New films in theaters this week:

-- "17 Again" (rated PG-13), a comic fantasy starring Zac Efron.

-- "Crank: High Voltage" (rated R), a sequel to the 2006 action-thriller starring Jason Statham.

-- "Phoebe in Wonderland" (rated PG-13), an independently produced drama starring Elle Fanning.

-- "The Secret of the Grain" (not rated), a French drama about a would-be restaurateur. With English subtitles.

-- "Sin Nombre" (rated R), a dramatic thriller about illegal immigration and gangs. Spanish with subtitles.

-- "State of Play" (rated PG-13), a political thriller starring Russell Crowe as an investigative reporter.

The "Crank" sequel was not pre-screened for critics. And while it does have a good cast (Felicity Huffman, Patricia Clarkson and Bill Pullman), "Phoebe in Wonderland" is unfocused and irritating.

"The Secret of the Grain" has some interesting observations about ethnic intolerance and family dysfunctions, but at 154 minutes it's too long and too slowly paced to be satisfying.

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Poster art courtesy New Line Cinema

Both "17 Again" and "State of Play" have their faults -- the former is too familiar and the latter has at least one plot twist too many. But their respective casts are good. Especially "17 Again's" Thomas Lennon, who is hilarious in support.

The week's best movie is the 2009 Sundance Film Festival hit "Sin Nombre," with its sobering looks at the immigration experience and gang life. It's not an easy film to watch, but it's enthralling.

Which, if any of these movies, fit into your weekend viewing plans?

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