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February is one of those winter months when not-so-hot movies are dumped into theaters with little fanfare. Radcliffe’s film, a horror chiller called “The Woman in Black,” hasn’t been what you’d call overpublicized — you probably have seen more posters for “Underworld: Awakening.”
And if you’re thinking Mr. Potter’s presence alone should spell big box office, think again: Late last year, Daniel Craig (James Bond himself) starred in a horror flick called “Dream House” with new bride Rachel Weisz that quickly vanished from theaters.
We’ll find out today whether audiences think “The Woman in Black” is typical winter trash or a hidden gem. (So far, critics seem to think it’s a decent scary movie.) Meanwhile, here are some other February releases that show glimmers of promise.
“Safe House” (Feb. 10): In this CIA thriller, Denzel Washington plays a loose cannon and Ryan Reynolds is the rule-abiding rookie. Does anyone else think this sounds a lot like “Training Day?” Swedish import Daniel Espinosa directs.
“This Means War” (Feb. 14): An action comedy starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) and Tom Hardy (“Inception”) as CIA buddies who discover they’re dating the same woman (Reese Witherspoon). The action might be better than the comedy; the director is McG (“Charlie’s Angels”).
“The Secret World of Arrietty” (Feb. 17): Hayao Miyazaki’s legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away”) produced this animated film about a young boy who befriends a miniature girl living beneath his house. It’s based on the children’s book “The Borrowers” and features the voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. Disney is releasing.
“Gone” (Feb. 24): Amanda Seyfried turns the tables on a serial killer. Might be nice to see Seyfried do something besides look pretty. Best line from the trailer: “Five-foot-four, blue and blond, should be considered armed and dangerous.”
“Wanderlust” (Feb. 24): Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston play a Manhattan couple who chuck it all for life on a commune. Expect the usual jokes about hippies, nudists and hallucinogens, though the two stars (who appeared together in 1998’s “The Object of My Affection”) are always appealing.
