• “Cloverfield”
From J.J. Abrams, the producer who brought you “Lost,” comes a creature feature for the post-9/11, YouTube era. Without revealing too much, we can say that the movie is exciting, terrifying and breathlessly entertaining. Those who found the “Blair Witch Project” camera work too jarring, however, should bring their Dramamine.
• “Sweeney Todd”
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton combine to enliven this bloody good big-screen adaptation of the Steven Sondheim musical about a murderous butcher bent on revenge. Don’t let the gore scare you away from this deliciously wicked story. And, hey, Depp’s pipes aren’t bad.
• “Charlie Wilson’s War”
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are horribly miscast in this political satire about a conservative Texas senator who decides he’s going to send aid to the Afghans after the Soviets invade. It should be a sharp satire, but unfortunately, it completely lacks edge. Only Philip Seymour Hoffman is able to rise to the occasion.
• “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”
This satire of music biopics such as “Ray” and “Walk the Line” has funny moments, but it exhausts its premise early. The songs aren’t funny enough and you may even get tired of John C. Reilly, who appears in almost every scene. Director Jake Kasdan simply fails to keep the laughs coming.
• “Persepolis”
Based on Marjane Satrapi’s graphic-novel memoir, this funny, moving film tells a girl’s coming-of-age story set against the political backdrop of the rise of the Ayatollahs in Iran. Though not suitable for children under 12, everyone else will be riveted by Satrapi’s story of the adolescent angst.
• “There Will Be Blood”
Daniel Day-Lewis turns in the best performance of his career in this remarkable story of the rise of an oil baron. Director Paul Thomas Anderson shows there’s far more to him than “Boogie Nights” as he takes on this epic tale, which will leave audiences gasping.
• “I Am Legend”
Will Smith thinks he’s the lone human survivor of a virus that’s wiped out Manhattan in this chilling sci-fi thriller. Things get complicated when zombie-like creatures come out at night. Smith is utterly compelling and, though the film simplifies the book’s message, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Save it for a matinee.
• “Atonement”
If one is to judge the new film version of Ian McEwan’s award-winning novel for its fidelity to the source material, “Atonement” is certainly a success. Unfortunately, since the book itself had narrative flaws, the movie offers no improvement upon them. And without giving away too many details, the book’s socko twist fails to resonate on the screen as much as it did on the printed page.
• “Juno”
Juno MacGuff is the kind of teenager we all wish we could have been: quick-witted, frighteningly smart and comfortable enough in her own skin to resist high-school pressures to conform, even as her body expands with an unplanned pregnancy. And “Juno” is the kind of movie all indie comedies wish they could be: light and lovable, perhaps a bit too pleased with the cleverness of its dialogue, but a charmer nonetheless.
• “Revolver”
Guy Ritchie’s latest is a hard-boiled crime flick that is an unwatchable mess, and after his equally terrible “Swept Away” (2002), Ritchie has managed to make, back to back, two of the worst films any one director can lay claim to.
• “The Savages”
Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play two siblings who have to deal with the father’s Alzheimer’s in this dark comedy. The fun of this film is in the narcissism of the two leads, who make all the wrong choices for their ailing father. Though the film goes soft in the end, it’s still has brilliant moments.
• “Margot at the Wedding”
When Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) decides to marry slacker Malcolm (Jack Black) her sister Margot (Nicole Kidman) not only disapproves but seems determined to drive a wedge between the couple. The humor here seems cruel rather than funny and lacks the humanity of director Noah Baumbach’s last film, “The Squid and the Whale.”
• “I’m Not There”
You won’t find a more inventive and effective approach to the biopic than Todd Haynes’ latest film in which he casts six different actors (including Cate Blanchett and Heath Ledger) as Bob Dylan-type figures at different stages of his life.
• “Redacted”
There is no doubt that Brian De Palma is mad about the Iraq war, but unfortunately that rage doesn’t translate into a compelling movie. Instead, “Redacted’s” story of the rape and murder of an Iraqi girl by American soldiers feels too heavy-handed.
• “No Country For Old Men”
Good news for Coen brothers fans: You are going to love their new ultra-violent adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel. Everyone else: You’ll be shrugging your shoulders as you usually do during a Coen brothers film. For fans only.
• “American Gangster”
If you think the title “American Gangster” sounds generic, wait until you see the movie. A shopworn compendium of charismatic crooks, scruffy cops, corruption, temptation and absolution, the film makes one regret that Denzel Washington already made a movie called “Déj� Vu,” since that’s what he’s trafficking in here.
• “Bee Movie”
There’s not enough sting — and just enough Sting — in “Bee Movie,” Jerry Seinfeld’s animated attempt to reposition the sitcom king as a movie star. The gazillionth movie in recent years to present the anthropomorphic adventures of bugs, fish, cars, robots, etc., this comedy provides sporadic chuckles but, you’ll pardon the expression, drones on for much of its running time.
• “Dan in Real Life”
Steve Carell shouldn’t leave his day job at “The Office.” His new film is yet another disappointing comedy, this one about the host of a radio advice show whose own life is a mess. Remember “Hello Larry”? This plays like the big screen version.
• “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke star as two brothers who decide to solve their money problems by robbing their parents’ jewelry store. Director Sidney Lumet creates a riveting tale about a failed heist that will restore your faith in crime movies.
• “Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains”
Jonathan Demme takes an intimate look at the 39th president in this documentary in which he followed Carter on his book tour. The movie’s biggest flaw might just be that Carter is too nice to be particularly interesting.
• “30 Days of Night”
A great premise - vampires on feeding frenzy in Alaska, where darkness lasts for months - is marred by repetitive gimmicks and silly characters. You’ll feel like you’ve been sitting for 30 days of night after this one.
• “Control”
Joy Division’s Ian Curtis (Sam Riley) was not a happy guy. Have you heard the music? Director Anton Corbijn turns this film into a psychological drama rather than a paint-by-numbers music biopic. A refreshingly strong film.
• “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
Queen Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) must take on the Spanish Armada and her feelings for Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) in this disappointing sequel. Though Blanchett does fine work, she’s saddled with a dopey script.
• “Sleuth”
Michael Caine and Jude Law play two men sparring for the same woman and engage in series of mind games. Remaking a strong film is always a dicey prospect, and this new film suffers by comparison. Rent the original instead.
• “Michael Clayton”
This film about a lawyer (George Clooney) who starts questioning his own values system doesn’t always work on a story level, but it is saved by strong performances by Clooney and Tilda Swinton.
• “Darjeeling Limited”
The latest self-satisfied exercise in style over substance from writer-director Wes Anderson will amuse his cult followers — as well as Anderson himself and his pals, of course — but probably nobody else.
• “The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford”
This brutal, intimate story about strife among the James gang is one of the most ambitious films of the year. And it hits the target dead on. Pitt turns in his best performance as Jesse James.
• “Into the Wild”
Sean Penn directs this fascinating story about Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch) who abandons everything to live off the land — with tragic results. The movie is gorgeous, but its one flaw is in not letting us truly know McCandless.
• “In the Shadow of the Moon”
In this stellar, heart-lifting documentary, members of the Apollo crews who went to the moon come together to look back on those times. The film combines new interviews with footage from back in the day for a fascinating journey back in time.
• “Eastern Promises”
Viggo Mortensen is a driver for Russian mobsters who gets mixed up with a doctor (Naomi Watts) trying to solve a mystery. The movie starts strong but takes one crazy twist that will probably leave most audiences shrugging their shoulders.
• “Across the Universe”
Rachel Evan Wood stars in this musical that uses Beatles songs to tell a love story set to the backdrop of the 1960s. Unfortunately, director Julie Taymor isn’t afraid to get self-indulgent, and though the film has moments, it’s far too long
• “3:10 to Yuma”
If you’re a fan of Westerns, this old-fashioned remake of the 1957 film about a pacifist (Christian Bale) who must escort a dangerous criminal (Russell Crowe) to the train that will bring him to justice is just the ticket for you.
• “Shoot Em Up”
This unbelievable story about an almost super-human man (Clive Owen) who must protect a baby from an evil gunman (Paul Giamatti) is over the top, but makes the mistake of also wanting the audience to care about the characters. You won’t.
