Film-Forward

Both leads, who make their film debut here, have an easy rapport, and the comedy coasts along largely on their charms.

An uplifting film that follows a local elder with a passion, Masamoto Ueda and his ramen noodle bar in Tokyo. There is no lack of mouthwatering close-ups that will have audiences anticipating their next meal.

Almost four decades in the making, this affectionate film is an illuminating portrait and a touching story of a friendship that developed between the filmmaker and his subject.

A thoroughly entertaining and insightful documentary, even if it’s not the definitive biography of the band.

Set away from prying eyes, the film boldly explores how three teenage girls exist in a veritable minefield of sorts.

Two more Radu Jude films torch Romanian ignorance, authoritarianism, and poltroonery. The borderline-bonkers Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn churns with incendiary ideas, while Uppercase Print condemns Ceausescu–era repression with clunky sincerity.

This is not the sort of film in which you forget that you are watching actors.

An entertaining and insightful documentary on the sonic architect of the Beach Boys.

As so often happens with international films, this movie is much more accurately represented by its original Japanese title, Coincidence and Imagination, than its English translation.