Movies showing at local theaters this week.

“THE THING” (R) (1:43) Stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton and Ulrich Thomsen. Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. While Halvorson keeps to his research, Kate partners with Sam Carter, […]

NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY “GREEN LANTERN,” starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. Just when you think they’ve run out of old-school superheroes to immortalize on the big screen, here comes “Green Lantern,” he of the emerald tights and the magical ring, brought to life by Reynolds. Something of an underperformer, “Lantern” actually does a […]

NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY “FAST FIVE,” starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. While it might be difficult for the average cinephile to muster up much enthusiasm for yet another entry in the multi-million-making “Fast and the Furious” franchise, we must confess that the fifth time’s the charm in this case. Director Justin Lin displays an […]

When you think about it, isn’t it strange that Portland doesn’t have a prestigious film festival to call its own? I mean, we’re Portland, for cryin’ out loud — hip, young, artsy, a thriving filmmaking community. But the big Maine film festivals reside in places like Waterville (pop. 15,000, Maine International Film Festival), and Camden […]

What’s up on local screens.

Juicy leading roles are flooding in for the extremely in-demand actress (and native daughter).

What’s up on local screens.

NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” starring Shia Labeouf and Josh Duhamel. More giant modes of transportation turning into giant robots that proceed to fight violently amongst themselves, destroying everything in sight, while Labeouf looks on with consternation, occasionally dodging falling debris. That being said, redoubtable director Michael Bay’s kitchen-sink approach […]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen play cancer for laughs in ’50/50.’ Funny thing is, it works.