Movie picks 

Films recommended by our reviewers are indicated by an *.

African Cats (G)

The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother's strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion. — Not reviewed

Chapel Hills 15

Battle: Los Angeles (PG)

What were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. — Not reviewed

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*The Beaver (PG-13)

The Beaver is a miracle shot from half-court. It serves as both a rumination on the actor's behavior — Mel Gibson's Walter Black and the beaver puppet/narrator make it clear throughout that the man behind the puppet is nothing less than broken — and as a forceful reminder of his power as a thespian. — Justin Strout

Kimball's Peak Three

*Bridesmaids (R)

In plenty of ways, the film sticks to a successful Apatow formula. The story structure is never so rigid that it won't allow room for freelancing a randomly (and hilariously) off-color conversation. The dialogue snaps with intelligence, and while belly laughs are the meat on the menu, there's a sentimental side. — Scott Renshaw

Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (PG)

As he begins seventh grade, Greg and his older brother Rodrick must deal with their parents' misguided attempts to have them bond. — Not reviewed

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Everything Must Go (R)

On paper, the film has everything going for it: one of comedy's biggest stars stretching a dramatic muscle that keeps getting stronger; a strong supporting cast; roots in a Raymond Carver short story; and direction from Dan Rush. So why is it so listless? — Justin Strout

Kimball's Peak Three

Gnomeo & Juliet (G)

Garden gnomes play a bit of Shakespeare in this animated comedy. — Not reviewed

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Fast Five (PG-13)

Maybe I'm just getting too old for this, but I'm tired of seeing people who do bad championed as heroes merely because the bad they do isn't that bad. — MaryAnn Johanson

Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

Hanna (PG-13)

In hindsight with Hanna, it seems depressingly ill-advised for director Joe Wright to even bother attempting this Femme Nikita foolishness at all. Yet there he goes busying himself with pretentious allusions to harrowing fairy tales. — Jonathan Kiefer

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Hop (PG)

A comedy about E.B., the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. — Not reviewed

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I Am Number Four (PG-13)

A thriller about an extraordinary young man who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. — Not reviewed

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Insidious (PG-13)

When tragedy strikes their young son, Josh and Renai begin to experience things that science cannot explain. — Not reviewed

Chapel Hills 15

*Jane Eyre (PG-13)

You wouldn't be out of line to wonder if it's even possible to get excited for a new movie version of Jane Eyre anymore. Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel has been adapted into some form of motion picture at least once every decade since 1914. By being greater than the sum of its parts, this Jane Eyre should stay fresh — at least until the next one. — Jonathan Kiefer

Kimball's Peak Three

Jumping the Broom (PG-13)

A collision of worlds when two African-American families from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds get together one weekend in Martha's Vineyard for a wedding. — Not reviewed

Carmike 10, Tinseltown

Limitless (PG-13)

Aspiring author Eddie Morra suffers from chronic writer's block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT. — Not reviewed

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Mars Needs Moms (PG)

We get elaborate set designs that are terribly cool in an "Isn't this awesome in 3-D" sort of way. Yet with these motion-captured characters, it feels even less genuinely engaging than a now-conventional computer-animated story. — Scott Renshaw

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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (PG-13)

The creative team seems to have learned little from the mistakes of the past, while adding new ones. The attempt to give Jack Sparrow a romantic subplot feels like a misunderstanding of the character's nature, and there's never a genuine spark between Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. — Scott Renshaw

Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Cinemark 16 IMAX, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

*Priest (PG-13)

Priest is pretty awesomely good. Part of the reason is because it's all about the clash between the power of The Church and the power of personal faith and belief. Oh, and it's also about killing nasty vampire monsters and blowing things up and stuff. — MaryAnn Johanson

Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

*Rango (PG-13)

Rango isn't just a great feature-length cartoon: It's effortlessly the best movie of 2011 so far, and it's the best Western in ages. — MaryAnn Johanson

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Rio (G)

Blu thinks he's the last of his kind, but when he learns about another macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, he heads to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu's female counterpart. — Not reviewed

Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Tinseltown

Scream 4 (R)

Sidney Prescott returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. Unfortunately Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface. — Not reviewed

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Something Borrowed (PG-13)

Rachel is a talented attorney at a top New York law firm, a generous and loyal friend and, unhappily, still single, until one night when she ends up in the bed of the guy she's had a crush on since law school. — Not reviewed

Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

Soul Surfer (PG)

The true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and overcame all odds to become a champion again. — Not reviewed

Chapel Hills 15

Source Code (PG-13)

Where the whole endeavor could have been kinda sorta OK but not really all that great, it ends up being hugely distasteful, and idiotic for not even realizing it. — MaryAnn Johanson

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Sucker Punch (PG-13)

Those only interested in seeing attractive women in skimpy outfits kicking ass will find all they want in Sucker Punch. But those who want to see a movie that's actually good will instead leave just feeling like a sucker. — Dan Hudak

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*Thor (PG-13)

Thor shows that director Kenneth Branagh grasps these fundamental realities: He nails a unique tone, and he has a lead actor who understands how to play a god. — Scott Renshaw

Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown

Water for Elephants (PG-13)

During the Great Depression, Jacob, a penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student, parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus. — Not reviewed

Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown