New Movies This Weekend (Feb 10th-Feb 12th)

Four new movies are in theaters in the Quad Cities this weekend. "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace 3D" opened to big crowds at midnight on Thursday, February 9th while Denzel Washington, The Rock and Channing Tatum will battle Jar Jar, Anakin and Qui Gon Jin for the top of the box office. Here's a preview of this weekend's new movies.

"Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace 3D"

Directed by George Lucas

Starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Jar Jar Binks

Story: The Star Wars saga began again with "The Phantom Menace" in 1999, a 2 and a half hour epic of trade policies, wacky CGI sidekicks and the all too brief, villainous life of Darth Maul (martial arts star Ray Park). Reactions to the first film in George Lucas's Prequel-three-quel have been fascinating to observe over the years. At first fans tried to go easy on the movie. However, as the other two films arrived in theaters disappointment with "Phantom Menace" mounted until it suddenly was being hailed in geek circles as a debacle. Now, "Phantom Menace" is back in 3D and a newfound excitement seems to surround the film.

Midnight shows of "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace 3D" in the Quad Cities were surprisingly packed with "Star Wars" fans; some of them in full costume as Anakin Skywalker and even as Jar Jar Binks.

"Journey 2 The Mysterious Island"

Starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, and Michael Caine

Story: A sequel to 2008's "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D," "Journey 2 The Mysterious Island" finds Josh Hutcherson minus Brendan Fraser as his dad but with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as his step-dad joining him for an adventure to a lost island. With the help of High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens and comic relief from Luis Guzman, they journey to The Mysterious Island once written about by Jules Verne. There they find Hutcherson's grandfather, a fellow adventurer, played by Michael Caine.

Critics have not been kind to Journey 2 The Mysterious Island. I found the film to be a harmless, inoffensive kiddie adventure but most critics have found the film to be too silly for their taste. The film has received only 45% positive reviews from Rottentomatoes.com through Friday morning.

"Safe House"

Directed by Daniel Espinosa

Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

Story: Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) was one of the CIA's most valuable and dangerous operatives until he went rogue. Now, he's turned himself in and it's up to a junior agent in charge, Reynolds, to keep Frost safe from people trying to kill him.

"Safe House" is an R-rated thriller arriving at the time of the year that Denzel Washington has traditionally made an impact; his "Book of Eli" arrived about this time in 2010. "Safe House" looks like it will be a hit with audiences but critics are not taking to the film. "Safe House" currently stands at 54% positive reviews on Rottentomatoes.com.

"The Vow"

Directed by Michael Sucsy

Starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams

Story: A newlywed husband (Tatum) must convince his young wife (McAdams) to fall in love with him all over again after she loses her memory following a car accident.

The only love story opening ahead of Valentine's Day is getting good traction with female audiences eager for a little romance. "The Vow" has a solid chance to be a hit for the pre-Valentine weekend but critics disagree. "The Vow" stands at just 34% positive reviews at Rottentomatoes.com.