Amores Perros ****1/2

Spanish with English Subtitles.

Debut film by Alejandro González Iñárritu - Director/Producer

Amores Perros, which translates to "Loves A Bitch," is a tryptic in which characters from each part appear in one form or another, helping to tie all loose ends together. This is a powerful film in which love and dogs figure largely. A lot is thrown at the viewer, leaving him or her somewhat shell shocked. To top it off, none of the characters in the stories are likable in the least. Even when you begin to pick up on a thread that gives hope that there is something redeeming in a character, he/she betrays you and you realize they are scum. And this is exactly what makes this movie work so well. It's excellent. A must see.

(note: there are numerous dog fighting scenes in this movie that are sometimes hard to watch, but rest assured, I watched the special supplement and no dogs were injured in any way.)

Darjeeling Limited ***3/4

derson, the creator of RUSHMORE and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, offers another quirky, melancholic riff on familial ties and father issues in THE DARJEELING LIMITED. Francis (Owen Wilson) has invited his brothers, Jack (Jason Schwartzman) and Peter (Adrien Brody), to join him on a train...From the creator of The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, Wes Anderson. Darjeeling Limited is a quirky, comedic study of sibling and family issues. Three brothers embark on a train trip for a spiritual quest through India. Past history boils up between the three brothers, causing incessant argument and strife, rather than reconnection as hoped. Unexpectedly, a tragedy unites them and provides the spiritual link they needed. Before leaving India they try to reunite with their mother, an experience that frees them of their baggage.

After The Wedding ****1/2

Danish, with English sub-titles.

Beautiful, harrowing, tender, vicious. These are among the words that pop into mind after watching After The Wedding. Supremely good acting; brilliant directing; good story with plenty of twists and turns.

I don't want to spoil this one by revealing too much. A short synopsis: Jacob, devoted to his work in an orphanage in Mumbai, must return to his homeland, Denmark, on a mission to secure funding for the orphanage from a self-made billionaire. The magnate has his own agenda.

Don't miss it!