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.