Fantasy

Film critic Justin Chang reviews the new fantasy films "Three Thousand Years Of Longing," starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba.

There are three reasons to see this prequel to the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz: the trio of witches played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams. But James Franco, who stars as the wizard-in-the-making, disappoints — and the film as a whole is a bit snoozy.

Clash of the Titans stars Avatar's Sam Worthington as Perseus and Ralph Fiennes as the malevolent god of the underworld, Hades. Critic David Edelstein says the new 3-D Clash — a remake of the 1981 epic original — "is not a train wreck: a train wreck would be more entertaining."

With its exquisite visuals, Henry Selick's Coraline turns Neil Gaiman's dark fantasy into a stop-motion masterpiece — and one children's tale that's decidedly not just for the kids.

Film historian Rudy Behlmer wrote the CD liner notes for the sound track of the film King Kong.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews the final film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Guest film critic Steve Vineberg reviews the French film "City of Lost Children."

Guest film critic Michael Sragow reviews "Willow," the latest George Lucas adventure/fantasy.

Film director Wim Wender. His films include "The American Friend," "Alice in the Cities" "Kings of the Road," and "Paris, Texas." Though his subject matter seems mundane, - a cross-country trip by two men in a van, a day in the life of a disgruntled soccer goalie - Wender shapes his stories into something much more deliberate and affecting. Wender's new film, set in his native Germany, is titled "Wings of Desire."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Beetle Juice," the supernatural comedy about a couple that moves into a Victorian home hoping to remodel it only to find it's inhabited by ghosts who abhor their chic urban tastes. It stars Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara and Alec Baldwin.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Ironweed" based on the novel by William Kennedy. It stars Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Carol Baker.