3 big movies — John Carter, Friends with Kids, Silent House — set for release this weekend

Three big movies will hit theater this weekend: “John Carter,” “Friends with Kids,” and “Silent House.”

Each is a little different, from the Disney movie John Carter to the horror film Silent House, all three of the big blockbusters out this weekend appeal to a slightly different audience.

In “Friends with Kids,” young-at-heart adults decide they’re ready to have kids — but they don’t think marriage is right for them. But they want to press ahead despite that.

Kristen Meinzer, culture producer for The Takeaway, said she doesn’t think the movie works particularly well.

“A bit of “When Harry Met Sally, only it’s meaner and a lot less funny,” Meinzer said. “I just wish the characters were more likable.”

Rafer Guzman, film critic for Newsday, called the character shallow and unrelatable.

“Movie like this, it’s always about am I going to be a fit parent. And they always wind up being a fit parent and finding the joys of parenthood,” Guzman said. “I felt like calling child protective services on this couple and having them take the kids away. They’re so awful.”

Silent House is a bit of revolution in filmmaking in that the entire movie was shot in just one take. In other words, no do-overs in 88 minutes of movie-making.

“There maybe a splice or two in there somewhere,” Guzman said. “I’m told they reshot portions of the film. But you wouldn’t know it from watching it. It looks like it starts from one point and they follow Elizabeth Olsen…all one shot.”

As for John Carter, Guzman said it’s a “throw-back” piece. A lot like an old-school sci-fi flick. Costing $250 million to produce, though, may not have been the best idea, he said.