Playing at local movie theaters

THE BLACK DAHLIA — ** — Brian De Palma's sleazy crime thriller gets more entertaining as it gets more ludicrous and convoluted. Running time: 121 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, nudity, sex, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets)

EVERYONE'S HERO — ** — Its heart is in the right place but this animated baseball comedy is pretty crude for a G-rated kids movie. Running time: 88 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity)

THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL — ** 1/2 — This comedy-drama about post-9/11 New York does have its perceptive, thoughtful moments. Running time: 87 minutes, R (profanity, sex, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets)

GRIDIRON GANG — ** 1/2 — It's too long but this inspirational football drama does have the appealing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Running time: 120 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief drugs)

HEADING SOUTH — *** — This French-made drama about sexual tourism reverses the usual gender roles. Charlotte Rampling stars. Running time: 105 minutes, not rated, probable R (sex, nudity, violence, drugs, profanity, racial epithets) —Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News

THE LAST KISS — *** — Overwrought but perceptive comedy-drama gives Zach Braff an opportunity to stretch his acting muscles. Running time: 104 minutes, R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, nudity, brief drugs, violence)

MONGOLIAN PINGPONG — ** 1/2 — Some judicious pruning could have made this modestly entertaining comedy-drama better. Mongolian with subtitles. Running time: 101 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity)

TRUST THE MAN — ** — Trivial, empty farce. David Duchovny and Julianne Moore star. Running time: 100 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, sex) —David Germain, Associated Press

SNEAK PREVIEWS

THE GUARDIAN — Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher star in this Coast Guard thriller. To be reviewed Sept. 29, running time: 135 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, vulgarity) (Saturday, 7:25 p.m.: Megaplex 17)

MIDNIGHT MOVIE

PULP FICTION — *** — Quentin Tarantino's overrated, lurid ensemble piece. Running time: 153 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, drugs, vulgarity, sex, nudity, rape, racial epithets) (Tonight and Saturday: Tower)