On the screen

BARNYARD — ** — Another quick-and-dirty "all-star cast" (led by Sam Elliott and Kevin James) animated feature churned out by digital start-ups hired to steal some of Pixar's cash. Complete review on Page W5. Running time: 83 minutes. PG (vulgarity). — Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel

THE DESCENT — *** — This low-budget horror film's vivid, scary, atmosphere is what sustains the characters when the plot becomes predictable. Complete review on Page W4. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).

FAVELA RISING — *** — Brazilian musician/activist Anderson Sa is so watchable that you can't take your eyes off him, or this documentary profile. Portuguese with subtitles. Complete review on Page W6. Running time: 80 minutes. Not rated, probable R (violence, drugs, profanity, gore).

THE NIGHT LISTENER — ** — This thriller finds Robin Williams trying to maintain dignity while the material becomes more frantic and ridiculous. Complete review on Page W6. Running time: 82 minutes. R (profanity, violence, nudity, brief sex, rape, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets).

TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY — *** — It's dumb, but this auto-racing comedy starring Will Farrell does have its share of laugh-out-loud moments, questionable as some may be. Complete review on Page W3. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, drugs, brief sex).

NEW FILM WEDNESDAY

WORLD TRADE CENTER — Oliver Stone's 9/11 thriller stars Nicolas Cage as one of two Port Authority officers rescued from the rubble. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity).

MIDNIGHT MOVIE

STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN — **** — Still the best of the big-screen "Trek" movies, this 1982 science-fiction thriller is surprisingly tense. Running time: 113 minutes. PG (violence, gore, profanity). (Tonight and Saturday, Tower)

KIDS' MATINEES

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2 — * 1/2 —Steve Martin stars in this half-hearted obligatory sequel. Running time: 94 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m., Cinemark American Fork.)