On the screen

New films Friday

THE BLIND SIDE — ★★★ — This cinematic "comfort food" goes down pretty well. Sandra Bullock stars. Running time: 126 minutes, PG-13 (violence, slurs, vulgarity, brief drugs, profanity, brief gore, brief sex)

AN EDUCATION — ★★★½ — A fairly classy spin on some distasteful material. Carey Mulligan stars. Running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, slurs)

FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN — ★★½ — Actually 75 minutes worth of build-up to an unsatisfying conclusion. Running time: 87 minutes, not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, slurs, brief drugs)

PLANET 51 — ★½ — Flatulence, bodily function and other lowbrow jokes and sight gags. Running time: 91 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, slurs, profanity, brief drugs)

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE — ★★★ — The unflinching depiction of incest and physical abuse makes this well-acted film hard to watch. Running time: 109 minutes, R (profanity, violence, slurs, rape, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief sex, brief nudity)

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON — The second movie finds Bella (Kristen Stewart) and her vampiric boyfriend (Robert Pattinson) at odds. Running time: 121 minutes, PG-13 (violence)

New films Wednesday

FANTASTIC MR. FOX — Adaptation of the Roald Dahl book, with George Clooney voicing the title character. To be reviewed when it opens next week, running time: 87 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, slurs, brief drugs)

NINJA ASSASSIN — Revenge tale starring Korean singer Rain as a rogue assassin. To be reviewed when it opens next week, running time: 99 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity)

OLD DOGS — Comedy starring Robin Williams and John Travolta as buddies, one of whom discovers he is a father. To be reviewed when it opens next week, running time: 88 minutes, PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence)

Special screenings

BREWVIES SPECIAL SCREENINGS — Films include "The 'burbs" (1989). A schedule is available at www.brewvies.com. (Nov. 23, 10:30 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)