Young FBI trainee Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe, left) tries to catch Robert Hanssen, a suspected spy (Chris Cooper), in 'Breach.' UNIVERSAL PICTURES/ASSOCIATED PRESS Visit the Photo Place

ACTORS SHINE IN 'TERABITHIA'

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Date published: 2/22/2007

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA (PG) HHH

STARRING: JOSH HUTCHERSON, ANNASOPHIA ROBB, ZOOEY DESCHANEL, ROBERT PATRICK

RUNNING TIME: 95 MIN.

While the trailers are misleading--this isn't a film dominated by special effects and amazing creatures--this tale of friendship between two youngsters is a sweet and surprisingly affecting story about the life-changing power of an open, inventive mind.

Hutcherson and Robb are perfect as middle school students Jesse and Leslie, neither quite fitting in.

Young Leslie has a funky fashion sense and embraces life by escaping into beautiful fantasies she creates in a tree house the pair find in a nearby woods.

He's an aspiring artist who can't quite understand why his father (Patrick) shows affection to his sisters, but never to him.

Robb is absolutely captivating as the positive-thinking Leslie, and Hutcherson makes Jesse a believable, though sensitive, teen.

Parents of young children be- ware: There's real loss and heartache here that the very young may have trouble with.

But even that is dealt with in a sensitive and real way in this movie that touches the heart with a life-changing friendship that rings true.

Rated PG for thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language. [RF, RA, M]

BREACH (PG-13) HHH

STARRING: CHRIS COOPER, RYAN PHILLIPPE AND LAURA LINNEY

RUNNING TIME: 110 MIN.

With the masterful Cooper in the role of American secret-selling FBI agent Robert Hanssen, this tale of the agency's effort to catch him in the act is a taut, well-paced battle of wits.

Waging that battle with Hanssen is young FBI agent Eric O'Neill (Phillippe), who is befriended and confused by the boss he's supposed to catch in the act of selling intelligence.

Linney is solid as O'Neill's superior, who acknowledges Hanssen's talents, but wants to bring the turncoat down to keep him from undoing a lifetime of work by her and others.

All three actors do the engrossing script justice. Phillippe makes the audience understand how difficult it is for him to play a role that's the key to taking down this man he can't help but like.

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language. [RF]

GHOST RIDER (PG-13) HH

STARRING: PETER FONDA, NICOLAS CAGE, SAM ELLIOT, EVA MENDES

RUNNING TIME: 114 MIN.

HOW WE RATE 'EM H Don't waste your time. HH Nothing special HHH You'll be sorry if you miss it. HHHH A must-see

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Date published: 2/22/2007