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SOMETHING NEW From Silver Streak to Bringing Down the House, there have been numerous movies in which an uptight Caucasian is taught how to loosen up by an African-American acquaintance. Something New reverses that formula, but beyond this little-seen novelty, there's not much about this romantic comedy that transcends the story's expected ebb and flow. Here, the rigid individual is Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan), a workaholic who doesn't have time to look for her IBM (ideal black male). When she finally does make time to go on a blind date, she's stunned that the guy, a landscape architect (Simon Baker), is white. Something New is a diamond in the rough, blessed with a vibrant leading lady and choice moments dealing with racial tensions but marred by occasional clunky dialogue and perfunctory supporting characters. This delivers more often than not, but for an exemplary love story starring Sanaa Lathan, rent Love and Basketball. Rating: **1/2

OPENS FRIDAY, FEBbruary 24:

DOOGAL: Animated; voices of Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg.

RUNNING SCARED: Paul Walker, Chazz Palminteri.

THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA: Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper.

TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood.

THE WHITE COUNTESS: Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson.