MOVIES - Nov. 22, 2009

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

Openings

WEDNESDAY

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.

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.

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. Featuring 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 6-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.

The Princess and the Frog This animated musical marks the return to hand-drawn animation in this modern twist on a classic tale set in New Orleans. With the voices of Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings and Jenifer Lewis. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. (1:35) G. Stories on Page D1 and D5.

Red Cliff An historical adaptation revolving around the naval Battle of Red Cliffs during the final days of the Han Dynasty. With Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro. Written by John Woo and Khan Chan. Directed by Woo. (2:28) R. Story on Page D5

The Road A father and son wander through a post-apocalyptic wasteland in this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. With Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McKee, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce and Charlize Theron. Screenplay by Joe Penhall. Directed by John Hillcoat. (1:50) R. Story on Page D1

FRIDAY

The Missing Person A private detective is hired to tail a man, on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles, who was presumed dead after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. With Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan, Margaret Colin and John Ventimiglia. Written and directed by Noah Buschel. (1:35) NR.

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. Story on Page D4

The Sun A portrait of Japan’s wartime emperor, Hirohito. With Issei Ogata and Robert Dawson. Directed by Alexander Sokurov. (1:55) NR.

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.

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.

The Damned United Starring Michael Sheen as legendary British soccer coach Brian Clough, this is a compelling sports film because on one level it doesn’t seem to be about sports at all. It’s about ambition, betrayal and moral blindness, the tale of a complicated, driven, gifted man whose flaws are so striking they flirt with raising his story to the level of tragedy. (K.Tu., Oct. 16) (1:37) R.

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.

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.

More Than a Game Destined to be known as “the LeBron James movie,” this knockout sports documentary is a whole lot more. It shows how the bond that James formed with his teammates in high school and earlier sustained him and transformed everyone’s lives. (K.Tu., Oct 2) (1:45) PG.

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.

Also in Theaters

2012 An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and the heroic struggle of the survivors. With John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson. Written by Roland Emmerich and Harald Kloser. Directed by Emmerich. (2:38) PG-13.

Amelia History can weigh heavily on a filmmaker and that is what happens with “Amelia,” which stars Hilary Swank in a disappointing rendering of the remarkable life of Amelia Earhart. The pioneering aviator lost in flight is a figure so iconic, and director Mira Nair so tentative with her legend, that all the reverence and tiptoeing around grounds a film that should have soared. But like her subject, the filmmaker gets lost in the clouds. (B.S., Oct. 23) (1:30) PG.

Antichrist is a tangled mess of sex, evil and death, with auteur Lars von Trier making a stab at allegory and old-fashioned horror, but ultimately failing on both fronts. The two central characters are called He and She, portrayed by Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. They are a couple broken by the death of their toddler in what appears to be a tragic accident, but there are dark forces gathering. There is a seductive Botticelli beauty to the film, but the artistry that has made von Trier so compelling as a filmmaker with a great deal to say is nowhere to be found. (B.S., Oct. 23) (1:44) NC-17.

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.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans A rogue detective and drug addict navigates post-Katrina New Orleans along with his prostitute girlfriend. With Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, and Fairuza Balk. Directed by Werner Herzog. (2:01) R.

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 The true story of a young, homeless African-American boy taken in by a well-to-do white family to discover his potential as a student and a football player. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron, Lily Collins and Jae Head. Written and directed by John Lee Hancock. (2:06) PG-13.

Blood Equity explores the dark side of the National Football League and the players who give their lives to it. Directed by Michael Felix. (1:03) NR.

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.

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.

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.

Dare Three teenagers in their last semester of school try to shake things up before graduating and entering the real world. With Emmy Rossum, Ashley Springer, Zach Gilford, Ana Gasteyer, Rooney Mara, Sandra Bernhard and Alan Cumming. Written by David Brind, based on the short film by Adam Salky. Directed by Salky. (1:32) R.

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.

Disgrace In this adaptation of the novel by Nobel Prize-winning writer J.M. Coetzee, a professor of literature in South Africa is exiled to live in the country with his daughter after having an affair with a mixed-race student. With John Malkovich, Jessica Haines, Eriq Ebouaney and Fiona Press. Directed by Steve Jacobs. (1:58) 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.

Do Knot Disturb A rich businessman tries to hide his extramarital affair with a supermodel in this musical comedy. With Govinda, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Sohail Khan. Directed by David Dhawan. In Hindi with English subtitles.

Endgame A political thriller about the real-life negotiations that led to the end of apartheid in South Africa and the release of Nelson Mandela. With William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller, Mark Strong and Derek Jacobi. Screenplay by Paula Milne, based on a book by Robert Harvey. Directed by Pete Travis. (1:41) PG-13.

The Fall First-time writer-director John Krueger buries a promising neo-noir plot with ponderous pacing and uneven performances and dialogue. The assured and imaginative Erica Shaffer makes her wicked wife amusing in this otherwise glum movie. (Kevin Thomas, Oct. 23) (1:58) NR.

The Fourth Kind The vogue for verité 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.

Gamer A high-concept chiller set in a dystopian future where players can control other humans in an elaborate online competition. With Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Zoe Bell, Kyra Sedgwick. Written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. (1:45) R.

Gentlemen Broncos Satire aside, what the oddball folks here never feel is real, despite the filmmakers’ claims of autobiographical parallels. Instead, badly dressed and unflatteringly shot, they come off like punch lines to jokes that never pay off. With his deft timing and wonderfully expressive face, the always appealing Michael Angarano gamely tries to hold together what little there is of “Gentlemen Broncos,” but it’s a thankless task. (Gary Goldstein, Oct. 30) (1:29) PG-13.

Hannah Free Sharon Gless achieves a career high playing a blunt, salty old lesbian, confined to a wheelchair in a convalescent home and forbidden to say goodbye to her longtime lover Rachel, lying in a coma down the hall from her by the lover’s religious conservative daughter (Taylor Miller). The film is skillfully adapted by Claudia Allen from her play, gracefully directed by Wendy Jo Carlton and the fine cast includes Maureen Gallagher and Ann Hagemann as the older and younger Rachel and by Kelli Strickland as the younger Hannah (Kevin Thomas, Oct. 23). (1:28) NR (adult themes).

The Headless Woman A mysterious and intriguing tale of a woman who may have killed someone or something while driving on a dirt road. As she tries to piece together what happened, her husband systematically tries to erase her tracks. With Maria Onetto. Directed by Lucrecia Martel. (1:27) NR.

Highwater If there’s such a thing as too much beauty in a film, this surfing documentary is guilty of it. Director-writer-narrator Dana Brown has crafted a compelling, thoroughly gorgeous look at late 2005’s Triple Crown of Surfing, held yearly on Oahu’s famed North Shore. (Gary Goldstein, July 24) (1:30) NR.

The House of the Devil In this woeful era of show gore and telegraphed shocks, writer-director Ti West’s faith in the old-school virtues of deliberately paced, nervous-laughter-inducing creep should be championed. Fashioned like an unearthed scare flick from 1982, “House” has plenty of fun with freeze-frame titles, zoom lenses and crescendoing strings. But it’s an opening crawl about satanic cults that’s the first sign of West’s manipulative chops: What ensues is a modest tour de force of voyeuristic, atmospheric tension. (Robert Abele, Oct. 30) (1:33) R.

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell The adventures of Tucker Max, a beer-guzzling, demoralizing womanizer. With Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford and Geoff Stults. Screenplay by Tucker Max and Nils Parker. Directed by Bob Gosse. (1:45) R.

The Invention of Lying What to say about British stand-up Ricky Gervais’ new comedy, “The Invention of Lying.” Ah, yes? Brilliant really, hmmm. Sorry, lying. The film, which stars Gervais, plays more like a 15-minute bit nestled inside a stand-up routine. If he would just take a little more time on execution the next time he plays “Let’s make a movie,” he might actually make a great one. (B.S., Oct. 2) (1:39) 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.

London River An Englishwoman and a Frenchman put aside their cultural differences in the search for their two children. Starring Brenda Blethyn & Sotigui Kouyate. Directed by Rachid Bouchareb. In English and French. (1:27) NR.

Looking for Palladin meanders around Antigua (Guatemala) at a leisurely gait and enjoys the presence of Ben Gazzara in its central role. That’s about all there is to find, however. Is this a wacky comedy, as its wild coincidences and sprightly music imply? Or is it a serious family drama, as the final 20 minutes or so suddenly seem to be? Paved with clichés, “Looking for Palladin” is a long journey with no new places. (Michael Ordoña, Nov. 6) (1:55) NR.

Lord Save Us From Your Followers Writer-director Dan Merchant sets out to discover why belief in God and religion is dividing America. With Al Franken. (1:40) PG-13.

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 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.

The Messenger The friendship between two officers who must notifying the loved ones of fallen soldiers is threatened when one of them is drawn to a young widow. With Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Steve Buscemi and Eamonn Walker. Written by Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman. Directed by Moverman. (1:45) 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.

Motherhood The film surveys the trials, joys and daily challenges mothers face in raising children. With Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver and Anthony Edwards. Written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann. (1:30) PG-13.

New York, I Love You is a cinematic salon where the topic is the serendipity of romantic possibilities to be found in Manhattan’s coffee shops, restaurants, shops, bars and backrooms. Eleven directors (and even more writers) have turned up for the party, offering up distinct tales of the city. While they ramble on, we sit perched like pigeons with a bird’s-eye view of the proceedings, sampling the crumbs thrown in our direction. A few of the movie morsels prove delicious, a few of them seem half-baked; most are never quite enough to completely satisfy, a case of story interruptus, wouldn’t you know. (B.S., Oct. 16) (1:52) R.

Ong Bak 2: The Beginning Bruce Lee is dead, Jackie Chan and Jet Li are slowing down, but the world of martial arts never sleeps. Keeping everyone awake these days is Tony Jaa, Thailand’s biggest action hero, who returns to inflict more damage. (K.Tu., Oct. 23) (1:37) R.

Paranormal Activity First-time director Oren Peli has created a psychological thriller of such small scale and yet such heightened impact that no doubt Hitchcock, wherever he may be, is smiling. There’s not much to the story of Katie and Micah, a young couple just setting up house: Evil has its eye on her, they try to escape it, and there’s a lot of scary stuff in between. Ultimately Peli understands that it’s what you don’t see, and the way in which you don’t see it, that counts. (B.S., Oct. 3) (1:39) R.

Planet 51 When an American astronaut lands on Planet 51 he discovers little green people living an idyllic America-in-the-’50s-type life, fearful only of alien invaders. With the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman and John Cleese. Written by Joe Stillman. Directed by Jorge Blanco. (1:31) PG.

Saw VI In what might be the shrewdest, most politically tinged move for this reprehensibly gory, obnoxiously cynical and incompetently directed series, the “Saw VI” writers have given Jigsaw a target for his death-and-dismemberment contraptions that movie audiences (who like this stuff) might actually feel some real-life vengeance toward: slick, coverage-denying bureaucrats. The usual critiques apply: terrible acting, zero suspense, laughable logic and the promise of another one next year. How can we get this policy canceled? (Robert Abele, Oct. 24) 2:00. R.

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.

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.

Stan Helsing Hapless video store clerk Stan Helsing and his friends one unfortunate Halloween night find themselves stranded in the mysterious residential development of Stormy Night Estates when Stan learns of his true destiny as a descendant of the legendary monster hunter Van Helsing. With Steve Howey, Kenan Thompson and Leslie Nielsen. Written and directed by Bo Zenga. (1:30) R.

Staten Island When three men seeking better lives intersect, things will never be the same in this mob thriller. With Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Seymour Cassel and Julianne Nicholson. Directed by James DeMonaco. (1:36) R.

The Stepfather is that rarity, an effective remake of a screen classic that can stand alone on its own considerable merits. Director Nelson McCormick and writer J.S. Cardone deftly reworked the 1987 film (written by Donald E. Westlake and directed by Joseph Ruben) while wisely adhering to the essence of the chilling original. (Kevin Thomas, Oct. 17) (1:41) PG-13.

Storm A young lawyer risks life and limb prosecuting the commander of the Yugoslavian National Army for atrocious war crimes against Bosnian-Muslim civilians. With Kerry Fox and Anamaria Marinca. Directed by Hans-Christian Schmid. (1:45) NR.

Surrogates Director Jonathan Mostow is a little too enamored with all the shiny, colorful surfaces and propulsive action (successfully captured by cinematographer Oliver Wood) to ever develop a truly creepy speculative-future vibe from the programmatic screenplay by John Brancato and Michael Ferris. Willis gets one mini-scene emoting man-among-mannequins street panic when Tom first ventures outside after years as a hermit. But then it’s a guns-and-chases race to the ticking-bomb end. (Robert Abele, Sept. 25) (1:44) PG-13.

TEN9EIGHT: Shoot for the Moon A chronicle of several teens from low-income communities learning how to be entrepreneurs by competing in an annual business plan competition. Written and directed by Mary Mazzio. (1:25) NR.

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.

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. When those triple-X magazines spread throughout the community, “Turning Green” takes off in earnest. (Kevin Thomas, Nov. 7) (1:25) NR.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson return in this sequel to “Twilight” which finds Bella drawn into the world of werewolves after the devastating departure of her vampire love. With Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, based on the book by Stephenie Meyer. Directed by Chris Weitz. (2:10) PG-13.

(Untitled) As in the best movie satires, there’s a solid core of truth informing director Jonathan Parker’s film, which takes on the New York art and music worlds in one smart and funny swoop. The filmmakers are also blessed with a strong cast, whose portrayals of the movie’s various buyers, sellers and creators rarely feel forced or concocted but believably lived in. (Gary Goldstein, Oct. 23) (1:36) R.

Victory Day A war photographer takes on an oligarch guilty of sabotaging Russia’s reforms and privatization of the 1990s. With Natalie Shiyanova, Sean Ramsay and Gabriela Stern. Written by David Fellowes. Directed by Sean Ramsay. (1:43) 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.

William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe Filmmakers Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler explore the life of their father, the late radical civil rights lawyer who fought with Martin Luther King, Jr. and represented the famed “Chicago 8” activists who protested the Vietnam War. (1:25) NR.

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.

The Yes Men Fix the World Fleet and amusing, “The Yes Men Fix the World” is a self-chronicled rundown of the corporation-shaming Trojan horse antics of anti-globalization pranksters Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, who were previously shadowed for the 2004 documentary “The Yes Men.” (The pair co-directed the follow-up.) Are these two tilting at windmills with their PR-savvy hoaxes? Getting greed-driven conglomerates to recognize the human cost of their actions is, the pair admit, a bigger task than a brief, if intelligently conceived, public spanking, which makes “The Yes Men Fix the World” an odd combination of righteous, raucous and rueful. (Robert Abele, Nov. 6) (1:27) NR.

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.