"50 First Dates"
Drew Barrymore captures veterinarian Adam Sandler's heart, only to reveal she has severe short-term memory loss. It's a cute movie that cuts the craziness of Sandler and replaces it with weepiness.Rated PG-13. 3 Stars
"Hidalgo"
Viggo Mortensen stars as a cowboy competing in a 3,000-mile desert race in Saudi Arabia. Forget the loose historical foundation of the film. Just sit back and watch the soaring adventure we haven't seen since "Indiana Jones."
Rated PG-13. 4 Stars
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
The cinematic trilogy of our times wraps up with a bang as the divided Fellowship comes face-to-face with the evils of Mordor in a medley of breathtaking battles, intricate storytelling and dazzling visuals.
Rated PG-13. 5 stars
"Miracle"
The story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team is brought to life with Kurt Russell giving a great performance as the hard-nosed coach. The film contains recycled plot points from nearly every sports movie ever made, but the social and historical relevance of the event is undeniable.
Rated PG. 3 Stars
"The Passion of the Christ"
Mel Gibson's brutal retelling of the crucifixion of Christ is a fine piece of cinema, though those unfamiliar with the New Testament likely will walk away with little insight, as the film dwells more on the violence of the event than the spiritual implications.
Rated R. 4 Stars
"Secret Window"
Johnny Depp stars as an isolated, eccentric writer being terrorized by a mystery man who claims he was plagiarized. Depp is solid, as always, though the story, based on a Stephen King novella, throws so many clichés and false scares that it's almost condescending.
Rated PG-13. 3 Stars
"Starsky and Hutch"
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson star as the infamous 1970s cops on the trail of a smarmy drug dealer (Vince Vaughn). There are laughs throughout this sometimes-audacious semi-spoof of the genre, highlighted by the undisputed charisma of the stars.
Rated PG-13. 4 Stars
