Opening: Mission: Impossible and Sherlock Holmes Sequels Get the Thumbs Up From Critics

Opening December 16th:

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Fresh Rating: 94%
Synopsis: This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this.
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Also Opening:

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Fresh Rating: 66%
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room...until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)-and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It never duplicates the well-oiled thrills of the first installment, but Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is eminently watchable thanks to its well-matched leading men.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

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Opening: Critics Soar With Hugo

Opening November 23rd:

Hugo
Fresh Rating: 96%
Synopsis: Throughout his extraordinary career, Academy Award-wining director Martin Scorsese has brought his unique vision and dazzling gifts to life in a series of unforgettable films. This holiday season the legendary storyteller invites you to join him on a thrilling journey to a magical world with his first-ever 3-D film, based on Brian Selznick's award-winning, imaginative New York Times best-seller, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." Hugo is the astonishing adventure of a wily and resourceful boy whose quest to unlock a secret left to him by his father will transform Hugo and all those around him, and reveal a safe and loving place he can call home.
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Hugo is an extravagant, elegant fantasy with an innocence lacking in many modern kids' movies, and one that emanates an unabashed love for the magic of cinema.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Also Opening:

The Muppets
Fresh Rating: 98%
Synopsis: On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Clever, charming, and heartfelt, The Muppets is a welcome big screen return for Jim Henson's lovable creations that will both win new fans and delight longtime devotees.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Critics Sink Their Teeth Into Twilight

Opening November 18th:

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Fresh Rating: 26%
Synopsis: Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child...which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Critics Don't See a Long Life for The Immortals

Opening November 11th:

The Immortals
Fresh Rating: 38%
Synopsis: The brutal and bloodthirsty King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) and his murderous Heraklion army are rampaging across Greece in search of the long lost Bow of Epirus. With the invincible Bow, the king will be able to overthrow the Gods of Olympus and become the undisputed master of his world. With ruthless efficiency, Hyperion and his legions destroy everything in their wake, and it seems nothing will stop the evil king's mission. As village after village is obliterated, a stonemason named Theseus (Henry Cavill) vows to avenge the death of his mother in one of Hyperion's raids. When Theseus meets the Sybelline Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto), her disturbing visions of the young man's future convince her that he is the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers and embraces his destiny in a final desperate battle for the future of humanity.
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: The melding of real sets, CG work, and Tarsem's signature style produces fireworks, though the same can't be said for Immortals slack, boring storytelling.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Also Opening This Weekend:

11-11-11 (Limited Release)
Fresh Rating: 20%
Synopsis: Director Darren Lynn Bousman explores the so-called "11:11" phenomenon with this enigmatic thriller concerning a best-selling author who stumbles upon a life-changing secret. His wife and young son taken from him in a tragic accident, Joseph begins attending therapy sessions as his estranged father, Richard, a small-town priest, wrestles with a terminal illness. Upon returning home to bid his father farewell, Joseph also reconnects with his wheelchair-bound brother, Samuel, also a man of the cloth. Now, the longer Joseph remains in town, the more frequently the numbers "11:11" begin appearing to him in a vivid series of hallucinations and nightmares. Meanwhile, the congregation of a nearby church begins to experience an onslaught of inexplicable supernatural events. As November of 2011 draws near, it becomes obvious to Joseph that something truly profound is set to occur. But what incredible cosmic secrets will that mysterious date reveal?
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: No Consensus Yet.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Critics Not In Time with Andrew Niccol's Latest Film

Opening October 28th:

In Time
Fresh Rating: 36%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: In Time's intriguing premise and appealing cast is easily overpowered by the stilted filmmaking, which takes a blunt, heavy-handed approach to storytelling.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Also Opening This Weekend:

Puss in Boots
Fresh Rating: 77%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It isn't deep or groundbreaking, but what it lacks in profundity, Puss in Boots more than makes up for with an abundance of wit, visual sparkle, and effervescent charm.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page


See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Third Paranormal Activity Film Keeps the Franchise Chugging Along

Opening October 21st:

Paranormal Activity 3
Fresh Rating: 75%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: While the jolts and thrills are undeniably subject to the diminishing returns that plague most horror sequels, Paranormal Activity 3 is a surprisingly spine-tingling treat.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Also Opening This Weekend:

Johnny English Reborn
Fresh Rating: 34%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Arguably a marginal improvement on its mostly-forgotten predecessor, Johnny English Reborn nonetheless remains mired in broad, tired spy spoofing that wastes Rowan Atkinson's once considerable comedic talent.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

The Three Musketeers
Fresh Rating: 25%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It plays admirably fast and loose with Alexandre Dumas' classic tale, but in every other respect, The Three Musketeers offers nothing to recommend -- or to set it apart from the many other film adaptations.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page


See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Critics Not Impressed by The Thing

Opening October 14th:

The Thing
Fresh Rating: 33%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It serves the bare serviceable minimum for a horror flick, but The Thing is all boo-scares and a slave to far superior Carpenter version.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page




See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Real Steal Has Some Mettle With Critics

Opening October 7th:

Real Steal
Fresh Rating: 58%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Silly premise notwithstanding, this is a well-made Hollywood movie: Thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Also Opening in Limited Release:

The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence)
Fresh Rating: 21%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: No Consensus Yet.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Watch Out Evil, Tucker and Dale are Here!

Unfortunately, though, they're only here on a few screens across the country. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (starring Alan Tudyk, and Tyler Labine) opens in limited release today playing at some midnight shows and in a few other venues. You can check the showtimes in your area (and buy tickets) at Fandango.com. Or if it is not playing near you, Amazon.com has the movie available on instant streaming.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Fresh Rating: 87%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Like the best horror/comedies, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil mines its central crazy joke for some incredible scares, laughs, and -- believe it or not -- heart.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Also Opening:

Dream House
Fresh Rating: n/a
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: n/a
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

No New Genre Films in the Theaters this Weekend, But Check Out What's Coming on the Schedule

This weekend has no new science fiction and fantasy related films hitting theaters, but there's still plenty of genre action on the schedule in the coming months including the prequel to John Carpenter's The Thing, the robot smash-em-up Real Steel with Hugh Jackman, as well as the hilarious Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (see the trailer for that below) which comes our later this month. Check out the full slate of Fall/Winter 2011 movies at our Sci Fi Movie page.

Opening: Critics Catch Contagion

Opening September 9th:

Contagion
Fresh Rating: 80%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Tense, tightly plotted, and bolstered by a stellar cast, Contagion is an exceptionally smart -- and scary -- disaster movie.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

See our comprehensive list of Fall/Winter 2011 Science Fiction and Fantasy movies at this link

Opening: Apollo 18 and Shark Night 3D

Opening September 2nd:  

Apollo 18  
Fresh Rating: 23% 

Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: A boring, suspense-free Paranormal Activity rip-off that feels long even at just 90 minutes.
Read More at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page 

Shark Night 3D  
Fresh Rating: 26% 

Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: A joyless excursion into the water that doesn't even produce good gore or nudity thanks to the neutered PG-13 rating.
Read More at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Opening: Critics Not Too Scared of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Opening August 26th:

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
Fresh Rating: 58%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: While it's pleasantly atmospheric and initially quite scary, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark ultimately fails to deliver the skin-crawling chills of the original.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Opening: Conan Faces a Bloodbath from Critics While Fright Night Delivers a Decent Franchise Reboot

Opening August 19th:

Conan the Barbarian
Fresh Rating: 26%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: While its relentless, gory violence is more faithful to the Robert E. Howard books, Conan the Barbarian forsakes three-dimensional characters, dialogue, and acting in favor of unnecessary 3D effects.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page



Fright Night
Fresh Rating: 77%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It may not have been necessary to remake the 1985 cult classic, but the new Fright Night benefits from terrific performances by Colin Farrell and David Tennant -- and it's smart, funny, and stylishly gory to boot.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Opening: Final Destination 5

Fresh Rating 57%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: It's still only for the gore-thirsty faithful, but Final Destination 5 represents a surprising return to form for the franchise.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Opening: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Fresh Rating 81%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Led by Rupert Wyatt's stylish direction, some impressive special effects, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise.
See More of What the Critics Had to Say at the Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Page

Opening: Cowboys & Aliens

In Theaters July 29th:

Cowboys & Aliens Fresh Rating - 44%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are as dependably appealing as ever, but they're let down by director Jon Favreau's inability to smooth Cowboys & Aliens' jarring tonal shifts.

Watch the Trailer Here:

Opening: Captain America and Another Earth

In Theaters July 22nd:

Captain America: First Avenger Fresh Rating - 71%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: With plenty of pulpy action, a pleasantly retro vibe, and a handful of fine performances, Captain America is solidly old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment.

Another Earth (Limited Release) Fresh Rating - 66%
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus Opinion: No consensus yet.

Opening: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Rotten Tomatoes Fresh Rating - 97%

Consensus Opinion: Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying -- and suitably magical -- conclusion.