Here are the Mini Reviews from Cineman Syndicate for three films opening on February 6, 2009: 

PUSH. You have to be clairvoyant to follow the particulars of this overly complicated, unconvincing thriller about folks with paranormal abilities. You have to be desperately lonely to care. In Hong Kong, two second-generation psychics from America (Evans and Dakota Fanning) are hunted by government baddies seeking another gifted woman (Camilla Belle) in possession of a special drug. There are various paranormal types in this tedious movie world. For example, Movers move objects with their thoughts; Watchers see into the future; Stitches heal wounds; Wipers erase memories; and Pushers plant ideas in other people's heads. Audience members will kill for one who is able to speed up time. (PG-13) BORING ACTION-THRILLER. Director - Paul McGuigan; Lead - Chris Evans; Running Time - 121 minutes. 

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. Most real-life relationships are more exciting than the ones in this soporific ensemble dramedy, which manages to drain all the fun out of modern-day romance. The script, from a book by two Sex and the City writers, fakes incisiveness as it disabuses various Baltimore residents of their shallow preconceptions vis-à-vis dating and marriage. Jennifer Anniston wants to marry Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson aspires to be a home-wrecker, and Ginnifer Goodwin just wants to be loved. "Don't try so hard" is the overarching message yet that's what the glossy movie does, creating a deflationary effect and obscuring any humor, drama, or passion. (PG-13) BORING ROMANCE. Director - Ken Kwapis; Lead - Ginnifer Goodwin; Running Time - 126 minutes. 

CORALINE. It's one thing not to coddle children; it's another to creep them out. From a craft perspective, this rendering of Neil Gaiman's book, by the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, should be admired. But the story is quite dark and sinister, falling somewhere between Psycho for kids and a hallucinogenic Mommie Dearest. Upon moving into a rambling Oregon house, the young heroine enters an alternate reality populated by unpleasant versions of her parents and eccentric neighbors. Although stop-action animation is ideal for 3-D, this material isn't crowd-pleasing enough to warrant all the effort Hollywood studios are devoting toward making the projection format more commonplace. (PG) FAIR ANIMATION. Director - Henry Selick;  Lead - Dakota Fanning; Running Time -100 minutes. 

(All three capsule reviews by John P. McCarthy)

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