Silent movie idol faces new world in ‘Artist’

“The Artist”: It’s the late 1920s in Hollywood and handsome George Valentin is a silent movie idol. During the premiere of his latest film, Valentin meets Peppy Miller, a star-struck extra and aspiring actress. The two are attracted to each other and Peppy is given a small dancing role in his next picture. As their romance progresses, Valentin’s producer has to cope with a love-struck star who is distracted on the set, Peppy’s career begins to take off, and Valentin fears that a new fad in the movie business – talkies – will ruin him. (1:40, PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture) • • • •

“Mirror Mirror”: Julia Roberts hams it up snappily as the evil queen in this dazzling-on-the-eyes, ho-hum-on-the-head retelling of ye olde Snow White tale. The Audrey Hepburn-esque Lily Collins has the looks but lacks the charm as Ms. White, Armie Hammer makes for a clownish handsome prince, Nathan Lane is the palace buffoon, and Jordan Prentice and Danny Woodburn distinguish themselves among the troop of little people playing the seven dwarfs. (1:46, PG for some fantasy action and mild rude humor) • • 1/2

“21 Jump Street”: This potty-mouthed and drug-laced reimagining of the 1980s TV show has one of the highest laughs-per-minute ratios since the Naked Gun films. Co-stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill play the baby-faced undercover cops assigned to bust a high-school drug ring, and despite the raunch and noise they are endearingly funny. (1:49, R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence) • • •

“Wrath of the Titans”: Sam Worthington returns as Perseus in this silly but noisy togas-and-fireballs sequel. It’s Greek mythology for the Grand Theft Auto generation. (1:39, PG-13 for intense sequences of fantasy violence and action) • 1/2