After the manufactured hubbub that is Valentine’s Day, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to escape to the movies the weekend of February 17. Interestingly the offerings provide a surprisingly amount action for a season typically dominated by rom-coms. Judging from the amount of camp in the preview, Nicholas Cage's “Ghost Rider” knows that its plot – Johnny Blaze has to prevent the Devil from taking human form – is so ridiculous it might actually be fun to watch. “This Means War,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Channing Tatum (in his second February release) pits two spy buddies against each other in trying to win a woman’s affection. Expect a mix of comedy, romance, and espionage hijinks from one of the minds behind NBC’s “Chuck.” “The Secret World of Arrietty” is the new film from Studio Ghibli, based on the children’s novel “The Borrowers.” The studio’s films are always well-reviewed and visually stunning; unfortunately, that probably won’t translate to the box office. “Ghost Rider” will break $25 million and “This Means War” will grace the teens, leaving also-ran “Arrietty” in single digits.
joined Feb. 10, 2012