originally published September 19, 2007

3:10 TO YUMA

(R) A remake of the 1957 classic, the film meanders a bit on its way to the appointed train but ultimately arrives at a conclusion as stunning as it is graceful. Outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and desperate rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) bond on the way to meeting that fateful train, with Wade’s gang, now led by the volatile Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), in hot pursuit. Even as 3:10 to Yuma fails to shake the trudging pace inherent in the Western, where everything but the bullets move slower, its company is first-class and its destination eloquent. (Beechwood, Carmike)

BALLS OF FURY

(PG-13) Balls of Fury is a lowest-comedy-denominator flick made mildly amusing by some seriously funny performances. Former ping pong champion and Def Leppard megafan Randy Montana (Dan Fogler) must bring down crime boss, Feng (Christopher Walken). Ends Thursday (Carmike)

BECOMING JANE

(PG) Jane Austen's nearest brush with romance was a short flirtation with Tom LeFroy, an Irish lawyer. Becoming Jane has retrofitted Austen’s prospects with a dewy complexion (Anne Hathaway), a dishy LeFroy (James McAvoy). The chemistry between Hathaway and McAvoy is engaging. [Jesslyn Shields] Ends Thursday (Beechwood)

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

(PG-13) Director Paul Greengrass returns with a third entry that elevates the series’ threat level to midnight. Shot and edited at a breakneck pace, Ultimatum is bursting with brutal beatings, deadly double crosses and revelations about Bourne’s past. Well-cast and acted. (Beechwood); Ends Thursday (Carmike)

THE BRAVE ONE

(R) See Movie Pick. (Beechwood, Carmike)

THE BROTHERS SOLOMON

(R) John and Dean Solomon (Will Arnett and Will Forte) are looking for a way to grant their dying father (Lee Majors) his last wish, a grandchild. I’m still waiting for Arnett (“Arrested Development”) to find another character calling for the right mix of unctuousness and charm. Ends Thursday (Beechwood)

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST THE MOVIE: CONQUEROR OF SHAMBALA

(PG-13) 2005. The winner of Best Animation Film from the Fant-Asia Film Festival and Mainichi Film Concours, is showing for one night only as part of the Anime Bento Festival. In 1923 Germany, the Fullmetal Alchemist experiments with rocketry to find a way to return to his own world and brother, Alphonse. The screening includes a bonus feature, The Transmutation of a Phenomenon. Shows Thursday, 9/20 (Beechwood)

DADDY DAY CAMP

(PG) This sequel to the Daddy Day Care replaces Eddie Murphy with Cuba Gooding, Jr. When he and buddy Phil (Paul Rae) branch into day camp, they discover they know less about running a camp than they do a day care. I’d rather go back to summer camp than this tripe again, and I hated summer camp. (Georgia Square 5)

DEEP END

(R) 1971. Mike (John Moulder-Brown), a young, sexually-inexperienced, lower-class English lad working at a public bathhouse, falls for the teasing Susan (Jane Asher). Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, Deep End features music by Cat Stevens (title track “But I Might Die Tonight”) and krautrock band Can. Hosted by Jeff Owens and Todd Kelly. Shows Monday, 9/24 (Flicker)

DRAGON WARS: D-WAR

(PG-13) See Flick Skinny. It says a thing about a foreign national cinema when their most expensive film ever - and the fifth biggest box office hit of all time - stars an alien kid from a third-tier WB show, the other black guy from “The Office,” and the underappreciated Robert Forster (who, if it’s worth anything, seemed to be having fun). How did this large cinematic turd escape being flushed down the toilet of the Sci Fi Channel’s Saturday night movie and land a theatrical release? Based on a Korean legend, Dragon Wars is absolutely ludicrous, a bunch of “What the hell?” exposition strung together by cheapo FX. (Beechwood, Carmike)

EASTERN PROMISES

(R) After the massive acclaim received for A History of Violence, cult filmmaker David Cronenberg’s latest - a tour, conducted by the Russian mafia, of London’s underbelly - arrives with much expectation. As a midwife (Naomi Watts) investigates the connection between a dead prostitute and a connected Russian family, Armin Mueller-Stahl, she develops a relationship with the mysterious, ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). With Vincent Cassel. Written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things). Opens Friday (Beechwood, Carmike)

EL PERRO DEL HOTELANO

(NR) 1996. Director Pilar Miró’s adaptation of Lope de Vega’s comic play recounts the 17th century affair between a Spanish nobleman, her low-born secretary, and her maid. El perro del hotelano won seven Goyas (Spain’s Oscar). Sponsored by the UGA Libraries Media Department and Athens Regional Library, the screening is part of the Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series. Shows Monday, 9/24 (ACC Library)

EU TU ELES

(PG-13) 2000. Director Andrucha Waddington’s witty comedy - and true story - of gender reversal and female empowerment follows an unmarried mother who finds Utopia with three “husbands,” each of which excels where another fails. Eu Tu Eles was a worldwide winner, snagging awards at Cannes, among others. Shows Wednesday, 9/26 (GMOA)

EVAN ALMIGHTY

(PG) Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) has just won a seat in Congress when God shows up with Ark Building for Dummies. A weak attempt to co-opt religion for box office gain, Evan Almighty is errantly, inherently unfunny. (Georgia Square 5, Highway 17 Theatres)

GOOD LUCK CHUCK

(R) Dane Cook continues his assault upon dude comedy. Blessed with the ability to sex a woman right into the arms of Mr. Right, Cook’s Chuck runs into trouble when he falls for an accident-prone hottie (Jessica Alba). The trailers make this movie look schizophrenic. Is Chuck a gross-out sex comedy or a sweet romantic comedy about a klutz? With Dan Fogler. Opens Friday (Beechwood, Carmike)

HAIRSPRAY

(PG) This charming picture is powered by the contagious bounce of big-haired, big-boned newcomer Nikki Blonsky, and catchy songs. In 1960s Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad (Blonsky) shows everyone some new steps when she integrates “The Corny Collins Show.” With John Travolta. (Georgia Square 5)

HALLOWEEN

(R) Rob Zombie’s reimagining (for lack of a better term) of John Carpenter’s slasher classic redesigns the entire concept of a remake. The first half brutally unmasks Michael Myers with a fleshed-out origin that supplements as well as complements the original. Zombie’s film is far from flawless, particularly when the rocker-turned-director begins recounting the holiday killing spree, so bloodlessly and effectively captured by Carpenter. Zombie unnecessarily complicates Halloween’s simplicity to the labyrinthine point of chronological and geographic confusion. The forty-year-old writer-director also totally fails to recapture the original’s natural rhythm of teenage female interaction. Nonetheless, Halloween is the franchise’s best effort in nearly 30 years, and a fitting addition to Zombie’s brief, promising filmmaking career. (Beechwood, Carmike, Highway 17 Theatres)

HOSTEL: PART II

(R) Jovial, self-gratifying but ultimately cowardly, Hostel Part II breaks no new gorno ground. The ladies receive at least a bit more compassion than Hostel’s all-male revue. Still, if Eli Roth treated his characters more humanely in the first act, I’d end up caring more in the second and third. Shows Friday, 9/21–Sunday, 9/23 (Tate)

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY

(PG-13) Adam Sandler’s latest comedy fails at pretty much everything it attempts: humor, characters, message, you name it. Sandler and Kevin James ("King of Queens") are Chuck and Larry, two NYC firefighters who get married to solve Larry’s pension problem. (Highway 17 Theatres, Georgia Square 5)

INVISIBLE CHILDREN

(NR) 2006. Invisible Children documents the plight of modern Ugandan children, kidnapped and forced to become soldiers, through the eyes of youth. Focusing on four young boys (Jacob, Thomas, Tony, and Boni), this powerful film spawned a movement that has mobilized local high school and college students to take up the cry, “What can we do now?” The screening is presented by Invisible Children United. Shows Tuesday, 9/25 (UGA Student Learning Center Room 171)

THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS

(PG-13) Watch as 35-year-old Steve Wiebe assaults “Gamer of the Century” Billy Mitchell’s high score on the classic arcade title, "Donkey Kong," in a cross-country duel for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Not all documentaries are high class fare uncovering corporate corruption or the “truth” behind the Iraq War. Some are simple fun. Drew’s Must See Flick of the Week. Starts Friday (Ciné)

LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT

(R) 1972. A Nightmare on Elm Street director Wes Craven’s first film retains a disturbing power. Ostensibly a remake of Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring, Last House recounts the brutal rape and murder of two teenage girls by a gang that later takes unwitting refuge in the home of one of the victims. The ensuing revenge is only slightly less disturbing than the previous torture. Last House might be the most revolting film I’ve ever seen (and that’s a compliment) and is definitely guilty of birthing today’s glut of torture porn. Shows Thursday, 9/20 (Tate)

LAUGH FACTORY

(NR) Yuck it up to 100 minutes of never-before-seen stand-up comedy from the world-famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood, CA. Part of a series of Thursday night comedy events at the theater. Shows Thursday, 9/20 (Carmike)

LUPIN THE III: CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO

(PG-13) 1979. The first film from animation master Hiyao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle), The Castle of Cagliostro houses valuable counterfeiting plates desired by master thief Lupin III, AKA “The Wolf.” Once Lupin and his band of outlaws arrive in the country of Cagliostro, they find themselves at odds with fearsome ninjas as they attempt to rescue a damsel in distress. This screening features a rare episode of the supernatural series, “Tactics.” Part of the Anime Bento Festival. Shows Wednesday, 9/26 (Beechwood)

MOLIÈRE

(PG-13) In this bawdy, blackly comic farce, 17th-century French playwright Molière (Romain Duris) travels to the home of his married benefactor, M. Jourdain (Fabrice Luchini), to assist with the writing of a play to win the heart of a young marquise. Starts Friday (Ciné)

MONDOVINO

(NR) 2004. Multinational corporations vie against Florentine dynasties and simple peasants to monopolize the wine industry in this documentary by Jonathan Nossiter that illustrates a losing battle against globalization. The second screening is part of the Farm and Ciné Wine Supper which features four courses paired with wines from around the world and dessert. Tickets are $75 per person, call 706-549-4660 for reservations. Shows Sunday, 9/23 (Ciné)

MR. WOODCOCK

(PG-13) When bestselling self-help author John Farley (Seann William Scott) returns to his hometown, he discovers his long-single mother (Susan Sarandon) is engaged to his nemesis, sadistic gym teacher Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). Director Craig Gillespie delivers a movie that has more of an independent spirit than its dumb dude comedy trailer betrays. Every time Thornton’s a-hole routine seems to grow tired, he freshens it up ever so slightly. Mr. Woodcock’s weakest link is Scott, who specializes in younger, less mature versions of Thornton’s dicks, not wusses like Farley. The scenarios can lazily stray to the clichéd and obvious, but it doesn’t matter. Just as Mr. Woodcock reminds John that “it was just a P.E. class,” I remind you that Mr. Woodcock is just a comedy. (Beechwood, Carmike)

THE NANNY DIARIES

(PG-13) The Nanny Diaries isn’t bad; it’s bland. Too light to be taken seriously and too serious to be taken lightly, the film never finds the appropriate tone. If Annie Braddock’s (Scarlett Johansson) adventures in nannying are meant to be a satirical look at the irresponsible child-rearing of Manhattan’s upper crust, they tug too much at the heartstrings. Ends Thursday (Beechwood)

NO END IN SIGHT

(NR) First-time feature director Charles Ferguson allows the audience to come up with their own interpretation of the Iraq War and its descent into guerrilla combat. Interviewees range from policy experts and administration insiders to Iraqi civilians, American soldiers and prominent analysts. Winner of the Special Jury Prize, Documentary, at the Sundance Film Festival. Ends Thursday (Ciné)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

(PG-13) Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) has never seemed more addled and more fey than when he is rescued by Will (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). A three-hour behemoth, At World’s End is one clever swashbuckler fueled by Depp’s slapstick coconut rummy and some banging FX. (Georgia Square 5)

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

(PG) 1987. Rob Reiner’s fine film benefits most from an acidic yet heartwarming script by Hollywood legend William Goldman, who adapted from his own novel. Westley (Cary Elwes) risks life and limb to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) from the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). A charming, droll love story, The Princess Bride is truly a fairy tale for the ages for all ages. Shows Saturday, 9/22 & Sunday, 9/23 (Ciné)

RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION

(R) The Resident Evil franchise turns trilogy as survivor/ guinea pig Alice (Milla Jovovich) joins a caravan, led by Claire (Ali Larter, “Heroes”), heading through Las Vegas to the safety of Alaska. The female Road Warrior look of the trailer is appealing, and director Russell Mulcahy is responsible for my favorite bad film, Highlander. For better or worse, Extinction shares its predecessors’ scribe, Paul W.S. Anderson. Opens Friday (Beechwood, Carmike)

RETRATO DE TERESA

(NR) 1979. Teresa (Daisy Granados), a wife, mother of three, crew leader at a textile factory, and volunteer union leader, feels stretched too thin. When her straying husband, Ramón (Adolfo Llauradó), returns, Teresa must decide between independence and compromise in post-revolutionary Cuba. Shows Wednesday, 9/19 (GMOA)

ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES

(NR) 2006. Beechwood is hosting several nights of anime features, so geeks of Athens (you know who you are) take heed. The first is the latest sequel to the classic anime series from the 1980s. The plot overlaps with the ending of the original series and helps to resolve its ambiguous ending, and great attention to detail (even using many of the original voice actors) ensures that fans of "Robotech" won't be disappointed, and newbies won't be entirely lost. Shows Wednesday, 9/19 (Beechwood)

RUSH HOUR 3

(PG-13) Rush Hour 3 is a pleasant enough diversion that never achieves the giddy fun of the first two installments. RH3 displaces Chris Tucker’s Detective James Carter and Jackie Chan’s Chief Inspector Lee in the City of Lights, where they must bring the Chinese Triad to its knees. (Carmike); Ends Thursday (Beechwood)

SHOOT ‘EM UP

(R) A shotgun blast that never takes itself seriously, Shoot ‘Em Up is the exact sort of inventive, comic-inspired, video game-sired bloodbath I thought Smokin’ Aces should be. Nimble, nihilistic, balletic ballistics highlight writer-director Michael Davis’ first major feature. Clive Owen is Smith, a mysterious loner who rips through the lackeys of hitman Mr. Hertz (Paul Giamatti), like a Double-O gone off the reservation to protect a newborn. Assisted by a prostitute (Monica Bellucci), Smith survives wave upon wave of baddies, often armed with nothing more than a carrot. Shoot ‘Em Up is riddled with bullets and fun. Ends Thursday (Beechwood, Carmike)

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE

(PG-13) I can’t help but greet the feature version of this cultural institution with a single, “D’oh!” As “South Park” presciently declared, “Simpsons did it.” They’ve done it so much that most every surreal plot turn and nonsensical gag are recycled. Starts Friday (Georgia Square 5)

STARDUST

(PG-13) Director Matthew Vaughn and co-writer Jane Goldman ably streamline Tristran’s (Charlie Cox) quest for fallen star Yvaine (Claire Danes), while expanding his crusade to save his true love from the evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer). Too bad the film lacks the star power or the cohesive marketing campaign to connect with its audience. Ends Thursday (Carmike)

SUPERBAD

(R) The super-raunchy all-night adventures of best buds and lovable losers Seth (Michael Cera) and Evan (Jonah Hill) as they seek beer and sex was waiting for the ribald, heartfelt guidance of producer Judd Apatow, the writer-director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Less cartoonish, more real, and megatons more nastily funny than American Pie, Superbad captures the life and travails of the geeky - read normal - high-school male. (Beechwood, Carmike)

SYDNEY WHITE

(PG-13) Another fairy tale gets a teen makeover as Amanda Bynes plays a modern Snow White who bands together with seven college “dwarves” (not really little people) to defeat the evil sorority princess (Sara Paxton). Directed by Joe Nussbaum (George Lucas in Love). Opens Friday (Beechwood, Carmike)

SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY

(NR) 2006. Award-winning filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul follows his acclaimed Blissfully Yours and Tropical Malady (a Palme d’Or nominee) with Golden Lion nominee Syndromes and a Century. Split in two, Syndromes and a Century, inspired by his parent’s slow romance, traces the life of a female doctor circa Weerasethakul’s birth and retraces that world with the contemporary tale of a male doctor. Ends Thursday (Ciné)

THE TEN

(R) Former member of “The State” and “Stella,” David Wain, sets his sights on the Bible with this send-up of the Ten Commandments. With Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Ken Marino, Thomas Lennon, Paul Rudd, Liev Schreiber, Oliver Platt, Winona Ryder and Jessica Alba. Ends Thursday (Ciné)

VIVA CUBA

(NR) 2005. A coming-of-age road movie, Viva Cuba relates the forbidden relationship between upper class Malú and common socialist Jorgito. Viva Cuba is being shown as part of the ACC Library’s iFilms series and Hispanic Heritage Month. Shows Thursday, 9/20 (ACC Library)

Drew Wheeler