'A Late Quartet': Lovely music but dissonant relationships

There's a moment late in Yaron Zilberman's drama "A Late Quartet" that's as beautiful an illustration of listening as you're likely to see in any movie this year.

'For a Good Time, Call ...' - on second thought, don't

Ari Graynor, in the comedy "For a Good Time, Call ...," has the brassy energy of the young Bette Midler; she sashays through the film as if it just might turn into a musical at any moment.

'The Queen of Versailles' timely peek at fortune's fleeting way

Both a gossipy peek at lives-of-the-rich-and-famous and a trenchant examination of the American dream, Lauren Greenfield's "The Queen of Versailles" is about one family and two houses. The family is the Siegels, of Florida: David, a billionaire time-share magnate; Jackie, his decades-younger…

Best and worst of cinema in the past year

Following a tradition established long ago, here is a list of year-end awards you won't see anywhere else: the Dubious Achievements - in movies, that is - of 2011.

Intriguing 'Puncture' cries for documentary treatment

A well-made drama about a pair of young attorneys and a potentially explosive case, "Puncture" has the unusual problem of being almost too intriguing: Its based-on-true-events story seems to cry out for documentary treatment.

'The Tree' grows into menacing presence

A poetic tale of loss and starting over, Julie Bertuccelli's "The Tree" centers on its title character: an enormous, sprawling fig tree that stands by the home of the O'Neil family, in the Australian countryside.

Holocaust subjugated in 'Sarah's Key'

Kristin Scott Thomas slips easily between English and French in "Sarah's Key," but what's most affecting about her performance are the silences. She's long been the kind of actress who can speak volumes without a word - you see her intelligence clicking along, as she thinks in character - an…

If you liked 'Snow Flower' book, don't get hopes up for movie

Ever had the feeling that you fell asleep and woke up in the wrong movie?

Witty mockumentary 'Trollhunter' well-styled, solid horror-spoofing fun

"Do you think Michael Moore gave up after the first try?" asks a would-be documentarian in "Trollhunter," a witty "Blair Witch"-style mockumentary about, you guessed it, troll hunting.

Deftly told 'Blue Valentine' weaves story of love edging into darkness

Two young people, a man and a woman, pause at a dark storefront on a quiet street, late at night. They're giggling and silly, awash in the early days of attraction that just might be love. She, goofy and embarrassed, demonstrates a talent for him - tap dancing, with feet shuffling and arms f…

Nazi propaganda film finally finds a sobering conclusion

"This is the story of a film that was never completed," begins the sober narration of the Holocaust documentary "A Film Unfinished," a film that is, in itself, an act of completion.

'Mao's Last Dancer' shows sacrifices defector made

Bruce Beresford's "Mao's Last Dancer" tells the kind of inspirational true-life story that seems made for the movies.

'Animal Kingdom' actors nail parts, but grandma is particularly chilling

The most terrifying gesture you may well see in theaters this year comes in David Michod's fine Australian crime noir "Animal Kingdom," from a sweet-voiced grandmother (Jacki Weaver).

'Cairo Time' has quiet, mesmerizing pace

Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) is alone in Cairo, waiting for her diplomat husband, Mark, to join her, lost in that night-lit disorientation that jet lag brings.

'Stonewall' doc at Loft Wednesday

"There was no out, there was only in," says a historian in the moving "Stonewall Uprising," screening at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.

True-crime tale follows Barnes art collection

"If you're going to leave your paintings somewhere," warns an art expert in "The Art of the Steal," Don Argott's passionate documentary, "don't let there be a politician within 500 yards."

'Prophet': a tale of survival

In "A Prophet," Jacques Audiard's haunting prison drama, we watch a young man transformed by life behind bars.

Toronto fest delivers star-studded 10 days

The Toronto International Film Festival ended last week, after 10 days of frantic activity that included hundreds of movies, filmmakers, actors, publicists and cellphone-clutching fans.

'Summer' a stylish love story

"This is not a love story," intones a voice-over at the beginning of Marc Webb's smart, funny "(500) Days of Summer," and we learn in the course of the film that this nameless voice is both right and wrong.

You could warm up to Gore in documentary, truthfully

Who would have thought that a stirring movie could be made from footage of Al Gore presenting a slide show, interspersed — for excitement's sake — with footage of Gore tapping away on his laptop or walking through airports?