"9" (PG-13). Sensitive little creatures battle larger beasts in a postapocalyptic urban wasteland. Although the story feels both overly familiar and underdeveloped, the animation is atmospherically evocative. Grade: B- Opens Wednesday, Sept. 9.

"The September Issue" (PG-13). This documentary about Vogue editor Anna Wintour follows her as she puts together an issue of the magazine. It does not push very far into her private life, but does enjoyably skim the fashionable surface. Grade: B Opens Friday, Sept. 11.

"Sorority Row" (R). Not reviewed. Rumer Willis and Carrie Fisher star in this thriller about a sorority that tries to cover up a prank-related death. Opens Friday, Sept. 11.

"Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself" (PG-13). Not reviewed. Tyler Perry writes and directs the latest in his series of comic dramas, in which his character Madea tries to straighten out her grandchildren. Opens Friday, Sept. 11.

"Whiteout" (R). Not reviewed. Kate Beckinsale stars in this drama as a U.S. Marshal who gets drawn into a mystery after she's assigned to investigate a murder in Antarctica. Opens Friday, Sept. 11.

NOW PLAYING

"District 9" (R). South African sci fi thriller about aliens stranded on earth and permanently detained in an apartheid-evocative camp. Although the story's details and implications are not fully explored, the gory violence is certainly explored. Grade: B- Valley Center 9, Owings Mills 17, Towson Commons 8, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh, Charles Theatre

"Halloween II" (R). This series' sequels, remakes and now sequels to remakes are dizzying to contemplate. Through it all, Michael Myers keeps killing and audiences keep watching. That's grisly entertainment for some. Grade: C- Valley Center 9, Owings Mills 17, Towson Commons 8, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh, Rotunda Cinema

"Inglourious Basterds" (R). As quirky as its incorrectly spelled title, Quentin Tarantino's World War II revenge fantasy stars Brad Pitt as the leader of a group of Jewish-American soldiers behind enemy lines in occupied France. Not everything works in this blend of genres and moods, but it's always entertaining. Grade: B Valley Center 9, Owings Mills 17, Towson Commons 8, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh, Rotunda Cinema

"My One and Only" (PG-13). Although much of it was shot in the Baltimore area, this road trip comedy is set in other cities across the country. Renee Zellweger gives an entertaining if superficial performance as a 1950s housewife who leaves her philandering husband (Kevin Bacon) and takes off with her two teen sons. It's a pleasantly nostalgic trip. Grade: B- Harbor East Theatre

"Soul Power" (PG-13). Absorbing documentary about a music festival held in conjunction with the championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire in 1974. Performers include Miriam Makeba, B.B. King, Celia Cruz, the Spinners, Bill Withers and an absolutely terrific James Brown. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"Taking Woodstock" (R). Director Ang Lee's superficial comedy about the planning for the legendary 1969 music festival keeps its focus on one small town resident and his family. Grade: B- Owings Mills 17, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh, Charles Theatre

"Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" (NR). Engaging documentary by Aviva Kempner about Gertrude Berg, the pioneering Jewish-American writer and performer whose "The Goldbergs" was a hit on radio in the 1930s and '40s and later as a TV sitcom in the early 1950s. Grade: B Charles Theatre

SCREEN SCENE

Charles Theatre
1711 N. Charles St.,
410-727-FILM

Hunt Valley Cinema 12
Shawan Road,
410-329-9800

Maryland Science Center IMAX Theater
410-685-5225

Muvico Egyptian 24
Arundel Mills Boulevard at Route 100,
443-755-8992

Owings Mills 17
Mill Run Circle,
443-394-0081

Rotunda Cinematheque
711 W. 40th St.,
410-235-4800

R/C's Eastpoint Movies 10
7938 Eastern Blvd.,
410-284-3100

Towson Commons 8
York Road at Pennsylvania Avenue,
410-825-5233

Valley Center 9
9616 Reisterstown Road,
410-363-4194

West Nursery 14
Linthicum,
410-850-8999

White Marsh Theatre
White Marsh Boulevard,
410-933-9428

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