Director Martin Scorsese has made a lively if overlong biopic about moneybags Howard Hughes, focusing on his early years as a Hollywood playboy, movie producer and aviation pioneer. Leonardo DiCaprio scores as Hughes and Cate Blanchett contributes a witty turn as a bossy Katharine Hepburn. (PG-13)
The Merchant of Venice
That fellow William Shakespeare sure knew how to write a courtroom scene. There's a corker of one near the end of this handsome, crisply played version of the Bard's drama about Shylock (Al Pacino), the vengeful moneylender. Jeremy Irons and Lynn Collins costar. (R)
Fat Albert
Hey, hey, hey, this kids' comedy is no more than okay. (PG)
