True Grit ****

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about "True Grit," and it certainly has been remarked upon, is what a straight up western it is. It is extremely well done, with a couple of great performances (Hailee Steinfeld as the girl out to punish her father's killer, and Jeff Bridges as the marshal "Rooster" Cogburn she hires), beautifully photographed and scored. But it is without, somehow, they say, the Coen brothers' stamp.

But maybe not. After all, doesn't the story of a 14-year-old girl hiring a trigger-happy bounty hunter in 1870's Arkansas kind of fit their M.O.? Weird characters and gritty (if you will) realism abounds. Maybe it's not so far from "Fargo," "No Country for Old Men," or "Burn After Reading" after all.

The difference may be the widespread familiarity with the story, such that, even if you haven't seen the famous version with John Wayne, it seems still to be known. And then there is the loving use and preservation of novel author Charles Portis's locutions, a style of speech as dated and charming as a daguerreotype, when the only mass media was the printed word, and the classics were memorized by school children. This love of language is another constant in the Coen canon.

I say settle in and enjoy it, savor its western flavor, spunk, and grit. And think about how these stories don't settle into easy categorization. Which is another sure Coen trademark.

Rated PG-13. 110 minutes. Ethan Coen - Director / Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Joel Coen - Director / Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Charles Portis - Writer (novel), Scott Rudin - Producer, Roger Deakins - Cinematographer, Carter Burwell - Composer, Jess Gonchor - Production Designer, Roderick Jaynes (Ethan), Editor, Roderick Jaynes (Joel), Editor.

Principal actors: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin.

The King's Speech *****

An outstanding film, worthy of the hype and the seven Golden Globe nominations. An atmospheric and convincing story of how King George VI, who became king when his older brother Edward abdicated rather than hide his love for Wallace Simpson, overcame his stutter with the help of an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, who became his friend. The performances, writing, directing, and music are all top drawer. The audience I saw it with today applauded at the end. See it.

Rated R for some language. 118 minutes. Tom Hooper - Director, David Seidler - Writer (screenplay), Iain Canning - Producer, Emile Sherman - Producer, Gareth Unwin - Producer, Danny Cohen - Cinematographer, Alexandre Desplat - Composer, Eve Stewart - Production Designer, Tariq Anwar - Editor. Distributed by The Weinstein Company.

Principal actors: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter.

Tron: Legacy IMAX 3D ***

Sleek, sexy, stylish, and visually stunning, "Tron: Legacy" delivers an enjoyable ride. It's thin on story, and wouldn't stand up to much analysis of its world, but the place depicted is stunning, especially in IMAX, with energetic and colorful music by Daft Punk. The digital world, with its light cycles and levitating transports, gets added zest from 3D, while the meat world is shot in 2D - a nice touch. I liked the cast, especially the two Jeff Bridges - one a digitally young construct, and the other the older and wiser present day self. Worth your time, even if your not a fan boy.

Rated PG. 127 minutes. Starring: Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Joseph Kosinski - Director, Edward Kitsis - Writer (screenplay) (story), Adam Horowitz - Writer (screenplay) (story), Brian Klugman - Writer (story), Lee Sternthal - Writer (story), Steven Lisberger - Writer (characters) / Producer, Bonnie MacBird - Writer (characters), Sean Bailey - Producer, Jeffery Silver - Producer, Claudio Miranda - Cinematographer, Daft Punk -Composer, Darren Gilford - Production Designer, James Haygood - Editor.

How Do You Know **

High hopes dashed. With a talented A-list cast, a big budget (supposedly $100M), writer/director James L. Brooks ("Terms of Endearment," "As Good As It Gets," "The Simpsons Movie") should have been able to deliver a decent rom com. Instead, we get a draggy stinker (2 hours when 1 and 1/2 would have tried our patience), that is short on funny (all the good lines are in the previews), and is just short of insightful with its lines. And with a reported $10M first weekend, this could be one of the biggest box office bombs of the year.

Rated PG-13. 116 minutes. James L. Brooks - Director / Writer / Producer, Julie Ansell - Producer, Laurence Mark - Producer, Paula Weinstein - Producer, Janusz Kaminski - Cinematographer, Hans Zimmer - Composer, Jeannine Claudia Oppewall - Production Designer, Richards Marks - Editor, Tracey Wadmore-Smith - Editor

Principal actors: Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicolson. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

I Love You Phillip Morris ***

A really fun and witty telling of the true story of flamboyantly gay con man Steven Russell, who flim-flammed his way through a number of lives, and is today serving a life sentence basically for embarrassing the state of Texas and Governor George W. Bush with his exploits and prison escapes. Why it took two years to get distribution in the U.S. is a puzzlement. This story is a great vehicle for Jim Carrey and not, as some would have it, a setback for gays. Yes, we have gay crooks, and gay con men, and the cons are well-played on the screen.

Rated R. 98 minutes. Glenn Ricarra - Director / Writer, John Requa - Director / Writer, Steven McVicker - Writer (book), Andrew Lazar - Producer, Far Shariat - Producer, Xavier Perez Grobet -Cinematographer, Nick Urata - Composer, Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski - Production Designer, Thomas J. Nordberg - Editor. Distributed by Lidell Entertainment.

Principal actors: Ewan McGregor, Jim Carrey, Leslie Mann.

Tangled ***

"Tangled" is a very enjoyable Disney take on the Rapunzel story, with Broadway style delivery of tuneful Alan Menken songs, enough action and bad guys to keep the boys happy, and a dog-like horse who steals every scene he 's in. Great for all ages, despite the PG rating for brief mild cartoon violence.

Rated PG. 100 minutes. Nathan Greno - Director, Byron Howard - Director, Dan Fogelman - Writer (screenplay), Jacob Grimm - Writer (fairy tale), Wilhelm Grimm - Writer (fairy tale), Roy Conli -Producer, Alan Menken - Composer, Douglas Rogers - Production Designer, Tim Mertens - Editor. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Principal voices: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy.

My Dog Tulip ****

A cartoon for adult dog lovers, "My Dog Tulip" is a 2D version of writer J.R. Ackerly's memoir of his long relationship with a German Shepherd (called "Alsatians" in post WWII England) who gave Ackerly the love and devotion he could not find elsewhere. Obviously a labor of love, this work is reportedly the first feature-length cartoon drawn on a tablet computer. The style suits the remembrance well, with detailed drawings for narrative, a simpler style for remembrances, and a stick figure style on yellow lined background for musings and conjectures. The attitudes depicted are from its time, fifties London, and some, regarding cleaning up after your pet, or breeding, may jar your 21st century sensibility. The narration by Christopher Plummer is especially fine.

Not rated (but be warned, this is not a children's program). 83 minutes. Paul Fierlinger - Director / Writer (screenplay) / Editor, Sandra Fierlinger - Director. / Writer (screenplay), J.R. Ackerley - Writer (novel), Howard Kaminsky - Producer, Frank Pellegrino - Producer, Norman Twain - Producer, John Avarese - Composer. Distributed by New Yorker Films.

Principal voices: Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave, Isabella Rossellini.

127 Hours ****

Trapped by a boulder, a lone hiker who told no one where he was going faces a grim choice: certain death, or a chance at life but without one arm. The true story of Aron Ralston's ordeal powerfully depicts his isolation, but this is not a claustrophobic movie. Flashbacks, dreams, hallucinations, ultra close-up angles, even x-ray views populate this remarkable film. From the teeming slums of Mumbai to the solitary challenge of a trapped hiker is quite a leap, but director/writer Danny Boyle transitions from "Slumdog Millionaire" to "127 Hours" with grace and concentration on his subject. James Franco give an Oscar-caliber performance, and A.R. Rahman produces a score that is equally stellar. Don't fear the subject, for it is ultimately an affirmation of life, and you can easily close your eyes in the few sequences that might disturb the squeamish.

Rated R. 94 minutes. Danny Boyle - Director / Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Simon Beaufoy - Writer (screenplay), Aron Ralston - Writer (book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"), Christian Colson- Producer, John Smithson - Producer, Enrique Chediak - Cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle - Cinematographer, A.R, Rahman - Composer, Suttirat Larlarb - Production Designer, Jon Harris - Editor. Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Principal actors: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara.

Love and Other Drugs ***

Anne Hathaway as Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal as Jamie are totally sexy and charming in what seems at first like a fluffy romantic comedy, based on the true story of a Viagra salesman in the '90s. Hard driving, win at any cost drug salesmen, the skewed priorities of the U.S. health industry, and the dot com bubble all come in for attack, but the center of the story is Jamie's pursuit of the free spirited Maggie. Then the movie turns darker as Maggie suffers more and more from her early-onset Parkinson's, and she and Jamie must confront their own fears and demons. I think it's the best romantic comedy of the year, which I know is faint praise, but there are plenty of laughs as well a serious side to this movie, and superb performances from Hathaway and Gyllenhaal. Supporting roles are strong as well, especially Oliver Platt as Jamie's boss and mentor.

Rated R. 112 minutes. Edward Zwick - Director / Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Charles Randolph - Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Marshall Herskovitz - Writer (screenplay) / Producer, Jamie Reidy -Writer (book "Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman"), Pieter Jan Brugge - Producer, Scott Stuber - Producer, Steven Fierberg - Cinematographer, James Newton Howard - Composer, Patti Podesta - Production Designer, Steven Rosenblum - Editor. Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Principal actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Josh Gad.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 ****

Wisely split into two parts, and not just because it will double Warner's take on the last Harry Potter book, "The Deathly Hallows, Pt. 1" finds Harry, Hermione, and Ron on a lonely, rather adult quest, far from the protective and insular Hogwarts, to find and destroy the scattered hiding places of the Dark Lord's soul. David Yates, who some say saved the franchise with "The Order of the Phoenix" (2007) and continued with "The Half-Blood Prince" (2009), brings his usual magisterial command of the material to the penultimate Harry film. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, with the aging stars not only holding up but growing in artistry along with their characters. If you're a fan, I don't have to say see it. But even if you're not, the experience, especially in IMAX, might prompt a Netflix order (or six).

Rated PG-13. 146 minutes. David Yates - Director, Steve Kloves - Writer (screenplay), J.K. Rowling - Writer (novel "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows") / Producer, David Barron - Producer, David Heyman - Producer, Eduardo Serra - Cinematographer, Alexandre Desplat - Composer, Stuart Craig - Production Designer, Mark Day - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint.

Burlesque **

"Burlesque" delivers some fun songs, a fairy tale new girl makes good story, and nice dose of Cher, whose face does actually move in one scene. Don't expect too much, and you'll be entertained. Christina Aguilera delivers a few knock-out songs, Cher belts out one of her signature solos, and we get a nice save the club from bankruptcy story. This is burlesque re-imagined, so don't expect much skin, but there are plenty of sexy costumes, presided over by the always-solid Stanley Tucci.

Rated PG-13 (See what I mean about no skin?). 119 minutes. Steven Antin - Director / Writer, Donald De Line - Producer, Bojan Bazelli - Cinematographer, Christophe Beck - Composer, Jon Gary Steele - Production Designer, Virginia Katz- Editor. Distributed by Screen Gems.

Principal actors: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Sam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci.

Fair Game ****

It seems like a dark action thriller, full of intrigue and high stakes games where lives are literally put on the line. But it is, unfortunately, a true story, concerning the time when the Bush administration decided that Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) was fair game for them to out as a CIA operative because her husband, former ambassador Joe Wilson (Sean Penn), had the temerity to publicize the fact that he did not find any sign in Niger that Saddam Hussein had tried to get uranium from there in the midst of the Bush/Cheney campaign to lead the U.S. into a war that turned out be totally without justification. The depiction of just what Valerie was doing in her job, and well as the strains on their marriage that the scandal produced, forms the heart of the movie. Watts and Penn turn in low key, absolutely believable performances, and the movie gives us a fresh view of the drumbeat of selective interpretation, suppression of evidence, and lies that herded the U.S. Congress into approving the invasion of Iraq.

Rated PG-13. 108 minutes. Doug Liman - Director / Producer / Cinematographer, Jez Butterworth - Writer (screenplay) / Producer, John-Henry Butterworth - Writer (screenplay), Joseph Wilson - Writer (book "The Politics of Truth"), Valierie Plame - Writer (book "Fair Game"), Akiva Goldsman - Producer, William Pohlad - Producer, Janet Zucker - Producer, Jerry Zucker - Producer, John Powell -Composer, Jess Gonchor - Production Designer, Christopher Tellefsen - Editor. Distributed by Summit Entertainment.

Principal actors: Naomi Watts, Sean Penn.

Inside Job ****

"Inside Job" manages to be a riveting documentary about the financial bubble that led to the crisis of 2008, despite its talking head format. Extremely well researched, written, and produced, and narrated by Matt Damon, this film takes us through the steps that led to the incredible leveraging that produced the Great Depression. If you're not mad as hell now, you will be after you see "Inside Job."

Rated PG-13. 120 minutes. Charles Ferguson - Director / Producer, Chad Beck - Writer / Editor, Adam Bolt - Writer / Editor, Audrey Marrs - Producer, Svetlana Cvetko - Cinematographer, Kalyanee Mam -Cinematographer, Alex Heffes - Composer.

Principal cast: Matt Damon.

Morning Glory ***

Better than expected behind the scenes story about a spunky producer (Rachel McAdams) who struggles to save a major network morning show starring a former beauty queen (Diane Keaton) and a serious news icon (Harrison Ford), who she pulls from well-remunerated semi-retirement. While admittedly totally predictable in its story arc, the three principals turn in engaging performances in this gentle send-up of morning show fluff. I thought it was lots more than tolerable, and Harrison makes a great curmudgeon.

Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. Roger Michell - Director, Aline Brosh McKenna - Writer, J.J. Abrams - Producer, Bryan Burk - Producer, Alwin H. Kuchler - Cinematographer, David Arnold - Composer, Mark Friedberg - Production Designer, Daniel Farrell - Editor, Nick Moore - Editor, Steven Weisberg - Editor. Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Principal actors: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton.

Megamind IMAX 3D ***

What do you do if you're the top villain and you've finally defeated your hero nemesis? Megamind (voiced by Will Ferrell) finds himself in such a bind after vanquishing Metro Man (Brad Pitt). He finally decides he needs to replace Metro Man, but things don't work out as planned. The animation has a sleek look, there are enough adult jokes to keep the parents amused, and twists and turns to keep it lively. All the principal voices, including also Tina Fey and Jonah Hill are fine. It's not so good as "Toy Story 3," and may remind you of "Despicable Me," but it's a welcome and pleasant diversion, especially in 3D, and even better in IMAX 3D.

Rated PG. 95 minutes. Tom McGrath - Director, alan Schoolcraft - Writer, Brent Simons - Writer, Lara Breav - Producer, Denise Nolan Cascino - Producer, Lorne Balfe - Composer, Hans Zimmer -Composer, David James - Production Designer, Michael Andrews - Editor. Production Company - Dreamworks Animation. Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Principal voices: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Ben Stiller.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest ***

The final movie of the Stieg Larsson Millenium trilogy, shot in sequence and starring the same actors as the first two, brings an appropriately final but also tentative and unsatisfying end to this unlikely story of one of the most original characters in modern popular literature. Once again Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander dominates the movie. The courtroom scenes are riveting (and interesting for an American audience to see the differences in Swedish procedures). I found the unfolding story well told cinematically, and well rid of the tech details of the book. Can the upcoming American version (reportedly to be shot in Sweden) live up to the home-grown version?

Rated R. 147 minutes. In Swedish with English subtitles. Daniel Alfredson - Director, Stieg Larsson - Writer (novel), Ulf Rydberg - Writer (screenplay), Soren Staermose - Producer, Peter Mokrosinski - Cinematographer, Jacob Groth -Composer, Hakan Karlsson - Editor. Produced by Norkisk Film. Distributed in the U.S. by Music Box Films.

Principal actors: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin, Jacob Ericksson.

Hereafter ***

Is there life after death? Can anyone really communicate with those on "the other side"? It's odd to see Clint Eastwood, lately such a realist, but who is, admittedly, 80 years old, tackle such a subject. In the case of George Lonegan (Matt Damon), there is no question. There is life after death, and he can communicate with their spirits. This movie is about what it's like to be George. It's a tormented and disturbing life, draining and isolating not only from those who want his help, but from those he would like to know on a more mundane and personal level. Given these parameters, the movie gives us a kind of romantic (on several levels) resolution to George's dilemma. I found it an interesting, if totally unconvincing, exercise. See it if you want to have some heavy discussions afterward.

Rated PG-13. 129 minutes. Clint Eastwood - Director / Producer / Composer, Peter Morgan - Writer, Kathleen Kennedy - Producer, Robert Lorenz - Producer, Tom Stern - Cinematographer, James J. Murakami - Production Designer, Joel Cox - Editor, Gary Roach - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard, Cecile De France.

Last Train Home ****

Every year 130 million Chinese migrant factory workers embark on a journey to their home villages for the New Year's holiday, trips that are crushingly crowded, and often long. Director / cinematographer / editor Lixin Fan, maker of the beautiful and haunting documentary "Up the Yangtze," here turns his camera on the faces of this huge annual migration, reportedly the largest on earth. As with his previous work on the changing landscape and human toll of the Three Gorges Dam (once again, the largest on earth), Fan concentrated for several years on a single family to tell the story.

Here we have a couple who left their two children more than 10 years ago in the care of a grandmother on their small farm in the hinterland in order to make money in a factory. Their daily life and struggles in a society with no social safety net, and their rebellious now teenage daughter and more studious younger son give us a perspective that is both micro and macro.

As a Canadian Chinese, and as an uncommonly talented cinematographer and story teller, Fan is uniquely equipped to capture this story and present it to us. With China overtaking the U.S. in so many areas, "Last Train Home" provides us with some timely and personal understanding of this emerging superpower.

Not rated. 85 minutes. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. Lixin Fan - Director / Cinematographer / Editor, Mila Aung-Thwin - Producer, Daniel Cross - Producer, Olivier Alary - Composer, Yung Chang - Editor, Mary Stephen - Editor, Marry Stephens - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Zeitgeist Films.

Principal subjects: Changhua Zhang, Yang Zhang, Suqin Chen, Qin Zhang.

Easy A ****

What a funny, charming, smart surprise. This is a high school movie that might be wasted on its core audience, since I suspect adults will get more of a charge from this film than the action movie fan boys and the swooning Twilight-struck pubescent girls who normally populate the mall cineplex. Emma Stone, as the student who augments her status in high school with some salacious (untrue) confessions, and then suffers the consequences, moves up to Emerging Star in "Easy A." With a dead on script, fluid direction, and one of the best supporting ensembles in memory, this is a movie to enjoy, and not just smile, but laugh out loud. I'd see it again.

Rated PG-13. 92 minutes. Will Gluck - Director / Producer, Bert V. Royal - Writer, Zanne Devine - Producer, Michael Grady - Cinematographer, Brad Segal - Composer, Marcia Hinds - Production Designer, Susan Littenberg - Editor. Distributed by Screen Gems.

Principal actors: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Thomas Hayden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Fred Armisen.

Life As We Know It **

A mildly amusing, if totally predictable, romantic comedy, with two attractive stars. Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel headline as two single friends of friends whose sudden demise gives them joint custody of the surviving baby. Heigl and Duhamel do have good chemistry on screen, and Duhamel is surprisingly loose and totally charming as the TV sports director matched with Heigl's driven chef and small business owner. There's not much remarkable about the picture, although it's nice to see a movie set in Atlanta that's not by Tyler Perry, even if this movie is as lily white as Perry's are not. The title seems to refer to the change a baby brings, as in life as we know it - is over.

Rated PG-13. 114 minutes. Greg Berlanti - Director, Ian Deitchman - Writer, Kristin Rusk Robinson - Writer, Paul Brooks - Producer, Barry Josephson - Producer, Andrew Dunn - Cinematographer, Blake Neely - Composer, Maher Ahmad - Production Designer, Jim Page - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Josh Lucas, Christina Hendricks.

The Social Network *****

A superb movie, with outstanding everything, this story of the founding and early years of Facebook is one of the very best of the year. Just remember that this is a work of art, not history, and characters and situations may be altered in the interest of drama. This version is based on Ben Mezrich's book, "The Accidental Billionaires." For another view of what happened, from someone who had full access to the principals, read David Kirkpatrick's "The Facebook Effect."

But back to the movie. The story is framed around depositions of various lawsuits brought by former associates, with flashbacks. Here we have a taut script that tries not to take sides, masterful directing, and uniformly excellent performances. Jesse Eisenberg perfectly embodies the focused but supposedly socially inept (oh, the irony!) super-smart founder/programmer Mark Zuckerberg. You know that there is a lot going on in his head, but he is not afraid to freeze his face to show his distance and lack of connection.

Andrew Garfield, as the friend Eduardo Saverin, whose fault was thinking too small, convincingly captures the frustration of separation and the narrow viewpoint of someone who ultimately didn't get it. But the best of the supporting actors is the surprising Justin Timberlake, whose portrayal of the twice burned founder of Napster, Sean Parker, gives Zuckerberg timely and sage advice about keeping control of his company, but whose lifestyle proves ultimately to be a liability.

At the end of the day it's director David Fincher ("Fight Club," "Se7en,""Zodiac,""The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") who puts it all together, and who, I dare say, should walk away with a golden statuette, as should quite a few of the others involved in this project.

Rated PG-13. 120 minutes. David Fincher - Director, Aaron Sorkin - Writer (screenplay), Ben Mezrich - Writer (book "The Accidental Billionaires"), Dana Brunetti - Producer, Cean Chaffin - Producer, Michael De Luca - Producer, Scott Rudin - Producer, Jeff Cronenweth - Cinematographer, Trent Reznor - Composer, Atticus Ross - Composer, Donald Graham Burt - Production Designer, Kirk Baxter -Editor, Angus Wall - Editor. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara.

Animal Kingdom *****

A gripping, surprising, frightening, fantastic film, based on a true story, about a young man caught up in a crime family he was born into. Set in present day Melbourne, Australia, 17 year old Joshua (James Frecheville) is thrust back into the family when his mother, estranged from the in-laws, overdoses. Before he gets in too deeply, there is a detective, Leckie (Guy Pearce) who thinks he can save him. But the law of the family is pitiless, self-serving, and raw, and Joshua becomes more and more ensnared in its embrace. "Animal Kingdom" is a low budget Aussie gem, with excellent performances, and a standout portrayal by Jacki Weaver of the family matriarch. Its run in the U.S. is limited, so put it on your rental wait list now.

Rated R. 113 minutes. David Michod - Director / Writer (screenplay), Liz Watts - Producer, Adam Arkapaw - Cinematographer, Anthony Partos - Composer, Josephine Ford - Production Designer, Luke Doolan - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics.

Principal actors: Guy Pearce, James Frecheville, Joel Edgerton, Jacki Weaver.

Patrik Age 1.5 ***

I found this Swedish import about a gay couple being sent a rebellious, 15 year old homophobic teenager for adoption, rather than the 1.5 year old infant they expected (typographical errors happen) interesting, funny, cleverly done, but also a revealing look at Swedish society and attitudes. As in this year's popular fiction phenomenon, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," the remarkable thing about the Sweden we see in these works of art is how much it's like the U.S.

This is not exactly a social paradise. Rapacious corporations, prejudices against women and lesbians and gays, skateboarding teenagers, and rigid right-wing attitudes abound. And even though gay marriage was adopted in Sweden in May 2009, small-town prejudices survive, as this couple finds when they relocate for Sven's first job as the local doctor.

"Patrik Age 1.5" concentrates on the couple, Goran and Sven, and the strains the relocation and botched adoption bring. The path to the end is not easy, and the resolution that does come feels earned, rather than forced. It's a worthy effort, and worth seeing.

Not rated. 103 minutes. Ella Lemhagen - Director / Writer (writer), Michael Druker - Writer (play), Tomas Michaelsson - Producer, Marek Septimus Wieser - Cinematographer, Fredrik Emilson -Composer, Lene Willumsen - Production Designer, Thomas Lagerman - Editor. In Swedish with English subtitles. Distributed in the U.S. by here! Films.

Principal actors: Gastaf Skarsgard, Torkel Petersson, Tom Ljungman, Annika Hallin, Jacob Erickson, Anette Sevreus.

Agora ***

An interesting failure, "Agora" has the elements that should make for a relevant motion picture: a famous woman philosopher and teacher in fourth century Alexandria, Hypatia, whose death at the hands of a Christian mob, which also burned the great library, is generally considered the end of the classical era. Feminism, science versus religion, politics, murderously intolerant religious zealots, cynical politicians - it's all there for the shaping. Unfortunately, this handsome spectacle, with a reported budget of $70M, misses the mark dramatically and historically. The story, one feels, is almost there, but even the luminous Rachel Weisz cannot save this script from its inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and silliness. Still, as a spark to consider the issues raised - Christians as Taliban, anyone? - it offers a new, if ancient, perspective.

Rated R. 127 minutes. Alejandro Amenabar - Director / Writer, Mateo Gil - Writer, Alvaro Augustin - Producer, Fernando Bovaira - Producer, Xaxi Gimenez - Cinematographer, Dario Marianelli -Composer, Guy Hendrix Dyas - Production Designer, Nacho Ruiz Capillas - Editor. A Spanish production, but shot in English. Distributed in the U.S. by Newmarket Films.

Principal actors: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac.

Step Up 3D ***

An energetic 3D hip hop dance competition movie with attractive young people. What's not to like? You were expecting a love story? Social commentary? Inventive visuals? Inspired choreography? Actually, there's just enough of all of the above to make this a pleasantly diverting trip to the cinema. Rick Malambri is the pretty face, but Adam G. Sevani is the real dancer. I enjoyed it.

Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. Jon chu - Director, Amy Andelson - Writer, emily Meyer - Writer, Duane Adler - Writer (characters), Erik Feig - Producer, Jennifer Gibgot - Producer, Adam Shankman -Producer, Patrick Wachsberger - Producer, Ken Seng - Cinematographer, Bear McCreary - Composer, Devorah Herbert - Production Designer, Andrew Marcus - editor. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Principal actors: Adam G. Sevani, Rick Malambri, Sharni Vinson.

The Other Guys ***

OK, here's a Will Farrell movie I actually liked. It's a nice concept: two mismatched NYC detectives, a nerd with surprises (Farrell) and an old timer with surprises (Mark Wahlberg), team up to try to become as good as their idols on the force. A send-up of '80's cop buddy movies, it's totally silly and over the top, a romp. It's great to see Wahlberg in a comedy, the wonderful Michael Keaton in a dual role as both police captain and Bed, Bath and Beyond manager, and, as always, great to see Eva Mendes, especially when she's being just as silly as the boys.

Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. Adam McKay - Director / Writer, Chris Henchy - Writer, Patrick Crowley - Producer, Jimmy Miller - Producer, Oliver Wood - Cinematographer, Jon Brion - Composer, Clayton Hartley - Production Designer, Brent White - Editor. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Will Farrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton.

Salt ***

A decent action/thriller about a CIA agent (Angelina Jolie) who goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. The plot twists and action sequences are by the book, but well done. Jolie, who famously does many of her own stunts, is effective in the role.

Rated PG-13. 100 minutes. Phillip Noyce - Director, Kurt Wimmer - Writer, Lorenzo di Bonaventura - Producer, Sunil Perkash - Producer, Robert Elswit - Cinematographer, James Newton Howard -Composer, Scott Chambliss - Production Designer, Stuart Baird - Editor, John Gilroy - Editor. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Dinner for Schmucks *

When told the premise of the "Dinner for Schmucks" - invite the most ridiculous moron he can find to see who's schmuck is the winner - Paul Rudd's character says, "That's really messed up!" He's right. A few funny, but mostly cringe-worthy moments in this disappointing movie. Must have sounded good in the high-concept pitch. Or at least better in the original French version. Lots of wasted talent here.

Rated PG-13. 114 minutes. Jay Roach - Director / Producer, David Guion - Writer (screenplay),Michael Handelman - Writer (screenplay), Francis Veber - Writer (film "Le Diner de Cons"), Laurie MacDonald -Producer, Walter F. Parkes - Producer, Jim Denault - Cinematographer, Theodore Shapiro - Composer, Michael Corenblith - Production Designer,Alan Baumbarten - Editor, Jon Poll - Editor. Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Principal actors: Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis.

Inception ****

A very smart action thriller about a hired commando (Leonardo DiCaprio) who leads a team of operatives in a shared dream with a target who they plan to influence at a deep level without his knowledge. Director / writer / producer Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight," "Memento") invents a dream technology and then explores and exploits its ramifications in a mesmerizing, dizzying, brain teaser of a movie. Never mind that the dreams seem to follow action movie conventions, and make a lot more sense than say, my dreams ever do. It's a fully engaging and wonderfully realized project that will prompt many interesting conversations. Expect statuette nominations galore for this one.

Rated PG-13. 148 minutes. Christopher Nolan - Director / Writer / Producer, Emma Thomas - Producer, Wally Pfister - Cinematographer, Hans Zimmer - Composer, Guy Hendrix - Production Designer, Lee Smith - Editor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard.