CAPSULES

‘The Fourth Kind’

(Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton) In Nome, Alaska, a psychologist (Jovovich) believes alien abduction may be why a number of her patients are waking at 3:33 a.m. and seeing a mysterious owl, then acting erratically. Writer/director Olatunde Osunsanmi gives a pseudo-documentary feel by constantly interweaving (fake) archive footage with dramatic re-enactments. It’s all pretty distracting, and none of it works, though diehard sci-fi fans may find it amusing. Rated PG-13.

‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’ 

(George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey) A reporter (McGregor) in Kuwait meets soldier Lyn Cassady (Clooney), who tells him about the “First Earth” army battalion led by a Vietnam veteran (Jeff Bridges) who believes psychic powers can help prevent conflict. It’s supposedly based on a true story, but the occasionally amusing satire falls flat when the humor

misses and the story gets

too dramatic. Rated R.

‘This Is It’ 

(Michael Jackson, Orianthi, Kenny Ortega) More than 100 hours of rehearsal footage (shot from March through June 2009) for Jackson’s “This Is It” concerts is broken down into a 112- minute movie in the last original work we’re going to see from the King of Pop. Director Kenny Ortega includes all the hits you’ll expect, and the film is an upbeat reminder of Mr. Jackson’s exceptional talent, showmanship, and creativity. Rated PG. 