MOVIES - Feb. 14, 2010

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

Openings

FRIDAY

Ajami A crime drama set on the streets of Jaffa, Israel’s Ajami neighborhood -- a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians -- told through the eyes of a cross-section of the city’s inhabitants. With Shahir Kabaha, Fouad Habash, Ibrahim Frege and Scandar Copti. Co-directed by Copti and Yaron Shani. In Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles. (2 hrs.) NR.

Blood Done Sign My Name Based on the story of racial upheaval and ensuing social change provoked by the acquittal of a white father and son accused of murdering a black man in cold blood and in full public view in the 1970s in Oxford, N.C. With Nate Parker, Rick Schroder, Afemo Omilami, Lela Rochon, Nick Searcy and Michael Rooker. Written and directed by Jeb Stuart. (2:08) PG-13.

Ghost Writer When a successful British ghostwriter agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, his agent assures him it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start, not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang’s long-term aide, perished in an unfortunate accident. With Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton and Eli Wallach. Co-written by Roman Polanski and Robert Harris. Directed by Polanski. (1:35) PG-13. Story on Page D1

The Girl on the Train A drama centered on a young woman who claims she was the target of an anti-Semitic attack and the subsequent media sensation it creates. With Emilie Dequenne, Catherine Deneuve and Michel Blanc. Written and directed by André Téchiné. In French and Hebrew with English subtitles. (1:45) NR. Story on Page D8

The Good Guy An ambitious young Manhattanite plays the game of love with a desirable Wall Streeter. With Alexis Bledel, Scott Porter, Bryan Greenberg and Anna Chlumsky. Written and directed by Julio DePietro. (1:30) R.

Happy Tears Two dutiful daughters return home to deal with their 70-year-old father, his health, his new paramour and childhood memories. With Parker Posey, Demi Moore, Rip Torn and Ellen Barkin. Written and directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein. (1:35) R.

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers Oscar-nominated documentary examines an early 1970s figure who challenged the Nixon administration over the Vietnam War. (1:34) NR

October Country A documentary portrait of a working-class American family struggling for stability while haunted by the ghosts of war and facing the challenges of recurring teen pregnancy, foster care and child abuse. Directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher. (1:20) NR.

Shutter Island Two U.S. marshals are summoned to a fortress-like island housing a hospital for the criminally insane to investigate the implausible disappearance of a multiple murderess from a locked room. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley and Max Von Sydow. Screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. Directed by Martin Scorsese. (2:18) R.

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.

Avatar Think of “Avatar” as “The Jazz Singer” of 3-D filmmaking. Think of it as the most expensive and accomplished Saturday matinee movie ever made. Think of it as the ultimate James Cameron production. Whatever way you choose to look at it, “Avatar”’s shock and awe demand to be seen. You’ve never experienced anything like it, and neither has anyone else. (K.Tu., Dec. 17) Also in IMAX 3D. (2:30) PG-13.

Broken Embraces Something almost magical happens whenever actress Penélope Cruz and filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar work together, and so it is with “Broken Embraces,” a twisted tale of love, death and a badly edited film. The writer/director is up to his old tricks, creating an onion of an experience -- a movie within a movie within a movie. Cruz’s performance is just as complex. And the moral of this story? Whatever else you do, never mess with the director’s cut. (B.S., Dec. 11) In Spanish with English Subtitles. (2:09) R.

Crazy Heart There’s a powerful symmetry at work here, a parallel between protagonist Bad Blake, a country singer whose entire life has led him to a nadir of disintegration, and star Jeff Bridges, whose exceptional film choices have put him at the height of his powers just in time to make Mr. Blake the capstone role of his career. (K.Tu., Dec. 16) (1:52) R.

Fish Tank Mia is 15, all elbows and anger, going at her life in a rundown apartment complex in Essex as if it were one long skirmish in British filmmaker Andrea Arnold’s exceptionally well-crafted drama, “Fish Tank.” Featuring newcomer Katie Jarvis, the 17-year-old so completely captures the innocence, cynicism and rage of a child of poverty and divorce on the edge of adulthood that it feels as if you are spying on Mia, so achingly real, so tangible does her world seem here. Again, the award-winning filmmaker gives us another sensitive and compelling story of Britain’s underclass. (B.S., Jan. 29) (2:02) NR.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Heath Ledger’s last project is a film as unusual and idiosyncratic as its one-of-a-kind title. You’d expect no less from Terry Gilliam, and admirers of this singular filmmaker will be happy to know that “Imaginarium” is his most original and accessible work in years. (K.Tu., Dec. 25) (2:02) PG-13.

Invictus Blending entertainment, social message and history lesson, director Clint Eastwood’s latest film focuses on one particular moment in history, when South Africa’s newly elected leader Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, tried something so brazen, so risky, that his closest advisors were not only against it, but they also thought it was political suicide. (K.Tu., Dec. 11) (2:12) PG-13.

Killing Kasztner A compelling documentary on the strange life and death of Rezso Kasztner, a hero to some, a collaborator to others, but undeniably one of the most morally complex figures to come out of the Holocaust into the state of Israel. (K.Tu., Jan. 15) (2:09) NR.

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond A troubled woman with a difficult past, humidity that hangs like condemnation in the air and a drawl as thick as honey, if not always as sweet. That’s Tennessee Williams country, and it’s right where we find Bryce Dallas Howard’s Memphis heiress, Fisher Willow, in “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond.” Like Fisher, the film is lovely, if flawed. Consider it a treasure of the unpolished sort. (B.S., Dec. 30) (1:42) PG-13.

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.

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. (B.S., Nov. 25) (1:35) G.

A Single Man We’re always looking for those performances that define an actor, where we can sit back and simply watch the talent soar. “A Single Man” is that film for Colin Firth, until now probably best known for his work in the “Bridget Jones” films. His portrayal of George, the single man in question, should change all that. Fashion designer Tom Ford has constructed an impressive directing debut out of Christopher Isherwood’s dark novel, with our tragedy beginning on the day George has determined will be his last. (B.S., Dec. 11) (1:39) NR.

A Town Called Panic To really understand the zany and surreal comic mashup you’re going to have to see it for yourself. The first stop-motion animated feature to be an official Cannes selection, “Panic” is the offshoot of a French language Belgian tv series that has quite the following all across Europe. Made with an anarchic, anything goes spirit, this is truly a film, not to mention a town, where you never know what’s going to happen next. (K.Tu., Jan. 29) (1:15) NR.

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.

The White Ribbon We don’t go to Michael Haneke films for comfort, but to gaze through a glass darkly. That vision -- tense, provocative and unnerving -- is on full display in “The White Ribbon,” which could be considered a culmination of this difficult director’s brilliant career. Set in an ordinary German village on the eve of World War I, the film looks at the children who would survive that war and grow into the generation that would bend to Hitler’s sway. History hovers over “White Ribbon” with the force of impending doom. (B.S., Dec. 30) (2:24) R.

The Young Victoria Starring Emily Blunt as the 18-year-old queen of England circa 1837, the film is a rich pastiche of first love, teen empowerment, fabulous fashion and fate. Together with Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, as we follow them through courtship, coronation and just beyond, they create a couple you’ll want to see again. But until then, “The Young Victoria” is a great place to start. (B.S., Dec. 18) (1:44) PG.

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.

3 Idiots To leery American moviegoers, the title might sound like something eminently dismissible, but in the month since its initial Asian release it’s become the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever. It’s easy to see why too, as director Rajkumar Hirani’s coming-of-age epic toggles entertainingly between a close-knit trio of engineering school students and their fortunes 10 years later. Sporting a culturally resonant message (about following one’s passion), it boasts a hard-to-resist genre multi-pack of college high jinks, familial drama, screwball romance, inspirational heart-tugging, tragedy, musical interludes and even an identity mystery. (Robert Abele, Jan. 29) (2:44) NR.

44 Inch Chest Writer-playwrights Louis Mellis and David Scinto have a way with deconstructing masculine ferociousness -- relishing in revealing the follies of machismo in extremis. Malcolm Venville, in an assured directorial debut, builds suspense with steady effectiveness. Ray Winstone scales the heights and plumbs the depths of jealous husband Colin’s emotions in a role of Shakespearean grandeur. (Kevin Thomas, Jan. 15) (1:35) R.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Perhaps not since “The Godfather Part II” have we seen a sequel that matches the mastery of the film that came before it -- all the pathos, the brio, the epic sweep, the cheese balls. Indeed, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” only builds on the wit, the whimsy and the shredding bass that was 2007’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” which turned them into 21st century pop sensations. (B.S., Dec. 23) (1:28) PG.

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.

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 Book of Eli A lean, stark, surprisingly effective headliner in Hollywood’s ongoing apocalyp-alooza, “The Book of Eli” marks a return to form for co-directors Allen and Albert Hughes. A sly Old Testament “Mad Max”-y sort of Western, the film may traffic in familiar landscapes and archetypes, but it allows its cast the space and time to make the characters breathe. “The Book of Eli” works, even if the preservation of Christianity isn’t high on your personal post-apocalypse bucket list. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 15) (1:58) 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.

Creation Based on “Annie’s Box,” a biography penned by Darwin’s great-great-grandson Randal Keynes using personal letters and diaries of the Darwin family, this film takes an unique and inside look at Darwin, his family and his love for his deeply religious wife. With Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Jeremy Northam and Toby Jones. Directed by John Amiel. (1:48) NR.

Daybreakers A decade after a vampire plague has swept the globe, the remaining human population is no more than rapidly dwindling food stock. Any higher intentions are brought crashing down by predictability, wooden characters, giggle-inducing attempts at scares (shrieking bats, anyone?) and cinematography so gloomy it should be checked for serotonin deficiency. This isn’t the film to relieve our collective vampire fatigue. (Michael Ordoña, Jan. 8) (1:38) R.

Dear John A young soldier home on leave falls in love with an idealistic college student during her spring vacation and over the next few years they meet only sporadically and correspond through love letters. With Channing Tatum,Amanda Seyfried, Henry Thomas,Scott Porter and Richard Jenkins. Screenplay by Jamie Linden, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Directed by Lasse Hallström. (1:48) PG-13.

Did You Hear About the Morgans? So here’s a question for the Feds whose witness protection program takes care of Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, the couple on the edge of divorce in “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” What about the rest of us? We could have used some protection here too from this cliche-riddled romantic comedy. Grant has never been less charming and Parker never less fashionable or more grating than they are as Paul and Meryl Morgan, a hot-shot Manhattan couple split apart by Paul’s one-nighter in L.A. I’ve got news for them -- infidelity is the least of their problems. (B.S., Dec. 18) (1:43) PG-13.

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.

District 13: Ultimatum An elite police officer and a reformed vigilante must join forces again using martial arts to bring peace to the neighborhood by any means necessary before a proposed nuclear air-strike wipes it off the map. With Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle. Screenplay by Luc Besson. Directed by Patrick Alessandrin. (1:35) R.

Drool Writer-director Nancy Kissam has said that her alternately blithe and darkly comic “Drool,” her first feature, would be “a John Waters-esque campy revenge comedy” only to discover her characters weren’t as vapid as she thought. Even though “Drool” rambles and ultimately slides into overly obvious make-believe, Kissam emerges as a fearless risk-taker of promise. (Kevin Thomas, Jan. 22) (1:25) NR.

Edge of Darkness Moviegoers off to see the new Mel Gibson movie “Edge of Darkness,” a compressed two-hour version of the six-hour 1985 British TV miniseries, are likely to be doing so because their man Mel is back on the edge after nearly eight years off as a top-lined screen actor. Kill someone’s only child and what do you have? You have a righteous avenger role almost too well suited for Gibson’s persona. That famous face has become deeply creased, a little haunted and more interesting. This is really two films. There’s the Gibson slaughter-fest, which we have seen before. And there’s the other film, the one more like the miniseries. Campbell’s film offers not surprises exactly but craftsmanship and low, brute, cunning satisfactions. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 29) (1:48) R.

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.

Extraordinary Measures “Extraordinary Measures,” starring Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford, is a desperate drama of a father racing against time to find a cure for a rare genetic disease that is killing two of his children. So you know going in that the challenge for director Tom Vaughan is how to handle the science and the sentiment -- tear-soaked terrain that has proven difficult for filmmakers over the years from “Love Story” to “Lorenzo’s Oil.” Vaughan opts for restraint, giving us a life and death story that feels brisk, business-like and oddly emotionless. (B.S., Jan. 22) (1:46) 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.

From Paris With Love A low-level CIA operative finds himself the target of a crime ring he’s trying to bust on his first real assignment. With John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak and Richard Durden. Screenplay by Adi Hasak, based on a Story by Luc Besson. Directed by Pierre Morel. (1:35) R.

Frozen Three snowboarders are stranded on the chairlift before their last run, left dangling high off the ground with no way down. With Kevin Zegers, Shawn Ashmore and Emma Bell. Written and directed by Adam Green. (1:34) R.

It’s Complicated The problem with this romantic comedy about the menopausal crowd starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, is that it’s not nearly complicated enough. The film is the latest from writer/director Nancy Meyers, who has been working through her issues on screen for at least 20 years, starting with “Baby Boom” in 1987 through “Something’s Gotta Give” in 2003. But the vulnerability and smartness, as well as the funny with which she infused those earlier films, are harder to find here. Instead she’s given us her thinnest slice of comic relationship angst yet, proving, I guess, that you actually can be too thin. (B.S., Dec. 25) (1:58) R.

Leap Year begins terribly, and I mean terribly, as its genial performers -- Amy Adams and Matthew Goode -- plug away and do what they can to humanize material that puts the “ick” in “formulaic.” They hate each other at first. Then they don’t. And there you have it: another rom-com without much rom or com. “Leap Year” simply proves what we guessed going in: that Adams can redeem almost anything. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 8) (1:40) PG.

Legion Movies this ludicrous pull back from all-out camp at their own peril. So, while Kevin Durand’s louche archangel Gabriel is a juicy howler, the mini-chamber dramas of faithlessness and bruised hope among the mortals, as concocted by director Scott Stewart and credited co-screenwriter Peter Schink, are snooze-worthy, cliché-ridden afterthoughts. (Robert Abele, Jan. 25) (1:40) R.

The Lovely Bones By turns warmly sentimental, serial-killer sinister and science-fiction fantastical, Alice Sebold’s novel was an unlikely book to achieve world-wide success. In Peter Jackson’s film version, those mismatched elements come back to haunt the story, so to speak, making the final product more hit and miss than unblemished triumph. (K.Tu., Dec. 11) (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 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.

My Name Is Khan A muslim suffering from Asperger’s syndrome is arrested after 9/11 for his “suspicious behavior,” gets therapy and tries to clear his name. With Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. Screenplay by Shiban Bathija. Directed by Karan Johar. (2:25) NR.

Nine is one of those films that couldn’t look better on paper. An all-star cast headlined by Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, and Fergie. There are so many Oscar, Tony and Grammy winners involved that the production should have literally glittered with all that gold. But in the end, nothing adds up. Perhaps “Zero” would have been a better title. (B.S., Dec. 18) (1:50) 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. With Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles and Rick Yune. Screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by James McTeigue. (1:39) R.

North Face Based on a true story, four German climbers attempt to conquer the north face of the Swiss massif the Eiger, the most dangerous rock face in the Alps, in a Nazi propaganda competition in 1936. With Benno Furmann, Johanna Wokalek, Florian Lukas and Ulrich Tukur. Directed by Phillipp Stozl. In German with English subtitles. (2:06) NR.

Order of Chaos A meek yes-man’s life is turned around in frightening ways when a smooth-talking neighbor moves in. With Rhys Coiro, Milo Ventimiglia, Samantha Mathis and Mimi Rogers. Directed by Vince Vieluf. (1:40) R.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief A young boy discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an ongoing battle between the gods. With Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd, Joe Pantoliano and Uma Thurman. Screenplay by Craig Titley, based on the book by Rick Riordan. Directed by Chris Columbus. (2 hrs.) PG.

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.

Red Riding Trilogy A three-part epic based on David Peace’s series of novels revolving around the manhunt for the “Yorkshire Ripper,” a serial killer who terrorized northwest England in the 1970’s and 1980’s. With David Morrissey, Mark Addy, Paddy Considine, Andrew Garfield, Rebecca Hall and Sean Bean. Adapted for the screen by Tony Grisoni. Directed by Julian Jarrold, James Marsh and Anand Tucker. (1.1974, 1:45, 2.1980, 1:36, 3.1983, 1:44) NR.

The Road Despite numerous 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.

Saint John of Las Vegas The presence of the ever-reliable Steve Buscemi adds a welcome boost to this otherwise unremarkable debut feature from writer-director Hue Rhodes. At first, this askew look at Buscemi’s John Alighieri (yes, as in Dante), a compulsive Sin City gambler self-exiled to an insurance company desk job in Albuquerque, promises some decent comedy in the “Office Space” vein. But after it turns into a road movie filled with more forced quirkiness than inspired story development, it’s clear this one’s going nowhere not-so-fast. (Gary Goldstein, Jan. 29) (1:25) 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.

Sherlock Holmes Briskly directed by Guy Ritchie and starring an expert Robert Downey, Jr., this 21st-century look at the great Victorian detective has been tripped up by a series of misadventures that leave us wishing for the film that might have been. (K.Tu., Dec. 25) (2:09) PG-13.

The Spy Next Door On the ground or twirling in a stunt harness above it, Jackie Chan brings an air of determined good cheer to even the most metallic of clunkers “The Spy Next Door” operates on familial bonding by way of humiliating pranks, which in better circumstances might go by the name of slapstick. Now and then, the star executes a little something special -- with a stunt bike or a folding chair, for example -- and you think: Chan still has it. Even when the material conspires to take “it” away, he still has it. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 15) (1:32) PG.

Terribly Happy After a nervous breakdown, a Copenhagen police officer is transferred to a small provincial Jutland town to take on the mysteriously vacated marshal position and subsequently gets mixed up with a married femme fatale. With Jakob Cendergren, Kim Bodina and Lene Maria Christensen. Screenplay by Henrik Ruben Genz and Dunja Gry Jensen, based on a novel by Erling Jepsen. Directed by Genz. (1:40) NR.

To Save a Life Nicely directed by Brian Baugh from a script by Jim Britts, this smartly calibrated film also pulls off something rare by presenting religious commitment as something that’s not only potentially healing and elevating, but also kind of cool. Though the movie takes too long to bring Jake’s life-changing journey full circle and ties up its various strands with some predictable bows, this is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply. (Gary Goldstein, Jan. 22) (2 hrs.) PG-13.

The Tooth Fairy The poster’s the funniest thing about the project: Dwayne Johnson, sporting a pair of fairy wings larger than his forearms, glaring at the camera. Johnson’s a game and antic presence, but saddled with this material -- he comes perilously close to tiring out the audience with all the nervous activity and the mugging. Working in a lower key, Billy Crystal is good for a chuckle or two as an elder fairy statesman. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 22) (1:42) PG.

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.

Valentine’s Day The stories of a group of Angelenos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine’s Day are told in intersecting storylines. With Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane and Patrick Dempsey. Written by Katherine Fugate. Directed by Garry Marshall. (1:30) PG-13.

Waiting for Armageddon An exploration of the culture of 50 million American evangelicals who believe that biblical prophecy dictates the future of mankind and that Israel and the Jewish people play pivotal roles in ensuring Christ’s return, told through the eyes of three evangelical families. Directed by Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi and David Heilbroner. (1:14) NR.

When in Rome Certain scenes in “When in Rome” signify nothing less than the death of screen slapstick, but I’m hoping it’s one of those fake-out movie deaths where slapstick’s not really dead. In Rome for her sister’s wedding, Beth (Kristen Bell) scoops out of a fountain a handful of coins tossed in by lovelorn tourists who become her enchanted stalkers. These suitors are played by Danny DeVito, Dax Shepard, Jon Heder and Will Arnett. That’s one coin more than “Three Coins in the Fountain,” for the record. The movie lacks invention and true magic in the worst way. (Michael Phillips, Jan. 29) (1:31) PG-13.

The Wolfman Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he searches for his brother and discovers his horrifying destiny. With Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Art Malik. Screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self, based on the original film written by Curt Siodmak. Directed by Joe Johnston. (2:05) R.

Wonderful World What happened to Matthew Broderick? When and why did he go from the very picture of goofy, energetic youthfulness to the downbeat and browbeaten exemplar of unhappiness he has been in pretty much everything since “Election”? In “Wonderful World,” Broderick plays Ben Singer, a performer of children’s music who has retreated from the world. Broderick’s sad-sack misanthropy is often taken as a given and the film never quite explores the hidden corners of his character’s psyche. (Mark Olsen, Jan. 8) (1:35) R.

Also included: 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.