HHH "THE AVENGERS" (PG-13) This tale of super heroes teaming up against invading evil works because the action's cool, the cast is solid and Robert Downey Jr. is there to liven things up with funny quips whenever the plot sags. The final battle is amazing. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and a mild drug reference. 140 min. [MC, PV, RA]

HH "BATTLESHIP" (PG-13) The plot is silly and the stars aren't all A-Listers, but if you're looking for a mindless "battle the aliens with Navy ships" story, this is the flick for you. It helps if you're a "Friday Night Lights" fan, as the director and two stars once did time on that Texas gridiron. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language. 131 min. [MC, PV, RA]

HH "THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL" (PG-13) A great British cast makes this story of retirees pinning their hopes on a restored Indian hotel a sweet, funny and touching tale--one of the best films of the summer so far. With Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language. 124 min. [PV]

"CHERNOBYL DIARIES" (NOT REVIEWED) (R) Six tourists visit an abandoned city that once housed workers from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, only to find they're not alone. With Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Olivia Dudley. Rated R for violence, some bloody images and pervasive language. 86 min. [MC]

HH "DARK SHADOWS" (PG-13) Although Johnny Depp manages to make his moments as vampire Barnabas Collins interesting on screen, the film stumbles trying to blend comedy and horror, not working as either. Rated PG-13 for comic horror violence, sexual content, some drug use, language and smoking. 112 min. [MC, RA, RF]

HH "THE DICTATOR" (R) Sacha Baron Cohen has a few funny moments, but not enough to carry this goofy tale of a brutal dictator come to America. Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language and some violent images. 83 min. [PV]