Ratings as appeared in Beacon Journal film critic and wire-service reviews:
♥=Weak
♥♥=Mediocre
♥♥♥=Worth Seeing
♥♥♥♥=Shouldn't Be Missed

Opening Friday
BURN AFTER READING — ♥♥♥
(R — pervasive language, some sexual content and violence) The Coen brothers' screwball comedy that occasionally becomes something more. The characters are zany, the plot coils upon itself with dizzy zeal and the roles seem like a perfect fit. The plot involves the missing computer disk of a fired CIA agent (John Malkovich), and no one in it understands the big picture. With George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Brad Pitt. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10

THE FAMILY THAT PREYS
(PG-13 — sexual references, brief violence) — Faced with a series of secrets and scandals that are threatening to tear their respective families apart, old friends Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates) and Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodard) embark on a cross-country road trip in hopes of finding a way to end the drama and rebuild their familial connections. From Tyler Perry. 1 hour, 51 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24

IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS
(No industry rating) Two lonely people seeking a New Year's Eve date meet through Craigslist. She interviews him at a cafe to be sure he's not a loser. In a way, they both are, but on a long day's journey through the night they reveal themselves, and we care about them. Glorious black-and-white cinematography. 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Cedar Lee

PROUD AMERICAN
(PG — some mild thematic elements) — Five stories all of which magnify the themes of tolerance, freedom, education and personal responsibility. Documentary that depicts everyday Americans. 1 hour, 55 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7

RIGHTEOUS KILL
(R — violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use) Two veteran New York City detectives (Robert De Niro and Al Pacino) work to identify the possible connection between a recent murder and a case they believe they solved years ago. 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Drive-In

TRANSSIBERIAN — ♥♥♥1/2
(R — some violence, including torture and language) One hell of a thriller. Emily Mortimer and Woody Harrelson play a couple who take the world's longest train journey from Beijing to Moscow. Along the way they encounter a young runaway from Seattle (Kate Mara) and her Spanish lover (Eduardo Noriega). Also a Russian narc (Ben Kingsley). 1 hour, 51 minutes.
Cedar Lee, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Montrose 12

THE WOMEN — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking) Happily married Mary (Meg Ryan) finds her world shaken when she discovers that her husband is cheating on her with shop girl Crystal (Eva Mendes). 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas 18, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10

Playing Friday
through
next week
BABYLON A.D. — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — intense sequences of violence and action, language, some sexuality) A mercenary (Vin Diesel) escorts a woman from Russia to America. He discovers his client is carrying a virus that could bring about the end of humankind. 1 hour, 41 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10

BANGKOK DANGEROUS —♥1/2
(R — violence, language, some sexuality) A hit man, who is in Bangkok to pull off a series of jobs, falls for a woman and bonds with his errand boy. Stars Nicolas Cage. 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10

BOTTLE SHOCK — ♥♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — brief strong language, some sexual content and a scene of drug use) Based on the true story of how in the bicentennial year of 1976, unknown Napa Valley vineyards defeated famous French wines in a blind taste-testing. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Cedar Lee, Montrose 12

THE DARK KNIGHT — ♥♥♥3/4
(PG-13 — intense sequences of violence and some menace) Batman isn't a comic book anymore. Big, thoughtful, pain-laced, violence-streaked, unsettling movie in which the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is one of many virtues. 2 hours, 32 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10, Blue Sky Drive-In

DEATH RACE — ♥1/2
(R — strong violence and language) A race car driver (Jason Statham) is framed for murder and sent to a prison overseen by a warden (Joan Allen), who has created the country's most popular sport: a kill-or-be-killed car race in which her inmates compete for their freedom. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10

DISASTER MOVIE — ♥
(PG-13 — crude and sexual content throughout, language, drug references, comic violence) Parody. Over the course of one evening, a group of 20-somethings is bombarded by a series of natural disasters and catastrophic events. 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24

ELEGY — ♥♥♥♥
(R — sexuality, nudity and language) Ben Kingsley as a crafty literature professor who singles out one female student every semester for his attentions. Penelope Cruz plays the prey who gets to him — gets under his skin and inflames his jealousy. Then the story takes a turn. 1 hour, 46 minutes.
Cedar Lee

FLY ME TO THE MOON — ♥♥
(G) A well-intentioned exercise at blending education and family entertainment, this 3-D animated tale ends up being only mildly educational and not all that entertaining. It's the story of three flies that tag along with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on Apollo 11's moon shot. 1 hour, 29 minutes.
Massillon 12

FROZEN RIVER — ♥♥♥
(R — language, violence, children in peril) — Melissa Leo and Misty Upham play two mothers, one white, one American Indian, who live without male support in shabby house trailers on the U.S.-Quebec border: Mohawk territory. In desperate economic need, they engage in the smuggling of aliens across the border, which involves a perilous car trip across the frozen river. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
Cedar Lee

GET SMART — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some rude humor, action violence and language) Classic sitcom that cleverly satirized Cold War espionage has been transformed for the big screen into an even smarter vehicle. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

HAMLET 2 — ♥♥♥
(R — language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content) British comedian Steve Coogan stars as the harassed flywheel of a drama teacher in a Tucson high school. Threatened with a shutdown of his program, he desperately stages a sequel to Hamlet, using a time machine to bring back all the characters, as well as Jesus and Einstein. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
West Market Plaza 7

HANCOCK — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language) An apathetic, hard-living superhero (Will Smith) hooks up with a public-relations professional who wants to improve the superhero's image. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

THE HOUSE BUNNY — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language) A Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) becomes the new house mother for a sorority in jeopardy. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Garrettsville Cinemas, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Twin Drive-In

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — adventure violence, scary images) — Harrison Ford returns as the iconic adventurer. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

IRON MAN — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content) Robert Downey Jr. dons a metal suit to fight evil in this Marvel comic adaptation. 2 hours, 6 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH — ♥♥1/2
(PG — intense adventure action and some scary moments) There is a world inside our own, populated by glowing birds, man-eating plants, giant-fanged fish and a T-Rex. With Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson. 1 hour, 33 minutes.
Great Oaks Cinema, Massillon 12, Valley View 24

KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL — ♥♥♥1/2
(G) Inspired by one of the American Girl dolls, and just about perfect for its target audience, with a great look, engaging performances, real substance and even a few whispers of political ideas, all surrounding the freshness and charm of Abigail Breslin. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Big Picture, Jackson Township Movies 10

KUNG FU PANDA — ♥♥♥
(PG — sequences of martial arts action) Po (Jack Black), a reluctant panda bear, is recruited by a team of kung fu masters and trained in the ways of the ancient martial art to protect the Valley of Peace from an evil snow leopard. 1 hour, 26 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

THE LONGSHOTS — ♥♥♥
(PG — some thematic elements, mild language and brief rude humor) Based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer, 11, from the Chicago suburb of Harvey,

Wooster Movies 10, Blue Sky Drive-In

DEATH RACE — ♥1/2
(R — strong violence and language) A race car driver (Jason Statham) is framed for murder and sent to a prison overseen by a warden (Joan Allen), who has created the country's most popular sport: a kill-or-be-killed car race in which her inmates compete for their freedom. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10

DISASTER MOVIE — ♥
(PG-13 — crude and sexual content throughout, language, drug references, comic violence) Parody. Over the course of one evening, a group of 20-somethings is bombarded by a series of natural disasters and catastrophic events. 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24

ELEGY — ♥♥♥♥
(R — sexuality, nudity and language) Ben Kingsley as a crafty literature professor who singles out one female student every semester for his attentions. Penelope Cruz plays the prey who gets to him — gets under his skin and inflames his jealousy. Then the story takes a turn. 1 hour, 46 minutes.
Cedar Lee

FLY ME TO THE MOON — ♥♥
(G) A well-intentioned exercise at blending education and family entertainment, this 3-D animated tale ends up being only mildly educational and not all that entertaining. It's the story of three flies that tag along with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on Apollo 11's moon shot. 1 hour, 29 minutes.
Massillon 12

FROZEN RIVER — ♥♥♥
(R — language, violence, children in peril) — Melissa Leo and Misty Upham play two mothers, one white, one American Indian, who live without male support in shabby house trailers on the U.S.-Quebec border: Mohawk territory. In desperate economic need, they engage in the smuggling of aliens across the border, which involves a perilous car trip across the frozen river. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
Cedar Lee

GET SMART — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some rude humor, action violence and language) Classic sitcom that cleverly satirized Cold War espionage has been transformed for the big screen into an even smarter vehicle. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

HAMLET 2 — ♥♥♥
(R — language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content) British comedian Steve Coogan stars as the harassed flywheel of a drama teacher in a Tucson high school. Threatened with a shutdown of his program, he desperately stages a sequel to Hamlet, using a time machine to bring back all the characters, as well as Jesus and Einstein. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
West Market Plaza 7

HANCOCK — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language) An apathetic, hard-living superhero (Will Smith) hooks up with a public-relations professional who wants to improve the superhero's image. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

THE HOUSE BUNNY — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language) A Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) becomes the new house mother for a sorority in jeopardy. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Garrettsville Cinemas, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Wooster Movies 10, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Twin Drive-In

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — adventure violence, scary images) — Harrison Ford returns as the iconic adventurer. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

IRON MAN — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content) Robert Downey Jr. dons a metal suit to fight evil in this Marvel comic adaptation. 2 hours, 6 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH — ♥♥1/2
(PG — intense adventure action and some scary moments) There is a world inside our own, populated by glowing birds, man-eating plants, giant-fanged fish and a T-Rex. With Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson. 1 hour, 33 minutes.
Great Oaks Cinema, Massillon 12, Valley View 24

KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL — ♥♥♥1/2
(G) Inspired by one of the American Girl dolls, and just about perfect for its target audience, with a great look, engaging performances, real substance and even a few whispers of political ideas, all surrounding the freshness and charm of Abigail Breslin. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Big Picture, Jackson Township Movies 10

KUNG FU PANDA — ♥♥♥
(PG — sequences of martial arts action) Po (Jack Black), a reluctant panda bear, is recruited by a team of kung fu masters and trained in the ways of the ancient martial art to protect the Valley of Peace from an evil snow leopard. 1 hour, 26 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

THE LONGSHOTS — ♥♥♥
(PG — some thematic elements, mild language and brief rude humor) Based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer, 11, from the Chicago suburb of Harvey, who in 2003 became the first girl to play quarterback in the Pop Warner football tournament. Starring Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee) and Ice Cube as a niece and her uncle, who teaches her all he knows about quarterbacking. Sidesteps many of the usual cliches of the genre, is warm and touching. 1 hour, 34 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10

MAMMA MIA! — ♥♥1/4
(PG-13 — some sex-related comments) Movie version of the hit stage musical, with Meryl Streep as the villa owner on a Greek isle and Amanda Seyfried as her about-to-be married daughter. Wall-to-wall ABBA songs. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Big Picture, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Linda Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, Blue Sky Drive-In, Midway Drive-In

MIRRORS — ♥1/2
(R — strong violence, disturbing images, language, brief nudity) An ex-cop and his family are the target of an evil force that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home. Stars Kiefer Sutherland and Paula Patton. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Massillon 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — adventure action and violence) Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O'Connell. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Garrettsville Cinemas, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS — ♥♥♥
(R — pervasive language, drug use, sexual references and violence) Drug-fueled caper doesn't stint on chronically loopy characters and ridiculously funny situations. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Garrettsville Cinemas, Highland Theatre, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas 8, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE — ♥♥♥
(R — strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language) Set four years after we last saw the ladies. 2 hours, 15 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — mature material and sensuality) Based on Ann Brashares' series of novels, this sequel catches up with the four friends for their first year of college and the summer beyond. 1 hour, 57 minutes.
Independence 10, Tinseltown USA

SPACE CHIMPS — ♥♥♥
(G) Space Chimps is a goofy animated space opera that sends three U.S. chimpanzee astronauts rocketing to a galaxy, as they say, far, far away. There they encounter strange life forms and the evil Zartog, who has captured an earlier space probe. 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10, Montrose 12

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS — ♥♥1/2
(PG — sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language, momentary smoking) Fairly fun if forgettable little animated adventure that hurls Anakin, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the rest of the gang into a kidnapping conspiracy and rescue amid a galactic civil war between clone soldiers and android troops. 1 hour, 38 minutes. Big Picture, Cinemark Aurora, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema, Interstate Park Cinemas, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Valley View 24

STEP BROTHERS — ♥1/2
(R — crude and sexual content, and pervasive language) Two adult men (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) are pulled into a new sibling rivalry after their respective single parents get hitched. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24

TELL NO ONE — ♥♥1/2
(Not rated — violence, sexual situations, nudity) A nifty — if overly complicated — thriller based on Harlan Coben's international best seller. In French with English subtitles. 2 hours, 5 minutes.
Cedar Lee

TRAITOR — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — intense violent sequences, thematic material, brief language) — An FBI agent (Guy Pearce) heads a conspiracy investigation that initially susses out a prime suspect: Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a former special ops officer with strong ties to Afghan rebels in the Middle East. 1 hour, 53 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, West Market Plaza 7, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Drive-In

TROPIC THUNDER — ♥♥♥
(R — pervasive language, including sexual references, violent content and drug material) Four actors shooting a war film in a foreign country are forced to step up and become real heroes when they find themselves stuck in a real, live war. With Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Great Oaks Cinema, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent Plaza Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10, Magic City Drive-In

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — mature thematic material involving sexuality, smoking) — Woody Allen's latest, starring Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson as American college girls who spend a summer in Barcelona and become entangled in romance with a raffish painter (Javier Bardem). 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Cedar Lee, Kent Plaza Theatre, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Valley View 24

WALL-E — ♥♥♥1/2
(G) Delightful animated story of a robot, in a world so filled with garbage that humans have escaped into orbiting spaceships. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Garrettsville Cinemas, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Linda Theatre

YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — crude and sexual content throughout, language and nudity) An Israeli counterspy (Adam Sandler) orchestrates a scenario that will allow him to move to New York City and reinvent himself as a hairstylist. 1 hour, 53 minutes.
Great Oaks Cinema