‘Haywire’ brings sophistication to hitwoman’s story

“Haywire”: Mixed Martial Arts champ Gina Carano makes her big screen debut in Steven Soderbergh’s sleek, sophisticated action thriller, about a hitwoman on the run from a bunch of double- and triple-crossing guys (Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum). (1:33, R for some violence) • • •

“Joyful Noise”: Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton co-star in this Gospel-inflected Glee about a church-choir competition. The musical numbers are exuberant fun in Todd Graff’s otherwise threadbare film that co-stars Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan. (1:48, PG-13 for some language including a sexual reference) • • 1/2

“New Year’s Eve”: A ridiculously well-stocked cast (Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katherine Heigl, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Biel and many more) search for holiday magic in this formulaic comedy. (1:47, PG for language including some sexual references) • •

“W.E.”: This two-tiered romance flashes back to the relationship between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII and springs forward to an unhappily married woman whose newfound interest in Wallis Simpson influences her own actions. Directed and co-written by Madonna. (1:29, R for some domestic violence, nudity, and language) • •