Last week we had at least one quality release to flock to, this weekend we're all out of luck. The big weekend releases are The Grudge 2 and Robin Williams' mis-advertised political thriller Man of the Year. Consider curling up at home with a good book.

The good news is that if you're anywhere near an arthouse theater, there's plenty there to keep you busy. The box office winner this weekend will probably be The Grudge 2 (especially since it's opening on Friday the 13th), but if your'e smart you'll take this time as an opportunity to find something outside the mainstream. Or just see The Departed again.

Here's our usual look at what's opening this Friday in theaters around the country:



10/13 – 10/15

Limited Releases(Opening in fewer than 500 theaters.)
Anyone who loves movies has to have at least one eyeball glued on Tideland. It's the latest misadventure from doomed director and ex-Python Terry Gilliam. If you believe the reviews, it may also be one of the worst movies ever made. Still, it's Gilliam and when he fails he fails big. Curiosity seekers may want to see just how badly he's screwed up this time. Good luck, Tideland is only in one theater. Instead, the most accessible limited release of the weekend is Infamous, the second movie in as many years about the life of flamboyantly gay author Truman Capote. If Philip Seymour's award winning performance last year didn't salve your Capote itch, then try again.

One Night with the King (Opens in 908 theaters.)
I'd be surprised if One Night with the King even qualifies as a movie. It seems more like a sermon set to film, the latest in a rapidly inflating genre of here today, gone tomorrow Christian releases. From the title you might think it's about a one night stand with Elvis, but it's actually the story of the life of Esther. Yes, the Esther from the Bible. Did you know she was a Jew? (psst Jesus was too) Personally, I think Biblical epics should only be allowed to happen with the involvement of Charlton Heston, but if you want to avoid the dangers of seeing real filmmaking (warning may contain independent thought) then here's a guilt-free way to go to the movies.

The Marine (Opens in 2,545 theaters.)
Wrestler John Cena gets his first starring role in the new action movie The Marine. It wasn't being screened for the press, and since Roger Ebert's still in the hospital and unable to give it his wagging finger of shame, it's my job to alert you. Unless it's a movie by Mike Judge, there's only one reason a movie studio refuses to screen a movie for the press. No, it's not because it's good and will be misunderstood. It's bad, really bad. Not screened for the press should be a kiss of death for this and any movie trying to hide how much it sucks from the public. Run away from it in slow motion while you blow up the movie theater behind you.

Man of the Year (Opens in 2,516 theaters.)
Man of the Year is not as advertised. It's not a rocking comedy in which Robin Williams is unleashed upon the modern political process in a plot that has him running and winning the presidency with a no-nonsense, hilarious approach to campaigning. Instead, Williams is reigned in to make way for a political thriller starring Laura Linney. If you're one of those people still interested in hanging chads, then check it out. Otherwise, vote with your ticket buys and spend your money elsewhere.

The Grudge 2 (Opens in 3,211 theaters.)
If the pornographic gore orgy of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel last weekend wasn't exactly your cup of blood, then The Grudge 2 is here this weekend with the latest in Hollywood's now standard PG-13, blood n' guts free scaring. The story's a mess but director Takashi Shimizu is good enough to keep the thing creepy anyway. Lower your expectations, grab a bucket of popcorn, and prepare to let your girlfriend crush your arm every time that creepy little kid shows up in a closet


STILL IN THEATERS AND WORTH YOUR TIME: The Departed, Jet Li's Fearless