JUNO
It takes “Juno” about 15 minutes to calm down and get its joke reflex in check. Screenwriter Diablo Cody, formerly Brook Busey-Hunt, has everyone quipping like maniacs—it’s dialogue you notice, every second—and for a while you wonder if this story of a pregnant teenager’s coming of age will exhaust you with cleverness. Then, stealthily, everything about the movie....
Will Smith works hard to make women proud
Back in the early 1990s, just as Will Smith was making the transition from rapper to television star with “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” he presented his manager an interesting challenge.“I told him I wanted to be the biggest movie star in the world. He is like ‘OK. We should figure out what they do and plot a course,’ ”Smith says. He accents the comment with that....
The Golden Compass
Amid all the media foofaraw over whether Philip Pullman’s books promote child atheism, deicide or anti-Catholic sentiment, one thing rarely gets mentioned: “The Golden Compass,” the first book in Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy, barely cracks the lid on the series’ darker secrets. It’s pure introductory adventure, meant to immerse readers in Pullman’s....
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS The Eisenhower-era rodents and their tight, three-part harmonies are transplanted to the present day in this painlessly bland mixture of live action and computer-generated animation. Enslaving Alvin, Simon and Theodore to a punishing touring schedule after their act hits it big, a weaselly record label executive drives the boys to the brink of exhaustion —honestly, that’s what the plot is about. PG. 1:31. **
ATONEMENT In author Ian McEwan’s grave love story, what transpires between arch young Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and the gardener’s son (James McAvoy) is just one in a compelling series of unfortunate events interpreted by Cecilia’s hyperactively imaginative younger sister. It’s a bit swoony in the second half, as the story chugs toward Dunkirk, but this is exquisite period filmmaking, wonderfully acted and cleverly adapted by Christopher Hampton. R (disturbing war images, language and some sexuality). 2:03. ***1/2
THE GOLDEN COMPASS Writer-director Chris Weitz’s adaptation of the first book in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy isn’t really about the adults any more than it’s about religious philosophy. It’s about child adventures and big action set pieces. On that level, it succeeds admirably. PG-13 (sequences of fantasy violence). 1:53. **
-Chicago Tribune
NEW ON DVD
SEAQUEST DSV: SEASON TWO It’s been a while since the first year of the special-effects-laden, Steven Spielberg-produced undersea adventure debuted on DVD, and its second of three seasons finally arrives. Roy Scheider continues as Nathan Bridger, the commander of the title vessel; Don Franklin and Jonathan Brandis also continue, and new cast additions include Rosalind Allen and Peter DeLuise. (Not rated)
WEIRD SCIENCE: THE COMPLETE SEASONS 1 & 2 The success of the same-named movie paved the way for this comedy series that aired in first-run syndication. Michael Manasseri and John Mallory Asher play geek buddies whose experiments result in their computerized creation of the alluring Lisa (Vanessa Angel). She literally makes their dreams come true, but only for limited spurts at a time. (Not rated)
THE INVASION A psychiatrist (Nicole Kidman) fears the population of Washington, D.C., has been overtaken by an alien virus. Daniel Craig also stars in the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” update. (PG-13)
MR. WOODCOCK A man (Seann William Scott) is alarmed to learn the tough gym teacher (Billy Bob Thornton) he had in high school is his mother’s (Susan Sarandon) fiance. (PG-13)
THE GAME PLAN The Disney-produced comedy stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a reckless football superstar whose life is altered by the young daughter he never knew. (PG)
