LOS ANGELES (AP)—Movie beasts from old-time Hollywood got a makeover as heroes and conquered the weekend box office. DreamWorks Animation’s action comedy “Monsters vs. Aliens,“ which features creatures from 1950s flicks in a showdown with invading extraterrestrials, launched itself into the No. 1 spot with a $58.2 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—“Watchmen” clocked in with $55.7 million in ticket sales to claim the top spot at the box office, making director Zack Snyder’s comic book adaptation about a team of twisted superheros the biggest opening of 2009 so far.

The most unintentionally hilarious moment in “Watchmen”? There are so many to choose from, so very many.  But it would have to be the love scene played out on a desert planet at sundown, the two naked lovers standing and kissing in front of a nuclear explosion and mushroom cloud.

The important thing to know about “The Velveteen Rabbit” is that it isn’t “The Velveteen Rabbit” at all; rather it is merely inspired by “The Velveteen Rabbit.“ Which is to say it uses a couple of fleeting ideas from the beloved children’s tale by Margery Williams, but mostly it just makes up the rest of the story. That is sort of like calling a film “Gone With the Wind” because it has a character named Rhett and takes place during the Civil War.

Film review: Loving the human “I’ve Loved You So Long”    When we first see Kristin Scott Thomas in “I’ve Loved You So Long,“ she is bone-weary and emotionally damaged.  In movies, there are only two directions a character like that can take. Either she will work her way through her problems and find a form of redemption, or her situation will deteriorate further until it becomes intolerable.

In pro wrestling, the fights are staged, but the pain is real.  Darren Aronofsky’s extraordinary “The Wrestler” begins with the story of a past-his-prime wrestler and takes it to stunning new heights.  The revelation here is Mickey Rourke, finally cashing in on that promise he flashed so long ago and then squandered. As Randy “The Ram,“ he gives a searing portrait of a man who, having once known great fame, is now unable to give up the hope of finding it again.

“The Day the Earth Stood Still”: 1:30, 4:45, 7 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m., 1:15, 3:30, 8 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m., 1:45, 5, 7:15 p.m. Saturday; 1:30, 4:45, 7 p.m. Sunday; 11:30 a.m., 1:45, 5 and 7:15 p.m. Monday; 1:30, 4:45, 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday. $10.

When in doubt, the makers of “Hotel for Dogs” cut to cute dogs.  Which means they must have been in doubt a lot.  Cute canines are not merely a cinematic device in “Hotel for Dogs,“ they are the film’s whole reason for existing. The story, such as it is, is just an excuse to show a never-ending parade of cute dogs, behaving adorably.

Check out the latest movies that are out.

All in all, 2008 wasn’t the best movie year. Even so, the 10 best movies of the year were pretty darned good. 1. “The Wrestler” - Mickey Rourke is brilliant - yes, that Mickey Rourke - as a has-been pro-wrestler trying to find fame again after 20 years.

SAN FRANCISCO—Blockbuster Inc. will begin selling concert tickets at about 500 of its video rental stores, bolstering its effort to create a one-stop shop for entertainment. Under a three-year agreement announced today, Blockbuster’s stores next month will become the primary brick-and-mortar sales outlet for music concerts staged by promoter Live Nation Inc. in the United States.