"Appaloosa" (R). Director Ed Harris oversees a straightforward western about a sheriff (Harris) in a rough New Mexico town who tangles with a ruthless businessman (Jeremy Irons) while embarking on a romance with a widow (Renee Zellweger). Grade: B Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:30, 4:05, 6:45)

"Changeling" (R). Director Clint Eastwood tries to be stately and instead achieves a stilted tone in this true story about a single mother in Los Angeles in the 1920s whose young son goes missing. When he's returned to her, she insists it's not her son. Angelina Jolie's award-courting performance is the most obvious indication of a handsomely produced picture that takes itself very seriously. Grade: B- TownMall Cinemas (12:45, 4:15, 8:00)

"The Haunting of Molly Hartley" (PG-13). Haley Bennett plays a disturbed teen whose hallucinations may be all too real. The movie's scary potential is spoiled by plot developments so extreme that you'll only be haunted by disappointment. Grade: C TownMall Cinemas (2:10, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40), Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:45, 4:15, 7:10)

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (G). Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens finally approach graduation in a wholesome musical comedy that's as easy to watch as it is predictable. There are plans to continue the series, so here's a title the producers may want to consider: "High School Musical 4: GED." Grade: B- TownMall Cinemas (12:00, 2:30, 5:10, 7:45, 10:15), Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:35, 4:20, 6:50)

"Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" (PG). This animated sequel has the lion (Ben Stiller), zebra (Chris Rock), giraffe (David Schwimmer) and hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) exploring mainland Africa. Although the plot doesn't do much more than trot out the same cuddly characters, some attempts are made to advance the story. Grade: C+ TownMall Cinemas (12:30, 1:30, 2:45, 4:00, 5:00, 6:40, 7:30, 9:10, 9:50), Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:50, 4:25, 6:55)

"Quantum of Solace" (PG-13). Not reviewed. Daniel Craig returns as Agent 007 in this new installment of the James Bond series, in which Bond avenges a mysterious organization's sinister plan. TownMall Cinemas (11:30 am, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30), Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:40, 4:00, 7:00)

"Role Models" (R). Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd play slackers whose mischief leads to a community service sentence that involves mentoring troubled teens. Although scattered bits are funny, most of the movie is as lame as it is profane. Grade: C TownMall Cinemas (1:40, 4:40, 7:20, 9:55), Carrolltown 6 Cinemas (1:55, 4:10, 7:05)

"Soul Men" (R). An unintentional sadness hovers over this silly comedy, because star Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes (in a cameo) died before its release. Mac and Samuel L. Jackson are enjoyably cast as feuding soul singers who agree to reunite. Their long drive from Los Angeles to New York results in a slapstick-filled road movie that coasts on its cheap laughs. Grade: C+ TownMall Cinemas (2:20, 4:50, 7:50, 10:15)

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (R). Writer-director Kevin Smith's mostly unsuccessful comedy features Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as financially desperate friends who decide to make a pornographic movie. The first half of Smith's movie is marred by so much profanity-laced dialogue that it becomes tiresome; and the second half is marred by such a sentimental turn that it seems forced. Grade: C TownMall Cinemas (1:00, 4:10, 7:40, 10:10)

All capsule reviews and grades are by Mike Giuliano. Bookings change on Friday. For showtimes and to confirm listings, call the number in Screen Scene.

SCREEN SCENE

Carrolltown 6 Cinemas
6405 West Hemlock Road, Eldersburg
410-795-7890

TownMall Regal Cinemas
400 Center St., Westminster
410-857-1410

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