Weekend Movie Trailers & Reviews: Horror Comes Haunting Back with 'The Possession'

Summer is done, the kids are going back to school, but it's not quite time to start the Oscar run yet. We're in a transitional box office season, and this weekend's movie offerings show it. It's a varied weekend to say the least, with an R-rated indie comedy going up against a horror flick and a period crime drama.

"Lawless"

Rated R, 1 hr 55 mins

Shia LaBeouf continues he slow trek away from the "Transformers" franchise with "Lawless," the true-ish story of Prohibition-era bootlegger brothers who run into trouble with the law. If Shia playing a badass criminal bent on revenge doesn't do it for you, consider the rest of the talented cast, which includes Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain.

Critics are rating "Lawless better than any other film opening this weekend, with a current rating of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. Most of them are noting flaws with the script and story, but admitting that the acting and cinematography pulls the movie through many of its issues.

See it if: You have a thing for fedoras. There are a lot of fedoras.

"The Possession"

Rated PG-13, 1 hr 31 mins

Yes, it's another possessed child movie that claims to be based on a true story. You may or may not buy that "true story" bit, as "The Possession goes all out with its visuals. When a little girl, Em, finds a mysterious box at a yard sale, strange things start to happen. Soon enough it becomes clear that an evil spirit came with the purchase, and Em's parents (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgewick) attempt to free her.

If there is one point that critics agree on as far as "The Possession" is concerned, it's the clichés. Reviews complain of predictability and tired tactics in a movie that is already employing a well-worn premise, especially of late: the little girl possessed. The rating on Rotten Tomatoes is at 35%, and it's a good bet that you've seen it all before, but if you're a fan of horror films you might still enjoy this one.

See it if: You really wanted to see those other 20 possession movies that came out in the past year, but missed out.

"For a Good Time, Call..."

Rated R, 1 hr 26 mins

If you want something a bit less stressful than those two options, consider the indie comedy "For a Good Time, Call..." The R-rated comedy stars and was written by Lauren Miller, who married Seth Rogen just about a year ago. The story is a traditional odd-couple comedy with a twist: the reserved Lauren moves in with wild Katie, and soon discovers that she runs a phone sex business. As the two become business partners, they also become friends, but their situation is not without its challenges.

Critics have been split thus far on "For a Good Time, Call..." as the RT rating currently stands at 57%. It's not that the reviews have any major complaints about the movie, it's just that they're not wowed by it either. Expect some funny moments, but nothing that will knock your socks off.

See it if: You ever wanted to hear Ari Graynor talk dirty. You know you have.