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Taken 2

Who: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Jon Gries, Rade Sherbedgia

What: A sequel to the action flick starring Neeson as a security consultant whose ex-wife and daughter are kidnapped by relatives of the bad guys he gunned down in the first movie.

When: February 12th on DVD and digital download.

Why: It's Neeson kicking butt again. I saw this in theaters - it's more of the same, not quite as good as the first but a decent action flick.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Who: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Paul Rudd, Melanie Lynskey, Mae Whitman, Joan Cusack

What: Sex, drugs, popularity, friendship, jealousy, suicide, deep thoughts - all that good awkward adolescent drama - featuring Watson, Lerman, and Miller. Based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky.

When: February 12th on DVD and digital download.

Why: Critics and fans have responded very well to this movie, and I'm a sucker for high school love triangles. Its screenplay has earned a nomination from the Writer's Guild of America.

Rise of the Zombies

Who: Mariel Hemingway, Ethan Suplee, LeVar Burton, Danny Trejo

What: If you lived in San Francisco during a zombie outbreak, where would you run to? Alcatraz.

When: February 12th

Why: I'm a fan of The Walking Dead, so I'm interested in a movie about using a prison to defend against zombies. Plus I try to see anything Danny Trejo is in.

Won't Back Down

Who: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Holly Hunter, Oscar Isaac, Rosie Perez, Ving Rhames

What: A drama about an inner-city failing school, and the women who fight for the future of the kids.

When: February 12th on DVD and digital download.

Why: The movie sounds awfully chick-flick to me, but I'm a Maggie Gyllenhaal loyalist. Davis and Hunter of course bring their own Oscar pedigrees to the movie.

Yelling to the Sky

Who: Zoe Kravitz, Gabourey Sidibe, Tim Blake Nelson

What: An indie drama about a teenage girl, played by Zoe Kravitz, who has to navigate a school troubled by gangs and drugs.

When: February 12th on DVD and digital download.

Why: Sidibe has been in a couple comedies since getting her Oscar nomination for Precious, so this would be an opportunity to see her do more drama.

What I'm watching this week:

Based on a goal of watching 200 movies per year, I try to watch - or limit myself to - four movies per week. I saw Taken 2 in theaters, and although it's more of the same and not as good as the first, it's still a good Friday night action rental. The one I want to see most is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which has gotten a lot of good buzz and a WGA nomination. Robot & Frank has also gotten good response, and I like Langella and heist movies. There are a few other tempting remaining choices, but I think I'll be tempted by the illicit romance of 28 Hotel Rooms.

Big movie note: Skyfall, the most recent James Bond movie, is available from some outlets on February 12th, but won't be available on Netflix until March 12th.

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