FANTASTIC MR. FOX (A)

Starring the voices of: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe and Owen Wilson

Story: Mr. and Mrs. Fox live an idyllic home life with their son Ash and visiting young nephew Kristopherson. But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. (20th Century Fox)

Rated: PG for action, smoking and slang humor

Bottom Line: This animated gem is delightfully engaging, wonderfully creative and flat out fun. The fox is, indeed, fantastic! It’s about time somebody gave Pixar Animation a run for their Oscar money.

OLD DOGS (F)

Starring: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green and Matt Dillon

Story: Two best friends -- one unlucky-in-love divorcee and the other a fun-loving bachelor -- have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. The not-so-kid-savvy bachelors stumble in their efforts to take care of the twins, leading to one debacle after another, and perhaps to a new-found understanding of what's really important in life. (Walt Disney Pictures)

Rated: PG for some mild rude humor

Bottom Line: An insipid, less than half-hearted, ridiculous, brain-dead and predictable mess of a movie that made me long for a Will Ferrell LAND OF THE LOST sequel. You can’t teach OLD DOGS new tricks…or, apparently, how to entertain an audience.

THE ROAD (B)

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Guy Pearce

Story: Based on Cormac McCarthy's beloved, best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen leads an all-star cast in the big screen adaptation of The Road, the epic post-apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father and his young son across a barren landscape that was blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and most life on earth. (The Weinstein Company)

Rated: R for some violence, disturbing images and language

Bottom Line: Many say the book was un-filmable. I say…there was a book?! You won’t be high-fiving your buddies after this dark, somber and bleak movie – but the message amidst the horror is powerful (as are the performances that bring it all to life). It makes for a tough sit, but it’s definitely a ROAD worth traveling.

NINJA ASSASSIN (D)

Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, and Rick Yune

Story: Raizo is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them...and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow, Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers led by the lethal Takeshi, to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Berlin, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive...and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan. (Warner Bros.)

Rated: R for strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language

Bottom Line: Way too bloody, way too over the top and way too unnecessary. Oh, and it’s titled NINJA ASSASSIN so that pretty much tells you it’s gonna stink. It could have been worse, however…it could have been titled OLD DOGS.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (D)

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning

Story: In the second installment of Stephenie Meyer's phenomenally successful Twilight series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of—only to find herself in greater peril than ever before. (Summit Entertainment)

Rated: PG-13 for some violence and action

Bottom Line: NEW MOON will make a gazillion dollars this weekend, and the built-in-fan base will eat it up with a soup ladle, but this 90210-ish brooding monster teen soap opera still stinks to high, melodramatic, un-fun, I-can’t-believe-that-people-actually-like-these-movies heaven. This vampire series still sucks…and bites!

New on DVD/Bluray Next Tuesday (11/24):
FUNNY PEOPLE B
ANGELS & DEMONS C-

THE BLIND SIDE (B)

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates and Quinton

Story: Teenager Michael Oher is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy. Learning that the young man is one of her daughter's classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael--wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter--come out of the cold. Without a moment's hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. (Warner Bros.)

Rated: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references

Bottom Line: Like all good sports-dramas THE BLIND SIDE does a great job of not cheesing things up too much and keeping the story easily accessible. Although somewhat predictable, it’ll lift your spirits and maybe even make you shed a tear. After goin’ scoreless for the first three quarters of the year, Sandra finally scores a heartfelt Touchdown. Bullock FTW!

PLANET 51 (C-)

Starring the voices of: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel , Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott and John Cleese

Story: Planet 51 is a galactic sized animated alien adventure comedy revolving around American astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker, who lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first person to step foot on it. To his surprise, he finds that this planet is inhabited by little green people who are happily living in a white picket fence world reminiscent of a cheerfully innocent 1950s America, and whose only fear is that it will be overrun by alien invaders...like Chuck! With the help of his robot companion "Rover" and his new friend Lem, Chuck must navigate his way through the dazzling, but bewildering, landscape of Planet 51 in order to escape becoming a permanent part of the Planet 51 Alien Invaders Space Museum. (Sony Pictures)

Rated: PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor

Bottom Line: Younger kids will love this ET story in reverse - but most adults will dismiss it as a lightweight, sugar-coated, missed-opportunity animated feature that boldly goes where more than a dozen uncreative, animated movies have gone before this year. ‘Phone home’…is what you should tell your kids to do after they’ve seen it (without you) and need someone to pick ‘em up (but they’ll probably be like 5, 6 or 7 so never mind – that’s bad parenting).

PRECIOUS (A-)

Starring: Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz

Story: Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother, a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination. (Lionsgate)

Rated: R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language

Bottom Line: An utterly grotesque, bleak and painful portrait of urban living that ultimately uplifts and will knock you out with its harshly powerful emotional punches. PRECIOUS and few are the movies like this we share. A guaranteed Oscar contender.

2012 (C+)

Starring: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson

Story: Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. (Sony Pictures)

Rated: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language

Bottom Line: This visually assaulting globe-wrecker is big, bold, earth-shattering, ear-ringing, mind-throbbing, thinly-written and butt-numbingly cheesy…but so brilliantly bad that it makes me crave the inevitable 2013 sequel (once I regain my hearing, sight and feeling in my right leg that this 2 ½ hour movie took from me).

DVD/Blurays released next Tuesday (11/17):
STAR TREK A
BRUNO B
MY SISTER'S KEEPER B-

PIRATE RADIO (B-)

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branaugh and January Jones

Story: Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker anchored in the middle of the North Sea (just beyond British jurisdiction), Radio Rock sends out a vibrant and unifying signal to millions across the nation, ranging in age from wide-eyed pre-teens secretly tuning in long past their bedtimes to everyday people in need of a musical pick-me-up. The Radio Rock roster, overseen by unflappable station owner (and ship’s captain) Quentin, includes a risk-prone American known only as The Count; mystic deejay royalty Gavin; slyly amorous Dave; idiosyncratic New Zealander Angus; the rarely seen Bob; the aptly named Thick Kevin; lovelorn Simon; ladies’ magnet Mark; shy Harold; reporter News John; and lesbian ship’s cook Felicity. One night in 1966, Quentin’s teenaged godson Carl comes aboard. While Carl harbors romantic aspirations that he hopes will be fulfilled during one of the biweekly visits by Radio Rock’s prettiest fans, he also hopes to find out more about his long-absent father. (Focus Features)

Rated: R for language, and some sexual content including brief nudity

Bottom Line: There’s a great, character-rich story to be told here and the energy of the cast makes the voyage enjoyable but it all still kind of feels like nothing more than a keg-less frat party at sea with a really good mixed-tape. These PIRATES walk the plank…but thankfully never jump off.

AN EDUCATION (A)

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams and Emma Thompson

Story: In the post-war, pre-Beatles London suburbs, a bright schoolgirl is torn between studying for a place at Oxford and the more exciting alternative offered to her by a charismatic older man. (Sony Pictures Classics)

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking

Bottom Line: Exuberant dialogue, masterful direction and brilliant acting – it’s smart, romantic, timeless and funny. AN EDUCATION makes the grade…and is assured a Best Picture nomination come Oscar time.

DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (C-)

Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn and Cary Elwes

Story: Disney's A Christmas Carol, a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk and his cheery nephew. But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it's too late. (Walt Disney Pictures)

Rated: PG for scary sequences and images so don’t take your young children because they’ll either freak out or be bored to tears (a cinematic FYI to parents).

Bottom Line: Dazzling 3-D motion capture animation that’ll have you brushing snowflakes off your lap - but with all the bind blowing left-hook visuals they forgot to deliver the emotional knock-out punch. A Christmas story that fails to get you in to the spirit of Christmas?! Bah humbug, indeed!

DVD/Blurays Releases Next Tuesday (11/10):
Up A
The Ugly Truth D

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS (B)

Starring: George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey

Story: Reporter Bob Wilton is in search of his next big story when he encounters Lyn Cassady, a shadowy figure who claims to be part of an experimental U.S. military unit. According to Cassady, the New Earth Army is changing the way wars are fought. A legion of "Warrior Monks" with unparalleled psychic powers can read the enemy's thoughts, pass through solid walls, and even kill a goat simply by staring at it. Now, the program's founder, Bill Django, has gone missing and Cassady's mission is to find him. (Overture Films)

Rated: R for language, some drug content and brief nudity

Bottom Line: A freshly creative premise with a great cast and solid acting that’s equal parts intelligent, silly and ridiculous. If you’re looking to see a movie this weekend then buy a ticket and stare at THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS.

THE BOX (D+)

Starring: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella

Story: What if someone gave you a box containing a button that, if pushed, would bring you a million dollars...but simultaneously take the life of someone you don't know? Would you do it? And what would be the consequences? The year is 1976. Norma Lewis is a teacher at a private high school and her husband, Arthur, is an engineer working at NASA. They are, by all accounts, an average couple living a normal life in the suburbs with their young son...until a mysterious man with a horribly disfigured face appears on their doorstep and presents Norma with a life-altering proposition: the box. With only 24 hours to make their choice, Norma and Arthur face an impossible moral dilemma. What they don't realize is that no matter what they decide, terrifying consequences will have already been set in motion. They soon discover that the ramifications of this decision are beyond their control and extend far beyond their own fortune and fate. (Warner Bros.)

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images

Bottom Line: An ambitious yet ultimately flawed and painfully slow thriller. Leave this BOX unopened and stamp it ‘return to sender’.

THE FOURTH KIND (D)

Starring: Milla Jovovich

Story: In 1972, a scale of measurement was established for alien encounters. When a UFO is sighted, it is called an encounter of the first kind. When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind. When contact is made with extraterrestrials, it is the third kind. The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document...until now. (Universal Pictures)

Rated: PG-13 for violent/disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements and brief sexuality

Bottom Line: This movie has a few joltingly impressive tricks up its sleeve – but it ultimately crumbles under the weight of its own absurdity. THE FOURTH KIND?! No I’d say more like THE TWELTH KIND…of movie I’ve seen like this in the past 2 years that failed to entertain me.