It’s Kind of A Funny Story (PG-13)
Life lessons. Stressed out Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist), 16, checks himself into a mental hospital, winds up in the adult ward, and bonds with Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), a suicidally depressed husband and father. Each becomes just what the other needs to find his way back from the fringe. Emma Roberts as Noelle, Craig’s romantic interest.
3 shells
Jackass 3D (R)
The latest in a series designed for those who thrive on being grossed out. It is humor based on regurgitating (literally) all the components of low and no taste.
1.5 shells
Let Me In (R)
A thriller about lonely and ruthlessly bullied 12-year old Owen who plots revenge on his tormentors, and befriends a strange, troubled, and mysterious young neighbor Abby, who has a terrifying secret. Bloody scary.
2.5 shells
Mao’s Last Dancer (R)
The true story of Li Cunxin and his rise from poverty in China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer in the 1980s. Li participates in a summer exchange program with the Houston Ballet, falls in love, and fights to remain in the States. Very sentimental.
2 shells
Paranormal Activity 2 (R)
Serious nightmare potential. Suburban couple. New house. Demonic things going bump in the night. (Some theaters in Texas pulled the promotional trailer claiming it was too frightening.)
3 shells
Red (PG-13)
It’s the AARP version of a slam-bam action flick. Retired CIA agents, framed for an assassination, have to break into a secret CIA headquarters and stop a plot to bring down the government. It’s a blast — with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, Richard Dreyfuss.
3 shells
The Social Network (PG-13)
Compelling film written by Aaron Sorkin about Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) who created Facebook in 2003. Justin Timberlake is perfect as Sean Parker, the flash and dash Napster creator who burrows in on Zuckerberg’s success.
5 shells
The Town (R)
Ben Affleck (bank robber). Jon Hamm (FBI). Boston (the tightly knit ‘hood of Charlestown). Romance (Rebecca Hall). Loyalty and betrayal. Powerful.
4.5 shells.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (PG-13)
Here’s to greed and excess. After eight years in prison, Gordon Gekko (Oscar winner Michael Douglas) plots to get back in on the double-dealing action. Wall Street trader Jake (Shia LaBeouf), about to marry Gekko’s estranged daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan), has his own score to settle. Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin, Eli Wallach, Frank Langella.
3 shells
These reviews are based on a consensus of published ratings.
