NEW FILMS FRIDAY

21 — ** — The first hour of this fact-based gambling is pretty good. But it grows increasingly ridiculous and laughable. Complete review on Page W4, running time: 122 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief sex, vulgarity, slurs, brief partial nudity, brief gore)

HAPPY VALLEY — *** — A surprisingly powerful piece, this locally produced documentary examines the drug-addiction "epidemic." Complete review on Page W5, running time: 90 minutes, PG-13 (drugs, mild profanity, vulgarity, slurs)

MARRIED LIFE — *** — Despite some sexual material, this darkly comic dramatic thriller is smart, old-fashioned entertainment. Pierce Brosnan stars. Complete review on Page W5, running time: 91 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, brief sex, drugs, mild profanity)

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S BAG BOY — ** — This mediocre comedy's competitive-bagging bit was already done in last year's Dane Cook flop "Employee of the Month." To be reviewed next week, running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, brief drugs, slurs)

PARANOID PARK — ** — A less-than-involving, skateboarding-culture thriller that's for the art-house crowd only. Complete review on Page W6, running time: 85 minutes, R (violence, profanity, brief gore, brief sex, vulgarity, slurs, drugs)

RUN FATBOY RUN — ** 1/2 — British comic actor Simon Pegg gets more mileage out of this predictable, romantic comedy material than you'd expect. Complete review on Page W4, running time: 100 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief partial nudity, slurs, brief drugs)

STOP-LOSS — ** 1/2 — The Iraq war drama appears to be at odds with itself. At times it's subtle. At other times, it's crushingly heavy-handed. Complete review on Page W3, running time: 112 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, slurs, vulgarity)

SUPERHERO MOVIE — Comedy that spoofs comic book adaptations, especially the "Spider-Man" movies. To be reviewed next week, running time: 85 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, violence, drugs, profanity)

TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE — *** 1/2 — The powerful, Oscar-winning documentary about U.S. military prison abuses is not an easy film to watch. Complete review on Page W6, running time: 106 minutes, R (torture, nudity, violence, drugs, slurs, vulgarity, profanity)