The Namesake

At the Michigan Theater
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Mira Nair's adaptation of a archetypal story of self discovery is a sharper transition than most. Based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jhumpa Lahiri, the film strips away the varnish of social and generational gaps to find even in tragedy an enduring, universal wisdom and beauty. Spectacular in many ways, it achieves as a film what even Lahiri's novel could not: It maintains an emotional tenor throughout and doesn't get distracted by the many non sequiturs that inevitably comprise life.

The Lives of Others

At the State Theater
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Intricately layered by writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, "The Lives of Others" is a careful exploration of secrets, art and loyalty which also strives to remain relevant in our own recent era of wire-tapping. Donnersmarck's characters remain social representatives without losing their humanity, much as their precisely streamlined stories remain within the bounds of believability without getting dull.

Blades of Glory

At Quality 16 and Showcase
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Clocking in at a merciful 90 minutes, the patent silliness of "Blades of Glory" only slightly overstays its welcome. Like other recent Ferrell comedies, the film lags in any scene with actual dramatic intent, but it perks up for its competition routines with a giddy delight in skating's signature kitsch (the Van Waldenbergs-themed tribute to "street culture" features Louis Vuitton denim and special Timberland skates).

Shooter

At Quality 16 and Showcase
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

You need only the 10-second slow-motion shot of a gruff Mark Wahlberg in shades striding audaciously before a gigantic U.S. flag to know that "Shooter" will find significant mass appeal. That said, we may often be disturbed by the brainless, violent, mind-numbing action that audiences flock to ("300"), but there are no such worries here. This one is a smart shooter.

TMNT

At Quality 16 and Showcase
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

As the Turtles struggle to bridge the gaps time has created between them, they're also battling to save the world from immortal-stone-statue-induced destruction. Unfortunately, "TMNT" epitomizes how the development of our childhood cartoons has left them less than what they used to be.

300

At the State Theater, Quality 16 and Showcase
Rating: 2 OR 4 out of 5 stars

Whatever your opinion of the movie (and we published several), "300" is the film to see this spring. The last opportunity to watch it in theaters is fast approaching.