The first month of the year features a plethora of horror films and the expansion of major awards contenders.
On January 4th the year starts out slow with only one new release. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" series releases its first 3D installment. The film is being released by Lionsgate and has not had much promotion due to Oscar contenders stealing publicity.
The weekend also sees the expansion of Gus Van Sant's film "Promised Land." The film was initially thought to be a major awards contender, but it has garnered mixed reviews. Its wide release is its last chance to pick up any buzz before Oscar voters hand in their ballots. "The Impossible" starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and "Not fade Away" expand after solid limited releases.
What to see: "The Impossible" is undoubtedly the best film to watch this weekend as it will most likely get Naomi Watts her second Oscar nomination and may even get a best picture nomination.
January 11th also sees very few films being released. The biggest film of the weekend is "Gangster Squad." The film was originally supposed to be released in October but due to the Colorado shooting in Aurora the film was reshot. "Squad" stars Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Emma Stone and Michael Pena and is chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s.
Also opening is "A Haunted House" starring Marlon Wayans. The movie spoofs "The Devil Inside", "The Exorcist" and "Paranormal Activity." The weekend also sees the Oscar contender "Zero Dark Thirty" expand to wide release. January 11th may also see the expansion of Oscar nominees attempting to increase their box office revenues and expanding their audience.
In the art house theater Dustin Hoffman's directional debut "Quartet" gets a theatrical run. The film is about retired opera singers and stars Maggie Smith. It should cater to the same audiences of "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
What to see: If you've already seen Kathryn Bigelow's stunning portrayal of the greatest manhunt of the decade "Zero Dark Thirty", "Gangster Squad is worth checking out for its massive cast but also to check out how the film was revamped after the theater shooting back in July.
On January 18th "Broken City" starring Mark Walhberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta Jones opens. The film tells the story of an ex-cop trailing the wife of New York City's mayor. Also opening is the "The Last Stand" with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Genesis Rodriguez, Forest Whitaker and Rodrigo Santoro. The Jessica Chastain starrer "Mama" also opens. The film tells the story of Annabel and Lucas who are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces after they were left alone in the forest for 5 years.
Art house cinemas will see the release of Sundance hit "LUV" starring Common and Danny Glover. Directed by Sheldon Candis, the film tells the story of 11-year-old Woody who has to decide whether to follow in his hero's steps or become his own man as he spends the day with his recently paroled uncle, whose attempt to right his life hits an unexpected snag.
What to See: "Broken City" features an award winning cast that should easily elevate the film and enthrall a mass audience.
The Last weekend of January sees three new releases. "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" is a retelling of the classic Grim Brothers fantasy starring Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner. "Movie 43" by the Farrelly brothers will also be released. The film follows 12 different stories and was directed by 11 different directors. The film also stars Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Naomi Watts, and Liev Schreiber. Finally "Parker" starring Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham will be released. The film is about a thief with a unique code of professional ethics who is double-crossed by his crew and left for dead. Assuming a new disguise and forming an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside, he looks to hijack the score of the crew's latest heist.
The specialty films released the 18th include IFC's "Knife Fight" with Rob Lowe, and Carrie Ann Moss and Magnolia's "John Dies at the End" starring Paul Giamatti.
What to See: "Movie 43" seems like the most interesting choice as it features an array of diverse actors and the fact that it follows 12 different stories should be interesting.