Depending on whom you’re asking, Dick Cheney is either the epitome of evil, synonymous with “enhanced interrogation” and warrantless surveillance, or the crusader for American safety that kept the country free from terror after Sept. 11.

To documentarian RJ Cutler ("The September Issue"), Cheney is, above all, a man of great significance. Cutler's new doc "The World According... » more

Jim Sturgess follows his starring role in "Cloud Atlas" with another visionary film. "Upside Down," written and directed by Juan Solanas, is centered on two planets that are planted one on top of the other, with equal and opposite gravity. The rich live "up top" and the poor can be found "down below." The worlds above and below you appear upside down.

The... » more

War Witch 3.5 stars Directed by Kim Nguyen Starring Rachel Mwanza In French and Lingala with English subtitles

Komona, a 12-year-old girl living in an unnamed African country, is enjoying a peaceful afternoon with her family when rebel soldiers storm the village and force Komona to murder her parents before kidnapping and conscripting her.

The first scene in... » more

Phantom 2.5 stars Directed by Todd Robinson Starring Ed Harris, David Duchovny, William Fichtner Rated R

From "Das Boot" to "Crimson Tide," the best submarine movies draw on the tension spurred by an extended period spent languishing in claustrophobic quarters deep below the sea. In the world of the sub flick, the ocean is like the woods at night, a mysterious outdoors... » more

Red Flag 3 stars

Rubberneck 3 stars

Movies directed by Alex Karpovsky Not Rated

Unless you're a "Girls" fan, you're probably not familiar with Alex Karpovsky, the actor who has carved out a niche as a dependable presence on that HBO show and in micro-budget independent movies such as the recent "Supporting Characters."

At best, his face might trigger an... » more

Beautiful Creatures 2.5 stars Directed by Richard LaGravenese Starring Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson Rated PG-13

"The Hunger Games" represents Hollywood's primary crack at capturing a sizable chunk of the young-adult market lost with the conclusion of the "Twilight" saga. But there are plenty of movie dollars to go around. So,... » more

Alice Englert has movies in her blood. The 18-year-old actress is the daughter of Oscar-winning director Jane Campion ("The Piano") and grew up around the world of high-end filmmaking.

So it's not a surprise that Englert, heretofore a virtual unknown, seems set for Hollywood stardom. If her lead role in "Beautiful Creatures," a new franchise geared toward occupying some... » more

Hollywood loves Nicholas Sparks, the master of the romance novel, as it loves few other modern authors. "Safe Haven," opening in theaters Thursday, is the eighth Sparks adaptation to hit the big screen since 1999.

And Lasse Hallström, the Academy Award-nominated director of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "The Cider House Rules," is making a play for the title... » more

Side Effects 3 stars Directed by Steven Soderbergh Starring Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones Rated R

You could argue that there are better filmmakers than Steven Soderbergh, the Academy Award-winning director of "Traffic," "Magic Mike" and countless other movies. But there is no better craftsman, no one working in the film business who more clearly... » more

A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III 3 stars Directed by Roman Coppola Starring Charlie Sheen, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Katheryn Winnick Rated R

Sweet and whimsical aren't exactly the first words that come to mind when you think of Charlie Sheen. But they're apt descriptors for the former #winning warlock's first lead role in a movie since his pre-"meltdown" era.

"A... » more