If a compelling, magical fantasy world is something you're actively seeking, critics say you may want to avoid The Seeker. Based upon the Newberry Award-winning book series, The Seeker is the story of a 14-year-old who discovers he's the last in a long line of noble fighters dedicated to battling an evil force called the Dark. (Uh, so was Thomas Edison, like, the greatest of those warriors? Just asking.) Critics say The Seeker is several notches below the Harry Potter films in terms of emotional resonance and filmmaking quality, and underutilizes the talents of Ian McShane and Frances Conroy.

If your sensibilities run toward action flicks, you are likely prejudiced against light comedies about smart people and their relationship troubles. In the case of The Jane Austen Book Club, the critics say you might want to swallow your pride. The film tells the story of a group of six women whose book club assignment is for each to read one of Austen's novels; they soon find events in their lives eerily paralleling the texts they're reading. The critics say that what could have been a bland exercise in chick-flick-dom is elevated by an outstanding cast that includes Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, and Kathy Baker; each of the principals plays her part with intelligence and warmth.