Chronicle – Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides. 
 
 
 
 

Big Miracle – In small town Alaska, a news reporter (John Krasinski) recruits his ex-girlfriend (Drew Barrymore) – a Greenpeace volunteer – on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. 
 
 
 
 
 

In limited release is horror director Ti West’s latest, The Innkeepers (Johnny Manf’s Review) about 2 employees researching the apparent ghost at an old inn where they work. Also Kill List about a hitman taking his first big job after majorly botching his last. And finally Windfall, a documentary on wind energy.

(via IMDB)

Claire and Luke are two nerdy employees at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. The inn is going out of business and it’s the final weekend open. There are not many guests to assist but they must stay there just in case. The two friends decide to stay overnight for the weekend while working their shifts. The reason for this is because there are ghost stories stemming from the history of the hotel but they’ve never been proven. So with some sound recording equipment, they decide to get some proof before the doors are shut forever. Meanwhile, they must help out the few odd guests that do decide to shack up for the night. It’s a slow build ghost story with a huge payoff in the final act. All set within the walls of a creepy old hotel. Not a huge fan of ghost stories but the director knows the genre and does it well.

Sara Paxton plays Claire. She is usually playing the hot girl in movies like Shark Night, The Last House on the Left and Superhero Movie. They really uglied her up for this role. She is very plain and dorky to fit in with her co-star Pat Healy who plays Luke. He is a sarcastic, yet monotone, nerd obsessed with ghost stories to the point where he created a website about the very hotel he works in. He claims to have seen and heard various odd things to justify the ghost search during the final weekend of the inn’s existence. The ghost tale is about a woman from decades ago who was murdered and had her body hid in the basement of the inn. Legend says she haunts the guests and employees because her spirit is still trapped there but there is no concrete evidence. Small roles by Kelly McGillis as a washed up actress who dabbles in spiritual contact. She ends up helping Claire get into some of the spookier moments. And George Riddle as a creeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy old man. Creeps the hell out of ya. That’s pretty much the entire cast.

Like any horror film, there are jump moments here and there. But they are properly built up instead of cheesily added in at every moment possible. Director Ti West has a real love for horror, and cinema in general. In fact, he also wrote and edited the film himself because he did not want it changed from his own vision. I was a huge fan of his previous film, 2009’s The House of the Devil. The Innkeepers isn’t as great or unique as that one but it’s one of the better ghost stories of recent times. Simple premise of two nerdy kids in over their heads when they screw around with a local ghost tale and get the hell scared out of them. Don’t let the Paranormal Activity franchise run shop when it comes to ghosts. There are others out there still doing a great job in horror. I hope Ti West continues to keep horror alive.

IMDB – 5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 76%
Movie Wiseguys – 7/10

Michael Jackson – They Don’t Care About Us (1996)

Naughty By Nature – Hip Hop Hooray (1993)

Public Enemy – Fight The Power (1989)

Dream House – Soon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, a family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the dwelling. Starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts and Elias Koteas. Directed by Jim Sheridan (Brothers). Johnny Manf’s Review. 

The Thing – At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson (Ulrich Thomsen). Also starring Joel Edgerton and Eric Christian Olsen. Prequel to the 1982 John Carpenter classic. Johnny Manf’s Review. 
 

The Big Year – Three avid bird watchers (Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Steve Martin) compete to spot the rarest birds in North America at a prestigious annual event. Directed by David Frankel (Marley & Me, The Devil Wears Prada). 
 
 

In Time – In a future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy more time is a shot at immortal youth. Will Salas (Justin Timerblake) finds himself accused of murder, on the run with a hostage (Amanda Seyfried) and with a lot of time in his life counter. Directed by Andrew Niccol (Lord of War). 
 

Also on DVD and Blu Ray: Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Series 1, The Double (Johnny Manf’s Review), Fat City New Orleans, The Mill & the Cross, Snow Buddies, Texas Killing Fields, To Kill a Mockingbird, Transformers: Dark of the Moon – Ultimate Edition 3D (Johnny Manf’s Review) and Treasure Buddies.

On DVD Only: Behind the Glass, Dog Jack, The Evolution of Andrew Andrews, The Hammer, Hey Dude: Season 2, LeapFrog: Number Land, Lost River: Lincoln’s Secret Weapon, Poldark: The Complete Collection, Thunder Soul and You & I.

On Blu Ray Only: Cold Mountain, Das Boot (Director’s Cut), The English Patient, Frida, Malcolm X, Night Train Murders, The Piano, Shakespeare in Love, Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Next Level and Transformers (7-Disc Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Trilogy).

(via ComingSoon)

1. The Grey $20 Million (NEW)
2. Underworld: Awakening $12.5 Million ($45.1 Million Total)
3. One for the Money $11.8 Million (NEW)
4. Red Tails $10.4 Million ($33.8 Million Total)
5. Man on a Ledge $8.3 Million (NEW)
6. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close $7.1 Million ($21.1 Million Total)
7. The Descendants $6.6 Million ($58.8 Million Total)
8. Contraband $6.5 Million ($56.4 Million Total)
9. Beauty & the Beast 3D $5.3 Million ($41.1 Million Total)
10. Haywire $4 Million ($15.3 Million Total)

Liam Neeson battled his way into the #1 spot with The Grey scoring some decent cash for a January release.
But this upcoming weekend brings new challengers such as the found footage special powers movie, Chronicle. Daniel Radcliffe takes on his first post-Potter role in The Woman in Black. Also Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski star in a save the whales tale called Big Miracle.

(via Box Office Mojo)

Ensemble Actor/Actress/Director Win: 2 pts
Actor/Actress Win: 4 pts

#1 Johnny Manf (5-2): 8 pts defeats #4 Pitstop (2-4-1): 8 pts
TIE BREAKER – Total Points in Regular Season 103-77

Little Lebowski Urban Achievers
Octavia Spencer – 6 pts (Supporting Actress & Ensemble)
Tate Taylor – 2 pts (Ensemble)

Team Thunder Gun Express
Christopher Plummer – 4 pts (Supporting Actor)
Jessica Chastain – 2 pts (Ensemble)
Bryce Dallas Howard – 2 pts (Ensemble)

#3 Mandy (5-2): 6 pts defeats The Troy (4-3): 2 pts

Leo’s Woody is a Hardy Hammer
Viola Davis – 6 pts (Actress & Ensemble)

Pretty in Pink with a Head Stomp
Emma Stone – 2 pts (Ensemble)

THE HAPPENING BOWL – ROUND 1
L-Stet (2-3-1): 4 pts vs. Scott (1-5): 0 pts
Point total carries over for Oscars.

Get Away from my Godson
Jean Dujardin – 4 pts (Actor)

Don’t Fear the Streeper
0 pts

CHAMPIONSHIP
#1 Johnny Manf vs. #3 Mandy

3RD PLACE
The Troy vs. Pitstop

THE HAPPENING BOWL – FINALS
Winner gets first pick in Season 5 Draft
L-Stet (4) vs. Scott (0)

REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
Little Lebowski Urban Achievers 4-2 (103)
Pretty in Pink with a Head Stomp 4-2 (81)
Leo’s Woody is a Hardy Hammer 4-2 (78)
Team Thunder Gun Express 2-3-1 (77)
Get Away from my Godson 2-3-1 (67)
Don’t Fear the Streeper 1-5 (58)

Life Achievement Award: Mary Tyler Moore
Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Female Actor in a Leading Role: Viola Davis – The Help
Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer – The Help
Cast in a Motion Picture: The Help
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti – Too Big to Fail
Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Kate Winslet – Mildred Pierce
Male Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire
Female Actor in a Drama Series: Jessica Lange – American Horror Story
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Betty White – Hot in Cleveland
Ensemble in a Drama Series: Boardwalk Empire
Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Modern Family
Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series: Game of Thrones