Also in Theaters
21 Jump Street The only thing this film takes even remotely seriously is high school. Everything else is punch line material — including the TV series that was its inspiration and the two undercover police rookies now at its center, played with gusto by Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. They turn out to be even better partners than their characters, both bringing a kind of vulnerability to their roles that makes whatever mayhem they are up to OK. (B.S., March 16) (1:45) R.
Act of Valor While the use of authentic active-duty Navy SEALS in a fictional story blurs the line between the real and the unreal in a fascinating way, “Valor” is dramatically involving only when the shooting (with real bullets, naturally) gets underway. (K.TU., Feb. 24) (1:41) R.
Being Flynn It’s not easy “Being Flynn.” Not for Jonathan Flynn, the absentee alcoholic father played by
Robert De Niro, nor the restless twentysomething son Nick, played by Paul Dano, the estranged pair at the heart of this darkly tangled family drama. De Niro’s performance is gale force at times. But for all its good intentions and talent, “Being Flynn” leaves you feeling as if everyone is trying a little too hard. (B.S., March 2) (1:45) R.
Bully This documentary about bullying in American schools follows five children and their families over the course of a school year. Directed by Lee Hirsch. (1:34) NR.
Casa de Mi Padre It’s silly-con-queso all the way in this Spanish-language spoof, which stars Will Ferrell as the dim-bulb son of a respected rancher. The film is a south-of-the-border “Bonanza” with faux-schlocky production values, but the giddy laughs that ensue, though sometimes inspired, are too few and far between. (Sheri Linden, March 16) In Spanish with English subtitles. (1:24) R.
Dark Tide A shark expert whose business and spirits are down a year after a shark attack killed one of her crew is persuaded by an old flame to lead a wealthy thrill seeker on a dangerous dive. With Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez. Written by Ronnie Christensen and Amy Sorlie. Directed by John Stockwell. (1:34) PG-13.
Detachment Swinging wildly between screed and lament, “Detachment” doesn’t take much to tap into the raw emotions many people feel about the state of public education in the United States. It’s a movie you keep expecting to fizzle because of its punching-the-air gracelessness, but there’s something weirdly effective about the artistic desperation. (Robert Abele, March 23) (1:40) NR.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax While it keeps intact the ecological message of one of the original tree-hugger books, this animated 3-D version adds a whole lot of other stuff, most of it not very good and not in keeping with the spirit of the Seuss original. (K.TU., March 2) (1:41) PG.
Friends With Kids Jennifer Westfeldt tries to get a fresh slant on the balancing act of child rearing and marriage in her ensemble comedy. The mildly engaging, often exasperating feature poses a few good questions and offers some well-observed moments. Yet even as it zeros in on radical shifts in the mechanics and mores of parenthood, it sits quite comfortably in a well-worn romantic-comedy groove. (Sheri Linden, March 9) (1:49) R.
Goon A slacker with a talent for brawling finds success as the muscle on a minor league hockey team, until he attracts the attention of the league’s reigning goon. With Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel and Allison Pill. Written by Baruchel and Evan Goldberg. Directed by Michael Dowse. (1:30) R.
Hot Flash Havoc A documentary exploring the controversy surrounding menopausal hormone therapy in the wake of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative Study. With Alan Altman, Karen Giblin and Elizabeth Lee Vliet. Directed by Marc Bennett. (1:28) NR.
The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence is the key factor in making this story of a futuristic kill-or-bekilled teenage tournament an involv-