“The Hobbit:

An Unexpected Journey”

The film follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

The buzz: Director Peter Jackson offers another visually stunning film with strong performances, but “The Hobbit” fails to dazzle as “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy did.

Length: 170 min.

Show times: 3-D: 12:01 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 2:50 p.m., 6:25 p.m., 10 p.m.

Digital: 1 p.m., 4:35 p.m., 8:10 p.m.

Opening Friday at Cinemark.

“A Late Quartet”

When the cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life-changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration.

The buzz: Although the film suffers moments of melodrama, it is saved by an outstanding ensemble cast, which includes Christopher Walken and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Length: 105 min.

Show times: 7 and 9:05 p.m. Friday; 4:30, 7 and 9:05 p.m. Saturday; 4:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Maiden Alley Cinema.