“The Art of Getting By” — The title nicely sums up this trifling teen tale of first love, which artfully dodges any pretense of substance or authenticity, trying to scrape by on the charms of its almost intolerably cute cast. There’s an ease and playfulness that carries along writer-director Gavin Wiesen’s debut film for a while. Yet the indie production plays out as blandly and predictably as a Hollywood teen romance, the characters artificial, the story hollow. As a troubled youth on the verge of throwing his life away before it’s begun, Freddie Highmore behaves weirdly even-keeled, his rebelliousness cloaked in a Zen-like calm, like a heavily sedated cousin of “Catcher in the Rye” hero Holden Caulfield. As the object of his affection, Emma Roberts is similarly one-dimensional in the opposite direction, a whirlwind whose pretty perkiness feels phony and soon grows tiresome. Still, they make for an adorable couple, and Wiesen milks a few enjoyable moments out of his lead actors and some of the supporting cast, particularly Elizabeth Reaser as Roberts’ amorous mom. PG-13 for thematic elements, including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying. 84 minutes. Two stars out of four. —David Germain, AP Movie Writer
“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” — One assumes that when Hollywood gets its hands on a charming children’s book like Richard and Florence Atwater’s 1938 classic, bad things ensue. But director Mark Waters (“Mean Girls,” ”Freaky Friday”) surprisingly has turned in something with its own charm. Yes, it’s a saccharine family film with predictable story lines and glossy studio veneer. But thanks largely to Jim Carrey’s deft, funny performance, enough wit slides in between the cracks that it avoids becoming the kiddie schmaltz it would seem destined to be. Tom Popper (Carrey) has been transferred from the country to the Big Apple, from the poor house to the penthouse. He’s a shark of a real estate developer, and his commitment to work has lost him his wife (Carla Gugino). He sees his kids (Madeline Carroll, Maxwell Perry Cotton) on the weekends. But when his father bequeaths him a penguin and five more follow, the tuxedoed ones — and you saw this coming — turn his life upside down. Slapstick and flatulence jokes follow, but Carrey continuously inserts clever lines and rubbery faces. Waters mixes it well, avoiding too much cheese ball humor, and the film maintains a light breeze despite its wintery environs. With Angela Lansbury as the owner of Tavern on the Green. PG for mild rude humor and some language. 95 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. —Jake Coyle, AP Entertainment Writer
“Buck” — Jack Nicholson has that famous line in “As Good As It Gets” in which he says to Helen Hunt, “You make me want to be a better man.” This will sound corny, but “Buck” will make you want to be a better person. Buck Brannaman, the real-life “horse whisperer” who inspired the novel and the Robert Redford film, just oozes decency, grace and class. And the fact that he doesn’t seem to take himself so damn seriously only adds to his allure. He has a charismatic, no-nonsense style and a dry, low-key sense of humor that help him connect with people of all ages and backgrounds as he travels the country giving clinics 40 weeks out of the year. Cindy Meehl’s documentary about Brannaman does teeter on the brink of deifying him. But then again, it’s hard to argue with her: He seems like a truly good guy doing truly good work. Winner of the documentary audience award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Buck” introduces us to the lifelong cowboy who helps trainers and riders of all levels learn to work more patiently and effectively with their horses. He has an unusually kind and introspective approach, but the fact that Brannaman honed it and reached this point of peace and success in his life, given his horrific upbringing, is what’s truly remarkable. Unrated. 88 minutes. Three stars out of four. —Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Silver Screening Reviews 