Opening in local theaters this week

“The Blind Side” (PG-13) — The true story of Michael Oher, the African-American teen who found a home and, eventually, football stardom, after being adopted by a wealthy Memphis family. With Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock.

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (PG-13). The eagerly awaited sequel to the “Twilight” vampire story.

“Planet 51” (PG): The animated story of a human astronaut among little green aliens who, for some uninspired reason, are living the serene “Ozzie and Harriet” life of 1950s America.

Held over

“2012” (PG-13) — Disaster magnet Roland Emmerich (”Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) returns to destroy our planet — again. John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton and Amanda Peet are among the humans trying to make sense of the impending apocalypse. REVIEW

“The Men Who Stare at Goats” (R) — A sort of New Age “Catch-22” which recounts a period in the 1980s when senior officials in the U.S. military and the intelligence services began to believe bizarre things. In top-secret experiments, soldiers tried to kill goats by glaring at them. With George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey and Ewan McGregor.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (PG) — A holiday offering whose gaudy 3-D packaging matters more than the old relic inside. Director Robert Zemeckis favors thrill-ride effects that are more often the star than the servant of the story. With Jim Carrey, Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth and Gary Oldman.

The Fourth Kind (PG-13) — An alien-abduction horror film with Milla Jovovich.

“Couples Retreat“ — Four married couples (among them Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis and Jon Favreau) vacation on an island that specializes in relationship counseling. More than specializes, actually: The therapy is mandatory. REVIEW

“Paranormal Activity” (R) — Without financing, stars or more than a couple of special effects, first-time writer/director Olen Peli has made a diabolically effective essay in irrational horror. REVIEW