‘Jack the

Giant Slayer’

An ancient war is reignited when a young farmhand, Jack (Nicholas Hoult), unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants.

The buzz: “Jack the Giant Slayer” is fun, forgettable entertainment. Performances from Hoult and Ewan McGregor almost make up for the bland, impersonal story.

Length: 114 min.

Times: 3D: 12:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:40 p.m.

Digital cinema: 1:50 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:50 p.m. at Cinemark.

‘Quartet’

At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Maggie Smith), an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.

The buzz: Sweet, gentle, and predictable to a fault, “Quartet” is difficult to resist. Blame Dustin Hoffman’s affectionate direction or the charm of the talented cast.  

Length: 97 min.

Times: 7 and 9 p.m. Friday; 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday; 2, 4:30, and 7 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Wednesday at Maiden Alley Cinema.