Movies available in the Aiken Regal theater for Feb. 3 weekend

The Woman in Black NEW!

Daniel Radcliffe acquits himself reasonably well in his first adult big-screen role, a man haunted by “The Woman in Black.” He plays a young lawyer, a single father and widower with enough conviction to make this spooky period piece credible, though one might wish for a little more fear in the character and in his performance when confronted by the supernaturally sinister. I guess once you’ve faced down Lord Voldemort, you ain’t afraid of no ghosts. Arthur Kipps is a failing young barrister in the Britain of the early 1920s. He still grieves for his wife, who died in childbirth. But he has a young son to support, so he seizes one last chance to prove himself to his firm – a trek to the north of Britain, to the marshy east coast where he must rummage through the papers of a family whose long-abandoned mansion, Eel Marsh, is to be sold. The residents of the dank, grey and backward little village of Crythin Gifford aren’t very welcoming. There’s no room at the inn, no smile at any door. Only the county’s wealthiest man, Samuel Daily (Ciaran Hinds), will give Arthur the time of day. He hints at an explanation for the apparition Arthur has seen at Eel Marsh, but he dismisses it: “Don’t go chasing shadows, Arthur.” Naturally, that’s exactly what Arthur does. “The Woman in Black” is a very spooky movie. Old-fashioned and old school, it makes a convincing case for life after death and, for Radcliffe, life after Harry Potter.

3 stars out of 4 — Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, violence and disturbing images. 1 hour, 35 minutes.

Big Miracle NEW!

If a movie is cheesy and knows it’s cheesy – if it embraces the soft, gooey texture and pungent aroma of its own fromage – does that make it any more palatable as a meal? That is the question to ponder while watching “Big Miracle,” a rousing, feel-good, family-friendly animal adventure which has the added benefit of being based on a true story. At its center are three gray whales – a mother, father and baby who found themselves trapped within the quickly forming Arctic ice near Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. The effort to free them in the open water brought together a disparate alliance of environmental activists, oil executives, journalists, native people and even the Soviets toward the end of the Cold War, and it fascinated viewers worldwide. Director Ken Kwapis includes archival footage of the “Big Three” anchors in their heyday – Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings – reporting the story from the climate-controlled comfort of their New York studios. Meanwhile, John Krasinski plays Adam, the boyishly enthusiastic local TV reporter who breaks the story. He gets some help from an adorable little native boy (Ahmaogak Sweeney) who looks up to him as a big brother as well as from his idealistic ex-girlfriend, Greenpeace leader Rachel (Drew Barrymore). But soon everyone’s invading this small, remote town for a piece of the action, which sets up all the fish-out-of-water scenarios you’d expect. Meanwhile, the locals are consistently bemused by the cluelessness of their visitors. Joking aside, though, Kwapis creates genuine suspense as the scores of volunteers struggle against time and the elements to free these creatures. Like a whale itself, “Big Miracle” is large and unwieldy – but it also has its moments of splendor.

21⁄2 stars out of 4 — Christy Lemire, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG for language. 1 hour, 47 minutes.

Chronicle NEW!

After making a surprising discovery, three high school students develop uncanny powers and begin to lose control. With Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan. Written by Max Landis. Directed by Joshua Trank.

See page 1C for full review

Rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking. 1 hour, 23 minutes.

The Grey

When their plane crashes in the remote Alaskan wilderness, a group of roughneck oil rig workers struggle to survive injuries, the elements and a vicious pack of wolves. With Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo and Dallas Roberts. Written by Joe Carnahan and Ian Mackenzie Jeffers. Directed by Carnahan.

3 stars out of 5 — Cary Darling, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated R for violence and disturbing content including bloody images and pervasive strong language. 1 hour, 57 minutes.

Man on a Ledge

As a police negotiator tries to talk a fugitive former cop off a ledge, she discovers he may have a plan to prove his innocence and reveal an NYPD conspiracy. With Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell and Anthony Mackie. Written by Pablo F. Fenjves. Directed by Asger Leth.

21⁄2 stars out of 4 — Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

One for the Money

A newly divorced, recently laid-off woman lands a job with a shady bail-bond business and gets swept up in a world of murder and deception. With Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara and Daniel Sunjata. Written by Liz Brixius. Directed by Julie Ann Robinson. — McClatchy-Tribune

1 star out of 4 — Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual references and language, some drug material and partial nudity. 1 hour, 46 minutes.

Red Tails

This World War II historical drama tells the story of the black fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. With Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo and Terrence Howard. Written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder. Directed by Anthony Hemingway.

2 stars out of 4 — Colin Covert, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of war violence. 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Underworld Awakening 3D

After 12 years in captivity, the vampire warrior Selene escapes and enters a new world in which humans are waging war on her kind and werewolves. With Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy and Theo James. Written by Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski and Allison Burnett. Directed by Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein. In 3-D. — McClatchy-Tribune

1 star out of 4 — Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and for some language. 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

After finding a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, a young boy goes on a journey across the five boroughs of New York City. With Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn and James Gandolfini. Written by Eric Roth. Directed by Stephen Daldry.

3 stars out of 4 — Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune

Rated PG-13 for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images and language. 2 hours, 9 minutes