Biopics

The French outlaw Jacques Mesrine, who terrorized France and killed 39 people, is the subject of the thrilling Mesrine: Killer Instinct, which stars Vincent Cassell as Mesrine and Gerard Depardieu as a Parisian crime boss. Critic John Powers applauds Cassell's acting, saying it "ranks with the best of DeNiro or Pacino or, more recently, Daniel Day-Lewis."

A story of the sultry all-girl '70s rock band fronted by Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, The Runaways is an exhilarating story of female self-expression that's also a cautionary tale of female exploitation. Kristen Stewart co-stars as Jett, but critic David Edelstein says it's Dakota Fanning as Currie who gives the film its electricity.

Director Mira Nair's Amelia attempts to capture the free-spirited life of famed pilot Amelia Earhart. But with a flat script and shallow story, says critic David Edelstein, the movie is more of a blueprint--it never breathes.

Director George Tillman Jr.'s Notorious, which follows the life and death of the rapper Biggie Smalls, opens in theaters this weekend. David Edelstein has a review.

Film critic David Edelstein says the Harvey Milk biopic, starring Sean Penn, is one of the most heartfelt portraits of a politician ever made. "The personal and the political aren't just hand-in-hand," he says: "They dance."

Filmmaker Oliver Stone couldn't wait for President Bush to leave office before he made a movie about him. And despite Stone's famously left-leaning views, his treatment of The Decider is surprisingly empathetic — though ultimately the film doesn't do justice to its characters.

Fresh Air's film critic reviews the new Sean Penn film, adapted from the best-selling nonfiction narrative by Jon Krakauer.

Rescue Dawn, the first Hollywood feature from German New Wave director Werner Herzog, is the true story of Dieter Dengler, the only U.S. pilot to sucessfully escape from a North Vietnamese-controlled prison. This dramatized version, starring Christian Bale as Dengler, marks the second time Herzog has told the story.

A Mighty Heart tells the story of the hunt in Pakistan for kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl through the eyes of his very pregnant wife, Mariane. The film is gripping: Apart from flashbacks that dramatize Mariane's idyllic memories of Daniel, it's clipped, blunt, and grimly realistic. It's almost a police procedural, with a focus on the nuts and bolts of the investigation. Our suspense is lessened, though, by our knowledge that it will end badly.

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

Film critic John Powers reviews Iris, about the life of Iris Murdoch. It stars Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet. All three actors have been nominated for Oscars.

Film Critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new film “Men of Honor,” starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Film critic John Powers reviews “Erin Brockovitch” starring Julia Roberts.

Film critic John Powers reviews "The Insider."

Film critic John Powers reviews "Hilary and Jackie."

Actress Lili Taylor the lead character in the new movie "I Shot Andy Warhol" The film is based on a true story and Taylor plays the outraged feminist loner Valerie Solanas, who shot Andy Warhol in June 1968.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Dead Man Walking."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Oliver Stone's "Nixon."

Critic Maureen Corrigan remembers the witty New York writer on the occasion of the new movie, "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle."

We feature interviews with two people involved with the film "Heavenly Creatures." New Zealand director and writer Peter Jackson and co-screenwriter Frances Walsh. They have collaborated on two other films, "Dead Alive" a horror-movie spoof and "Meet The Feebles," a zombie film -- both of which have a cult following in their home country.