Burlesque (B-)

With a trailer that evokes comparisons to “Showgirls,” I can’t say I had high hopes for the new film “Burlesque.”

Yet somewhere in this two-hour campy homage to the Golden Age of musicals, I found the film won me over with its old fashioned, and rather cornball, simplicity as well as some nice musical numbers built around Christina Aguilera and Cher.

Due Date (D+)

The latest collaboration between filmmaker Todd Phillips and comedian Zach Galifianakis is more uncomfortable than funny, despite the addition of Robert Downey Jr.

Fair Game (B)

The true story of Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) n the CIA agent whose cover was blown by White House officials in an attempt to discredit a 2003 New York Times op-ed piece written by Plame’s husband, Joe Wilson (Sean Penn) n is a compelling thriller that further questions America’s involvement in Iraq.

Faster (D)

Dwayne Johnson stars as a ex-con who leaves jail and sets out to avenge the death of his brother. A gritty, darker project for the former WWE superstar, but the film never quite achieves the grindhouse status it tries to achieve.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (A-)

The best Harry Potter film to date, a more grown up film that takes the franchise in some very dark places. The result is a film that is definitely a different tone from when the series began, with the now young adult cast up to the challenge.

Love and Other Drugs (C-)

Part romantic comedy, part satire, part disease flick, this is a film that can’t seem to decide what it wants to be, and ultimately fails despite two pretty likable leads (Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal).

Secretariat (B)

There aren’t many sure things when it comes to movie formulas, but Walt Disney continues to ride a hot streak with “Secretariat,” another in a series of live-action sports films based on true stories.

Like previous entries “Remember the Titans,” “Miracle” and “The Rookie,” this is another film that will please people already familiar with the back story of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. It’s also good enough to reach out beyond the target audience.

Tangled (B)

Billed as the 50th animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Tangled” is a fun film that almost feels like a nostalgic throwback to its predecessors.

Evoking memories of “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” this is a simple story spiced with some humor and a couple of nice musical numbers that make it the perfect holiday family film.

The Tourist (B)

The idea of Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie headlining a film seems like a good enough idea.

But sometimes ideas don’t create the magic that a viewer hopes, and that’s the case with lackluster thriller. Despite the star power, the film lacks fireworks. It proves to be a case of big star power with low wattage.

Unstoppable (B)

The latest action film starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine delivers on its own level. With some nice action sequences and surprising restraint from the usually hyperactive director Tony Scott, this is a solid flick that should play well during the holiday season.