Ah, what to see, what to see, the eternal weekend question for moviegoers! Here are my picks, along with my new letter grading for the films I’ve seen:

Newly available in limited release (listed alphabetically):

• Beyond the Black Rainbow. A head trip, and a science-fictional period tale, as a woman in the 1980s is treated at a very special institute. Wonderfully phantasmagorical. My roundup of reviews at Twitch. [B+]
• HIGH School. Stoner comedy, featuring Adrien Brody and Michael Chiklis. Advance reviews have not been kind. Not previewed.
• Hysteria. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in a romantic comedy about the invention of the electric vibrator in 19th Century England. Reviews have been generally favorable. Not previewed.
• The Intouchables. A cross-generational friendship blossoms between a street-wise caretaker and a wealthy disabled aristrocrat. Buoyantly funny. My review. [B-]
• Moonrise Kingdom. A boy and a girl, aged 12, fall in love and run away together on a small island off the coast of New England in 1965; directed by Wes Anderon. My review. [A]

Continuing in limited engagements:

• Angelika Dallas: Headhunters. My comments. [B].  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
• Angelika Dallas: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
• Landmark Magnolia: Bernie; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; First Position.
• Texas Theatre: God Bless America. My review at Twitch. [A-]

 

Opening in wide release:

• Snow White and the Huntsman. Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron star in a new, dark version of the venerable fairy tale. Very stylish, very routine. My review at Twitch.  [C]
• For Greater Glory. Andy Garcia Eva Longoria, Oscar Isaac, and Peter O’Toole star in a historical drama based on the real-life events of the 1920s Cristero War. Not previewed.

Other recent wide releases:

• The Avengers. My review. [B]
• Battleship. My review at Twitch. [C+]
• Chernobyl Diaries. My review at Twitch. [C]
• Men in Black III. My feature at Twitch. [C+]