Critics

"Pandorum," an R-rated sci-fi thriller, opens today in general release. The film did not screen for critics; its review will appear online at latimes.com/moviereviews as soon as it is available.

The documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has a story he clearly loves to tell. He was walking in New York City a few years ago -- on a date -- when he heard a man he'd just passed yell violently back at him: "What about Mingus?!" Preceding the name of the protean jazz bassist was a pungent (and unprintable) expletive. Burns turned to his date and reassured her. "It's just about 'Jazz,' " he said, referring to his 10-part history shown on PBS in 2001, which drew big audiences and critics' complaints that he overlooked key figures.

Far away from the criticism he has been taking in the States for being a part-time player with the Galaxy, David Beckham is taking criticism in England for being a part-time player for the English national team. Beckham recently became England's most-capped outfield player, breaking World Cup winner Bobby Moore's record of 108 national-team appearances. But critics have called Beckham's record-breakers "cheap," as he has earned them by coming off the bench in the second half. "It amazes me," Beckham said.

"Saw VI," an R-rated horror movie, opens today in general release but did not screen for critics. The review will appear online at latimes.com/moviereviews as soon as it is available.

"The Stepfather," a PG-13 horror-thriller, also opens today in general release but did not screen for critics. The review will appear online at latimes.com/moviereviews as soon as it is available.