3 to See in January!

Last January was home to several awful horror films (The Unborn), awful childrens comedies (Hotel for Dogs, Paul Blart: Mall Cop), and Taken. So now we return to what is known to many as the dumping ground for dead movies. To find three films that look like they're not a waste of your money would be a chore any other year, but this year I was able to find at least 3 films of interest and none of them feature characters with wings.

3. Daybreakers Another vampire movie from practically unknown writers and directors whose only known stars are Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, and the robot girl from Transformers 2. It seems like this sort of film has happened before in the form of Underworld, Blade, or Van Helsing. However early reviews say that while it isn't really a great film and certainly has its detractors, it is still a good and ambitious action filled, vampire film certainly above most of the other vampire films of the past decade. It certainly shows a slightly different premise from the other vampire films. Instead of vampires living in secret, unknown by humans, vampires are the dominant species on the planet. It certainly brings up some practical questions. What about the desire to have children? What about their moral conscience? and what happens when all the blood runs out? Welcome to the apocalypse! again. It's alright to still be sceptical though. I sure am.

2. Youth in Revolt
This film has been around for months and gaining controlled hype. Boasting an allstar comedy cast including Michael Cera, Zach Galafianakis, and... Michael Cera, the film tells the story of an everyday guy who developes a crush on a local girl who doesn't return his feelings. So he developes an alternative personality to help him get the girl. Oh, and he ends up causing destruction to public property, and is hunted by the cops. Sounds to me like it has some potential and even if reviews are mixed it will still find a crowd, most likely somewhere between teen-girl fans of Michael Cera, and just average guys. Maybe a little below average.

1. Edge of Darkness Last year Liam Neeson kicked ass as the CIA operative trying to save his daughter from a life of prostitution. This year they crank it up a notch with Mel Gibson playing a Boston homicide detective looking for revenge for the murder of his only daughter. Add the fact that it's directed by the director of Casino Royale, written by the screenwriter of The Departed, and co-starring Ray Winstone, and you have a beyond awesome crime thriller. The man-with-nothing-to-lose character has been portrayed countless times, but considering that a few of those were also Mel Gibson I'd have to say that he knows what he's doing. It's a good story placed in very capable hands.