Film Shorts

Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (R) Michael Rapaport’s documentary about the legendary hip-hop band and their breakup. Also with Mary J. Blige, Common, De La Soul, Mos Def, Adam Horovitz, Adam Yauch, Ghostface Killah, Ludacris, and Pharrell Williams. (Opens Friday in Dallas)

Life, Above All (PG-13) Adapted from Alan Stratton’s novel Chanda’s Secrets, Oliver Schmitz’ drama stars Khomotso Manyaka as a 12-year-old girl trying to hold her family together after a wave of illness sees them ostracized by their South African village. Also with Lerato Mvelase, Keaobaka Makanyane, Harriet Lenabe, Aubrey Poolo, Tinah Mnumzana, and Rami Chuene. (Opens Friday in Dallas)

Sarah’s Key (PG-13) Kristin Scott Thomas stars in this drama based on Tatiana de Rosnay’s novel about a present-day American-French journalist who discovers the hidden connection between herself and a Jewish Parisian family during the Holocaust. Also with Mélusine Mayance, Niels Arestrup, Frédéric Pierrot, Michel Duchaussoy, and Aidan Quinn. (Opens Friday in Dallas)

Septien (NR) Michael Tully writes, directs, and stars in this Southern Gothic tale as a hustler who returns to his Tennessee family farm 18 years after his sudden departure. Also with Robert Longstreet, Onur Tukel, Rachel Korine, and Mark Darby Robinson. (Opens Friday in Dallas)

The Smurfs (PG) Exactly as bad as you’d think. This rotten family flick features six of the famous magical blue beings transported to live-action present-day New York City — along with their wizard nemesis Gargamel (Hank Azaria) — and enlisting an expectant married couple (Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays) to help them get back home. The 3D animation is lame, with director Raja Gosnell (the Scooby-Doo movies) bringing his non-magical touch to the proceedings. The script is somehow even lamer, cherry-picking all the most obvious cultural references and indulging in product placement that’s shameless even for kids’ movies. This movie will give you the blues, all right. Also with Sofía Vergara and Tim Gunn. Voices by Anton Yelchin, Katy Perry, Alan Cumming, George Lopez, Fred Armisen, and Jonathan Winters. (Opens Friday)

Bad Teacher (R) A nihilistic satire that doesn’t have the courage of its convictions. Cameron Diaz stars as a cynical, gold-digging, pot-smoking, unmotivated middle-school teacher who’s inspired to start actually teaching her class so she can snag an idealistic, independently wealthy substitute teacher (Justin Timberlake). The script and Diaz are great at presenting the main character as actively hateful, but they both fall down in the last third of the movie, when she’s supposed to become sympathetic. The supporting cast is tasty (especially Phyllis Smith as a weak-willed fellow teacher and Lucy Punch as a perky busybody), and comic highlights include a totally gross fully clothed sex scene and a musical interlude with Timberlake singing a horrible folk song. A B/B- effort, all in all. Also with Jason Segel, John Michael Higgins, Eric Stonestreet, Thomas Lennon, David Paymer, and Molly Shannon.

A Better Life (PG-13) Demián Bichir stars in this drama as an L.A. gardener who buys his pal’s truck — and the business that comes with it — only to have it stolen out from under him by a fellow immigrant. Director Chris Weitz (About a Boy) tries to avoid telenovela-style drama, especially in the scenes between the gardener and his 14-year-old son (José Julián), but he pulls back too far, making for an emotionally distant movie even though the actors tear up manfully. The main reason to see this is a great performance from Bichir, who resists the temptation to turn his character into a saint and instead plays him movingly as a decent, gentle, overwhelmed single father. Also with Joaquín Cosio, Carlos Linares, Gabriel Chavarria, Bobby Soto, and Dolores Heredia.

Bridesmaids (R) A treasure. Kristen Wiig co-writes and stars in this comedy as a woman enduring a rough time when her best friend (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged. This is not a romance, nor is this a female version of The Hangover, despite a few uproariously raunchy set pieces. It’s one of the best movies ever about female friendship, and it would still work even if you took the jokes out, though why would you want to? Wiig gives a compelling performance as someone self-destructing as a richer, more glamorous, condescending new friend (Rose Byrne) seems to be stealing away her old pal. An intelligent and moving film, as well as a hilarious one. The supporting cast is stellar, but watch for Melissa McCarthy, stealing laughs everywhere as a foul-mouthed, intense, deadly serious bridesmaid. Also with Chris O’Dowd, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Matt Lucas, Rebel Wilson, Michael Hitchcock, Ben Falcone, Terry Crews, an uncredited Jon Hamm, and the late Jill Clayburgh.

Captain America: The First Avenger (PG-13) Accomplished but empty comic-book adaptation stars Chris Evans as a scrawny asthmatic U.S. Army reject during World War II who submits to a medical experiment that turns him into a warrior with superhuman strength and reflexes. Director Joe Johnston does it all up professionally and prevents the movie from overplaying the patriotism angle. The indistinct characterizations and the blandness of lead actors (Evans and Hayley Atwell as a British agent who’s part of the project) are the reason why the movie feels so impersonal. Perhaps he’ll be more interesting as part of next year’s The Avengers, but here Captain America is a stalwart but boring presence. Also with Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Dominic Cooper, Sebastian Stan, Richard Armitage, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Cars 2 (G) Better than its rep. Pixar’s sequel to its 2006 hit has Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) competing in a grand prix race around the world while Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) is caught up in an international spy plot when two British secret agents (voiced by Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer) mistake him for an operative. The thriller plot is grafted onto Pixar’s customary character-based drama, and the combination doesn’t always work. Still, the animation is beautiful and finely detailed as always, the action sequences are neatly done, and the choice of villains (a bunch of outdated lemon cars who work for Big Oil and are trying to discredit alternative fuels) is pretty clever. For pure escapism, you could do a lot worse. Additional voices by Eddie Izzard, Joe Mantegna, John Turturro, Thomas Kretschmann, Bonnie Hunt, Franco Nero, Tony Shalhoub, Jeff Garlin, Jason Isaacs, Bruce Campbell, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Friends With Benefits (R) Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis star in this comedy as business acquaintances and friends who, after being dumped by their respective significant others, decide to pursue a sexual relationship without emotions. This movie has so much going for it: The leads are terrific and charming, the characters are layered depictions of two closed-off people, the writing is sharp and funny, the supporting cast is strong and lively, and director Will Gluck (Easy A) brings a great sense of comic timing. The trouble is, the movie can’t think of any way to end except in a sappy conventional romance, which is odd given how much time it spends bashing other Hollywood romantic comedies for being sappy and conventional. It adds up to a strangely conflicted experience. Also with Patricia Clarkson, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Bryan Greenberg, Masi Oka, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone, and uncredited cameos by Rashida Jones and Jason Segel.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PG-13) End of the line! The quest to destroy Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) leads Harry and his friends (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson) back to school for an ultimate showdown. Director David Yates still fumbles a few of the book’s key emotional points, and the 3D is unnecessary gilding. On the other hand, there are cool action set pieces and a shattering flashback revealing the hidden motivations of Professor Snape (Alan Rickman). The film stands up well enough on its own, with a lyrical middle bookended by action-dominated sections. Yet it’s the slow aging of these kid actors into young men and women that gives unique power to J.K. Rowling’s saga of children becoming adults. Also with Warwick Davis, Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Matthew Lewis, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Tom Felton, Helen McCrory, Jason Isaacs, Ciarán Hinds, Kelly Macdonald, Bonnie Wright, David Bradley, Gary Oldman, and Robbie Coltrane.

Larry Crowne (PG-13) A comedy vacuum. Tom Hanks writes, directs, and stars in this tone-deaf attempt at a slice-of-life drama as a downsized retail employee who turns his life around by enrolling at a community college. The script by Hanks and co-star Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame) is not only unfunny but unconvincing in developing plot and character. He’s also surprisingly ineffective at directing his fellow actors, getting terrible performances out of Julia Roberts as a burned-out teacher and Bryan Cranston as her deadbeat husband. It all adds up to something less than a below-average episode of Community. Also with Cedric the Entertainer, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Taraji P. Henson, Wilmer Valderrama, Rita Wilson, Ian Gomez, Rob Riggle, George Takei, and Pam Grier.

Midnight in Paris (PG-13) Woody Allen’s charming paean to the City of Lights stars Owen Wilson as an aspiring writer who’s magically transported from present-day Paris to the city in the 1920s, where he gets to rub shoulders with Picasso, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The contemporary characters like the writer’s shrewish fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her phony ex (Michael Sheen) don’t add much, but the movie kicks into gear whenever it takes place in Lost Generation Paris, with frequent laughs and a breezy tone. Watch for Corey Stroll’s amusingly brusque performance as Ernest Hemingway. Also with Marion Cotillard, Tom Hiddleston, Alison Pill, Léa Seydoux, Gad Elmaleh, Adrien Brody, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni. — Cole Williams

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG) Jim Carrey uses everything in his bag of tricks to keep the audience entertained in this adaptation of Florence Atwater’s children’s book that never quite gels. He portrays a successful businessman and divorced dad who turns his life around after inheriting six penguins. There are some nice scenes, but the movie makes the time-honored mistake of going too far with fart and poop humor. You’ll get what you came for from Carrey, but no more. Also with Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, Ophelia Lovibond, Madeline Carroll, Clark Gregg, Jeffrey Tambor, David Krumholtz, Dominic Chianese, and Philip Baker Hall. — Cole Smithey

Monte Carlo (PG) This underwhelming farce stars Selena Gomez as a small-town Texas girl whose long-dreamed-of vacation in Paris with her best friend (Katie Cassidy) and stepsister (Leighton Meester) is sidetracked to the Riviera when she assumes the identity of a spoiled British heiress who happens to look just like her. The material is uninspired, and director/co-writer Thomas Bezucha can’t bring the snappiness that a farce needs. Gomez gets to play both the blandly written heroine and the diva-like heiress, and fails to make either part interesting. This movie is a test of whether the pop singer has movie-star potential; on the evidence, I’d have to say no. Also with Cory Monteith, Pierre Boulanger, Luke Bracey, Valérie Lemercier, Brett Cullen, and Andie MacDowell.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (PG-13) By now, you can practically predict when Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) will grab a rope and sail through the air. This fourth film in the series listlessly hits the same tired notes as Captain Jack searches for the Fountain of Youth. Ian McShane’s measured menace as Blackbeard is entertaining to watch, but he and everyone else are swallowed up by the distinctly non-magical effects. Oddly enough, the movie is inspired by Tim Powers’ 1987 fantasy novel On Stranger Tides. Also with Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Stephen Graham, Anton Lesser, Roger Allam, Judi Dench, and Keith Richards. — Steve Steward

Super 8 (PG-13) J.J. Abrams’ remarkable yet unmoving sci-fi thriller stars Joel Courtney as a 13-year-old boy in 1979 who uncovers evidence of a space alien running loose after a U.S. Air Force train derails near his small town. This is a great showcase for Abrams’ marvelous visual talents, with the monster being skilfully hidden and cinematographer Larry Fong creating all sorts of memorable visuals with the night sky lit up by klieg lights. Yet the story beats are too predictable, and though Abrams keeps mawkishness at bay, his sentimental excesses get the better of him. This is a superb technical accomplishment that doesn’t leave you feeling that that’s all it is. It simply doesn’t soar. Also with Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, Gabriel Basso, Zach Mills, Kyle Chandler, Noah Emmerich, AJ Michalka, Ron Eldard, Glynn Turman, Dan Castellaneta, and Greg Grunberg.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13) Most 3D movies aren’t worth the heftier ticket prices, but 3D is the only meaningful way to experience this monstrosity. The latest in Michael Bay’s robot saga is the first to use 3D effects, and all the destruction looks good; when future film historians want to know how advanced special-effects were in 2011, they’ll have to look this movie up. It’s the humans who drag this thing down. The movie would have better, though not necessarily good, if all the characters had been robots. Megan Fox has been jettisoned for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Bay spends a lot of time inviting us to ogle the new girl’s ass. If only he’d taken as much care making a movie that doesn’t suck. Also with Shia LaBeouf, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Patrick Dempsey, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, and Ken Jeong.

Winnie the Pooh (G) This neglected animated film is actually pretty good, retaining the gentle spirit of A.A. Milne’s stories while instilling a creative edge that was missing from Disney’s last three Pooh-related films. The adorable, honey-loving bear (voiced by Jim Cummings) is drawn into an adventure when a misinterpreted note from Christopher Robin (voiced by Jack Boulter) leads Pooh and his friends to conclude that the boy has been kidnapped. The story is a bit scattershot, but the inventive visual touches keep the tone from going stale, and retro musical arrangements by Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward add to the movie’s feel. Additional voices by Craig Ferguson, Bud Luckey, Travis Oates, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Wyatt Dean Hall, and Tom Kenny.

Zookeeper (PG) Slightly less awful than you’d expect, but still pretty awful. Kevin James stars in this woefully uncreative comedy as a zookeeper who discovers that his zoo animals can speak when they beg him not to leave his job for his shallow ex-girlfriend (Leslie Bibb). There’s a nice sequence with James and Rosario Dawson (as a fellow zookeeper/love interest) dancing on a ballroom floor, but every joke is telegraphed and the lines are witless. A very small child who’s never seen a film with talking animals has a remote chance of being entertained. Everyone else should steer clear. Also with Ken Jeong, Joe Rogan, and Donnie Wahlberg. Voices by Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Cher, Nick Nolte, Maya Rudolph, Judd Apatow, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, and Don Rickles.

Page One: Inside the New York Times (R) Andrew Rossi (Eat This New York) directs this documentary that follows the journalists at the famed newspaper’s Media Desk as they chronicle their own rapidly changing industry.

Project Nim (PG-13) This documentary by James Marsh (Man on Wire) chronicles the attempt by animal researchers in the 1970s to raise a baby chimpanzee like a human child.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (PG-13) Wayne Wang’s adaptation of Lisa See’s novel stars Li Bingbing and Gianna Jun in double roles: as two friends struggling to stay connected in contemporary Shanghai and as those friends’ ancestors forming a lifelong friendship in 19th-century China. Also with Russell Wong, Archie Kao, Coco Chiang, Vivian Wu, and Hugh Jackman.

Tabloid (NR) The latest documentary by Errol Morris (The Fog of War, The Thin Blue Line) is about Joyce McKinney, an American beauty queen who caused a British tabloid sensation in the 1970s after allegedly kidnapping a Mormon missionary.

Terri (R) Azazel Jacobs (Momma’s Man) directs and co-writes this comedy about an obese 15-year-old boy (Jacob Wysocki) who bonds with his school’s ineffectual vice principal (John C. Reilly). Also with Creed Bratton, Olivia Crocicchia, Tim Heidecker, Bridger Zadina, and Diane Salinger.

The Tree of Life (PG-13) Terrence Malick’s drama is about a present-day man (Sean Penn) contemplating the loss of his innocence growing up in the 1950s. Also with Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, and Fiona Shaw.