Flicks w/ The Film Snob

Persepolis is an eloquent, graceful, and moving film, telling a much-needed story from a female perspective.

Sweeney Todd is a truly mind-blowing piece of work.

There Will Be Blood is that rare and beautiful thing, an American film masterpiece.

This is a movie that confronts the religious controversies around homosexuality calmly and convincingly. In the end, it's homophobia that turns out to be the real sin against conscience.

Watching Grand Hotel is like seeing an entire bygone era of movies wrapped up in one bittersweet confection. It's available on DVD.

I'm Not There makes an amazing attempt—to capture the music in our heads.

But when all is said and done, the star is Reverend Billy, whose genius is to take the evangelical method at its word, turning it on its head, and using it to expose the godlessness, the evil, of the corporation.

Impeccably shot and acted, the film is a rigorous work of art that challenges audience assumptions about romance and its place in our lives. Three Times is available on DVD.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead turns out to be a hard little gem of film noir, from one of the American masters.

The tragedy of Brutus is that of a man who loves his country so much that he's willing to assassinate a friend in order to prevent dictatorship.

It shook me, but like the best tragedy, No Country for Old Men imparts a kind of strength as well.

It's all about the family baggage we carry around—and in this case the metaphor becomes quite literal. Wes Anderson's comic sense allows pain and confusion its rightful place in the midst of joy. The Darjeeling Limited is a ride I'm glad I took.

Michael Clayton is smart and suspenseful, yet emotionally complex.

Into the Wild, just as its title suggests, will take you to wild and unforgettable places.

Nazarin, which features the camera work of Gabriel Figueroa is now available on DVD.