1. Tulpan: Remarkable romantic comedy set among a nomadic tribe in Kazakhstan.
2. An Education: Nick Hornby's sensitive adaptation of journlaist Lynn Barber's excellent memoir of her first boyfriend.
3. The White Ribbon: Michael Hameke's Palme d'Or winner at Cannes is set in a German village just before the start of the First World War.
4. 2012: Roland Emmerich's thrilling apocalypse movie with John Cusack as the hero.
5. Fantastic Mr Fox: Wes Anderson’s take on Roald Dahl is full of quirky magic — with a sly George Clooney voicing Mr Fox.

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quote New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it quote

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Theatre

Henry Hitchings

quote A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion quote

Cock Restaurants

David Sexton

quote Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave quote

Kitchen W8

Reader reviews

Film

Adam, Harrow

quote Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects quote

2012 Theatre

Rob, London

quote This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws quote

The Habit Of Art Music

Bernard, London

quote Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor quote

Alexandra Burke

Minghella launches new film centre

By This is London 13.03.07

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Host with the most: Anthony Minghella

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Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella is hosting a champagne reception tonight to launch the British Film Institute's new multi-million pound cultural centre.

The English Patient director will be joined by fellow directors Ken Russell and Alan Parker and actors Brian Cox, Juliet Stevenson and Jodhi May for the event to mark the opening of BFI Southbank in London.

The old National Film Theatre has been given a £6 million refurbishment, transforming it into the new development which includes cinemas, public access to the BFI national archive, a gallery and "filmstore" shop.

The gallery will showcase leading UK and international artists' work using moving images and multi-media, while the Mediatheque facility will allow visitors to watch hundreds of hours of film and TV moments from the institute's archive.

An early screen test by actress Audrey Hepburn and a promotional film for the Royal National Institute for the Blind by a young Sean Connery are among the treasures people will be able to access digitally at the new development.

BFI Southbank will also provide talks, presentations and adult learners courses, along with hands-on workshops and family drop-in sessions. The new centre will be open to the public from tomorrow.