Filmmaker Steve James, known for his compassionate and insightful documentaries profiling people facing extreme challenges in their lives, and co-porducer Alex Kotlowitz deliver a gripping feature about CeaseFire, a Chicago-based grass roots organization dedicated to preventing violent outbreaks among residents of impovrished, drug and crime-infested inner city neighborhoods. Read more>>

“The Smurfs” combines an enchanted world of magical, animated characters with live-action New York City and manages to get the worst of both worlds. Read more>>

Without Polly Platt, there probably wouldn’t have been The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, or Say Anything. Read more>>

When Dylan (Justin Timberlake from “The Social Network”) is recruited by corporate headhunter Jamie (Mila Kunis from “Black Swan”), he moves from his Los Angeles media job to become art director of GQ magazine in Manhattan. A sassy relationship quickly develops. They have a lot in common, particularly since they’ve both been previously burned by love. He’s “emotionally unavailable,” while she’s “emotionally damaged.” Read more

Nim’s story is sad and unsettling, and it raises profound questions about the human exploitation of animals subjected to social and scientific research. It is particularly disturbing because the young chimp is such an engaging and charming character. And, because director James Marsh develops the documentary narrative in such a dramatic and engaging way. Read more>>

James Marsh (Man on Wire) once again parlays an only-in-the-’70s story, some arresting footage and a naked play for the emotions into an unforgettable if problematic look at a chimpanzee who was raised by humans and taught sign language. Read more>>

Winnie the Pooh goes looking for honey — and Eeyore’s missing tail — in Disney’s gentle reboot of a franchise long relegated to direct-to-video, with maximum nostalgia for the original shorts and minimum celebrity voices. Read more>>

The enchantment of Christopher Robin’s childhood days is back, as Disney animators deftly reconstruct the classic A.A. Milne characters, complete with soft, simple, pastel recreations of England’s Hundred Acre Wood, as depicted in Earnest H. Shepard’s original illustrations. Read more

This is the last in the individual, interconnected Marvel prequels, following “Iron Man, “The Hulk” and “Thor,” leading up to next summer’s star-studded “The Avengers.” Read more

Everyone dreams about winning the lottery and marrying their one true love - but perhaps not in that order. Read more