2012 (C)

After wreaking havoc in “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow,” director Roland Emmerich adds a third leg to his disaster trilogy with “2012” n an overlong, overindulgent action film that wants to be fun and exciting, but is really rather dull and exhausting.

The Box (D)

A tricky little “Twilight Zone”-like thriller about a couple (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) who receives an offer from a mysterious stranger (Frank Langella) feels like a bad attempt at a David Lynch movie.

A Christmas Carol (B-)

This animated retelling of the Charles Dickens classic from director Robert Zemeckis serves its purpose n it delivers just enough holiday cheer to appease the most festive and still entertain the Scrooges of the world.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (B-)

This harmless kid’s film based on a popular book features solid voice work from Bill Hader, Anna Faris and Mr. T and features just enough laughs to amuse parents and children.

Couples Retreat (C)

Vince Vaughn has his moments, but even he can’t save this rather tepid romantic comedy about four couples who take a vacation to a tropical island resort designed to help couples work on their marriage. This is the kind of film that screams for raunchiness, but settles for safe and dull.

Law Abiding Citizen (D)

Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx star in this unintentionally funny thriller about an upstanding family man (Butler) seeking revenge on the justice system after one of the men who brutally murdered his wife and daughter works out a plea deal with a hot shot D.A. (Foxx).

Men Who Stare at Goats (C)

A surprisingly disappointing comedy about a reporter (Ewan McGregor) who befriends a psychic spy (George Clooney) during the Iraq War.

Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are all quite good, but the film never quite clicks n and as a result feels rather scattershot and uneven.

Paranormal Activity (C)

This film festival phenomenon that has exploded into a mainstream sensation isn’t quite “The Blair Witch Project,” which it aspires to be, but there are a few nice moments. Unfortunately, there are also several key points when “Paranormal” feels like a staged film and less like the faux-documentary it aspires to be.

Pirate Radio (B)

This British comedy about a group of DJs (including Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bill Nighy) broadcasting on a boat in the middle of the Northern Atlantic is harmless fun that is more about attitude than substance.

This Is It (B)

Using footage from rehearsals before his untimely death, the film shows Michael Jackson doing what he does best n singing and dancing. The film traces the process of this rather ambitious project, with performances of many of Jackson’s hits n ranging from “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” to “Billie Jean.”

Some may argue that “This Is It” is pretty soft n with no real insight into Jackson the man and very few behind-the-scenes moments, but this is a film designed to give fans one last chance to see the Jackson they knew and loved.

And on that level, “This Is It” succeeds n showing that Jackson still had it, even in his final moments.

Where the Wild Things Are (A-)

Adapting a popular children’s book that is only 10 sentences long can be a tricky thing, but writer/director Spike Jonze managed to do that with “Where the Wild Things Are,” a completely endearing and original adaptation of the popular Maurice Sendak classic.

Here’s a film that manages to stay true to its roots, while expanding it into new depths that will surely please all the book’s fans.