Loosely based on the life of '70s erotic-film stud John Holmes, Anderson's surprisingly human second feature is an Altmanesque blend of wistful humor and naturalistic ensemble acting. Dirk quickly discovers his "real" ...

Kazan’s nail-biting “Boomerang” is based on a true-life unsolved case about the shocking slaying of a Connecticut pastor, and it’s one of the earliest instances of the director shooting in a semi-documentary newsreel ...

A self-identified Communist, director Ford certainly used his films to express pro-Socialist sentiments, but this gripping drama is much more than mere propaganda. Made in 1947 with the horrors of World War II still ...

A beautiful film, with stunning cinematography of the Kenyan landscape and the myriad creatures who inhabit it, "Born Free" is also a touching tale of love and sacrifice. The childless Adamsons raise Elsa almost as ...

Both sobering and uplifting, Briski and Ross Kauffmann's documentary takes us inside the harsh, closed world of prostitution in Calcutta. Most often the children's parents are foul-mouthed and abusive, and ...

Helmed by "Platoon" director and Vietnam vet Stone, "Born" is a profoundly moving portrait of a macho athlete whose horrific battle experience causes him to reassess his politics and reorient his give-'em-hell attitude. ...

New York-born comedienne Holliday had her first real film break the prior year as the wronged wife in the Tracy-Hepburn comedy "Adam's Rib" (1949), and her solid supporting turn helped her clinch the role of Billie, a ...

Directed by French master Renoir ("Rules of the Game"), this eccentric black comedy tells of the unfortunate clash between a grubby man of the street and his bourgeois benefactor with humor, tenderness, and by film's ...

Before they wrote and directed "The Matrix," the Wachowski brothers concocted this smart, highly entertaining sex thriller-cum-mob caper. Gershon and Tilly not only heat up the screen with a sinfully erotic seduction ...

Affecting film achieves potent immediacy via its vivid recreation of period, thanks to Ashby's keen eye and Haskell Wexler's stunning cinematography. Carradine embodies the everyman engine of America's heartland in his ...

Is there any correlation between lax gun-control laws and violent rampages like the one at Littleton, Colorado’s Columbine High School? Looking for answers, the intrepid Moore chats with the Michigan Militia, ...

Based on a novel by Jonathan Trigell, John Crowley’s gutsy, hard-hitting drama tackles the question of whether we are prepared to forgive our youngest offenders. Mullan’s character believes in Jack and supports him even ...

This gritty, compelling film by debut director Kimberly Peirce examines homophobia, sexual identity, and unconventional love in a small, dead-end town. Based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena (born Teena Brandon) ...

Singleton's urgent, moving drama deals head-on with a raft of tough subjects - the allure of thug life, inner-city poverty, racism - without losing its virtuous heart or universal appeal. Fishburne is terrific as the ...

A rare instance when a remake brings with it something new, Coppola's "Dracula" recounts Bram Stoker's oft-filmed tale with a graphic intensity the honored 1931 original can't match. Oldman is a marvel in the title ...

Epic, grand-scale moviemaking at its best, Gibson's Oscar-winning tale of heroism and courage in 1300s Scotland marked a sensational triumph in the director's chair for the durable star. Ruggedly charismatic, ...

Based on a true story about one of the worst national-security breaches in FBI history, Ray's engrossing espionage thriller draws a bead on the sometimes dangerous contradictions of human character: Hanssen is a devout ...

The conflict between principle and practical reality is deftly explored by British director Loach in this affecting drama set in present-day Southern California, and features earthy performances by Brody and formidable ...

Referencing earlier films like "Shirley Valentine" and "Summertime," Soldini's breezy, romantic story of a neglected wife rebelling against the constraints of her life may not be highly original, but with its gorgeous ...

One of the high points in Australian cinema, Beresford's devastating film recounts the true story of Australian soldiers martyred for political expediency. Accurately depicting the injustice visited upon these three ...