Sequels are not doing well this month as two weeks ago, critics gave a tepid response to "Be Cool," the sequel to "Get Shorty." This week, DreamWorks' "The Ring Two," the second sequel released this month, receives a similar response. As in the case with "The Pacifier" where it served as counter-programming to "Be Cool," Disney opens another family comedy, "Ice Princess," to compete with "Ring Two." However, unlike the week "Be Cool" was released, where it was not a matter of which film critics like more, but rather which they dislike the least, there is a fresh movie to choose from this week.

Naomi Watts reprises her role in “The Ring Two,” the sequel to 2002’s surprise hit “The Ring.” The original US remake was directed by Gore Verbinski, who also directed the hugely popular “Pirates of the Caribbean.” It grossed a terrific $128.5M and scored a Fresh 73% on the Tomatometer. “The Ring” was based on the Japanese horror hit, “Ringu,” which was directed by Hideo Nakata. He also directed the sequel to the original Japanese release. After Gore Verbinski opted not to re-sign for the sequel to the American version, Dreamworks tapped the Japanese director to take the helm. And critics aren’t impressed. Although there are some genuinely terrifying moments, critics can’t get over the film’s absurd plot and lethargic pace. As of this writing, it has a tedious 34% on the Tomatometer.

In comparison, the Tomatometer for Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” and its sequel “Ringu 2” are 93% and 0% respectively. Regarding the sequels, 35% is a whole lot better than 0%. The good thing about remaking a 0% movie is that it can’t be any worst, but why remake a 0% movie? Maybe that’s why Gore Verbinski bowed out.

Countering with a gentler film targeted at a different audience, Disney opens the inspirational family comedy “Ice Princess.” According to the production notes, a recent national survey found that ice-skating is the second most popular sport in America, behind football. Since they already made a critically and commercially successful football movie, “Remember the Titans,” Disney decides to try their luck with ice-skating. And at the time of this writing, they are again successful – at least on the critical front. Despite the trite story and misplaced morals, critics recommend the film based on the likable Michelle Trachtenberg and the film’s “good-spirited warmth.” It scored a Fresh 67% on the Tomatometer.

It’s the second week in a row that we have at least one Fresh movie. Last week, it was “Robots” with 64% on the Tomatometer. This week, it’s “Ice Princess” with 67%. It’s time for celebration.