See-it, rent-it, skip-it: top 10 best movies in theaters Friday, October 30th

October 28, 5:41 PMMovie ExaminerRyan Pratt

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MJ's final performance is can't miss!

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In order from best to worst (a.k.a. see #1 before #2 and don't see #7 unless you saw 1-6 first):

Not sure which movie to see this week in theaters? Let me help you out. The following is a list of films playing in the majority of theaters around the nation, and this week you have quite a few good choices for Halloweeny "slash" horror films (as well as some suprising "skip-its"):

1. Paranormal Activity - See-it if you can - One of the top ten scariest movies of all time - This film about a "real" haunted house is an absolutely terrifying faux-documentary (think Blair Witch Project) that will have you finally believing that horror movies can scare the living sh*t out of you again. I truly believe those "haters" claiming "lame" are just too scared to let themselves be scared, and don't belong in the theater with those others there in search of a frightening experience.

2. Where the Wild Things Are - See-it - Spike Jonze's recreation of the children's book masterpiece is dark and beautiful, with honest, real and life-like performances both human and "wild."

3. Michael Jackson's This Is It - See-it - An ambitious title starring an more-than-ambitious talent, Michael Jackson's This is It is jam-packed full of entertainment for Jackson fanatics and new fans alike.

4. The House of the Devil - See-it - A babysitter in need of a few extra bucks gets much more than she bargained for - and if you are patient, this vintage-looking horror film will do the same for you.

5. Zombieland - See-it - The perfect mix of hilarity and gore make Zombieland the perfect Halloween-time film - not to mention the well-kept secret cameo by the perfect person from the most perfect horror comedy of all time.

6. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - See-it - A delicious family comedy with a plate full of slapstick and a side of quirky humor.

7. Skin - See-it if you can - Skin is a true story about a black child born in 1950s South Africa to white Afrikaners and is truly compelling and powerfully moving.

8. Ong Bak 2 - Rent-it - We were hoping for the next Matrix and the next Bruce Lee, and while Ong Bak 2 is extremely stylish and its martial-arts superstar Tony Jaa is very talented, it falls short of satisfying either wish.

9. Antichrist - Rent-it - Only if you to see something gruesome, explicit, and extremely controversial that is semi-appropriate for Halloween.

10. The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day - Rent-it - If you were a fan of the first, otherwise this sequel will feel completely offensive, and probably the most racist and homophobic film since Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.



Other films in theaters that didn't make the top ten:

Gentlemen Broncos - Skip-it - This PG-film about a home-schooled boy and his eccentric mother is as "offbeat" as it promises, but not nearly as "hilarious."

Jump - Skip-it - Patrick Swayze's Jump about a Jewish dentist who dies while hiking with his 22-year old son claims to be a "spectacular circumstantial lawsuit" but the drama itself is just circumstantial.

Law Abiding Citizen - Skip-it - Butler and Foxx will quickly become box-office busters if they continue to headline films like this - think Saw meets Usual Suspects but with none of the good and all of the bad. In other words, Law Abiding Citizen is unnecessarily violent and unreasonably absurd.

Amelia - Skip-it - Everything that Amelia Earhart was, "visionary, lover, dreamer, fighter, legend, iconic." this film is not. This amazing true story is everything but amazing on film. Amelia is an utter disappointment.

Saw VI - Skip-it - I can't say it any better than RottenTomatoes.com: "The makers of the Saw films continue to make Rube Goldberg roll over in his grave with this sixth film in the series."

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - Skip-it - I said the same thing Tuesday about Blood: The Last Vampire on DVD, but this film will also make you realize that the Twilight-inspired vampire obsession has gone too far.

Astro Boy - Skip-it - Unless you are a fan of the manga or a young boy, then you might want to rent it when it becomes available, but still probably skip it in theaters.

Motherhood - Skip-it - Uma Thurman is a "mother" with many realistic but comedic trials and tribulations.

The Stepfather - Skip-it - These trailers (and even the title) are why we all hate watching previews and reading critics reviews these days. Stay away from this studio-produced drivel and go see (or rent) any of these 10+ better "horror" films from 2009.

Couples Retreat - Skip-it - The talented ensemble cast is certain to sell tickets but those movie-goers will want to "retreat" 20 minutes into this lackluster bare-bottom comedy.