Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Set in Harlem in 1987, "Precious" is the story of Claireece (Precious) Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a 16-year-old black girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo'Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. She may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn't know the meaning of "alternative," but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

Director: Lee Daniels. Stars: Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz. 2009, 110 mins., drama.

Capitalism: A Love Story

On the 20-year anniversary of his groundbreaking masterpiece "Roger & Me," Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). But this time the culprit is much bigger than General Motors, and the crime scene far wider than Flint, Michigan. From Middle America, to the halls of power in Washington, to the global financial epicenter in Manhattan, Moore once again takes filmgoers into uncharted territory. "Capitalism: A Love Story" explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Years ago, that love seemed so innocent. Today, however, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Moore takes us into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down, and he goes looking for explanations in Washington and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal - and 14,000 jobs being lost every day.

Director: Michael Moore. 2009, 127 mins., documentary.

Old Dogs

Dan (Robin Williams) and his best friend and business partner Charlie (John Travolta) are on the verge of the biggest deal in the history of their sports marketing firm when their lives are turned upside down by a surprise visit from Dan's ex-wife Vicki (Kelly Preston). Vicki has big news for Dan - their ever-so-brief liaison produced twins Zach and Emily, now 7-years-old and in need of a dad to keep an eye on them for two weeks. With only high-living playboy Charlie for support, Dan's bumbling attempts at "on-the-job training" in fatherhood result in a series of disastrously funny exploits that lead him to a new understanding of what really matters in life.

Director: Walt Becker. Stars: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Conner Rayburn, Seth Green, Matt Dillon, Ella Bleu Travolta. 2009, 88 mins., comedy.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

From Troy Duffy, writer and director of the cult hit "The Boondock Saints," comes the much-anticipated sequel to the tough, stylized cutting edge saga of the MacManus brothers (Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery). The two have been in deep hiding with their father, Il Duce (Billy Connolly), in the quiet valleys of Ireland, far removed from their former vigilante lives. When word comes that a beloved priest has been killed by sinister forces from deep within the mob, the brothers return to Boston to mount a violent and bloody crusade to bring justice to those responsible.

Director: Troy Duffy. Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, David Della Rocco, Billy Connolly, Clifton Collins Jr., Julie Benz, Peter Fonda, Judd Nelson. 2009, 117 mins., action.