Expectations. Movie trailers create them. Posters do, too.

So when Ricky Gervais appears in the trailer and poster for Stardust, a moviegoer can rightly conclude he plays a supporting role in the movie. But . . . you know where I'm going here.

First, about expectations: sometimes a little beforehand information about a movie can better one's appreciation of it. So, with the best of intentions I tell you: Gervais has a mere 5 minutes of screen-time in Stardust And don't hold your breath waiting for it: he comes in at the 70 minute mark. (At the Brattle Theater, on the left-hand side the screen, is a large illuminated clock - convenient for timing such trivialities. But little things do matter.)

Stardust, which opens August 10th, is a farce similar to The Princess Bride, and equally as entertaining. It has princes and princesses, of course. And witches and magic and yadda, yadda, yadda. (Not the Seinfeld sort.) And it's a fantasy with a scathing sense of humor about itself. (Michelle Pfeiffer- who is terrific as the evil witch Lamia - could easily turn to the camera and say, "It's cliche and we know it.")

I do recommend you see Stardust, and here's a good reason: Robert DeNiro is a kick in the pants as the pirate Captain Shakesphere. If he didn't have fun filming this, he is then, without question, the world's greatest actor.

Some of you might think it a bit strange that DeNiro appears in Stardust. You might say, It's not his kind of movie. But let me remind you of his turn in Brazil. Or to further justify his presence, look at it this way: Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull is the kind of role actors dream of. It's the kind of role they say they want. On the other hand, Captain Shakespeare is the kind of role actors secretly dream of. It won't land nominations. (At face value, it's more likely to be headed for the Razzies.) But damn if it isn't fun. I can hear DeNiro on the phone to his agent: "I don't care. I want this."

Nice choice, Bob.