THE HISTORY BOYS ** 1/2 The strong gay themes in this adaptation of the stage play suggest a version of "The Dead Poet's Society" written by Oscar Wilde. Running time: 108 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, nudity, violence, brief drugs) NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM *** Not unlike "Jumanji," this comic fantasy is a bit of a mess, yet surprisingly appealing. Ben Stiller stars.
Running time: 108 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity) WE ARE MARSHALL ** 1/2 It may overstay its welcome, but this fact-based sports drama is modestly appealing. Matthew McConaughey stars. Running time: 127 minutes, PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity) WONDROUS OBLIVION ** 1/2 You've seen this British coming-of-age drama many times before, but it won't kill you to pretend you haven't.
Running time: 106 minutes, PG (violence, profanity, racial epithets) Ty Burr, The Boston Globe BLACK CHRISTMAS Remake of the 1974 horror movie about sorority girls being victimized over the holidays. To be reviewed when it opens next week, running time: 84 minutes, R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity) DREAMGIRLS Jamie Foxx and Beyonce Knowles head up the cast of this adaptation of the popular Broadway musical. To be reviewed when it opens next week, running time: 131 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, drugs) THE RULES OF THE GAME **** French filmmaker Jean Renoir's classic 1939 satire hasn't lost any of its ability to shock as well as enlighten.
Black and white, French with subtitles, complete review on Page W6, running time: 106 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence, vulgarity) BLACK CHRISTMAS * The 1974 cult-hit horror film is still in poor taste. Running time: 98 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore) (Tonight and Saturday: Tower) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE **** The granddaddy of all Christmas movies hasn't diminished with time. Its message has never seemed more important.
Black and white, running time: 130 minutes, made before ratings (1946), probable G (nothing offensive) (Sunday, 3 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 p.
m.: Broadway, free) LASSIE ** 1/2 This reprisal of the much-told canine tale isn't unwatchable, but it could have been so much more. Running time: 99 minutes, PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity) (Tonight and Saturday, 8 p.
m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.
: Park City Library) MYSTIC INDIA Peter O'Toole narrates this 2004 documentary short about an Indian boy's spiritual journey. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN 3-D ** 1/2 This digitally animated IMAX comedy is an expanded version of a 1997 TV short with Jonathan Winters as the voice of Santa Claus.
Running time: 35 minutes, not rated, probable G (animated violence) Ivan M. Lincoln WILD SAFARI 3-D A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE *** This cinematic safari's simple pleasures will be best experienced by the littlest ticket-holders. Running time: 45 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) Ned Martel, New York Times News Service BARNYARD ** Another quick-and-dirty all-star-cast (led by Sam Elliott and Kevin James) animated feature churned out by digital start-ups hired to steal some of Pixar's cash.
Running time: 83 minutes, PG (vulgarity) Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel BLOOD DIAMOND ** This adventure-drama is more concerned with its message than its story. Leonardo DiCaprio stars. Running time: 138 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief nudity, racial epithets) BOBBY ** There's not much subtlety to be found in this fictionalized historical drama.
Running time: 111 minutes, R (profanity, drugs, violence, brief gore, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex) BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN *** As outrageous as it is funny, this mockumentary seeks to enlighten through offensiveness. Running time: 82 minutes, R (vulgarity, profanity, nudity, violence, sex, ethnic slurs) CASINO ROYALE HHH Thankfully, the first film with Daniel Craig as 007 has the more serious tone of the earliest Sean Connery movies. Running time: 144 minutes, PG-13 (violence, gore, torture, brief sex, brief drugs, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity) THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG *** This low-key, naturalistic drama from Mongolia is a simple story told simply, and very well.
Mongolian with subtitles, running time: 93 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence, vulgarity) CHARLOTTE'S WEB ** 1/2 A few irksome crudities dog this E.B. White adaptation, though there is still some magic left in the story.
Running time: 96 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity) DECK THE HALLS * This comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito is a leaden slice of fruitcake. Running time: 95 minutes, PG (vulgarity, profanity) Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel DEJA VU ** 1/2 Some audience members may be confused by this contrived but tense science-fiction thriller. Running time: 128 minutes, PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, brief partial nudity, brief drugs, vulgarity) EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH * 1/2 Jessica Simpson's woeful attempts at acting are probably the funniest part of this painful mess.
Running time: 103 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief drugs) ERAGON * 1/2 The only real difference between this fantasy and those laughable Sci-Fi Channel movies is the cast (Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich). Running time: 104 minutes, PG (violence, brief gore, vulgarity) FACING THE GIANTS ** The religious proselytizing in this football movie is about as subtle as a blindside hit by a 300-pound defensive end. Running time: 111 minutes, PG (adult themes) Jeff Strickler, McClatchy Newspapers FLICKA ** Scenes of horses running in the wild may make this remake worthwhile for some.
Running time: 100 minutes, PG (violence, mild profanity) FLUSHED AWAY ** 1/2 This modestly amusing animated comedy's preoccupation with low-brow crudities is a bit distressing. Running time: 82 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, ethnic slurs) FLYBOYS ** 1/2 The thrilling air-battle scenes in this World War I drama make it worthwhile. Running time: 139 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, racial epithets) FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ** This showbiz comedy's in-joke humor is too inside.
Running time: 86 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity) THE GRUDGE 2 * 1/2 There are a couple of good startling moments here and there. Running time: 98 minutes, PG-13 (violence, adult themes) Christy Lemire, Associated Press HAPPY FEET ** 1/2 The animation is handsome but this musical-comedy gets in trouble when it tries to send a message. Running time: 97 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity) THE HOLIDAY ** This romantic comedy has an almost terminal case of the cutes.
Running time: 132 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, violence, brief drugs) THE ILLUSIONIST ** This shallow, vapid romantic drama isn't as important as it strives to be. Running time: 110 minutes, PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity) MARIE ANTOINETTE ** Filmmaker Sofia Coppola's biographical drama starring Kirsten Dunst is superficial and tacky. Running time: 123 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, partial nudity, violence, brief sex, brief drugs) THE MARINE * 1/2 This action-thriller is a love story but it's hard to hear the heart beating through the explosions.
Running time: 93 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity) OPEN SEASON ** 1/2 It's watchable but this animated comedy is also a bit crude. Running time: 90 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, mild profanity) PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST *** An improvement over the first "Pirates" movie in the story department. Running time: 151 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief gore, profanity, brief drugs, torture) THE POLAR EXPRESS ** The "motion-capture" animation looks too creepy in this icy adaptation of the best-selling children's book.
Also, the story lacks real Christmas magic. Running time: 93 minutes, G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity) THE PRESTIGE ** 1/2 This period thriller's cinematic cat-and-mouse routine becomes wearying. Running time: 135 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore, nude artwork) THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS *** The onscreen relationship between Will Smith and his son Jaden helps fuel this surprisingly involving and moving drama.
Running time: 116 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, violence, brief drugs) THE QUIET * While this thriller almost takes on a campy air, it's little more than exploitative nonsense. Camilla Belle stars. Running time: 96 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, rape, violence, drugs, brief nudity, brief gore) THE QUEEN **** Helen Mirren is an early Oscar contender for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II.
Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, violence, brief drugs) ROCKY BALBOA ** 1/2 This latest sequel may be cliched, but Sylvester Stallone's beloved pugilist character still has legs. Reviewed Wednesday, running time: 102 minutes, PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore, racial epithets, brief drugs) RUNNING WITH SCISSORS ** The deliberate quirkiness of this adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' questionable memoir feels forced. Running time: 116 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, drugs, sex, violence) SHUT UP SING *** There are plenty of candid conversations to savor in this documentary.
Running time: 93 minutes, R (profanity) Christy Lemire, Associated Press TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY ** Fans of the fictional heavy-metal rock duo Tenacious D may get more out of this crude musical comedy. Running time: 93 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, drugs, partial nudity, brief gore) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS * 1/2 The second half-hour of this listless holiday comedy is filled with dumb slapstick.
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