Movie listings for the week of March 18 - March 24, 2010

The movies listed here are all in English, usually with German and French subtitles. German-dubbed versions of English movies and foreign language films are not included (because they will not have English subtitles). Listings are refreshed every Thursday by 11 a.m., when titles change in theatres. All times are p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Alice in Wonderland
A grown-up Alice is led back down the rabbit hole to help her childhood friends battle the Red Queen. Director Tim Burton goes mad with invention, his wife Helena Bonham Carter steals the show from Johnny Depp. Visually stunning.
Abaton A: Thurs.-Mon./Wed. 6:30, 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:45, Tues. 5:30, 8:15
Arena 8: 5:15, Fri./Sat. 11:30
Corso 4: 2:00, 6:00, 9:00
Metropol 1: 2:30, 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:45

Avatar
Humans fight the inhabitants of a distant planet over its raw meterials. James Cameron's first feature since "Titanic" is more of the same: a fascinating special effects extravaganza otherwise low on intelligence. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. Read the review.
Metropol 1: 5:15 in 3D

The Book of Eli
In post-apocalyptic America, a man walks the devastated countryside for 30 years to deliver the last bible to a safe place to save mankind. Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Tom Waits, Jennifer Beals and Mila Kunis. Read the review.
ABC 4: 5:00, 8:00

Crazy Heart
A washed-out former country star falls for a young journalist and is forced to look critically at his life. Solid drama with an excellent cast - it also helps to be a country music fan. Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall.

Edge of Darkness
A man seeks revenge on the people who killed his daughter, who had uncovered a conspiracy. Unnecessary retread revenge thriller starring a severely beaten down Mel Gibson.

An Education
A young English girl set on going to Oxford gets distracted by an older man. Audience-friendly version of the book by Lynn Barber, with a virtuoso performance by Carey Mulligan. Also starring Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson and an effervescent Rosamund Pike.
Arthouse Picadilly: 3:00, 6:00, 8:30
Capitol 3: 2:45, 8:15

The Ghost Writer
A writer is hired to ghost the memoirs of a former British prime minister, unaware that the last man hired to do so has mysteriously died. Solid and funny thriller adapted from the Robert Harris bestseller, directed by Roman Polanski. Starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams and Tom Wilkinson. Read the review.
Arthouse Le Paris: 3:00, 5:45, 8:30

Green Zone
The commander of a unit in Baghdad to find weapons of mass destruction gets suspicious when each identified WMD location turns out to be a dead end. Solid thriller brought down somewhat by its oversimplified politics. Starring Matt Damon, Amy Ryan and Greg Kinnear.

I Love You Phillip Morris
A cop goes to jail, realizes he's gay, and decides to do everything he can to stay with the fellow inmate he's come to love. An unconventional story told very unconventionally - and well worth seeing. Starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.

Invictus
Newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela comes up with a plan to unite his country by having it cheer on the very white national rugby team during the World Cup. Starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.
Arena 2: 5:00, 8:00
Capitol 1: 2:00, 5:00, 8:00
Plaza 2: 5:30, 8:30, Sat./Sun. 2:30

It's Complicated
A divorcee finds herself having to choose between her ex-husband and an architect who's helping her with an addition to her house. A charming bit of fun that’s a little boring sometimes. Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steven Martin. Read the review.
Capitol 5: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30
Plaza 3: 5:30

The Men Who Stare at Goats
A reporter meets a “psychic soldier” named Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) who tells him about a US government’s project that aims to use psychokinesis and parapsychology to defeat the enemy. Silly comedy based on a fascinating documentary. Starring Ewan McGregor, George Clooney and Jeff Bridges. Read the review.
Capitol 6: 3:00, 6:00, 9:00
Corso 2: 2:00, Thurs.-Tues. 4:15, 6:30, 9:00, Wed. 5:00

Nine
A film director with the need for a creative push turns to the women in his life for inspiration. Muscial movie based on the Broadway musical, which itself was inspired by Fellini's "8 1/2". Not great, but not horrible, especially if you haven't seen either of the source materials. Basically a series of music videos, some of them embarrassing, some very good. Starring Daniel Day -Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren and Stacey Ferguson.
Abaton 7: 5:45
Arthouse Commercio: 4:15
Frosch Studio 1: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30

Precious
A teenaged girl raised under horrendous conditions tries to make something of herself despite being put down constantly by her family. Agonizing to watch but remarkable. Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.

Remember Me
Two young tormented give each other comfort against the backdrop of New York City in the summer of 2001. Well-made and well-acted, with, sadly, a very contrived ending. Starring Robert Pattison Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin and Emilie de Ravin.

A Serious Man
A professor suddenly sees his life fall apart when his wife announces she's leaving him. Excellent black comedy from the Coen brothers, starring Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick and Richard Kind.
Capitol 2: 5:15, 8:15
RiffRaff 4: 4:45, 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:15

Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go after an evil lord who has risen from the dead and threatens world domination. A lively and fun mystery thriller that benefits from the charms of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Also starring Rachel McAdams. Read the review.
Abaton 7: 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:45
Metropol 2: 2:00, 5:00, 8:00, Fri./Sat. 11:00

Shutter Island
A US marshall is sent to a psychiatric clinic on an island outside Boston to investigate a missing woman. Compared to his other works, Martin Scorsese's homage to Alfred Hitchcock is almost a little boring. Compared to other contemporary thrillers, it's excellent. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Mark Ruffalo and Michelle Williams. Read the review.
Abaton B: 2:15, 5:15, Thurs.-Mon./Wed. 8:30, Fri./Sat. 11:45
Abaton 5: 8:45
Capitol 4: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30
Corso 1: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30

A Single Man
LA, 1960's: When his lover dies in a car accident and he can't even go to the funeral, a lit professor considers his life to be over. But he will meet people today that may change his mind. Exceptionally stylish debut from designer Tom Ford, starring many gorgeous people, including Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
Frosch Studio 2: 6:00, 9:00
RiffRaff 2: Tues. 9:15
RiffRaff 3: 4:30, Thurs.-Mon./Wed. 9:15

Up in the Air
A man hired by companies to fire their staff spends most of his time on airplanes and endless hotel rooms, with a goald of getting the ultimate frequent flyer card. A bittersweet comedy about being alone and the recession sounds boring - in fact it's nicely done and very entertaining. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.
Abaton 9: 2:45, 8:30
Arthouse Alba: 8:30
Corso 3: 3:00, 5:45, 8:45

Valentine's Day
Ensemble romantic comedy about various LA couples on Valentine's Day. Actually not bad, despite the formula, and mostly well-acted. Starring Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Eric Dane, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts and a slew of other big names. Read the review.
Abaton 8: 8:30
Frosch Studio 2: 3:00