Our critics recommend...
Movies Opening This Week Air Doll A life-size blow-up doll comes to life and falls for a video store clerk. Japanese with subtitles.
Movies
Opening This Week
Air Doll A life-size blow-up doll comes to life and falls for a video store clerk. Japanese with subtitles.
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work See Steven Rea's preview on H2.
Jonah Hex Josh Brolin stars as a man with a bounty on his head who is given a shot at freedom in exchange for stopping a terrorist bent on wreaking havoc. Adapted from the comic book.
Micmacs See Steven Rea's preview on H2.
Toy Story 3 See Steven Rea's preview on H2.
Winter's Bone A teen (Jennifer Lawrence) from the Ozark Mountains races against time to find her deadbeat father before her family loses everything.
Very Good (***1/2)
Reviewed by critics Carrie Rickey (C.R.), Steven Rea (S.R.), and Tirdad Derakhshani (T.D.).
Exit Through the Gift Shop A beguiling and subversively funny entertainment directed by and featuring the pseudonymous street artist Banksy, considering art's worth from many angles. 1 hr. 27 R (profanity, illegal street-art provocations) - C.R.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Violent, exhilarating, and faithful adaptation of Stieg Larsson's international best-seller, with Swedish actress Noomi Rapace in the role of Lisbeth Salander, the punky, pierced, perturbed, cyber-hacking heroine. 2 hrs. 32 No MPAA rating (violence, sexual violence, nudity, profanity, adult themes) - S.R.
Also on Screens
The A-Team **
"Overkill is underrated," Liam Neeson's Hannibal harrumphs in this long, loud adaptation of the '80s TV action series. Turns out, he's wrong. With Bradley Cooper as Face, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A., Sharlto Copley as Murdock, and Jessica Biel as the Army officer gazing awestruck and dumbfounded over the clandestine group's brazen recklessness. 1 hr. 57
PG-13
(violence, action, profanity, adult themes) -
S.R.
The Karate Kid *** An appealing reboot of the 1984 original about the new kid who faces down bullies with the help of a martial-arts master. Set in Beijing, in this one the martial art is kung fu, the master is Jackie Chan, and the kid is Will Smith's boy Jaden. A winner in more ways than one. 2 hrs. 12 PG (martial arts action, bullying, mild profanity) - C.R.
Killers * Ill-conceived, unfunny, un-thrilling romantic action comedy about a CIA assassin (Ashton Kutcher) who falls in love with the gal next door (Katherine Heigl). But the couple is hunted by evil killers. Yawn. 1 hr. 39 PG-13 (some adult language, mild violence, extreme insipidity) - T.D.
Sex and the City 2 **1/2 Not a train wreck, but a movie reuniting the four chums who strive to get each other off a runaway train and back on track. What resonates is an upbeat feeling that girls just want to have friend. 2 hrs. 26 R (profanity, nudity, sex, sexual candor) - C.R.
Shrek Forever After **1/2 The third sequel in the behemoth DreamWorks Animation franchise opts for an "alternate reality" scenario that undoes most of the scenarios of the previous films, and introduces a mad Rumpelstiltskin and a band of witches into the proceedings. Mediogre at best. 1 hr. 33 PG (scary dragon, intense action, fairy tale flippancy) - S.R.
Solitary Man *** Michael Douglas is at his best playing a character at his worst. Consider this unpitying look at a pitiful man, a disgraced businessman and incorrigible lech who seduces women and girls with daddy issues. Costarring Danny DeVito, Susan Sarandon, and Jenna Fischer. 1 hr. 30 R (profanity, drug use, sexual candor, irresponsibility) - C.R.
Theater
Reviewed by critics Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Howard Shapiro (H.S.), David Patrick Stearns (D.P.S.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).
New This Week
I Hate Hamlet (Cape May Stage) Paul Rudnick's comedy about a young actor haunted by John Barrymore. Opens Wednesday.
Continuing
Black Pearl Sings
(InterAct Theatre Company) This story of friendship between a female African American convict and a musicologist makes for a great girls' night out. Through June 27.
- W.R.
Fiddler on the Roof (Walnut Street Theatre) An outstanding production, with a terrific Tevye (Mark Jacoby), fine singing, a showstopping Russian bottle dance, Bruce Lumpkin's strong direction, and a feel that everything here is real. Through July 18. - H.S.
I Am My Own Wife (Amaryllis Theatre Company). Charlie DelMarcelle is sensational, playing all the roles of Doug Wright's Pulitzer-winning examination of a German transvestite's life. A spot-on production. Ends today. - H.S.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Arden Theatre Company) A delightfully chaotic adaptation of the classic children's book about a very demanding little mouse. Extended through June 27. - W.R.
Leaving (Wilma Theater) Former dissident and Czech president Vaclav Havel's absurdist meditation on power overstates its case but explores themes of life and previous work. Through next Sunday.
- W.R.
Love Jerry (Nice People Theatre Company) If you want to know why pedophiles do what they do, and hear one sing about it, this is your show. If not, I'm with you. Through next Sunday - W.R.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Philadelphia Theatre Company) Charismatic characters and strong acting highlight this imperfect but generally excellent production of an early August Wilson play. Ends today. - D.P.S.
The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) (Walnut Street Theatre's Independence Studio) In these five deliciously witty parodies of Big Broadway Musicals, a wildly talented cast shifts from style to style. Through June 27. - T.Z.
Oliver (Centre Theater) The whole nefarious gang is back, to pick your pocket and warm your heart. Through June 27.
Playboy of the Western World (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival) The highs and lows of heroism based on presumed patricide. Through July 3.
Respect (Society Hill Playhouse/Act II Playhouse) The progress of women, in popular song, is a successful crowd-pleaser that has a fine cast - but also an overblown narrative that demonizes men. Ends today. - H.S.
Shirley Valentine (Hedgerow Theatre) An up-for-anything English housewife is ready for change. Through June 30.
Sunday in the Park With George (Arden Theatre Company) Jorge Cousineau's mesmerizing effects, Jeffrey Coon's robust portrayals, and a somewhat under-miked cast give a graceful rendering of Sondheim's musical. Through July 4. - H.S.
Survive! (Swim Pony Performing Arts) This new theater troupe launches with a trippy, pleasantly Fringy and altogether fun interactive experience about the universe and us. Through June 20. - H.S.
Video
The Book of Eli ***
Albert and Allen Hughes' haunting and inspirational allegory is framed like a spaghetti Western. It stars Denzel Washington as a pilgrim of the postapocalypse fighting cannibals and scavengers in order to carry out a holy mission. With Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis. 1 hr. 58
R
(extreme violence, implied cannibalism) - C.R.