V.A. Musetto

The bureaucrats in Beijing want to get rid of the sex and full-frontial nudity and scenes of cops beating protesters in Tiananmen Square. I would keep all that but cut out some of the flab in the second half of the 140-minute drama.

First-time director Jeff Malmberg tells Hogancamp's fascinating story with sensitivity, never resorting to exploitation.

No description can do justice to The Mill and the Cross, which must be seen to be fully appreciated.

You want to hate his characters? Go ahead. You want to feel sympathy for them? That's OK too. In either case, you'll be shaken by Drama/Mex.

It is beautifully shot, with impeccable acting and visual detail.

As we learn, delightfully so, in Jeffrey Fox Jacobs' documentary A Sidewalk Astronomer, the Peking-born Dobson promotes the building and use of small, inexpensive telescopes to study the wonders of the sky.

The camp runs for a week in a warehouse in Oregon. What the girls might lack in musical talent and experience they make up for with infectious energy. Watch your tattooed butt, Amy Winehouse!

Mendoza gives a heart-tugging performance as Mariana.

Working from a 1982 novel set in Quebec City, director-writer Jacob Tierney provides enough thrills and surprises, even a little satire, to keep viewers' attention.

The Pianist recalls "Schindler's List," even down to its weakness: Just as Spielberg's film turned sentimental in its final half hour, Polanski's work, too, has a schmaltz coda. But that doesn't make The Pianist any less effective.

Funny is not a word often used to describe von Trier's output, but "Boss" definitely is that, thanks to a breezy script and a bright cast.

The issues are complex and not easily solved. But no matter which side you are on, you'll be moved by this intimate work.

Dutch-born Lotte Verbeek is solid as You, a role that won her the best-actress prize at the Locarno Film Festival.

Exploitation pure and simple. But it's artistically redeeming exploitation. If you can handle it, see it.

In an effective touch, Kisses opens in black and white, changes into color for its Dublin scenes, then returns to monochrome.

The filmmakers wisely avoid the temptation to be cutesy (remember that penguin movie?) and sentimental.

The real star of The Son isn't lead actor Olivier Gourmet. It's the back of his neck, which the camera obsessively focuses on throughout this difficult but rewarding Belgian drama.

The three are appealing characters, and you can't help but root for them in their quest, which gives a whole new meaning to the term "family values."

Movies don't come any more charming than Mongolian Ping Pong.

While it is obvious that the filmmakers went into this project with an agenda, they did try to give each side a chance to have its say.

Weatherford and Murphy lead a young and bright cast. All in all, Money Buys Happiness shows that Lachow is a director worth keeping an eye on.

Be warned: The Tree is slow-moving, but if given a chance, it will (pardon the pun) grow on you.

Sister Helen don't take no bull.

Like an early Almodovar movie transported to Moscow.

Morbidly funny art-house horror tale.

The inspiring story of Chely Wright, the first major country singer to come out as gay. Her decision was a brave one since the world of C&W music is notoriously homophobic.

Patient viewers will be rewarded, as long as they pay attention. Lots of what at first seems inconsequential is actually of great import - but Ceylan isn't letting on. And yes, the cinematography is impressive.

This isn't a performance film, and it is far from a definitive portrait of the androgynous performer.