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Here's a look at the movies that opened last Friday. It was actually a decent week, featuring three fairly strong new releases.

Devil

Starring: Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Jacob Vargas, and Bokeem Woodbine

Synopsis: This film, based on a story from M. Night Shymalan, is a throw back to a classic era of thriller and horror films. This is more of a psychological drama than recent horror/thriller films. The movie also has some interesting spiritual tones, which is typical of Shymalan's work. Shymalan didn't write the script or direct this film, but his fingerprints are all over it. The film was directed by John Erick Dowdle, who delivered the film "Quarantine." This has a strong feel, and Dowdle makes the most of the material. The film is entertaining and gives you plenty to think about.

Rating: PG-13 for violence and disturbing images, thematic material and some language including sexual references.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Easy A

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, and Stanley Tucci.

Synopsis: There aren't many teen comedies that can claim multiple Academy Award nominees among the cast, but such is the story with "Easy A," which is surprisingly witty and fun. The film has kind of a cliche plot that's not too kind to Christians with a fairly sterotypical depiction. Olive (Stone) is a girl that doesn't have much of a social life. When she starts pretending to hook up with socially challenged guys to raise their popularity, she finds herself becoming a victim of a bad reputation. When the sterotypical Christian crusader (Bynes) seeks to shame her into better behavior, Olive responds by trying to set the record straight and reclaim her tattered reputation. There is also an amusing tie-in to "The Scarlett Letter," hence the "Easy A" title. But where this film rises above the fray is in its ability to ooze charm and wit, particularly among the adult characters. Clarkson and Tucci are awesome as Olive's parents, and Church gives his best performance since "Sideways" as Olive's favorite teacher. Stone has a charming leading lady quality too, and Bynes is always good for some comic relief. This movie isn't deep, but I laughed a lot.

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

The Town

Starring: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, and Rebecca Hall

Synopsis: This second film from director Ben Affleck is another gritty crime drama set in Boston. I was a huge fan of his work on "Gone Baby Gone," and was pleased with this effort as well. Unlike his directorial debut, Affleck is a star in front of the camera in this film as well, playing a conflicted bank robber named Doug. His best friend and partner, Jem (Renner), is pressuring him to do jobs and spiraling out of control, while a dogged FBI agent (Hamm) tracks him down. In his personal life, Doug is torn between his ex-girlfriend (Lively), who is also Jem's sister, and Claire (Hall), a bank manager that Doug and his crew held hostage during a job. There could have been more plot development, but the performances are tight, the atmosphere works well, and Affleck has an eye for action. The action scenes are tight, including the climactic showdown. This is a taut crime drama that, while it doesn't exactly capitalize on the "Heat" formula, it is engrossing and entertaining.

Rating: R for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use.

Verdict: Four stars out of four.

That's it this week for movies, but on Saturday I will give my grades for the pilots of all the fall premiers I've seen.