At the Movies: capsule reviews of new films

Capsule reviews of films opening this week:

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" - It may aspire to be a highbrow horror movie, but deep down, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is more like a two-hour, sweeps-period "Law & Order" episode, complete with special guest stars and a shocking story that's been ripped from the HEAD:s. Director Scott Derrickson, who co-wrote the script with Paul Harris Boardman (which was inspired by true events), is all business in telling the story of a Catholic priest on trial for negligent homicide following the death of a satanically possessed 19-year-old on whom he'd performed an exorcism. Sounds juicy, gory, potentially cheesy, right? It even could have been ironic and knowing, considering the plethora of previous films about demonic forces. You'll find no references to regurgitated pea soup or Linda Blair here, though. Just a cavalcade of Oscar nominees (Tom Wilkinson, Laura Linney, Shohreh Aghdashloo) going about their work very, very seriously, and a few solid scares. PG-13 for thematic material including intense/frightening sequences and disturbing images. 114 min. Two stars out of four.

- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic

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"The Man" - Autumn is on the horizon, with its tantalizing promise of quality films following the pitiful offerings of summer. Until then, "The Man" is keeping us down. Just to give you an idea of how egregiously this buddy-cop comedy squanders the unique talents of its stars, Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy are forced to endure not one but two lengthy flatulence jokes, one of which involves an elevator full of nuns. (Levy's character, a dental-supply salesman, also urinates in a motel pool.) The two must team up when Levy's character is mistaken for Jackson's tough-guy undercover federal agent during a stolen weapons deal with generic European baddies. Each actor is relegated to a one-note role in a movie that's singularly high-pitched as it strains desperately for wacky laughs. This should come as no surprise, however, from Les Mayfield, the man who directed "Encino Man," "Blue Streak" and "Flubber." PG-13 for language, rude dialogue and some violence. 83 min. One stars out of four.

- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic

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"An Unfinished Life" - All the pieces seem to be there. You have the A-list cast (Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and - OK, we'll give her the title, too - Jennifer Lopez); the Oscar-nominated director (Lasse Hallstrom); the sprawling vistas of rural grandeur, all awash in glorious golden light. But something is unfinished about the film - its dysfunctional family goes through the motions of anger, reconciliation, forgiveness and renewal, but the emotional impact just isn't there. Too often the movie feels self-conscious and calculated, despite the humor that springs from the cranky banter between Redford and Freeman's characters, friends who've worked on the same Wyoming ranch for 40 years. Lopez, meanwhile, plays a woman on the run from an abusive boyfriend. But she can't hide from the fact that she's Jennifer Lopez, regardless of the role; she always looks ready for a music video shoot. Playing her 11-year-old daughter, though, Becca Gardner is a total natural and a real find. PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language. 108 min. Two stars out of four.

- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic