Critics of every stripe are weighing in this time of year, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is no exception.

The organization gives two paws up to: "Marley & Me," thanks to its message that dogs are family members, whether they're naughty or nice; "Bolt," which reminds watchers that dogs would rather play in the yard than perform on a soundstage; and "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," for using realistic alternatives to live animals.

PETA gave thumbs down to "Speed Racer" because a chimp bit an actor; "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," for milking laughs from animal abuse; and "Semi-Pro," for featuring a grizzly bear provided by a group cited for animal welfare violations (after the movie's release, the bear killed a trainer).

Delivering mixed messages: "The Dark Knight," "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" and "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."

Quick hits

• Forty-nine songs are in contention for the three, four or five slots for Best Original Song at the Oscars. And, no surprise here, 11 are from "High School Musical 3: Senior Year." The list also includes "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" from "Hamlet 2" and Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler," which plays over the closing credits of the Mickey Rourke picture.

• "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" returns to theaters today riding a new wave of critical acclaim for Penelope Cruz as a jealous ex-wife. The Woody Allen movie, also starring Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall, opens at the Destinta theaters in Bridgeville and North Versailles.

• You haven't lived until David Newell has saluted you with "Speedy Delivery!" The "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" regular will be at today's 5 p.m. showing of "My Tale of Two Cities" at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont. He will sign DVDs and photos and pose for pictures after the Carl Kurlander movie.

• "It's a Wonderful Life" will be shown for free -- yes, free -- at the Regent Square Theater, 1035 S. Braddock Ave. in Edgewood, today through Monday. Shows will be at 8 p.m. each day, with additional 5 p.m. screenings tomorrow and Sunday.

• If you are trying to buy local this holiday season, it doesn't get more local than this.

The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Shop, 6300 Fifth Ave., is selling work by local artists and artisans, including the DVD "Pittsburgh Reframed (at 250)," a collection of new shorts by local film and video artists that includes snippets of a 1958 Pittsburgh promotional film. That original footage, cleaned and copied to high-definition video, is on the disc, too.

Contributing new shorts, each 2 minutes and 50 seconds long: Mike Bonello, Tony Buba, Olivia Ciummo, Brian Cohen, Matthew R. Day, Tess Allard, Carolina Loyola Garcia, Anna Hawkins, Ben Hernstrom, Charlie Humphrey, Thad Kellstadt, Brady Lewis, Michael Mallis, Jesse McLean, Bob Rutkowski, Elizabeth Seamans, Minette Seate, Chris Smalley, Josh Tonies and Lucian Wintrich.