"City of Ember" (PG). Not reviewed. Teens attempt to save the generator of their illuminated city. Opens Friday, Oct. 10.

"The Duchess" (PG-13). Keira Knightley headlines but the real star power here is exerted by the costumes, wigs, country houses and pastoral landscapes surrounding an 18th-century duchess whose husband expects her to bear a male heir. Knightley's so-so performance is trumped by fine work by Charlotte Rampling and, especially, Ralph Fiennes. Grade: B- Opens Friday, Oct. 10

"The Express" (PG). Not reviewed. Dramatized look at real-life Syracuse football star Ernie Davis, the first black player to win college football's Heisman Trophy. Opens Friday, Oct. 10.

"Quarantine" (R). Not reviewed. Female TV reporter is on the scene when a hotel is mysteriously barricaded by the Center for Disease Control. Opens Friday, Oct. 10.

"The Godfather" (R). Not reviewed. Francis Ford Coppola's big-screen restoration of his 1972 classic. One-week run opens Oct. 10.

NOW PLAYING

"An American Carol" (PG-13). Director David Zucker ("Airplane!") unleashes a hit-and-mostly-miss satire about a Michael Moore-type filmmaker who wants to abolish the Fourth of July until he is visited in "Christmas Carol" fashion by the ghosts of George Washington, Gen. George S. Patton and John F. Kennedy. With Kevin Farley, Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper, Jon Voight and James Woods. Grade: C Muvico Egyptian 24

"Appaloosa" (R). Director Ed Harris oversees a straightforward western about a sheriff (Harris) in a rough New Mexico town who tangles with a ruthless businessman (Jeremy Irons) while embarking on a romance with a newly arrived widow (Renee Zellweger). Grade: B Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14

"Battle in Seattle" (R). This docu-drama about protests against a World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999 does a reasonably good job of conveying the mood in the streets, but the issues involved are glossed over until factual information appears as part of the end credits. Grade: C Charles Theatre

"Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (PG). Unless you adore movies about talking animals, stay far away from this slight comedy about a pampered L.A. dog lost in Mexico. The voice of Drew Barrymore stars as the dog, along with such human actors as Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Blindness" (R). This is the sort of prestige production that assumes it deserves awards. The source novel by Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago, direction by Fernando Meirelles ("City of God") and cast including Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal all seem impressive on paper, but this film about a mysterious epidemic of sudden blindness amounts to a poorly explained metaphor that's eager to shock and depress you. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Eagle Eye" (PG-13). The relentless chases, hyperkinetic editing and explosive score amount to noisy bells and whistles masking the fact that this political thriller is skimpy when it comes to characterization and motive. With Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Fireproof" (PG). Earnest drama about a firefighter trying to rekindle his stale marriage. Mediocre acting and filmmaking detract from its worthwhile message. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Flash of Genius" (PG-13). It helps to be fascinated by the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper, because it's discussed at great length in this by-the-numbers inspirational story about an inventor (Greg Kinnear) angry that Detroit car companies allegedly have stolen his ideas. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Ghost Town" (PG-13). Lively screwball comedy in which a misanthropic New York dentist (Ricky Gervais) develops the ability to see and hear ghosts. This proves to be a major hassle when a persistent ghost (Greg Kinnear) implores the dentist to stop the ghost's widow (Tea Leoni) from marrying again. Smart dialogue and pacing make it a pleasure to watch. Grade: B Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" (R). A seemingly inept English journalist (Simon Pegg) goes to work for a New York-based celebrity magazine. Even the occasional good jokes leave you wondering why this hapless journalist wasn't fired on his first day. With Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston and Gillian Anderson. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"I Served the King of England" (R). Czech director Jiri Menzel ("Closely Watched Trains") presents a meandering and rather precious tale about a waiter who witnesses a lot of 20th-century history. Although there are charming scenes, the movie goes on too long. Grade: C+ Charles Theatre

"Lakeview Terrace" (PG-13). Samuel L. Jackson's intense performance as a Los Angeles cop isn't quite enough to carry this thriller about the cop's hostile response to the interracial couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) who buy the house next to his. Although the script has inconsistent character development, it also provides plenty of diverting jolts. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Miracle at St. Anna" (R). As overstated as it is ambitious, director Spike Lee's lengthy drama about black soldiers in Italy during World War II qualifies as an honorable failure. The film's thematic clubbing is epitomized by composer Terence Blanchard's insistent score, which never trusts you to respond to the material on your own. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Righteous Kill" (R). Paired for the first time since "Heat" (1995), Robert De Niro and Al Pacino play New York cops who bend the rules in going after bad guys. The stars mostly coast on their trademark moves, and director Jon Avnet indulges in overly familiar cop movie material. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

All capsule reviews and grades are by Mike Giuliano unless otherwise noted. Bookings change on Friday. For showtimes and to confirm listings, call the phone-in number in Screen Scene.

SCREEN SCENE

AMC Columbia Mall 14
Columbia Town Center, Columbia,
410-423-0520

Snowden Square Stadium 14
9161 Commerce Center Drive, Columbia,
410-872-0670

Charles Theatre
1711 N. Charles St., Baltimore,
410-727-FILM

Maryland Science Center IMAX Theater
601 Light St., Baltimore,
410-685-5225

Muvico Egyptian 24
Arundel Mills Boulevard at Route 100, Hanover,
443-755-8992

West Nursery 14
1591 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum,
410-850-8999

user comments (0)