This Weekend, Watch This
A comparison of the new releases for January 6, 2012
By Curt David
January 6, 2012
BoxOfficeProphets.com

Pictured: The Spy. Also, possibly, the tinker, the tailor and the soldier. We're not sure
New movies are released into theaters every weekend. How do you decide which movie to watch? Some people could pick a movie based on the title (Surprisingly, Kiss of the Dragon, Red Dragon, Dragonheart, and How to Train Your Dragon all have different genres). Some people watch trailers (misleading), some people listen to their friends (friends can be idiots), and some people only go to the movies if their Hollywood crush is on the screen (I just read The Hunger Games trilogy this week. I think that upcoming movie is my new crush).

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 6th, the only new movie in wide release The Devil Inside. To make things more interesting, let's add a movie expanding in limited release to the mix (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy).



The Devil Inside Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy WINNER
(1 point per category)
Clearest TitleA movie probably about the devil. It took me awhile to guess this movie is probably about those four occupations (what's a tinker?) Second title was way too confusing. Point for The Devil Inside.
Best Genre
and Rating		Horror: Rated R for disturbing violent and grisly images, and for language including sexual references. Thriller: Rated R for some violence, some sexuality/nudity, and language. Not a weekend for kids. Both movies will split the point for both being Rated R.
Cleverest Tagline
(out of 5 stars)		"No Soul is Safe" Not original. 1/5 "The enemy is within." Not much better. 2/5 TinkerTSP barely wins this weak round.
Best Part of TrailerI was 100% predicting this would be a normal bad horror trailer, but it took the clever documentary approach. I'm torn between thinking the movie looks boring and looks super exciting. While some people are praising TTSP, both trailers were equally fine in my book. 1/2 point each.
Coolest Lead ActorI didn't recognize anyone. Gary Oldman from The Dark Knight. Lt. Jim Gordon wins the point for this round.
Best CastI didn't recognize anyone. Colin Firth (The King's Speech) and Tom Hardy (Inception) Mr. Darcy wins the point for this round.
Best Street Cred
For the Production		Director and Writer William Brent Bell also directed and wrote Stay Alive. Director Tomas Alfredson has directed a ton of foreign films and has been nominated for a BAFTA. Alfredson has a ton of IMDb credits. Point for him.


So out of a maximum of 7 points per movie, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy wins 5 points and The Devil Inside scores 2 points

You may interpret this column for your own movie preferences. For example, if neither of these preferences rocks your boat, feel free to stay at home. 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, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the best movie to watch this weekend.
Conclusion 2: I seriously read The Hunger Games trilogy in less than 48 hours.
Conclusion 3: They were so good (even if they were meant for teenage girls? I don't care). Read some books this weekend instead of going to the movies.