Marta Barber

An extraordinary movie that ruffled many feathers when it first came out. Almost 40 years later, it retains the poignancy it delivered back then. Its message is not lost in our present state of affairs.

Though all actors are up to the challenge, it is the plot that makes The Inheritance shine.

In House of Sand, shifting sands are not a cliché; they provide the essential emotional and visual elements that make this film memorable.

If you like guessing games, don't miss it.

Enlightening documentary.

It is pretty convincing in its argument that China has every intention of destroying the culture of Tibetans.

Sharp, witty and decidedly different.

Campfire looks a bit drab, perhaps to show the dullness of Zionist life in the 1980s. But this doesn't take away from the poignancy of the film.

As film noirs go, this one is a classic.

A film of rare beauty, lifted by some of the best acting you may see in any film this year.

Groening doesn't judge the monks' actions, nor does he tell us much about their reasons for choosing such a life. Yet the film brings us into their lives not as an observer but almost as a fellow hermit, making you realize how hard -- or easy -- it would be to commit yourself to such a life.

Saraband portrays a sad vision of aging, yet the film is never depressing. For those inclined to search for psychological twists, the film offers plenty of Freudian situations capable of provoking lengthy discussions.

You feel terribly sad and angry at May's foolishness. Yet with so many emotions at hand, The Mother never fails to engage.

The result is a gripping psychological thriller that, while lacking the power of "Funny Games," is still the work of a master.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a multi-layered story, and the more you see those different aspects, the more you'll enjoy the film.

Politics in Three Times is as subtle as the stories being told. The film is probably too slow, too silent and too long for most audiences. But look beyond the quietness, and you'll discover a three-gem jewel.

DiG! is raw, just as the band members themselves.

Ceylan examines human relationships with an eye for details and a soul for the big picture.

Even in its most tedious scenes, Russian Ark is mesmerizing.

A Frenchman may have thought of the story first, but this Korean film pays tribute to the original while perfectly standing on its own.

There's a timelessness to her character that makes her real even today. And in Devos' intense portrayal, she's a woman you admire.

Many questions remain purposely unanswered: Where was the father for 12 years? Why did he want to go away with the kids? What's in a box he finds hidden in the island? Yet, in a remarkable ending, the boys discover their feelings.

Bertucelli nails it.

One thing that strikes you as you watch Shanghai Ghetto is how little mingling there was between the Chinese and the Jews.

The touch of sharp and edgy storytelling has returned to French master Claude Chabrol.

Puts you on edge about what goes on behind the closed doors of the White House. Even if the case against Kissinger is not fully convincing, the documentary keeps you glued to your seat and thinking long after you've left the theater.

Simplicity is ever so eloquent in a film that despite a questionable last scene is outstanding enough that even the credits deserve attention. [06 Feb 1998, p.8G]

The camera work is impressive, his sense of humor sharp, and the characters are well defined. The story leaves something to be desired, but that doesn't mean you won't find situations or lines to enjoy in the comedy. [20 Oct 2006, p.G15]

The Situation is written by Wendell Steavenson, a reporter who served in Iraq, as a work of fiction. Its best quality is that the situation in Iraq appears to be sadly realistic.

Brutal and devastating.

Will leave you taking sides, whether or not that was the film's intent.

May disappoint those who expect a more traditional Chinese setting. But, despite its modern look, this is far from being a Western film.

A film more psychological than passionate, more mental than emotional.

A brilliant film by Lynne Ramsay.

There are many nuances to My Mother's Smile, not all of them evenly told. Yet even when the conversations sound absurd, the film never fails to captivate.

It is a stunning work that captures with elegance -- and touches of lyricism -- the challenge of finding the man through the artist.

Touching.

May not offer anything new, but in its well-tested premise, you can't fail to be seduced.

Cynics may not fall for its melodrama, but Riding Alone is good for everyone else, including children.

Bergman's debut feature is tender yet disturbing, sad yet at times funny.

Never stops having its dark fun.

The impact of Promises comes from the openness of the children.

Go for Zucker is far from a perfect film but it brings easy laughter and joy.

Among the invited guests are Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts. Only one fellow designer is present: Karl Lagerfeld, the German designer settled in Paris.

The beauty of Huo Ji Anqi's film transcends China's lush Hunan province to focus on the peace that comes from within.

Not an ordinary film.

Ushpizin may not turn out to be as popular as Miracle on 34th Street, but if you believe that miracles can happen, it is a perfect outing during the holidays.

Not the kind of documentary that will appeal to a large number of moviegoers. Yet it makes perfect sense that it will be shown on the campus of University of Miami, famous for its strong medical school.

A fresh breath of air, warmer than the icy village in which it takes place. You'll leave the theater with a wink and a smile.

The documentary also has a story to tell, and as such it builds up its drama.

In addition to the interesting camera work, the documentary's undeniable appeal comes in how close Longley gets to the characters, who are all male.

While Cacoyannis' film may not be totally faithful to the master's pen, for literature students and theater lovers, this Cherry Orchard is a rare treat.

An enchanting romantic comedy between two lost souls in the most unexpected of places.

The story is worth telling, one that begs the question: Has anything changed?

The star is the coming together of East and West, and how art provides the medium.

Medem may have disrobed most of the cast, leaving their bodies exposed, but the plot remains as guarded as a virgin with a chastity belt. That's why Sex and Lucía is so alluring.

A rather luminous movie on the power of love.

In a cast of wonderful non-professional actors, unfortunately Osama is the weakest. But to be fair, Barmak focuses more on situations than on developing the characters.

But by the time you understand the meaning of its title, Sabiha Sumar's film has delivered an emotional punch.

Although the unrelenting pursuit of making the Vatican listen becomes a bit tiresome, the portrayals of the two men by Tukur and Kassovitz are engaging.

Takes one side, but it tries to offer hope that change can happen.

What strikes you the most about this well put-together film is how little you're drawn to either character or really understand where either is coming from.

An engaging and powerful portrayal of puberty gone awry.

Admirers of the author will find in Edmond all the elements that turned Mamet into a favorite.

Far removed from being a Hollywood production. There are no big-name actors and no fancy camera work. But that's what makes it interesting.

A warm, funny, engaging film by Patricia Cardoso that realistically portrays the struggles of many first-generation American women.

Under the Sun doesn't intend to be dramatic, much less melodramatic. This beautiful film just wants to capture life's simplicity.

Offers a rose-colored picture of life, but one that Campanella makes ring true.

The Iceberg is a riot, a quintessential French comedy with an improbable plot and an unbelievable cast of characters.

In Spanish, the title of the film, El abrazo partido, translates into ''a broken embrace,'' a more fitting description of Ariel's feelings for his father.

Dark Blue World's warm story and beautiful photography almost hits the mark, and it has a great ending.

The film never lacks dignity. Fateless doesn't look at life at the camp like Roberto Benigni did in "Life is Beautiful."

You may be drawn to Intimacy's graphic scenes, but you'll emerge convinced there's more to life -- and the film -- than sex.

Watching a film about an opera can never be as moving as watching the real thing in a great opera house. Musical purists may object to certain details, and film buffs may find the concept unappealing. Yet, for this film and opera lover, Jacquot's Tosca is a treat.

The film is art in all its visual splendor, and no matter how confusing the historic story line may be to Westerners -- and it is -- the images on screen more than compensate for the faults.

Some scenes drag, but Seagull's Laughter is still delightful.

The Lady and the Duke is not about the revolution. It's an intimate story of a woman's perspective during a dramatic event in world history.

Simple and austere, The Cuckoo also draws from the mysticism of tales of gnomes and other creatures who inhabit remote Nordic lands. It is that blend of reality with allegory that delivers the film's beauty and charm.

This is courtroom drama at is best, especially when you listen to the sublime soundtrack.

Despite its stylistic flaws, the acting and the magic of the story make Maelstrom a different kind of film.

A mesmerizing documentary about the rise and fall of a drug lord, perhaps the biggest there ever was.

For all its tumult, The Clay Bird mostly concentrates on its likable characters, all acted with the kind of understatement that makes a good film better.

In between all the emotional seesawing, it's hard to figure the depth of these two literary figures, and even the times in which they lived. But they fascinate in their recklessness.

An engrossing psychological thriller.

The Bank, despite its faulty finale, is a fun and thrilling ride.

Who would have thought a German comedy could be light, charming and devoid of intellectual snobbery?

There's something to be said about an old story given a new ending -- and making it work.

Going Shopping can make a wonderful outing for girlfriends. It's fun.

The film's concept is so absurd and Hamer goes about developing it with such a regimented structure that you have to believe that the filmmaker is poking fun at himself and the world he knows well.

There are few moments when you're not totally absorbed by the film.

Junge had come to terms with her past. And even if you don't come to terms with her life, it's worthwhile knowing about it.

A fascinating look at events mostly unknown to outsiders.

Satire is at the core of Mafioso, whether in establishing the by-now-stereotypical images of Sicilian peasants or the gripping arms of the Mafia.

The stories touch our sensibilities, but the documentary never sugarcoats the childrens' experiences.

Not for those with limited attention spans, though there's never a dull moment.

Secret of this 'Ballot' lies in its humor, charm and universality.

Don't try to figure Emilia's family out. Just sit back and let this family scrapbook move along.

Despite its flaws, The Gatekeeper will keep you engaged.