Weekend Preview: Witches, Aliens, and Russians, Oh My!

Yes I intentionally omitted Safe Haven, the most recent Nicholas Sparks adaptation to grace its way into the theater, from my witty post title. The penultimate weekend of the month also happens to be the most crowded weekend of the month.

Witches (oops, I mean Casters...) of all ages are sure to appear en masse for the film adaptation of Beautiful Creatures, the first of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Caster Chronicles book series. There's another film revolving around evil witchcraft at the cinema this weekend, though those witches won't be on the screen. Watch out guys, tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Nicholas Sparks knows just how to hit us below the belt. This year's torture fest is titled Safe Haven, and I'll send some positive energy out into the universe in the hopes that your significant other won't be dragging you into this one. Hopefully s/he'll let you take advantage of Fox's clever counter programming ploy: A Good Day to Die Hard, aka Isn't John McClane a little too old to be saving the day?, aka Haven't you milked enough money out of this franchise?, aka Who do you think you are, Cameron? Lucas? If none of those films sound like a good way to spend two hours (and you are under the age of seven), then Weinstein has just the thing for you. It's called Escape from Planet Earth and I wouldn't be surprised if it is this year's Mars Needs Moms.

Leave a comment below to let me know whether or not you're skipping the theater this weekend.

Tune in next time for the least interesting pair up of the month, Dark Skies and Snitch.

February 2013 Preview!

Here is a quick look at the films I plan to see in February:

Warm Bodies (2/1/13)
After watching the first trailer I went out and bought Isaac Marion's book on which the film is based. I really enjoyed the book and I'm sure I will enjoy the movie too. I love Marion's take on the zombie mythos (i.e. the existence of degrees of "zombie-ness", the retention of some humanity, and the ability to become fully human again once infected.) My only fear is that the film might over-romanticize (a la the-vampire-series-that-must-not-be-named) what has historically been the personification of the most abject aspect of life: the fact that our bodies are already slowly dying and falling apart.

Stand Up Guys (2/1/13)
Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin in a buddy crime action comedy. If you don't care for zombies and are lucky enough to live near a theater showing this (since it isn't getting a wide release yet), then this is the obvious choice for you to see this weekend.

Identity Thief (2/8/13)
He's a dinosaur, that Jason Bateman. But he still makes me laugh, and not just when he's being a member of the Bluth family. Add in some raunchy Melissa McCarthy (aka my favorite part of Bridesmaids that I actually liked) and I would call that comedic gold.

Side Effects (2/8/13)
I don't like Channing Tatum. But I do like Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Add in the chameleon Steven Soderbergh and a plot about prescription drugs, betrayal, and a possibly illicit affair, and you get one intriguing film. Hopefully also a few Magic Mike-esque glimpses of Rooney.

Beautiful Creatures (2/13/13)
To be honest, I'm including this one because I know that the Misses will be dragging me along to it. It does look like it will be a well made and enjoyable film, if that particular branch of the fantasy genre is your cup of tea. For my money, I would prefer a cup of Earl Grey, hot.

Did I leave off the film you're the most excited about? Leave a comment and let me know! It takes two seconds and would be greatly appreciated! :)