Depending on your mood this weekend, you have your choice between science fiction, a holiday drama, and a nun’s quest for the truth. Here’s the non-fiction rundown on what to expect from the new releases this week.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a science fiction film, which is a remake of the 1951 film with the same name.  Keanu Reeves stars as Klaatu, an alien messenger who comes to Earth to assess whether humans should be allowed to continue to exist since they have inflicted so much harm on mother Earth. He decides the human race should be destroyed unless Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) and her stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith) can convince Klaatu humans are worth saving.  Reeves, who normally dislikes remakes, decided to participate in the film based on David Scarpa’s script.  The film is full of visual effects that got it nominated for Best Visual Effects and Sound at the 2008 Satellite Awards. In addition to its release in theaters on December 12th, the film will be the first to be transmitted into space.

Delgo is the first computer-animated film by Fathom Studios.  A teenage boy named Delgo (voiced by Freddie Prince Jr.) of the Lokni people on the alien planet Jhamora and Princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt) of the Nohrin race fall in love and must save both societies from the evil Sedessa.  Anne Bancroft voiced Sedessa, but died in 2005 before production on the film was complete.  The animated feature is expected to impress with its lavish visuals, but it sounds oddly close to a Star Wars or Lord of The Rings copycat.

Nothing Like the Holidays is a family drama about three Puerto Rican siblings who return home for Christmas in Humboldt Park on Chicago’s northwest side.  John Leguizamo (The Happening) and Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) join Debra Messing (Will and Grace), Alfred Molina (The Da Vinci Code) and director Alfredo de Villa (Washington Heights) in telling a heartwarming story about the strength of family.

Doubt is a film adapted from John Patrick Shanley’s play of the same name and is opening with a limited release just before it's Oscar time.  Shanely also wrote and directed the feature film.  It stars Meryl Streep, Philip Seymor Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis.  The story unfolds in the mid 1960s as a Bronx nun confronts a priest she suspects of sexually abusing a new student, who then denies any allegations.  The story is about uncovering the truth and the consequences of blind justice. However, the play converted to a feature film could potentially lose some of its power due to its expanded length.

—Jessica Delli Santi