Here are Mini Reviews from Cineman Syndicate for three movies opening the week of December 15, 2008. 

SEVEN POUNDS. Will Smith re-teams with the director of The Pursuit of Happyness for a troubling movie about a Good Samaritan with a tragic past. Not only is his motivation logically suspect, but how he seeks redemption skirts multiple legal and moral boundaries. The sole bright spot in the maudlin, self-important effort is Rosario Dawson's performance as a heart patient. Thanks to her, the story gains some traction as a romance. Even so, it is the most macabre tearjerker to come along in a while. Adults should think twice about bringing youngsters. When this lump of coal isn't being schmaltzy and falsely mysterious, it's being harsh. (PG-13) BORING DRAMA. Director - Gabriele Muccino; Lead - Will Smith; Running Time - 122 minutes. Capsule Review by John P. McCarthy. (Opens December 19.)

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX. Beware, fainthearted. This stirring animated family film raises the bar for intricate plotting yet may be too scary for the preschool set. Based on the popular children's book, the ingenious meta-fairytale revolves around an intrepid, undersized mouse, a sociable rat, and the grieving princess of a soup-loving kingdom. Chivalry endures but must survive trials in a dank castle dungeon and further below in the Ratworld, where rodents force their captives to do public battle as in ancient Rome. After some intense sequences, a traditional happily-ever-after message rings out in the end. Sigourney Weaver narrates and numerous talented actors lend their voices. (G) GOOD ANIMATED ADVENTURE; Director - Mike Johnson; Lead -Matthew Broderick; Running Time - 87 minutes.  Capsule Review by John P. McCarthy. (Opens December 19.)

THE WRESTLER. Mickey Rourke puts every ounce of himself on the line to portray Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an over-the-hill grappler struggling to recapture past glory and give his life meaning. His body is a totem of self-abuse reflecting a tawdry milieu where brutality, athleticism and showmanship are intertwined. Trying to do for wrestling what select filmmakers have done for boxing, director Darren Aronofsky fashions a bracing movie. Its authenticity is impossible to gainsay, and Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood are excellent as Randy's stripper girlfriend and estranged daughter. Nevertheless, although the gritty piece has a quasi-documentary feel, it's held back by genre conventionality. (R) GOOD DRAMA. Director - Darren Aronofsky; Lead - Mickey Rourke; Running Time - 105 minutes. Capsule Review by John P. McCarthy. (Limited Opening on  December 17.)

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(Poster: The Tale of Despereaux. © 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.)