Our critics recommend...

Chandi Chowk to China

In this Bollywood movie, the life of a lowly Indian cook is transformed when two strangers from China mistake him for an ancient warrior.

Che

Benicio Del Toro (

Traffic

) stars as Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the legendary Argentinian revolutionary who played a key role in the Cuban revolution. This two-part, four-hour-plus film was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Defiance

Jewish brothers escape Poland during World War II and resist the Nazis from a forest stronghold. Daniel Craig, George MacKay and Liev Schreiber star in this true story.

Hotel for Dogs

Two kids turn a vacant building into a paradise for stray dogs. Starring Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon.

Last Chance Harvey

Dustin Hoffman stars as an underachieving jingle writer whose life takes an unexpected turn when he meets a woman (Emma Thompson) at an airport bar while in London for his daughter's wedding.

My Bloody Valentine 3D

It's dangerous to celebrate Valentine's Day in this slasher flick.

Notorious

Biopic about Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard), the Brooklyn rapper whose life was violently cut short. With Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

A security guard (Kevin James) takes on a gang that threatens the serenity of his suburban shopping mall in this comedy.

Reviewed by critics Carrie Rickey (C.R.), Steven Rea (S.R.), and David Hiltbrand (D.H.). W.S. denotes a wire-service review.

Slumdog Millionaire

A street kid-turned-gofer gets on the Indian version of

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

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

R

(violence, profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

I've Loved You So Long

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 of her crime. A story that's stark and redemptive, from French writer and first-time director Philippe Claudel. 1 hr. 55

PG-13

(sex, nudity, profanity, adult themes) -

S.R.

Rachel Getting Married

According to the rules, tragedy ends in death, 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, with her sibling's help, learning 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.

The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke stars in the role of a lifetime - and gives a performance of equal measure - in this rough and tumbling portrait of an old wrestling star staging an improbable comeback. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood costar; it's a ragged but near- brilliant little film.

R

(profanity, violence, drugs, sex, nudity, adult themes) -

S.R.

Bedtime Stories **1/2

Adam Sandler stars as a goofball maintenance man who regales his nephew and niece with fantasies - far-fetched elements of which turn out to come true. A sloppy, choppy but affably nutty family comedy, with a few icky gags guaranteed to please the sub-teen set. 1 hr. 39

PG

(gross humor, adult themes) -

S.R.

Bride Wars *1/2

So how bad can a movie with Goldilocks (Kate) Hudson and Cinderella (Anne) Hathaway be? So excruciating that Hudson's sunshine can't warm it and Hathaway's rose redolence can't mask its stink. This one about the best buds turned mortal enemies when their weddings are accidentally booked the same day is the rotten - and possibly poisoned - apple of fairy-tale movies. 1 hr. 30

PG

(risque dancing) -

C.R.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ***

Brad Pitt stars as a man who ages backwards, beginning in 1918 and heading into the 21st century. An epic Gumpian yarn, with Cate Blanchett as the love of his life, and fine turns from Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton. 2 hrs. 47

PG-13

(sex, profanity, violence, adult themes)

-

S.R.

Marley and Me ***

Happiness is a warm tongue bath in this David Frankel film, based on John Grogan's memoir, about a frisky Labrador who is the best-loved member of the family. With Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and Alan Arkin. 1 hr. 55

PG

(life-cycle themes, discreet candor about human sex and pregnancy, brief glimpse of dog humping) -

C.R.

Valkyrie **1/2

Tom Cruise and a bunch of (mostly) British actors goose-step around with great urgency, conspiring to assassinate Adolf Hitler in Bryan Singer's too-busy World War II thriller. Still, a fair degree of tension and suspense is worked up, even as the history books provide the movie's spoiler. 2 hrs.

PG-13

(violence, adult themes) -

S.R.

Yes Man **1/2

Jim Carrey as a killjoy who gets a life when he stops saying no and starts saying yes. A pleasant diversion costarring Zooey Deschanel and directed by Peyton Reed. 1 hr. 44

PG-13

(sexual humor, brief nudity) -

C.R.

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

Citizen Paine

(Iron Age Theatre) A one-man world premiere about the forgotten founding father. Opens Friday.

Exit, Corpse

(Plays & Players) Two women collaborate to survive in this new comedy. Opens Thursday.

Give My Regards to Broadway

(Kimmel Center's Innovation Studio) A new musical history of the Great White Way in song and tap. Previews today, opens Tuesday.

Hedda Gabler

(Mauckingbird Theatre Company) A new twist on the Ibsen classic. Previews today, opens Tuesday.

The Imaginary Invalid

(REP) Moliere's comic take on obtaining live-in health care. Previews Thursday, opens Friday.

Looking Over the President's Shoulder

(Hedgerow) The man who was chief butler to four presidents reminisces. Previews today, opens Friday.

Mrs. Warren's Profession

(McCarter Theatre) Shaw's 1893 comedy about a woman who refused to settle. Previews Tuesday-Thursday, opens Friday 13-15, opens Jan. 16.

My Name Is Asher Lev (Arden Theatre) World premiere based on Chaim Potok's novel about a man torn between art and faith. Previews today and Tuesday, opens

Wednesday.

No Child

(Delaware Theatre Company) A city teacher struggles to connect with students. Previews Wednesday-Friday, opens Saturday.

Orange Flower Water

(Luna Theater Company) Love and infidelity in small-town Minnesota. Previews Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 20 and 21, opens Jan. 22.

A Streetcar Named Desire

(Walnut Street Theatre) It started at the Walnut, and now it's back. Previews Tuesday-Sunday and Jan. 20, opens Jan. 21.

Ain't Misbehavin'

(Academy of Music) Fats Waller tunes and three

American Idol

alums, including Ruben Studdard, highlight this revue's short run. Ends today.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

(New Candlelight Theatre) Pseudolus and the gang in a B.C. Sondheim romp. Through March 14.

James and the Giant Peach

(Arden Theatre) Spiffy sound and video effects by Jorge Cousineau are more impressive than the adaptation of Roald Dahl's book, which comes across on stage as static in the first half, more active in the second. Through Feb. 8.

- H.S.

Skin Deep

(Inis Nua Theatre Company) In this strong U.S.- premiere production of a fascinating tragicomedy by Irish playwright Paul Meade, two men and two women crisscross paths in a complex meditation on art, science, money and body parts. Through next Sunday.

- T.Z.

Talk Radio

(New City Stage Company) Paul Felder savages - in a good way - the role of radio host Barry Champlain. Too bad everyone else looks like a cartoon. Ends today.

- W.R.

Swing Vote ***

Kevin Costner as a boozy loser who, because of a voting-machine malfunction in a deadlocked state, can pick the winner of the presidential election. A political satire perfectly calibrated to the national mood and to its revitalized star. 1 hr. 59

PG-13

(gratuitous profanity, but otherwise family-friendly) -

C.R.