“Shine a Light”
The Rolling Stones. Martin Scorsese. That combo should have made for the concert film to end ’em all. “Shine a Light” isn’t it (not that there’s such a thing, really). But there’s satisfaction to be had in this dazzling dance of cameras and band, shot at New York City’s Beacon Theater on the occasion of Bill Clinton’s 60th birthday. While far superior to 1991’s “At the Max,” the film is no “Gimme Shelter.” But then, 2008 is not 1969. And if you pull back from the whirlwind that is the Stones in their performance zone, this film says some things about the zeitgeist and rock ‘n’ roll, about the age of professionalism. You don’t keep a band going, and going, without business stamina and smarts. Mick Jagger remains the band’s energizer sex bomb, with a mouth that predates Angelina Jolie’s pout by three decades. Charlie Watts has aged in ways that make quick sense. His bandmates inspire metaphor, jibes, awe. With a voice less agile than his hips, Jagger is still a force. His gyrating hasn’t become parody. It’s humbling. PG-13. 2 hours, 2 minutes. Lisa Kennedy
“Never Back Down”
An ultra-sleek, mixed-martial-arts teen drama, this film is an updated “Karate Kid.” What it lacks in originality it makes up for in the nervous energy of youth. The film is a straight genre piece adhering to the formula — fatherless kid with anger issues takes a beating, trains with his guru and finds acceptance, peace and revenge, even though he dare not call it “revenge” in front of his teacher. PG-13. 1 hour, 46 minutes. Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”
So studious Harold and stoner Kumar get with the spirit of the times in this uneven and too-long but occasionally hilarious sequel. This film bounces between the raunchy and the relevant, the profane and the political like Homer Simpson at a bake sale. As with “White Castle,” much of the humor is about as sophisticated as a college kegger. Rated R. 1 hour, 52 minutes.Cary Darling, McClatchy Newspapers
