The first weekend in January, and the month as a whole, is traditionally known as a kitchen sink for theatrical releases...unfortunately, it's typically stuff that, at any other time of the year, would end up in the garbage disposal. Instead of the studio flipping the switch on it and going all Ginsu, they put it in the freezer. Later, the dish is defrosted -- typically when there's really nothing else appetizing in the fridge (post-holiday releases, pre-award shows). Let's take a look at what's new, and rediscovered, at the theater for January 6th and see if they're freezer burnt or aged to perfection.
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The Devil Inside Director: William Brent Bell Writers: William Brent Bell, Matthew Peterman Stars: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman and Evan Helmuth
The latest found footage horror flick (a la Paranormal Activity) comes from, coincidentally, Paramount - the same studio who found out where lighting would strike every October with their fan favorite haunted house franchise. But can they bottle that lighting and sell it to the same audience in a new package? This time as a demonic tale about a girl who takes part in a series of unauthorized Vatican exorcisms? The purging is done to solve the mystery surrounding her mother's, and her own exorcism, which led to the grizzly murders of three people. Is it real? Is it not? Is it really the film the Vatican doesn't want you to see? Or is the scariest thing about the film the fact that Devil is what movie lovers must kick off 2012 with?
Pariah Director: Dee Rees Writer: Dee Rees Stars: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans and Aasha Davis
Just because the mainstream releases this time of year are typically of the Devil, the same doesn't always apply for the indie and art house flicks. Case in point with the much buzzed-about Pariah, the theatrical debut from filmmaker Dee Rees based on her 2007 award-winning short of the same name. The 2011 Sundance award winner chronicles a Brooklyn teenager's struggles with her homosexuality.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Director: Henry Selick Writers: Tim Burton , Michael McDowell Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara
Christmas may be over but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one of the holiday's all time classics - the stop motion animated adventure from Tim Burton. It's about Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, who discovers the wondrous world of Christmas Town! "This is Halloween" this Friday & Saturday at midnight at the Inwood
