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Going to the movies or renting in tonight? Don't know what you'll enjoy or what will entertain both you and your guests? Read on.

Consider your Audience Are you renting alone for a quiet night in, or for a six-person group? Does your date need lots of flash and glitter to stay interested or a smart, subtle plot with artistic merit? Does your romance-night buddy find George Cloony overrated, but still considers Cary Grant a dreamboat? Make sure you know your crowd before you try to please it.

Pick a Genre The safest bet for a large group is something comedic and light so that conversation and laughs can occur without missing major story points. Romantic nights in can be as versatile as weepy tear-jerkers to promote cuddling or gory slasher flicks to create an air of excitement. The same goes for twosome viewing of many varieties. Keep in mind, however, being in the mood for a costume drama, and having someone bring home a National Lampoon flick because it all falls under the broad category of "romance," can be a let-down. Make sure you narrow down your criteria so that you know what to look for.

Find out What's New Check out the latest releases to see if anything fits your criteria. That's the best way to ensure that everyone is seeing the film for the first time.

Check the Numbers Unless it's opening night, it may be helpful to check how the film you're considering did at the box office, especially if your audience loves summer blockbusters and mainstream hits. Large box office numbers mean large turnouts, which are generally inspired by pieces that promise to entertain.

Watch the Trailer Youtube.com provides access to pretty much any trailer you want to see. Watching the preview will hopefully give you a good-parts view of what's in store so that you can gage how interesting the movie looks to you, and how well it suits your crowd.

Research the Creators If you're still unsure, it might help to see what the writer or director of the piece has done previously to get an idea of his or her style. Resources like imdb.com can help you easily track down the lists of previous films by the creative controllers of the film you're considering.

Ask Around The simplest way to find a good flick could be to ask a friend with similar taste or a rental-store/theater employee what he or she recommends or what he or she thought of your prospective choice. Your opinion could always differ from someone else's, but it might save time in your evening just to ask for a recommendation.