Capsule Reviews of Current Movies and Plays

Reviewers:

C.R., Carrie Rickey; S.R., Steven Rea; D.H., David Hiltbrand; D.D., Dan DeLuca; W.S., Inquirer wire services.

Ratings:

**** Excellent;             *** Good; ** Fair; * Poor

Australia **

Long in the making - and almost as long in the watching - Baz Luhrmann's epic piffle, set in 1939, is a Down Under mash-up of vintage Hollywood Westerns and romancers, with a World War II movie thrown in after the first hour-and-a-half. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman star as the destined-to-be-lovers who can't abide each other when they first meet. 2 hrs. 45

PG-13

(profanity, violence, adult themes) -

S.R.

Four Christmases *1/2

Wan comedy about spending the holidays with his redneck dad, her cougar mom, his red-hot hippie mama, and her much-married father. Despite a promising opening, it squanders the comic talents of supersized Vince Vaughn and petite Reese Witherspoon, who resemble nothing so much as a Norwegian spruce with a fragile ornament dangling off a mighty branch. 1 hr. 22

PG-13

(sexual humor, language, slapstick violence) -

C.R.

Milk ***

Sean Penn, beaming with radiance and good humor, stars as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official elected to office in California. He was a bottomless well of charisma whose life was cruelly abbreviated by assassination in 1978. Directed by Gus Van Sant. 2 hrs. 08

R

(sexual candor, brief violence) -

C.R.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell ***1/2

A remarkable documentary about a remarkable - and historic - movement: a group of Liberian women, fed up with the murder and madness spreading across their land, organize mass protests that put a stop to a bloody civil war. 1 hr. 13

No MPAA rating

(violent images, adult themes) -

S.R.

Transporter 3 *1/2

Jason Statham returns as the shady but superb driver-for-hire. No questions asked. When it comes to this padded and poorly directed sequel, that's probably the best policy. 1 hr. 40

PG-13

(violence, sexual content, drug use) -

D.H.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua ***

Roots

for pooches. In this live-action film, Drew Barrymore and George Lopez, both hilarious, are the voices of a pampered Chihuahua and a proletarian one, who share an adventure in Mexico when she is dognapped. 1 hr. 27

PG

(mildly scary dogfight sequence, appropriate for children four and older) -

C.R.

Body of Lies ***

Ridley Scott's fascinating if flawed spy thriller starring Russell Crowe as a soulless CIA technocrat and Leonardo DiCaprio as his soulful man on the ground in the Middle East. 2 hrs. 08

R

(extreme violence, torture, profanity) -

C.R.

Bolt ***

Wiggy, waggy dog story about a Shepherd who gets a new leash on life. In this Disney animation, Bolt (voice of John Travolta) is a canine James Bond who doesn't realize that his sonic-boom bark and supersonic speed are the products of TV special-effects wizards. He learns that he's an ordinary dog - with the extraordinary loyalty of his species. 1 hr. 36

PG

(intense action and pup-in-peril situations, suitable for ages 5 and over) -

C.R.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ***

A fablelike adaptation of John Boyne's young person's novel about a 9-year-old German boy who befriends a Jewish boy held in a concentration camp - a camp run by the 9-year-old's father. With David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, and Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon as the two star-crossed kids. 1 hr. 33

PG-13

(violence, children in jeopardy, adult themes) -

S.R.

Changeling **1/2

If films were people, Clint Eastwood's Kafka-esque potboiler based on an incredible-but-true incident would have multiple-personality disorder. It opens as a 1930's-style melodrama, morphs into a '50s-era police corruption saga, briefly transforms into a '70s-type horror movie (bloody axes and all) and closes as a generic courtroom drama. Starring Angelina Jolie as the single mother whose son mysteriously disappears. 2 hrs. 20

R

(grisly violence, profanity) -

C.R.

A Christmas Tale ***1/2

A fractious family gathered in a comfy house for yuletide celebration - with Catherine Deneuve presiding over an amazing cast of French stars. Roiling with laughter, tears, drunken confessions, revelatory soliloquies, pain, sorrow, hospital visits, and various kinds of love - it's a true family feast.

No MPAA rating

(profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

City of Ember **1/2

A postapocalyptic parable based on Jeanne Duprau's children's novel and brought to the screen with visual inventiveness by

Monster House

director Gil Kenan. But even with Bill Murray as the deliciously duplicitous mayor, it's hard to get emotionally invested. 1 hr. 35

PG

(children in jeopardy, adventure, adult themes) -

S.R.

The Duchess ***

Ravishing as a Gainsborough painting, this highly varnished portrait of Georgiana, the 18th-century fashion-plate, political hostess and ancestor of Princess Diana, stars a glittering Keira Knightley as the wife of glum nobleman Ralph Fiennes. 1 hr. 50 PG-13 (sexual content, discreet sexual violence, brief nudity) -

C.R.

Fireproof

A firefighter (Kirk Cameron) whose marriage is on the brink of collapse takes one last shot at saving it.

Not Previewed

Grand Canyon Adventure

The canyon and the Colorado River within are featured in this Imax documentary that explores the necessity of balancing the water needs of people and the natural environment.

Not Previewed

Happy-Go-Lucky ***1/2

Mike Leigh's odd, ingenious portrait of a cheery London schoolteacher, a 30-year-old single gal played with remarkable depth and indomitability by Sally Hawkins. With Eddie Marson in an unforgettable role as a seething, paranoiac driving instructor. In many ways, the film is the flip side of Leigh's '90s masterwork,

Naked.

1 hr. 58 R (profanity, adult themes) - S.R.

The Haunting of Molly Hartley *1/2

A teen begins to experience terrifying visions as the result of a pact between her parents and the devil. 1 hr. 23 PG-13 (strong thematic material, violence and terror, brief strong profanity and teen drinking) -

W.S.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year ***

Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and friends are back in this snapshot of pure joy, and it's time to start worrying about college. 1 hr. 49

G

-

C.R.

I've Loved You So Long ***1/2

Kristin Scott Thomas is extraordinary as a woman just released from prison, struggling to work her way back into society, and haunted by the guilt and pain of her crime. A story that's sad, stark and redemptive, from French writer and first-time director Philippe Claudel. 1 hr. 5 PG-13 (sex, nudity, profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

JCVD ***

With a nod, a wink and a flying foot jab, Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Jean-Claude Van Damme in this meta-action pic, a satire in which the Muscles from Brussels finds himself in a real-life hostage situation. Things don't turn out like they do in the movies. 1 hr 36.

R

(violence, profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

Let the Right One In ***1/2

A very fine, very frightening Swedish noir about a misfit boy befriended by a 12-year-old vampire (though she's been 12 for "a very long time"). With periods of voyeuristic gore and an undercurrent of anxiety and dread, this is up there with the bloodsucking classics. 1 hr. 54

R

(violence, gore, adult themes) -

S.R.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa **

Generic sequel to the generic animated feature about creature/friends from the Central Park zoo who in Africa are drawn to their own kind. Voice by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and the late Bernie Mac. 1 hr. 29

PG

(some vulgarity) -

C.R.

Max Payne ***

Mark Wahlberg stars in this dark but gripping revenge saga as a rogue cop bent on finding his wife's killers. Based on the popular video games. With Mila Kunis. 1 hr. 26

PG-13

(violence, adult themes, drug use amd profanity) -

D.H.

Mystic India

This Imax feature looks at the 18th century, 8,000-mile journey by an 11-year-old yogi who went on to be known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Quantum of Solace ***

Daniel Craig is back as a lean, mean, out-for-blood James Bond, looking to avenge the death of his

Casino Royale

girlfriend and finding a new Bond girl (Ukrainian supermodel Olga Kurylenko) in the process. Breathless action, big set pieces, locations on three continents. 1 hr. 46

PG-13

(violence, sex, adult themes) -

S.R.

Rachel Getting Married ***1/2

According to the rules, tragedy ends in death, and comedy in marriage. But Jonathan Demme's superb ensemble drama starring Anne Hathaway as the troubled sibling home for the wedding of her sister (the astonishing Rosemarie DeWitt) is decidedly not a comedy. Rather it's the heartrending story of a troubled girl tearing apart the family tapestry and who, with her sibling's help, learns to piece together its common threads. With Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith and the extraordinary Debra Winger. 1 hr. 54

R

(sexuality, profanity, emotional violence) -

C.R.

Role Models ***

Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in this unapologetically profane comedy, about two thirtysomething goof-offs forced to mentor a couple of messed-up kids, and discovering what life's really all about in the process. 1 hr. 39

R

(profanity, nudity, drugs, adult themes) -

S.R.

Saw V *

Hoffman carries on Jigsaw's legacy in the latest installment in this past-its-prime series. 1 hr. 35

R

(sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, profanity, brief nudity) -

W.S.

The Secret Life of Bees ***

Set in 1964 South Carolina and adapted from the Sue Monk Kidd novel, the story of an abused teenager (Dakota Fanning) who finds sanctuary with a beekeeper (Queen Latifah) and her independent-minded sisters. 1 hr. 50 PG-13 (violence, profanity, bigotry) -

C.R.

Slumdog Millionaire ****

Like a Bollywood Dickens tale, Danny Boyle's Indian epic is a love story, a look at raging poverty and vast wealth, and a keen take on a country that's at "the center of the world" in the 21st century. Dev Patel stars as street kid-turned-gofer who gets on the Indian version of

Who Wants to be a Millionaire

, and keeps answering the questions correctly, amazingly. 2 hrs.

R

(violence, profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

Soul Men **1/2

An often nasty, cuss-filled comedy about two R&B singers who reunite after 30 years. Redeemed only by Bernie Mac's bravura performance, in one of his last roles. With Samuel L. Jackson. 1 hr. 43

R

(Sex, nudity, pervasive profanity) -

D.H.

Synecdoche, New York **1/2

Epically ambitious film about a glum theater director (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who makes a living theater out of the most mundane aspects of his life. This airless if intermittently breathtaking movie marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (

Being John Malkovich

) and features Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams and Dianne Wiest. 2 hrs. 04

R

(profanity, sexual candor, nudity) -

C.R.

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers ***

Wayne Wang's resonant character study of a retired Chinese scientist who visits his Americanized daughter in Spokane is a universal story of family in the age of globalization. 1 hr. 23.

No MPAA rating

(mature themes, nothing inappropriate for children) -

C.R.

Twilight ***

A pheromone-soaked high school romance rife with heavy-duty Dracula stuff, Catherine Hardwicke's savvy adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer best seller turns vampirism into a metaphor for teen lust. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson star - full of desire, and full of dread at what might happen if he sinks his fangs into her. 2 hr.

PG-13

(scares, adult themes) -

S.R.

W **

Oliver Stone's stultifyingly unfunny profile of the 43d president stars Josh Brolin in the title role, offering a failed mix of political satire, psychobiography,

SNL

-style mimicry and Shakespearean tragedy. With Richard Dreyfuss as the Veep, Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice, and Elizabeth Banks as the first lady. 2 hrs. 11

PG-13

(profanity, alcohol, adult themes) -

S.R.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno **

The leads of Kevin Smith's blue movie - platonic friends in a jam - are like Harry and Sally, only less ambitious. The same might be said of Smith's film, in which the cuddly Seth Rogen and the bubbly Elizabeth Banks get respectively grating and flat. 1 hr. 41

R

(extreme profanity, pot and potty humor, nudity, sexual candor) -

C.R.

Reviewed by critics Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Howard Shapiro (H.S.) and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

The Government Inspector

(Lantern Theater Company) Gogol's comedy in a new adaptation. Through Dec. 28.

A Tuna Christmas

(Walnut Street Theatre) Two actors play all 24 denizens of Tuna, Texas, on the chaotic night before Christmas. Through Jan. 4.

The Wizard of Oz

(Academy of Music) A live-on-stage celebration of the 1939 movie. Friday through Sunday.

Absurd Person Singular

(Bristol Riverside Theatre) Six actors are a pleasure to watch, but this staging of Alan Ayckbourn's spoof on the class system should be funnier. Ends Sunday.

- H.S.

Cinderella

(People's Light and Theatre) Don't be fooled by the title - this clever Jazz-Age musical panto adaptation is the polar opposite of that frilly, princess-y Disney confection. Through Jan. 4.

- W.R.

Dark Play or Stories for Boys

(Theatre Exile) If a play about the dangers of Internet chat rooms and the manipulative creeps lurking there strikes you as old news and if abusive teenage boys are not your favorite thing, you will probably find Carlos Murillo's play, despite Exile's capable production, unpleasant and boring. Through Dec. 7.

- T.Z.

Gee's Bend

(Arden) Based on the lives of three generations of quilting women in Gee's Bend, Ala. The cast is rock-solid, perfectly suited to this unpretentious, unsentimental and altogether engaging play. Through Dec. 7.

- T.Z.

Hairspray

(Walnut Street Theatre) Big hair, big message, big beat with a big cast with big voices and big production numbers: big fun in the theater. Through Jan. 4.

- T.Z.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo

(Montgomery Theatre) This Tony winner about an assimilated Southern Jewish family strains credulity, as do some of the actors' accents (though there are some fine performances). And the ending - well, it's all too easy. Through Dec. 6.

- H.S.

The Music Man

(New Candlelight Theatre) This production goes all-out for the classic small-town musical tale of huckster Harold Hill and Marian the Librarian. Through Dec. 21.

- W.R.

The Mystery Plays

(Philadelphia Theatre Workshop) Two scary stories, more narrated than performed, are engrossing in an old-timey,

Twilight Zone

kind of way. Through Sunday.

- T.Z.

Rock Doves

(Amaryllis Theatre) This grim soap opera is so place-specific - the nasty slums of Belfast - and so parochial in its Northern Irish accents and politics that an American audience is pretty much left out. Through Dec. 7.

- T.Z.

She Loves You

(Society Hill Playhouse) This Beatles tribute takes you half the way there, which for nostalgic day-trippers just might be enough to make it worthwhile. Open-ended run.

- W.R.