“The Pirates! Band of Misfits”
A pirate looks to Charles Darwin for help to win a top pirate contest in this animated tale.
The gang at Aardman Animations, producers of the whimsical and wonderful “Wallace &Gromit” films, have made this story of a pirate and his motley crew the company’s most entertaining venture — without a Brit and his best buddy dog — yet.
Grade: A-
“Think Like a Man”
A relationship expert has trouble with his own love life. Anyone thinking about making a romantic comedy should take a look at director Tim Story’s “Think Like a Man” before shooting the first frame of film.
It’s not often you see a movie that touches your heart and funny bone so perfectly. It proves romantic comedies can work if you start with the right mixture of love and laughs, toss in a cast that’s so endearing you want the best for them and tie it all together with a smart comical thread.
Grade: A-
“The Lucky One”
A soldier (Zac Efron) searches for the person in a photograph who saved his life. The film’s not a total loss.
Efron is believable as the confused ex-Marine, and there are some emotional moments. Those just aren’t enough to make up for a film that, with any bit of logical thinking, would end before the first teardrop fell.
Grade: C-
Also new
“Battleship”: An hour of boring, then kind of fun, starring Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson and Rhianna.
“Homeland: The Complete First Season”: Showtime series starring Claire Danes.
“Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Second Season”: Steve Buscemi stars.
Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.)
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