Weekend Movie Preview: Killer Dolls, Magical Crayons, Digital-Age Malaise, And A Murder Mystery

In the mood for killer satanic dolls, murder mysteries, animated crayons, or digital malaise? The films opening this weekend just might have what you're looking for.

“Annabelle,” John R. Leonetti, Director

John Form (Ward Horton) thought he'd found the perfect gift for his pregnant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis): a rare vintage doll in a white wedding dress. But in this “Chuckie”-inspired tale of doll terror, bad things begin to happen. Members of a satanic cult break into their home and, with the help of Annabelle (the doll), all hell breaks loose… The Wrap says that this “demon doll” spinoff of last year’s hit “The Conjuring” is tracking strongly. The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck says that although "Annabelle" is "generic and formulaic," the film is "undeniably effective, especially in a packed theater filled with genre fans essentially begging to be terrified." With Alfre Woodard.

“Gone Girl,” David Fincher, Director

In the thriller based on Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the police and media begin to look into the case, his strange behavior leads people to wonder if he did it. IBTimes’ Ellen Killoran says the “creepy cautionary tale” was “worth the wait" and Entertainment Weekly's Chris Nashawaty calls director Fincher a "mischievious maestro who turns the film into the puzzle-box." With Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry.

"The Hero of Color City," Frank Gladstone, Director

Each night, when Ben falls asleep, his magical crayons come to life and head over to Color City. But when an unfinished drawing threatens to stand in their way, Color City might fade and disappear if the crayons don't claim the enchanted Rainbow Waterfall and its color before Ben wakes up. The Village Voice's Sherilyn Connelly calls it a "perfectly pleasant pastiche of other movies," namely "Toy Story," while the New York Post's Sara Stewart says: "[A]bout as edgy as a well-used Crayola, this animated musical is aimed squarely at the under-5 crowd." With voices from Christina Ricci, Craig Ferguson, Jessica Capshaw, Owen Wilson, Rosie Perez, Sean Astin and Wayne Brady.

“Men, Women and Children,” Jason Reitman, Director

New York Times film critic A.O. Scott calls “Men, Women and Children,” about the “digital malaise” of teens and their parents using digital devices to interface the world and each other, “glum and thoughtful.” Based on the novel by Chad Kultgen. “Men, Women and Children” is now in limited release but opens nationwide Oct. 17. Andrew O'Hehir of Salon says the film is a "giant concern troll" and that watching it "feels like an ABC After-School Special teleported into the 21st century." Starring Adam Sandler, Ansel Elgort, Dean Norris, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Kaitlyn Dever and Rosemarie DeWitt.