The Raven: Baltimore's favorite son gets a revisionist makeover in this frankly dull and frequently off-putting Sherlock Holmes-ian take on the final days of Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack, an awful casting choice). It's a mishmash of serial killings based on Poe stories.
- Marc Savlov
Rock of Ages: The hair-metal songbook proves sturdy in this entertaining jukebox musical about young performers (Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta) trying to make it in L.A.'s rock scene circa 1987. The supporting performances are wonderful, especially that of Tom Cruise, who outdoes himself as a decadent frontman.
- Kenneth Burns
