Greetings movie lovers, it's time to take a peek at what the cinema has in store for us this weekend.

     The Croods

The Croods is a prehistoric comedy adventure that follows the world's first family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always shielded them from danger is destroyed. Traveling across a spectacular landscape, the Croods discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures - and their outlook is changed forever.

     My Take

The latest computer-animated adventure from DreamWorks Animation is brought to us from the director of 2010's highly entertaining How to Train Your Dragon. The visuals in that film were spectacular so hopefully that bodes very well for this film.

I've always been a big fan of the Flintstones so it might be fun to see the exploits of a group that predates my favourite "modern stone age family." However, I doubt that the humour will be quite as witty as that old 60s cartoon, instead going for the more chaotic series of pratfalls that the kids these days are likely to lap up eagerly.

The Croods features the voice talents of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman and Clark Duke.

Once again viewers will have the choice whether to see this film in 3D or in plain old 2D. Whichever way you choose to see it I have no doubt that it is going to be quite successful this weekend and likely be the top choice amongst families.

The Croods should be a fun time at the movies for the kiddies.

     Olympus Has Fallen

When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As the national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger crisis.

     My Take

I'm not going to lie; when I saw that this film starred Gerard Butler and was directed by Antoine Fuqua I pretty much just rolled my eyes and figured no way. Butler has a terrible track record lately of starring in one piece of junk after another, and Fuqua's resume includes virtually nothing but generic action films, with the exception of Training Day which wasn't bad but I found to be overrated.

The premise of this film, as outlandish as it is, has been done before. I'm pretty sure some sort of variation of this story was done on the TV series 24 starring Kiefer Sutherland as the bad-ass Jack Bauer. I doubt that Butler will be able to top that awesome show.

One thing that Olympus Has Fallen has in its favour is the strong supporting cast that has been assembled including Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Ashley Judd and Robert Forster.

Hopefully this film will surprise me and end up being an exciting, fast-paced thrill ride with plenty of twists and turns instead of a predictable, pedestrian action film that just goes through the motions.

If the last two movies you saw that you thought were awesome were A Good Die to Die Hard and Taken 2 then you are likely going to want to check out Olympus Has Fallen. It should be right up your alley.

     Admission

Straight-laced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is caught off-guard when she makes a recruiting visit to an alternative high school overseen by her former college classmate, the free-wheeling John Pressman (Paul Rudd). Pressman has surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), his gifted yet very unconventional student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago. Soon, Portia finds herself bending the rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the life she thought she always wanted - but in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.

     My Take

There's not a whole lot drawing me to this film. It just looks like a typically contrived Hollywood romantic comedy. Sure it's directed by Paul Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy) and stars the often funny Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, but again... meh!

I suppose this might make a fine date movie for couples but it doesn't even look like it has quite enough schmaltz factor even for that.

The cast also includes Lily Tomlin, Michael Sheen, Gloria Reuben and Wallace Shawn.

Personally, this one isn't on my radar folks, but if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy then you might want to seek out Admission.

     Stoker

After India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.

     My Take

Now here is a film that I have been looking forward to seeing for quite some time. This creepy looking gothic thriller about family secrets is high on my anticipation list because of its director Chan-wook Park. Park is the fabulous Korean filmmaker who made the intense and amazing Vengeance Trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) and this is his first English-language movie.

Stoker stars Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Mia Wasikowska, Dermot Mulroney and Jacki Weaver.

I have a feeling that this film will be a disturbing and twisted mystery full of plot turns that keep you on your toes and I'm sure that Park will bring his trademark visual flourish to give it a surreal, almost dreamlike quality to it.

The buzz has already been quite strong for this one so if you are in the mood for something dark and creepy then I suggest you head down to the Paramount Theatre where it is playing exclusively.

I'm stoked to see Stoker!

Have a great weekend everyone, see you at the movies!