Weekend movies: What to watch, and what not to

If Johnny Depp’s movie is making a debut at the theatres, then chances are that all other films will get completely side-lined, but this time, the situation might differ because Western critics haven’t favoured Tim Burton’s comedy “Dark Shadows”. That said, a Johnny Depp fan isn’t ruled by what the critics dictate, so “Dark Shadows” might still emerge a favourite this weekend.

Of the lot, Timothy Linh Bui’s “Powder Blue”, with a borrowed theme from “Crash”, promises some intriguing performances but doesn’t quite match up in content or treatment to the Oscar-winning movie.

Bollywood’s entry is rather weak, with Ram Gopal Varma’s “Department” not showing enough promise. Although RGV has stated that “Department” may be considered as “the other side of ‘Company’”, the promotions don’t back it, making it seem like a cheap publicity gimmick. Despite making some hard-hitting movies, RGV has, over the years, lost his charm and is muddled with plots that lack substance.

“The Moth Diaries”, based on the Rachel Klein’s novel by the same title, is another entrant that can be safely skipped. It’s one of those confused films that skips the basic ingredient (of ample blood and gore) and in the process ends up losing its dedicated fans.

Dark Shadows

Genre: Comedy
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeifer and Eva Green

The Story: After a spiteful witch turns him into a vampire, Barnabas Collins wakes up in 1972 in his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his help to revive a family business.

Powder Blue

Genre: Drama
Director: Timothy Linh Bui
Cast: Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, Jessica Biel

The Story: Four lives – that of a mortician, an ex-con, a suicidal ex-priest and a bar dancer, collide on Christmas Eve by a strange string of incidents.

Winx Club: The Magical Adventure

Genre: Animation
Director: Iginio Straffi
Cast: Emanuela Rossi and Ted Dillon

The Story: The princesses are back and this time they are accompanied by more mystical creatures to make their new adventures filled with magic and fun.

The Moth Diaries

Genre: Horror
Director: Mary Harron
Cast: Sarah Bolger, Sarah Gadon and Lily Cole

The Story: Ernessa is the new arrival at boarding school. Rebecca is suspicious of her bond with her friend Lucie. Is her suspicion limited only to jealousy or does the new girl truly possess a dark secret?

Department

Genre: Action
Director: Ram Gopal Verma
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Rana Daggubati

The Story: It revolves around the internal politics of the police department.