BANDSLAM. Starring Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens and Gaelan Connell. A new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band that competes in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands. 111 minutes. (Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild language.) Opens today in area theaters. See review on Page 6.



DISTRICT 9. Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fihorror film about human monsters trying to eradicate some extra-terrestrial monsters from a Johannesburg slum. “It’s certainly the wildest film of the summer. And South African actor Sharlto Copley gives, by far, the greatest performance of the summer, as the quintessential middle manager in the atrocity business, all slimy energy and vile inventiveness.” 112 minutes. (RatedRfor a lot of blood and yuck and brutal language.) ???(Jeff Simon) Opens today in area theaters.



THE GOODS:LIVE HARD, SELL HARD. Starring Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn and Tony Hale. Used-car liquidator Don Ready is hired by a flailing auto dealership to turn its Fourth of July sale into a majorly profitable event. 99 minutes. (RatedRfor sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug material.) Opens today in area theaters. See review on Page 6.



LOCAL COLOR. Starring Armin Mueller-Stahl, Trevor Morgan, Ray Liotta and Samantha Mathis. A jaded painter-turned-recluse recaptures the innocence of youth while teaching a young prodigy lessons about painting and life. 107 minutes. (RatedRfor language.)??? Opens today in the Dipson Eastern Hills. See review on Page 8.



O’HORTEN. Starring Baard Owe, Espen Skojnberg, Ghita Norby and Henny Moan. A 67-year-old Norwegian train engineer retires, and embarks on a series of misadventures. 90 minutes. (Rated PG-13 for brief nudity.)??? Opens today in the Dipson Eastern Hills. See review on Page 9.



PONYO. Director Hayao Miyazaki’s animated adventure about a boy and a goldfish princess who longs to be human. With the voice talents of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon and Tina Fey. 100 minutes. (Rated G.) Opens today in area theaters. See review on Page 5.



SOUL POWER.Starring Muhammad Ali, James Brown and B. B. King. Documentary of the three-day music festival Zaire ’74 and the emerging musical crossover between Africa and America. 93 minutes. (Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and brief strong language.)??? Opens today in the Dipson Amherst. See Sound Check on Page 23.



THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE. Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams and Ron Livingston star in the adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s 2004 novel about a man with a genetic disorder who time travels against his will and the woman who loves him. 107 minutes. (Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, brief disturbing images, nudity and sexuality.)?Opens today in area theaters. See review on Page 4.