Capsule reviews of this week's films (AP)

Capsule reviews of films opening this week:

"City of Men" -- The film is a companion piece to "City of God," a minor international hit in 2002 that was nominated for four Academy Awards. "City of God" was a visceral, stylish tale about a generation of gang life in the violent shantytowns (favelas) of Rio de Janeiro, filmed with MTV-like flash by Fernando Meirelles ("The Constant Gardener"). "City of Men" is a more humanistic film, primarily focused on the lives of those in the shadow of Rio's gangs, either enamored by them or cowering from them. Our main characters are two best friends, both turning 18 and fatherless. Ace (Douglas Silva) has a young child for whom he feels reluctantly responsible. Wallace (Darlan Cunha) is set on tracking down his father -- whom he's never met. Like Londoners during the blitz, the residents of the favelas shut themselves in while gang warfare rages in the streets and across the rooftops. There's an overarching sense of no escape -- our neighborhood is the Dead End Hill. This installment is directed by Paulo Morelli and it's easy to see the enduring appeal of the favelas to the filmmakers: they're teaming with vibrancy and conflict. Though the histrionics of "City of Men" are a bit obvious, and it lacks the bravado of "City of God," it's ultimately a more rewarding film. R for violent content, language and some sexuality. 110 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

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"The Other Boleyn Girl" -- The clever casting alone had promise: the role reversal of the va-va-voomy Scarlett Johansson playing sweet country girl Mary Boleyn and the pixieish Natalie Portman playing her scheming vixen of an older sister, Anne. Add hunky Eric Bana to the mix as Henry VIII, jumping back and forth between these two contrasting beauties in his fiery youth, and the possibilities seemed even more intriguing. Instead, "The Other Boleyn Girl" too often comes off as an unintentionally campy, highbrow soap opera -- albeit one with elaborate production design and richly textured costumes (the work of Sandy Powell, an Oscar winner for "Shakespeare in Love" and "The Aviator"). Director Justin Chadwick's film, based on the best-selling novel by Philippa Gregory, looks great, the high-definition heightening both the grit and glamour of 16th-century England. But surprisingly, the script from Peter Morgan, who had a terrific year in 2006 between "The Queen" and "The Last King of Scotland," vacillates awkwardly between sexy romp and serious period piece. The American actresses, putting on British accents, seem ill at ease at first but Johansson settles nicely into her role as the Boleyn sister with more complex, conflicting emotions of love and loyalty. Portman's Anne Boleyn is all ruthless flirting and conniving but she can't quite pull it off; rather, it feels as if we're watching the petite starlet playing dress-up for a high school production. PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content and some violent images. 114 min. Two stars out of four.

* Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic

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"Penelope" -- No offense intended, but a pig snout is very becoming on Christina Ricci. The actress is lovably adorable in this fairy-tale romance that's a perfect mix of Ricci's oddball sensibilities and her inherent sweetness. The film further establishes the tremendous range of James McAvoy, proving that the co-star of such heavy dramas as "Atonement" and "The Last King of Scotland" is just as engaging as a leading man in sunny comedy. Ricci plays the title character, born with a pig's snout because of an old family curse, with McAvoy as the suitor her parents (Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant) pray will be the one able to lift the hex. The movie's a smart, funny, endearing twist on "Beauty and the Beast," with Ricci and McAvoy showing boundless charm and chemistry as possible lovers whose secrets run much more than skin deep. Reese Witherspoon, a producer on the film, adds to the fun with a small role as Penelope's gal pal. PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language. 90 min. Three and a half stars out of four.

* David Germain, AP Movie Writer

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"Semi-Pro" -- Here's how devoted Will Ferrell is to his craft: that 'fro he rocks in "Semi-Pro"? That's his real hair, the product of six months of work (or neglect, depending on your perspective). Yes, we can certainly appreciate the comedian for his dedication, if not his creativity. You've seen this character before, this Jackie Moon, the owner-player-coach of the Flint, Mich., Tropics, a fledgling (and fictional) American Basketball Association team. It's essentially the same self-serious, delusional guy he plays in everything -- Ron Burgundy in barely there polyester shorts, Ricky Bobby in nipple-clinging turtlenecks. But Ferrell does go for it, and either you're with him or you're not. "Semi-Pro," is consistently funnier and more of a cohesive film, though, than the collection of gags that was "Blades of Glory." The year is 1976, and Kent Alterman, a longtime New Line executive making his directing debut, wallows in the period kitsch. Leisure suits, bad mustaches, Sly & the Family Stone -- no cliche is left unturned. Jackie is trying to keep the Tropics alive as the NBA is about to absorb the four best teams from the ABA. He brings in former Boston Celtics benchwarmer Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson) to help his current players, including the showboating Clarence "Coffee Black" Withers (Andre Benjamin). The supporting cast of usual suspects includes David Koechner, Will Arnett, Rob Corddry and Andy Richter. R for language and some sexual content. 90 min. Two and a half stars out of four.

* Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic