2012 [R]

This looks like a steaming pile of garbage. Starring the awesome John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and Thandie Newton, among others, this film revolves around the end of the world as it occurs according to the end of the Mayan calendar. Stuff blows up, people stare horrified at the destruction, and Roland Emmerich rakes in more dough on another one of his terrible Independence Day rip-offs.

Pirate Radio [R]

Originally released in the United Kingdom as The Boat That Rocked (an infinitely better title, in my opinion), this film revolves around a group of radio DJs in Britain in the 1960's who broadcast a radio station from a boat so as to avoid the government's anti rock-and-roll laws. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as an American DJ known as the Count and Kenneth Branagh (a.k.a. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) as a British minister trying to bring the station down, this looks like it should be fun, although word of mouth in the UK was not so good.

The Messenger [PG]

Starring Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster, this film revolves around an Army officer, recently home from Iraq, who is assigned to notify soldiers' families of their deaths. This film has been receiving praise on the festival circuit, so it should at least be an awards contender. It remains to be seen, though, if it actually tells a compelling story or makes broad political statements that don't connect with audiences.

Dare [PG]

Starring Emmy Rossum of The Phantom of the Opera fame, this film revolves around three high school students who, in the twilight days of their senior year, decide to take a big risk to solidify their transition into the adult world. It may turn out to be decent, but it probably won't make much of a splash.