Movie of da week- Gone Baby Gone

This week is a breath of fresh air in the merry land of movies. There's way too much deja' vu going on these days. Both February and March play host to movies starring Martin Lawrence, crappy Japanese horror movie knock-offs and even crappier parody flicks. Expect to hear more about those March offerings in the upcoming Movies to Miss post.

While The Spiderwhick Chronicles could turn out to be a fantastic little fantasy film, two sure-to-be gritty hits popped a cap in the collective ass of magical creatures everywhere this week while just one nabbed my weekly pick.

We Own the Night looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing Joaquin Phoenix portray his seediest character since the punk college student porn store clerk in 8mm. Also, the thought of Phoenix being the Kain to Marc Wahlberg's Able makes me believe the two have got to produce some decent electricity on the silver screen.

My pick for the week, though, goes to Gone Baby Gone. I'm watching it tonight, so expect a review soon. Casey Affleck is the big draw for me here. As his Golden Globe nomination helps prove, the kid has grown to be a rather decent actor. Who would have thought dodging big brother Ben's goofy shadow in the entertainment biz would eventually evolve this rising star into what could be one of the better performers of this younger generation?

Anyway, yeah. Affleck is joined by the likes of Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Michelle Monaghan in what should be a gripping, taut thriller about a girl who gets kidnapped and the men and women desperately trying to save her. Sounds like Sunday evening fun for the whole family to me!