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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas

Starring: Kal Penn, John Cho, Neil Patrick Harris, and Danny Trejo

Synopsis: Hail, hail, the gang's all here... again. This is the third (and possibly final) installment in the Harold and Kumar stoner franchise. Each chapter has brought something different to the table. When the pair went to "White Castle" in the first installment, it was surprisingly funny and endearing. It was a movie I thought I wouldn't like, but I ended up finding it funnier than I expected — to the point where I was somewhat excited for the second installment, 2008's "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." That movie wasn't as good as I'd expected, and was crass in a way that was barely palatable. Given that, it was hard to know what to expect from this latest installment. Oddly, this film felt more like the original. It still had portions that were wildly offensive. There is an extremely crass and offensive sequence featuring the film's version of Neil Patrick Harris and Jesus. There are other offensive stereotypes and plot twists as well. That being said, the film is oddly charming and funny in its own way. And, most surprising of all, in its own unique way the movie does get you in the Christmas spirit. I know it's hard to believe, but the film does in fact celebrate Christmas in its own way. The "Harold and Kumar" franchise has its own appeal, thanks mostly to stars Penn and Cho. It's not a family-friendly film, it doesn't have a wide appeal, and it's certainly still crass in the way it brings its unique brand of humor to the screen. But there are moments that will make you laugh, and it's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. This film isn't great, but it's a step up from their last adventure.

Rating: R for strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug use and some violence. Enter with Caution.

Verdict: Two stars out of four

The Rum Diary

Starring: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi, Amber Heard, and Michael Rispoli

Synopsis: This film is based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson and plays out somewhat like a tribute and a love letter from his long-time friend, Depp. Depp gives the kind of fun, funny, quirky performance that he used to be known for before he slide into the over commercialized world of "Pirates of the Caribbean." The film is about a journalist, Paul Kemp (Depp), on the ragged edge. He moves to Puerto Rico to try and right the ship, but he finds much more to drag him under. He also finds a newspaper, country, and working class that are being drug under. There are plenty of quirky observations about the state of America in the late 1950s, as this film takes place in 1960. There are plenty of funny observations on politics, greed, and the imbalance in the class system that sadly still exist today. And there are also plenty of fun adventures and antics, including some of the most humorous sequences imaginable. It's a great performance and part for Depp, befitting his skill as an actor and performer. Equal to the task is Rispoli, as his friend and partner, and Ribisi, who gives his best performance in a while as a burned out reporter with some eccentric interests. The film is a wild ride — at times poignant and at times silly. It's a fitting tribute to the late Thompson, and one of the most enjoyable films I've seen in recent months.

Rating: R for language, brief drug use and sexuality.

Verdict: Four stars out of four

Tower Heist

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Gabourey Sidibe, and Michael Pena

Synopsis: Heist movies are all about the characters. Basically the format of the films as the same, but it’s the characters and the stories that make the movie. That’s the case with “Tower Heist,” a film that not only mixes all the familiar elements of the classic caper film but the elements of our modern economy. In some ways, the film tries to be a bit like a Robin Hood story, with the down-on-their-luck workers robbing from the swindling investment manager to save the pension of their co-workers. Those elements fuse together in a film that’s watchable and entertaining, but far from being a classic of the genre. Brett Ratner doesn’t make the deepest films. His films a mostly action comedies aimed at entertaining the masses. He is responsible for “X-Men: Last Stand,” the “Rush Hour” films, and “Money Talks,” among other works. Here, he mixes his love of comedy and action to create an enjoyable heist caper. This isn’t “Ocean’s 11,” and it isn’t incredibly memorable, but it’s a solidly made film. Stiller does a nice job in the lead role tying the whole endeavor together. The rest of the misfits on his crew are well cast too. Affleck — no stranger to heist films after starring in the “Ocean’s” trilogy — is strong, Pena plays his part well, and Broderick brings his unique comedic styling to the role of Mr. Fitzhugh. Sidibe, best known for the Academy Award nominated role in the film “Precious,” makes a nice addition to the ensemble as well. In addition to the core group, Tea Leoni does a nice job as an FBI agent who is taken with Josh and Alda does well in the role of Shaw. The only the piece that doesn’t really fit that well is Murphy. Though the film is billed as a nice comedy comeback for Murphy, who served as a producer as well, it just doesn’t feel like a good fit. His character is reminiscent of some of Murphy’s best work from the 1980s, but it’s a character that doesn’t work as well within the fabric of this story. In some ways, it feels like it was tacked on. One can’t help but wonder how the film would have played out without Slide. My feeling is it might have been a better finished product. It’s not that Murphy doesn’t do well creating the character, it’s just that it doesn’t feel like the character has a good place in the story that’s being told. “Tower Heist” has some funny moments, and it hits all the predictable plot points you need in this genre, but it’s not overly dynamic. It’s entertaining and light, but that’s about it. Given the state of films in 2011, that might be good enough.

Rating: PG-13 for language and sexual content.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Nov. 11 — "Imortals," "J. Edgar," "Jack and Jill"

Nov. 18 — "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1," "Happy Feet 2," "The Descendants"

Nov. 23 — "The Muppet Movie," "The Artist," "Hugo," "A Dangerous Method," "Arthur Christmas"