Film

Caouette made his filmmaking debut with the autobiographical documentary Tarnation. He made it on his home computer for only $218. It includes snapshots, super-8 home movies, answering machine messages and dramatic reenactments from his chaotic upbringing in a dysfunctional Texas family.

Pickett's novel Sideways has been made into a critically acclaimed film starring Thomas Paul Giamatti and Haden Church (left). It's about two ex-college roommates, now middle-aged, who set off on a week's trip through California wine country.

Critic John Powers reviews a new DVD of John Cassavetes films. It includes Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Kinsey, the film starring Liam Neeson as the famous Dr. Alfred Kinsey who conducted the first scientific studies on human sexual behavior.

Leigh's social-realist comedies depict British working class life. He begins work on his films without a script, piecing them together from improvisations with his cast. His latest film is Vera Drake about a working class woman in Britain in the 1950s who secretly performs abortions.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews new collections of Bollywood film music: Bollywood for Beginners, The Best of Bollywood, 15 Classic Hits from the Indian Cinema, and The Very Best of Bollywood Songs II.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews the new film "Frida" about Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. It stars Salma Hyek and Alfred Molina

Critic at large John Powers reviews The Battle of Algiers about the Algerian struggle for independence from the French in the '50s and '60s. The film was made nearly 40 years ago, and has a score by Ennio Morricone. It's just come out on DVD.

Rushing was a press officer stationed at Centcom (United States Central command) presenting the American military point of view on the war to the world press. He was featured in the documentary Control Room which was filmed inside the Arab network Al Jazeera. Rushing decided to leave the military after the Pentagon ordered him to stop commenting on the documentary.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews "sideways".

BBC America is airing a special two-hour version of The Office Thursday night. TV critic David Bianculli has a review.

Critic-at-large John Powers reviews a new two-DVD version of Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita.

Balsiger's film George W. Bush: Faith in the White House has been released as an "alternative" to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 911. Interviewees share their experiences on how President Bush demonstrates his faith. Introduced at the Republican National Convention, the film is now on DVD.

The new documentary Tarnation chronicles writer and director Jonathan Caouette's turbulent childhood with a mentally ill mother. He made the film on his home computer for just a few hundred dollars. Critic David Edelstein has a review.

Michael Moore's controversial film Fahrenheit 9/11 won best picture at Cannes and broke box office records for a documentary. It's now out on DVD and video. Moore's other films include Roger & Me and Bowling for Columbine. He's also authored Stupid White Men and Will They Ever Trust Us Again?

Team America: World Police is a new spoof of action adventure films starring puppets. It's the work of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the animated TV show South Park. David Edelstein offers a review of Team America.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new political mock documentary series, Tanner on Tanner. The four-part political satire was written by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau and directed by Robert Altman. It airs Tuesdays in October on the Sundance Channel.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews the new Pixar animated film The Incredibles. Voiced by Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, among others, the comic film tracks a family of superheroes who must abandon a quiet life in the suburbs to fight evil.

Leigh became famous for her role in the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. She starred as Marion Crane, the young woman who killed in the shower by Norman Bates. Leigh wrote about the film in the 1995 book Psycho: Janet Leigh Behind the Scenes of The Classic Thriller. She died at 77.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Motorcycle Diaries, based on the diary of Ernesto Che Guevara as a young man.