Some reviews originate at other newspapers that do not award star ratings. Ratings range from zero to four stars.
OPENING THIS WEEK
“All Good Things”
Reviewed on Page 4D
“Country Strong”
Reviewed on Page 5D
“Somewhere”
Reviewed on Page 6D
“Summer Wars”
Reviewed on Page 9D
CONTINUING
Here are selected mini-reviews of films in theaters, listed alphabetically.“127 Hours”Biographical drama R. A boulder slides down a canyon behind Aron Ralston, pinning his right wrist and forearm against the wall. James Franco mesmerizes as the Colorado mountaineer who became famous after he was forced to amputate his arm to escape certain demise in Utah’s Little John Canyon in 2003. (Lisa Kennedy) 133 minutes
“Black Swan”Ballet thriller R. So, is “Black Swan” an ugly duckling or a rare beauty? Many will be torn when it comes to this perversely magnificent psychological thriller, starring an undaunted Natalie Portman as a ballerina who gets the part of a lifetime — the Swan Queen and her dark double — if she can keep it together. (Kennedy) 113 minutes
“Burlesque”Musical. PG-13. Iowa waitress (Christina Aguilera) heads to L.A. with a dream of performing. She stumbles across a basement club, “Burlesque,” where she waitresses and then one night steps into the star’s shoes. Cher is the “housemother.” (Robert W. Butler, McClatchy Newspapers) 100 minutes
“Casino Jack”Political satire. R. A great deal of scene-stealing takes place in the late George Hickenlooper’s dark comedy about grandiose larceny D.C.-style, written by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey channels disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Barry Pepper brings caffeinated energy to Abramoff’s business partner, or “evil elf,” as Mike Scanlon was known. Kelly Preston hits surprisingly symphathetic notes Pat Abramoff. (Kennedy) 108 minutes
“Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader”
Adventure PG. While their teen siblings are off in America. the youngest Pevensies, Lucy and Edmund (Georgie Henley and Skander Keynes), steer this sturdy sequel into the roiled realm of Narnia. Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) returns as an ally. Nattering cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) provides griping commentary as well as one of the film’s most winning transformations. (Kennedy) 118 minutes
“The Fighter”Boxing drama R. Based on a real family saga, David O. Russell’s drama about a boxer’s last shot at a career and the kin in his way is a late-season contender for a slew of awards thanks to a barrage of nimble and muscular performances. Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg play brother pugilists Dicky Eklund and Micky Ward. And in opposing corners, there’s Melissa Leo as their mother and Amy Adams as Micky’s supportive girlfriend. (Kennedy) 114 minutes
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1″Fantasy PG-13. Harry Potter (Daniel Rad cliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) separate themselves to spare friends and family from the Death Eaters and other Voldemort lackeys stalking them. (Claire Martin) 146 minutes
“How Do You Know”Romantic comedy PG-13. There’s something not quite right about writer-director James L. Brooks’s latest romantic comedy. How do we know? Because even though the tale of bumpy transitions and awkward timing stars Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd, it never soars. (Kennedy) 120 minutes
“I Love You Phillip Morris”Felon farce R. Jim Carrey, a married, church-going good ol’ boy who comes out of the closet as a gay man, turns to increasingly brazen scams to support his newly fabulous lifestyle. (Michael O’Sullivan, The Washington Post) 100 minutes
“The King’s Speech”Period bromance R. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush play brilliantly off each other as stammering Prince Albert, the man who will be King George VI, and his Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. (Kennedy) 118 minutes
“Little Fockers”Comedy. PG-13. Put-upon nurse Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and his ex-CIA agent father-in- law Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). Greg and his wife, Pam (Teri Polo), are now happily married in Chicago, with their twins’ third birthday fast approaching. (Christopher Kelly, McClatchy Newspapers) 97 minutes
“Love and Other Drugs”Romantic dramedy R. Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway as the pair with toothsome chemistry in the story of a Viagra drug salesman and the woman who recognizes the huckster he is — because she knows how to sell a bill of goods too. (Kennedy) 90 minutes
“Made in Dagenham”Labor drama R. This Brit import about a labor dispute at a Ford plant in Dagenham, England, has been likened to “Norma Rae.” Based on evens from the late 1960s, it stars Sally Hawkins as a neophyte union stewart, Bob Hoskins as her mentor and Miranda Richardson as Britain’s secretary of employment and productivity. It’s charming, not groundbreaking. But to paraphrase another Sally: We like it, we really like it. (Kennedy) 89 minutes
“TRON: Legacy”Fantasy reboot PG-13. The “legacy” the title refers to is less that of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) to only child Sam (Garrett Hedlund), and more the dazzling bequest of one generation of visual special-effects whizzes to another. The new “TRON” — about a son’s journey into the Grid to find his long-lost father — is full of visual and sonic flash. (Kennedy) 127 minutes
“The Tourist”Action/Thriller PG-13. Johnny Depp stars as an American tourist whose playful dalliance with Angelina Jolie leads to a web of intrigue, romance and danger. (John Anderson, The Washington Post) 113 minutes
“True Grit”Western redo PG-13. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld puts the Methodist starch back in 14-year-old Mattie Ross. Jeff Bridges plays Marshall Rooster Cogburn, the man she hires to help track her father’s killer. Matt Damon arrives with moustache, fancy spurs and buttery buckskin of the dandy Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf. (Kennedy) 110 minutes
GIANT SCREENIMAX — Denver Museum of Nature & Science
“Hubble 3-D” and “Under the Sea 3-D.” Dates, times and tickets vary. 2001 Colorado Blvd., 303-322-7009,
IWERKS — The Wildlife Experience
“Dolphins & Whales,” “Wild Ocean” and “Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees.” Dates, times and tickets vary. 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, 720-488- 3300, SCREENINGS/FESTIVALSAutism Society & AMC
The Autism Society and AMC Entertainment have partnered to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities the “Sensory Friendly Films” program geared at providing a comfortable setting for children with special needs. Snacks and food are welcome, and there are no previews or advertisements. This month’s movie is “Yogi Bear” at 10 a.m. Saturday. AMC Flatiron 14, 61 W. Flatiron Circle in Broomfield; AMC Highlands Ranch 24, 103 W. Centennial Blvd.; AMC Westminster 24, 10655 Westminster Blvd.; AMC Southlands 16, 23955 E. Plaza Ave. in Aurora;
Festivus Film Festival
The fourth annual film festival showcasing independent films, Thursday- Jan. 16. Times and locations vary, visit
