What to See This Weekend: 'The Chronicles of Narnia,' 'The Tourist,' 'The Fighter'

Travel these days can be a nightmare, and we're not just talking TSA patdowns. Just ask the Pevensie kids about their dangerous cruise in the new 'Narnia' movie, or Johnny Depp about his vacation gone horribly awry in 'The Tourist.'

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' (PG)

Starring: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Tilda Swinton
Directed by: Michael Apted
Genre(s): Action - Family - Fantasy
What's It About? In the third installment of the C.S. Lewis fantasy series, the Pevensie siblings return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace and travel with Prince Caspian aboard his ship, the Dawn Treader, toward the edge of the world. More on what it's about
Why Should You See It? Come for the dazzling visuals and magical creatures, stay for the spiritual allegory. Plus, it's the only major family-fantasy spectacle of the season (well, there's also 'Harry Potter,' but you've already seen it, right?), and you're eager to see Swinton reprise her role as the wicked, wintry White Witch. Did we mention that it's in 3-D?
You Might Like It If You Like: The first two 'Narnia' movies, the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy

Showtimes & Tickets | Reviews
Family Film Guide: 'Narnia' | Cast Interviews
Director Michael Apted on Future Sequels

Watch a Scene From the Movie and Mr. Moviefone's Six Second Review

'The Tourist' (PG-13)

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton
Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Genre(s): Drama - Thriller
What's It About? During a trip to Europe, lovelorn Frank (Depp) crosses paths with alluring Elise (Jolie), who entraps him in a web of mystery and international intrigue.
Why Should You See It? To learn whether or not Depp + Jolie = more hotness than the screen can handle. Also because Jolie is, by now, an old pro at the femme fatale/international-woman-of-mystery thing.
You Might Like It If You Like: 'Salt,' 'Nick of Time,' 'Wanted'

Showtimes and Ticket | Reviews

Watch the 'Tourist' Trailer
In Limited Release

'The Fighter' (R), which tells the true story of lightweight champ "Irish" Micky Ward, should be a cut above the usual boxing drama, thanks to performances by Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale that are already being touted for Oscar consideration.

Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer | Six Second Review | Christian Bale Interview

'The Tempest' (PG-13), a Shakespeare adaptation by visionary stage director Julie Taymor ('Frida'), has two ideas that sound brilliant on paper: make the aging sorcerer Prospero a woman, and give the role to Helen Mirren.

Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer | Read Our Review

'The Company Men' (R) is a timely drama about losing your job, featuring three white-collar guys (Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones) in different stages of their careers who are forced to cope with massive layoffs at their company.

Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer | Read Our Review

Still in Theaters, Still Awesome

•'Black Swan' -- Catch up with the Natalie Portman performance no one can stop talking about, as this ballet drama expands to theaters nationwide. | Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer
•'Tangled' -- Can't book passage to Narnia this weekend? There are still plenty of princesses, warriors and magical creatures in Disney's something-for-everyone version of the Rapunzel tale. | Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer
•'I Love You Phillip Morris' -- This conman-meets-convict prison-cell romance isn't for everyone, but it may contain the performance of Jim Carrey's career. | Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer

Staying In This Weekend?

New on DVD This Week: Didn't grasp all the plot complexities of 'Inception' the first time around? Or the second? Or third? Now that you can watch the mind-bending dreams-within-dreams thriller at home, with your finger on the rewind button, all should become clear. Buy or rent the DVD | More new DVD releases

Movie Homework: What was C.S. Lewis thinking? How did a man who conveyed Christian faith so easily to children in the 'Narnia' books cope in his own life when his faith was tested by deep personal loss? 'Shadowlands' offers an intimate look at the life of the British academic, focusing specifically on the tragic romance between Lewis (played by Anthony Hopkins) and an American woman, Joy Gresham (Debra Winger). Buy or rent the DVD

On Our Netflix Queue: Why isn't 'Love Actually' considered a Christmas movie? Sure, it's a romantic comedy (actually, several simultaneous romantic comedies in one), but the whole thing takes place in the weeks counting down to Christmas, with the plotlines all neatly wrapped up on Christmas Eve like presents under the tree. Time to watch it again with your loved ones. Buy or rent the DVD

•Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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