Dan in Real Life: Steve Carell is in his subdued Little Miss Sunshine seriocomic mode as a widower who falls for his brother's girlfriend (Juliette Binoche). There are funny moments, but the film is as genially inoffensive and predictable as the average TV sitcom.
-MARJORIE BAUMGARTEN
August Rush: In this prosaic contemporary take on Oliver Twist, an orphaned musical prodigy (Freddie Highmore) seeks his parents (Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers) on the streets of New York. Robin Williams is in twee mode as the Fagin-like villain.
- MARC SAVLOV
