed ineligible. Also disappointing is the ineligibility of Alexandre Desplat’s mesmerizing score for The Tree of Life.

While it’s upsetting to see some of the year’s best work side-lined, there’s plenty to be happy about. I was a huge fan of Howard Shore’s work in Hugo and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, as well as The Chemical Brothers’ brilliant work in the criminally underseen Hanna. Hit the jump for the full list, as well as who I think will make the cut.

Dreamworks Animation’s Puss in Boots was poised to have a killer weekend, but Snowtober had other plans. The 3D Shrek spinoff still claimed the top spot with $34 million, but a freak snowstorm in the Northeast and Halloween weekend led to this weekend being fairly soft overall. Despite all the snow, Puss still managed to earn the record for Halloween weekend, narrowly beating out 2006’s Saw III which took in $33.6 million. The sci-fi actioner In Time opened to an as expected $12 million, while the weekend’s other wide release The Rum Diary made a mere $5 million. Hit the jump for more. [Update: The post has been updated with analysis on the full top ten.]

In The Rum Diary, adapted from the Hunter S. Thompson novel, actor Aaron Eckhart plays Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of wealthy Americans. When he meets journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp), he recruits him to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, but quickly learns that Kemp is not someone easily controlled.

At the film’s press day, Aaron Eckhart spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about what a great time he had making the film, how timeless the themes of the story are, how flattering it is to know he was the only choice for this role, and that he enjoyed watching Johnny Depp work. He also talked about his next role, playing the iconic monster in I, Frankenstein, a modern take on the classic story, and how he has no plan, when it comes to deciding which projects he’ll sign on for. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Today is a good day. The Cardinals are World Series champions, trick r’ treaters will soon be out in full force, and I’ve got a night of horror films to look forward to. Once a year, my fiancée agrees to watch a few pics of the scary variety (or at least Halloween themed ones, i.e. Ernest Scared Stupid) with me in the hopes that I won’t ask her to partake in them again until the following Halloween weekend. Last year’s highlights included Drag Me to Hell and Trick r’ Treat. This year is shaping up to be Tobe Hooper-heavy with Poltergeist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre possibly making the cut. Like I said, today is a good day.

Before you dive into whatever Halloween festivities may await you, I hope you’ll take a few minutes and check out what this week’s “Top 5″ has to offer. In this installment you’ll find the first trailer for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 3D, a new trailer for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and interviews for this weekend’s openers In Time, Anonymous and The Rum Diary. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

No surprises here, Dreamworks Puss in Boots took the top spot at Friday’s box office with an estimated $9.6 million from 3,952 locations.  The spinoff to Shrek – the most profitable animated franchise of all time – is poised to take in $35 million by Sunday: enough to give the 3D title the new Halloween-weekend record.  That means that, after breaking its own records last weekend, the holiday’s only scary movie, Paranormal Activity 3, will fall to second place.  Sci-fi newcomer In Time took third on Friday with an estimated $4.3 million and is expected to top out in the low teens for the weekend.  Meanwhile, The Rum Diary debuted in what looks like fourth place with $1.8 million from 2,272 locations.  The film had to share that estimate with Footloose, but is expected to come in slightly higher by Sunday with a weekend total of $7 million.  Details and analysis tomorrow.

In The Rum Diary, adapted from the Hunter S. Thompson novel, actor Giovanni Ribisi plays Moberg, the derelict crime and religious correspondent at The San Juan Star. When journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) travels to Puerto Rico in 1960, he gets a job writing for the local newspaper, where he meets Moberg and Sala (Michael Rispoli), a talented but deteriorating photographer, and they all end up as roommates, adopting the rum-soaked life of the island.

At the film’s press day, Giovanni Ribisi spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about reuniting with his Public Enemies co-star Johnny Depp, how he had originally wanted to play a different role in the movie before taking on the eccentric Moberg, and the freedom in wearing the same costume throughout the entire movie. He also talked about currently shooting Gangster Squad and why that story was so appealing to him. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is widely considered to be the best adaptation of a Hunter S. Thompson book, but there can be no bigger love letter to the late author than The Rum Diary.  Written and directed by Bruce Robinson, The Rum Diary draws in Thompson’s language, ideology, and attitude. The film meanders through episodic misadventures and provides mere snapshots of supporting characters, but these weaknesses become strengths because they stay true to the subtext and tone of the story.  The only misstep is the lack of chemistry in the relationship between the two lead characters, but for the most part, the movie always knows where to stumble.

In The Rum Diary, adapted from the novel by Hunter S. Thompson, actress Amber Heard plays Chenault, the beautiful Connecticut-born fiancée of a shady businessman named Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). When journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) travels to Puerto Rico in 1960, to writer for a local newspaper, he meets and soon becomes obsessed with the sultry temptress, leaving her torn between financial stability and love.

At the film’s press day, Amber Heard spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about the torturous auditioning process they put her through for the role, why her interest in Hunter S. Thompson’s work was piqued when she was in ninth grade, what a dream it was to work with Johnny Depp, and how the stylized wardrobe really helped her get into character. She also talked about being able to relate to the indignation that can come with the expectations of looking a certain way, her desire to make the sexy girl roles into something more, and how excited she is to promote her next film, Syrup. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

The Rum Diary was a novel written by future Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, inspired by his time in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1960, but it remained unpublished for decades until actor and close friend, Johnny Depp, accidentally discovered the manuscript while visiting Thompson’s house. That same night, they decided to publish it and adapt it into a film, turning the project into a labor of love for both Depp and filmmaker Bruce Robinson, who came out of retirement to make the movie.

During a press conference for the film’s release, Johnny Depp and Bruce Robinson talked about bringing a character to life that is loosely based on Hunter S. Thompson as a young man, prior to the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas character, the challenges of adapting the novel for the big screen, how impossible it is to get Hunter out of your blood stream once you play him, and that Hunter’s ability to voice his opinions is something that every generation should be exposed to. Depp also talked about how he’s looking forward to getting started on The Lone Ranger, now that the budget has been worked out, and that The Thin Man is in the early stages, but is coming along. Check out what they had to say after the jump.

New posters have been released for The Rum Diary and New Year’s Eve.  The former is kind of cute and almost makes the film look like a light comic spin on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is appropriate considering that Hunter S. Thompson was the author of both novels.  As for the New Year’s Eve poster, it perfectly encapsulates the cynical, greedy reason for the movie’s existence.  The point isn’t to convey a plot, but to jam as many stars into the film as possible in the hopes that you’ll like one or two of them enough to see the movie.  However, the stars you like will most likely be in the film for probably less than ten minutes total.  If you think watching a star you like play a poorly defined character is worth a dollar a minute, then you like wasting money.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.  The Rum Diary opens October 28th.  New Year’s Eve opens December 9th.

FilmDistrict has released 19 new images and clips from The Rum Diary.  The film is based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson and centers on a journalist who makes his way down to Puerto Rico for a life of rum-soaked leisure but ends up with a moral conflict when he encounters a beautiful woman, and her shady businessman fiancée.  As you’ll see from the clip, it’s easy to get the words “astrologer” and “astronomer” confused when you’ve been drinking and see Amber Heard skinny-dipping.

Hit the jump to check out the clips and the images.  The film also stars Johnny Depp, Richard Jenkins, and Aaron Eckhart.  The Rum Diary opens October 28th.

New posters have gone online for The Rum Diary starring Johnny Depp, Rodrigo Cortes Red Lights starring Robert De Niro, and Zhang Yimou’s The Flowers of War starring Christian Bale.  Here’s what you need to know about each poster: The Rum Diary is the second poster this year featuring Johnny Depp’s character and a fish.  The international poster for Red Lights poster is the same as the U.S. one except it has a black background and the tagline translates to “The Truth Is The Most Dangerous Of Illusions.”  Finally, The Flowers of War poster has Bale as a priest admiring a nice Asian lady’s cleavage.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.  The Rum Diary opens October 28th and also stars Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, and Aaron Eckhart.  Red Lights opens in 2012 and also stars Cillian Murphy, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sigourney Weaver.  The Flowers of War has no U.S. release date but it’s China’s official submission for the Best Foreign Film Oscar.

We have a trio of new posters to bring your way this morning. First up, we have the one sheet from writer/director Bruce Robinson’s The Rum Diary. Starring Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi and Aaron Eckhart, the film sees Depp return to the world of Hunter S. Thompson and tells the story of a journalist who finds his writing voice and integrity while working in Puerto Rico. Up next is a poster for the comedy I Don’t Know How She Does It starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan. I can’t say the poster does much for me but, to be fair, it would have to be pretty stellar for my interest to rise above sea level.

Finally, we also have a new poster for the financial thriller Margin Call starring Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci and Zachary Quinto. While the promo is kind of bland, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the film. For those who haven’t already, I recommend clicking here and here to read Steve’s exclusive interviews with the cast and writer/director J.C. Chandor at Sundance. Check out each of the new posters after the jump. The Rum Diary opens on October 28th. I Don’t Know How She Does It opens on September 16th and Margin Call hits theaters on October 21st.

The first trailer from writer/director Bruce Robinson’s The Rum Diary is now available online. Starring Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart, Richard Jenkins, and Giovanni Ribisi, the film is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name and centers on journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) who moves to Puerto Rico where he eventually finds both his voice as a writer and his integrity. I know people have been waiting for this film to finally make it before their eyes for some time and, as far as first impressions go, the trailer doesn’t disappoint. Moviegoers may pay to see Depp revisit the mind of Thompson, but they’ll stay for Jenkins’ wig.

Check out the trailer after the jump. The Rum Diary opens later this year on October 28th.

New images have gone online for Bruce Robinson’s adaptation of Hunter Thompson’s The Rum Diary and the rom-com anthology New Year’s Eve.  I want to see one of these movies and it isn’t the one with the bloated cast.

Hit the jump to check out the images and a synopsis for each film.  The Rum Diary opens October 28th and stars Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, and Richard Jenkins.  New Year’s Eve opens December 9th and stars Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, and Sofia Vergara.  Click here for all of the image articles we’ve posted today so far.