Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne) ****

"Tell No One" ("Ne le dis à personne"), a tight, breathless suspense and murder mystery film, combines the craft of Hitchcock with the adrenaline of "The Fugitive." Nominated last year for nine César awards (the French Oscars), and winner of four, including best director and best actor, this movie delivers on multiple levels.

Eight years after the brutal murder of his wife, a crime the police suspected him of, the still-grieving pediatrician Dr. Alexandre "Alex" Beck (François Cluzet), gets a disturbing email pointing him to a public Internet video camera image that seems to be of his beloved Margot (Marina Hands). She says, "Tell no one." But soon recently-unearthed clues, and another murder, make Alex the object of a mysterious surveillance and the suspicion of the police. Things get complicated on multiple fronts very quickly.

The movie is wonderfully heavy on detail. The interiors in Paris and the countryside, on many different social levels, are fully realised. The streetscapes and chase scenes are utterly convincing. And the idyllic scenes of Alex and Anne at the lake before the tragedy are beautiful.

The plot is complex, and there are some red herrings, but the unfolding of the story as Alex - the man on the run - investigates is fascinating. Kristin Scott-Thomas does a particularly fine job as Alex's high-powered attorney. The movie does not skimp on emotion, and Cluzet is quite effective conveying the many feelings rattling Alex. Editing is spare and sharp, making the movie a sit up in your chair affair, despite its length of a little more than two hours. Paying full attention will be fully rewarded.

Not rated. 125 minutes. Guillaume Canet - Director / Writer (writer), Harlan Coben - Writer (novel), Philippe Lefebvre - Writer (writer), Alain Attal - Producer, Christophe Offenstein - Cinematographer, M - Composer, Philippe Chiffre - Production Designer, Hervé de Luze - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Music Box Films.

Principal actors: François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze, André Dussollier, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Jean Rochefort, and Marina Hands.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe *

Dark in tone and composition, and murky and confused in plotting, "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" plays like a longish TV show rather than a first-run movie, and suffers from the same over-abundance of unexplained phenomena and weirdness in the woods that made the TV series, in the end, such a bore.

Former FBI agents Fox Muldar (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are called in out of retirement to work on a case that that has some of the same characteristics of the files they used to investigate. This one involves an abducted FBI agent and a defrocked pedophile priest (Billy Connolly) having visions that may lead to her whereabouts. Scully, now working as a doctor in a Catholic hospital, brings her usual skepticism to bear, while Muldar, whose retirement life seems to consist of cutting out newspaper stories, makes the usual far-out connections that all the others seem to miss.

It's a rather flat exercise, although writer/director Chris Carter does add some atmosphere, accidents and mysteries by shooting much of the movie in the snow in West Virginia. There is an interesting update on the relationship of Muldar and Scully, which was always an intriguing subtext to the series. But there are too many howlers, like stem cell treatments in a Catholic hospital, ultimate transplants, and at least an extra limb in the snow, to take this one seriously.

Rated PG-13. 105 minutes. Chris Carter - Director / Writer (television series "The X-Files") / Producer, Frank Spotnitz - Writer / Producer, Bill Roe - Cinematographer, Mark Freeborn - Production Designer, Richard Harris - Editor. Distributed by Twentieth-Century Fox Corporation.

Principal actors: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Xzibit, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Callum Keith Rennie, and Adam Godley.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army ****

Surprisingly funny, wildly imaginative, and pleasingly violent in a fantastical way, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" packs a lot of fireworks into its two hours of glorious escapism. Writer/director Guillermo del Toro delivers a mythical world that is more fully realized than in "Hellboy" (2004) and more inventive than in his Oscar-winning "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006).

Which is not to say that "Hellboy II" is better than "Pan's Labyrinth." The fairy world of "Pan's" served as a counterweight to and escape from the hellish world that the young heroine found herself living in. Here the parallel mythical world is fleshed out and populated with trading trolls, vicious "tooth fairies," avenging beasts, stone giants, ambitious princes, and a merciless mechanical army. It's a comic book come to life, not a dark and surreal drama of real people suffering and fighting for their lives and their freedom.

Arrayed against the threat from the other world are the unlikely heroes of the top-secret Paranormal Research Institute: Hellboy (Ron Perlman), his flaming (literally) girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), a walking fish lizard with the soul of a poet, Abe (Doug Jones), and the ectoplasmic Johann Krauss (voice of Seth MacFarlane). Gamely trying to keep everything under control and out of the press is the hopelessly out-gunned Tom Manning (played by dead-pan king Jeffrey Tambor).

If there is a theme behind all of the action, it is love; love in several forms and across the most unlikely lines. Love triumphs, along with irony, and even a saccharin love song by Barry Manilow can have its place.

Rated PG-13. 120 minutes. Guillermo del Toro - Director / Writer (screenplay) (story), Mike Mignola - Writer (story) (comic book), Lawrence Gordon - Producer, Lloyd Levin - Producer, Mike Richardson - Producer, Joe Roth - Producer, Guillermo Navarro - Cinematographer, Danny Elfman - Composer, Stephen Scott - Production Designer, Bernat Vilaplana - Editor. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Principal actors: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Seth MacFarlane, Anna Walton, Brian Steele, and John Hurt.

The Dark Knight *****

It's easily the best Batman movie ever. "The Dark Knight" takes up where the earlier "Batman Begins" (2005) left off, but with a darker tone and vicious villains, led this time by a maniacal Joker, indellibly played by the late Heath Ledger. The darker tone signals a new attitude toward Batman, not fun and campy, certainly, but also less of a hero, and more a conflicted crusader.

In this sequel Batman (Christian Bale), although officially a wanted vigilante, teams up with Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman) and the new District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to clean up the mobsters still active in Gotham. But things fail to go as planned when the criminals turn to The Joker to take out Batman. On a personal level, Bruce Wayne is still carrying a torch for Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal, a welcome change from Katie Holmes), but she won't leave her new boyfriend, Harvey Dent, until Wayne hangs up his Batsuit.

The story moves along well, interspersed with dramatic and effective action sequences, most shot the old-fashioned way, which is very effective, but here using IMAX cameras. See this movie on an IMAX screen if you can. This is a great movie and there is no way you can match the impact of a screen more than 50 feet high on a standard theater screen, much less at home. And the music and sound editing, which are excellent, are heard to their best effect in an IMAX theater.

At only 37 years old, director/writer Christopher Nolan here maintains his high standing as a talent of the first order. The great promise he showed in "Memento" (2000) has been fulfilled in a steady progression of larger projects: "Insomnia" (2002), "Batman Begins," and "The Prestige" (2006). It's interesting that he has cast Christian Bale and Michael Caine in his last three movies. And they always deliver.

Rated PG-13. 152 minutes. Christopher Nolan - Director / Writer (screenplay) (story) / Producer, Jonathan Nolan - Writer (screenplay), David S. Goyer - Writer (story), Bob Kane - Writer (characters), Charles Roven - Producer, Emma Thomas - Producer, Wally Pfister - Cinematographer, James Newton Howard - Composer, Hans Zimmer - Composer, Nathan Crowley - Production Designer, Lee Smith - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D ***

Like a good theme park ride, "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D" takes you there with a minimum of fuss, a dose of humor, twists, turns, and thrilling scenes and creatures. But do see it in 3D if you can. Shot in RealD throughout, director Eric Brevig, a long-time visual effects supervisor ("The Day After Tomorrow," "Men in Black"), uses 3D to punch up a rather modest script with invention and visual jokes.

The light touch works well with this cast. Brendan Fraser, ever affable, focused, and a bit ironic, turns in a workmanlike performance. Talented young star Josh Hutcherson ("Firehouse Dog," "Bridge to Terabithia") steps easily into a major role. And the beautiful Anita Briem, in her first major film role, has just the no-nonsense and competent demeanor you would expect from a mountain guide.

The movie follows Jules Verne rather closely, with appropriate updates and explanations that work well for a PG romp. The kids will love it, and the adults, if they can loosen up a bit, will too.

Rated PG. 92 minutes. Eric Brevig - Director, Michael Weiss - Writer (screenplay), Michael Weiss - Writer (screenplay), Jennifer Flackett - Writer (screenplay), Mark Levin - Writer (screenplay), Jules Verne - Writer (novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth"), Beau Flynn - Producer, Cary Granat - Producer, Charlotte Huggins - Producer, Chuck Shuman - Cinematographer, Andrew Lockington - Composer, David Sandefur - Production Designer, Steven Rosenblum - Editor, Paul Martin Smith - Editor, Dirk Westervelt - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem.

Mamma Mia! ****

This is how enjoyable "Mamma Mia! is: I didn't want it to stop, and at the credits (which you must stay for), the audience applauded. The movie version of the world-wide and long-running Broadway hit featuring the infectious music that Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus wrote for ABBA bursts with energy, color, wit, and feeling. Meryl Streep, who we found out can really sing in "Prairie Home Companion" (2006) is particularly good with the songs.

The situation: a girl (Amanda Seyfried) on a Greek island holiday villa, raised by her single mom (Meryl Streep), is getting married and wants her father at the wedding. But after she reads her mother's diary, she realizes that there are three, yes, three candidates, all of whom she invites to the wedding, sure that she'll know the one at first sight. The candidates: Pierce Brosnan, who does a fine job singing; Colin Firth, who brings some repressed levity to the picture; and Stellan Skarsgard, of the "Pirates" series appropriately enough on a sailboat, all show up.

And mom has her support group, the backup singers from her flower-child all-girl group: Julie Walters (Mrs. Beasley in the "Potter" series), and Christine Baranski (probably best known as Cybill Shepherd's best friend in the TV series "Cybill"). These ladies provide humor, balance, and contrast. All in all, it's a stellar cast, and behind the scenes it's the same three ladies who put the stage show together. Director Phyllida Lloyd, well-known for work in opera in England, brings a sure hand to putting the scenes together. You'll leave the theater smiling and singing.

PG-13. 108 minutes. Phyllida Lloyd - Director, Catherine Johnson - Writer (writer), Judy Craymer - Producer, Gary Goetzman - Producer, Haris Zambarloukos - Cinematographer, Stig Anderson - Composer, Benny Andersson - Composer, Björn Ulvaeus - Composer, Maria Djurkovic - Production Designer, Lesley Walker - Editor. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Principal actors: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, and Christine Baranski.

Mongol ****

A contender for best foreign language film at the Oscars last February, "Mongol," from Germany, Russia, and Kazakhstan, tells the story of Temudjin (an excellent Tadanobu Asano), the son of a 12th century Mongol clan leader who grew up to become Genghis Kahn. Beginning with 10 year-old Tejudjin's trip with his father to choose a future bride, the movie slowly and carefully shows us the major events of his life. We see the clan culture of honor, revenge, horsemanship, and clan and family that shaped his life.

And what a life! Stripped of their wealth after his father was poisoned, Temudjin led a life of adversity and warring. His beloved wife Börte (the beautiful Khulan Chuluun) was stolen; he warred to get her back, won, and lost her again. Enslaved and imprisoned, he came back to war again. He treated his men fairly, and developed a simple code of law for the clans. Throughout, Temudjin's relationship with the strong and devoted Börte forms the backbone of "Mongol." I expect the sequel, "The Great Khan," currently in production, will have a similar thread.

"Mongol" uses old-fashioned live action with, as they say, a cast of thousands, to tell its story. The sense of place is striking, and there are many beautiful scenes of the steppes in all kinds of weather. Battle scenes are intimate and bloody, but not overdone or overlong. There is poetry in the camera work and the music, and breathtaking locations. And while a bit long at 126 minutes, the movie does not drag or bore. It's well worth watching.

Rated R. 126 minutes. Sergei Bodrov - Director / Writer (writer) / Producer, Arif Aliyev - Writer (writer), Anton Melnik - Producer, Sergei Selyanov - Producer, Rogier Stoffers - Cinematographer, Sergei Trofimov - Cinematographer, Tuomas Kantelinen - Composer, Dashi Namdakov - Production Designer, Valdís Óskarsdóttir - Editor, Zach Staenberg - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Picturehouse Entertainment. In Mongolian with English subtitles.

Principal actors: Tadanobu Asano, Khulan Chuluun, Amadu Mamadakov.

Hancock ***

Had enough of superheroes? How about one in rehab? With the surfeit of superheroes of late, somehow it's not surprising to meet one who has some issues, who means well, but is usually too drunk to actually do much good.

Meet Hancock (Will Smith), a depressed man of steel who can fly and has superhuman strength. He's depressed because he's the only one of his kind, and he doesn't know where he came from, so he lays around Los Angeles, usually with a bottle. When he does help out the police, he usually does more damage than the bad guys.

Clearly Hancock is in need of a make-over. Enter Ray Embry (Jason Bateman), an optimistic PR specialist who can't seem to convince businesses to give up their profits for a good cause. One day Hancock saves Embry from an oncoming train, and Embry sees a diamond in the rough. Despite the misgivings of his wife Mary (Charlize Theron), Ray embarks on a campaign to improve Hancock's image.

With this set-up, the movie takes off into funny, entertaining worlds, with a few original twists that make it a refreshing summer romp. The cast works well together (Bateman, Theron, and especially Smith shine), the special effects are great, and this different kind of superhero finds his place. Kudos to director Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights") for keeping the pacing brisk and going light on the mayhem. It's a fun ride.

Rated PG-13. 92 minutes. Peter Berg - Director, Vy Vincent Ngo¹ - Writer, Vince Gilligan - Writer, Akiva Goldsman - Producer, James Lassiter - Producer, Michael Mann - Producer, Will Smith - Producer, Tobias Schliessler¹ - Cinematographer, John Powell - Composer, Neil Spisak - Production Designer, Colby Parker Jr. - Editor, Paul Rubell - Editor. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, and Eddie Marsan.

WALL-E *****

Pixar, and especially Andrew Stanton ("Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo'), has done it again. "WALL-E" creates a consistent, believable world with one adorable, curious, lonely robot, left to clean up earth (he's a Waste Allocation Load Lifter - Earth Class) after it was totally trashed and abandoned by its humans. Apparently the sole survivor of his kind, WALL-E seems to have developed a personality.

The first, long act of the movie, virtually wordless, shows WALL-E on his daily routine. His actions are expressive in the great tradition of our silent movie stars. There's a little of Chaplin and a little of Keaton in WALL-E. There's also an old movie he watches, "Hello, Dolly!," with its promise of companionship and a world out there beyond Yonkers.

Then WALL-E gets a visitor, and is propelled into an adventure that will affect the fate of mankind. Accessible to both kids and adults, there are lessons to absorb, technique to marvel at, and a great sweep of story that takes you literally out of this world. It's the best.

Rated G. 97 minutes. Andrew Stanton - Director / Writer (story and screenplay), Pete Docter - Writer (story), Jim Morris - Producer, Thomas Newman - Composer, Ralph Eggleston - Production Designer, Stephen Schaffer - Editor. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Principal voices: Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin, Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberger, and Kathy Najimy.

Wanted ***

If you find an unfamiliar rawness and originality in the action sequences in "Wanted," it's no accident. Director Timur Bekmambetov, who wrote and directed the two highest-grossing Russian films of all time, "Night Watch" (2004) and "Day Watch" (2006), brings the same sensuality, fresh perspective, and visceral action of those movies to his first Hollywood feature.

The "Watch" movies tell the story of an ancient rivalry of the forces of good and evil being fought in the criminal underworld and the supernatural other world of Moscow, and combine elements of sci-fi, horror, and action movies. What he lacked in budget Bekmambetov made up in breath-taking inventiveness. Available in both subtitled and dubbed versions, they are well worth the rental. And he's currently working on the final film of the trilogy, "Twilight Watch," reportedly due for release in 2009.

Angelina Jolie and James McEvoy chose this project well. McEvoy now has the actioner notch in his belt, and Jolie proves she can still deliver. There's a murky back story about an ancient league of assassins, but mostly the movie is a chance for a nerdy cube-dweller (McEvoy) to break out of his loser life and become something completely, fiercely different. It's a transparent teen-age fantasy, but it works.

And there's imagination to burn. The action sequences - superbly edited by David Brenner - will surprise, scare, and entertain, which is just what we want in a summer movie.

Rated R. 110 minutes. Timur Bekmambetov - Director, Michael Brandt - Writer (screenplay) (story), Derek Haas - Writer (screenplay) (story), Chris Morgan - Writer (screenplay), Mark Millar - Writer (comic book series), J.G. Jones - Writer (comic book series), Jim Lemley - Producer, Jason Netter - Producer, Marc E. Platt - Producer, Iain Smith - Producer, Mitchell Amundsen - Cinematographer, Danny Elfman - Composer, John Myhre - Production Designer, David Brenner - Editor. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Principal actors: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, and Angelina Jolie.