Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'The Space Between Us,' 'Rings,' 'The Comedian'

Here's what you need to know about this weekend's new movies: "The Space Between Us," "Rings," "The Comedian" and more. Find out what to see and what to skip, plus check out the trailers.

Opening This Weekend

"The Space Between Us" — Asa Butterfield, Carla Gugino, Gary Oldman, directed by Peter Chelsom

When the first human born on Mars strikes up a friendship with a girl in Colorado, he resigns himself to make the journey "home" when he turns 16. Gardner Elliot's interplanetary quest will no doubt skew toward tweens, but between the limited offerings this week and the foreseeable future, it's a fair shot.

The verdict: See it. Possibly flimsy, but if you're going to a wide release this week, "Space" is your only bet.

"Rings" — Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez

Set 13 years after events in the blockbuster "The Ring," this attempt to reinvigorate the horror franchise won't have the creepy soul of the original. That "Ring" chronicled the unfortunate souls who viewed a cursed VHS tape and met doomed fates one week later. One can imagine this outing will take tech advancements into account to continue the creepy story, but don't expect it to add much to the horror genre.

The verdict: Skip it. The original had the power of Naomi Watts; this one screams cash grab.

"The Comedian" — Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Edie Falco, directed by Taylor Hackford

Robert De Niro plays Jackie, a famous but dwindling stand-up comic who lands in community service after reacting unkindly to a bullying heckler. There, he meets a kindred spirit (Leslie Mann), and new adventures ensue. De Niro's name once was synonymous with quality, but whether it's a lack of meaningful roles for his age group or a less discerning eye on his part, he's embarked on a series of forgettable films in recent years, so I'm weary.

The verdict: Skip it. This one appears to be phoned in.

Quick Cuts

"War On Everyone” (Limited Release & DVD) — Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, Michael Peña, directed by John Michael McDonagh

See it: This politically incorrect dark comedy from English director John Michael McDonagh follows two corrupt cops who blackmail criminals and land in more trouble than they expected. McDonagh's amazing first two films ("The Guard" and "Calvary") demand fresh attention for his latest.

Netflix Picks

"Caddyshack" (1980) — I aimed to include "Groundhog Day" this week, but alas, it's not on Netflix. We will have to settle for another Bill Murray classic as an antidote for winter. If you've seen it, you probably love this madcap golf classic. If you haven't, you're in for a treat.

"The Third Man" (1949) — In the mood for a classic? Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles face off in this mysterious Vienna-set noir, a film considered one of the all-time greats that has since deeply influenced everything from "Taxi Driver" to "Skyfall" and beyond.

Watch the trailer for "The Space Between Us"

Watch the trailer for "Rings"

Photo credit: FilmTrailerZone via YouTube