Maybe you’re looking to save a few bucks or the current theater choices just aren’t cutting it. Whatever the case may be, sometimes it’s just as nice to sit a home and watch a good flick. Take a look at this week’s picks for some At-Home Alternatives to the weekly cinema options.

Instead of The Hunger Games: The Running Man

The Hunger Games premise is that teenagers are selected to fight to the death on a televised program shown nationwide.  If you’re like me, then you are over the whole “popular teen books turned into a movie franchise” and won’t be rushing to the theaters to see this one.  Instead you should watch The Running Man, a gem from the 80’s that almost mirrors The Hunger Games premise with one small difference.  Instead of having innocent kids kill each other for survival, in The Running Man you have hardened criminals fighting for their freedom.

Instead of All In: The Poker Movie: Rounders

Playing poker is fun.  Watching people play poker on tv is slightly entertaining, given if it’s for a lot of money.  Watching a documentary about people who play poker? Meh.  All In talks about the history of poker and America’s new obsession with it, whereas Rounders tells a story about a reformed gambler who gets sucked back in to help clear the debts of his best friend.  To further make parallels between the two movies, the both contain Matt Damon, surely that has to count for something.

Instead of Brake: Buried

Brake stars type-casted bad boy, Stephen Dorff as a Secret Service agent trapped against his will in a confined area in the hopes that he divulges some pretty important info.  Dear god, this sounds a lot like Buried.  In Buried, Ryan Reynolds plays a U.S. truck driver working in Iraq who is now trapped in a coffin with only a lighter and a cell phone.  If your anything like me, Buried should of had you after I said “Ryan Reynolds”, mmhmm Ryan Reynolds.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I have a confession.  I have yet to see Fincher’s vision of TGWTDT.  I know, I know, sacriledge right?  But just because I haven’t seen it yet doesn’t keep it from being the hottest dvd release this week.  I have heard nothing but good things about it and seeing how it won the ‘This or That’ poll against the original a while back, it’s must see.

Vanishing on 7th Street

I don’t recall this movie being in theaters, but it delivers some pretty great performances from some solid actors.  It’s a psychological thriller that I’m sure you would like.

 

Vanishing on 7th Street Netflix Synopsis: No one can explain the mystery when residents of a vibrant urban center begin disappearing one by one. But it seems to have something to do with the shadowy figures they come into contact with right before they vanish. Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, John Leguizamo, Jacob Latimore and Taylor Groothuis co-star in this independent thriller from director Brad Anderson (Transsiberian, The Machinist).

What do you plan on watching this week, at home or otherwise? What do you think of my choices?