MATERIAL GIRLS — * — At least the clothes are fun. That's the best thing we can say about this shrill comedy starring sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff. Running time: 97 minutes, PG (profanity, vulgarity) —Christy Lemire, Associated Press

MIAMI VICE — ** 1/2 — It's at least 20 minutes too long but this gritty crime thriller is a considerable improvement on the '80s TV show. Running time: 132 minutes, R (violence, profanity, drugs, sex, brief gore, brief nudity, vulgarity)

MONSTER HOUSE — *** — This animated comedy with horror elements turns a bit too dark in its final third, but it's still fun and original. Running time: 91 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs)

OVER THE HEDGE — *** — The voice cast for this animated comedy clearly had fun making it, and it's infectious. Running time: 87 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST — *** 1/2 — A considerable improvement over the first "Pirates" movie in the story department, though it is dark, intense and scary in some parts. Johnny Depp stars. Running time: 151 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief gore, profanity, brief drugs, torture)

THE PROTECTOR — ** — Thai action star Tony Jaa has plenty of astonishing fight moves but he lacks presence, and the plot for this revenge-thriller is ridiculous. Running time: 92 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex, brief drugs, racial epithets)

PULSE — * — This tale of internet-savvy college kids who have the life sucked out of them is a lame "Night of the Internet Dead." Running time: 86 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel