The holidays tend to light the cold, snow-covered nights with a warm and hearty glow, but after New Year's, it's pretty much cold, dark, days ahead until the spring thaw comes. Ironically enough, it's during the light, fun, days of summer that we feel most compelled to crowd into dark chilly rooms for movie escapism; the doldrums of winter tend offer very little in the way of quality theatrical entertainment - and the first quarter box office often reflects that reality.

However, more and more we're seeing the winter movie season transform before our eyes; instead of being a dumping ground for studios' failed attempts at filmmaking, now the early portions of the year are being filled with what could best be described as "blockbuster-lite" films - movies that may be big in scope and production, but don't carry the studio confidence to be contenders in the heavily-occupied late-April - September blockbuster prime time, or the new October - December second wave.

This year we'll be getting a Paranormal Activity spinoff, a new sword-and-sandals epicHercules prequel story, and Robocop remake - all within the first eight weeks of 2014. Winter may not bring the best films of the year, but it will certainly offer a few gems, this year.

CLICK the LINK below if you want to jump to the February Movies.

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January 2014 Movies

 

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones TV spot

Jan 3rd

The writer of Disturbia and Paranormal Activity 2 - 4 attempts to take the franchise in a semi-different direction by tacking-on opening up the convoluted franchise mythos to a side chapter about a Latino boy named Jesse who is inflicted with a supernatural curse. This is basically an attempt to market PA to the Latin demographic, while attempting to snare followers of the franchise further into this web of found-footage jump-scares and mysteries with no real explanations. By now you view at your own risk.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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The Adventurer: Curse of the Midas Box

Sam-Neill-in-The-Adventurer-The-Curse-of-the-Midas-Box

Jan 10th

Seventeen-year-old Mariah Mundi’s life is turned upside down when his parents vanish and his younger brother is kidnapped. Mariah discovers a hidden realm of child-stealing monsters, deadly secrets and a long-lost artifact that grants limitless wealth – but also devastating supernatural power. With the fate of his world, and his family at stake, Mariah will risk everything to unravel the Curse of the Midas Box! Michael Sheen, Lena Headey, Ioan Gruffudd and Sam Neill star, Jonathan Newman directs.

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Her

Joaquin Phoenix in a Scene from Her

Jan 10th

In a near-feature Los Angeles, a writer in the middle of heartbreak (Joaquin Phoenix) starts to fall in love with his new A.I. operating system (voice of Scarlett Johansson). This new film from Being John Malkovich and Where The Wild Things Are director Spike Jonze is yet another offbeat-yet-insightful look at that which makes us human, and the nature of love. Sure to be a 2014 awards contender.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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The Legend of Hercules

Kellan Lutz in the Hercules: The Legend Begins trailer

Jan 10th

In this "Hercules Begins" origin tale, Kellan Lutz (Twilight) plays the titular demigod in his formative years, when he is exiled by his stepfather the king (Scott Adkins) and sold into slavery. Of course, when his godly powers begin to emerge, Hercules goes from slave to hero. Directed by Die Hard 2 helmer Renny Harlin with a 3D design, Hercules may draw Lutz' fangirl base, but Brett Ratner's Hercules movie with Dwayne Johnson may be the one to wait for.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Lone Survivor

The Lone Survivor trailer

Jan 10th

Based on the real-life 2005 military op gone bad, Lone Survivor follows four Navy SEAL team members (Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch) as they venture into Afghanistan to capture a high-value Taliban leader. The title of the film should pretty much tell you that things ultimately go bad. Directed by The Kingdom's Peter Berg, this looks like an unflinching (read: brutal) look at four of US military's finest making their last stand.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Devil's Due

Devil's Due Allison Miller

Jan 17th

After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin. It's January, so that means time for another intriguing-but-probably-hollow found-footage horror film.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Chris Pine as Jack Ryan (2014)

Jan 17th

In this reboot, Chris Pine (Star Trek) takes over the Jack Ryan role for an updated origin story about how Ryan the CIA numbers analyst became Ryan the punching-shooting field operative. The plot revolves around the threat of economic terrorism, with director Kenneth Branagh serving as the villain, too, and Kevin Costner serving as Jack's mentor in the field. Brainy action thrills ensue - and from what we've already seen, this could be a definite step up from Sum of All Fears. A solid bet for the early new year.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Reasonable Doubt

Dominic Cooper in Reasonable Doubt (2014 Movie Preview)

Jan 17th

When up-and-coming District Attorney Mitch Brockden (Dominick Cooper) commits a fatal hit-and-run, he feels compelled to manipulate the case to acquit the accused criminal (Samuel L. Jackson) who was found with the body and blamed for the crime. Following the trial, Mitch’s worst fears come true when he realizes that his actions freed a guilty man, and he soon finds himself on the hunt for the killer before more victims pile up.

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Ride Along

Ride Along: Kevin Hart & Ice Cube

Jan 17th

Kevin Hart plays a man trying to win approval from his fiancee's tough-as-nail cop brother (Ice Cube). The brother decides that it's time for Hart to prove his manhood, by taking a 24-hour ride along through the streets of Atlanta. Hilarity and action ensues - and with the odd-man pairing of Hart and Cube, we're hoping that both the action and the comedy sides of the equation are strong in this "The Heat with black guys" comedy flick.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Gimmie Shelter

Gimmie Shelter starring Vanessa Hudgens (2014 Movie)

Jan 24th

A teenager (Vanessa Hudgens) sets out to find her Wall Street father (Brendan Fraser) and is forced into the streets in a desperate journey of survival. Based on a true story. Hudgens (Spring Breakers) is almost unrecognizable in the central role, with Rosario Dawson also getting gritty to play her drug addict mother. I'll go out on a limb and say that Hudgens has been quietly proving herself in the roles she plays, and this could be serious indie-cred for the former High School Musical star. 

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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I, Frankenstein

Aaron Eckhart is 'I, Frankenstein'

Jan 24th

Set in a dystopic present where vigilant gargoyles and ferocious demons rage in a battle for ultimate power, Victor Frankenstein's creation Adam (Aaron Eckhart) finds himself caught in the middle as both sides race to discover the secret to his immortality. From the creators of the hit supernatural saga, Underworld, written for the screen and directed by Stuart Beattie based on the graphic novel "I, Frankenstein" by Kevin Grevioux. The trailer gives a Van Helsing vibe (not good), and Beattie's writing on B-movies like Collateral and 30 Days of Night suggests this is NOT going to be a spectacular action vehicle for Eckhart.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Best Night Ever

Best Night Ever Movie (2014)

Jan 31st

Claire is about to get married and she goes to Las Vegas with her sister and two friends for her bachelorette party. Things quickly spiral out of control. On the one hand, this is the new film from the guys who did those abysmal spoofs films like Meet the Spartans, Disaster Movie and Vampires Suck; on the other hand, this will be their first Rated-R comedy venture. So hedge your bets accordingly.

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Labor Day

Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin in Labor Day

Jan 31st

Depressed single mom Adele (Kate Winslet) and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man (Josh Brolin) a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. The new film by Up In the Air and Juno director Jason Reitman may be his most serious effort yet. With a supporting cast that includes Tobey Maguire, James Van Der Beek and Clark Gregg, this one probably deserves a spot on your radar.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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That Awkward Moment

That Awkward Moment starring michael b jordan, miles teller and zac efron

Jan 31st

Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?" Starring three of the biggest up-and-coming young leading men - Miles Teller (Spectacular Now), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) and Zac Efron, this film already has some clout behind it. 

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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NEXT PAGE: February Movies

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February 2014 Movies

 

The LEGO Movie

Emmet in The Lego Movie

Feb 7th

An ordinary LEGO minifigure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together. Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell, Cobie Smulders, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Jonah Hill, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Nick Offerman and others lend voices to this movie, which looks like it makes fantastic use of the LEGO world.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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The Monuments Men

The-Monuments-Men-Clooney-Damon-Balaban

Feb 7th

In George Clooney's latest directorial effort, an unlikely World War II platoon of curators, historians and museum directors are tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. Clooney also leads an all-star cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban and more. If that doesn't grab you, the story is one of the more unique stories about WWII still out there, and the movie actually looks pretty humorous.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Robocop

Robocop 2014 (Header)

Feb 12th

In RoboCop (2014), the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years - and it's meant billions for OmniCorp's bottom line. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it when Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) - a loving husband, father and good cop - is critically injured in the line of duty. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine. If you don't mind remakes, check this one out; if you can't stand remakes, pretend this one never happened.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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About Last Night

Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant in 'About Last Night'

Feb 14th

In this re-interpretations of a David Mamet play, two couples explore new love as they journey from the bar to the bedroom, and are eventually put to the test in the real world. Kevin Hart stars alongside Michael Ealy (Almost Human), Regina Hall (Scary Movie), Joy Bryant (Parenthood) and Paula Patton (M:I4). All of the actors are solid, and with a Mamet play as the backbone, we expect solid results overall from writer/director Steve Pink's (High FidelityHot Tub Time Machine) latest.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Endless Love

Endless Love Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde 

Feb 14th

The story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde, Robert Patrick and Bruce Greenwood star.

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Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy Trailer

Feb 14th

Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch) is a Dhampir, half human/vampire, guardians of the Moroi, peaceful, mortal vampires living discretely within our world. Her legacy is to protect the Moroi from bloodthirsty, immortal Vampires, the Strigoi. This is her story. Sarah Hyland, Olga Kurylenko, Joely Richardson and Gabriel Byrne co-star.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale Movie (2014)

Feb 14th

New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a young girl, who is dying.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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3 Days to Kill

3 Days to Kill trailer with Kevin Costner

Feb 21st

A dying Secret Service Agent (Kevin Costner) trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Hailee Steinfeld) is offered an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment. Amber Heard and Connie Nielsen co-star.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Barefoot

Barefoot Movie (2014) starring Scott Speedman and Evan Rachel Wood

Feb 21st

The "black sheep" son of a wealthy family (Scott Speedman) meets a young psychiatric patient who's been raised in isolation her entire life (Evan Rachel Wood). He takes the naive young woman home for his brother's wedding to convince his family that he's finally straightened out his life. She impresses the family with her genuine, if unstable charm. Along the way they fall into an improbable love.

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In Secret

In Secret (2014 Movie) starring Elizabeth Olsen and Oscar Isaac

Feb 21st

Set in the lower echelons of 1860s Paris, Therese Raquin (Elizabeth Olsen), a sexually repressed beautiful young woman, is trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille (Tom Felton), by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin (Jessica Lange). There she spends her days confined behind the counter of a small shop and her evenings watching Madame play dominoes with an eclectic group. After she meets her husband's alluring friend, Laurent (Oscar Isaac), she embarks on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.

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Pompeii

Kit Harington and Emily Browning in Pompeii (2014)

Feb 21st

Set in 79 A.D., POMPEII tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning) as Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava. Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him. If you're expecting '300 meets Volcanothen you might want to re-align expectations. More likely Resident Evil director Paul W.S. Anderson has another questionable period action piece in store - so think more along the lines of the 2011 Three Musketeers

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises U.S. voice cast announced

Feb 21st

A look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. From legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away). The US English dub version will include voices from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Elijah Wood, Mae Whitman, Mandy Patinkin, John Krasinski and Martin Short.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Non-Stop

Liam Neeson in Non-Stop

Feb 28th

Liam Neeson stars as an air marshall who must spring into action aboard an international flight. Julianne Moore, Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels), Scoot McNairy (Killing Them Softly) and Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave) co-star.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Repentance

Repentance (2014) starring Anthony Mackie and Forest Whitaker

Feb 28th

An earnest life-coach/author, Thomas Carter (Anthony Mackie), is mysteriously abducted by a deranged client, Angel Sanchez (Forest Whitaker), who delves into Thomas' teachings and uses his spiritual messages of Karma - action and reaction (Vipaka), against him to terrorize him and his family for their past sins. Mike Epps, Sanaa Lathan and Nicole Ari Parker co-star.

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Son of God

History The Bible Son of God

Feb 28th

This film brings the story of Jesus' life to audiences through compelling cinematic storytelling that is both powerful and inspirational. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®-winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays the role of Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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Welcome to Yesterday

Jonny Weston in 'Welcome to Yesterday'

Feb 28th

In this found-footage flick, a group of teens embark on an adventure when they discover secret plans to build a time machine.

(WATCH the TRAILER)

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That's it for your movie options in the dark, cold, start to the new year. Let us know what YOU are looking forward to (or what we left off our list) down in the comments.

Be sure to check back at the end of February for our Spring 2014 Movie Preview, as well!

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