AFTER LIFE (Japan, Hirokazu Kore-eda)
At a run-down way station in a nondenominational afterlife, the recently deceased are told by case workers that each has three days to choose exactly one memory from their lives to take with them into eternity. An incredibly affecting look at the beauty of memory and the value of a human life. A soft, delicate film, awash in wintry hues, that leaves an indelible mark of humanity.

RUN LOLA RUN (Germany, Thomas Tykwer)
A hyperkinetic, techno-scored adventure where the titular heroine (the charismatic Franka Potente) has just 20 minutes to find about $60,000 and save her boyfriend's life. In a wonderful twist, the film gives her three chances to get it right. Candy-colored and ultra-modern, the film is grounded by its thoughtful premise of how even the smallest decisions change our lives.

ELECTION (US, Alexander Payne)
An overachieving high school student (Reese Witherspoon) is hell-bent on becoming class president. Matthew Broderick is the self-righteous government teacher who stands in her way. A funny and painfully honest look at the little things ordinary people do to try to ruin each other's lives, truthfully depicting how low people will stoop in achieving their petty and ultimately insignificant goals.

THE LIMEY (US, Steven Soderbergh)
An aging British gangster (Terence Stamp) has just been released from jail and flies to Los Angeles to seek the killer of his estranged daughter. Car chases and shootouts await, but The Limey also features startling nonlinear editing, an off-kilter visual style and a story centered more on character than plot. A funny, violent and ultimately bittersweet meditation on vengeance.

LAST NIGHT (Canada, Don McKellar)
Spooky little movie follows several lonely Toronto residents during the last six hours of life on Earth. Some live out fantasies, some retreat into ritual, some try to end things with a bang, some simply wish to spend their final hours alone. The film gives no explanation for the end of the world, nor any chance of saving it - much to its credit. It's also got one of the best endings I've seen all year.

SHOW ME LOVE (Sweden, Lukas Moodysson)
Charming film about two teenage girls living in a boring Swedish town. Elin is the most popular girl in school. Agnes is a shy, troubled loner - and desperately in love with Elin. Though marketed as a "lesbian movie", Show Me Love is really a film about the trials of being young, being different and being in love. Which is something that hopefully all of us can relate to.

THE INSIDER (US, Michael Mann)
Suspenseful film, based on recent events, about tobacco industry insider Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe, great), who tries to blow the whistle on corruption within the Brown & Williamson tobacco company by taking his story to 60 Minutes and winds up getting screwed by nearly everybody around him as he learns the high price of telling the truth. A nail-biter of the highest order.

THE IRON GIANT (US, Brad Bird)
Fine animated film about a '50s boy who befriends a giant robot from outer space. Witty, intelligent script dodges the cliches as the boy and his robot dodge everybody who wants to destroy the gentle giant... who is also a powerful killing machine. A surprisingly deep movie about the meaning of the soul, its animation is also first rate. Satisfying on all fronts.

THREE KINGS (US, David O. Russell)
Four greedy U.S. soldiers venture into 1991 Iraq in search of Saddam Hussein's hidden gold and get more than what they bargained for. Surreal, pointed look at war at the end of the 20th century, where nobody knows what to fight for (or against). Violent and very funny, loaded with creativity, rich cinematography and genuine anger at the tragedy found in the ashes of George H.W. Bush's war.

TWIN FALLS IDAHO (US, Michael and Mark Polish)
The Polish brothers, identical twins, also star in this quiet drama as conjoined twins who hide from the world in their decrepit apartment. One is dying; the other is falling in love with a young prostitute. A tender spin on sibling responsibility, Twin Falls Idaho is what American indies should aspire to be: original, well-crafted, sophisticated and heartfelt.