Popcorn Pick- January 2012

January is typically the weakest month for new releases, as it's too late for Oscar hopefuls to come out, but too early for the spring movies hoping to hit it big. But there will be no pessimism from me- it's a new year, and it's gonna be a good one! And my picks this month aren't even half bad- a hopefully-exciting thriller, another addition in a popular sci-fi franchise, and one magical re-release make this month worthy of using those movie passes you got for Christmas.
Let's jump right in!

Friday, January 6th
There is no Pick this week due to the release of my Best and Worst Films of the Year list. Check it out here.
(Also, there's no good new releases coming out this week.)

Friday, January 13th
Beauty and the Beast 3D

This Friday the 13th feels lucky!
After the enormous success of The Lion King 3D last fall, Disney is revamping several classic films by converting them to 3D and re-releasing them. Next up is this Oscar-winning 1991 megahit, (hot on the heels of its 20th anniversary) about a bookish girl who is imprisoned in a lonely enchanted castle, full of talking furniture and appliances, and ends up falling in love with the lord of the manor, a huge, hulking hairy beast who reveals his gentle side. With scares, humor, and lavish musical sequences, this delighted kids the world over, and had enough story to keep their parents entertained as well. Many people's favorite animated Disney film.
While it won two Oscars for its music, this film has the unique distinction of being the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, beginning a long line of extremely successful '90s Disney movies.




Friday, January 20th
Underworld: Awakening

Speaking of beasts...
This is the fourth film in the sci-fi/action franchise, yet another movie series to switch to 3D. Kate Beckinsale returns as Selene, a vampire warrior. In this installment, Selene wakes up in the future to find that humans have joined in the war against vampires and werewolves, and there are new weapons being held by all sides. Dark and action-packed as usual, this may not be a big hit since it's being released in January, but you know what, I encourage any vampire movie that doesn't have the silly tone of Twilight.









Friday, January 27th
Man on a Ledge

This complicated thriller starts out with a very simple idea, given away in its title: a man writes a suicide note, then climbs out on the ledge of his high-rise apartment building, attracting the attention of hundreds of people below. But he has other plans besides jumping. The trailer goes into more detail about the plot, so I won't give anything away here. Suffice to say that it looks like it has many twists and will get people's hearts racing.
Sam Worthington (Avatar) leads an impressive cast, which also includes Elizabeth Banks and Ed Harris.









So while you're grieving over starting another semester of school or returning to work, trudge over to your local movie theater and sample the local cuisine- if you choose wisely, you won't be disappointed.