NEW FILMS FRIDAY
EDMOND — ** — As terrific as William H. Macy is, this talky think piece is misogynistic, racist and offensive. Running time: 82 minutes, R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, nudity, gore, racial epithets, sex, rape)
THE GUARDIAN — ** — This rescue drama's lengthy running time works against it, but Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher are solid. Running time: 136 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, vulgarity)
LUNACY — ** — Czech animator Jan Svankmajer's latest is his most successful venture into live-action filmmaking. Czech with subtitles. Running time: 118 minutes, not rated, probable R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity) —Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
OPEN SEASON — ** 1/2 — It's watchable, but this animated comedy is also a bit crude. Voice stars are led by Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher. Running time: 90 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, mild profanity)
SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS — ** —The first half of this dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder is surprisingly watchable, but then it falls apart completely. Running time: 100 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork, brief drugs)
THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP — *** — Director Michel Gondry's examination of dysfunctional relationships is as entrancing as it is bizarre, absurd and whimsical. French with subtitles, running time: 105 minutes, R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO — ** —This 1990 comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan isn't one of their better teamings. Running time: 94 minutes, PG (profanity, violence, vulgarity) (Tonight and Saturday: Tower)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
AMERICAN BLACKOUT — The 2006 Sundance Film Festival hit documentary examines voting practices regarding black voters and candidates. This film is not rated but may feature PG-13 content. (Thursday, 7 p.m.: Park City Library)
DEMOCRACY FILM SERIES — Selections are the documentaries "Street Fight" and "Our Brand is Crisis." These films are not rated but may feature PG-13 content. (Saturday, 1 p.m.: Salt Lake City Library)
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE — *** — John Barrymore plays both characters in the 1920 version of the classic tale. Live musical accompaniment, black and white, running time: 67 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence) (Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Salt Lake City Library)
EDUCATION FILM SERIES — Selections are the documentaries "Class Act" and "The First Year." These films are not rated but may feature PG-13 content. (Sunday, 1 p.m.: Salt Lake City Library)
HOLLY HOBBIE & FRIENDS: SECRET PARTY — Direct-to-video cartoon. Running time: 60 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) (Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 3 p.m.: Carmike 12, Ritz, Wynnsong, Provo)
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH — See listing under "Continuing films." (Tonight and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.: Park City Library)
MONSTER HOUSE 3-D — Select theaters are showing the new film in 3-D. (Megaplex 17)
SHANE — **** — One of the greatest Westerns of the '50s — or ever — with Alan Ladd as a mysterious stranger who helps defend homesteaders. Running time: 118 minutes, made before ratings (1953), probable PG (violence) (Tonight, 7 p.m.: Harold B. Lee Library, BYU, Provo)
SPANISH LANGUAGE FILM SERIES — Selection is the documentary expose "Ninos de la Calle." Spanish with subtitles, running time: 82 minutes, not rated, probable PG-13 (adult themes) (Sunday, 1 p.m.: Salt Lake City Library)
TRAPPED BY THE MORMONS — The 1922 silent feature starring Louis Willoughby as a sinister LDS "mesmerist" is unintentional funny. Black and white, running time: 72 minutes, live musical accompaniment, not rated, probable G (violence) (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.: Organ Loft)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
ADRENALINE RUSH: THE SCIENCE OF RISK — ** 1/2 —This adventure can't decide if it's a documentary or an extreme-sports travelog. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) (Tonight and Saturday, 10 p.m.: Clark Planetarium) —Ivan M. Lincoln
DEEP SEA 3-D — *** — This entertaining minifeature is an up-close look at various forms of aquatic life. Running time: 40 minutes, G (animal violence)
EVEREST — Liam Neeson narrated this documentary about a 1996 Himalayan expedition team. Running time: 44 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive)
JOURNEY INTO AMAZING CAVES — *** 1/2 — The makers of "Everest" manage to scale new heights in their latest documentary. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) —Margaret McGurk, The Cincinnati Enquirer
MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: WALKING ON THE MOON 3D — *** 1/2 — This minifeature on manned space missions is as entertaining as it is educational. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) (Tuesday and Thursday, noon: Clark Planetarium)
OPEN SEASON 3-D — Select theaters are showing the new film in the large-screen format and in 3-D. (Megaplex 17)
SHARKS 3-D — ** 1/2 — This documentary doesn't offer much depth. Running time: 40 minutes, G (animal violence) —Jim Carnes, Sacramento Bee
T-REX: BACK TO THE CRETACEOUS — *** — This minifeature about dinosaurs is a trip. Running time: 45 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) —John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
WILD SAFARI 3-D A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE — *** — This cinematic safari's simple pleasures will be best experienced by the littlest ticket-holders. Running time: 45 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) —Ned Martel, New York Times News Service
CONTINUING FILMS
ACCEPTED — ** — Call this "Baby Animal House." Running time: 90 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, violence, nude artwork)
ALL THE KING'S MEN — ** — This sluggish remake of the 1950 best-picture Oscar winner wastes a first-rate cast. Running time: 128 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets, brief gore, partial nudity)
BARNYARD — ** — Another quick-and-dirty "all-star cast" animated feature churned out by digital start-ups. Running time: 83 minutes, PG (vulgarity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
THE BLACK DAHLIA — ** — Brian De Palma's sleazy crime thriller gets more entertaining as it gets more ludicrous and convoluted. Running time: 121 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, nudity, sex, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets)
CARS — *** — This comedy about talking cars is better than 90 percent of the big-screen cartoons out there. Running time: 116 minutes, G (vulgarity, violence)
CLICK — * 1/2 — This fantasy-flavored comedy is full of lowbrow humor. Running time: 108 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, violence, drugs)
CONFETTI — ** 1/2 — This "mockumentary" about a competition to stage a wedding in Britain comes off more like a reality TV show. Running time: 94 minutes, R (nudity, language, mild violence) —Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
THE COVENANT — * 1/2 —The scariest thing about this horror-thriller is that it may be even more lame than its comic-book source material. Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, partial nudity, vulgarity)
CRANK — ** — Ludicrous plotting nearly makes this action-thriller delightfully trashy. Running time: 83 minutes, R (violence, profanity, drugs, gore, sex, nudity, racial epithets)
THE DESCENT — *** — This horror film's atmosphere sustains the characters when the plot becomes predictable. Running time: 99 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA — *** — Meryl Streep's funny performance is the highlight of this comedy. Running time: 106 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence)
EVERYONE'S HERO — ** — This animated baseball comedy is pretty crude for a G-rated kids movie. Running time: 88 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity)
FACTOTUM — *** — This askew look at a life of drift and impermanence has a subdued, modest grace. Running time: 94 minutes, R (profanity, sex) —Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
FLYBOYS — ** 1/2 — The air-battle scenes in this WW I drama will make it worthwhile for aircraft buffs. Running time: 139 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, racial epithets)
GRIDIRON GANG — ** 1/2 — This inspirational football drama has some appealing aspects. Running time: 120 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief drugs)
HALF NELSON — *** — The performances save this self-important drama from itself. Running time: 106 minutes, R (drugs, profanity, sex, violence, racial epithets)
HOLLYWOODLAND — *** — Ben Affleck's credible performance as George Reeves is one of the highlights of this mystery/thriller. Running time: 126 minutes, R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex, gore, brief partial nudity, brief drugs, racial epithets)
HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS — ** 1/2 — This adaptation of the popular children's book is the ultimate 11-year-old boy's movie. Running time: 85 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
THE ILLUSIONIST — ** — This shallow, vapid romantic drama isn't as superior a film it thinks. Edward Norton stars. Running time: 110 minutes, PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity)
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH — *** 1/2 — This global-warming documentary is well-crafted. Running time: 100 minutes, PG (violence, nude artwork, brief drugs)
INVINCIBLE — *** — The filmmakers get more mileage out of this formulaic sports drama than you might expect. Running time: 108 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity)
JACKASS: NUMBER TWO — * — Johnny Knoxville and his pals return for more irresponsible stunts. Running time: 83 minutes, R (violence, vulgarity, nudity, profanity, gore, racial epithets)
JET LI'S FEARLESS — *** 1/2 — The Hong Kong action star's final martial-arts epic sees him going out on a high note. Chinese with subtitles, running time: 103 minutes, PG-13 (violence, brief gore, brief drugs, profanity)
JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE — * 1/2 — An idiotic teen comedy that settles for being silly and cutesy. Running time: 87 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief drugs, brief partial nudity)
LADY IN THE WATER — ** — The surprise with M. Night Shyamalan's latest is that he's created an almost laughable convoluted story mythology for this fantasy/thriller. Running time: 109 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)
THE LAST KISS — *** — This comedy-drama gives Zach Braff an opportunity to stretch his acting muscles. Running time: 104 minutes, R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, nudity, brief drugs, violence)
LITTLE MAN — * — This moronic comedy stretches out crude gags and repeats them endlessly. Running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex, brief drugs)
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE — ** 1/2 — This modestly amusing comedy boasts good performances. Running time: 101 minutes, R (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, nude photos)
MONSTER HOUSE — *** — This animated comedy with horror elements turns a bit too dark. Running time: 91 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs)
NACHO LIBRE — ** 1/2 — Director Jared Hess' comedy about a priest-turned-wrestler is pretty silly. Running time: 91 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity)
OVER THE HEDGE — *** — The voice cast for this animated comedy clearly had fun making it, and it's infectious. Running time: 87 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST — *** 1/2 — A considerable improvement over the first "Pirates" movie in the story department. Running time: 151 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief gore, profanity, brief drugs, torture)
THE PROTECTOR — ** — Thai action star Tony Jaa has plenty of astonishing fight moves, but he lacks presence. Running time: 92 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex, brief drugs, racial epithets)
PULSE — * — A lame "Night of the Internet Dead." Running time: 86 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
SCOOP — ** — Woody Allen reverts to disappointing lightweight form with this screwball comedy-mystery. Running time: 96 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, brief drugs, nude artwork, vulgarity)
STEP UP — ** — The by-the-numbers plot causes crucial stumbles. Running time: 98 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork)
SUPERMAN RETURNS — *** — Bryan Singer's continuation of the Superman saga was one of the few summer movies to deliver the goods. Running time: 154 minutes, PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)
TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY — *** — This auto-racing comedy has its share of laugh-out-loud moments, questionable as some may be. Running time: 108 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, drugs, brief sex)
TRUST THE MAN — ** — What filmmaker Bart Freundlich means as literate, insightful domestic reflection turns to trivial, empty farce. Running time: 100 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, sex) —David Germain, Associated Press
THE WICKER MAN — * 1/2 —Director Neil LaBute's remake of the 1973 occult thriller/mystery might be the greatest bad movie of the year. Running time: 103 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity) —Christy Lemire, Associated Press
WORLD TRADE CENTER — *** — Oliver Stone sweeps away memories of his recent flops with this gripping 9/11 thriller. Running time: 129 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, drugs, vulgarity)
YOU, ME AND DUPREE — ** — This comedy makes Owen Wilson unlikable. Running time: 108 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, sex, brief nudity, brief drugs)
ZOOM — * 1/2 — This family-friendly superhero comedy has plenty of energy but not a single original idea. Running time: 89 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity) —Christy Lemire, Associated Press