Man On A Ledge ***
(Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell) An escaped convict (Worthington) threatens to jump from a New York City high rise in an effort to prove his innocence. There are many layers to the film, each of which is skillfully and gradually unveiled in a tense and exciting way. It’s a fun night out at the movies. Rated PG-13.

Red Tails **
(Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nate Parker) African-American fighter pilots fight for better missions and respect during World War II. The aerial action is cool but not that impressive while the by-the-books civil rights lesson gets tiresome. However, in the end you’re rooting for these guys, and that’s the most important thing. Rated PG-13.

Haywire **
(Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender) An assassin (Carano) is framed for murder and seeks revenge on those who wronged her. There’s some good action, but Steven Soderbergh’s directing feels half-assed and uninspired. Rated R.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close **
(Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock) After his father (Hanks) dies on 9/11, a boy (Horn) tries to find the lock for the key his father left behind. It’s manipulative and sappy with just a few choice acting moments, and most of those come from Bullock as the mother. Rated PG-13.

Contraband **1/2
(Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster) After his brother-in-law (Caleb Landry Jones) becomes indebted to a drug dealer (Giovanni Ribisi), a former smuggler (Wahlberg) leaves his wife (Beckinsale) and partner (Foster) behind in an attempt to pay off the debt. It’s not memorable and Ribisi is weak as the villain, but it’s entertaining throughout. Rated R.

Carnage ***
(Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christop Walz, John C. Reilly) The Longstreets (Foster and Reilly) and the Cowans (Waltz and Winslet) get together to discuss a fight their sons had. While director Roman Polanski could have used a bit more rehearsal time to get more chemistry between the actors, his choice on how to film the action is a sound one, and each actor individually gives a top notch performance. Rated R. –Andrew Hudak

The Iron Lady ***
(Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Alexandra Roach) A journey through the life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, seen both as a young woman (Roach) seeking election and peer approval and as an older stateswoman (Streep), seeking the power she needs to improve her nation. While the coherence of the flashbacks and the lack of a look into Thatcher’s political life leave something to be desired, her personal story is an interesting one, and Streep’s portrayal is pitch perfect. Rated PG-13. –Andrew Hudak

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ***1/2
(Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, John Hurt). When Control (Hurt), the head of Mi-6, a.k.a. British intelligence, is forced to resign and passes away, it is up to Smiley (Oldman) to take over an investigation to uncover a mole. The intricate story demands that you keep up with it every step of the way, and the rewards are great if you do. It’s also worth seeing for Gary Oldman’s sad, soulful, and nuanced performance. Rated R. –Andrew Hudak

War Horse ***
(Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis) An English farm boy’s (Irvine) horse is sold to the cavalry in the early days of World War I; director Steven Spielberg then follows the horse’s experiences on both sides of the war. The movie is big, beautiful and impressive, but the story is stilted as the horse goes from one segment to the next. Rated PG-13.

The Artist ****
(Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman) Silent film star George Valentin (Dujardin) faces hard times during the transition to sound in the late ‘20s, but the young starlet (Bejo) he helped get started is thriving. This is a wonderful movie that nicely uses silent film techniques in telling its story. If you love movies, watch this. Rated PG-13.

We Bought A Zoo **1/2
(Matt Damon, Scarlet Johansson, Patrick Fugit) A widower (Damon) moves his two kids to the countryside so they can start over by renovating and old zoo. There’s undeniable sweetness and predictability here, but strong family values and a wide variety of animals ultimately make it enjoyable. Rated PG.

Shame ****
(Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Beharie) A Manhattan sex addict (Fassbender) agrees to take in his wayward sister (Mulligan) and try for a better life with co-worker Marianne (Beharie). Fassbender gives an amazing performance, and director/co-writer Steve McQueen films the action from a distance yet still provides a feeling of intimacy. Rated NC-17. –Andrew Hudak

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol ****
(Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton) Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his IMF team must stop a madman (Mikael Nyqvist) from starting nuclear war. The story is standard, but the action set pieces are out of this world good. So good, in fact, that this is the year’s best action movie. See it in IMAX if you can. Rated PG-13.

The Adventures of Tintin **
(Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis) An old enemy (Craig) stands in the way of a young reporter (Bell) and ship captain (Serkis) as they search for lost treasure. The motion capture animation is decent and some of the action is exciting, but this plays like a humorless young Indiana Jones on a treasure quest. When the most consistently amusing character is a dog named Snowy, it’s a problem. Based on the comic book series by Herge. Rated PG.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ***
(Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer) A disgraced journalist (Craig) and computer hacker named Lisbeth (Mara) investigate a 40 year-old disappearance in northern Sweden. It’s a compelling story and Mara is good as Lisbeth, but it’s too long at two hours and 40 minutes. Based on the book by Stieg Larsson. Rated R.

Young Adult ***
(Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt) A struggling author (Theron) returns to her old hometown to steal away her old boyfriend (Wilson) from his wife and children. Theron is equally sympathetic and bitchy in the lead, which is a much more complex role than it may appear, and Oswalt is good as a former classmate. Rated R.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows **1/2
(Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace) Holmes (Downey), Watson (Law) and a gypsy fortuneteller (Rapace) match wits with criminal mastermind Moriarty (Jared Harris) in this sequel to Guy Ritchie’s 2009 hit. The story labors with a hazy beginning, but as Holmes and Moriarty go at it things get interesting. Rated PG-13.

The Sitter *
(Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor, Sam Rockwell) A college dropout (Hill) babysits three weird kids so his mother can go to a party. Unfortunately his pseudo-girlfriend (Graynor) coaxes him into bringing the kids into New York City, where predictable chaos ensues. It’s not funny but it is hideously stupid and misguided. Plus, “Adventures in Babysitting” already did this perfectly. Rated R.

New Year’s Eve ***
(Hilary Swank, Halle Berry, Ashton Kutcher) The lives and loves of New Yorkers intertwine in this sweet story that nicely embraces the spirit of the holiday. It’s not very funny but the characters are well rounded and it is entertaining. Best of all, though, it will be loved by those who love New Year’s. PG-13.

Seducing Charlie Barker ***
(Daphne Zuniga, Stephen Barker Turner, Heather Gordon) A gifted actor named Charlie (Turner) has his life turned upside down when his wife Stella (Zuniga) catches him cheating with young actress Clea (Gordon). Well written and well directed, with an important life lesson that we can all relate to on one level or another. Rated R. –Andrew Hudak

Answers to Nothing ***1/2
(Dane Cook, Barbara Hershey, Julie Benz) A character study in which the lives of a group of Los Angelinos intersect in various ways. Well-made film, with brave writing, directing, and acting, including Dane Cook, who holds his own with Barbara Hershey and shows potential as a dramatic actor. Rated R. –Andrew Hudak

Hugo ***
(Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley) In 1930s Paris, young Hugo (Butterfield) searches for the heart-shaped key that will unlock a secret message from his late father (Jude Law). Director Martin Scorsese’s love letter to the early days of cinema sputters at times but is very impressive visually – including the 3D – and has a nice heart at its core. Rated PG.

Arthur Christmas ***
(Voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent) After Santa’s (Broadbent) long night out his son Arthur (McAvoy) races to give a little girl her present on Christmas morning. Nothing too special here, but it is a fun, harmless and enjoyable Christmas movie that’s nice for the kids and easily tolerable for adults. Rated PG.

My Week With Marilyn ***1/2
(Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh) Well-to-do 23 year-old Colin (Redmayne) wants to join the film industry in 1950s England, and lucky for him his first job is on a set with Laurence Olivier (Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Williams). Much of the focus is on Colin’s time with Monroe and the story is nicely told, but the real highlight is Williams’ phenomenal performance. Rated R.

The Muppets ***
(Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper) Gary (Segel), his girlfriend Mary (Adams) and Gary’s Muppet brother Walter (voice of Peter Linz) travel to L.A. and help Kermit (voice of Steve Whitmire) and co. save their old theater from an oil baron (Cooper). The jokes are funny and at times appropriately so bad they’re good (thanks, Fozzie Bear), the songs are a joy and the story is just so darn sweet. It’s great to have the Muppets back! Rated PG.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I *
(Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner) Vampire Edward (Pattinson) and Bella (Stewart) marry, but werewolf Jacob (Lautner) and the other wolves grow concerned when Bella’s pregnancy threatens their livelihood. Bad acting, bad dialogue, bad visual effects, bad storytelling – everything about this is a failure. Rated PG-13.

Melancholia **
(Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland) Two sisters (Dunst and Gainsbourg) fight as another planet threatens to collide with Earth. Dunst is very good and the film is visually appealing, but writer/director Lars Von Trier (“Dogville”) doesn’t explain enough of the story. He needs to be less lyrical/abstract and more clear if he wants his messages/themes to hit home. Rated R.

Happy Feet Two ***
(Voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink) Mumble (Wood) has to find help after an iceberg traps his friends and family. The story has flaws, but it’s better than the first film (2006) because the original songs are catchy, the 3D animation looks great and there are some genuinely funny moments. Rated PG.

J. Edgar **1/2
(Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts) The 50-plus year career of F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) is chronicled in this nicely staged but overlong biopic from director Clint Eastwood. You’ll respect DiCaprio and Hammer’s performances, but the de-saturated colors and slow pacing make the rest a bore. Rated R.

Jack and Jill **
(Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino) A family man (Sandler) is tortured over the holidays when his twin sister (Sandler again) comes to visit. There are some amusing moments, including Pacino having fun playing himself, but much of the humor is tired and it’s really hard to like/feel sorry for the passive-aggressive Jill. Rated PG.

Son of No One **1/2
(Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes) Thirty year old NYPD rookie Jonathan White (Tatum) transfers into the precinct where he grew up and becomes entangled in the scandal of a police cover up from sixteen years earlier. The film takes place in both 1986 and 2002. The 1986 scenes are much more intense and compelling, and the 2002 scenes are more standard cop fare, including Jonathan’s disgruntled wife Kerry (Holmes), whose negativity brings the film to a halt. Rated R. –Andrew Hudak

Tower Heist ***
(Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda) After a Madoff-esque financier (Alda) loses their money, the employees of a New York City high-rise plot to steal the money hidden in his apartment. Nothing special here, but it is amusing throughout and the story keeps you intrigued. Rated PG-13.

Puss in Boots **
(Voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis) In this prequel to the “Shrek” franchise, Puss (Banderas) teams with Humpty Dumpty (Galifianakis) and Kitty Softpaws (Hayek) to find the Golden Goose. There are some cute cat-isms for cat lovers, but overall this franchise has overstayed its welcome. Rated PG.

The Rum Diary ***
(Johnny Depp, Michael Rispoli, Amber Heard) New York writer Paul Kemp (Depp) travels from New York to Puerto Rico to write for a San Juan newspaper, and along the way he falls in love with the beautiful and alluring Chenault (Heard) and spreads alcohol-fueled mayhem with his friend and co-worker Sala (Rispoli). The scenery is beautiful, Amber Heard is beautiful, Kemp has wicked fun getting into and out of all sorts of trouble, and in spite of a last half hour that lags and teeters off somewhat, these are some fun people to spend some time with. Rated R. -Andrew Hudak

The Three Musketeers *
(Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Milla Jovovivh) Young D’Artagnan (Lerman) journeys to Paris to become a musketeer. The film is bad all around, and the lack of humanity in the musketeers is disturbing to say the least. Not a very heroic trio at all. Rated PG-13. -Andrew Hudak

Paranormal Activity 3 ***
(Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Lauren Bittner) Young Katie (Csengery) and Kristi (Brown) meet the demon that will affect them later in life in this prequel to the first two “Paranormal” movies. There are some good scares here (even if most are fake), and the performances of Csengery and Brown are darn impressive. Rated R.

Johnny English Reborn *1/2
(Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Gillian Anderson) Idiot British Secret Agent Johnny English (Atkinson) must save the life of the Chinese Premier in this silly James Bond spoof. The gags are forced and unfunny, the story is a waste of time and there are only a few decent laughs. Rated PG.

The Thing **1/2
(Joel Edgerton, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ulrich Thomsen) An alien gets free at a remote Antarctic research center and hides in the bodies of humans, forcing mankind to turn on one another in an attempt to survive. The story is typical horror stuff, but this is worth checking out for the truly freaky character transformations and visual effects. Rated R.

Footloose **1/2
(Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid) Big city kid Ren (Wormald) moves to a small Georgia town that has banned public dancing and falls for the wild-child daughter (Hough) of the preacher (Quaid) who instituted the ban. This remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic is better than loyal fans of the original will want it to be, but it also has the same flaws as its predecessor. Rated PG-13.

The Ides Of March **
(George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood) Stephen (Gosling) is working hard on the presidential campaign for Governor Mike Morris (Clooney), but personal issues and other complications soon get in the way. With such a stellar cast (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and Marisa Tomei also star) it’s a shame that the story falls so flat. Rated R.

Machine Gun Preacher **
(Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon) A drug-addicted ex-con named Sam (Butler) finds Jesus and fights for children in Africa in this heartwarming story that plays up good Christian values. But is it a good movie? Not really – Sam’s sacrifices are hard to accept and it drags to just over two hours. Rated R.

Real Steel **
(Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly) In the near future, a washed-up boxer (Jackman) and his son (Goyo) train a sparring robot to compete in the high-stakes world of robot boxing. It’s not terrible, but it is a tired retread of “Rocky” with a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robots edge, which is pretty lame. Rated PG-13.

What’s Your Number? **
(Anna Faris, Chris Evans, Ari Graynor) With her sister (Graynor) about to get married, Ally (Faris) asks neighbor Colin (Evans) to track down Ally’s exes to see if she let the right one get away. It has some funny moments, but ultimately suffers from the same tired predictability that afflicts most romantic comedies. Rated R.

Dream House ***
(Daniel Craig, Rachel Wesiz, Naomi Watts) New York City editor Will (Craig) leaves his job to spend more time with wife Libby (Weisz) and their two children. Even though the previews ruined the better of two twists, the film is well paced and entertaining, and Craig, along with director Jim Sheridan, do a remarkable job of conveying Will’s internal struggle. Rated PG-13. –Andrew Hudak

50/50 ***
(Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick) Adam (Gordon-Levitt) is healthy, so the 27 year-old’s journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment is shocking and surprising at all levels. Gordon-Levitt is good and this is a powerful, moving story (with welcome lighthearted moments, courtesy of Rogen) about an unthinkable situation. Rated R.

Dolphin Tale **
(Nathan Gamble, Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman) A boy (Gamble) who’s flunking out of summer school rescues a dolphin, and then helps her recuperate after losing her tail fin. It’s a wholesome family movie through and through, so if you can stomach the sweetness it’s not all bad. But if your patience is thin for bad dialogue, action and storytelling, just wait for it to air on the Hallmark Channel. Rated PG.

Killer Elite **
(Jason Statham, Robert DeNiro, Clive Owen) When his assassin mentor Hunter (DeNiro) is taken captive, Danny (Statham) must kill three British Special Forces officers in order to rescue him. The action is stale, and so is the story. This is a lot of potential and a lot of disappointment rolled into one. Plus Clive Owen’s mustache looks terrible. Rated R.

Moneyball ***1/2
(Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman) After its big-name players leave following the 2001 season, Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane uses baseball science and a group of undervalued, not quite over-the-hill players to fill the void. The performances are strong and the movie is very well told; you don’t have to like baseball to appreciate how darn good this is. Rated PG-13.

Abduction**
(Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Alfred Molina) Nathan Price (Lautner) goes on the run from everyone, including CIA Agent Burton (Molina), with girl next door Karen (Collins). The last 15 minutes are much better than the first 90, but Lautner has some growing up to do before he can truly pull off a tough guy role. Rated PG-13.-Andrew Hudak

Straw Dogs ***
(James Marden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard) David and Amy Sumner (Marsden and Bosworth) move to her childhood home and are attacked by Charlie (Skarsgard) and his cronies. The story is well structured and comes together nicely to the film’s brutal yet natural conclusion. It also makes an interesting point about how everyone has a primal nature that can come out in order to survive. Rated R.-Andrew Hudak

Drive ***1/2
(Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan) A heist-getaway driver (Gosling) helps the deadbeat husband (Oscar Isaac) of his lovely neighbor (Mulligan). It’s quietly subversive and understated, and always very well done. It’s also yet another fine performance from Gosling, who’s a great young talent. Rated R.

Contagion **
(Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law) Director Steven Soderbergh’s (“Ocean’s 11”) film shows the wide-reaching impact of a deadly virus that threatens the world’s population. The story is scattered, none of the characters are widely drawn and there’s never any intrigue. Rated PG-13.

Warrior ****
(Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte) Estranged brothers Tommy (Hardy) and Brendan (Edgerton) are on a collision course to meet in a lucrative Mixed Martial Arts tournament in this heartbreaking drama from director Gavin O’Connor (“Miracle”). The performances are exceptional, the story is devastating and the action is tense without going over the top – you certainly don’t need to like MMA to love this movie. This is one of the best films of the year. Rated PG-13.

Shark Night 3D *1/2
(Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Chris Carmack) A group of pretty young people are attacked by sharks in a Louisiana saltwater lake. The sharks look good and the underwater 3D sequences are impressive, but the rest of the film is flat and predictable. Rated PG-13.-Andrew Hudak

The Debt **
(Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington) An ex-Mossad agent (Mirren) and her two partners live with the guilt of a mission gone awry in East Berlin in the mid-‘60s. Mirren and Chastain (as the younger version of Mirren’s character) are very good, and the story is fascinating, but the jumping timeline does the narrative a supreme disservice. Rated R.

Colombiana **
(Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Cliff Curtis) Cataleya (Saldana) witnesses her parents’ murder as a child, so of course her uncle (Curtis) raises her to be an assassin. It’s supposed to be sexy, action-packed fun, but it’s really just average and uninspired. Rated PG-13.

Our Idiot Brother ***
(Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Rashida Jones) Mellow and loveable hippie Ned (Rudd) lives with his three sisters (Banks, Emily Mortimer and Zooey Deschanel) after getting out of jail for selling marijuana to a uniformed cop. The story is a bit cookie-cutter predictable, but it’s all so sweet and funny that it’s worth it. Rated R.

Chasing Madoff ***1/2
(Harry Markopolos, Frank Casey, Neil Chelo) Three Boston finance men (Markopolos, Casey, and Chelo) uncover a Ponzi scheme perpetuated by Wall Street titan Bernie Madoff. This is a documentary that tells a true tale, but the events that unfold are every bit as gripping and suspenseful as something based on a John Grisham novel. Not Rated. -Andrew Hudak

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark ***
(Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, Bailee Madison) Creepy things start happening inside a renovated old mansion when a young girl (Madison) moves in with her father (Pearce) and his girlfriend (Holmes). The dark, eerie tone is appropriately ominous, and there’s good suspense throughout. Rated R.

Spy Kids: All The Time In The World *
(Jessica Alba, Jeremy Piven, Joel McHale) A former spy and now loving mother (Alba) comes out of retirement to stop a villain named The Timekeeper from speeding up time and ending the world. The acting is wooden, the visual effects are cartoonish, the 3D is a waste and the “Aromascope” scratch-and-sniff cards all smell the same. This is one of the worst movies of the year. Rated PG.

Conan The Barbarian **
(Jason Momoa, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang) An ancient warrior (Momoa) seeks revenge on the man (Lang) who killed his father (Ron Perlman). It’s literally non-stop action, which is amusing at times but gets tirelessly mind numbing after a while. Rated R.

Fright Night ***
(Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette) A teenager (Yelchin) suspects his new neighbor (Farrell) is a vampire in this remake of the ‘80s cult classic. The action and performances are solid and it’s nicely made, but don’t waste money on the 3D. Rated R.

One Day **
(Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson) Platonic best friends Emma (Hathaway) and Dex (Sturgess) meet, fight and grow closer as we drop in on their friendship every July 15th over the span of 20 years. The performances are nice, but it gets exhausting trying to catch up with their lives for each year that passes. Worse, once you do catch up it quickly skips to the next year! Rated PG-13.

The Guard ***1/2
(Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong) A likeable but disaffected Irish cop (Gleeson) teams with an F.B.I. agent (Cheadle) to stop a drug ring in Ireland. Surprisingly humorous but dark in tone, this is one of those rare must-see indie films that we can’t get enough of. Rated R.

Final Destination 5 ***
(Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher) Death proves for the fifth time that he’s a huge Rube Goldberg fan. The film raises an interesting philosophical question that it isn’t prepared to explore, but who cares—there’s plenty of the death and blood that we pay to see, and it should definitely be viewed in 3D. Rated R. -Andrew Hudak

30 Minutes Or Less **
(Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride) A lowly pizza delivery guy (Eisenberg) has a bomb strapped to his chest by two idiots (McBride and Nick Swardson) and must steal $100,000 in order for them to disarm the bomb. There are some laughs here, but it’s ultimately too vulgar and ridiculously stupid for its own good. Rated R.

Tabloid ***
(Joyce McKinney, Jackson Shaw, Kent Gavin) Academy Award-winner Errol Morris’ documentary follows a former “beauty queen” (McKinney) whose devotion to the man of her dreams leads to gunpoint abduction, manacled Mormons, oddball accomplices, bondage modeling, magic underwear and more. It’s certainly crazy, but there are times Morris moves too fast; after 88 quick minutes, you’ll wish the film slowed down and told you more. Rated R.

The Help ***
(Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer) A recent college grad (Stone) in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, secretly writes a tell-all book about the white women in town with the help of two African-American maids (Davis and Spencer). The performances are strong and the story is a quietly powerful tale about women finding themselves in spite of needless bigotry. Based on the best-selling book by Kathryn Stockett. Rated PG-13.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes **
(James Franco, Andy Serkis, John Lithgow) In this prequel to the “Apes” franchise set in modern-day San Francisco, an Alzheimer’s cure is tested on apes until one of them (Serkis) gets sick of being mistreated and starts a rebellion. The motion capture animation and visual effects are stunning, but the story never gets going. Rated PG-13.

The Change-Up ***
(Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde) Best friends Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman) switch bodies and assume the others’ life, and they couldn’t be more different. This is a funny comedy with a story that grows naturally and makes sense, meaning you don’t mind its predictability. Rated R.

The Smurfs **1/2
(Neil Patrick Harris, Hank Azaria, Sofia Vergara) Evil wizard Gargamel (Azaria) chases the tiny blue Smurfs from their enchanted village and all end up in New York City, where the Smurfs befriend a loving couple (Harris, Jayma Mays) about to have a baby. The animated Smurfs mesh well with the real world, but it’s all so cutesy that this is strictly for kids. Rated PG.

Cowboys & Aliens *1/2
(Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde) In the Old West, a thief (Craig) and a cattle rancher (Ford) team up to stop aliens from kidnapping their townspeople and stealing their gold. That’s right: The aliens care about gold. What a joyless, life-suffocating cross-genre mess this is, and it’s boring beyond belief. Rated PG-13.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. **
(Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling) After his wife (Moore) tells him she wants a divorce, a father (Carell) gets advice from a lothario (Gosling) and becomes a surprising ladies man. There’s also a love story involving Gosling’s Jacob and an aspiring lawyer named Hannah (Emma Stone), but herein lies the movie’s biggest problem: The love entanglements of older and younger generations don’t complement one another, and the movie isn’t funny enough to keep us entertained in spite of its narrative flaws. Rated PG-13.

Captain America: The First Avenger **
(Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones) Scrawny Steve Rogers (Evans) becomes super soldier Captain America during WWII and tries to stop a German commander named Red Skull (Weaving) from taking over the world. It’s a dull origins story with lackluster action and languid plotting. Worse, it feels like a long prequel trailer for “The Avengers,” coming May 2012. Rated PG-13.

Friends With Benefits **
(Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Jenna Elfman) When Dylan (Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis) add sex to their otherwise platonic friendship, complications ensue. Does Timberlake sing Kris Kross’ 1992 hit “Jump”? Yes. Is it as funny as it’s intended to be? No, and neither is the entire movie. Rated R.

The Trip **
(Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Claire Keelan) British comedians Steven Coogan and Rob Brydon play versions of themselves in this road comedy as they tour restaurants in northern Britain. The first time we hear their dueling impressions of Michael Caine and Sean Connery, it’s funny; by the fourth time it’s old, and the rest of the film’s dry British wit doesn’t always translate. Not Rated: Adult language and situations.

A Better Life ***1/2
(Demian Bichir, Jose Julian, Bobby Soto) A gardener (Bichir) in L.A. buys a truck he can’t afford in hopes of fulfilling the American dream and providing a better life for his son (Julian), but things don’t go as planned. Strong performances from Bichir and Julian highlight this emotional drama that’s occasionally heavy-handed but ultimately effective. Rated PG-13.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ***1/2
(Daniel Radcliffe, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman) Harry (Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) try to find the remaining Horcruxes and kill Voldemort (Fiennes) in the franchise’s eighth and final film. It’s a fitting, rousing, emotional finale to what’s been a truly remarkable written and cinematic franchise. Kudos to the filmmakers for ending on such a high note. Rated PG-13.

Bride Flight ***
(Rutger Hauer, Karina Smulders, Waldemar Torenstra) A flight from London to New Zealand sparks a decades long friendship amongst four Dutch passengers. While not the most original plot, the characters have an authentic feel to them, and their motivations are clear, which makes this a film worth seeing. Rated R. -Andrew Hudak

Zookeeper ***
(Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Joe Rogan) A lovesick Zookeeper (James) gets advice from his animals. A lighthearted film with a strong moral center--good for the whole family. Rated PG. -Dan Souto

Horrible Bosses ***1/2
(Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day) Three friends (Bateman, Sudeikis, Day) decide to kill their bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston, respectively) after being mistreated for far too long. The story is relatable and the actors are on top of their games in the funniest movie of 2011 thus far. Rated R.

Page One: Inside The New York Times ***
(David Carr, Brian Stelter, Carl Bernstein) Documentarian Andrew Rossi goes behind the scenes for one year at The New York Times, receiving unprecedented access to the company and focusing on how it is handling the emergence of online media. It’s fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes details, but less reliance on Carr and more about the day-to-day functions would’ve been more interesting. Still, it’s compelling for people who care about the news and how it’s gathered. Rated R.

Larry Crowne **
(Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Pam Grier) Fired from his retail job, Larry (Hanks) goes back to college and meets a malcontent speech professor (Roberts) who’s unhappily married. Hanks and Roberts are fine, but the film (directed by Hanks) is boring and bland. Rated PG-13.

Beginners ***
(Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent) After his father (Plummer) comes out as a gay man at age 75 and dies of cancer four years later, Oliver (McGregor) tries to makes sense of the lessons his father taught him in his new relationship with an aspiring actress (Laurent). Plummer oozes vitality as an elderly man who’s finally comfortable with himself, and credit to McGregor for keeping the picture grounded. That said, Oliver’s relationship struggles get tedious after awhile. Rated R.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon ***
(Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel) Sam (LaBeouf) has a new girlfriend (Huntington-Whiteley) as the Autobots and Decepticons once again battle for Earth. It’s way too long at 153 minutes and the story rambles, but the 3D looks great and it’s a lot of fun. Rated PG-13.

Bad Teacher **
(Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake) Gold-digging teacher Liz (Diaz) wants to marry a rich substitute (Timberlake), but a nosey fellow teacher (Lucy Punch) is also interested in him. It’s occasionally funny, but the story lacks drive and there’s nothing really holding it together. But at least Diaz looks hot. Rated R.

Buck ***
(Buck Brannaman, Robert Redford, Reata Brannaman) This is a sensitive, thoughtful documentary about Brannaman, a horse trainer who preaches patience and gentility while conducting clinics throughout the country. I’m not much of a horse lover, but it is fascinating to see Brannaman use his humanity to connect with and “break” a wild horse. Rated PG.

How To Live Forever ***
(Mark Wexler, Jack LaLanne, Suzanne Somers) Filmmaker Mark Wexler speaks with centenarians and scientists about the keys to aging gracefully. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a fascinating look at the aging process that offers a number of insights/tips into looking and feeling young. Not Rated: Elderly nudity and mild language.

Cars 2 ***
(Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine) While Lighting McQueen (Wilson) tries to win the World Grand Prix, Mater (Cable Guy) accidentally gets involved in international espionage. The visuals are grand and spectacular, and there’s enough humor and fun to make this appreciably better than its so-so predecessor. Rated G.

Green Lantern **
(Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong) Test pilot Hal Jordan (Reynolds) is recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force charged with keeping peace in the universe. Reynolds is charming, but some cheesy visual effects, two boring villains and a story going in too many directions do this movie no favors. Rated PG-13.

Submarine **
(Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Sally Hawkins) British teen Oliver (Roberts) tries to keep his unhappily married parents (Hawkins and Noah Taylor) together while dating the feisty Jordana (Paige), his first girlfriend. The comedy doesn’t hit as much as it should, and overall the film is too self-aware for its own good. Rated R.

The Tree Of Life **
(Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain) A father (Pitt) practices tough love with his three sons in 1950s Texas while flashbacks chronicle the origins of life in this long, bloated film from director Terrence Malick (“The Thin Red Line”). One can certainly admire Malick’s ambition, but the execution is not there as the film never cohesively comes together. Rated PG-13.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins **
(Jim Carrey, Ophelia Lovibond, Angela Lansbury) A successful businessman’s (Carrey) life is turned upside down when he inherits six penguins and is forced to keep them in his NYC apartment. The penguins are cute and kids may get a kick out of it, but it’s all silly and predictable. Rated PG.

Super 8 **
(Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths) A train crash precipitates a series of mysterious events in a small Ohio town in 1979. There’s a lot of teasing and hinting before anything is revealed, which means by the time we learn something important it’s too little too late. Director J.J. Abrams shows a lot of affection for Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi and family films of yesteryear, but no one can duplicate the master. Rated PG-13.

X-Men: First Class ****
(James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon) Mutants Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Fassbender) and Charles Xavier/Prof. X (McAvoy) meet and team up to stop Sebastian Shaw (Bacon) from starting World War III. In every regard – acting, storytelling, visual effects, musical score and more – it’s the year’s best movie thus far. Rated PG-13.

Midnight in Paris **
(Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hiddleston) On vacation in Paris with his fiancé (McAdams) in the present day, Gil (Wilson) believes life in different time periods was superior and is whisked away to Paris of the 1920s, where he meets the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald (Hiddleston) and Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll). It’s a clever idea from writer/director Woody Allen, but the charms wear off fast and you need to be familiar with the artists Gil encounters to fully enjoy the humor. Rated PG-13.

The Hangover Part II **1/2
(Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis) The three best friends (Cooper, Helms, Galifianakis) any guy could have reunite for Stu’s wedding in Thailand, and things once again go horribly wrong. It’s essentially a remake of the original, which is fine in that it provides laughs but bad because all the novelty is gone. Rated R.

Lebanon, PA ***
(Josh Hopkins, Samantha Mathis, Rachel Kitson) Philadelphia ad man Will (Hopkins) has to go to the town of Lebanon, PA to settle his dead father’s affairs. While there he meets pregnant teen CJ (Kitson) and falls in love with local teacher Vicki (Mathis). The story centers around Will, but the moral complexity belongs to CJ and her struggle in finding someone to talk to about having an abortion. The film does a good job of creating real people, and the performances are all top notch. Rated PG-13. -Andrew Hudak

Kung Fu Panda 2 ***
(Voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Gary Oldman) Po (Black) and his team of warriors track down an evil peacock (Oldman) determined to destroy Kung Fu. It’s not that funny, but good action and a solid story make this sequel superior to the original (of which I was not a huge fan). Rated PG.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides **
(Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane) Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Blackbeard (McShane) and his daughter (Cruz) race for the Fountain of Youth in the franchise’s fourth film. It’s too long and there are far too many action scenes just for the sake of action. Where has all the fun gone? PG-13.