With the exception of “The Blair Witch Project” and “Cloverfield,” the whole found-footage craze has generally failed to impress me as a viable storytelling device, usually because most of the movies in the subgenre are plagued by terrible scripts and bad acting. But director Josh Trank’s debut feature doesn’t run into any of those problems, and it’s exactly because the script and acting are so good that he’s able to utilize the low-budget gimmick to his benefit, delivering a fresh take on found-footage and superhero movies in the process. Additionally, the idea to tell the superhero origin story from the villain’s point of view is pretty ingenious, particularly because his fall from grace is a lot more complex than the typical hero’s tale. Though the format does yield a few nagging questions – like, for instance, why anyone would still bother recording any of this after all hell has broken loose – the cameras are integrated so cleverly into the story that it helps the movie a lot more than it hurts it.

Blu-ray Highlight: I didn’t receive a copy in time for review, but I’m curious to check out the proposed director’s cut to see if any cool stuff was left on the cutting room floor.

The trailers for Joe Carnahan’s survival thriller may have promised one thing (namely, a showdown between Liam Neeson and a big bad wolf) and delivered something else entirely, but it’s still a solid adventure film with plenty of action. Though you pretty much know how it’s going to end as soon as the first few guys succumb to the deadly triumvirate of the punishing weather, dangerous terrain and hungry predators, Carnahan manages to hold your interest by taking the time to develop his characters, humanizing them beyond simple wolf fodder. Neeson and character actor Frank Grillo, in particular, deliver some really strong performances, with the latter even managing to outshine his co-star. “The Grey” can get a bit too philosophical at times when you’d rather just watch Neeson punch a wolf in the face, but while that would have certainly delivered the kind of instant adrenaline rush we all expected, it’s the bleak realism of the movie that stays with you long after it’s finished.

Blu-ray Highlight: Though Joe Carnahan has a tendency to be a bit of a tool when it comes to talking about his movies, the director’s commentary with editors Roger Barton and Jason Hellmann is nonetheless an engaging discussion about making the film that covers a range of topics like the cast, special effects and shooting in the Arctic.

I’ve never read the book that “One for the Money” was adapted from, but based solely on my impressions of the movie, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, no matter how many fans of Janet Evanovich’s long-running series insist that it’s worth checking out. Nothing against Katherine Heigl’s portrayal of Jersey girl turned bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, but she’s a walking rom-com cliché who’s perhaps the least interesting character in the entire film. Worse yet, the two male leads have zero chemistry with Heigl (although I would have liked to see more of Daniel Sunjata), and the story is about as predictable as a Nancy Drew mystery. There’s just nothing about this movie that works on any level, and it really makes you wonder how it even got made. This is the kind of source material that would have fared better as a TV series, because as it stands, it’s highly unlikely that the studio will get the chance to adapt the entire Plum series, let alone the follow-up “Two for the Dough.”

Blu-ray Highlight: Bad movies typically don’t have good special features, and “One for the Money” is no different. But while all of the extras related to the film (the making-of, deleted scene and gag reel) are pretty forgettable, “Kicking Ass in the Bail Bonds Industry” is a somewhat interesting but brief look at real-life female bounty hunters.

The term “Oscar bait” gets thrown around a lot these days, and I feel like it’s lost some of its meaning as a result. There’s a difference between the movies that deserve Oscar love and the ones that think they deserve it, and “Albert Nobbs” falls into the latter category – a supposed passion project of star Glenn Close that doesn’t radiate a single ounce of genuine passion. It feels like something that was created for the sole purpose of winning awards (“Look, it’s a woman playing a man!”), and although it contains some great performances by the cast, the encompassing story is so dull that you never become fully invested in the characters. Furthermore, so much time is wasted on a silly romantic subplot between Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson that Nobbs’ story is practically treated as an afterthought. If you’re looking for a slice of upstairs/downstairs life without all the cross-dressing melodrama, you’d be better off just tuning into a few episodes of “Downton Abbey.”

Blu-ray Highlight: Glenn Close and director Rodrigo Garcia’s audio commentary may be a little lacking in enthusiasm, but it’s still an informative conversation about making the film, including the few changes that were made from George Moore’s short story.

For as much abuse as January receives for being a bad movie magnet, February isn’t any better, especially when you factor in the bombardment of cheesy chick flicks being unloaded in time for Valentine’s Day. In fact, with the exception of maybe one or two releases, there isn’t anything even worth getting excited about – unless you’re a really big “Star Wars” fan, in which case, keep reading. January was by no means a great month for moviegoers, but it was a heckuva lot better than what February has in store.

Who: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds and Emma Shorey
What: A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.
When: February 3rd
Why: There’s no way in hell that I’m going to see this movie – not because it doesn’t look like it might be good, but rather because there are few things that scare me as unconditionally as creepy old ghost women from horror movies. (Despite really enjoying last year’s “Insidious,” I couldn’t sleep for weeks afterwards.) And that’s a shame, because “The Woman in Black” looks like it might actually rise above the typical horror trash that populates this time of year (see: “The Devil Inside”). Adapted from Susan Hill’s novel of the same name (which was also turned into a successful stage play), the script was written by Matthew Vaughn’s go-to scribe Jane Goldman and stars Daniel Radcliffe in his first post-Potter role. The actor undoubtedly had plenty of offers on the table, so the fact that he chose this Hammer horror film certainly speaks of its potential.

Who: Michael B. Jordan, Alex Russell, Dane DeHaan and Michael Kelly
What: Three friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery, only for their friendship to be tested when one of them embraces his dark side.
When: February 3rd
Why: I didn’t even know about this movie until a few months ago when a friend sent me a link to the trailer, but consider me cautiously intrigued. Though I’m just as sick of the whole found footage fad as everyone else, “Chronicle” is set up in a way that it doesn’t have to adhere to the normal rules of the genre. For starters, since the main characters have superpowers (namely, telekinesis), they can put the camera pretty much anywhere they want, allowing for a more dynamic range of shots beyond the trademark shaky cam. The trailer also seems to suggest that there will be a healthy dose of action, so as long as the story isn’t a complete mess and director Josh Trank can keep the movie’s mystery a secret, this superhero “Cloverfield” could be the first surprise hit of the year.

Who: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson and Vera Farmiga
What: A young CIA agent must go on the run with a rogue operative after the safe house he’s being held at is compromised by men trying to break him out.
When: February 10th
Why: There’s something about Denzel Washington playing a villain that audiences really seem to enjoy, although it’s probably just because we’re so used to seeing him as the good guy. But unlike “Training Day” and “American Gangster,” I have a sneaking suspicion that his character in “Safe House” isn’t actually bad at all, which is a win-win for the actor. Having someone of his caliber also makes director Daniel Espinosa’s job a whole lot easier, because Washington can practically sleepwalk through a role like this and still be compelling. It doesn’t hurt that Espinosa was able to land such a great supporting cast either – particularly Ryan Reynolds, who’s proven on numerous occasions that he’s a much better actor than many people give him credit for. And if the two of them work together as well as I think they will, “Safe House” should be lots of fun.

Who: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Jake Lloyd
What: Two Jedi Knights uncover a political conspiracy when they’re sent as emissaries to the blockaded planet of Naboo… in 3D!
When: February 10th
Why: If there’s one thing that I can’t stand more than new 3D movies, it’s older films that have been post-converted into the format in an attempt by the studios to squeeze every last dollar out of the moviegoing public. There’s no one better at milking a cash cow than George Lucas, so it’s not much of a surprise that he’s decided to release the “Star Wars” saga in 3D less than a year after its Blu-ray debut. What is surprising, however, is that he’s chosen to lead off with “The Phantom Menace,” undoubtedly the most hated installment of all the live-action films. And yet, that doesn’t change the fact that I’ll still be waiting in line on opening weekend alongside my fellow “Star Wars” fans to watch it anyway, especially if it helps the chances of seeing the original trilogy on the big screen.

Who: Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler
What: Two of the CIA’s best operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover that they’re dating the same woman.
When: February 14th
Why: You could get dragged by your wife or girlfriend to the new Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum romantic drama “The Vow” for Valentine’s Day, or you could take her to go see this instead. If that doesn’t sound like a very difficult decision, it’s because it isn’t. She gets two handsome guys to fawn over, and you get to stare at the interminably cute Reese Witherspoon while two of Hollywood’s coolest leading men face off in a battle of wits, fists and explosions. Director McG may spend more time these days developing television shows than making movies, but “This Means War” (great title, by the way) looks like a welcome return for the director, who knows a thing or two about blending action with comedy. And if he can manage to strike the right balance, he could be sitting on the next “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Is there a more perfect date movie than this?

Who: Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth and Ciarán Hinds
What: While hiding out in Eastern Europe, Johnny Blaze is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form.
When: February 17th
Why: After 2007′s disastrous “Ghost Rider” set a new low for the comic book genre, I figured that would be the last we’d ever see of Marvel’s B-list hero. But for some reason, Sony has decided to give the character a second chance, handing over the reins to the directing duo of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Strangely enough, though, “Spirit of Vengeance” isn’t a sequel, but a reboot of sorts, despite the fact that Nicolas Cage is reviving the title role. The actor surely had a hand in picking the filmmakers this time around, but while Neveldine and Taylor may seem like the perfect guys to take on such an incredibly bizarre superhero (you needn’t look any further than the “Crank” films to understand why), they might have gone too far over the top. Case in point: the shot of Ghost Rider pissing fire. It can’t be any worse than the first movie, but will anyone care?

Who: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Malin Akerman, Justin Theroux and Alan Alda
What: Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple experiments with alternative living options by moving to a rural commune where free love rules.
When: February 24th
Why: Fans of David Wain’s cult comedy “Wet Hot American Summer” might never see the rumored prequel that’s been bandied about in recent years, but “Wanderlust” could help fill that void thanks to a similar setting and appearances by several of the same actors. While the movie looks a little too good-natured and conventional for my taste, if it’s even remotely as funny as Wain’s last collaboration with Paul Rudd (“Role Models”), we could be in for a real treat. Rudd certainly has the talent to turn an average film into a good one, but save for her against-type performance in last year’s “Horrible Bosses,” Jennifer Aniston is usually poison. Sure, it’ll be fun to see the pair reunited for the first time since “Friends,” but people are probably more excited about Aniston’s scenes with boyfriend Justin Theroux, whose tabloid relationship could do with a little good publicity.

Who: Timothy Gibbs, Dimiter Marinov, Alex Veadov and U.S. Navy SEALs
What: An elite team of Navy SEALs embarks on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent.
When: February 24th
Why: On the surface, “Act of Valor” sounds like yet another generic action film destined for the Wal-Mart bargain bin, but what sets it apart from its military-themed brethren is that it stars active duty U.S. Navy SEALs. As a result, the movie will likely feature a level of realism that’s never been captured on film before, even if that means making some sacrifices in other areas. Let’s be honest: these soldiers weren’t hired because they’re good actors, but because they’re real-life stuntmen who do this for a living. It’s a pretty interesting experiment on the part of Relativity Media – which promises a one-of-a-kind adrenaline rush jam-packed with wall-to-wall action – but it also doesn’t hide the fact that the movie is essentially a feature-length recruiting video for the “Call of Duty” crowd.

Who: Amanda Seyfried, Daniel Sunjata, Wes Bentley and Jennifer Carpenter
What: When her sister disappears, Jill is convinced that the serial killer who kidnapped her two years ago has returned and sets out to once again face her abductor.
When: February 24th
Why: I’m really rooting for Amanda Seyfried to succeed – not only is she talented, but she’s also easy on the eyes – but as long as the actress continues to pick projects like “Gone,” she’ll never make the jump to the A-list. Her latest film looks like the kind of paint-by-numbers thriller that’s entirely dependent on some twist ending – one that the audience will no doubt see a mile away because that’s what they’ve been trained to do ever since M. Night Shyamalan made twist endings trendy. No matter how good the twist may be, however, “Gone” has the makings of a direct-to-video reject that isn’t worth sitting through to get there. In fact, if the studio wasn’t trying to make a quick buck by releasing it in the dead of the winter movie season, we wouldn’t even be talking about it.