Arthur Christmas (PG)
The people who brought us Wallace & Gromit created this clever animated Christmas tale about Santa’s klutzy youngest son who at the last minute discovers an undelivered bicycle and takes matters into his own hands. All sorts of good surprises.
Happy Feet Two (PG)
Back to Antarctic, although not as entertaining a trip as the 2006 version. All the penguins are still singing and dancing, except for Eric, Mumble’s misfit son. A pair of krill (Matt Damon and Brad Pitt) add a needed touch.
Jack & Jill (PG)
Adam Sandler plays both Jack Sadelstein, a successful Los Angeles ad executive and family man, and Jill Sadelstein, Jack’s annoying twin sister from the Bronx. Separately or together, neither is funny. With Al Pacino and Katie Holmes.
Martha Marcy May Marlene (R)
Three in one: a grim story of a tormented woman (Elizabeth Olsen) trying to knit together the pieces of herself — from childhood to confinement in a rural cult controlled by Patrick (John Hawkes), a demeaning leader, to refuge with her sister (Sarah Paulson) and brother-in-law at their lakeside vacation house.
The Muppets (PG)
Walter and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) discover oilman Tex Richman’s (Chris Cooper) plan to destroy the Muppet Theater. It’s mishmash as Kermit reunites The Muppets to save the theater by staging a telethon. (Animal is in a California clinic for anger management.)
Tower Heist (PG-13)
Tepid comedy caper with Ben Stiller as Josh, the born-to-serve manager of a swanky NYC apartment complex trying to steal money back from Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) — a Madoff-like character who robbed pension funds. His cohorts include brother-in-law (Casey Affleck), a broken-down Wall Street failure (Matthew Broderick), feisty maid (Gabourey Sidibe), and clumsy sidekick (Michael Pena). But it’s Eddie Murphy as a street-smart crook who steals the show.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (PG-13)
Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) finally marry, but after Bella gets pregnant she grows increasingly frail, dangerously weak, and ultimately very red-eyed.
