New Releases: ‘Shame,’ ‘Answers to Nothing’ and Many Holdovers

Wondering what to see in theaters this weekend? Here’s a hint: something you didn’t see last weekend! Your (very limited) Weekend Movie Preview has arrived.

NATIONWIDE RELEASES

Take a picture of this weekend; it’s one of the rare ones when no wide releases hit theaters for your viewing pleasure. The good news is that there are plenty of holdovers for you to enjoy. ‘The Muppets‘ and ‘Breaking Dawn‘ are expected to compete for the top slot at the box office, but don’t sleep on ‘Hugo.’ The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture had a better-than-expected opening frame, and could see continued strong results. There are also plenty of limited release options to enjoy, like ‘The Descendants,’ ‘The Artist‘ and ‘My Week With Marilyn.’ Get thee to a movie theater!

LIMITED RELEASES

2011 breakout star Michael Fassbender breaks out (of his clothes; hey-O) once again with ‘Shame.’ The searing drama from director Steve McQueen (‘Hunger’) focuses on a sex addict slowly sinking to bottom. The NC-17 flick has already received a fair share of publicity because of the frank nudity from stars Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, as well as some outrageous sex scenes, but don’t think this is at all titillating. ‘Shame’ could be the most unsexy movie ever made about sex. Look for Fassbender to earn an Oscar nomination for his work, though whether ‘Shame’ busts through the art-house ghetto remains to be seen. Also debuting in limited release is ‘Answers to Nothing,’ the Dane Cook drama that you’ve been waiting for.

[Photo: Fox Searchlight]