Lou Lumenick

It's as purely entertaining as it is thought-provoking and timely.

Arguably the year's most entertaining art-house film.

Strictly a love it-or-hate-it proposition, it requires viewers to work at a movie with a narrative that could support at least half a dozen interpretations.

A remarkable, eye-popping nature documentary.

The time passes quickly. This is the rare remake that does honor to the spirit of the original.

Forget those weepie liberal clichés. This starless and vividly authentic romantic thriller set in Central America really rocks, and is one of the most exciting directorial debuts in years.

Slowly builds power to devastating effect.

It’s perhaps the most incisive and funniest Hollywood take on Broadway since Mel Brook’s original “The Producers.”

A remarkably assured feature debut by Bennett Miller, a longtime director of commercials (and the documentary "The Cruise") whose no-frills style trusts that the powerful material and the uniformly excellent performances need little embellishment.

Phoebe in Wonderland happens to be at least partly a Lifetime movie, but this special little film is no disease-of-the-week tear-jerker.

Tim Burton's best film in years.

Combines big laughs, a big heart and thoroughly winning characters to become the first big surprise of the fall season.

A technological landmark that couldn't look or sound better.

Clooney, who gained 35 pounds for the role, gives a self-effacing but highly effective performance.

At its heart, this is a thrilling tribute to a modest hero who rose to an extraordinary occasion.

This movie belongs to its young stars, who have grown immensely as actors since they were first ideally cast by Chris Columbus, the hack who directed the first two movies.

The first filmed Shakespeare comedy in decades that’s actually funny.

Morris' most gripping film since "The Thin Blue Line," is the year's scariest movie.

Not a film for all tastes, but it's a considerable artistic achievement.

Schrader's strongest movie since "Affliction," is another meditation on American masculinity powerfully told with great wit and style.

Even with his clothes on, this is Mortensen's best and richest performance, worthy of serious awards consideration. He lends a moral complexity to Eastern Promises that makes it much more than just a very accomplished action thriller.

Davis, a hugely underrated actress..., is deadpan perfection as Joyce, wearing oversized glasses and a wig that makes her look like an older version of Thora Birch's character in "Ghost World."

Gut-Bustingly funny moves are pretty rare, so hustle over to Kung Fu Hustle, actor-director Ste phen Chow's exhilaratingly hilarious and affectionate send-up of Hong Kong action flicks.

Not many people are making silent horror serials these days, but Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin pushes his love of lurid melodrama to the limit in his latest demented treat, Brand Upon the Brain!