Playing at local movie theaters

ONCE — *** 1/2 — Some occasional, R-rated dialogue may discourage some audiences from seeing this charming musical drama. And that's a real shame. Running time: 88 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)

RATATOUILLE — *** 1/2 —The newest animated comedy from Pixar is a character-driven rodent tale that lets the humor flow naturally from the story's details. Running time: 110 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity)

RESCUE DAWN — *** 1/2 — A smart, involving war movie that focuses strongly on story and character. Christian Bale stars. Running time: 126 minutes, PG-13 (violence, torture, profanity, vulgarity, slurs, brief drugs, brief gore)

SHREK THE THIRD — ** — The same jokes that were featured in the first two animated fantasy spoofs are repeated here once, twice, three times ... or more. Running time: 93 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, brief drugs)

SICKO — *** —Michael Moore's sure-to-be-controversial expose of American health care concerns is also one of his better works. Running time: 113 minutes, PG-13 (drugs, violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity)

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE — *** 1/2 — This film spinoff of the irreverent television cartoon has big action and bigger laughs that most of the competition. Running time: 87 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, nudity, brief drugs)

SPIDER-MAN 3 — *** — The third adventure is an entertaining superhero movie and a decent popcorn flick, but definitely not as good as the first two. Running time: 140 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief drugs, brief gore, vulgarity)

SUNSHINE — ** — Around the hour mark, Danny Boyle's smart science-fiction film turns into a dumber, gory thriller. Running time: 107 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs)

SURF'S UP — ** 1/2 — It's not a complete wash, but this surfing-penguins comedy doesn't live up to its initial potential or suit its talented voice cast. Running time: 85 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, brief drugs)