Will ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ Destroy the Box Office? — 10 Things To Check Out This Week

It’s a big week for the big screen. There aren’t any huge guaranteed blockbusters hitting theaters this week, but we will be treated to a collection of somewhat smaller, quirkier films like ‘The Man With the Iron Fists,’ ‘Wreck-It Ralph,’ and horror anthology ‘The ABCs of Death.’ Super nerd Kevin Pereira will also debut his new show, and Criterion is releasing a creepy classic.

Read on for 10 things to check out this week.

Wreck-It Ralph

We love the concept for Disney’s nerdy 3D computer animated flick: A video game character, who has been forced into the role of the game’s bad guy, escapes the game in search of a place where he can play the good guy. He bumps up against famous video game character, like Q-bert and Pac-Man, in his quest for a new digital home. The voice cast is worth the price alone; check out the list: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lync, Jack McBrayer, Adam Carolla, Alan Tudyk. Yeah, we’re there when 'Wreck-It Ralph' opens this week.

The Man With the Iron Fists

Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA and famed horror director Eli Roth collaborated for this insane-looking martial arts adventure. The star-studded casts features Russell Crew, Lucy Liu, Cung Lee and, of course, RZA, in a comedic, blood-spattered story about a killer blacksmith defending himself against a parade of assassins. ‘The Man With the Iron Fists’ opens Friday.

The ABCs of Death

The horror anthology is back just in time for Halloween. ‘The ABCs of Death’ features 26 horror stories all helmed by different genre directors. It’s produced by the Alamo Drafthouse’s Drafthouse Films, and every story revolves around death, so you know it’s gonna be good. Check it out this weekend!

Miami Connection

It’s another Drafthouse Films release, and this one is a re-release of a 1987 indie action film about a rock band that fights a group of ninjas … on motorcycles. ‘Miami Connection’ is the ultimate midnight movie. See it this weekend. Take your mom.

A Liar’s Autobiography

‘A Liar’s Autobiography – The Untrue Story of Month Python’s Graham Chapman’ will take ‘Monty Python’ fans back to the old days with strange, psychedelic animation and an “incorrect” bio of founding troop member Graham Arthur Chapman. IT opens this week in selected cities.

This Must Be the Place

Ever wonder what would happen if Robert Smith from the Cure went on a nationwide trek in search of the man who killed his father? Wonder no more. Sean Penn stars as a goofy and dim alt-rock star bent on avenging his father’s death. We’re looking forward to seeing Penn turn another strange film character into someone we’d want to root for when ‘This Must Be the Place’ opens this weekend.

The Bay

It’s another horror film of sorts. Oscar winner Barry Levinson directs this one and it follows a Maryland clan caught in the chaos after an ecological disaster. ‘The Bay,’ which opens Friday, is a bit of a departure for Levinson, who I’m pretty sure has never made a movie about mutant parasites before.

Flight

‘Back to the Future’ director Robert Zemeckis helms this mystery drama starring Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle. John Goodman and Melissa Leo fill out the case of Zemeckis’ first live action movie since ‘Cast Away’ twelve years ago. ‘Flight’ opens Friday.

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ The Criterion Collection Blu-ray

Criterion releases a new high-def digital version of Roman Polanski’s 1968 suspense masterpiece, ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ this Tuesday. The disc features new interviews with Polanski and star Mia Farrow, plus a documentary about the movie’s unforgettable score.

‘Viral Video Showdown’ Series Premiere

We all know Kevin Pereira was too big, and too geeky, not to bust out of G4’s ‘Attack of the Show’ eventually. His new half hour series, ‘Viral Video Showdown’ premieres Tuesday night on Syfy and pits amateur video makers against each other for a cash prize. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, and we can’t wait to see it!