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

Golden Lion goes for a Burton

Metro 06.09.07

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Magic moment: Film director Tim Burton marked his award at the Venice Film Festival by showing his supernatural film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, in 3D

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Film director Tim Burton was honoured with the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival yesterday.

He was presented with the award by Johnny Depp, who has starred in many of Burton's films including Edward Scissorhands and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

'This is very special to me. It's the best honour I've ever received and it just inspires me to keep going,' Burton said.

The 49-year-old joked that the award was better than an Oscar statuette: 'It's actually a lot more beautiful-looking than a bald, naked man.' Burton, who was in Venice with heavily pregnant partner Helena Bonham-Carter, is currently filming musical Sweeney Todd with Depp.

The movie is to be given an R-rating in the US because of its gory content, which means under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. 'I don't think there are any R-rated musicals, so it will be interesting to see how it's received,' Burton said.