New Releases for September 23rd, 2008 (Full List)

10,000 A.D.: The Legend of the Black Pearl In a postapocalyptic world, rival human tribes, the Plaebians and Hurons, face extinction by the evil Sinasu. Trained by the mighty warrior Ergo (Raul Gasteazoro), young Huron Kurupi (Julian Perez), mankind's greatest hope for survival, embarks on a journey to crush the enemy. But to defeat this powerful and often unseen foe, the Plaebians and Hurons must ultimately put their differences aside and join forces.

Fight Back Robert Waddilove directs this film centered on retired military officer Bill Knight (Ernest Goddard), who moves to a depressed town and he finds himself smack-dab in the middle of a fishing industry conflict. Joined by Stephen (Edward Scott), the aimless thug he has decided to mentor, Bill takes on the plight of the local downtrodden fisherman by setting out to take down the underhanded bosses who are exploiting them.

Savage Streets When a gang's harmless prank leads to the brutal sexual assault of her deaf little sister, Heather, and the murder of her best friend, Francine, Brenda (Linda Blair) takes matters into her own hands. Hitting the streets of Los Angeles, Brenda seeks justice with the help of bear traps and a hunting crossbow. John Vernon, Linnea Quigley and Robert Dryer co-star in this Charles Bronson-esque revenge thriller from director Danny Steinmann.

Seoul Raiders Jingle Ma directs this action-packed sequel to Tokyo Raiders that centers on Lam (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), a Japanese special agent who teams up with a beautiful thief (Qi Shu) to stake his claim on a set of plates that make counterfeit American dollars. When an embassy member, Owen (Richie Ren), cons Lam and takes off with the plates to Korea, Lam must put all his martial arts moves to the test if he wants to collect his millions.

Trinity Goes East / Trinity and Bambino After a 24-year hiatus, satiric spaghetti Western antihero Trinity returns in two hilarious sequels. Steve Tartalia stars in 1998's Trinity Goes East, a kung fu spoof in which the master thief burgles a Shaolin temple. 1995's Trinity and Bambino returns to the Western genre and passes the torch to the duo's sons (conveniently named Trinity and Bambino), played by Heath Kizzier and Keith Neubert, the series' first American leads.

Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies: Its Movie Time! When animated elephant Mama Mirabelle (voiced by Vanessa Williams) travels to a distant land with her movie camera, she returns with films of fascinating wildlife that she uses to teach her young friends about the natural world. Real-life preschoolers will find this eight-episode collection an absorbing and informative introduction to amazing creatures found in Africa, the Galapagos Islands, the ocean and more.

Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King Everybody's favorite snack-devouring, crime-solving pooch, Scooby-Doo, and his pal Shaggy team with Daphne, Velma and Fred to track down The Amazing Krudsky, a washed-up carny magician who's made off with a fairy princess' special magic. But when the gang of amateur gumshoes journeys to mystical Halloween Land to stop Krudsky from taking the Goblin King's mighty scepter, they run up against a new set of monsters trying to scare them off. Zoinks!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 2: Part 2 After inadvertently getting beamed all the way across the universe to the ravaged alien planet of D'Hoonnib, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are on a mission to find their way back home with some help from Honeycutt, a genius professor. Honeycutt, also known as the "Fugitoid," has developed a teleportation instrument that would be of great use to the turtles -- if only the device weren't the target of two evil planetary factions.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Come join yellow-hued Wubbzy (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and his pals -- the pinkish Widget (Lara Jill Miller) and the purplish Walden (Carlos Alazraqui) -- for some delightful animated adventures in this collection from the popular Nick Jr. series. Tag along as his friends try to help Wubbzy iron out his kinky tail, win the Wuzzleburg Derby road race and steer clear of the soon-to-erupt Mount Fizzy-Pop.

iCarly: Season 1: Vol. 1 Living in Seattle with her older artist brother, Carly Shay is a 13-year-old girl who has the brilliant idea to start a Web series with her friends, which turns them into Internet celebrities practically overnight. Carly and her buddies must now learn how to deal with their newfound status as public figures and role models for other kids their age -- and how to handle all the pitfalls that go along with it.

$ (Dollars) When ditzy call girl Dawn Divine (Goldie Hawn) gets wind that three of her shadiest clients store large amounts of ill-gotten cash in secret bank vaults, she teams up with security expert Joe Collins (Warren Beatty) to steal the dough. A fine plan, until the crooks figure out who ripped them off and scheme to get their money back. Richard Brooks directs this comic caper that co-stars Arthur Brauss and Scott Brady.

Affair in Trinidad Steve Emery (Glenn Ford) journeys to Trinidad, where he finds that his brother's been murdered and that his brother's gorgeous wife, Chris (Rita Hayworth), seems to be cozying up to the culprit. But it's not long before Steve falls for the sultry beauty in this sizzling drama of international intrigue, which features Hayworth in a memorably steamy calypso number. The film was nominated for Best Costume Design.

My Childhood / My Ain Folk The first two installments in Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas's semiautobiographical trilogy explore a boy's grim childhood, as he and his family struggle to survive in a destitute Highlands mining town. First, in "My Childhood," a young boy's difficult life with his half-brother and grandmother is improved when they befriend a German POW. Then, in "My Ain Folk," the boy's two grandmothers die, so he's sent to live in an orphanage.

Old Time Comedy Classics: Vol. 7 This collection of silent-film comedy gems features "Are Golfers Cuckoo?" in which vaudeville stars Charles Dorety and Gene Layman play caddies who cause mayhem at a posh country club. Other films include "Fooling Casper," the very politically incorrect "Mine Your Business!" and "Figures Do Lie," starring Violet Palmer as a girl who goes undercover to expose a phony judge at a beauty contest.

Tedeum / Revenge of Trinty / Viva Django / Blackie the Pirate The Italian film industry's contributions to American grindhouse are showcased in four cult favorites from the 1970s. Tedeum stars Jack Palance as a con artist who must outwit his family when he inherits a gold mine; Revenge of Trinity pits Terence Hill against ruthless land barons; Anthony Steffen returns as the title character in Viva Django to track down his wife's killers; and Hill portrays a crafty buccaneer in Blackie the Pirate.

The Anderson Tapes Sean Connery stars as Duke Anderson, a con fresh from prison who rounds up a top-level crew to relieve a posh apartment building of its wealth. What Anderson doesn't know, however, is that the building has a new video surveillance system that's catching his every move on tape. Sidney Lumet directs this tight thriller that co-stars Dyan Cannon, Christopher Walken and Alan King.

The Garment Jungle When Korean War vet Alan Mitchell (Kerwin Mathews) returns home to work for the family clothing manufacturing company, he discovers that his father (Lee J. Cobb) is in cahoots with gangsters to squelch a fledgling union movement within the shop. When the anti-union goons become murderous, Alan turns against his father to help organize the shop's labor force. Vincent Sherman directs this tough pro-union drama that co-stars Gia Scala.

The New Centurions George C. Scott stars as Kilvinsky, a gruff veteran beat cop who's assigned to teach troubled young rookie Roy Fehler (Stacy Keach) how to police the mean streets of Los Angeles. But Kilvinsky's outdated tough-cop ways and Fehler's mounting problems at home threaten to completely unravel the pair. Jane Alexander, Erik Estrada and Roger E. Mosley co-star in this gritty adaptation of the novel by Joseph Wambaugh.

They Call Him Bulldozer / Jesse & Lester / Kid Stuff / Diamond Peddlers This collection of four cult favorites reveals Italy's role in the American grindhouse of the 1970s. They Call Him Bulldozer stars Bud Spencer as a retired football star who trains his neighbors for a game against an army team; two brothers -- one a womanizer, the other a priest -- must divide an inheritance in Jesse & Lester; and two bumbling friends hit the road in the hilarious Kid Stuff and then become unwitting smugglers in Diamond Peddlers.

Jack Me Inspired by Morgan Spurlock's acclaimed documentary Super Size Me, writer-director Randy Morgan's ridiculous farce centers on a hapless goofball named Moron Spermlick (Swimmy), who decides to tempt fate by eating nothing but fast food for 30 days straight. When the hormone-riddled cuisine begins to take hold of Spermlick's body, the jokester finds himself transformed into moody, rage-prone mess, tormented by hot flashes and bouts of vomiting.

Keepin' the Faith: Higher Ground When his Aunt Fema dies and wills him a new church building, Pastor Marcus thinks it's an answer to prayer. The hitch? His aunt also stipulated that he must get his wayward cousins and other kin to attend his church for a month of Sundays. Now, he'll have to find a way to wrangle, cajole and prod his reluctant relatives into the pews for four consecutive weeks or forfeit the inheritance. Kel Mitchell and Marcello Thedford star in this comedy.

Leatherheads Hard-nosed sports reporter Lexie Littleton (Oscar winner Renée Zellweger) finds herself at the center of an acute 1920s love triangle when an aging football hero (Oscar winner George Clooney) and a rising college star (John Krasinski of "The Office") go head to head to compete for her affections. Clooney also writes and directs this romantic comedy with vintage flair, set at the dawn of professional football history.

Razzle Dazzle Mr. Jonathan (Ben Miller) wishes the charges in his children's amateur dance troupe could do something important, such as a piece about the Kyoto Protocol, capitalism or venereal disease. But for now, they're focused on winning the Sanosafe Troupe Spectacular. Mr. Jonathan, meanwhile, has his hands full with a dangerously unbalanced stage mother (Kerry Armstrong) in this scathing mockumentary about the intense world of children's competitive dance.

Run, Fat Boy, Run Five years ago, Dennis (Simon Pegg) left his pregnant fiancée, Libby (Thandie Newton), at the altar. Now, he realizes it was the worst mistake of his life. Run down and out of shape, Dennis begins training for a marathon, hoping to win Libby away from her sleazy new boyfriend (Hank Azaria). Will losing the pounds and catching his breath be enough to get her back? Dylan Moran co-stars in David Schwimmer's feature directorial debut.

Sex and the City: The Movie "Sex and the City" fans rejoice! Carrie Bradshaw and her girls Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda are back, and this time, they're coming to the big screen with this highly anticipated adaptation of the HBO comedy series. Golden Globe winner Sarah Jessica Parker returns as everyone's favorite columnist who, with her three BFFs (Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon), braves the roiling romantic waters of the city that never sleeps.

The Foot Fist Way A pompous control freak, small-town tae kwon do instructor Mr. Simmons (Danny McBride) finally loses his cool when he gets wind of his wife's infidelities. Facing meltdown, he sets out on a pilgrimage to see his hero, martial arts master Chuck "The Truck" Wallace (Ben Best), in action. But is the world ready for a meeting between these two black-belt egos? Expertly drawn characters and furious action make this a comedy that really packs a punch.

The Neighbor News that his ex-wife (Meredith Scott Lynn) is marrying his best friend (David Youse) flips Jeff's (Matthew Modine) world upside down. Heartbroken, Jeff looks for comfort in the unwelcoming arms of Christine (Michèle Laroque), the new owner of his building who wants to evict him. Tension between Jeff and Christine eventually develops into romance, but Christine's domineering fiancé (Ed Quinn) stands in the way of their love.

Unemployed When unemployed actors Jamal (Godfrey) and Dex (James Charles Leary) finally face up to the fact that they haven't booked a decent role despite 10 years of trying, they decide it's time to find a real job. Trouble is, they've spent the last decade going on auditions and have absolutely no job qualifications -- and maybe even less of a work ethic. Comic high jinks ensue as the wacky duo embarks on a hilariously futile career quest.

A Broken Life Bitter, depressed and suicidal, Max Walker (Tom Sizemore) stages a dramatic end to his broken life by hiring a struggling young film student (Corey Sevier) to document Max's final day on Earth, producing a radically different type of farewell note. But in the process of confronting his demons and saying goodbye to his fractured existence, Max learns something unexpected about living. Ving Rhames also stars in this indie drama.

Broken Fences When his newly paroled son, Dylan (Ryan J. Parker), comes looking for a place to live, lonesome rancher Joe (Jan Van Sickle) grudgingly agrees to let the boy stay on the farm -- as long as he promises to give up his mischievous behavior. In time, father and son begin mending the rift between them, until Dylan once again finds himself in trouble with the law. Troy McGatlin directs this drama that co-stars Earla Stewart and Wesley Walker.

Far North Saiva (Michelle Yeoh) lives a tough existence in the Arctic wasteland, hunting for food and other necessities. Her only human contact is with Anja (Michelle Krusiec), a woman she raised from infancy. The arrival of a wounded soldier, Loki (Sean Bean), tests both women's loyalty and resolve. Neither, it seems, is prepared for the man's impact on their lifelong friendship. Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia directs this visually stunning epic.

Five Moments of Infidelity Writer-director Kate Gorman's evocative ensemble drama explores the fragility of monogamy, the loneliness of marriage and the consequences of infidelity through the intersecting lives of five disparate couples. Ben Anderson, Jason Chong, Amanda Douge, Alex Papps, Annie Jones, Brett Swain and John Sheedy star in this powerful and bittersweet look at the conflicted human spirit and relationships in the modern age.

For Heaven's Sake! When spirited Sarah (Florence Henderson) suffers a heart attack and dies just before her granddaughter Katie's (Stephanie Patton) 11th birthday bash, she convinces the angels to let her return to Earth one final time to attend the girl's party. But when Sarah learns that Katie is in the hospital, she must remind the grieving girl that despite its hardships, life is beautiful and worth living. Nat Christian directs this uplifting family drama.

Guiana 1838 Helmed by Rohit Jagessar, this heartfelt drama based on real events follows indentured servants from Calcutta, India, who were thrown together with African slaves in a strange, new land and forced into hard labor. Lured to work in South America's sugar cane fields with the promise of "El Dorado" gold, the Indian "coolies" quickly find themselves enslaved by British plantation owners who view them as second-class citizens.

My Way Home Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas's semiautobiographical trilogy concludes with this tale of malcontent youth Jamie (Stephen Archibald). After getting in trouble for petty crimes, Jamie winds up in a group home, but eventually joins the military. While in the Royal Air Force, he befriends Robert (Joseph Blatchley), and the relationship helps him straighten up as he learns some important life lessons and begins to follow his artistic dreams.

Oppenheimer Sam Waterston stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer in this BBC miniseries that follows the American physicist as he develops the atomic bomb and undergoes a change of heart when he realizes the enormity of his invention. After witnessing the bomb's first detonation, Oppenheimer becomes of an outspoken opponent of the nuclear arms race, is labeled a security risk and a communist and is forced to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Stepdad Haunted by years of excruciating mental and physical abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather, Billy Watkins (Jim Alexander) decides to seek resolution by reporting his parents' actions to the authorities some 20 years after the fact. With the support of his wife, son and friends, Billy spearheads a landmark trial, demanding that his parents be held accountable for all the torment he was forced to endure for far too long.

The Books of John Filmmakers David A. Schweiger and L.W. Smith's poignant ensemble drama follows the lives of three individuals struggling to come to terms with the ups and downs of love, loss and family within the gay community. Anchoring the story is Frank (Jeff Batton), a gay man who, in the wake of his partner's death, discovers a series of diaries that force him to reexamine just how well he actually knew the love of his life.

The Jury When a young man named John Maher is murdered, all fingers point to one person: his Sikh schoolmate, Duvinder Singh (Sonnell Dadral), who from most accounts hated Maher enough to kill him. But as with every story, there are two sides, and many feel that a gentle, intelligent boy such as Singh is incapable of murder. It's up to "The Jury" to find out the truth and seal Duvinder's fate.

Transformations Shell-shocked by his gritty new surroundings, clean-cut suburban teen Brian DePalma (Joe Bartolotta) is seduced by the allure and excitement of the streets and falls in with a group of hustlers, drug dealers and thugs. Indie filmmaker Edwin Decena writes and directs this hard-hitting urban drama that also stars Kenneth Browning, James Clark, Zaq Coldly, Julienne Irons, Dominique Andriese and W.D. Richardson.

Breathing Room It's her worst nightmare come true when Tonya (Ailsa Marshall) finds herself stranded in an unfamiliar room with 13 naked prisoners, each held hostage by an electronic collar and left to agonize about what horrible fate may await. As it turns out, they're slated to die, and as the clock ticks down, the terrified strangers go toes up one by one. The catch, of course, is that one of them is the killer … but who is it?

Bryan Loves You The life of a therapist (played by writer-director Seth Landau) begins to unravel when he delves into the inner workings of a sinister religious cult that's taking over his Arizona town. At the heart of their dogmatic devotion is Bryan, a brutally murdered, near-mythological figure whose mindless worshippers don't countenance heretics. Inspired by a true story, this spine-chilling indie gem also stars George Wendt and Brinke Stevens.

Copycat After losing her mother to a psychopathic serial killer, journalist Laura Nelson (Chloe Snyder) clings to the one clue the murderer has left behind -- the pages of his personal journal. And when she reads his references to famous serial killers such as Richard Ramirez and Jeffrey Dahmer in his writings, the disturbing parallels bring her nearer to catching him. The only question is, will he find her first?

Final Exam As the semester comes to a close, anxiety consumes the students of Lanier College when the dreaded "exam week" commences. But when a psychopathic killer begins to pick off jocks and coeds one by one, good grades are the least of their concerns. Jimmy Huston (My Best Friend Is a Vampire) writes and directs this 1980s slasher flick that stars Cecile Bagdadi, Joel S. Rice, Ralph Brown and DeAnna Robbins.

Five Across the Eyes After a minor fender bender, five high school girls panic and speed away. As the teens head into an unfamiliar, remote area known to locals as "The Eyes," they're tailed by a one-headlight SUV with a murderous maniac behind the wheel. Road rage is taken to extremes in this horror story, as the driver begins a barrage of assaults against the terrified girls. Jennifer Barnett, Angela Brunda, Danielle Lilley, Sandra Paduch and Mia Yi star.

Mother of Tears While working at a Roman museum, American art restoration student Sarah (Asia Argento) opens an ancient urn that unleashes a powerful and evil witch known as the Mother of Tears. Witches from around the world descend upon Rome, bringing death and mayhem. Full of bizarre events and rich atmosphere, this chilling horror film is the final installment of director Dario Argento's Three Mothers trilogy.

Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat The Harrisons are a clean-living family who happen to venture into the little town of Purgatory, whose irritable citizens moonlight as vampires that come out at night and feast on unsuspecting prey. Though the head of the vampires, Count Mardulak (David Carradine), has outlawed bloodletting, his subjects have now been reduced to drinking synthetic blood -- a compromise with which they are less than pleased. Will the Harrisons be their next meal?

Vipers A team of scientists is using venomous snakes in their quest to develop a cure for cancer. When the medical lab is broken into, the genetically altered vipers are unleashed on the helpless population. A rapidly dwindling number of survivors, trapped on a nearby island, hole up in a hotel in a last-ditch attempt to escape the bloodthirsty serpents. Tara Reid, Jonathan Scarfe, Corbin Bernsen and Jessica Steen star in this skin-crawling chiller.

Weenie Roast Massacre Mentally disabled Marty Flaherty (David Prouty) watches an innocent gathering with his friends take a bloody turn in this slasher flick. Following a debilitating accident, Marty, a once-promising high school football star, is resigned to living an uneventful life in his parents' home. When his friends organize a weenie roast to lift his spirits, the event turns deadly once a mysterious psychopath begins picking off the partygoers one by one.

Zombie Wars When a small group of rebels learns that zombies have begun breeding humans for consumption, they plan an all-out offensive to rid the planet of the flesh-eating monsters once and for all. After years of waging war against the undead, the population of mankind is reduced to alarming levels, with the dwindling bands of survivors relegated to living on the fringes of civilization, struggling to stay alive -- but not for long.

More Shorts For Cats A follow-up to the popular "Shorts For Cats" collection, this enjoyable edition features short films that showcase the creative work of a diverse group of talented, up-and-coming filmmakers. Highlights include "All's Fair," centered on two dedicated soldiers forced to confront the harsh realities of torture; and "The Evaluation," a hilarious look at a work performance evaluation gone horribly wrong.

Alien Private Eye Lemro (Nikki Fastinetti), a pointy-eared private dick from the planet Styx, takes a vacation on Earth, where he's quickly drawn into interplanetary intrigue involving the recovery of an ancient Egyptian disc. On top of that, he's also tasked with taking down a galactic crime organization in this sci-fi action adventure written and directed by Vik Rubenfeld.

Billionaire Boys Club In this television miniseries, Judd Nelson stars as real-life financial wunderkind Joe Hunt, a money-loving schemer who amassed a burgeoning tribe of "Billionaire Boys" -- and whose growing ambition ultimately brought about his own demise. Set in Southern California in the early 1980s, the tale charts Hunt's formation of a bogus investment group that served mainly to support its members' extravagant lifestyles, inspiring murder along the way.

Deception When a lawyer friend (Hugh Jackman) introduces him to a secretive sex club known as the List, unassuming accountant (Ewan McGregor) thinks he's hit the big time. But when he becomes entangled with the disappearance of a woman from the List, he falls into jeopardy himself. Directed by Marcel Langenegger, this provocative thriller also stars Michelle Williams, Maggie Q and Natasha Henstridge.

Hell's Gate Deep in debt to the local mob with no real means of income, down-and-out ex-con Kevin Kinney (Brian Faherty) reluctantly conspires with his loose-cannon of an ex-cell mate, Ben Deardon (Jeremy Cohen), to pull off one last "job." When the circumstances of the dimwitted duo's high-profile kidnapping scheme begin to unravel, Kevin and Ben find themselves surrounded by more trouble than they ever bargained for.

Ossessione The joy that newlyweds David (Christopher Robin) and Sonia (Marie Francoise) experience upon moving into the home they've just inherited is abruptly cut short when Sonia begins to suspect that the house is haunted by evil forces. When she mysteriously disappears, David embarks on a desperate search that requires him to enter a supernatural world of sinister characters and malevolent spirits wishing to do him nothing but harm.

Pathology After recent med school grad Ted (Milo Ventimiglia) lands an internship at a prestigious pathology unit in a Philadelphia hospital, he soon finds his new colleagues have some pathological tendencies themselves. Seems his fellow interns have designed a gruesome contest to commit the perfect untraceable murder, while also competing to see who can determine the cause of death. Alyssa Milano co-stars in this bloody medical thriller.

Posed for Murder After model Laura Shea (Charlotte J. Helmkamp) poses nude in a magazine, a crazed fan becomes insanely devoted to the beauty. Before long, his admiration takes the form of murderous jealousy and he starts annihilating other men. Meanwhile, Laura fears for her own life and goes into hiding but soon finds that nobody around her can be trusted in this pulse-pounding erotic thriller.

The Disturbance While quietly building sandcastles on the beach, 27-year-old Clay (Timothy Greeson) meets attractive waitress Susan (Lisa Geoffrion). Before long, the couple is making passionate love, but the deeply troubled Clay starts having frightening visions of murdering gorgeous women. And when Clay loses his job and goes off his meds, his dreams intersect with reality in horrifying ways in this spine-tingling crime thriller.

The Vanguard Set in the year 2015, this apocalyptic thriller finds rebels Max (Ray Bullock Jr.), Rachael (Emma Choy) and Zac (Steve Weston) caught in the midst of a raging war between the Biosyns -- a race of primitive people engineered by scientists -- and the all-powerful Corporation. With civilization on the verge of extinction, due to oil depletion, the trio sets out on a dangerous journey to locate and join a growing resistance movement.

One Piece: Season 1: Second Voyage After the Straw Hats prove themselves in a battle of good vs. evil, Monkey D. Luffy is named captain of The Going Merry in the second voyage of the hit anime featured in Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block. In this adventure, the Straw Hats set sail in search of a cook, but once they find him, he isn't so eager to hop aboard. Together, they continue on their quest to locate the ultimate booty: the lost pirate treasure known as One Piece.

Sonic X: Chaos & Shadow Sagas An epic battle and a long-buried family secret power these exciting adventures from the hit animated series, based on the popular Sonic Adventure video games starring the speedy blue hedgehog. Sonic, Knuckles and company may be forced into conflict against Chaos, which has just absorbed the final Chaos Emerald. Meanwhile, Dr. Eggman finds his grandfather's diary, which reveals the blueprint for the mysterious "Ultimate Lifeform."

A Lion in the House Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, this documentary follows five families over a six-year period as they battle pediatric cancer. Putting viewers in the shoes of parents, physicians, nurses, siblings, grandparents, social workers and the young cancer victims themselves -- Alex, Tim, Justin, Jen and Al (who range in age from 6 to 19 at the film's outset) -- the film sheds light on growing up in the shadow of illness.

A Song of Summer: Frederick Delius / Dance of the Seven Veils In the moving Song of Summer, provocative filmmaker Ken Russell examines the life and career of British composer Frederick Delius, based on a memoir by the elderly composer's dedicated assistant and companion, Eric Fenby. In the controversial Dance of the Seven Veils, Russell takes a grotesquely comic yet unflinching look at German composer and conductor Richard Strauss. Max Adrian and Christopher Gable star.

America's Greatest Monuments: Washington D.C. Explore some of the best-loved structures in the United States with this tour of D.C.'s monuments. The program goes behind the famous façades to tell the stories of how these structures came into existence and their importance to the country. It features everything from the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery's eternal flame to war memorials and the monuments erected as tributes to America's founding fathers.

Arctic Son Seattle-raised Stanley Njooti Jr. travels to the little village of Old Crow, located 80 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where he reconnects with his father, Stanley Sr., after a separation of nearly 25 years. As the two men journey deeper into the Arctic on a camping trip, they begin to heal emotional wounds of the past while Stanley Jr. learns to adjust to the treacherous conditions of the Canadian Yukon in this quietly poignant documentary.

Beijing 2008 Olympics: Opening Ceremony Relive the wonder and excitement of one of the most impressive spectacles in Olympic history with this comprehensive recap of the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, a program that took seven years to plan. Highlights include Chinese gymnast Ning Li's gravity-defying journey to the rim of China's national stadium with the Olympic torch in tow, Ning's lighting of the Olympic cauldron, and the dazzling fireworks display that ensued.

Cine Manifest The members of a 1970s San Francisco Marxist film collective reunite 30 years after the group's disbandment to examine the professional and personal consequences of their daring social experiment. Footage from the collective's many short films and two feature films, along with an atmospheric soundtrack by David Schickele, highlight this meditation on art and idealism. Judy Irola, the group's only female member, directs.

Cinematographer Style Cinematographer Jon Fauer interviews 110 of his colleagues -- including Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now), Roger Deakins (No Country for Old Men) and Gordon Willis (The Godfather) -- on their approach to the craft of motion picture photography. Shot on 35mm film and accessible to anyone who loves movies, the absorbing documentary reveals how style, experience and inspiration combine to make movies look the way they do.

Critical Condition Delving deep into the sickening statistics of the American health care crisis, this documentary examines the financial and human cost of a broken system, whose patients sometimes pay with their jobs, their savings and even their lives. Following a group of uninsured individuals as they fight for access to medical care, the sobering odyssey is directed by award-winning filmmaker Roger Weisberg.

Design 2 Exploring design in the 20th century, this absorbing documentary series blends archival representations with film clips, music and pop culture imagery to capture each item as a unique product and also place it within its contemporary social context. Each episode focuses on one item and its larger impact, including the Bookworm, Concorde, Conica coffee maker, Leica camera, Eames lounge chair and Vespa scooter.

Elgar / The Debussy Film / Always on Sunday British director Ken Russell uses dramatization, films within films and other devices to stretch the boundaries of documentary filmmaking with these made-for-TV features, including Elgar, about the life and career of composer Sir Edward Elgar. The Debussy Film examines the work of French composer Claude Debussy, and Always on Sunday delves into the career of French painter Henri Rousseau. George McGrath, Oliver Reed and James Lloyd star.

Family Name White filmmaker Macky Alston wonders why all the other Alstons in his Durham, N.C., elementary school were black. Embarking on a genealogical journey through Alabama and North Carolina, Alston finds a surprising emotional tale behind his family name. Alston's stirring exploration of race and identity -- which critic Roger Ebert calls a "fascinating detective story" -- won the Freedom of Expression Award at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.

Horror Effects: Hosted by Tom Savini Tom Savini has served as a makeup artist for some of Hollywood's most terrifying -- and disgusting -- creature features. In this instructional program, he takes fans behind the scenes to reveal the secrets of his craft. Clips from Savini's masterpieces, including the Friday the 13th movies, Dawn of the Dead and Creepshow, accompany a discussion of his career and some helpful tips for viewers pursuing their own Hollywood dreams (or nightmares).

Liberia: An Uncivil War Filmmaker Jonathan Stack provides a fearless account of the Liberian civil war in 2003, chronicling the showdown between the corrupt regime of President Charles Taylor and the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of civilians pray for intervention by the United States, which has become newly preoccupied by the Iraq War. Stack's unflinching film is an unforgettable portrait of a country in crisis.

Michael Phelps: Greatest Olympic Champion: The Inside Story Fueled by extensive coverage and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, this commemorative program profiles American swimmer and serial record-breaker Michael Phelps, who claimed honors as the greatest Olympic champion in history. Highlights include footage of all of his races and revealing interviews offering a look at Phelps's championship strategy, which helped him win an astounding eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics alone.

Most Evil Renowned Columbia University forensics psychiatrist Michael Stone headlines this fascinating documentary series from the Discovery Channel, exploring the minds and motives of some of the world's most notorious murderers. Among the episodes include "Cold-Blooded Killers," "Murderous Women," "Unsolved Cases," "Cult Followers," "Spree Killers," "Revenge," "Charles Manson," "Vampires/Cannibals" and "Gangs."

On the Downlow In this compelling documentary, experimental filmmaker Abigail Child and cinematographer Arthur Jafa shadow four African-American males living dichotomous sexual lifestyles in Cleveland. Tending to their sexual needs "on the downlow" while maintaining a veneer of being straight, these conflicted men are ultimately forced to confront the realities of their sexual choices and the subsequent effects on their lives.

Passing Poston Documentarians and award-winning journalists James Nubile and Joe Fox's poignant film recounts the harrowing story of four Japanese-Americans imprisoned in the Poston Relocation Center internment camp during World War II. Through moving testimonials, the film's subjects paint a vivid picture of what life held for a child detained in the camp and the struggles they now face in trying to make sense of the events of the past.

Questioning Faith The death of friend and fellow seminary student Alan Smith prompts filmmaker Macky Alston to reevaluate his religious beliefs, starting with the difficult question: How does one maintain faith in God when there is so much suffering in the world? Interviewing those close to Smith as well as an eclectic mix of New Yorkers who discuss their views on faith, Alston creates a moving meditation on loss and spirituality.

Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire Action-packed reenactments dramatize the story of the Roman Empire in this stunning History Channel documentary series, which traces Rome from its beginnings as a struggling republic through centuries of conquest and its eventual demise. Profiles of events and people such as Julius Caesar, Constantine the Great, the Barbarian Invasion and the Invasion of Britain reveal the legacy of the empire's dramatic rise and fall.

Shooting Henry Hill Filmmaker Luke Heppner tracks down and interviews Henry Hill, the infamous Mafioso turned informant whose story was dramatized in the feature film Goodfellas. Ousted from the witness protection program for ongoing criminal activity, Hill reveals his still-troubled life as he makes a living by cooking in an Italian restaurant, battles alcoholism, and continues to be embroiled in controversy over his involvement with the mob.

Starz Inside: Bloodsucking Cinema The undead come out to play in this spine-tingling documentary about the history of vampire movies that originally aired as a Starz Inside special. Highlights include clips from genre classics such as Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, The Lost Boys and Blade, plus commentary from actors Corey Haim and Cheech Marin, directors John Carpenter, John Landis and Joel Schumacher and film critic Leonard Maltin.

The Biggest Dancer in the World / Dante's Inferno Controversial British director Ken Russell helms this pair of made-for-TV documentary films, including The Biggest Dancer in the World, a loving exploration of the colorful career of outspoken American dance star Isadora Duncan. Dante's Inferno is a close look at the stormy relationship between poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his chronically ill wife, Elizabeth Siddal. Vivian Pickles, Oliver Reed and Judith Paris star.

The Chomsky Sessions: Noam Chomsky on the World Profiling prolific author and educator Noam Chomsky -- widely recognized as the father of modern linguistics -- this thought-provoking collection of frank interviews, lectures and speeches elucidates his political philosophy and world views. Known for his staunch opposition to the Vietnam War and his condemnation of subsequent U.S. foreign policy, Chomsky is a standard-bearer for American dissidents.

The Hempire Strikes Back This intriguing documentary follows author and activist Jack Herer along with Woody Harrelson, Ralph Nader, Bill Maher and other celebrities as they take up the banner for legalizing industrial hemp. Arguing that the hemp plant is an easily renewable source of energy, textiles, food, medicine, paper, plastics and more, the advocates make their case at conferences and rallies across America, including the 2003 Seattle Hempfest.

Virginia Lee Burton: A Sense of Place The career of Virginia Lee Burton, the beloved author and illustrator of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Little House, is chronicled in this disarming collection of archival images, personal documents, sketchbooks and interviews. The documentary also covers Burton's accomplishments as a textile designer and co-founder of the Folly Cove Designers. The charming portrait of this 20th-century Renaissance woman originally aired on PBS.

With Jerzy Grotowski, Nienadowka 1980 Avant-garde theater artist Jerzy Grotowski searches for the people and locations he remembers and reflects on what he endured during a remarkable and traumatic childhood experience in this compelling personal documentary. In 1980, he brought a film crew with him as he visited Nienadówka, Poland, the village where he, his mother and brother were hidden by local peasants during the vicious Nazi occupation.

Dr. Alice Johnson: Been There, Done That, Now Move On Women of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy this inspiring gospel program from Dr. Alice Johnson, who shows viewers how they can significantly improve their everyday lives by getting in touch with God's unique plan for each of them. While sharing her personal stories of tragedy and triumph, Johnson explains how anyone can successfully overcome life's most challenging obstacles and find happiness.

Beijing 2008: The Games of the XXIX Olympiad Enjoy the most exciting competitions as the world's best athletes battle for gold in a wide array of sports with this spectacular program that captures the highlights of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. A historic event, as China becomes a more influential player on the world scene, the 29th Olympiad includes record-breaking moments from American swimmer Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James leading an impressive basketball team, and more.

History of the MLS Cup Fueled by action-packed footage and interviews, this commemorative program tracks the history of Major League Soccer's championship cup and relives some of the greatest moments of the competition. Since 1996, the annual clash for the cup has brought the country's best teams together for a thrilling contest of skills and strength -- from the inaugural battle between D.C. and Los Angeles, to the enduring rivalry between Houston and New England.

Joe Weider's Bodybuilding Training System Join popular bodybuilding instructor Joe Weider in this program that combines a focused nutritional plan with a complete regimen of muscle-building exercises to yield a comprehensive system suitable for athletes of all skill levels. Including instructions from Weider himself, the program also features input from sports medicine specialists, bodybuilding champions and other fitness professionals.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Greatest Games Enjoy five of the Nebraska Cornhuskers's most exciting classic football games with this collection, which allows viewers to re-experience some of the greatest players' most spectacular moments. The mighty Huskers have captured five national championships. Shown in their entirety, the games are the 1971 Orange Bowl, the 1982 regular season game against Oklahoma, the 1995 Orange Bowl, the 1996 Fiesta Bowl and the 1998 Orange Bowl.

Oklahoma Sooners Greatest Games Since their inaugural 1895 season, the University of Oklahoma Sooners have continually distinguished themselves among college football teams across the nation, earning a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. This commemorative video series includes classic Sooners games in their original televised format, highlighting their national title achievements under three legendary coaches, along with conference championships and bowl game victories.

Ax Men: Season 1 Welcome to the Pacific Northwest's forests, where grizzled loggers still risk life and limb to harvest timber. This intriguing show's debut season follows the fortunes of several logging crews as they deal with bad weather and equipment failures. Tough deadlines, unforgiving terrain and potentially lethal mistakes in the field add to the drama, as these intrepid men take to the woods day after day with saws slung over their shoulders.

Boston Legal: Season 4 John Larroquette joins the law firm of Crane, Poole and Schmidt as new senior partner Carl Sack in the fourth season of David E. Kelley's Emmy-nominated series. Meanwhile, complications arise in Alan Shore's (James Spader) relationship with Judge Gloria Weldon (Gail O'Grady), and new attorney Katie Lloyd (Tara Summers) gets in over her head on her first case. William Shatner and Candice Bergen reprise their roles. Saffron Burrows guest stars.

Brothers & Sisters: Season 2 The Los Angeles Walker siblings return for a second season of the hit series a little wiser, having lost many of their illusions about the family after learning of their recently deceased father's lengthy affair with Holly Harper (Patricia Wettig) and the existence of his illegitimate daughter. Now, the politically divided Walkers must continue to deal with Holly's interference in the family business as they get to know their half sister.

CSI: NY: Season 4 No matter how gritty the streets of New York get, Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and fellow forensics experts Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap), Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) and Don Flack (Eddie Cahill) find the clues to bring in the bad guys. The fourth season of this entry in the "CSI" franchise introduces Kerr Smith as a mysterious forgery expert and Bess Wohl as a new lab tech.

Cashmere Mafia: The Complete Series Four successful women execs -- best friends since their college days -- support and keep one another in check as each struggles with office politics, romantic woes, motherhood and the pressures of life in Manhattan. From the creator of "Sex and the City," this spirited yet touching dramedy stars Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels), Frances O'Connor (Timeline), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) and Bonnie Somerville ("NYPD Blue").

Friday the 13th: Season 1 Unrelated to the classic horror film franchise, this series revolves around cousins Ryan (John D. LeMay) and Micki (Louise Robey), who inherit an antique shop from their Uncle Vendredi and soon find that, due to their uncle's pact with the devil, the wares are all cursed. Now, with the help of Vendredi's business partner, Jack, the cousins must track down the jinxed antiques before their new owners use them for sinister purposes.

Game Show Moments Gone Bananas Relive the most outrageous moments, outtakes and bloopers from popular game shows all around the world -- ranging from the 1950s through the present -- with this hilarious series. Actor and television personality Ben Stein ("America's Most Smartest Model") hosts the show, with segments such as "Top Host Screw-ups," "Top Blonde Moments," "Top Wardrobe Malfunctions," "Top Celebrity Moments" and "Top Brain Freeze Moments."

Gangland: Season 1 Both gritty and gripping, this History Channel series traces the rise of gang culture from its earliest origins all the way to modern-day incarnations. The program not only charts gang history through rarely seen footage and expert interviews, but it also takes viewers inside some of the world's most notorious criminal operations to expose how they actually work. The result is a sobering look at an often-unseen world with its own set of rules.

Killinaskully: Season 1 Versatile comedian Pat Shortt portrays multiple characters in this madcap Irish television show about the fictional town of Killinaskully, filled to the brim with eccentric personalities and unpredictable shenanigans. In this premiere season, a bewildered German film crew tries to shoot a documentary about rural Ireland, a rude American threatens to buy a beloved piece of land, and a festive wake goes awry when the dead man's ashes go missing.

Rob & Big: Season 3 Pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard pal Christopher "Big Black" Boykin, along with Meaty the bulldog and Mini the horse, are back for another season of goofy antics and misadventures. This time around, the duo visits a zoo, asks a shaman to improve Rob's skating skills, trains a turtle to run in a race, heads to Cancun for some R&R and volunteers time with charitable organizations. Fellow skateboarder Danny Way makes a guest appearance.

Samantha Who?: Season 1 When Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate) awakens from a brief coma, she has no idea who she is. Struck with amnesia, she depends on those around her to fill in the blanks. But maybe she's better off in the dark: Seems Sam wasn't such a nice person before her accident. This hilariously unpredictable series about second chances and fresh starts also stars Barry Watson, Jennifer Esposito, Jean Smart and Tim Russ.

Stories from the Vaults: Season 1 Get a look at some of the most prized treasures housed in the Smithsonian Institution, along with interesting inside stories about the famed American museum, with this program hosted by television actor Thomas Cavanagh. He leads viewers behind the exhibits and into the Smithsonian's private rooms, cutting-edge storage vaults and laboratories to explore some of the millions of rare items museum goers don't normally see.

This American Life: Season 1 Ira Glass's public radio show makes the transition to television with its focus intact (and netting three Emmy nods in the process), telling uniquely American tales through anecdotes and personal reflections. Glass, director Christopher Wilcha and the rest of the crew spent six months on the road compiling these stories, which take viewers from Iowa's pig farms (where the "perfect" swine is being bred) to a Chicago hot dog stand.

Two and a Half Men: Season 4 An unlikely co-parent since his brother, Alan (Jon Cryer), and impressionable young nephew (Angus T. Jones) moved in, skirt-chasing bachelor Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) gradually begins to change his ways. But the fourth season of this Emmy nominee for Best Comedy finds Charlie revisiting his single-guy lifestyle when the newly remarried Alan moves out of the beach house. Conchata Ferrell plays a wisecracking housekeeper while Holland Taylor shines as the brothers' mom.

Beautiful South: Carry On Up the Charts Created by former members of the Housemartins in the late 1980s, Brit pop sensation The Beautiful South spent the next two decades racking up more than 15 million album sales and becoming known for their legendary music videos. This compilation features the videos for 14 of their 30 hit singles in the United Kingdom, including "Song for Whoever," "I'll Sail This Ship Alone," "A Little Time," "Let Love Speak Up Itself" and more.

Dianne Reeves: The Early Years Following in the footsteps of famed jazz chanteuses Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, the great Dianne Reeves lends her virtuosic voice to two performances from the early 1980s jazz series "Ad Lib." She sings "Love for Sale," "I'll Understand," "Answer Me," "Welcome to My Love," "Everything Must Change," "On a Clear Day" and more. Special guests include Billy Childs, Helen Humes, Snooky Young and swing royalty Count Basie.

Diego Torres: Todos Exitos Twelve essential music videos from Argentinean Latin pop sensation Diego Torres are included in this exciting collection, which features the beloved artist performing his greatest hits. Tracks include "Perdidos En La Noche," "Donde Van," "Alba," "La Ultima Noche," "Sueños," "Estamos Juntos," "Color Esperanza," "Andando," "No Soñe," "Abriendo Caminos" with Juan Luis Guerra, "Que Sera" and Torres's hit, "Penelope."

Dorothy Donegan: Pandemonium The New York Times called Dorothy Donegan "the lustiest, most exciting, hard-swinging and virtuosic jazz pianist in the world." And those qualities are on full display in these two episodes from the early 1980s jazz series "Ad Lib." With her trademark genre-bending approach to jazz, the talented protégé of Art Tatum shines on "Pandemonium," "Mixed Memories," "Pennies from Heaven" with Spanky Wilson, "The Lady Is a Tramp" and more.

Style Council: Far East & Far Out Formed in 1983 by singer-guitarist Paul Weller of the Jam and keyboardist Mick Talbot of the Merton Parkas, British band the Style Council showcases their dynamic sound in this footage from their 1984 tour of Japan. Songs from the chart-topping group include "My Ever-Changing Moods," "Speak Like a Child," "The Big Boss Groove," "Long Hot Summer," "Here's One that Got Away," "Money Go Round," "You're the Best Thing" and more.

A Few Kilos of Dates for a Funeral After a highway detour isolates their gas station, Sadry and his assistant, Yadi, dream about romance as life passes them by in this comic drama from Iran. With few customers and constant snow, their secret lives take on great significance to them. Meanwhile, the local postman stops by periodically to share in their dreams. Directed by Saman Salur, the film features stunning black-and-white cinematography.

Ariel Provoked by his father's shocking suicide, laconic coal miner Taisto (Turo Pajala) decides to leave his provincial, humdrum life behind and embark on an unpredictable journey of self-discovery. Regarded as one of internationally acclaimed director Aki Kaurismaki's finest films, this deliberately paced tale blends satire, film noir and experimentalism to create a wry commentary on the triviality of human existence.

Bashing When she's released after being kidnapped and held hostage in Iraq, Japanese aid worker Yuko (Fusako Urabe) faces a hostile reception back home in this drama based on true events. Feeling that she's shamed the country, strangers consider her a pariah. Even her family members, friends and former co-workers show no sympathy, greeting her with awkwardness or jeers. The film received a nomination for the Palme d'Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Dororo In exchange for a seat of power, Kagemitsu Daigo (Kiichi Nakai) pledged 48 body parts from his unborn son, Hyakkimaru (Satoshi Tsumabuki), to 48 demons. Now a mighty Samurai warrior out for revenge, Hyakkimaru crosses paths with a young thief named Dororo (Kou Shibasaki). With Dororo by his side, Hyakkimaru grows more complete with every demon he vanquishes. Hitori Gekidan co-stars in this live-action adaptation of Tezuka Osamu's manga.

Johan While his lover, Johan, is in jail, a nascent Parisian filmmaker begins crafting a movie based on their passionate affair. But when he is unable to find an actor to adequately portray the beautiful Johan, the production morphs into a lengthy celebration of spirited sensuality and gay sex. Phillippe Vallois directs this sexually explicit film that was too hot for French audiences when it was first released in 1976.

Juan, I Forgot I Don't Remember Mexican filmmaker Juan Carlos Rulfo explores the life and works of his father, renowned Mexican poet and novelist Juan Rulfo, while also providing a moving meditation on aging and loss in this poignant documentary. Interviewing many of his father's friends and colleagues, Rulfo subtly shows how time has affected both the faces and minds of some of the interviewees, who include writers Juan Jose Arreola, Manuel Cosio and Jaime Sabines.

Love Conquers All When attractive, young Ah Ping (Ong Li Whei) moves to Kuala Lumpur to work at a relative's restaurant, she leaves her boyfriend behind in rural Penang -- and soon meets a dashing man, John (Stephen Chuah), who turns her head. But John's motives are darker than the naïve Ah Ping suspects, and she's gradually drawn into a dark world for which she's not prepared. Tan Chui Mui directs this moving drama from Malaysia.

Midnight Eagle The crash of a U.S. stealth bomber in the Japanese Alps sets off a race to retrieve the aircraft's deadly cargo: nuclear warheads. Facing an international crisis, the Japanese prime minister enlists an elite military unit to recover the bombs. At the same time, a jaded photographer, his journalist sister-in-law and the foreign agents who sabotaged the stealth join in the chase in this action-adventure based on the novel by Tetsuo Takashima.

Moreno Hurt by his lover and his many infidelities, Filipino documentary filmmaker Cris journeys to the village of T'boli to forget his troubles in his work. But when a local woman confides to Cris that she wants to leave her husband because of his affairs, Cris must finally confront the damage done by his own partner's indiscretions. Crisaldo Pablo directs and stars in this provocative, sexually explicit drama that also features Ray An Dulay.

Re-Cycle As she struggles to complete her new horror novel, best-selling author Tsui Ting-Yin's (Angelica Lee) gruesome literary creations come to life and ensnare her in their terrifying and all-too-real alternate world. Now, she must escape, but the only means is to confront a painful incident in her past. Directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Pang Chun, this visually stunning film also stars Siu-Ming Lau.

Santouri: The Music Man Just as he's achieved enormous success, gifted and popular musician Ali's (Bahram Radan) heroin addiction takes its terrible toll in this poignant drama from Iran. Authorities ban him from performing publicly, and his wife, pianist Hanieh (Golshifteh Farahani), leaves him. Ali blames his failure on Hanieh, but as he continues to plunge toward the bottom, he must concede his own fault in his downfall. Darioush Mehrjui directs.

Saturn in Opposition While having dinner at the home of Lorenzo (Luca Argentero) and his lover, Davide (Pierfrancesco Favino), a close group of gay and straight friends reminisce about the past and take stock of their lives, until an unexpected tragedy begins tearing their relationships apart. Set in Rome, this drama from Italian-Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek co-stars Ambra Angiolini, Stefano Accorsi, Margherita Buy and Serra Yilmaz.

Shadow After a man is thrown from a moving train, the investigation into his death leads to three possible scenarios. Exploring each, Polish filmmaker Jerzy Kawalerowicz looks at the man's life and death through a triad of possibilities. This Cold War-era thriller created controversy with Polish authorities because of its negative depiction of government officials, but it received a nomination for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956.

Shadows in Paradise Shocked and disillusioned by the sudden death of his friend and would-be business partner, a lonely garbage man Nikander (Matti Pellonpaa) finds his hope restored by a chance meeting with a pretty supermarket cashier named Ilona (Kati Outinen). Beautifully realized by celebrated director Aki Kaurismäki, this offbeat tale demonstrates the affect that nuance, subtlety and character development can have on a conventional romantic comedy.

Star Appeal Chinese filmmaker Cui Zi'en directs this gay-themed sci-fi drama about Xiao Bo, a bisexual man who discovers a stranger by the roadside, naked and claiming to be from Mars. Xiao Bo takes the Martian home to his live-in boyfriend and girlfriend, and together, they begin instructing him in the ways of earthlings. But when the mysterious stranger lapses into a coma, only the discovery of true love can bring him around.

The Match Factory Girl Kati Outinen stars in this minimalistic black comedy from acclaimed director Aki Kaurismäki as Iris, a plain-Jane match factory worker desperate to escape her overbearing parents and dreary, uneventful life. When she discovers that her first fun night in ages has resulted in a dreadfully unwanted pregnancy, Iris decides that the time has come to exact a little revenge -- against anyone who dares to cross her.

The Suicide Song Investigating an urban legend called the "Densen Uta" -- a melody that inspires suicidal tendencies in whoever sings it -- tabloid columnist Riku (Ryuhei Matsuda) teams with Anzu (Yuko Oshima), a high schooler who recently lost a friend to suicide. When more girls start killing themselves, Riku and Anzu must act fast to end the deadly cycle in this eerie Japanese horror film, which also stars Atsuko Maeda as Anzu's unlucky classmate Kana.