REEL CRITICS:

“Horton Hears a Who” may be the best Hollywood effort so far to bring a rhyming story by Dr. Seuss to the big screen. It’s the story of Horton the elephant coming upon a speck of dandelion dust that turns out be a miniature planet floating in the jungle air. It’s inhabited by tiny human-like creatures. They’re each called a “Who” and they live in the grand mini-city of “Whoville” on the little dust ball that comes under Horton’s care.

Horton is forced to protect his invisible pals from his skeptical jungle companions who don’t believe there could be life on a speck of dust. In the meantime, the mayor of Whoville must convince his citizens that a giant invisible elephant in the sky controls their destiny.

What follows is a cheerful interplay of philosophy and fantasy about whether we should believe wonderful things that we cannot really see or know to be true.

The audience at my Saturday show was mostly kids younger than 10. They had a blast watching the antics on the screen. But the producers inserted just enough sly, quick jokes for adults to make it enjoyable for parents too.

It may not be Oscar material, but it provides worthy family fun for the youngest of moviegoers.

Heist movie set in London ripe with tension, corruption

Jason Statham is the tough guy at the center of “The Bank Job,” an unusual caper, based on a true story.

He leads a mixed band of thieves who pull off the famous 1971 robbery of Lloyd’s Bank in London.

They tunnel into the vault and net millions in cash, gold and jewels.

But they also find interesting documents and photos suitable for blackmail in the safety deposit boxes of the wealthy.

This unexpected discovery fuels the rest of the story.

Suddenly government leaders, English royalty and corrupt cops are caught up in a desperate effort to retrieve the incriminating items.

The ensuing cat-and-mouse game involves British Intelligence agents and famous people in high places.

Infrequent but pointed violence drives the tension as the action unfolds.

It forces the viewer to take a serious view of the possible outcomes, even though a wry sense of humor sneaks into the plot developments.

Political satire is a welcome addition to the usual crime thriller scenario.

This movie might fall short of being true Oscar material, but it’s a very enjoyable popcorn ride.

There will be blood and more blood

Moviegoers expecting to find comedy in “Funny Games” should beware — there’s nothing remotely mirthful in Michael Haneke’s remake of his own 1997 thriller.

This is a very realistic tale of a family held hostage in their vacation home for one very long day and night. If the director’s purpose was to fill us with unease and revulsion in every second, then he’s succeeded 100%.

Naomi Watts and Tim Roth play Ann and George, living the good life with their son Georgie (Devon Gearhart) and looking forward to two weeks at their tasteful Pottery Barn-furnished “cottage.”

No sooner do they arrive when two well-mannered young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet) show up at their door, dressed in tennis whites and gloves.

But don’t let their cherubic, fresh faces fool you — they are pure evil.

Unlike most slasher movies, this one offers no rhyme or reason, nor even a satisfying resolution for all the torture these poor people must endure. Much of the actual violence is off-screen, but the effect is still the same; I can’t recall seeing a film this disturbing since “A Clockwork Orange.”

In the movie’s favor, the production values and acting are superb, and Watts in particular delivers a bravura performance. “Funny Games” can be said to be a pointed statement about audiences who view violence as fun. Nobody’s laughing now.

Fantastic costumes, plot a welcome escape

“Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” harkens back to a movie era when ladies had satin boudoirs and took luxurious bubble baths while eating chocolates.

Its madcap ways are saved from total silliness by the substantial charms of Amy Adams (who seems to be everywhere these days) and Frances McDormand in the title role.

Miss Pettigrew has just been fired again as a governess for being too judgmental, and no one will hire her. Out of desperation, she boldly steals a lead from the employment agency and shows up at the posh digs of Delysia Lafosse (Adams), who is in a state of fluttery panic.

Delysia has the rather enviable problem of juggling three handsome lovers. Although she finds it shocking, Pettigrew is soon dispatching order out of chaos like a frumpy Mary Poppins, and she becomes the young woman’s social secretary.

All the action takes place in one very long day and night, and before it is over Pettigrew has a glamorous makeover, meets a charming lingerie designer (Ciarán Hinds) and helps Delysia find the course of true love. If she could just manage something to eat, her life would be practically perfect.

This little movie is great escapist fare and a true pleasure for the eyes with its outrageously glamorous costumes, sets and beautiful people. It’s an odd film for today’s times, but perhaps even more irresistible because of it.

JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.