Despite oh-wow animation, 'Epic' doesn't match its title

Beyoncé Knowles is the voice of Queen Tara, who reigns over Moonhaven, an unseen Edenlike world, in "Epic," a children's animated film. The animation is gorgeous, but the story is overly familiar.

Despite oh-wow animation, 'Epic' doesn't match its title

Derivative as all get out and plainly concocted by a committee, "Epic" is a children's animated film that is more entertaining and emotional than it has any right to be.

'Kon-Tiki,' this time in English, recounts incredible journey

The cinematic retelling of Thor Heyerdahl's epic voyage in 1947 includes a smattering of open-ocean problems. Here, it's a close encounter with a whale.

'Kon-Tiki,' this time in English, recounts incredible journey

"Kon-Tiki" is a ripping yarn torn from yesterday's headlines. Though somewhat forgotten now, the 1947 story of six men, an oceangoing raft and a wild and crazy theory was a media sensation that gripped the world's imagination - and launched a thousand tiki bars.

Spirited lark 'Angels Share' keeps you rooting to end

In wily British director Ken Loach's spirited caper "The Angels' Share," an ex-con and new dad who wants to turn over a new leaf discovers that he has a connoisseur's taste for whisky.

Spirited lark 'Angels Share' keeps you rooting to end

You'll have to wait until it ends to see whether crime pays in Ken Loach's spirited caper "The Angels' Share." But it's a testament to the veteran British filmmaker's wily ways - and to his strong social (and socialist) conscience - that you'll find yourself rooting for his band of underclas…

'Wrong' doesn't feel right

A man wakes up one morning to realize he has lost the love of his life - his dog, Paul. His journey seems a bit unfocused, however.

'Wrong' doesn't feel right

Quentin Dupieux's "Rubber" remains one of the most ridiculously inventive movies of recent years, an alternate universe horror film about a tire that gains telekinetic powers.

'Erased' never sketches in decent villain for Eckhart

Just once, it'd be nice if the couple fleeing from a trigger-happy hit man through, say, a crowded hospital, would yell out - "Run for your lives!" And if the hospital's in Belgium, say, it'd be nice for them to yell it in French.

Provocative 'Simon Killer' taps darkness

Constance Rousseau and Brady Corbet in "Simon Killer," a complex contemporary noir that is bleak, yet provocative. It makes you heed mother's warnings about talking to strangers.

Provocative 'Simon Killer' taps darkness

"Simon Killer" is an amoral tale, and a cautionary one, that reminded me my mama was right when she said "Never talk to strangers" and "Looks can be deceiving."

The student, teacher become chillingly obsessed with family

Mr. Germain, played by Fabrice Luchini, becomes obsessed with his student Claude's voyeuristic tale.

The student, teacher become chillingly obsessed with family

The teacher is a veteran of the French school system, not burnt out but resigned to the mediocrity of each new crop of high school sophomores. That first assignment - "Write about what you did last weekend" - confirms what he tells his gallery manager wife: "This is the worst class I've had …

Tech is tool of alienation in well-acted 'Disconnect'

Jason Bateman plays a digitally distracted father, one of the characters swallowed by their tech, in "Disconnect."

Tech is tool of alienation in well-acted 'Disconnect'

We unplug our phone from the charger, pop in our ear buds and go out to seize the day. We text compulsively, post on Facebook obsessively, and when it comes time to shop, date or hook-up, we log on, boot up and tune out.

'The Big Wedding': Unhappily ever after

"Marriage is like a phone call late at night," Robert De Niro says, in dulcet voice-over mode, at the outset of "The Big Wedding." "First comes the ring, and then you wake up."

'Arthur Newman': First things Firth

Colin Firth has the uncanny ability to play both king and commoner with the same compassion, dignity and reverence. Whether it was his lovesick efforts in "Love Actually" or his frustration in "A King's Speech," Firth showed it's heart that makes for a great performer.

Actine fine in "The Company You Keep"; ages don't add up

Robert Redford directs and performs in "The Company You Keep." Jackie Evancho portrays his daughter.

Actine fine in "The Company You Keep"; ages don't add up

Robert Redford delivers one last lecture on '60s idealism and passes another baton to Shia LaBeouf in "The Company You Keep," an engrossing thriller about the last anti-Vietnam War radicals still underground.

Southern melodrama 'Mud' revels in authentic milieu

Tye Sheridan, left, Jacob Lofland and Matthew McConaughey star in "Mud," a Huck Finn coming-of-age tale of two teens who resolve to help a fugitive reunite with his true love.