When Fate Intrudes, Death on Screen as Well as Off. Cate Blanchett gives the most compelling screen performance of her career as a principled terrorist whose desperate act of violence tragically backfires. By Stephen Holden. [New York Times: Movies]

Personal Views of Broken Homes. A clear-eyed documentary about the painful, unbridgeable divide between three gay and lesbian adults and their religious parents. By Lawrence Van Gelder.

Arthur Dong's 'Family Fundamentals' is a clear-eyed, narrowly focused documentary about the painful, unbridgeable divide between three gay and lesbian adults and their religious parents, whether biological or surrogate.

This film, which opens today in Manhattan, continues Mr. Dong's exploration of homosexuality, begun with 'Coming Out Under Fire,' about World War II military policies, and 'Licensed to Kill,' about convicted murderers of gay men. In the latter, he says at the outset of 'Family Fundamentals,' the Bible often came up as a point of reference, and his new film tells three stories that share a conservative Christian foundation that condemns homosexuality.

[New York Times: Movies]

For Strangers in the Night, Gridlock Is an Opportunity. Claire Denis's surreal erotic fantasy has the irresistible earmarks of the kind of high-toned bodice-ripper at which the French excel, but its cinematic realization is oddly gawky and tepid. By Stephen Holden. [New York Times: Movies]

Seeking a Smoking Gun in U.S. Violence. Michael Moore's disturbing, infuriating and often very funny documentary examines the culture of violence in America. By A. O. Scott. [New York Times: Movies]

No Madonna Is an Island. Madonna stars in a soggy and superfluous English-language remake of Lina Wertmüller's tart, schematic 1974 comedy about class struggle and sexual combat on a deserted Mediterranean island. By A. O. Scott. [New York Times: Movies]

A Mullinski as Mastermind of a Heist That's a Bellini. A chipper little picture about a motley crew of lovable criminals involved in a complicated, lucrative heist. The movie, which features a gang of first-rate actors mugging, ranting, and generally looking silly, was written and directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, two brothers from Cleveland. By A. O. Scott. [New York Times: Movies]

Pinocchio Infatuates Italians (and That's No Lie). With the imminent release of a new, live-action movie of "Pinocchio" by the Italian superstar Roberto Benigni, Italians are in a kind of Pinocchio swoon. By Frank Bruni. [New York Times: International]