Movies

JUNO: A spunky teenage girl (Oscar nominee Ellen Page) becomes pregnant and decides to carry the pregnancy to term and give the baby up for adoption to a picture-perfect couple. Deceptively superficial at the outset, the movie deepens into something poignant and unexpected. Also starring Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner and Michael Cera. Directed by Jason Reitman.

BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke excel as brothers who plot to rob their parents' jewelry store. It doesn't go well. This pungent mix of noir and melodrama could use a little fleshing out, but the cast is first-rate across the board. Also starring Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney. Directed by Sidney Lumet.

ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM: As Requiem opens, an alien bred inside a dead predator hatches aboard a predator space ship, all heck breaks loose and a crash-landing results. Another predator is dispatched to Earth to track down the aliens, which have escaped from the crashed ship and are busily suction-cupping onto the faces of every Coloradoan in sight. It may not be classic sci-fi like the original Alien, but it's a respectable next step in the series. Starring Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz and Johnny Lewis.

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: It may seem unlikely, but this movie about a guy (Ryan Gosling) in love with a sex doll is bursting with humanity and warmth. Through small gestures and bold choices, Mr. Gosling has created a character you initially pity but end up rooting for and almost envying, simply because he's found something (someone?) that makes him feel whole and alive. Also starring Paul Schneider, Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson. Directed by Craig Gillespie.

WAR/DANCE: Child victims of Uganda's civil war find purpose and pride in competing in the national dance competition. The Oscar-nominated documentary is manipulative, but who cares? It's a joy. Directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine.

Cloverfield

Charlie Wilson's War

The Savages

Starting Out in the Evening

My Boy Jack

Romulus, My Father

The Orphanage

Friday Night Lights: Season 2

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