Widescreen

By Paul Hall

When rules of society don’t apply: There is an epidemic that sweeps the land. People are going blind and the government doesn’t know what to do. When they are placed in an abandoned sanitarium in “Blindness,” they will make their own rules and create their own society, and it’s not always a good thing.

“Blindness” explores the good and bad in everyone. It opened my eyes, leaving me a bit shaken but stronger.

B+

'Blindness'

Miramax

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Cast: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Alice Braga, Danny Glover

Rating: R for violence including sexual assaults, language and sexuality/nudity

Run time: 120 minutes

A lifetime in one night

Where’s Fluffy? It’s a simple question that may not be understood by all, but if you are Nick, finding Fluffy is what it’s all about. And if Nick is lucky, he may find something a bit more on his journey.

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings are Nick and Norah, two teenagers that come together for a common goal, to find one of their favorite bands.

This film is fun if a bit awkward, and an experience for a new generation of youth. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” deserves multiple plays.

B-/C+

'Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist'

Columbia Pictures

Director: Peter Sollett

Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior

Run time: 90 minutes

Wiping away a lifetime

Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) is an inventor in “Flash of Genius.” He has created the intermittent windshield wiper that will change the auto industry forever. At its heart, this is a story that is much deeper than a windshield wiper.

Kinnear is solid though unspectacular as the man behind the invention.

“Flash of Genius” is choppy at times, but it's hard not to like it.

B-

'Flash of Genius'

Universal Pictures

Director: Marc Abraham

Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda

Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language

Run time: 119 minutes

Pampered and proud but still lost

Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore) is a Beverly Hills chihuahua lost in Mexico. She will need the help of some of the local dogs just to find her way home.

In “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” there are scheming rats, a dog-fighting ring and trials around every turn. Will she make it back to her life of luxury?

Drew Barrymore brings Chloe to life, and you can actually feel her inner chihuahua.

'Beverly Hills Chihuahua'

Walt Disney

Director: Raja Gosnell

Cast: Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis, Drew Barrymore (voice), George Lopez (voice)

Rating: PG for some mild thematic elements

Run time: 91 minutes

Back to the West

Appaloosa is similar to many towns featured in westerns. Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) are now the law and are intent on bringing rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) to justice.

“Appaloosa” starts slow but gallops home a winner. Ed Harris has brought back the western in a major way.

B+

'Appaloosa'

Warner Brothers

Director: Ed Harris

Cast: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, Renee Zellweger

Rating: R for some violence and language

Run time: 114 minutes