New on DVD (Tuesday): “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”, “The Secret Life of Bees”, “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”, “Bottle Shock”, “Space Buddies”

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BEST BETs: Another week of solid DVD releases, “The Secret Life of Bees” is the most critically acclaimed of the five, but “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” got pretty good reviews, and ”Bottle Shock” was compared to the popular “Sideways” (2004)… and for families “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” was very well received at the box office.

New at Theaters (Friday): “Coraline”, “He’s Just Not That Into You”, “Pink Panther 2″, “Push”

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BEST BET: Depends on what kind of movie you’re looking for.  If its a date movie, see “He’s Just Not That Into You” – or wait until next week for Valentine’s Day.  If its an action movie, “Push” may or may not be what you’re looking for, and if its a family movie, the jury’s out on “Coraline” vs. “Pink Panther 2″.

MY REVIEWS OF OTHER MOVIES CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THEATERS OR AVAILABLE TO RENT: 

Playing at West Michigan movie theaters:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5 / 10)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (9.5 / 10)
“Changeling”  (9.5 / 10)
“The Wrestler” (8.9 / 10)
“Defiance” (8.0 / 10)
“New in Town” (7.9 / 10)
“Australia”  (7.9 / 10)
“Bride Wars” (7.5 / 10)
“Marley & Me” (7.5 / 10)
“Four Christmases”  (7.5 / 10)
“Quantum of Solace”  (7.5 / 10)
“Role Models”  (7.5 / 10)
“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”  (7.5 / 10)
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (7.0 / 10)
“Bedtime Stories” (7.0 / 10)
“Hotel for Dogs” (7.0 / 10)
“Twilight”  (7.0 / 10)
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (6.5 / 10)

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Available to rent or buy:
“The Dark Knight” (9.5 / 10)
“WALL-E” (9.0)
“Pride and Glory” (9.0 / 10)
“Righteous Kill” (8.9 / 10)
“Eagle Eye” (8.5 / 10)
“Burn After Reading” (8.5 / 10)
“Wanted” (8.0 / 10)
“Traitor” (7.5 / 10)
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
“Get Smart” (7.0 / 10)
“Appaloosa” (6.9 / 10)
“Lakeview Terrace” (6.5 / 10)
“Hellboy II: Golden Army” (6.5 / 10)
“Noise” (6.0 / 10)

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Next Week at Theaters: “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, “Friday the 13th” (2009), “The International”

Next Week on DVD: “Blindness”, “Frozen River”, “Miracle at St. Anna”, “My Name is Bruce”, “Nights in Rodanthe”, “Soul Men”, “W.”