In Theaters This Weekend

I'm not going to lie. I may have just shit myself looking at this poster.

February continues to be a studio dumping ground for films they want to get rid of or make a quick buck on. Luckily for us movie-goers, this first weekend of February offers some pretty promising titles (and some not-so-promising ones, too).

Chronicle. PG-13.

A found-footage film dealing with kids that discover they are superheroes (or supervillains)? Count me in. The advertising for the film has been solid so far. Just enough to pull you in, but yet not enough to spoil the film. Reviews so far are also solid (Roger Ebert gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4), so this is clearly a film to check out.

The Innkeepers. Rated R.

I watched this not too long ago on OnDemand, and it's a pretty decent little horror film featuring Sara Paxton in an oddly Macaulay Culkin-esque performance. I can't help but feel some of its potential was a bit wasted, but it's still an involving and creepy ghost yarn.

Big Miracle. Rated PG.

I have seen exactly one advertisement for this film and I'm pretty sure it caused maple syrup to leak out of my TV. There are no words for how corny this film looks but that's ok. I'm sure families will enjoy it and Japanese fisherman will hate it. I, however, will not be seeing this film. Ever.

W.E. Rated R.

Speaking of films I will never be seeing. No, seriously. Madonna directed it.

The Woman in Black. Rated PG-13.

In what will surely be number one at the box office this week, Daniel Radcliffe's first "big" film post-Harry Potter looks like a winner. In it, he plays a young lawyer who travels to a village that is being terrorized by a ghost. Spoiler alert: The ghost is a woman in black.

So what will you be seeing this weekend?

In Theaters This Weekend

Does this mean Ralph Fiennes can stop whispering in everything now?

The time has come, the Rowling said - seven books took ten years and eight movies to get to filmgoers like us. And has the ride been worth it? Well, about half the time. The series has survived different directors, casting problems, and most other ailments that production companies dread. But, they've been released nonetheless, and always to gigantic box office numbers. I feel bad that cute little Winnie the Pooh has to go up against the giant that Harry Potter is destined to be. It's almost unfair. Also, this is the only chance I'll have to write about a Harry Potter movie being released. Until they're all remade in about thirty years. 

But, there has to be some sort of respect paid to the series, non? Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, and David Yates have given their visions and we give our thanks. Except to Mike Newell. He crapped on one of the best books ever written. But never mind. This is about the Deathly Hallows. 

So let's get down to it. 

More after the cut--