“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked”

Alvin and the gang, including the little girl chipmunks we have all grown to love, take their talents onto a cruise ship for vacation. Instead of enjoying time on the boat, the chipmunks go overboard and end up marooned, and meeting the island’s inhabitants is just the beginning of the fun.

The buzz: Here’s the thing: One chipmunk movie was cute. The second movie was thrown at viewers with a huge advertising campaign, and actually wasn’t half bad. The third? They are going too far now. Although Theodore will always be adorable, Simon will always be the smart one, and Alvin will always be over-the-top, the sequels need to stop. But hey, if you have kids, it may be bearable.

Showing at: Cinemark

Movie times: 11:30 a.m. 12:50 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”

Everyone’s favorite eccentric detective is back, along with his sidekick Dr. Watson. This time, they take on their arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty, in a battle of wits and mystery.

The buzz: Robert Downey Jr. plays this role like his life depended on it, and with a strong cast that includes Rachel McAdams and Jude Law, the movie could stand on its own in the action/adventure genre. The fact that the filmmakers didn’t stop there, and added some comedy and romance into the mix, just shows how powerful the second installment in the Sherlock Holmes saga is.

Showing at: Cinemark

Movie times: 11:40 a.m., 1:10 p.m., 2:35 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:25 p.m., and 9:55 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

“Margin Call”

The movie is a close look at the lives of several investment bankers during one 24-hour period before the market crash in 2008. An entry-level analyst sees a fluctuation that could prove to be the downfall for his firm, and a series of very tough, life-altering decisions are made.

The buzz: There aren’t many people who missed out on being in this movie. With youngsters like Zachary Quinto and Penn Badgley to anchor the entry-level actors, to heavyweights like Kevin Spacey and Demi Moore playing the investment bosses, the acting is superb. The premise is high-drama, and not nearly as dry as a banking movie could initially seem.

Showing at: Maiden Alley Cinema

Movie times: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

— Corianne Egan