Josh Hutcherson

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent will remain free while he awaits trial for intoxication manslaughter, as a judge on Friday denied a request by prosecutors to revoke his bond due to problems with alcohol monitoring.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: “Epic,” the latest from Blue Sky Studios (the “Ice Age” films, “Robots” “Horton Hears a Who” and “Rio”) is at times breathtakingly beautiful. The Chris Wedge-helmed feature presents a visual step-up for Blue Sky and we are luckier for it. The film features a rich and compelling vision of a forest populated by a variety of tiny creatures and protected by the Leafmen.  Leafmen, who most closely resemble tiny humans, don weapons and travel by hummingbird, are locked in combat with the Boggans, led by Mandrake (Christoph Waltz, enjoying himself despite lacking motivation or really any memorable lines). When the Queen of the Forest (Beyoncé Knowles) is threatened during a ceremony to name her successor, Leafmen leader Ronin (Colin Farrell, toned down and all the better for it) crosses paths with M.K. (Amanda Seyfried) and the duo must deliver a flower bulb to a legendary location and…save the forest. Along for the ride is Nod (Josh Hutcherson), a...