THE INCREDIBLE HULK (PG-13, 114 minutes)
This new big-screen take on the Marvel Comics antihero is lighter on its giant green feet than the grim 2003 movie ("Hulk," PG-13). It has the frenetic energy of a chase thriller such as "The Bourne Ultimatum," though its dialogue scenes don’t exactly crackle and at times are just plain lame. Even so, "The Incredible Hulk" is largely an entertaining ride. It takes place five years after scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) was caught in an experiment gone wrong and afflicted with "gamma sickness." Whenever he gets angry, he morphs into the superstrong, wild-eyed, seething, very green Hulk. Yes, he is one big metaphor.
Banner has been living incognito in a Brazilian slum, working at a bottling plant, practicing anger management and hiding from the amoral Gen. Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt), who wants to use Banner’s freakish condition to create uber-soldiers. Ross figures out where Banner lives and sends commandos to capture him, but they arrive just as bullies have picked a fight with him and he has become the Hulk after months of keeping his alter ego at bay. He pounds the bullies, then escapes, eventually making his way to the college where his love, fellow scientist Betty (Liv Tyler), the general’s estranged daughter, teaches. Stunned to see him, but still in love, Betty tries to help. It is their almost-love scenes and lackluster dialogue that let the movie get dippy now and then. Meanwhile, the lead commando, Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), demands to be given the same poison that damaged Banner in hopes of enhancing his strength for their next fight, which is a deafening doozy.
The movie is fine for most high schoolers, but some moments could freak out sensitive middle schoolers. There are huge hypodermic needles and gross morphing scenes when Banner transforms into the Hulk and when Blonsky becomes Hulk’s far ickier nemesis, the Abomination, with vertebrae bursting out of his huge lizard-headed frame. The chases, helicopter crashes, car-hurling and massive gun battles are lively, loud and long, but not exceptionally graphic. There is also semi-crude language, a brief non-explicit sexual situation and cigar smoking.

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JASPER AIR SHOW, April 5 and 6 at Jasper County Bell Field Airport, U.S. 290 west of Jasper. The show features displays of modern and vintage military and civilian aircraft, an aerial fly by from Barksdale Air Force Base, aerial shows, stunt flying, a radio-controlled aircraft demonstration, stock car racing, parachute jump and free airplane rides for children. Food will be available for purchase. Lawn chairs welcome. Ice chests, large bags, backpacks or animals are not permitted. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days, show at noon April 5; and 1 p.m. April 6. Adults $10, free for children 12 and younger. (409) 384-2626 or www.jasperairshow.com
ROUND TOP ANTIQUES FAIR, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 4; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5 at the Carmine Dance Hall, U.S. 290, and the Big Red Barn and the tent at the Big Red Barn, U.S. 237 North in Round Top. (512) 237-4747.
“EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY,” an art exhibition by San Antonio folk painter, M.F. Creese, continues through April 6 at the Art Gallery and Museum, 343 Texas 87 in Crystal Beach. (409) 684-6468. The Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Arts Foundation sponsors the event. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. (409) 684-6468, (409) 286-2288 or www.bolivarfoundation.com
“THE ART GUYS: CLOUD CUCKOO LAND,” an exhibition by Houston artists Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing, continues through April 6 in the Steinhagen Gallery at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St. The exhibition features selections from 25 years of the team’s “drawings, proposals, failed schemes and pipe dreams. Also on view, “Defining Moments: An Exhibition of Works by Bryan Collier,” featuring 47 original works in watercolor and collage by the award-wining children’s book illustrator, continues through April 27. The exhibition focuses on people who have greatly affected American culture and influenced the world, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. One of the highlights of the exhibit will display Collier’s newest book, “Rosa - A Tribute to Rosa Parks.” Visitors may board a replica of the bus on which Parks made history. There will be a video focusing on the act that changed a nation, and information about other heroes featured in the exhibit. In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will have a series of free “Read and Draw” programs, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 5 and 12. Children will listen to age-appropriate stories and create their own illustration for the story. Librarians from City of Beaumont Libraries and the Vidor Public Library will select books, one for ages 4-7, and one for ages 8-12. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. (409) 832-3432 or www.amset.org.

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