BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The following selections of movie picks include a story about a boy superhero, a revealing look at a popular female aviator, love vignettes set in New York, an over-the-top violent thriller and a drama set in South Africa.

“Skin” – If this were not a true story, it would be unbelievable. This riveting drama, set in 1950s South Africa, stars Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill and Alice Krige. “Skin,” based on true events, focuses on Sandra Laing (Okonedo), who was born black to white Afrikaner parents in South Africa.

The movie, directed by Anthony Fabian, serves as a stirring metaphor for birthrights and the affirmation of a person’s individuality in the face of tyranny. After Sandra is declared black by the legal system, her parents fight to get her reclassified as white — taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

Okonedo is authentic and mesmerizing. The story is incredible and heartbreaking.

Living in her “Skin” requires a fierce amount of fortitude. This film is truly a winner and should not be missed. “Skin,” which opened in Los Angeles Oct. 30, gets an E (excellent).

“Amelia” — The mystery behind what happened to Amelia Earhart remains a mystery. However, we learn more about her private life in the drama that chronicles her meteoric rise to fame, record-setting flights, and fiery spunk. Although we all know how this story ends, it still leaves you an emotional wreck. Hilary Swank is brilliant as the famous aviator. Richard Gere plays her husband, George Putnam. The movie also stars Ewan McGregor. “Amelia,” currently in theaters, is rated PG. It gets an O (OK).

“Law Abiding Citizen” — Jamie Foxx stars in and F. Gary Gray directs this high-octane thriller about a vigilante family man (Gerard Butler) who, by mysterious means, implements his own brand of justice after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered. Foxx plays an assistant district attorney determined to reign in the violent perpetrator. The story is a bit campy and contrived. The violence is over the top. The film also stars Viola Davis and Bruce McGill. “Law Abiding Citizen” is Rated R for strong, bloody, brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language. Now in theaters, the movie gets an L (Likeable).

“Where the Wild Things Are” — This is a scrumptious, feel-good movie for the whole family. If you loved the book by Maurice Sendak, chances are you’ll love the movie. The film tells the story of Max (Max Records), a disruptive, lonely 9-year-old boy who loses it one night and goes off on his mom, played by Catherine Keener. Max then ventures into a desolate wilderness inhabited by strange, unruly and emotionally multifaceted creatures. Before you know it, he is their king. You will smile from ear to ear. Spike Jonze directs, Forest Whitaker, Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose and James Gandolfini voice the characters. “Where The Wild Things Are,” currently in theaters, gets an E (excellent).

“New York, I Love You” — Intertwined vignettes make up this pleasant and entertaining romp. Topics of the vignettes range from sex, love, romance to understanding. Of course, the city of New York is also a prominently featured character. Love comes in some of the funniest, weirdest, heartbreaking, surprising ways. Two of the segments are straight up hilarious! The film stars Julie Christie, Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman, Ethan Hawke, Eli Wallach, Cloris Leachman and Shia LaBeouf. “New York, I Love You,” currently in theaters, gets an O (OK).

The DONLOE Scale: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (OK) and E (excellent).