Weekly Roundup - Opening 2/13

There are five movies opening up tonight, and there are a few that look watchable. Two Lovers is apparently talented actor Joaquin Phoenix's last movie, The International is entertaining for what it is, Confessions of a Shopaholic is uninventive, Friday the 13th is yet another necessary remake, and Under the Sea 3D is another solid IMAX film.

Weekend Suggestion:

As a last hurrah to Whah-Keen, I'm going to recommend Two Lovers. He's not the only one who is generating buzz about this film, as Venessa Shaw is also top-notch in it.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 2/6

We've got a wide range of movies coming out this week, so that's good. With five movies opening today, lets hope one is good. We've got Fanboys that seems to be good for, well, fanboys. There's Coraline, which has stretched the realm of animation in a new way. And there's The Pink Panther 2 which does no deserve to be mentioned. The action-packed Push should be good for drunk teenaged boys. And finally, He's Just Not That Into You has a lot of big stars, but doesn't offer much bang for its buck.

Weekend Suggestion:

The pick of the week is Coraline. Not only does offer a unique, creative, and entertaining form of animation, it has also recieved the best reviews since the Oscar contenders more than a month ago. See it.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 1/30

Just like last week, three movies are opening. But unlike last week, one of them might be worth watching. It's not New in Town, the unofficial remake of Sweet Home Alabama. It's not The Uninvited, the unofficial remake of every Japanese horror film remake. Seriously, where's the originality people??

Weekend Suggestion:

Taken is the pick of the week. While it may not hold up to other action thrillers like the Bourne trilogy or the new James Bond movies, it still offers some exciting action and some good Liam Neeson butt kicking.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 1/23

With only three new movies opening this week (and all three in the action/fantasy realm), let's hope at least one of them is decent. Let's see here....we've got books coming to life in Inkheart, a dragon-slaying Jesus in Outlander, and vampires vs werewolves in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. They all sound so compelling!

Weekend Suggestion:

While I would obviously pick Outlander out of these three (I'm a dragon guy at heart), I think I'll recommend Frost/Nixon or Revolutionary Road instead. Both Oscar contenders open wide tonight.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 1/16

There are five movies opening up this week, and Defiance is also going from a limited to a wide release, so that makes six. When breaking these down, we've got two must-skips in Hotel for Dogs and Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a not-nearly-as-large-as-the-main-character bio flick in Notorious, a could-be-entertaining-if-you're-in-the-right-mood slasher in My Bloody Valentine 3D, and finally, the likable characters of Last Change Harvey.

Weekend Suggestion:

Last Chance Harvey is the pick from this week's crop, not only by default, but also because nobody, and I mean nobody, can ever get enough Dustin Hoffman.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 1/9

Lets hope this week doesn't embody what 2009 will be like, because there are some real stinkers coming out today. There's the not-so-scary The Unborn, the unintentionally scary Bride Wars, the wheres-Tyler-Perry-when-you-need-him Not Easily Broken, but at least The Reader was released to save this opening week from being complete crap.

Weekend Suggestion:

The Reader is obviously the pick of the week, as it looks to be an emotionally charged (and award winning) movie. Don't forget that there are a ton of other good movies out now, so don't limit yourself to what came on this week. Gran Torino goes wide this weekend, so you may want to check that one out as well. Good luck out there.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 12/31

I've said this before, but this may be the simplest week yet. One movie opened. One movie was posted here. One movie will be recommended.

Weekend Suggestion:

Defiance is the movie of the week. Yea! While it was the only movie that opened, and it is only in limited release, it really earned this nomination because it picked a week when it would open all alone. Let's hope next week is better!

Weekly Roundup - Opening 12/25

There is always a nice mix of opening movies on Christmas day, and this year is no difference. There are the sure fire Oscar noms with Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the below average family romps with Marley & Me and Bedtime Stories, the not-so-token war movie with Valkyrie, and the will-most-likely-bomb The Spirit.

Weekend Suggestion:

While there are more than enough movies to pick from this week, the real debate comes down to Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. While I highly recommend seeing all three films, I'm going to have to pick Benjamin Button for this weekend. What says "Christmas" more than watching Brad Pitt age backwards? If you know the answer to that question, you're a better person than I.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 12/19

I don't think there has been an week of Opening Movies that has been easier to pin down than this one. Let's see what we have: a sure-fire Oscar contender in The Wrestler, a generic and done-way-too-many-times-already animated feature (it feels like there is one of these every week) with The Tale of Despereaux, and two movies that simply rehash films that their respective stars have already made, with Yes Man and Seven Pounds. Pretty hard to figure out, eh?

Weekend Suggestion:

The pick of the week this week may just be the pick of the year, as The Wrestler is the must film of 2008. While it's only in limited release this week, it goes wide on Christmas day, so make sure to see it.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 12/12

This week wasn't too bad in terms of movies coming out, but there are definitely better weeks coming up. If anything, at least this week's new movies are easy to figure out. There's the below-average holiday family film (Nothing Like The Holidays), the should-have-never-been-remade remake (The Day The Earth Stood Still), the doomed-from-the-onset animated movie (Delgo), and two films generating tons of Oscar buzz, one for the filmmaker's stellar track record (Gran Torino) and one for the outstanding acting it promises (Doubt).

Weekend Suggestion:

While there are two great films opening this week, only one can win this coveted prize. And I'm going to have to go with Doubt. I'm a huge fan of superb acting, as it can elevate a film to a whole new level. Go check it out and watch two masters (Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman) do what they do best.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 12/5

Only three movies open up this week, as the theaters prepare themselves for the big Christmas movie season. Like recent weeks, it's not too hard to pick a movie to recommend, as the options are a solidly performed music biopic (Cadillac Records), a face-exploding male teenage action flick (Punisher: War Zone), and a wish-it-was-more-clever independent film (Nobel Son).

Weekend Suggestion:

Cadillac Records is the pick of the week. It should be a good (but not great) film that can hold you over until the Christmas push begins. And speaking of Christmas, go check out A Christmas Tale if you are in need of some holiday cheer.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 11/26

The weekly roundup comes early this week thanks to all the movies opening up on Thanksgiving Thursday instead of Friday night. Picking a movie to recommend isn't too hard this week, considering that there's a highly-hyped but falling-short epic (Australia), a sure fire Oscar contender (Milk), a generic crapfest Christmas movie (Four Christmases), and an unoriginal trashtastic action sequel (Transporter 3).

Weekend Suggestion:

Milk is the choice of the week. It's been getting rave reviews and will be a sure bet around Oscar time, so go see it.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 11/21

For the second week in a row, only three movies are opening on Friday. Obviously, the best looking movie this week is the one not everyone can see due to the limited opening (Special), and the movie that looks to be delivering a crapfest of unoriginality will most likely make the most money this weekend (Twilight). But hey, at least we've got a family film in that looks entertaining (Bolt).

Weekend Suggestion:

I would recommend Special with Michael Rapaport, but since it's in such a limited release, I can't pick it. Therefore, Bolt is the pick of the week. And if you can, try to watch it in 3D. Those fun and goofy glasses always add a new level to the whole movie watching experience.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 11/14

This week wasn't so bad. While there is only one movie opening in a wide release (Quantum of Solace), and only three movies opening overall, they all look pretty good. Want to start your Christmas season early, and in French? Go see A Christmas Tale! Want to go have a Danny Boyle experience? Check out Slumdog Millionaire! Or do you want to go see the coolest spy who ever lived do what he does best? Well, I think you know what to do.

Weekend Suggestion:

Quantum of Solace is the pick of the week. Shocker! I don't think there needs to be much explanation behind this one. Daniel Craig brings Bond to a whole new level, and it's a level you don't want to miss.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 11/7

What an eclectic mix of movies this week! Let's see what we've go opening: 3D animated sequel (do one these come out every week?) with Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, sure-to-bomb comedy with Soul Men, might-do-decently comedy with Role Models, depressing but good Holocaust film with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and last but not least, a random collection of could-be-awesome stuff with Repo! The Genetic Opera. It's going to be a tough choice this week...

Weekend Suggestion:

I'm going out on a limb this week and picking Repo! The Genetic Opera. Not because it is a sure fire blockbuster. Not because it is going to please everyone. But simply because I want to salute originality! So here's to you random collection of could-be-good-or-could-be-horrible stuff!!

Weekly Roundup - Opening 10/31

Finally a good week! While there were not as many movies released this week, with only four opening on Friday, at least three of them look promising. RocknRolla looks to be a good entry in the slick English crime genre, and Splinter will be the talk of the horror town (at least in the towns that carry it in its limited release). And since it's Halloween weekend, a tokenly bad slasher flick had to be included in The Haunting of Molly Hartly.

Weekend Suggestion:

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is the movie to see this weekend. Splinter would be the choice for the Halloween weekend, but since it is not opening nationally, I can't select it. But hey, go laugh your butt off with Zack and Miri and try to have a good time anyway! And if you're desperate for a good scare, stay in and catch one of the classic horror movies on AMC, TCM, or the SciFi channel (I caught A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing, AND Piñata: Survival Island on TV yesterday....ok, so they're not all great).

Weekly Roundup - Opening 10/24

I have to admit that I'm more than a little disappointed in the movies released this week. I was really looking forward to both Changeling and Pride and Glory, but both have had so-so reviews. The other movies released are very niche ridden, with Saw V and High School Musical 3 only appealing to the die hard fans of each series. And then there's Passengers, which should be coming to a cardboard bin near you soon. Uggh.

Weekend Suggestion:

Since I have to pick 1 movie to recommend seeing this weekend, I'm going to have to go with Changeling. Clint Eastwood is a solid director and Anglina Jolie is going for her second Oscar with this film, so it can't be too bad.

And If you want something better than what's offered up this weekend, go back and check out Appaloosa. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 10/17

Just like last week, there's not a whole lot of great movies coming out this Friday. I don't want to be too negative, but the basic rundown goes something like this: souless action (Max Payne), after school special (The Secret Life of Bees), 80's ripoff (Sex Drive), and complete mess (What Just Happened?). That's not too negative, right?

Weekend Suggestion:

I'd say that W. looks to be the best option for this weekend. Not because it looks like a great movie, but because it should be entertaining to watch how Oliver Stone and Josh Brolin portray the soon-to-be Ex-President.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 10/10

The last few weeks have produced some very good films, so it's been hard to single out one movie to recommend. This week is far different.

While Nights and Weekends and Happy-Go-Lucky look to entertain, neither is widely available. The other movies out this week all seem to be pretty average at best. The Duchess looks to be the best of the rest, but it's also a period film, which may not appeal to many audiences.

Weekend Suggestion:

Body of Lies has to be the movie to see this weekend. Great director, great cast, solid premise. It's pretty hard to mess up that combination, so go see it.

Weekly Roundup - Opening 10/3

Wow, there are a lot of movies opening this week! There really is something for everyone, with most of the options being at least somewhat promising.

The only movie that should not be considered, and a movie I wish I didn't have to spend time talking about, is Beverly Hills Chihuahua. If you want serious drama, check out Appaloosa. If you want to see something a little different, take a look at Blindness. And if you want to laugh like a Brit, you could definitely do worse than How To Lose Friends & Alienate People.

Weekend Suggestion:

This weekend is one of the harder ones to pick just one film to recommend, but since I have to select just one, I'm going with Religulous. It's a great time to go see a funny movie, especially with the religious ramifications that may affect the upcoming presidential election. Go see Bill Maher tear up some fanatical zealots ala Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. Have fun, and make sure not to take everything so seriously!