NEW FILMS FRIDAYDOWNFALL — *** — Portraying Third Reich leaders in a human way, including Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz), only makes their actions more chilling. German with subtitles. Running time: 149 minutes. R (violence, gore, drugs, ethnic slurs, profanity, brief nudity).
FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY — *** 1/2 — The violent and sexual content means it's not for all tastes, but this multistoried thriller is visually stunning. Black and white. Running time: 126 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, torture, nudity, drugs, vulgarity, sex).
IMAGINARY HEROES — ** 1/2 — Sigourney Weaver is terrific as a mother dealing with loss in this otherwise too familiar and too aloof drama. Running time: 111 minutes. R (profanity, drugs, vulgarity, brief sex, violence).
THE UPSIDE OF ANGER — *** — Mike Binder's comedy-drama is funny and touching in all the right places. And Joan Allen and Kevin Costner give fine performances. Running time: 118 minutes. R (profanity, drugs, vulgarity, brief sex, violence, brief gore).
SNEAK PREVIEWS
FEVER PITCH — Drew Barrymore dates a fanatical Boston Red Sox fan (Jimmy Fallon) in the Farrelly brothers latest comedy. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, slapstick violence). (Tonight, Saturday and Sunday: Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
INFERNAL AFFAIRS — *** — The action makes up for the improbable plotting in this exciting 2002 thriller about double-crossing cops. Cantonese with subtitles. Running time: 101 minutes. R (violence). (Tonight and Saturday, Tower.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
A CHUMP AT OXFORD — *** — Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy star in this very funny 1940 farce that has the duo heading for England after Laurel is identified as a missing British lord. Black and white. Running time: 63 minutes. Made before ratings, probable G. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, free; no children under 8.)
SORRY, WRONG NUMBER — *** — Barbara Stanwyck's performance as a bedridden heiress in danger is the reason to watch this 1948 thriller, which co-stars Burt Lancaster. Black and white. Running time: 89 minutes. Made before ratings, probable PG (violence). (Tuesday, 10 a.m., SCERA, Orem, for seniors only.)
WORD WARS — *** — The subjects of this interesting documentary about professional Scrabble players don't come off particularly well. Running time: 78 minutes. Not rated, probable R (profanity, vulgarity, drug use, racial epithets). (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, free.)
WORKS FROM ALONG THE WASATCH FRONT — Locally produced short film and video work. Running time: 85 minutes. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-13 level material. (Tonight, 8 p.m., Salt Lake Art Center.)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
BUGS! — *** — This British-made documentary about insects has plenty of "wow" moments. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence).
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: JOURNEY OF MAN— *** 1/2 — Three routines by the Montreal-based circus troupe, which symbolize the birth of mankind. Narrated by Ian McKellen. Running time: 38 minutes. G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
THE LIVING SEA — *** — Even for the landlocked, this large-screen documentary resonates, reminding us that we're like so many fish in a school. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
SPACE STATION 3-D — **** — Tom Cruise narrates, but the real stars of this breathtaking 3-D film are the International Space Station crew. Running time: 47 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ivan M. Lincoln
T-REX: BACK TO THE CRETACEOUS — *** — The 3-D headgear may make you feel like Rick Moranis in "Spaceballs," but this IMAX mini-feature is a trip. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
VIKINGS: JOURNEY TO NEW WORLDS — ** 1/2 — As educational as it is, this large-screen documentary feels a little dry and stuffy. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable PG (some violent imagery).
CONTINUING FILMS
ARE WE THERE YET? — * — Ice Cube sinks to a new low with this mean-spirited, often crude comedy about a man baby-sitting his girlfriend's kids. Running time: 96 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
BEAUTY SHOP — ** — Queen Latifah doesn't seem particularly threatened by her problems in this "BarberShop" spin-off, which never feels remotely real. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs). — Margaret McGurk, The Cincinnati Enquirer
BE COOL — ** —This "Get Shorty" sequel, starring John Travolta, is a nonstop barrage of unfunny music- and entertainment-business jokes. Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, racial epithets, vulgarity).
BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE — *** — Newcomer AnnaSophia Robb and a scene-stealing pooch star in this winning comedy-drama based on the best-selling novel. Running time: 106 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
BORN INTO BROTHELS — *** 1/2 — The stories told in this year's Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature are quite moving. Bengali with subtitles. Running time: 84 minutes. R (profanity, drugs, vulgarity, violence, nude photos).
BRIDE & PREJUDICE — ** —The cheesy musical numbers are sort of fun — which is more than you can say for the rest of this Jane Austen meets Bollywood adaptation. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence).
COACH CARTER — ** — This overlong drama starring Samuel L. Jackson has good points about education and athletics but repeats them endlessly. Running time: 135 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, racial epithets, drugs, vulgarity, brief sex).
CONSTANTINE — *** — This occult thriller starring Keanu Reeves never takes itself too seriously and has some tense and creepy moments. Running time: 121 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief drugs).
FINDING NEVERLAND — *** 1/2 — This gentle drama, which stars Johnny Depp as "Peter Pan" creator J.M. Barrie, will probably wring a few tears from even the most cynical, hard-hearted moviegoer. Running time: 106 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, profanity).
GUESS WHO — ** —Stars Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher are likable but this contrived comedy prevents us from sympathizing with them. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, racial epithets).
GUNNER PALACE — *** —The foul language shouldn't deter audiences from seeing this fascinating documentary about U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. Running time: 86 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief drugs).
HITCH — ** 1/2 — Part buddy comedy, part romantic comedy, Will Smith's latest works better as the former. Eva Mendes co-stars. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 profanity, slapstick violence, vulgarity, brief drugs).
HOSTAGE — * 1/2 — All this thriller's credibility is destroyed by the take-no-prisoners excess of its final act. Bruce Willis stars. Running time: 113 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drug use). — David Germain, Associated Press
ICE PRINCESS — ** —This ice-skating drama stumbles and falls every time it isn't on the ice. Running time: 98 minutes. G (slapstick violence, mild profanity).
IN GOOD COMPANY — *** 1/2 — This corporate comedy isn't as insightful or original as it seems to think it is, but winning performances make it a breath of fresh cinematic air. Running time: 109 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief drugs, brief partial nudity).
THE INCREDIBLES — **** — Pixar's Oscar-winning, imaginative, superhero adventure/comedy is probably the most exciting animated film ever made. Running time: 121 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
INSIDE DEEP THROAT — ** —Too ambitious for its own good, this documentary feature about the 1972 porn movie "Deep Throat" is superficial at best. Running time: 92 minutes. NC-17 (nudity, sex, vulgarity, profanity, drugs).
KINSEY — ** 1/2 — This well-acted biographical drama about the infamous sex researcher (played by Liam Neeson) feels a little too clinical. Running time: 118 minutes. R (vulgarity, sex, nudity, brief drugs, violence).
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS — *** — Jim Carrey is delightfully over the top in this dark, sometimes scary comedy based on the popular series of novels about a trio of orphans. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity).
LES CHORISTES (THE CHORUS) — *** —This French feel-good drama may be predictable and manipulative, but it's also very effective. French with subtitles. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence).
THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU — *** — Filmmaker Wes Anderson's oddball comedy about a revenge-minded oceanographer (Bill Murray) will delight fans but won't win any converts. Running time: 118 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drug use, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief gore, brief sex).
MAN OF THE HOUSE — ** —This comedy is so light it should wind up on the "diet" shelf of the video store, but Tommy Lee Jones refuses to let a minute of it embarrass him. Running time: 97 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs). — Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe
MEET THE FOCKERS — ** — Dustin Hoffman's manic performance is the only thing that makes this extremely crude sequel watchable. Running time: 112 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, brief drugs).
MILLION DOLLAR BABY — *** 1/2 — No mere distaff "Rocky," Clint Eastwood's Best Picture-winning drama about a female boxer (Oscar-winner Hilary Swank) is his best movie in years. Running time: 132 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs, vulgarity).
MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS — ** —This sequel to the 2000 hit doesn't even deserve a consolation prize . . . or a booby prize, for that matter. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity).
NATIONAL TREASURE — ** 1/2 — If you can turn off your brain for two hours, this action-adventure movie starring Nicolas Cage is sort of fun. Running time: 120 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity).
NOBODY KNOWS — *** — Hirokazu Kore-eda's drama about kids with problems has a sense of behavioral realism that never wavers. Japanese with subtitles. Running time: 141 minutes. PG-13 (profanity). — Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
OFF THE MAP — ** 1/2 —There are simply too many people populating this comedy-drama, which stars Joan Allen and Sam Elliott. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, drugs, nudity, violence, vulgarity).
ONG-BAK: THE THAI WARRIOR — *** — The plot is pretty much standard-issue. But the action in this martial-arts thriller is spectacular. Thai with subtitles. Running time: 101 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drugs, brief gore, vulgarity, brief partial nudity).
THE PACIFIER — * 1/2 —Vin Diesel tries to ape Arnold Schwarzenegger in this dumber and considerably more crass rip-off of "Kindergarten Cop." Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA — ** — Miscastings abound in director Joel Schumacher's visually sumptuous but rather dry version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical. Running time: 143 minutes. PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, nude artwork, vulgarity).
POOH'S HEFFALUMP MOVIE — ** — Innocent and overly simplistic, the latest Winnie the Pooh movie is ideally suited for the littlest Roos out there. Running time: 68 minutes. G (nothing offensive). — Christy Lemire, Associate Press
RACING STRIPES — * — This crude live-action comedy drives the talking-animals gimmick into the ground. Running time: 102 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, profanity).
THE RING TWO — ** —This disappointing sequel to the 2003 horror hit about a cursed videotape is more weird than scary. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs).
ROBOTS — ** 1/2 — This thinly scripted but brilliantly animated comedy feels as clunky and mechanical, as its characters. Ewan McGregor and Robin Williams provide voices. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence).
SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES — *** —Some audiences may find this German comedy's deliberate pacing to be too slow. But it's got charm. German with subtitles. Running time: 114 minutes. PG (racial epithets, mild profanity, vulgarity).
SIDEWAYS — *** 1/2 — Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church are exceptional as squabbling friends on a male-bonding trip in this well-acted comedy-drama. Running time: 123 minutes. R (profanity, nudity, sex, vulgarity, drugs, violence).
SON OF THE MASK— * 1/2 — This sorry little offspring of Jim Carrey's 1994 hit "The Mask" will likely annoy even young children. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, profanity). — David Germain, Associated Press
SONS OF PROVO — ** — This locally made, musical "mockumentary" makes you want to watch "This is Spinal Tap" again — to see how this sort of thing should be done. Running time: 93 minutes. PG (mild profanity, mild vulgarity, slapstick violence).
STEAMBOY — *** —Katsuhiro Otomo's follow-up to the 1988 animated classic "Akira" isn't as thought-provoking, but it's still fun. Dubbed. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, mild profanity).
TRAVELLERS AND MAGICIANS — ** 1/2 —This sometimes-too-slow-for-its-own good film is enlivened by shots of the beautiful Bhutanese scenery. Dzongkha with subtitles. Running time: 108 minutes. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, sex, nude artwork).
THE WEDDING DATE — * 1/2 — Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney are going through the motions in this derivative rip-off of "Pretty Woman." Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, brief partial nudity).
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE MERCHANT OF VENICE — ** 1/2 —Al Pacino chews some Shakespearean scenery as Shylock in Michael Radford's refreshingly different adaptation. Running time: 126 minutes. R (vulgarity, ethnic slurs, brief sex, brief nudity, violence).
THE WORK AND THE GLORY— ** 1/2 — The cinematography is magnificent, but the so-so plotting and performances make this adaptation of the first of the best-selling novels somewhat disappointing. Running time: 108 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity).