This Weekend, Watch This
A comparison of the new releases for Jan.8, 2010
By Curt David
January 8, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
More likely than not, each weekend there is a movie that you have never heard of in the theaters. I'll save you the hassle of researching every movie, by comparing the new releases for each weekend in this column. Then, I'll tell you which movie to watch.
For the weekend of January 8th, the new movies in wide release are Daybreakers, Leap Year, and Youth in Revolt.
| Daybreakers | Leap Year | Youth in Revolt | WINNER (1 point per category) | |
| Clearest Title | I'll pay to see this movie if it is a James Cameron sci-fi movie about destroying the sun. | I'll pay to see this movie if it is Bill Murray's sequel to Groundhog's Day. | I'll pay to see this movie if it is really called Senior Citizens in Revolt starring Betty White. | The titles aren't really that clever. All three split the point by default. |
| Best Genre & Rating | Horror/Thriller Rated R for strong bloody violence, language, and brief nudity. | Romantic Comedy Rated PG-13 for sensuality and language. | Dramedy Rated R for sexual content, language, and drug use. | Romantic Comedies should come out in a month from now. We haven't had a horror film in awhile - point for Daybreakers. |
| Cleverest Tagline (out of 5 stars) | Take "The Matrix" and "28 Days Later," and you've got "Daybreakers."
Those are two good movies. 1/5 stars | Anna planned to propose to her boyfriend on February 29th. This is not her boyfriend. Then why is she flirting with him? 0/5 stars | He wasn't a rebel until he found his cause.
Ha, that is a good play on words! 4/5 stars | Youth in Revolt has the best tagline by far! Point! |
| Best Trailer | Clever twist on a vampire movie. Vampires are in charge, humans are in the minority. | Not too clever romantic comedy plot, but does leave you with the ultimate cliffhanger. | Typical Michael Cera movie? No! He has a crazy split personality! | Daybreakers is the coolest trailer by far. Wins this round. |
| Coolest Lead Actor | Ethan Hawke from Training Day (but I liked him better in two episodes of Alias.) | Amy Adams from Enchanted (but I liked her better in three episodes of The Office). | Michael Cera from Juno (but I liked him better in 53 episodes of Arrested Development). | Who am I kidding? I like Amy Adams in anything she is in. Point for her. |
| Best Cast Member | William Dafoe from Spider-Man, The Boondock Saints, and Finding Nemo (Gill). | John Lithgow from Terms of Endearment and 30 Rock from the Sun. | Jean Smart from polar opposite TV shows: 24 and Designing Women. | Jean has won three Emmys. But the point is going to be split between the two gentlemen, each nominated for two Oscars. |
| Best Street Cred for the Production | Written and directed by newcomers Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig. | Written by Deborah Kaplan, who also wrote Made of Honor and A Very Brady Sequel. | Directed by Miguel Arteta, who also directed many tv shows. | Shoot, Ms. Kaplan actually has the most street cred. She also wrote Josie and the Pussycats, Surviving Christmas, Can't Hardly Wait, and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. |
So out of a maximum of 7 points per movie, Daybreakers scores 2 5/6 points, Leap Year scores 2 5/6 points, and Youth in Revolt scores 1 1/3 points.
You may interpret this column for your own movie preferences. For example, if you like movies that will forever change how films are made, then watch Avatar in 3D. However, if you are still on the fence, please read the following conclusions from the scientific data gathered in this column.
Conclusion 1: On paper, Daybreakers AND Leap Year are the movies to watch this weekend.
Conclusion 2: I don't like how romantic comedies make it seem okay for characters to flirt with other characters with significant others. That puts me in a bad mood.
Conclusion 3: He wasn't a rebel until he found his cause. Ha. That puts me in a better mood.