Two self-explanatorily named movies with select audiences hit the screen this week in what should prove to be a relatively lackluster weekend at the movies.

Monsters vs. Aliens

This weekend marks the release of yet another star-studded animated feature, bluntly named ‘Monsters vs. Aliens.’ The story follows earthly monsters that are called upon to combat aliens that plan to destroy the planet. The children’s film presents voices from big names, including Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan, Kiefer Sutherland, Renee Zellweger, Paul Rudd and even Stephen Colbert.‘ There are also a few other names recognizable from popular television shows such as Hugh Laurie (‘House’), Amy Poehler (‘Saturday Night Live’) and Rainn Wilson and John Krasinski from ‘The Office.’

Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon have teamed up to co-direct the production. Both Letterman and Vernon have had success in the animated film business to date. Letterman was in charge of the similarly highly marketed, mildly successful ‘Shark Tale,’ with Vernon credited for directing ‘Shrek 2.’ He has also been involved with films such as ‘Bee Movie,’ ‘Madagascar,’ ‘Shrek’ and ‘Shrek the Third.’

These Pixar-inspired computer-generated cartoon movies are really hard to read. There have been grand successes such as the ‘Shrek’ series, and terrible failures like ‘Delgo.’ While this genre or particular film may not light up the eyes of students, it certainly has won over early reviewers. Boston Globe movie critic Ty Burr says, ‘['Monsters vs. Aliens'] is a perfectly acceptable family movie.’

The Haunting in Connecticut

It’s just about that time again for a few stereotypical horror movies to be released. ‘The Last House on the Left’ was released two weeks ago and has already been out-grossed by a Nicholas Cage movie in one weekend. Things aren’t looking good for this week’s other release, ‘The Haunting in Connecticut.’ The film is based on the similarly named documentary featured on the Discovery Channel about a couple who lived in what was previously a funeral home that they claim was haunted.

Peter Cornwell directs the ghost thriller in what should prove to be the first recognizable film with his name attached to it. The cast, as has become a custom in the horror genre, features no well known names and is headlined by Virginia Madsen (‘The Number 23,’ ‘Firewall’) and Kyle Gallner as Sara and Matt Campbell, respectively.

Critics hate it. Roger Ebert doubts that the film’s claim to be ‘the true story’ is even considerably accurate based on the material shown. He said that the story was ‘more likely’hellip; ‘loosely inspired by’ a story.’ Upon doing research, he found that the featured couple ‘couldn’t get their stories straight.’

Considering what other critics have said in accord with Ebert, you’d be better suited looking for a ‘genuine true story’ about the horrors of paranormal encounters on the Sci-Fi Channel than wasting your precious money at theaters this weekend.

Justin Gagnon can be reached at jegagnon@student.umass.edu.