Oliver Stone has never been the subtlest of directors, nor has he shied away from controversy or conspiracy-mongering. So it's something of a surprise to critics that with his latest, World Trade Center, he has tackled a subject (the 9/11 attacks) rife with talk of dark machinations and created a straightforward, apolitical tale of heroism. Based on a true story, World Trade Center stars Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena as a pair of Port Authority police officers who became trapped in the ruins of the World Trade Center while attempting to rescue others. Critics say the narrow human focus is one of the strengths of the film, along with its stunning visuals and an old-fashioned sense of resilience and heroism. Step Up tells the story of a hip-hop dancer from the wrong side of the tracks (Channing Tatum) and a privileged ballerina (Jenna Dewan) who overcome their differences to make beautiful music together on the dance floor. Sound familiar? It should, if you've seen Saturday Night Fever, Save the Last Dance, or Dirty Dancing. Perhaps the Bee Gees presciently spoke for the critics of Step Up when they sang, "You should be dancing," for the scribes say that the film is at its best in its electrifying dance sequences, but dramatically, this baby puts itself in the corner. The studios apparently believe Pulse is pretty lifeless, and that Zoom is full of cinematic gloom. What else could explain the fact that the Kristen Bell J-horror remake and the Tim Allen superhero comedy, respectively, were not screened for critics? Find out what else is playing this week.

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70%

World Trade Center -- Starring Nicolas Cage & Michael Pena, directed by Oliver Stone

20%

Step Up -- Starring Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan, directed by Anne Fletcher

N/A

Pulse -- Starring Kristen Bell & Ian Somerhalder, directed by Jim Sonzero

N/A

Zoom -- Starring Tim Allen & Courteney Cox, directed by Peter Hewitt

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UPCOMING -- Little Miss Sunshine, The Illusionist, Accepted

89%

Inside Man -- Starring Clive Owen & Denzel Washington, directed by Spike Lee Compare Prices

77%

Brick -- Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Lukas Haas, directed by Rian Johnson Compare Prices

42%

Don't Come Knocking -- Starring Sam Shepard & Jessica Lange, directed by Wim Wenders Compare Prices

51%

Manderlay -- Starring Bryce Dallas Howard & Isaach de Bankol?, directed by Lars von Trier Compare Prices

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UPCOMING -- Scary Movie 4, R.V., L'Enfant

IN THEATERS
DESCENT (82%)
Starring Natalie Mendoza & Shauna MacDonald, directed by Neil Marshall

Consensus
Deft direction and strong performances from its all-female cast guide this riveting, claustrophobic horror film.

ON VIDEO/DVD
SYRIANA (74%)
Starring George Clooney & Amanda Peet, directed by Stephen Gaghan

Consensus
Ambitious, complicated, intellectual, and demanding of its audience, Syriana is both a gripping geopolitical thriller and wake-up call to the complacent.

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