Film

From ''The Iron Lady.'' – Photo: Courtesy

A patron at Morrison's Hotel refers to Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) as "such a kind little man." If only he knew. Albert, a self-described "bastard" with a convent education, was born female. Underneath the spit-spot suit, tight-fitting corset and layers of bandaging, Albert is still a woman. But he's lived so long as a man and is so desperate to hold onto his job in 19th century Dublin that Nobbs can't even recall his birth name.

From ''The Artist.'' – Photo: Courtesy

Everything you've heard about Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" is true and then some. As innovative as a (mostly) silent, black-and-white film about silent movies can be in 2011, "The Artist" not only restores a lost art form to its former glory but also polishes it up for a contemporary audience. One of the benefits of such a movie – at least at the screening this critic attended – is that the audience sat in silent, rapt attention. No conversations (whispered or otherwise) or ringing mobile phones interrupted the experience.

'Hugo.' – Photo: Courtesy

What possessed Martin Scorcese to direct his first family film – and in 3D, no less? After all, Scorcese is famous for such brutal, testosterone-fueled character studies as "Raging Bull," "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "Cape Fear," "Goodfellas" and "Gangs of New York."

Ido Rosenberg in ''Mary Lou.'' – Photo: Courtesy

"Mary Lou," the latest piece of cinematic brilliance from Israeli filmmaker Eytan Fox, has it all – fun, drama, thoughtfulness, hit music by '70s Israeli glam pop idol Svika Pick and even drag queens.

From ''Pariah.'' – Photo: Courtesy

Dee Rees' feature film debut "Pariah" is a remarkable achievement. The story of queer African-American teenager Alike (pronounced uh-lee-kay) is sure to strike a chord with viewers from all walks of life. The film examines the double life Alike leads, both at home with her religiously conservative family and with her friends at school and in night clubs. The performances by Adepero Oduye as Alike and Kim Wayans as Alike's mother Audrey are especially riveting.

Daniel Craig in ''Casino Royale.'' – Photo: Courtesy

The time off from James Bond has been very good to Daniel Craig.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Judi Dench in ''J. Edgar.'' – Photo: Courtesy

After the hack job Clint Eastwood did on "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," there was cause for alarm when it came to his undertaking a J. Edgar Hoover biopic. Was he the right director to tackle a subject rife with queer innuendo?

The Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival screens “Gen Silent” at 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union Theatre, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.

You’re old, ill and in a nursing home. How can you survive discrimination?

Meryl Streep portrays former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in ''The Iron Lady.'' – Photo: Courtesy

With hairdo, handbag and hubris, she dominated – and divided – Britain for a decade. Now a film about Margaret Thatcher is doing it all over again.

Michelle Williams in ''My Week With Marilyn.'' – Photo: Courtesy

'My Week with Marilyn'

'Puss In Boots.' – Photo: Courtesy

'Puss in Boots'

‘Footloose’ remake misses the fun

When it comes to unnecessary remakes, the list keeps getting longer. You can add “Footloose” to that list.

This update begins at a barn dance and kegger, where the teen toe-tappers are dancing up a storm to – what else? The song “Footloose.” Within minutes, tragedy strikes when a car with five of the revelers collides head-on with a semi. One of the victims is the son of Rev. Moore, played by Dennis Quaid, who reacts by outlawing music in the town of Bomont, Ga.