"Bolt" (PG). Not reviewed. This children's-oriented animated comedy features the voice of John Travolta as a canine television celebrity forced to make the tradition from Hollywood to New York. Opens Friday, Nov. 21.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" (PG-13). This is the Holocaust as seen through a child's eyes. When a German boy's father is appointed commanding officer of a Nazi concentration camp, the boy doesn't understand why its inhabitants wear what he calls striped pajamas. It's obviously a serious topic, but it's nearly undone by a sentimental contrivance-laden script. With David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga. Grade: C+ Opens Friday, Nov. 21.

"Twilight" (PG-13). Not reviewed. Catherine Hardwicke directs the much-anticipated screen version of Stephenie Meyer's novel about a teen girl's romance with a mysterious vampire. Opens Friday, Nov. 21.

NOW PLAYING

"Body of Lies" (R). The slick professionalism of director Ridley Scott, the starring presence of Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe as C.I.A. employees, and the obvious importance of international terrorism somehow don't fully spark a busy spy story that roams the world and yet doesn't go very deep. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14

"Changeling" (R). Director Clint Eastwood tries to be stately and instead achieves a stilted tone in this true story about a single mother in Los Angeles in the 1920s whose young son goes missing. When he's returned to her, she insists it's not her son. Angelina Jolie's award-courting performance is the most obvious indication of a handsomely produced picture that takes itself very seriously. Grade: B- 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+ Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Haunting of Molly Hartley" (PG-13). Haley Bennett plays a disturbed teen whose hallucinations may be all too real. The movie's scary potential is spoiled by plot developments so extreme that you'll only be haunted by disappointment. Grade: C Muvico Egyptian 24

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (G). Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens finally approach graduation in a wholesome musical comedy that's as easy to watch as it is predictable. There are plans to continue the series, so here's a title the producers may want to consider: "High School Musical 4: GED." Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" (PG). This animated sequel has the lion (Ben Stiller), zebra (Chris Rock), giraffe (David Schwimmer) and hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) exploring mainland Africa. Although the plot doesn't do much more than trot out the same cuddly characters, some attempts are made to advance the story. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Max Payne" (PG-13). Its video game origins account for the superficiality of a mediocre action movie in which Mark Wahlberg merely goes through the violent motions. Grade: C- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Quantum of Solace" (PG-13). Picking up where the 2006 "Casino Royale" left off, this latest James Bond movie is a revenge-driven, non-stop chase lacking the high-tech gadgets and witty innuendo for which the series is known. Daniel Craig is such a sullen killing machine as 007 that the movie is as boring as it is busy. If a James Bond movie isn't fun, what's the point? Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Role Models" (R). Yet another rude comedy in which grown men act like juveniles. Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd play slackers whose mischief leads to a community service sentence that involves mentoring troubled teens. Although scattered bits are funny, most of the movie is as lame as it is profane. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Saw V" (R). It's literally torture watching the fifth installment in a sadistic series that refuses to die. Is this anybody's idea of a movie date? Grade: D- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Secret Life of Bees" (PG-13). Based on a bestselling novel and featuring Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah, this honey-drenched story about a girl growing up in racially segregated South Carolina in 1964 is easy to like, but its thematic messages are so bluntly delivered that it has a paint-by-number quality. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Soul Men" (R). An unintentional sadness hovers over this silly comedy, because star Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes (in a cameo) died before its release. Mac and Samuel L. Jackson are enjoyably cast as feuding soul singers who agree to reunite. Their long drive from Los Angeles to New York results in a slapstick-filled road movie that coasts on its cheap laughs. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (R). Writer-director Kevin Smith's mostly unsuccessful comedy features Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as financially desperate friends who decide to make a pornographic movie. The first half of Smith's movie is marred by so much profanity-laced dialogue that it becomes tiresome; and the second half is marred by such a sentimental turn that it seems forced. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14

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)