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PERSUASION - Hopeless romantics unite! This tale of a young woman whose marriage to a naval officer was thwarted by a meddling friend is vintage Jane Austen. While the movie doesn't have all the bells and whistles and beautiful people of "Sense and Sensibility" (the film adaptation of which earned Emma Thompson an Oscar), it affords quieter enjoyments. "Persuasion" offers a deeper look at a shy woman who develops the courage to seize her own happiness. Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds lead a brilliant British cast. (PG, Sony Pictures Classics)

- April Austin

THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH - Grab your kids and your honey pot and prepare to snuggle down for an hour or so of cozy fun in the 100 Acre Wood. Tigger, wise old Owl, grumpy Eeyore, Piglet, and most of all Winnie the Pooh shine in this feature-length compilation (first released in 1977) of favorites such as "The Honey Tree" and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too." The movie remains remarkably faithful to A.A. Milne's classic stories, preserving his sense of wistful whimsy in story line, animation, and song. (G, Walt Disney Home Video)

- Yvonne Zipp

ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS - In this sequel to "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," Jim Carrey brandishes his unique brand of slapstick humor - always bizarre, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, and now and then just plain gross. This time the eccentric investigator of animal disputes takes a case in Africa, where he's on the track of a missing valuable bat, of all things. The nearly nonexistent plot is really just a vehicle for Carrey's antics, which are entertaining if you're into silly juvenile humor and a bore if you're not. The most memorable thing is Ace Ventura's far-out, winged hairstyle. (PG-13, Warner Home Video)

- Judy Nichols