Today's New in Theaters- 3/5/10

Alice in Wonderland: For my money, Tim Burton hasn't made a movie worth a shit since 1994 (that'd be Ed Wood), so I can't say I'm exactly bursting at the seams to see his overstuffed, unnecessary retelling of Carroll. It went 0 for 3 among my fellow DVD Talk theatrical reviewers, and we never all agree on anything.

Brooklyn's Finest: Roger Ebert's three-star review seems to be pretty much the norm--most agree that while Antoine Fuqua's return to Training Day territory doesn't reach that picture's heights, it's still compelling and well-acted. I'm definitely in; the trailers are sharp and it's full of actors I like (yes, even Snipes).

The Secret of Kells: The surprise nominee for Best Animated Film is gorgeous, yes; it has a specific look and feel that is, at times, breathtaking. But the story is a non-starter--in spite of the luminous images, my mind wandered frequently throughout. It's worth a look, though, for the sheer aesthtetic beauty of the piece.

The Ghost Writer: Polanski's slick, efficient thriller goes wider this week; it's got some problems, but it's got a smooth professionalism to it, and packs some kicky thrills.

Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Süss: A fascinating examination of the unfortunate legacy left to the children of Viet Harlan, the Third Reich's most successful filmmaker. It works on two levels--as a facts-and-dates doc on the dark world of Nazi film, and a psychological portrait of a dysfunctional family.