Playing at local movie theaters

NEW FILMS FRIDAY

BECOMING JANE — *** — It's not as memorable as recent Jane Austen adaptations, but this fictionalized drama about the author is well-acted. Running time: 113 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, brief nudity, mild profanity, brief sex, slurs)

JOURNEY FROM THE FALL — ** 1/2 — The journey part of this character drama is its best section. Vietnamese with subtitles, running time: 135 minutes, R (violence, torture, gore, slurs, vulgarity, profanity)

RUSH HOUR 3 — * — Easily the most unnecessary and least-inspired movie "three-quel" so far this year. Running time: 91 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, slurs, torture, brief sex, brief partial nudity)

SKINWALKERS — Horror-thriller about warring factions of werewolves. Jason Behr stars. To be reviewed next week, running time: 110 minutes, PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity)

STARDUST — ** 1/2 — The amusing supporting cast (especially Robert De Niro) helps save this less-than-magical fantasy. Running time: 128 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief gore)

VITUS — *** — The slow pacing may test the patience of some, but this tale about a talented youngster is appealing. German with subtitles, running time: 117 minutes, PG (profanity)

MIDNIGHT MOVIE

TROLL 2 — * — Moronic 1990 horror sequel that was shot locally (in Porterville). Running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore) (Tonight and Saturday: Tower)

KIDS MATINEES

SCERA SUMMER MATINEES — This week's selections are "Everyone's Hero" and "We Are Marshall." A schedule is available at www.scera.org. (Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: SCERA, Orem)

SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE — This week's matinee is "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." A schedule is available at www.cinemark.com. (Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.: Jordan Landing)

TOWNE CINEMA SUMMER MATINEES — This week's selections are "Chicken Run" and "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie." A schedule is available at www.townecinema.com. (Today, Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.: Towne Cinema, American Fork)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL — Short films spotlighting board and winter sports. (Tonight, 7 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)

THE BIRDS — *** — Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 thriller about crazed avians is a little dated, but there are some thrilling sequences. Running time: 119 minutes, PG-13 (violence) (Saturday, 9 p.m.: Tracy Aviary, Liberty Park)