With few new movie releases to entertain you this weekend, it may be worthwhile to check out North Grand 5, 2801 Grand Ave., as your source of entertainment. The dollar theater provides a great place to get your money’s worth even though prices are $2 for most weekend shows.

“1408”

Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson and Mary McCormack

Rated: PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.

Running time: 104 minutes.

Horror novelist Mike Enslin (John Cusack) has caught wind of the legendary Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Looking for a new angle on his latest novel, Enslin rents Room 1408 and spends a night there despite frightening tales about those who had attempted to stay there in the past.

Based on Stephen King’s short story, this is a surprisingly effective thriller. John Cusack is delightful as a novelist trying to prove the legendary tales of terror wrong. The film has plenty of twists and turns to keep you happy, and it’s perfect as a distraction from those early-semester homework blues.

“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel and Dan Aykroyd

Rated: PG-13 for crude sexual content throughout, nudity, language and drug references.

Running time: 115 minutes.

Fireman Larry (Kevin James) has just saved fellow fireman Chuck’s life in a fire, and Chuck (Adam Sandler) says he owes Larry any favor he wants. As it turns out, Larry does need a favor. Civic red tape prevents Larry’s children from being named on his life insurance benefits unless Larry is married. To get past this, Larry wants Chuck to pose as his husband. Now these two straight men must be gay, and convince not only their co-workers and the insurance company, but the city of New York as well.

Likely the weakest of the five movies, this comedy was mostly panned by film critics for being unfunny and at times offensive due to a poor script and repetitive jokes. If you are looking for comedy, the next film here would be more worth your while.

“Knocked Up”

Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd

Rated: R for sexual content, drug use and language.

Running time: 129 minutes.

Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is a 24-year-old up-and-coming entertainment journalist taking her sister out for one big night out. At the bar, Alison meets social slacker Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and the two spent one drunken night together. When Alison finds out she’s pregnant, her life is thrown into chaos. Torn between having the baby alone and getting to know the baby’s father, Alison finds Ben a part of her life, and all the baggage that comes with that.

The surprise comedy hit of the summer, this brilliantly funny movie is worth every cent. Never resorting to cheap farce, this film rises above most other comedies due to its smart script and well-rounded characters. With a great supporting cast led by Paul Rudd, this is definitely the top pick at North Grand.

“Ocean’s Thirteen”

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino

Rated: PG-13 for brief sensuality.

Running time: 122 minutes.

When you take on one Ocean, you take on all of them. Revenge is the name of the game after powerful casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses Ocean’s mentor Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould). Now the gang must pull off their most ambitious heist yet, to get revenge on those that would offend them.

Al Pacino steals this movie in a magnificent performance that alone is worth your entry fee. You know he can’t win and you know it’s going to be big, but I assure you, part of you will want Pacino to win. He’s just that good. The rest of Ocean’s crew is back, led by George Clooney and Brad Pitt. And while they do a fine job, you never feel they are really trying to stretch themselves in the acting department. Still an enjoyable revenge movie, much in the style of “The Sting.”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and Geoffrey Rush

Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and some frightening images.

Running time: 168 minutes.

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) have allied themselves with the treacherously dead Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) to stop the war between pirates and England’s evil East India Trading Company. And the only man who can end the war is the very man Elizabeth killed in “Dead Man’s Chest”: Captain Jack Sparrow. Now the crew must travel to World’s End to bring back the soul of Capt. Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and put an end to this war once and for all.

This is the weakest of the “Pirates” trilogy, but it is still vastly entertaining. Rush and Depp are, as always, in top form, and other than Keira Knightley’s odd Chinese hat, the movie engages you. While it’s not the strongest sequel of the summer, the grand scale of the effects and action make it worth your time.