Box office preview: Only one big new release

After several weeks of enjoying expanding releases of several notable Oscar-nominated movies, this weekend's offerings look mighty slim. In fact, there is only one major new wide release: the action-fantasy flick I, Frankenstein, starring Aaron Eckhart as Dr. Frankenstein's famous monster. To each his own, but this movie doesn't appeal much to me at all.

Does that mean I, Frankenstein will bomb at the box office this weekend? Absolutely not. I'm not a 300 fan, but hey, that movie did pretty darn good. I do think this is a young, male-centric kind of film, and if it's a good movie, word of mouth will get butts in theater seats to see it. I am slightly concerned that as of this moment, there are no major reviews available. Whenever that happens, I am leery. If I'm wrong? Great! I actually hate it when movies suck, no matter the genre. I'll even see it if everyone starts telling me it's a must see film (so hey, let me know in the comments if you see it and love it).

As far as the rest of the box office, we've got the same big films as last week: Ride Along, Lone Survivor, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and The Nut Job. I'm tempted to see Lone Survivor, but there are still a number of Academy Award nominees I feel I need to see ASAP. A couple of big ones are being released in more theaters this weekend: Nebraska and Dallas Buyers Club. And hooray for me! Both are finally opening here in my tiny little corner of the universe! The only question will be: Which film will I see first? I would put money on Dallas Buyers Club, though I'd like to see both, eventually. I really want to see the acting performances in Dallas to confirm that Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto are deserving of all these awards they're getting (probably).

If you're brave enough to venture out to see a film or two this weekend, despite yet another arctic chill, I need you to tell me what you saw and whether you loved - or hated it.

Photo courtesy of Total Film