Movies

Opening Friday

Che Benicio Del Toro (Traffic) stars as Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the legendary Argentinian revolutionary who played a key role in the Cuban revolution. This two-part, four-hour-plus film was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Defiance Jewish brothers escape Poland during World War II and resist the Nazis from a forest stronghold. Daniel Craig, George MacKay and Liev Schreiber star in this true story.

Hotel for Dogs Two kids turn a vacant building into a paradise for stray dogs. Starring Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon.

Last Chance Harvey Dustin Hoffman stars as an underachieving jingle writer whose life takes an unexpected turn when he meets a woman (Emma Thompson) at an airport bar while in London for his daughter's wedding.

My Bloody Valentine 3D It's dangerous to celebrate Valentine's Day in this slasher flick.

Notorious Biopic about Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard), the Brooklyn rapper whose life was violently cut short. With Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop A security guard (Kevin James) takes on a gang that threatens the serenity of his suburban shopping mall in this comedy.

Excellent (****)

Reviewed by critics Carrie Rickey (C.R.), Steven Rea (S.R.), and David Hiltbrand (D.H.). W.S. denotes a wire-service review.

Slumdog Millionaire A street kid-turned-gofer gets on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and keeps answering the questions correctly, amazingly. 2 hr. R (violence, profanity, adult themes) - S.R.

Very Good (***1/2)

Rachel Getting Married According to the rules, tragedy ends in death, comedy in marriage. But Jonathan Demme's superb ensemble drama starring Anne Hathaway as the troubled sibling home for the wedding of her sister (the astonishing Rosemarie DeWitt) is decidedly not a comedy. Rather, it's the heartrending story of a troubled girl tearing apart the family tapestry and, with her sibling's help, learning to piece together its common threads. With Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, and the extraordinary Debra Winger. 1 hr. 54 R (sexuality, profanity, emotional violence) - C.R.

The Wrestler Mickey Rourke stars in the role of a lifetime - and gives a performance of equal measure - in this rough and tumbling portrait of an old wrestling star staging an improbable comeback. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood costar; it's a ragged but near- brilliant little film. R (profanity, violence, drugs, sex, nudity, adult themes) - S.R.

Also on Screens

Bedtime Stories **1/2 Adam Sandler stars as a goofball maintenance man who regales his nephew and niece with fantasies - far-fetched elements of which turn out to come true. A sloppy, choppy but affably nutty family comedy, with a few icky gags guaranteed to please the sub-teen set. 1 hr. 39 PG (gross humor, adult themes) - S.R.

Bride Wars *1/2 So how bad can a movie with Goldilocks (Kate) Hudson and Cinderella (Anne) Hathaway be? So excruciating that Hudson's sunshine can't warm it and Hathaway's rose redolence can't mask its stink. This one about the best buds turned mortal enemies when their weddings are accidentally booked the same day is the rotten - and possibly poisoned - apple of fairy-tale movies. 1 hr. 30 PG (risque dancing) - C.R.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button *** Brad Pitt stars as a man who ages backwards, beginning in 1918 and heading into the 21st century. An epic Gumpian yarn, with Cate Blanchett as the love of his life, and fine turns from Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton. 2 hrs. 47 PG-13 (sex, profanity, violence, adult themes)

- S.R.

Marley and Me *** Happiness is a warm tongue bath in this David Frankel film, based on John Grogan's memoir, about a frisky Labrador who is the best-loved member of the family. With Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and Alan Arkin. 1 hr. 55 PG (life-cycle themes, discreet candor about human sex and pregnancy, brief glimpse of dog humping) - C.R.