Short Takes

Condensed from Daily News movie critic Gary Thompson's reviews, unless noted otherwise.

GRAVITY. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play stranded-in-space astronauts in gripping drama with great visual effects. Alfonso Cuarón ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Children of Men") directs. (PG-13) A-

RUNNER, RUNNER. Justin Timberlake gets sweet job for online casino, but finds there is trouble in paradise. With Ben Affleck and some good laughs, but utterly lacking suspense. (R) B-

PARKLAND. Docudrama that reimagines JFK's assassination from the ER's perspective. Unfortunately, it plays like a so-so episode of TV's "ER." (PG-13) B-

WADJA. Saudia Arabia's first movie made by a woman offers touching peek into day-to-day life in Riyadh. (PG) B Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

HAUTE CUISINE. Playful movie about a woman trying to navigate the politics of the French palace kitchen, based on the story of the French president's first female chef. (PG-13) C+ Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

ENOUGH SAID. The late James Gandolfini shines as a divorcee who hooks up with a woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) with info about his busted marriage. (PG-13) A-

DON JON. Joseph Gordon-Levitt directs himself in comedy about a ladies man whose new lady (Scarlett Johansson) has a problem with his porn. (R) B

BAGGAGE CLAIM. Jill Scott flies in spinster-stewardess rom-com that otherwise crashes. (PG13) C- Reviewed by Molly Eichel.

RUSH. Racing movie is cluttered with cliches, but Daniel Bruhl is a kick as German Formula One legend Niki Lauda. (PG) B

METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER. Imax film is a best-seat-in-the-house hour of chugging rock brutality. (R) B+ Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

INEQUALITY FOR ALL. Robert Reich stars in a stats-drivend on the incredible shrinking middle class. (PG) B

THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI. Dry-ish documentary shows how much Ali lost for refusing to serve in Vietnam. Seeing Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis speak out against his decision stings like a bee. (Not rated) B Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

PRISONERS. Hugh Jackman, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis head great cast in long, lugubrious abduction thriller. (R) B-

BATTLE OF THE YEAR: THE DREAM TEAM. "P-Diddy"-like impresario hires old dance buddy to coach B-Boy "dream team." Predictable, but can Chris Brown ever dance! (PG-13) C Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

THE BUTLER. Lee Daniels directs a cast of Oscar winners in the story of a man (Forest Whitaker) who served eight presidents and was an eyewitness to civil-rights history. (PG-13) B

THE SPECTACULAR NOW. Engrossing and unexpectedly funny coming-of-age story about a faltering teen whose future is clouded by alcoholism. (R) B+

IN A WORLD. Comedy about woman breaking into the male world of movie trailer voice-overs. (R) B

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2. (PG-13) Follow-up to tale of dad who goes to " other side" to fetch his boy. Not nearly as scary as the original. (PG-13). B- Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

BLUE JASMINE. Woody Allen takes a harsh look at Manhattan in engrossing non-com, Cate Blanchett's Oscar nomination is a lock. (PG-13) B+

WE'RE THE MILLERS. Another disappointing Jennifer Aniston vehicle, this one involving an RV. (R) C

THE WAY, WAY BACK. Goofball (Sam Rockwell) liberates kid from jerky stepfather (Steve Carell) in vivid comedy. (PG-13) A-