Movie Scores: How the critics rated the new movies (AP)

"Chronicle" is working its mind-bending powers on critics, earning some of the best reviews in a crowded weekend of new releases.

The sci-fi thriller follows three teenagers who find they've acquired telekinetic abilities after an encounter with a strange object in the forest. AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire gave it three stars out of four, saying: "It owes a great debt to the found-footage conceit of `The Blair Witch Project,' has some of the aesthetic and tonal touches of `Cloverfield' and probes the same sorts of philosophical notions about the burden of power that serve as the basis for the `X-Men' series. And yet, `Chronicle' still has enough energy and ingenuity to serve as thrilling entertainment all its own."

Also opening this weekend is "Big Miracle," based on the true story of a trio of whales who were trapped beneath the Arctic ice in 1988. Lemire gave it two and a half stars out of four, writing: "If a movie is cheesy and knows it's cheesy ? if it embraces the soft, gooey texture and pungent aroma of its own fromage ? does that make it any more palatable as a meal? That is the question to ponder while watching this rousing, feel-good, family-friendly animal adventure."

On the other end of the spectrum, Madonna's "W.E." is getting savaged. The pop star directed and co-wrote this tale that intertwines the scandalous love affair of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) with the fascination of a present-day neglected wife (Abbie Cornish). AP Movie Writer David Germain said: "It's poorly conceived, awkwardly orchestrated, drearily paced and bizarrely assembled. The images have the sheen of a really grand music video or perfume commercial, and the movie has about as much insight." He gave the film just one and a half stars out of four.

Here's a look at how these movies and others fared on the top review websites as of Friday afternoon. Each score is the percentage of positive reviews for the film:

? "Chronicle": Metacritic, 70; Movie Review Intelligence, 70.1; Rotten Tomatoes, 86. Average: 75.4.

? "Kill List": Metacritic, 66; Movie Review Intelligence, 72; Rotten Tomatoes, 75. Average: 71.

? "The Innkeepers": Metacritic, 64; Movie Review Intelligence, 69.4; Rotten Tomatoes, 72. Average: 68.5.

? "Big Miracle": Metacritic, 64; Movie Review Intelligence, 63; Rotten Tomatoes, 68. Average: 65.

? "The Woman in Black": Metacritic, 62; Movie Review Intelligence, 65.9; Rotten Tomatoes, 62. Average: 63.3.

? "W.E.": Metacritic, 33; Movie Review Intelligence, 31.8; Rotten Tomatoes, 17. Average: 27.3.

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Online:

http://www.metacritic.com/

http://moviereviewintelligence.com/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120203/ap_en_ot/us_movie_scores

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