The Blind Side Sandra Bullock plays a Memphis woman who takes in an enormous, athletic African-American. He thrives. She thrives. The film is hard to resist. But it’s another Hollywood movie about a black male rescued from God knows what either by nice white people or sports. Here it’s both. How good we feel is directly proportional to how blind we’re willing to be. (125 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
The Book of Eli Denzel Washington plays a lone dude in post-nuclear America carrying a Very Important tome that frontier boss Gary Oldman wants. It’s basically “The Road’’ with twice the plot, four times the ammunition, and half the brains; it’ll probably make 10 times the money. Costarring Mila Kunis; directed by the Hughes brothers. (118 min., R) (Ty Burr)
Crazy Heart A familiar tale - fading country musician hits bottom, looks up - enlivened by a great, generous jewel of a performance by Jeff Bridges, our shaggiest of leading men. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a single mom who falls for him against her better judgment; Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall turn up, too. Songs by T Bone Burnett and the late Stephen Bruton. (111 min., R) (Ty Burr)
Edge of Darkness Mel Gibson returns to the screen after seven years as a veteran Boston homicide detective and single father whose daughter is murdered in front of his eyes. His assumption that he was the target proves wrong, and he tracks down and punishes the guilty parties. An above average revenge movie. (117 min., R) (Sam Allis)
An Education A charming, intelligent coming-of-age tale set in early-’60s London. Carey Mulligan is hugely appealing as a levelheaded teenage girl who gets involved with a mysterious older man (Peter Sarsgaard). Nick Hornby adapted the script, Lone Scherfig directed, but the movie belongs to its star. (95 min., PG-13) (Ty Burr)
Fantastic Mr. Fox A dry stop-motion delight. Director Wes Anderson adapts Roald Dahl’s 1970 kids’ book to his usual obsessions (irresponsible dads, confused children). George Clooney voices the hero, raiding henhouses in a midlife crisis. A fairy tale for adults that’s gracious enough to let everyone play along. With the voices of Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and Bill Murray. (87 min., PG) (Ty Burr)
