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NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS Review on Page 8

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THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1 hr., 43 min.; PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster images and violence). Keanu Reeves is a peaceable E.T. who comes to Earth with a potentially disastrous agenda in this remake of the classic 1951 sci-fi film. Also starring Jennifer Connelly and John Cleese. This film was not screened for critics prior to the UV publication deadline.

DELGO (1 hr., 30 min.; PG for sequences of fantasy action violence). Produced about six years ago and left in the can until now, this animated adventure fantasy film is bogged down by lengthy (and dull) explanations of the (same ol', same ol') history and cultures of the world where it takes place. Oh, and all of the characters are lizard people. Who thought this was a good ideafi [D]

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AUSTRALIA (2 hrs., 45 min.; PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality and brief strong language). Though he bites off more than he can effectively chew, Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann works plenty of energy and visual splendor into this epic-sized blend of romance, history and social activism. Stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman shine. [B+]

BOLT (1 hr., 36 min.; PG for some mild action and peril) This, and not Pixar's wildly overpraised "WALL*E," is the best animated film to emerge from Disney this year. The story of a delusional dog (star of an action TV series) and his doting owner has a gentle heart and oodles of humor, much of it from a hero-worshipping hamster named Rhino. [A]

THE DARK KNIGHT (2 hrs., 32 min.; PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace) With crisp, comprehensible action scenes, stellar acting and a dense, thoughtful script, this dark, hard-egded chapter would be the high point of the long-running Batman saga even without the amazing, chilling performance of the late Heath Ledger as Joker. [A]

THE DUCHESS (1 hr., 45 min.; PG-13 for sexual conent, brief nudity and thematic material) Despite making yet another foray into period drama, Keira Knightley is charming and energetic as a British noblewoman hemmed in by the mores of her time. Its story feels a tad musty, but the film benefits from excellent acting and sharp writing. [B]

EAGLE EYE (1 hr., 48 min.; PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language) Big Brother (who talks like Big Sister, at least in this movie) is either out to harm or help a callow youth who's mistaken for a secret agent man in this slick, surface-level reworking of "North by Northwest." The action is crisp, though true paranoia never really seeps in. [B-]

FOUR CHRISTMASES (1 hr., 20 min.; PG-13 for some sexual humor and language). There's some fun energy between stars Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn at the outset of this wannabe holiday romp, but their chemistry gets snowed under by a Christmas blizzard of stupid gags and stupider characters. [D+]

GHOST TOWN (1 hr., 42 min.; PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references) After discovering that he can see dead people, Bertram Pincus, D.D.S. (Ricky Gervais) finds himself falling for a sweet widow -- against her late husband's wishes. British comedy icon Gervais brings his "A" game to this snarky, sweetly romantic comedy. [A-]

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (1 hr., 52 min.; G) The Wildcats are back in school, but not back in form. The new movie's best musical number is the first one, which is also one of the only ones that isn't preeningly radio-ready and/or overproduced. There are scenes between the songs, but not much story to speak of. A fans-only affair. [C]

IGOR (1 hr., 20 min.; PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language) Mad scientists are the rock stars of Malaria, and humble hunchback Igor dreams of trading the back-hunching labor of stealing brains and throwing the switch for a taste of scientific glory. The concept is clever, but the film fumbles away its early momentum. [C+]

NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST (1 hr., 30 min.; PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior) Teenagers fall in love in this blandly familiar, John Hughes-esque romantic comedy. Kat Dennings's lead performance as Norah is warmly inspired, but too much of the movie is wasted on pointless digressions. [C-]

THE PUNISHER: WAR ZONE (1 hr., 47 min.; R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use). Irish actor Ray Stevenson takes the place of American Thomas Jane (who followed in the shell casings of Sweden's Dolph Lundgren) in the latest loud, violent and generally pointless film to feature blackhearted Marvel Comics avenger Frank Castle. [D]

QUANTUM OF SOLACE (1 hr., 46 min.; PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content) Daniel Craig is still the best thing about the retooled James Bond franchise. The new film's screenplay is sub-standard, but its action is enjoyable, as is 007's partnership with a steely Bolivian intelligence agent. [B]

ROCKNROLLA (1 hr., 54 min.; R for pervasive language, violence, drug use and brief sexuality) British filmmaker Guy Ritchie returns (again) to doing what Guy Ritchie does best with this multifaceted crime caper that's hip-deep in colorful criminal characters. The plot is a mess, but, as per usual with Ritchie, it's the parade of peccant personalities that entertains. [B]

ROLE MODELS (1 hr., 37 min.; R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity) Two slacker energy drink salesmen avoid jail time by mentoring "troubled" teens. The half of the movie that's about the nerd kid who loves fantasy role-playing is charming and funny, but the other half, about a stereotypically mouth black kid, is mostly shrill. [C-]

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES (1 hr., 50 min.; PG-13 for thematic material and some violence) Queen Latifah exudes wisdom and warmth as a Civil Rights Era beekeeper who shelters a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who runs away from an abusive father. The film hammers home its message of tolerance and love, but you'll still get misty-eyed. [B]

TRANSPORTER 3 (1 hr., 40 min.; PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material). Jason Statham gets behind the wheel again to play professional driver and no-questions-asker Frank Martin. The first "Transporter" film had wild energy and action, but the indicator is on "E" with this tired retread. [D]

TWILIGHT (2 hrs., 2 min.; PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality) Breathe, ladies, breathe. Robert Pattinson is an excellent Edward and Kristen Stewart is a note-perfect Bella. The young stars' charisma and chemistry is the rock that "Twilight" is built on, but the rest of the movie is pretty good, too. [B+]

WALL*E (1 hr., 43 min.; G) The newest film from Disney and Pixar has an electrifying beginning that stakes an instant claim to full recognition among the classics of science fiction cinema. But what start brilliantly slides into sometimes inspired mediocrity when the story of a lonely litterbot following his programming on a gutted future Earth blasts into deep space. [B-]