Capsule Reviews of Feature Films

ALPS The producers of “Everest” take their cameras to Europe’s largest mountain range while following one man’s quest to conquer the mountain that killed his father. This Imax adventure features the music of Queen. (Not Previewed.)

ALEXANDRA 3 stars. Russian director Alexander Sokurov uses the incongruous image of a dignified old woman waddling around a shabby army base on a desolate patch of land to get at the futility and ugliness of war. A slow-moving and fastidiously staged affair with opera great Galina Vishnevskaya in the title role. No MPAA rating (adult themes) _ Steven Rea

THE ANIMATION SHOW 4 3 stars. The collection of independent, animated shorts is back for a fourth go-around. Geared to a mature audience. In English, French, German and Japanese with subtitles. 1 hr. 27 No MPAA rating _ Tirdad Derakhshani

BEFORE THE RAINS 2 { stars. A melodrama of colonial karma set in the late days of the British Raj, with Linus Roache as an English tea planter whose affair with his Indian housemaid sets off a series of tragic events. Never less than compelling, but never more than adequately realized, either. 1 hr. 38 PG-13 (violence, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER The win-at-all-costs American culture and how it helped spawn steroid use in sports is the focus of this outstanding documentary. 1 hr. 46 PG-13 (vulgarity, adult content, violent images, drug content) _ Wire services

BRA BOYS This odd, one-sided documentary looks at a community of surfers in Sydney, Australia, with a reputation for hard partying and a history of struggle to fit in with the wider society around them. Narrated by Russell Crowe. 1 hr. 30 R (profanity, some violent content and reckless behavior) _ Wire services

BODY OF WAR 3 stars. This documentary follows the travails of an Iraq war veteran who returns home to the U.S. after being seriously wounded. 1 hr. 27 No MPAA rating (medical candor) _ Carrie Rickey

BRICK LANE A rich, revealing adaptation of the Monica Ali novel about a Bangladeshi woman living in London in an arranged marriage, struggling to find her place in the world _ and in her soul. 1 hr. 42 PG-13 (profanity, racial epithets, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED Evelyn Waugh`s novel, plushly and passionately adapted to the screen, is graced with excellent performances. Emma Thompson, Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell star in the costume drama where a romantic triangle is complicated by the religious trinity. 2 hrs. 15 PG-13 (brief nudity, sex) _ Carrie Rickey

CHAPTER 27 1 { stars. Jared Leto gained 60 pounds to play Mark David Chapman, the deranged fan who shot John Lennon. He needn’t have bothered, for J.D. Schaefer’s film is excruciatingly slow and psychologically opaque. 1 hr. 25 R (sexual themes, profanity) _ Carrie Rickey

CHICAGO 10 2 stars. This documentary uses music, animation and interviews to look back at the riots during the 1968 Democratic convention. 1 hr. 43 R (profanity, sexual candor) _ Carrie Rickey

THE CHILDREN OF HUANG SHI Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars in the true story of a 1930s Brit who risks his life by helping to smuggle 60 orphans out of Japanese-occupied China. 2 hrs. 05 R (some disturbing and violent content) _ Wire services

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN 3 stars. A year after they fell through the wardrobe into the parallel universe of Narnia, the Pevensie siblings return to help the Narnians restore the legitimate ruler, Prince Caspian, to the throne. Andrew Adamson’s film overcomes a shaky start to find its own rhythms. Despite its intended ‘tween audience, this is less of an adventure than a war movie. 2 hrs. 17 PG (intense war and action sequences) _ Carrie Rickey

THE DARK KNIGHT 3 stars. This sequel to 2005′s “Batman Begins” has the caped crusader (Christian Bale) teaming up with police Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman) and a new D.A. (Aaron Eckhart) to take on the Joker (Heath Ledger in his final film). 2 hrs. 32 PG-13 (intense violence, sadism, threats to children) _ Carrie Rickey

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD 3 { stars. Director Werner Herzog’s impressive first documentary since “Grizzly Man” looks at the naturalbeauty of Antarctica and the scientists who live there in the most rugged of conditions. 1 hr. 39 G _ Carrie Rickey.

THE FALL 3 { stars. A dazzling fantasy, a dark fairy tale about suicide and broken hearts, this labor of love from top commercials director Tarsem is set in the early 20th century, and takes flight from an L.A. hospital ward to literally circumnavigate the globe. A celebration of cinema, of old-fashioned storytelling and spectacle, it stirs the soul. 1 hr. 56 R (violence, adult themes) _ Steven Rea.

GET SMART 2 stars. Steve Carell seems lost in this perfunctory remake of the ’60s sitcom. Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson also star in this paint-by-numbers espionage farce. 1 hr. 50 PG-13 (rude humor, violence) _ David Hiltbrand

GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON 3 stars. A rich documentary portrait of the career, and legend, of the pioneering ’60s and ’70s nutball journalist, famous for his “Fear and Loathing” epics, and for his drug-addled takes on the liars and scoundrels of the day. 1 hr. 58 R (profanity, drugs, nudity, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE The canyon and the Colorado River within are featured in this Imax documentary that explores the necessity of balancing the water needs of people and the natural environment.

HANCOCK 3 { stars. Will Smith stars as a problem-plagued, screw-up superhero in this dark, funny, rollicking tale of rehabilitation, redemption and really cool special effects. With Jason Bateman and an awesome Charlize Theron. 1 hr. 33 PG-13 (profanity, violence, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

THE HAPPENING 2 stars. Dumbfounding. M. Night Shyamalan`s throwback horror flick _ kind of like “The Birds” meets “The Blob” _ is a hollow B movie with eco-pretensions. Why is a random plague sweeping America`s Northeast, triggering suicides? 1 hr. 31 R (discreet, but disturbing, violence and suicide) _ Carrie Rickey

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY 2 { stars A hyperactive sequel to the 2004 hit, based on Mike Mignola’s comic books and once again directed by Guillermo Del Toro, this trippy visual spectacle goes somewhere the first “Hellboy” never ventured: into the Realms of Tedium. 1 hr. 50 PG-13 (violence, mayhem, scary monsters, profanity, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

THE INCREDIBLE HULK 2 { stars. Edward Norton stars as nice-guy scientist Bruce Banner, who transforms into Marvel Comics’ un-jolly green giant whenever he gets too upset. Tim Roth and William Hurt are the nasty military types on Banner’s tail, and Liv Tyler is his nifty neuroscientist sweetheart. The action starts great in the slums of Rio, but finishes in noisy waves of tedium on the streets of New York. 1 hr. 54 PG-13 (violence, carnage, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL 2 { stars. Wise-cracking, whip-snapping archaelogist adventurer Henry “Indiana” Jones is back, as Harrison Ford reunites with his fedora, and Steven Spielberg and George Lucas with one another in this third sequel to “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It’s been 19 years since the last, and things are a little creaky. With Shia LaBeouf as the Indy heir apparent, and Cate Blanchett as a villainous Russian in this Ike-era escapade. 2 hrs. 04 PG-13 (violence, scares, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

IRON MAN 3 { stars. Fast. Funny. Deliriously entertaining. As a hybrid of Howard Hughes and Hugh Hefner, Robert Downey Jr. delights as Tony Stark, billionaire playboy/inventor/businessman who realizes that U.S. soldiers are casualties of the weapons he’s designed to protect them. 2 hrs. 06 PG-13 (sexual innuendo, violence) _ Carrie Rickey

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 2 { stars. Fanged fish, T-Rex drool and bio-luminescent bluebirds respectively nip, plop and flutter in the audience’s face in this diverting 3-D update of the Jules Verne classic with Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson. 1 hr. 33 PG (frightening animals) _ Carrie Rickey

KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL 2 { stars. Episodic and pleasant (as opposed to emotional and poignant) adventure starring Abigail Breslin, based on the American Girl novelettes, With Joan Cusack and Stanley Tucci. 1 hr. 40 G (mild suspense) _ Carrie Rickey

KUNG FU PANDA 3 stars. Jack Black gives voice, and emotion, to the title character, a rolypoly panda bear who works for his father’s noodle shop in ancient China, but dreams of being a martial arts master. A spirited computer-animated follow-your-dream comedy _ smart, fun, with a little Zen wisdom to boot. 1 hr. 28 PG (cartoon violence) _ Steven Rea

THE LAST MISTRESS 3 stars. Lush. Debauched. Ravishing. And did I mention sexy? Asia Argento stars as the title character in Catherine Breillat`s adaptation of an 1851 French novel, a study in virtue, decadence and burning desire that looks like it was painted by Delacroix. 1 hr. 5 No MPAA rating (nudity, sex) _ Carrie Rickey

MAMMA MIA! 2 stars. You’ll smile! You’ll wince! (Sometimes both at the same time.) Meryl Streep’s debut as a knockabout physical comedian, Amanda Seyfried’s breakout role as her daughter, who doesn`t know which of Mom’s three exes is Dad, and wall-to-wall ABBA songs. With Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skargsard, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters. 1 hr. 48 PG (risque situations) _ Carrie Rickey

MEET DAVE 2 { stars. Family-friendly fun starring Eddie Murphy as a spaceship configured like a human and also the inch-high alien piloting the craft. With Gabrielle Union and Elizabeth Banks. 1 hr. 30 PG (sugestive humor) _ Carrie Rickey

MONGOL 3 { stars. An eastern western, and a historical epic of epic proportions, tracing the rise of Genghis Khan from nomadic boy prince to warrior leader. Rife with bloody battles, galloping steeds and the beautiful faces of a cast hailing from Central Asia, China and Japan, the film is great cinema, great fun. 2 hrs 04 R (violence, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

SEX AND THE CITY 3 stars. Frothy as a Margarita and twice as salty, the further adventures of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her bosom buds may well be the most effervescent film fantasy since “The Incredibles.” With Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth and Jennifer Hudson. 2 hrs. 20 R (nudity, sex, sexual candor, profanity, conspicuous consumption) _ Carrie Rickey

SPACE CHIMPS The grandson of the first chimp in space is sent on a new mission, which turns tricky when he has to deal with the evil ruler of the planet that he and his chimp friends land on. Animated. 1 hr. 21 G _ Wire services

STEP BROTHERS Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play deadbeat grownups forced to share a house, and a bedroom, when their respective parents (Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen) marry. Happily imbecilic, and pretty raunchy comedy ensues. 1 hr. 38 R (profanity, prosthetic body parts, sexual content, comic mayhem, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

SURFWISE 3 { stars. Doug Pray’s portrait of a dictatorial dad and his jostling, surfing-obsessed clan is more than just a colorful tale about a nonconformist couple and their nine (!) kids in a 24-foot camper, nomads with boards. This engaging film offers a cautionary tale about parenting, home-schooling (camper-schooling, actually), sibling rivalries and family sacrifice. 1 hr. 33 R (profanity, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

TELL NO ONE 3 { stars. Adapted from Harlan Coben’s 2001 bestseller, this is one terrific mystery, equal parts haunting love story and nimble thriller. Yup, it’s French, but if you’re subtitle-phobic, don’t be: it’s wildly exciting, and among the more satisfying movies out there. 2 hrs. 05 No MPAA guide (violence, profanity, nudity, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

UP THE YANGTZE 3 { stars. Life along the Chinese river and how it is being changed by the building of the biggest hydroelectric dam in history are examined in this excellent documentary on a subject of great importance. 1 hr. 33 No MPAA rating (adult themes) _ Tirdad Derakhshani

THE VISITOR 3 stars. The life of a bored, middle-aged college professor (Richard Jenkins) is changed by the presence of two immigrants who turn out to be living in the New York apartment where he’s supposed to stay for a conference. 1 hr. 43 PG-13 (profanity) _ Carrie Rickey

THE WACKNESS 3 stars. A smart comedy that serves as both bittersweet coming-of-age tale and ’90s nostalgia piece, with Josh Peck as a dope-dealing New Yorker in the summer between high school and college, falling in love with his pot-smoking shrink’s beautiful, aloof step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby). Ben Kingsley and Famke Janssen co-star. 1 hr. 35 R (sex, nudity, profanity, drugs, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

WALL-E 3 stars. An adventurous shift away from the anthropomorphic madcappery of Pixar’s recent animated features, this 28th century tale about an old robot abandoned on Earth is part love story, part eco-cautionary tale, and, for its first half, pretty much entirely devoid of human dialogue. Lots of fun. 1 hr. 37 G (cartoon mayhem) _ Steven Rea

WANTED 2 { stars. James McAvoy is an office drone loser who gets caught up in a secret order of assassins _ and gets mentored by the cool, tattooed Angelina Jolie _ in this assaultive roller coaster of an action pic. It’d be more fun if the violence wasn’t so nasty, and if the script made sense. Still, visually, and viscerally, it’s pretty awesome. 1 hr. 50 R (violence, gore, profanity, sex, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? 3 stars. Keenly observed and beautifully acted, this memory piece about the relationship between an overbearing father (Jim Broadbent) and his brooding, sensitive son (Colin Firth) is rife with the pangs and pains of a fractured _ but all-important _ relationship. 1 hr. 32 PG-13 (sex, profanity, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

WILD OCEAN This Imax feature looks at the feeding frenzy that occurs annually off the coast of South Africa as sardines migrate and larger predators look for an easy meal. (Not Previewed.)

THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE A convoluted, unconvincing mishmash of hot-button social issues thrown into a murky stew by “X-Files” creator Chris Carter. Agents Mulder and Scully _ David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson _ tag along with a psychic ex-priest, looking for missing women. Dogs bark, crows squawk, the plot sickens. 1 hr. 44 PG-13 (violence, profanity, disturbing imagery, adult themes) _ Steven Rea

YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN 2 { stars. In this raunchily wholesome message movie that deploys Arab and Jewish stereotypes while smashing them, Adam Sandler is an Israeli commando who fakes his death and comes to America to be…a hairdresser. 1 hr. 53 PG-13 (nudity, sexual candor, sexual innuendo, ethnic sterotypes) _ Carrie Rickey

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RATINGS:

4 stars: Excellent; 3 stars: Good; 2 stars: Fair; 1 star: Poor

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