Weekend Movie Guide: Drinking human blood is cool!

The vampires of 30 Days of Night

For what seems like the 300th time this year, Hollywood is giving us a movie based on a graphic novel. That movie is 30 Days of Night and stars the lethally inexpressive Josh Hartnett as a small-town sheriff charged with the task of protecting Barrow, Alaska from a rampaging horde of hungry (or is thirsty?) vampires. All I can say is, "at least it's rated R". I'll probably sit this one out and wait for the similarly-themed I Am Legend.

Almost as evil as the murderous vampires in 30 Days of Night is the CIA in Rendition. Reese Witherspoon stars as the wife of an Egyptian who is suspected of being a terrorist and subsequently detained overseas for aggressive interrogation. Studio pictures usually attack issues like this with a club rather than the scalpel that's required. Critics have been harsh, mostly water-boarding the film in their reviews.

Things We Lost in the Fire stars American treasure Benicio Del Toro as a former drug addict who helps his best friend's widow, Halle Berry, cope with her husband's death. Reviews have been above average, with most critics singling out Del Toro for yet another fine performance. Death and grief also dominate Reservation Road but critical reaction has been considerably more astringent. The LAist review of it is here.

Morgan Freeman, Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan

After several years of flailing about as an actor, Ben Affleck has decided to go behind the camera, directing his first feature Gone Baby Gone (he also co-wrote the script). Ben directs his brother Casey who stars as a detective investigating the disappearance of a little girl. Morgan Freeman and Michelle Monaghan co-star while Amy Ryan delivers a breakout performance. Reviews have been very positive. Is Ben the next Mike Binder?

Jack Skellington is back just in time for Halloween, but this time with a twist--in 3-D! I could never figure out if The Nightmare Before Christmas was a Halloween or a Christmas movie so I usually just watch it over Thanksgiving. Note to all movie-lovers---there is a massive movement underway towards converting old movies into 3-D. Are you ready for Star Wars or The Lords of the Rings trilogy in 3-D? I am. A lot. Hurry!

The Comebacks falls firmly into the category pioneered by the Zucker brothers during the 1980s only not as funny. Or maybe even not funny at all. The often funny David Koechner stars as the stupidly-named Coach Lambeau Fields (who would laugh at that?). Will Ferrell--for God's sake--please make Anchorman 2 and bring back Champ Kind. Koechner deserves better than this crap. It's PG-13 so there won't even be any nudity. Avoid!

Weirdsville is just the kind of movie I always seem to enjoy. It's clever, funny and has an interesting, quirky cast. In short, it's an underdog and I always root for the underdog. As one critic wrote, "This absurd crime odyssey has so much gonzo enthusiasm that it's impossible not to enjoy." Good enough for me. Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour is a PG-rated horror movie aimed right at the young teen market. Umm, no thanks!

That big, fat and juicy (literally) Christian market that studios have been salivating over since Passion of the Christ hit big is targeted once again this weekend with the release of the animated version of The Ten Commandments. Christian Slater stars as Moses and Elliot Gould voices God (Elliott fucking Gould? huh?!). I'm just hoping that Slater does his Nicholson impersonation from Heathers. America needs a sly, horny Moses.

Tickets & Showtimes

30 Days of Night
Rendition
Things We Lost in the Fire
Reservation Road
Gone Baby Gone
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Comebacks
Weirdsville
Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour
The Ten Commandments