At the Movies

• 'Playing for Keeps'

This film image released by FilmDistrict shows, from left, Jessica Biel, Noah Lomax, and Gerard Butler in a scene from "Playing for Keeps." (AP Photo/FilmDistrict, Dale Robinette)

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PLAYING FOR KEEPS

Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel headline in this romantic comedy.

George (Gerard Butler) is a retired soccer pro whose glory days are behind him. Burnt out on his playboy lifestyle and bankrupted by a string of bad investments, he moves back to Virginia to reconnect with his estranged ex-wife (Jessica Biel) and neglected son (Noah Lomax). Making up for lost time, George starts to coach the boys’ soccer team. But can he keep his eyes on the goal when the bleachers are stacked with sexy soccer moms and desperate housewives? The film also stars Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Judy Greer.

“Playing for Keeps” opens nationally, including at the Luxury 5 Cinema, Friday. 106 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

Jeffrey Katzenberg and Dreamworks Animation present this magical, epic adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost.

They are legendary characters who possess previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.

“Rise of the Guardians” starts Friday. It is scheduled to play through Dec. 20. 97 minutes. It is presented in 3-D and 2-D at alternating showtimes. It is rated PG for thematic elements and some mildly scary action.

RED DAWN

This new action film is a remake of the 1984 hit that starred Patrick Swayze. The message of the film is even more timely in today’s world.

A small town in Washington State awakens to the surreal sight of foreign paratroopers dropping from the sky — shockingly, the U.S. has been invaded and their hometown is the initial target.

Quickly and without warning, the citizens find themselves prisoners and their town under enemy occupation. Determined to fight back, a group of young patriots seeks refuge in the surrounding woods, training and reorganizing themselves into a guerilla group of fighters. Taking inspiration from their high school mascot, they call themselves the Wolverines, banding together to protect one another, liberate their town from its captors and take back their freedom.

“Red Dawn” is held over. 92 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense war violence and action, and for language

THE LIFE OF PI

This visually stunning action adventure comes from Academy Award winning director Ang Lee (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

Lee creates an all-audience movie event about a young man on a fateful voyage who, after a spectacular shipwreck, is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. He becomes marooned on a lifeboat he must share with the ship’s only other survivor, a fearsome Bengal tiger with whom he makes an amazing and unexpected connection.

Lee conferred with James Cameron, director of “Avatar,” to push 3-D film-making techniques to new levels of realism and excitement. Lee skillfully uses 3-D to further telling the storytelling process rather than as a gimmick. The film is based on the bestselling novel by Yann Martel.

“The Life of Pi” is held over through Dec. 13. 127 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for emotional thematic content throughout, and some scary action sequences and peril.

TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2

The popular saga comes to an end as this final installment of the Twilight Saga franchise reveals the secrets and mysteries, and ties up the storylines, of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

“Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” is held over through Dec. 13. 116 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sensuality and partial nudity.

SKYFALL

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.

Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe and Albert Finney also star in the action drama.

“Skyfall” is held over through Dec. 13. 143 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for intense violent sequences throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED

The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become “chipwrecked” on a remote island. As the ’Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” is showing Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as this week’s movie on the AAUW Children’s Matinee Series. 85 minutes. It is rated PG for some mild action and rude humor.

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