50/50 (B+)

With a topic that can be manipulated quite often in cinema, this proves to be a refreshing alternative.

A surprisingly low-key drama with humorous moments, this is an honest and heartfelt piece of work n a straightforward but genuinely honest look at dealing with adversity.

Footloose (B)

As a child of the 1980s, I have a special place in my heart for “Footloose.”

So I’ll admit I was a little skeptical n OK, I openly voiced my displeasure n when I heard that a remake was in the works.

And while I went into the remake expecting to hate it, imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed it. This is a fun little update that fans of the original will enjoy, but is good enough to stand on its own and entertain a whole new generation of teens who just want to dance.

In Time (C-)

What a huge disappointment.

Here is a sci-fi film that features a strong cast, a good writer/director who has had success in the genre, and intriguing premise. Yet, despite all the potential it can’t make good n dissolving into a rather pedestrian thriller.

J. Edgar (C+)

A great performance from Leonardo DiCaprio is wasted in the latest from Clint Eastwood. This is a bio picture that doesn’t really have much to say about its subject.

Jack and Jill (F)

Ever wondered what it would be like to see Adam Sandler in drag?

If you answered yes, then his latest comedy, “Jack and Jill,” is right in your wheelhouse. For the rest of us, it’s another in a series of poorly chosen comedies that has derailed a promising career for Sandler.

Moneyball (A)

At first glance, a movie about baseball in which most of the action takes place off the field might seem like a tough sell.

Yet the new film adapted from the Michael Lewis book about Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane manages to pull it off with flair. This is a compelling drama, featuring an Oscar nomination worthy performance from Brad Pitt, that baseball fans will love and non-baseball fans will find pretty entertaining as well.

Paranormal Activity 3 (C)

Proving the third time isn’t always the charm, the “Paranormal Activity” franchise takes a hit with the latest installment.

Despite a few bumps and scares, the latest chapter takes the franchise in the wrong direction, and it is the weakest entry in the series to date.

Puss in Boots (B)

One of my favorite characters in the “Shrek” franchise has been the irresistible feline Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas.

Now fans of the swashbuckling furball get a chance to see the cat take center stage with his own film, “Puss in Boots,” the fifth entry in the “Shrek” franchise. While it’s not quite up to the level of the first two “Shrek” films, it is still a step above the last two entries.

Tower Heist (B)

There is nothing earth-shattering about the latest starring Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller, but it still works on its own level.

Taking a large and talented cast and adding a simple story that plays to the current financial crisis, the film delivers a solid, crowd-pleasing action comedy.

A Very Harold and Kumar 3-D Christmas (D)

Fans of the stoner duo Harold and Kumar clamoring for a third installment, you have your wish.

Seven years after the surprise hit “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle,” the pair return to the screen yet again (They also escaped from Guantanamo Bay) with a new low point in the R-Rated comedy genre. This isn’t quite “Bucky Larson” bad, but it’s still pretty unappealing – easily the worst film to date in the series.