MOVIES - Dec. 13, 2009

Capsule reviews are by Kenneth Turan (K.Tu.), Betsy Sharkey (B.S.) and other reviewers. Compiled by Anthony Miller.

Openings

WEDNESDAY

Crazy Heart A broken-down country singer, Bad Blake, becomes involves with a journalist and takes stock of his career and his life. With Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell. Based on the novel by Thomas Cobb. Written and directed by Scott Cooper. (1:52) R.

FRIDAY

Avatar An “avatar,” a human mind in an alien body, finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. With Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi and Sigourney Weaver. Written and directed by James Cameron. Also in IMAX 3D. (2:30) PG-13.

Did You Hear About the Morgans? A Manhattan couple whose marriage is on the rocks witness a murder and become targets of a contract killer. With Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, Elisabeth Moss, Michael Kelly and Wilford Brimley. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence. (1:43) PG-13.

Fall Down Dead On Christmas Eve, a single mother becomes trapped inside a building with a serial killer who considers his mutilated victims to be works of art with only a bumbling security guard to protect her. With Dominique Swain, Udo Kier, David Carradine, R. Keith Harris and Mehmet Gunsur. Directed by Jon Keeyes. (1:33) R.

Home A boisterous middle-class family enjoys everyday life in a simple house that lies on a lush, grassy field next to an abandoned highway until it is threatened by construction on the highway. With Isabelle Huppert and Olivier Gourmet. Directed by Ursula Meier. (1:35) NR.

My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done? Inspired by a true crime, a man begins to experience mystifying events that lead him to slay his mother with a sword. With Michael Shannon, Chloe Sevigny, Brad Dourif, Udo Kier, Verne Troyer and Willem Dafoe. Written by Werner Herzog and Herbert Golder. Directed by Herzog. (1:33) NR. Story on Page D5

Nine This musical follows the life of world-famous film director Guido Contini as he tries to balance the numerous women in his life. Starring Nicole Kidman,Kate Hudson,Judi Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Stacy Ferguson, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren. Screenplay by Anthony Minghella and Michael Tolkin. Directed by Rob Marshall. (1:50) PG-13. Story on Page D8

Oceans of Pearls A Sikh doctor moves takes a job at a Detroit hospital where a series of personal and professional events lead him to question his tradition. With Omid Abtahi and Heather McComb. Written by Sarab Neelam and V. Prasad. Directed by Neelam (1:37) PG-13.

Punctured Hope Based on the true life story of Trokosi slave Belinda Siamey, a young West African girl escapes abuse and slavery in Ghana. With Belinda Siamey, Ruffy Samuel Quansah, Joyce Akagbo, Fred Nii Amugi and Gavi. Directed by Bruno Pischiutta. (1:31) NR.

Under the Eightball In this documentary, the filmmaker investigates the cause of his beloved sister’s mysterious illness. Directed by Timothy Grey and Breanne Russell. NR.

The Young Victoria In the turbulent first years of her reign, Queen Victoria falls in love. With Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann and Mark Strong. Written by Julian Fellowes. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. (1:44) PG. Story on Page D14

Critics’ Choices

An Education Invariably funny and inexpressibly moving in the way it looks at a young girl’s journey from innocence to experience, this film does so many things so well, it’s difficult to know where to begin cataloging its virtues. What’s easy is knowing where you’ll end up, which is marveling like everyone else at the performance by Carey Mulligan that is the film’s irreplaceable centerpiece. (K.Tu., Oct. 16) (1:35) NR.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans Cold-blooded reptiles are lurking everywhere in this slick new noir, with snakes, iguanas, gators and especially Nicolas Cage at their slithering and cynical best. Cage is the bad cop who director Werner Herzog pushes into the deep bayou muck, human and otherwise, that Hurricane Katrina has left behind. The filmmaker has done well by noir too, giving us exactly what he should -- crime, corruption, sarcasm, sex, sleaze and shadows all through the glass darkly. (B.S., Nov. 20) (2:01) R.

Bright Star Writer-director Jane Campion has turned the romance between poet John Keats and girl-next-door Fanny Brawne into an exquisitely done, emotional love story that marries heartbreaking passion to formidable filmmaking restraint, all in the service of the unapologetically romantic belief in “the holiness of the heart’s affections.” (K.Tu., Sept. 18) (1:59) PG.

Good Hair Chris Rock tries to untangle a question posed by his young daughter: “Daddy, why don’t I have good hair?” The result is an amusing, poignant and surprisingly candid look at the issues and implications tied to “black” hair -- as in ethnic -- with a disarming Rock coaxing answers and opinions from an eclectic cross-section of African Americans who spend billions to process and weave their way to straightness. With Rock as our tour guide, the film weaves as much comedy as fact into the narrative, making the experience a satisfying entertainment even for the lucky few who have no hair cares at all. (B.S., Oct. 16) (1:35) PG-13.

The Last Station The complicated marriage between Count Leo Tolstoy and Sofya, his indomitable wife of 48 years, has been turned into a showcase for tasty acting by Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren, performers who really know how to sink their teeth into roles. (K.Tu., Dec. 4) (1:42) NR.

The Messenger It would have been easy for this moving new drama that follows an Army casualty notification team as they tell families a loved one has died in combat to turn into a patriotic melodrama or a hopelessly somber tragedy. It is neither. Instead emotions are used sparingly with the director’s restraint allowing the marvelous central cast -- Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton -- to breathe, filling the silences with indelible characters whose humanity makes room for humor and hope as well. (B.S., Nov. 20) (1:45) R.

Pirate Radio The new rock-saturated comedy that proves life’s better when it’s set to a ‘60s soundtrack, is, to borrow from the Stones, “a gas! gas! gas! . . . “ And borrow does it ever -- including from the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Hendrix, the Who, nearly 60 cuts in all in what may be the coolest music video masquerading as a movie ever. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and “Shaun of the Dead”’s Nick Frost lead a groovy ensemble in spinning this somewhat true, but mostly tall tale of Parliament’s fight to crush rock radio and the rogue broadcasters who went to sea to keep it afloat. (B. S., Nov. 13) (2:14) R.

Precious Nothing quite prepares you for the rough-cut diamond that is “Precious.” A rare blend of pure entertainment and dark social commentary, this shockingly raw, surprisingly irreverent and absolutely unforgettable story of an obese, illiterate, pregnant black Harlem teen named Precious is one that should not be missed. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe is impressive as the 16-year-old, but it is the boldness of Mo’Nique’s performance as her soul-destroying nightmare of a mother, that sweeps you away. (B.S., Nov. 6) (1:49) R.

The Princess and the Frog Go ahead and pucker up. Because long before “The Princess and the Frog” is over you’ll want to smooch the charming couple in this foot-stomping, smile-inducing, heart-warming animated twist on the old Brothers Grimm frog-prince fairy tale. Set in jazz age New Orleans, the film is a return to the lush, fluid beauty of hand-drawn animation. It’s an old-fashioned fairy tale set to music in the grand tradition of “Beauty and the Beast,” which is to say the neo-classic ‘90s brand of Disney animation. After so much computer-generated, motion-captured animation high-jinks, the film feels fresh -- a discovery, or a rediscovery, depending on your age. (B.S., Nov. 25) (1:35) G.

Up In The Air Director/co-writer Jason Reitman makes it look easy. In this comic drama about a road warrior played by George Clooney, he blends entertainment and insight, comedy and poignancy, even drama and reality, things that are difficult by themselves but a whole lot harder in combination. This film does all that and never seems to break a sweat. (K.Tu., Dec. 4) (1:49) R.

Also in Theaters

2012 This new disaster film insists the world will end with both a bang and a whimper, the bang of undeniably impressive special effects and the whimper of inept writing and characterization. You pays your money, you takes your choice chances. (K.Tu., Nov. 13) (2:38) PG-13.

According to Greta A rebellious girl on a path headed for trouble spends time with her grandparents at the New Jersey shore where she promises to kill herself. Instead, she begins a romance and discovers a family secret. With Hilary Duff, Ellen Burstyn and Melissa Leo. Written by Michael Gilray. Directed by Nancy Bardawil. (1:28) PG-13.

Armored A crew at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on a heist against their own company. With Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Skeet Ulrich, Milo Ventimiglia, Fred Ward and Columbus Short. Written by James V. Simpson and Chris Parker. Directed by Nimrod Antal. (1:25) PG-13.

Astro Boy plays like “Transformers” for tots, a “Pinocchio” story that stays true to its source material’s storied past without adding much outside of some clankingly obvious political subtext that will alienate people of all stripes. (Glenn Whipp, Oct. 23) (1:30) PG.

Black Dynamite In the pantheon of parody-friendly film genres, blaxploitation cinema -- namely the afro-ed superhero kind embodied by “Shaft,” “Dolemite” and “The Mack” -- hardly needs gilding for jokes. But the makers of the winningly nutty “Black Dynamite” (director/co-screenwriter Scott Sanders, and star/co-screenwriter Michael Jai White) keep the winking to a minimum by unleashing a straight-up ‘70s grindhouse flick, captured with a saturated, grainy film stock and a funk-smothered underscore only a midnight-movie sucka could love. (Robert Abele, Oct. 16) (1:30) R.

The Blind Side Watching “The Blind Side” is like watching your favorite football team; you’ll cheer when things go well, curse when they don’t, and be reminded that in football, as in life, it’s how you play the game that counts -- though winning doesn’t hurt either. Based on the remarkable true story of Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher, the movie stars Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy. She’s a spitfire of a mom, and it’s the kind of role Hollywood should have given the actress ages ago. In the end, this is Bullock’s movie. (B.S., Oct. 20) (2:06) PG-13.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Troy Duffy went from a bartending screenwriter to Harvey Weinstein’s golden boy with “The Boondock Saints.” His resulting bad-behavior flameout in Hollywood was turned into a cautionary documentary (“Overnight”). But the best revenge is a fan base. Now, 10 years later, Duffy has reemerged with a sequel. Time may have healed some of Duffy’s wounds, but it hasn’t made him a better Tarantino knockoff. (Robert Abele, Oct. 30) (1:57) R.

The Box Here’s the setup for the sluggish new sci-fi flick from “Donnie Darko” creator Richard Kelly: Mysterious stranger drops off box, there’s a button to push, a million dollars to collect. Oh, and someone dies. Big dilemmas, big bore. What the plot doesn’t decimate, the film’s pacing does. It’s as if stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a financially strapped couple were on a 10-second delay. Sadly, this is one box that’s not worth picking up off the porch, much less opening, not even for a million dollars. (B.S., Nov. 6) (1:55) PG-13.

Broken Embraces A blind writer working under a pseudonym must heal from a car accident that took his wife and directing career before he can move on with love. With Penélope Cruz, Blanca Portillo, Lluís Homar and Ángela Molina. Written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. In Spanish with English Subtitles. (2:09) R.

Brothers Director Jim Sheridan sets the table early on for everything that will unfold in “Brothers.” It’s a last supper of sorts for the Cahill family, featuring Tobey Maguire as older brother Sam, a Marine captain returning to Afghanistan, and Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), younger by a few years, a roguish reprobate just out of jail. Though Sam’s war experiences will sear and shred the Cahills, family dynamics will actually be the main course with old fights and simmering resentments served alongside rolls and the rest. Unfortunately, the film goes about as badly as the dinner, overcooked or underdone, depending on the scene. (B.S., Dec. 4) (1:50) R.

The Canyon A dream honeymoon in the Grand Canyon turns into a game of survival when a mysterious guide comes along. With Yvonne Strahovski, Eion Bailey, and Will Patton. Directed by Richard Harrah. (1:37) R.

Capitalism: A Love Story Michael Moore’s latest documentary can be digressive, but this director’s scattershot is a lot more interesting than some filmmakers’ focus and many of those individual parts of this look at economic inequality in America are classic. (K.Tu., Sept. 23) (2:00) NR.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Paul Weitz’s stab at vampire camp proves to be a not-quite-deadly adaptation of Darren Shan’s frothy fanged kids book series. John C. Reilly leads the good vamps with Darren (Chris Massoglia) a teen turned half-vampire by his side. Steve (Josh Hutcherson) used to be Darren’s best friend but there was a spider bite, a falling out. Though it’s trying for “An American Werewolf in London” cleverness, the multi-level, multi-age storytelling is missing here. “Cirque” is a harmless bit of fluff with a very cool look, but there’s just never enough bite. (B.S., Oct. 23) (1:48) PG-13.

Coco Before Chanel For someone who was as celebrated internationally as France’s Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the woman who changed the shape of 20th century fashion, not that much is known for sure about her formative years. Though Chanel’s reticence may sound like a barrier to filmmakers, it stimulated co-writer and director Fontaine and star Tautou, who’ve combined to turn “Coco Before Chanel” into a superior filmed biography that brings intelligence, restraint and style to what could have been a more standard treatment. “I know how to express the present,” Chanel liked to say, and showing us just how that expression took form and shape is the accomplishment of this satisfying film. (K.Tu., Sept. 25) In French with English subtitles. (1:50) PG-13.

Couples Retreat Four couples from the Midwest on a tropical getaway must participate in therapy as part of the vacation package. With Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Davis and Kristen Bell. Written by Jon Favreau, Vaughn and Dana Fox. Directed by Peter Billingsley. (1:47) PG-13.

Defamation Director Yoav Shamir speaks with an array of people from across the political spectrum and traveled to places like Auschwitz and Brooklyn on a quest to answer the question, “What is anti-Semitism today?” In English and Hebrew with English subtitles. (1:34) NR.

Died Young Stayed Pretty Although this documentary about the underground rock poster movement begins with a freewheeling array of diverting poster graphics and provocative artist interviews, it soon becomes apparent that there’s no real structure or point of view to it all. The indie-rock poster subculture, at least as seen here, seems so largely populated by tunnel-visioned white guys living in a kind of low-paid, artistic exile, that, without digging beneath their offbeat surfaces, they simply become tiresome mouthpieces. (Gary Goldstein, Nov. 6) (1:35) NR.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol is Robert Zemeckis’ exasperating re-imagining of the Dickens classic as a 3-D action-thriller zooming through the fever dreams of Scrooge. The “It’s better to give than receive” moral is mostly lost in the special effects and there are Jim Carrey’s theatrics to weather. The actor voices eight characters, including Scrooge and the three ghosts who haunt him. By the time Zemeckis finishes piling the shiny presents with all their bells and whistles with under the tree, there’s no room left for tears for Tiny Tim. Bah humbug. (B.S., Nov. 6) (1:16) PG.

The End of Poverty Economists, politicians, activists engaged in anti-poverty campaigns and impoverished citizens discuss whether the true nature of contemporary poverty is rooted in colonialism and its consequences. With Amartya Sen, Joseph Stiglitz, Susan George, Eric Toussaint and John Perkins. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Directed by Philippe Diaz. (1:44) NR.

Everybody’s Fine In this remake of Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Stanno Tutti Bene,” a widower embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children. With Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell. Written and directed by Kirk Jones. (1:35) PG-13.

Fame “Fame,” it turns out, is not going to live forever. It’s officially DOA. Someone has driven a stake through the heart and ripped out the soul of director Alan Parker’s 1980 original. Gone too is almost every shred of the gutsy, gritty script that Christopher Gore wrote. There are a few fresh faces worth note: singer Naturi Naughton and dancer Kherington Payne. But otherwise, unless you are one of those types who always slow down at accident scenes, consider leaving it to the detectives to solve the sad case of “Fame.” If there’s a trial, we’ll let you know. (B.S., Oct.2) (1:47) PG.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox With George Clooney and Meryl Streep as the most urbane couple in the vulpine world, this adaptation of the much-loved Roald Dahl novel animates not only forest animals but the career of director Wes Anderson. (K.Tu., Nov. 13) (1:28) PG.

Fifty Dead Men Walking Inspired by a true story, a young small-time Belfast hustler is recruited by a wily British intelligence agent to infiltrate the IRA. With Jim Sturgess and Ben Kingsley. Written and directed by Kari Skogland. (1:59) R.

Four Seasons Lodge A community of Holocaust survivors come together every summer in the Catskills to celebrate their lives. Written and directed by Andrew Jacobs. (1:37) NR.

The Fourth Kind The vogue for verit? spooks continues with “The Fourth Kind,” but unlike the understated stylistic rigor of “Paranormal Activity,” this alien abduction showpiece about unexplained events in Nome, Alaska, doth protest its bona fides too much. Presented as a cinematic re-creation of traumatic, mysterious occurrences surrounding sleep-deprived patients of psychologist Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich), writer-director Olatunde Osunsanmi attempts an Orson Welles-like confluence of “real” and imagined that might have worked had he gotten out of the way more, literally and figuratively. (Robert Abele, Nov. 6) (1:38). PG-13.

Invictus The inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. With Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Screenplay by Anthony Peckham. Directed by Clint Eastwood. (2:12) PG-13.

La Danse In his 38th film, legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman turns his attention to the Paris Opera Ballet. (2:38) NR.

Law Abiding Citizen Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) wants justice, and when he doesn’t get it from the system, he wants revenge on everyone involved. Because of that “Law Abiding Citizen” spends a lot of time paying lip service to the inequities of a broken judicial system where “some justice is better than no justice at all.” But it’s all a lot of empty talk with the filmmakers figuring if they bandy about the word “justice” enough, it will give the illusion of conscience to a movie that is merely a revenge-genre retread. The moral posturing becomes laughably self-conscious. (Glenn Whipp, Oct. 16) (1:48) R.

The Little Traitor This lyrical yet emotionally spare film is set in 1947 Palestine in the last throes of the British occupation before Israel would be accorded statehood. Based on “Panther in the Basement” by Israeli novelist Amos Oz, the story involves a chance encounter between a precocious young Jewish boy (Ido Port) and a guileless British sergeant, played by Alfred Molina, that changes both lives forever. (B.S., Nov. 13) (1:28) NR.

Love Hurts Down in the dumps since his wife left him, a middle-aged man’s son forces him into the social scene. With Richard E. Grant, Carrie-Anne Moss, Johnny Pacar, Jenna Elfman, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim. Written and directed by Barra Grant. (1:33) PG-13.

The Lovely Bones A young girl who has been murdered watches over her family and her killer from heaven. With Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci and Saoirse Ronan. Screenplay by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, based on the novel by Alice Sebold. Directed by Jackson. (2:16) PG-13.

Me and Orson Welles A romantic coming-of-age story about a teenage actor who lucks into a role in “Julius Caesar” as reimagined by a young director named Orson Welles in New York City circa 1937. With Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay and Ben Chaplin. Written by Holly Gent Palmo and Vincent Palmo, Jr. Directed by Richard Linklater. (1:49) PG-13.

The Men Who Stare at Goats A quirky comedic drama starring George Clooney about one of the strangest aspects of the modern American Army, a time when it was felt that the New Age techniques and beliefs could transform military practice. As the intertitle that begins the film puts it, “more of this is true than you would believe.” (K.Tu., Nov. 6) (1:33) R.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It Behind-the-scenes footage from Michael Jackson’s last rehearsals in preparation for the series of 50 concerts planned at the O2 Arena in London. (1:55) PG.

The Misfortunates Belgium’s entry in the Oscar Foreign Film category is a humorous tale of debauchery, pathos and growing up that finds hope and resurrection amid the moral depravity and lecherous behavior that a 13-year-old’s father and uncles indulge in daily. Based on the novel by Dimitri Verhulst. Directed by Felix van Groeningen. (1:48) NR.

Ninja Assassin A young assassin on the run from the clan that trained him must team with an Europol agent to save both their lives. With Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles and Rick Yune. Screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by James McTeigue. (1:39) R.

Old Dogs Two best friends, an unlucky-in-love divorcee and a fun-loving bachelor, are unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. With John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin and Matt Dillon. Written by David Diamond and David Weissman. Directed by Walt Becker. (1:28) PG.

Paa A story about a relationship between a politician and his thirteen-year-old son who suffers from a progeria-like syndrome which causes accelerated aging. With Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Paresh Rawal. Directed by R. Balakrishnan. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2:13) NR.

Planet 51 The action in this kids flick takes place on an alternate-universe version of Earth where Shrek-green humanoids live out SoCal-accented happy days. When astronaut Chuck Baker (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) emerges from his lunar module, the little green people freak out. The premise is OK enough, even if it is like one of those old “Star Trek” episodes in which Kirk and crew would land on a planet whose culture was modeled on the Roman Empire or Chicago’s Gangland. If, as Chuck suggests, the ‘60s are about to take hold on Planet 51, we just hope someone writes a protest song about this movie. (Glenn Whipp, Nov. 20) (1:31) PG.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee A married woman leading a seemingly idyllic life embarks on a journey of self discovery after moving to a retirement community with her older husband and meets a younger acquaintance. With Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Blake Lively, Maria Bello, Keanu Reeves, Monica Bellucci, Julianne Moore and Winona Ryder. Written and directed by Rebecca Miller. (1:33) R.

Red Cliff Filled with wall-to-wall battle scenes, this old-fashioned action epic feels like the kind of movie director John Woo must have dreamed of when he was a child, a four-square endeavor where women are beautiful, men form manly bonds and warriors with six arrows in them walk around as if nothing happened. (K.Tu., Nov. 25) (2:28) R.

The Road Despite strong areas, including fine acting by Viggo Mortensen and young Kodi Smit-McPhee as father-and-son survivors of an unnamed apocalypse, what we’ve been given is no more than a reasonable facsimile, an honorable attempt at filming Cormac McCarthy’s unfilmable book. (K.Tu., Nov. 25) (1:50) R.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year An impossible love story between a geek and college hottie. With Ranbir Kapoor, Shazahn Padamsee, Sharon Prabhakar, and Gauhar Khan. Written by Jaideep Sahni. Directed by Shimit Amin. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2:35) NR.

A Serious Man Writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen have seized the opportunity afforded by the Oscar-winning success of their last film, “No Country for Old Men,” to make their most personal, most intensely Jewish film, a pitch-perfect comedy of despair that, against some odds, turns out to be one of their most universal as well. (K.Tu., Oct. 2) (1:45) R.

Serious Moonlight A Manhattan lawyer holds her husband captive when she arrives at her upstate country home to find him expecting a romantic weekend with his mistress. With Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long. Written by Adrienne Shelly. Directed by Cheryl Hines. (1:24) R.

A Single Man Set in 1962 Los Angeles during the Cuban missile crisis, a British college professor struggles to find meaning to his life after the death of his longtime partner. With Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. Written by Tom Ford and David Scearce. Directed by Ford. (1:39) NR.

Skin is an ambitious, if sometimes uneven indie film. This truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story plucked out of South Africa’s apartheid traces the attitudes and government edicts, medical tests and court suits, confusion and heartbreak that would batter Sandra (Sophie Okonedo), a black child born of white parents who was classified white, then “colored,” then white again. In a day when it’s difficult to say something new about the racial divide, Sandy’s story has a poignant power, underscoring just how deeply the fissures run even when it’s all in the family. (B.S., Oct. 30) (1:47) PG-13.

The Strip The employees of a low-end electronics store find creative ways to stave of boredom and their impending adulthood. With Dave Foley, Rodney Scott, Billy Aaron Brown, Federico Dordei and Jenny Wade. Written and directed by Jameel Khan. (1:31) PG-13.

That Evening Sun An aging Tennessee farmer returns home to confront betrayal, an old enemy and the loss of his farm. With Hal Holbrook, Barlow Jacobs, Mia Wasikowska, Carrie Preston, Ray McKinnon and Barry Corbin. Written and directed by Scott Teems. (1:50) PG-13.

Transylmania In this vampire movie spoof, a group of college students embark on a semester abroad at Razvan University, located deep in the heart of Transylvania. With Patrick Cavanaugh, James DeBello, Tony Denman, Paul H. Kim and Jennifer Lyons. Screenplay by script by Patrick Casey and Worm Miller. Directed by David and Scott Hillenbrand. (1:32) R.

Turning Green This amusing Irish coming-of-age comedy set in 1979 takes its title from the effect of chug-a-lug beer drinking upon 16-year-old James (gifted newcomer Donal Gallery). Pub patrons bet on his prowess, and James adds his winnings to the money he’s saving to get him and his brother back to America. On a trip to London, James discovers porn magazines and imports them to sell to local men. The wryly made point here is that nudity in magazines was illegal in Ireland until the 1990s. (Kevin Thomas, Nov. 7) (1:25) NR.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Constrained by the plot of the novel, this sequel keeps teen lovers Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson apart for quite a spell, robbing the project of the crazy-in-love energy that made “Twilight,” the first entry in the series, such a guilty pleasure. (K.Tu., Nov. 19) (2:10) PG-13.

Uncertainty With the flip of a coin, a couple is sent into two alternative realities, a drama about family and loss in Brooklyn and a tale of intrigue and suspense on the streets of Manhattan. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins, Assumpta Serna and Olivia Thirby. Written and directed by Scott McGhee and David Siegel. (1:45) NR.

Until the Light Takes Us A examination of the black metal music scene. Directed by Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell. (1:33) NR.

The Vicious Kind A bitter construction worker’s life is turned upside down one Thanksgiving weekend. With J.K. Simmons, Adam Scott, Alex Frost and Brittany Snow. Written and directed by Lee Toland Krieger. (1:32) NR.

Where The Wild Things Are In the new version of Maurice Sendak’s brief but classic children’s book, more -- admired director Spike Jonze, smart co-screenwriter Dave Eggers, top-flight actors including Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini and Forest Whitaker and a budget estimated at $80 million to $100 million dollars -- has paradoxically become less: a precious, self-indulgent cinematic fable that not everyone is not going to love. (K.Tu., Oct. 16) (1:34) PG.

Women in Trouble A day in the lives of ten seemingly disparate women all headed for trouble including a few call girls, a porn star and a flight attendant. With Carla Gugino, Connie Britton, Adrianne Palicki, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Simon Baker and Josh Brolin. Written and directed by Sebastian Gutierrez. (1:35) R.

Yesterday Was a Lie A young girl with a sharp mind and a weakness for bourbon finds herself on the trail of a reclusive genius and discovers that the most powerful force in the universe -- the power to bend reality, the power to know the truth -- lies within the depths of the human heart. With Kipleigh Brown, John Newton and Chase Masterson. Writen and directed by James Kerwin (1:29) PG

Zombieland The horror-comedy is not your average gore-nucopia. There are plenty of exploding heads, sure, but while there are a number of gross-outs and jolts in it, “Zombieland” is mostly about character-based laughs. Jesse Eisenberg does his wimpy shtick (imagine a young Woody Allen fumbling for a shotgun), Emma Stone is saucy, and Abigail Breslin is killer-cute as her rifle-toting little sister. But no one looks to be enjoying the ride more than Woody Harrelson as a zombie slayer with a Twinkie fetish. (Michael Ordoña, Oct. 2) (1:21) R.

All movies are in release unless noted. Also included: the film’s running time and ratings. MPAA categories: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one 17 and younger admitted.