Ever After: A politically correct retelling of the Cinderella story set in 16th-century France. Gone is the fairy godmother waving her magic wand. Instead, a protofeminist role model (Drew Barrymore) woos her Prince Charming (Dougray Scott) by persuading him to make progressive changes in the political system. Despite the trendy ideological trappings, the romance still throws off sparks as the wicked stepmother (Angelica Huston) does her best to make Cinderella's life miserable. (MPAA Rating — PG-13)

Madeline: Charming adaptation of Ludwig Bemelman's books about a spunky, female orphan at a convent school in Paris. When the preadolescent girl (Hatty Jones) learns that the institution is to be closed because of its principal benefactor's death, she uses every trick in the book to keep it open. She often clashes with its stern but good-hearted headmistress, a young nun (Frances McDormand) who's almost as wacky as she is. A treat for the entire family. (MPAA Rating — PG)

The Mask of Zorro: A successful recreation of the Douglas Fairbanks-Tyrone Power swashbuckler combo, with just the right amount of 1990s, skeptical humor thrown in. The first Zorro (Anthony Hopkins) is imprisoned for 20 years, but his spirit lives on. The downtrodden peasants in old California under Mexican rule fondly remember his defiance of their cruel overlords. When the elderly folk hero finally escapes, he trains an uneducated bandit (Antonio Banderas) to take his place in fighting oppression. (MPAA Rating —PG-13)

One True Thing: Ambitious female journalist (Renee Zellweger) drops her career to take care of her dying mother (Meryl Streep) and gains newfound respect for the older woman's homemaking skills and devotion to family. The young feminist also learns her English professor father (William Hurt) isn't the good, wise man he pretends to be. When the older woman dies of a morphine overdose, the movie takes a pro-death position, suggesting that suicide or mercy killings are proofs of psychological strength. (MPAA Rating — R)

The Parent Trap: A cleverly updated remake of Disney's 1961 classic about twins, separated at birth, who scheme to reunite their divorced parents. At summer camp the emotionally open American twin (Lindsay Lohan) meets her snotty English counterpart. After an initial clash they change places and work to get their father (Dennis Quaid) and mother (Natasha Richardson) back together. Set against today's culture of divorce, it plays like a plea for the return of traditional nuclear families. (MPAA Rating —PG)

Return to Paradise: Three party animals have their hedonistically based friendship put to the test. A youthful environmentalist (Joaquin Phoenix) is sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug dealing. The authorities have been persuaded to reduce his sentence if his two stateside buddies (Vince Vaughn and David Conrad) will return and plead guilty with him. As they had given him the hashish, they are stricken with remorse. They must examine their consciences and decide whether to go back. An interesting morality tale marred by excessive profanity and sexual promiscuity. (MPAA Rating — R)

Saving Private Ryan: Steven Spielberg's ultravio-lent look at the D-Day landing on Normandy Beach and its aftermath. The first 24 minutes are a harrowing, documentary-style sequence about the landing itself. The rest is a more conventional yarn about a ranger unit that's sent to rescue an enlisted man (Matt Damon) whose three brothers have been killed in combat. The commanding officer (Tom Hanks) wrestles with inner doubts throughout. A first-rate film that honors its soldiers' bravery and sacrifice even though its admirers often overpraise its accomplishments. (MPAA Rating — R)

Simon Birch: An undersized 12-year-old boy (Ian Michael Smith) believes God has a plan for him. His best friend (Joseph Mazello) and the local Protestant pastor (David Strathairn) have their doubts. The small town's unwed mother (Ashley Judd) is the only person who respects his faith. A carefully calculated tearjerk-er with occasional theological speculations, the movie takes cheap shots at organized religion and tries to titillate with lame jokes about adolescent sexuality. (MPAA Rating — PG)

Smoke Signals: A movie history first — Native American filmmakers get to tell their own story about contemporary indigenous life. Two young men leave their reservation to collect the ashes of one of their fathers. The too-hip, handsome athlete (Adam Beach) and his nerdy, storytelling companion (Evan Adams) make an odd couple as they uncover the truth about the older man's life. The movie's combination of ironic humor and passionate grievances is an original mix. (MPAA Rating —PG-13)

The Thief: A dark, harrowing, intelligent allegory about Stalinism in the Soviet Union. A Russian army officer (Vladimir Mashkov) seems the perfect knight in shining armor to rescue a single mother (Ekaterina Rednikova) and her son (Misha Philipchuk) from poverty and despair. The young boy accepts him as a surrogate father and learns important lessons about manhood. But his role model turns out to be a professional thief, and the young boy's disillusionment parallels the Russian people's attitudes toward dictator Stalin. (MPAA Rating — R)

—John Prizer