DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. 2.5 stars. Eddie Murphy stars in the true story of Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comedian and failed singer whose alter-ego _ an iconic pimp _ became a phenomenon and the central character of a blaxpoitation film during the 1970s. The movie isn't as funny as we might have expected from the return of Murphy, whose earlier bad movie chronicle "Bowfinger" is a neglected example of the genre. But it's often unexpectedly sweet. 1 hr. 58 R (language) _ Gary Thompson
DOWNTON ABBEY. 3 stars. In this big-screen adaptation of the TV series, excitement runs high when the Crawley family and the Downton Abbey staff learn that the king and queen will be stopping by for a visit. Screenwriter Julian Fellowes, the creative soul of the show, has delivered a knottily plotted story as tasty (and probably as nourishing) as a Pimm's Cup. 2 hrs. 01 PG (speaking out of turn) _ Gary Thompson
GEMINI MAN. 2 stars. Will Smith stars as an aging assassin who is forced to face off against a younger, cloned version of himself. Going back to watch Men in Black is a more satisfying way to see Will Smith in his twenties. 1 hr. 57 PG-13 (violence) _ Gary Thompson
JOKER. 2 stars. Joaquin Phoenix stars in this tale of how a down-on-his-luck clown and comedian evolved into the super-villain who would torment Gotham City. Phoenix's emotional intensity pushes his character beyond the usual limits of comic-book movies. 2 hrs. 2 R (violence, language) _ Gary Thompson
JUDY. 2.5 stars. Entertainer Judy Garland (Renee Zellweger) arrives in London in 1969 to play a series of shows while her life spirals downward. Not always effective, but at its best when Zellweger hits the stage. 1 hr. 58 PG-13 (substance abuse, thematic content, some strong language, smoking) _ Gary Thompson
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME. 3 stars. Claims that the movie rom-com is dead are somewhat exaggerated: Like most everything else in Hollywood, it has relocated to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this sequel to "Avengers: Endgame," our hero faces a new series of threats. Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal star. 2 hrs. 9 PG-13 (sci-fi action violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments) _ Gary Thompson
