On the screen

NEW FILM FRIDAY

LA DANSE: LE BALLET DE L'OP?A DE PARIS — ★★½ — A fly-on-the-wall documentary for fans of ballet/dance only. French with subtitles; running time: 158 minutes; not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity, violence, brief gore, vulgarity, slurs)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

AVATAR 3-D — James Cameron's new science-fiction thriller, shown in 3-D. (Carmike 12, Century Sandy, Century South Salt Lake, Cinemark American Fork, District, Gateway, Holladay Centre, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Layton Hills, Provo Towne Centre, Ritz, Thanksgiving Point, Tinseltown Ogden, Tinseltown Layton, University Mall, Wynnsong)

BREWVIES SPECIAL SCREENINGS — Films include the Monday Munchies selection. A schedule is available at www.brewvies.com. (Jan. 4, 10:30 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 3-D — The new animated comedy-fantasy, shown in 3-D. (Carmike 12, Century Sandy, Century South Salt Lake, Cinemark American Fork, Jordan Landing, Layton Hills, Provo Towne Centre, Ritz, Tinseltown Ogden, Tinseltown Layton, University Mall, Wynnsong)

ORGAN LOFT SPECIAL SCREENINGS — This week's film is "Oliver Twist" (1922). A schedule is available at www.organloftslc.com. (Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.: Organ Loft)

PARK CITY FILM SERIES — This week's film is "Pirate Radio." A schedule is available at www.parkcityfilmseries.com. (Jan. 1 and 2, 8 p.m.; Jan. 3, 6 p.m.: Park City Library)

LARGE-FORMAT

AVATAR: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE — James Cameron's new science-fiction thriller, shown in the large-screen format. (Jordan Commons)

BUGS! — ★★★ — This British-made documentary about insects has plenty of "wow" moments. Shown in 3-D. Running time: 40 minutes; not rated, probable G (violence) (Thanksgiving Point)

DINOSAURS 3-D: GIANTS OF PATAGONIA — ★★★ — The makers of this IMAX science film get us about as close as we'd ever want to be to these enormous creatures. Shown in 3-D. Running time: 48 minutes; not rated, probable PG (violence) (Thanksgiving Point) — Jeff Strickler, Star-Tribune (Minneapolis)

THE LIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS — Locally produced animated short with a holiday theme. Running time: 31 minutes; not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) (Clark Planetarium, Thanksgiving Point)