Ratings as appeared in Beacon Journal film critic and wire-service reviews:♥=Weak
♥♥=Mediocre
♥♥♥=Worth Seeing
♥♥♥♥=Shouldn't Be Missed
Opening today
STAR TREK — ♥♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — sci-fi action, violence, brief sexual content) The story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before. 2 hours, 6 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Garrettsville Cinemas, Great Oaks Cinema, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Independence 10, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, Linda 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 Twin Drive-In
Opening Friday
IS ANYBODY THERE? — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — language including sexual references, some disturbing images) Michael Caine stars as a retired magician who checks into an old folks' home and slowly makes friends with Edward (Bill Milner), the owners' 10-year-old son. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
Cedar Lee
NEXT DAY AIR — ♥1/2
(R — pervasive language, drug content, some violence, brief sexuality) When a delivery man leaves a package containing bricks of cocaine at the wrong address, it sets into motion a battle of wills and wits between the dealer, the intended recipients, and the people who have the drugs and plan to sell them off. With Donald Faison, Mos Def and Mike Epps. 1 hour, 28 minutes.
Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24
SUGAR — ♥♥♥1/2
(R — language, some sexuality, brief drug use) Intensely human story of a young baseball player from the Dominican Republic who is recruited to an Iowa farm team and finds himself alone and very, very far from home. Not a sports movie but a tender character-driven drama, as his poor family nourishes his dreams. 1 hour, 54 minutes.
Cedar Lee
Playing Friday
through
next week
12 ROUNDS — ♥1/2
(PG-13 — intense sequences of violence, action) A police detective (John Cena) discovers his girlfriend (Ashley Scott) has been kidnapped by an ex-con tied to the detective's past. He has to successfully complete 12 challenges to secure her release. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
17 AGAIN — ♥♥
(PG-13 — language, some sexual material and teen partying) Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) has lived a life full of regrets. Suddenly, he reverts back to his 17-year-old self (Zac Efron) who looks to navigate high school and create a path that leads to a better adult existence. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Garrettsville Cinemas, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10
ADVENTURELAND — ♥♥1/2
(R — language, drug use and sexual references) Stuck with summer jobs in a crappy amusement park, James and Em (Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart) are two lost souls who begin to feel romance, although James is a novice in the field. Not a sitcom but an affectionate comedy about love in a time of desperation. Written and directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad), based on his own experiences. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
BATTLE FOR TERRA — No star rating
(PG — sequences of science-fiction action violence, some thematic elements) A space explorer (voice of Luke Wilson) crash-lands on the planet Terra and finds himself at the forefront of a battle to prevent his people from invading the beautiful, peaceful planet where he has two new friends, rebellious alien teens Mala (voice of Evan Rachel Wood) and Senn (voice of Justin Long). Animated sci-fi fantasy. In 3-D in some theaters. 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Valley View 24
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC — ♥1/2
(PG — some mild language and thematic elements) Mostly about label worship, this movie follows Rebecca's (Isla Fisher) futile attempts at reducing her credit-card debt, even as she hypocritically writes a magazine column about smart shopping. Hugh Dancy is the dashing British editor with whom she falls in love. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
EARTH — ♥♥♥1/2
(G — Feature-length version of the documentary TV series Planet Earth (2006), following the migration paths of four animal families. 1 hour, 29 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10
FAST & FURIOUS — ♥1/2
(PG-13 — intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language and drug references) The feud between ex-con Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and agent Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) is reignited back in Los Angeles, where a crime has pitted the two men against one another yet again. However, when they realize they have a common enemy, they put their past behind them and unite to stick it to their foe. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24
FIGHTING — ♥1/2
(PG-13 — intense fight sequences, a sex scene and brief strong language) Terrence Howard plays a mild-mannered boxing promoter who sidesteps all the cliches of such roles. Channing Tatum is a small-town Alabama kid in the big city and Zulay Henao is a sweetheart as a waitress in a rough club. 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Massillon 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — sexual content throughout, some language, a drug reference) Matthew McConaughey stars as committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call. His mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill on the eve of his brother's wedding. Just when it looks like he may single-handedly ruin the wedding, McConaughey is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing odyssey through his failed relationships — past, present and future. Jennifer Garner and Michael Douglas co-star. 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10
GRAN TORINO — ♥♥1/2
(R — language throughout, and some violence) Clint Eastwood directs himself as a cantankerous, racist, retired autoworker who keeps his shotgun ready to lock and load. The movie is about his touchy relationship with the Asians next door, during which he discovers his better nature, but not without a lot of growling. 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE — ♥♥
(G) As Hannah Montana's popularity begins to take over her life, Miley Stewart (Miley Ray Cyrus), urged on by her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tenn., to get some perspective on what matters in life the most. 1 hour, 46 minutes.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, Linda Theatre, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24, Wooster Movies 10, Blue Sky Drive-In
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU — ♥♥
(PG-13 — sexual content, brief strong language) What does it mean when a guy doesn't call a girl back? Maybe, just maybe, it means he's just not that into her. Based on a self-help book, this film consists of connecting stories starring Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly and Ginnifer Goodwin, who should be able to figure this out for themselves. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
HOTEL FOR DOGS — ♥♥
(PG — brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor) Orphaned teens Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) are sent to live with their aunt (Lisa Kudrow), which is just fine with the kids until they meet a stray dog who needs their help. Since their aunt is allergic to dogs, the siblings decide to turn a nearby abandoned house into a canine hostel. But can they keep their secret under wraps as more and more four-legged guests arrive? 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
HUNGER — ♥♥1/2
(No industry rating, but contains graphic violence, nudity, shocking imagery) A stark depiction of the imprisonment and starvation of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in 1981. Deals not with politics but with relentless reality. A harrowing lead performance by Michael Fassbender. Directed by Steve McQueen. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
Cedar Lee
I LOVE YOU, MAN — ♥♥♥
(R— sexual content, strong language) Paul Rudd plays a clueless Realtor engaged to Rashida Jones. He gets along fine with women, but lacks a male friend to be his best man. He stumbles upon Jason Segel, who plays a best friend a lot of guys would like to have — thoroughly comfortable within his own skin, an unapologetic hedonist who uses his intelligence as a comic weapon. A very funny movie. 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Twin Drive-In
KNOWING — ♥
(PG-13 — disaster sequences, disturbing images, brief strong language) Nicolas Cage plays an M.I.T. astrophysicist whose son brings home a sheet of paper after a 50-year-old time capsule is opened at his grade school. The sheet is covered with numbers, which the scientist, despite all his training, becomes convinced mean something. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Valley View 24
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS — ♥♥1/2
(PG — sci-fi action, some crude humor, mild language) Monsters from the 1950s are released from a secret federal prison to join the 49-foot, 11-inch Ginormica (voice by Reese Witherspoon) in saving Earth from hostile aliens. Animated. In 3-D in some theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.
Huntington Street Cinema 16, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24
OBSERVE AND REPORT — ♥♥
(R — violence, strong language, nudity) Mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen) is called into action to stop a flasher from turning a mall into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can't apprehend the culprit, a surly police detective (Ray Liotta), is recruited to close the case, bringing out the worst in Ronnie's temperamental personality. With Anna Faris. 1 hour, 26 minutes.
Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill
OBSESSED — ♥
(PG-13 — sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence) A successful asset manager (Idris Elba), who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage. But after a temp worker (Ali Larter) starts stalking him, all the things he's worked so hard for are placed in jeopardy. With Beyonce Knowles. 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, 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
PARIS 36 — ♥♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some sexuality, nudity, violence, brief language) In the 1930s in Paris, an ancient music hall named the Chansonia wheezes along with performers who are past their sell-by dates. After a showdown with the fascist landlord, the left-wing stage manager (Gerard Jugnot) leads a comeback, starring an overnight discovery (Nora Arnezeder). Old-fashioned but amusing. 2 hours.
Cedar Lee
PAUL BLART: MALL COP — ♥1/2
(PG — some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language) Kevin James stars as a fat schlub who transforms himself into an action hero during a hostage situation at a New Jersey mall. Slam-bam slapstick, preposterous, funny, using a Segway like a NASCAR winner. 1 hour, 27 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN — ♥♥1/2
(PG — sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements) When a cab driver (Dwayne Johnson) picks up an unusual fare — a brother and sister (Alexander Ludwig and Anna Sophia Robb) with paranormal powers, who are being pursued by a nefarious organization — he teams up with a discredited astrophysicist (Carla Gugino) to protect the kids and, ultimately, the rest of humankind. 1 hour, 28 minutes.
Blue Sky Drive-In
THE SOLOIST — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — thematic elements, some drug use, language) Jamie Foxx stars as Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a homeless street musician who is written about by a Los Angeles Times columnist (Robert Downey Jr.) and becomes an overnight celebrity. From Cleveland, Ayers was a child prodigy, studied at Juilliard, plays violin and cello, but is haunted by the demons of mental illness. 1 hour, 57 minutes.
Cedar Lee, Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Massillon 12, Montrose 12, Tinseltown USA, Tower City Cinemas, Valley View 24
STATE OF PLAY — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content) Picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) seems to be the rising star in the world of politics — until his research assistant, who was also his mistress, is murdered. And then the secrets start coming out. It's up to star reporter Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) and his co-hort Della (Rachel McAdams) to uncover the truth, but there are three things that complicate matters: 1) Cal's friendship and loyalty to Stephen; 2) their ruthless editor (Helen Mirren); and 3) a conspiracy that goes far, far deeper than they thought. 2 hours.
Cinemark Aurora 10, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Macedonia Cinemark 15, Montrose 12, Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill, Shaker Square Cinemas, Tinseltown USA, Valley View 24
SUNSHINE CLEANING — ♥♥♥
(R — language, disturbing images, some sexuality, drug use) Amy Adams and Emily Blunt star as sisters, desperate for income, who start a business mopping up after messy murder scenes. With Steve Zahn, Clifton Collins Jr. and Alan Arkin as the girls' father. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
Cedar Lee
TAKEN — ♥♥♥
(PG-13 — intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references, language) A former secret agent (Liam Neeson) relies on his old skills to save his daughter (Maggie Grace), who is kidnapped during her vacation in Paris. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Twin Drive-In
WATCHMEN — ♥♥♥
(R — strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity, language) A generally uncompromising presentation of a grim, extremely violent comic book series. Less interested in plot than the dilemma of the characters, who bear the weight of mankind's survival. 2 hours, 43 minutes.
Jackson Township Movies 10
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE — ♥♥1/2
(PG-13 — intense sequences of action, violence, some partial nudity)
This comic-book prequel follows the early life of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). The chronicle of his younger years as a mutant connects to his relationship and eventual falling out with Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) and his fateful entry into the Weapons X project, the governmental program that turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
Carnation Cinema, Cinemark Aurora 10, Garrettsville Cinemas, Great Oaks Cinema, Highland Theatre, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Interstate Park Cinemas 18, Kent University Plaza, Lake Cinemas 8, 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 Twin Drive-In

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