New Movies Jan. 24-26: 'I, Frankenstein' Swoops into Theaters

This weekend promises to be one of the dreariest of the winter, and I'm not talking about the weather. There's only one new wide release in theaters this weekend, leaving movie-goers to choose between it, a couple of lackluster hold-overs from last week, and a stable of Oscar nominees that may have already worn out their welcome.

"I, Frankenstein," the week's only new movie, is not likely to set the box office on fire. Based on a graphic novel and starring Aaron Eckhart, this CGI-drenched story features Frankenstein's monster as a butt-kicking superhero who must save the world from armies of gargoyles and demons. Lionsgate refused to screen the film for critics ahead of its release, a sign that the studio assumed it would draw nothing but negative reviews.

Last week's top two movies, "Ride Along" and "The Nut Job," were savaged by critics before they opened, but audiences didn't seem to care. With no real new options this week, the pair might be able to squeeze out one more decent weekend. "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" also could fare well against his stitched together competition.

Older audiences will probably need to catch one of the Oscar Best Picture nominees that they haven't seen yet. Of those, "American Hustle" seems to have the most popular appeal, although its long run to this point would suggest that most interested movie-goers have probably already seen it. Among the rest, "August: Osage County," which placed eighth last weekend, probably has the best chance to see a bump.