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What's new this week: "A Girl Cut in Two," "Changeling," "Passengers," "Planet B-Boy," "Rock n Rolla," "What Just Happened," "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"
OPENING THIS WEEK
"Changeling," from director Clint Eastwood. AP's grade: C. Synopsis: Angelina Jolie stars as a single mom fighting corrupt police trying to cover their tracks in the abduction of her son. Rating: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language. Length: 141 minutes. Web site: www.changelingmovie.net
"A Girl Cut in Two," an exploration of twisted relationships. Washington Post's grade: B. Synopsis: A TV weather girl is caught in the middle when a spoiled playboy and a famous author compete for her affections. Rating: Unrated but contains sexual content, vulgarity and adult themes. Length: 114 minutes. Web site: www.ifc films.com/viewFilm.htm?filmId=756
"The Haunting of Molly Hartley," making deals with the devil is never good. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: Parents make a pact with the devil to save their daughter's life. But all hell breaks loose when the devil comes to collect. Rating: PG-13 for strong thematic material, violence and terror, brief strong language and some teen drinking. Length: 87 minutes. Web site: www.thehauntingofmolly hartley.com
"Passengers," with Anne Hathaway as a conspiracy theorist. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: A grief counselor treats six plane crash survivors and becomes a little too emotionally involved with one of them. Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements including some scary images, and sensuality. Length: 94 minutes. Web site: www.sony pictures.com/movies/passengers
"Planet B-Boy," great things never die. Washington Post's grade: B. Synopsis: A documentary that chronicles the resurgence of breakdancing. Rating: Unrated but contains profanity. In English, French, German, Japanese and Korean with subtitles. Length: 101 minutes. Web site: www.planetbboy.com
"RocknRolla," Guy Ritchie directs. AP's grade: B. Synopsis: London crooks scramble for a piece of the action in a land scheme. With Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton and Ludacris. Rating: R for pervasive language. Length: 113 minutes. Web site: wwws.warnerbros.co.uk/rocknrolla
"What Just Happened," Barry Levinson's Hollywood satire. AP's grade: D+. Synopsis: A producer (Robert De Niro) juggles family and film pressures. With Sean Penn and Bruce Willis. Rating: R for language, some violent images, sexual content and some drug material. Length: 107 minutes. Web site: www.whatjusthappenedfilm.com
"Zack and Miri Make a Porno," another sexy (and raunchy) comedy from director Kevin Smith. AP's grade: B-. Synopsis: Destitute roommies (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) try to make a skin flick to raise cash. Rating: R for strong crude sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity and pervasive language. Length: 101 minutes. Web site: www.zackandmiri.com
CONTINUING
"An American Carol," with Kelsey Grammer. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: This twist on Charles Dickens features three spirits that give an anti-American filmmaker a lesson in U.S. values. Rating: PG-13 for rude and irreverent content, and for language and brief drug material. Length: 83 minutes. Web site: www.americancarol.com
"Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!" presented by Wingspan Reel Pride Grade: Not reviewed Synopsis: The boys from the 2006 hit are back, and the college freshmen are headed to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. There they find RuPaul and former Kid in the Hall Schott Thompson! Rating: Not rated, but extremely raunchy Length: 95 minutes Web site: www.anothergaysequel.com
"Appaloosa," a reteaming of "History of Violence" stars Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris. AP's grade: C. Synopsis: Hired lawman (Mortensen and Harris) take on a tough rancher (Jeremy Irons) in a Western directed by Harris. Renee Zellweger co-stars. Rating: R for some violence and language. Length: 115 minutes.
"Bangkok Dangerous," with Nicolas Cage. AP's grade: C. Synopsis: A lone-wolf hit man finds a young friend and potential romance on assignment in Thailand. Rating: R for violence, language and some sexuality. Length: 108 minutes.
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua," touted as "the best chihuahua movie of all time." Gannett's grade: B-. Synopsis: A pampered pooch (voiced by Drew Barrymore) gets stranded in Mexico. The live-action family flick also features Andy Garcia and George Lopez. Rating: PG for some mild thematic elements. Length: 85 minutes.
"Body of Lies," directed by Ridley Scott. AP's grade: B-. Synopsis: A CIA man (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes after a terrorist kingpin while a crafty colleague (Russell Crowe) runs interference. Rating: R for strong violence, including some torture, and for language throughout. Length: 128 minutes. Web site: bodyoflies.warnerbros.com/index.html
"Bottle Shock," known in some circles of "The Grapes of Froth." Washington Post's grade: A. Synopsis: In 1976 the owner (Alan Rickman) of a struggling Parisian wine shop decides to hold a taste contest between French and California wines. Rating: PG-13 for strong language, some sexual content and a scene of drug use. Length: 103 minutes.
"City of Ember," a fantasy adventure for the entire family. Gannett's grade: B. Synopsis: Tim Robbins and Bill Murray star in a fantasy about an underground city coping with an energy crisis. Rating: PG for mild peril and some thematic elements. Length: 95 minutes. Web site: www.cityofember.com
"The Duchess" Keira Knightley in another period movie. AP's grade: B. Synopsis: Knightley stars as an 18th-century ancestor of Princess Diana who becomes a major political player. With Ralph Fiennes. Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material. Length: 105 minutes. Web site: www.theduchessmovie.com
"Eagle Eye," featuring "IT" boy Shia LaBeouf. Gannett's grade: B+. Synopsis: Strangers (LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan) are cast together as fugitives by a phone call from a mystery woman. Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language. Length: 118 minutes.
"The Express," a new "Brian's Song, sort of. Gannett's grade: B. Synopsis: Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first black Heisman Trophy winner, faces his greatest challenge after leukemia is diagnosed. Dennis Quaid co-stars. Rating: PG for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality. Length: 129 minutes. Web site: www.theexpressmovie.com
"Ghost Town," starring Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear. Gannett's grade: B+. Synopsis: The ghost of Frank Herlihy (Kinnear) chooses an unlikely ghost whisperer (Gervais) to help break up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen. Rating: PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references. Length: 102 minutes.
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year," a launching pad for Zach Efron. AP's grade: B- Synopsis: Troy, Gabriella and the Wildcat gang face the prospect of life apart as the end of high school looms. Plenty of dancing and singing softens the blow. Rating: G. Length: 100 minutes. Web site: disney.go.com/disneypictures/ highschoolmusical3
"The House Bunny," starring "Scary Movie" actress Anna Faris. AP's grade: C+. Synopsis: An exiled Playboy bunny (Faris) offers lessons on living to the social misfits of a college sorority. Rating: PG-13 for sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language. Length: 98 minutes.
"Igor," voiced by John Cusack. AP's grade: D. Synopsis: A hunchbacked lab assistant has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist and winning the first place prize at the annual Evil Science Fair. Rating: PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language. Length: 86 minutes.
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" a modern twist on Jules Verne's classic sci-fi tale. AP's grade: B-. Synopsis: Brendan Fraser journeys to the Earth's core - and he does it in 3-D. Rating: PG for intense adventure action and some scary moments. Length: 92 minutes.
"The Last Mistress," from French director Catherine Breillat. Gannett's Grade: B+. Synopsis: The young and dissolute Ryno de Marigny is betrothed to marry a virtuous gem of the French aristocracy. But there are whispers that the young man will never break off his affair with Vellini, which has been going on for years. In a swirl of confidences, betrayals and secrets, feelings will prove their strength to be invincible. Rating: Not rated. Length: 114 minutes.
"Mamma Mia!" the film version of the campy musical. AP's grade: C. Synopsis: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and the music of ABBA highlight this tale of a woman sorting out which of three old flames is the dad to walk her daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Rating: PG-13 for some sex-related comments. Length: 108 minutes.
"Max Payne," with Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Gannett's grade: C-. Synopsis: Payne, a maverick cop trying to track down those responsible for the brutal murders of his family and partner, takes a nightmare journey into a dark underworld. Rating: PG-13 for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language. Length: 99 minutes.
"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," the third outing for the archaeologist hero (Brendan Fraser) and his adventuresome family. Gannett's grade: B+. Synopsis: The clan embarks on a dig in China, where they end up battling an ancient ruler (Jet Li) who springs back to life aiming to conquer the world. Rating: PG-13 for adventure and violence. Length: 114 minutes.
"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," the thinking teen's romantic comedy. Gannett's grade: B. Synopsis: A Manhattan all-nighter holds the promise of romance for two teens (Michael Cera and Kat Dennings). Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior. Length: 90 minutes.
"Pineapple Express," yet another Judd Apatow-produced comedy. AP's grade: C+. Synopsis: A pothead (Seth Rogen) who witnesses a murder ends up on the run with his dealer (James Franco). Rating: R for pervasive language, drug use, sexual references and violence. Length: 108 minutes.
"Pride and Glory," starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell AP's grade: D+. Synopsis: Two New York cops, who happen to be brother's in law, are caught in a messy investigation after four of their fellow officers are killed in an ambush. Family secrets spill as the investigation mounts. Rating: R for strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content. Length: 129 minutes. Web site: www.prideandglorymovie.com
"Quarantine," another horror movie not screened for critics. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: A news crew's video holds the key to the truth about a mysterious infection that strikes an apartment building in this horror tale. Rating: R for bloody violence and disturbing content, terror and language. Length: 89 minutes. Web site: www.containthetruth.com
"Religulous," a documentary from "Borat" director Larry Charles. AP's grade: B. Synopsis: Bill Maher travels the world to talk God and religion with the faithful. Rating: R for some language and sexual material. Length: 101 minutes.
"Saw V," the gore continues. Grade: Not reviewed Synopsis: It seems that Jigsaw is dead, with forensics expert Hoffman the last man standing. But Hoffman goes on the hunt in order to protect the secret that he is the newest person to carry on Jigsaw's legacy. Rating: R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, language and brief nudity. Length: 88 minutes. Web site: www.saw5.com
"The Secret Life of Bees," with Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah. Gannett's grade: B. Synopsis: Based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd, this is the story of a 14-year-old who runs away with her caregiver to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. Rating: PG-13 for thematic material and some violence. Length: 110 minutes.
"Sex Drive," with James Marsden and Seth Green. Gannett's grade: B. Synopsis: An 18-year-old finally has the chance to lose his virginity, but he has to drive to Knoxville to meet the woman he met online. Hilarity ensues. Rating: R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, language, some drug and alcohol use - all involving teens. Length: 108 minutes.
"Star Wars: The Clone Wars," a prelude to a TV cartoon series. AP's grade: C+. Synopsis: George Lucas presents an animated adventure featuring Jedis Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Rating: PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking. Length: 98 minutes.
"Step Brothers," with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. AP's grade: D+. Synopsis: Ferrell and Reilly play adult slackers who become family when one's mom marries the other's dad. Rating: R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language. Length: 112 minutes.
"The Traitor," a tale of terrorism and espionage - based on idea from Steve Martin. AP's grade: C. Synopsis: Don Cheadle's an ex-American operative suspected in a terrorism conspiracy. With Guy Pearce. Rating: PG-13 for violence, thematic material and brief language. Length: 112 minutes.
"Transsiberian," co-written by Tucsonan Will Conroy. LA Times' grade: A. Synopsis: Two missionaries find a mysterious Spanish traveler, his American girlfriend and more adventure than they bargained for when they take the train from Beijing to Moscow. Rating: R for some violence, including torture and language. Length: 111 minutes.
"Tropic Thunder," with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Tom Cruise. AP's grade: B-. Synopsis: A group of pampered, hapless actors go off to make a Vietnam War movie and get caught in a real battle. Rating: R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material. Length: 106 minutes.
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona," a Woody Allen romantic drama set in Spain. AP's grade: B+. Synopsis: An American tourist (Scarlett Johansson) becomes romantically entangled with a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his crazy ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexuality, and smoking. Length: 96 minutes.
"W." starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Richard Dreyfuss and James Cromwell. AP's grade: B-. Synopsis: Oliver Stone's flashback through the life of Pres. George W. Bush takes viewers from his youthful battle with alcohol to his adult battle with his terrorists. Rating: PG-13 for language including sexual references, some alcohol abuse, smoking and brief disturbing war images. Length: 110 minutes.
"WALL 1/3E," the latest animated adventure from the Pixar-Disney folks. AP's grade: B+. Synopsis: An abandoned janitorial robot crosses the galaxy for love. Rating: G. Length: 97 minutes.
"The Women," with Meg Ryan, Annette Bening and Debra Messing. AP's grade: D. Synopsis: An update of the 1939 classic about a woman with a cheating hubby and a circle of gossipy friends. Rating: PG-13 for sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking. Length: 114 minutes.
From staff and wire sources.
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