Movie listings for the week of March 4 - March 10, 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: 6:30, 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:30
Arena 8: 5:15, Fri./Sat. 11:30
Corso 1: 3:00, 6:00, 9:00
Metropol 1: 2:00

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: 8:00, Fri./Sat. 11:30 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 1: 5:45, 8:45

Bright Star
The story of the English poet John Keats and his true love Fanny Brawne. Gorgeous and smart drama directed by Jane Campion. Starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish.
Arthouse Commercio: 3:00

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, Thurs.-Mon./Wed. 8:30
Capitol 4: 3:00, 6:00, 9:00

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

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: 5:15, 8:15
Capitol 6: 2:00, 5:00, 8:00
Plaza 2: 5:30, 8:39, 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: 3:00, 6:00, 9:00
Plaza 3: 5:30

The Lovely Bones
A young murder victim tells the story of how she was killed, as she decides from heaven whether to exact revenge on her killer. Visually artful adaptation from the novel by Alice Sebold, directed by Peter Jackson.
Abaton 9: 5:15
Metropol 2: 5:30

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: Fri./Sat. 11:15
Arthouse Alba : 4:15, 9:00
Corso 3: 2:15, 5:15, 8:15

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
A teenager finds out he's the son of Poseidon and that he's destined to save the world. Lame Harry Potter rip-off that uses micro-cameos to dupe audiences into thinking there's more to it. Saved only slightly by a segment with Uma Thurman as Medusa. Starring Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Brandon T. Jackson and Alexandra Daddario.
ABC 4: 2:00

Rocksteady
Documentary about one of the steps in the evolution towards reggae. Charming and entertaining.
RiffRaff 2: Sun. 12:15

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: 2:15, 8:15
RiffRaff 3: 4:00, 8:45, Fri./Sat. 11:00

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 10: 2:15, 8:00, Fri./Sat. 11:00
Metropol 2: 2:30, 8:45, Fri./Sat. 11:45

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, 8:30, Fri./Sat. 11:45
Capitol 1: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30
Corso 2: 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 1: 3:00, 6:00, 9:00
RiffRaff 1: 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, Thurs.-Tues. 9:15, Fri./Sat. 11:30

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 5: 6:30, 9:00, Fri./Sat. 11:45
Arthouse Movie 2: 3:00, 8:00
Corso 4: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30

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: 8:45
Frosch Studio 2: 2:30, 5:30, 8:30