"Love Happens" (PG-13). Not reviewed. Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart star in this romantic comedy about a self-help author who meets his match. Opens Friday, Sept. 18.

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (PG). Not reviewed. Christopher Miller and Phil Lord direct this animated version of the children's book about a scientist trying to end world hunger. Opens Friday, Sept. 18.

"The Informant!" (R). Matt Damon is a corporate whistle-blower in director Steven Soderbergh's true story-based comedy. It's amusing, but shares the tendency of Marvin Hamlisch's score to hit obvious notes. Grade: B Opens Friday, Sept. 18.

"Jennifer's Body" (R). Not reviewed. Megan Fox stars as a possessed cheerleader in this horror film by screenwriter Diablo Cody ("Juno"). Opens Friday, Sept. 18.

NOW PLAYING

"Chops" (NR). Absorbing documentary about high school jazz bands from around the country going to an Essentially Ellington competition at New York's Lincoln Center. See this movie and you'll want to boost funding for school music programs. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"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, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh, Charles Theatre

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (PG). Daniel Radcliffe and the other former child actors have grown up by now, so this latest installment features as much romance as magic. The intrigue-laden plot will appeal to ardent fans more than to those with a casual interest, but there's obviously no shortage of ardent fans for this series. Grade: B AMC White Marsh

"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

"It Might Get Loud" (PG). Guitar gods Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge get together to talk and jam. Although the editing of interview, performance and archival footage is needlessly choppy, fans definitely will want to see this documentary. Grade: B Harbor East Theatre

"Julie and Julia" (PG-13). Meryl Streep has fun with Julia Child's accent and Amy Adams is enjoyably earnest as a young woman determined to try all 524 recipes in Child's cookbook. Although writer-director Nora Ephron successfully cuts back and forth between their two stories, it's inherently frustrating that the two women never meet. There isn't much narrative momentum, for that matter, but it's still easy to savor this cinematic meal. Grade: B+ Valley Center 9, Owings Mills 17, Hunt Valley 12, AMC White Marsh

"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

All capsule reviews and grades are by Mike Giuliano unless otherwise noted. For showtimes and to confirm listings, call the phone-in number in Screen Scene.

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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