BIG BUDGET FILMS

Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel (PG for mild rude humor) Animated sequel reunites the prepubescent, singing siblings Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) for another round of hijinks during which they find themselves facing the pressures of school, celebrity and competition from a female group called The Chipettes. With voiceover work by Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate.

It’s Complicated (R for drug use and sexuality) Midlife-crisis sitcom about a divorced restaurateur (Merrill Streep) who embarks on an ill-advised affair with her remarried ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) after sparks start to fly again at their son’s (Hunter Parrish) college graduation. With Steve Martin, Lake Bell, Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson and Zoe Kazan.

Sherlock Holmes (PG-13 for intense violence, startling images and one suggestive scene) Latest incarnation of the legendary sleuth created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle features Robert Downey, Jr. in the titular role, accompanied by Jude Law as the loyal Dr. Watson. Crime thriller pits the pair in a battle of wits with a diabolical Satanist (Mark Strong) who has risen from the dead to resume a gruesome killing spree.

Up in the Air (R for profanity and sexuality) Jason Reitman directs this screen adaptation of Walter Kirn’s best seller about a peripatetic hatchet man (George Clooney) for a downsizing corporation who suddenly finds himself grounded just when he’s on the brink of accumulating ten million frequent flyer miles and right after he’s also fallen for a like-minded traveler (Vera Farmiga). With Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride and Zach Galifianakis.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (PG-13 for profanity, violent images, smoking and some sensuality) Christopher Plummer plays the title character in this fairy tale about a traveling theater troupe offering audiences an opportunity to pass through a magical mirror into an enchanting parallel universe. Directed by Terry Gilliam and featuring Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Verne “Mini Me” Troyer, Tom Waits and the farewell performance of the late Heath Ledger.

Police, Adjective (Unrated) Deliberately-paced morality play about a conflicted cop’s (Dragos Bucur) crisis in conscience after being ordered to arrest a high school student who offered to share some hashish with a couple of classmates. With Vlad Ivanov, Irina Saulescu and Ion Stoica. (In Romanian with subtitles

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Invictus (PG-13 for brief profanity) Clint Eastwood directs this uplifting saga based on John Carlin’s best seller recounting recently-elected, South African President Nelson Mandela’s (Morgan Freeman) attempt to unite his Apartheid-divided nation during the national rugby team’s run to the 1995 World Cup Championship. Co-starring Matt Damon and Scott Eastwood (Clint’s son).

The Princess and the Frog (G) Animated, musical tale, set in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter, where a jazz-loving frog (Bruno Campos) gets turned back into a prince with the help of a fateful kiss from a beautiful waitress (Anika Noni Rose). With voiceover work by Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis and Randy Newman.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Hannah Free (Unrated) Sharon Gless stars in the title role of this screen adaptation of Claudia Allen’s play of the same name chronicling the lifelong friendship of two lesbians, one, an adventurous tomboy who came out, the other (Maureen Gallagher), her secret high school sweetheart who opted to stay in the closet and lead a boring life as a conventional housewife.   

The Lovely Bones (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, violence and disturbing images) Peter Jackson directs this adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel about a 14 year-old (Saoirse Ronan) who observes her grieving family from Heaven after being raped, murdered and dismembered by the serial killer (Stanley Tucci) living next-door. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon.

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