"Kung Fu Panda" (PG). The pudgy protagonist and his martial arts moves will appeal to children, as will the story about the panda's need to develop confidence and fight a villain. This animated comedy is formulaic, but agreeable. Voices include Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, David Cross, Lucy Liu and Dustin Hoffman. Grade: B Opens Friday, June 6.

"Roman de Gare" (R). Veteran French writer-director Claude Lelouch weaves a complicated, ambiguous story about a popular novelist (Fanny Ardent), the man who might be the ghostwriter behind her books (Dominique Pinon), and a troubled young woman the presumed ghostwriter meets (Audrey Dana). This humor-tinged mystery suffers from Lelouch's trademark cute contrivances, but it does hold your interest. Grade: B- Opens Friday, June 6.

"Stuck" (R). Based on a true incident, this gruesome, darkly comic story concerns a nurse (Mena Suvari) whoe car strikes a homeless man (Stephen Rea). When this gravely injured man is stuck in her car's windshield, she panics, drives home and parks in her garage. Director Stuart Gordon ("Re-Animator") makes the situation seem disturbingly real, but the film obviously won't be everybody's cup of tea. Grade: C+ Opens Friday, June 6.

"You Don't Mess With the Zohan" (PG-13). Not reviewed. This comedy stars Adam Sandler as an Israeli commando agent who fakes his own death so he can become a hair stylist. Dennis Dugan directs. Opens Friday, June 6.

NOW PLAYING

"Baby Mama" (PG-13). Tina Fey is a hard-working executive whose unhappiness at being childless prompts her to hire the much less sophisticated Amy Poehler to be a surrogate mother. This class comedy has its moments, but it piles on the cute contrivances. With Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard, Steve Martin and Sigourney Weaver. Grade: B- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (PG). The next cinematic installment in this C.S. Lewis-derived series again places its modern English children in a mythic setting. All the regal squabbles and battle scenes start to wear out their magical welcome, but fans will find plenty to enjoy. Grade: B Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (PG-13). Harrison Ford returns to the archaeological role after a 19-year absence, and the good news is that the adventure series does not seem geriatric. Steven Spielberg still knows how to orchestrate a cinematic theme park ride. With Cate Blanchett, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt, Shia La Beouf, Karen Allen and Ray Winstone. Grade: B+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Sex and the City" (R). It lasts longer than some marriages, but this lengthy feature version of the TV series has enough romantic comedy, silly dresses, expensive purses and shoes to satisfy millions of female fans eager for a girls night out. Although the plot is even thinner than Sarah Jessica Parker, this humorously hedonistic comedy is bloated with fashionable product placement adorning Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall. Grade: B Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Strangers" (R). If you've recovered from "Funny Games," here's another sadistic home invasion thriller about a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) terrorized by enigmatic strangers. The spare script exists only to set up more nasty scenes. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

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

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