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 An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance quote

2012 Theatre

Fiona Mountford

quote The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C quote

Blood Brothers Music

John Aizlewood

quote The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed quote

Muse

Reader reviews

Theatre

Rachel Dalziel

quote I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play quote

Gilbert Is Dead Restaurants

Raja, London

quote I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food quote

Babbo Music

Katy, London

quote Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW! quote

Muse

Critics' choice: five best films

Evening Standard 09.09.09

Add your view

Zooey Deschanel: star of Days of Summer

Pedro Almodóvar teams up again with Penélope Cruz in Broken Embraces, Zooey Deschanel stars in Days of Summer and Mid-August Lunch is a must-see masterpiece

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Cert 12A, 95 mins
A refreshingly unsentimental indie romance starring Zooey Deschanel that's both funny and touching — who says boys don't cry?

THE HURT LOCKER
Cert 15, 131 mins
Kathryn Bigelow's movie is undoubtedly the best to have come out of the Iraq conflict.

BROKEN EMBRACES
Cert 15, 128 mins
Pedro Almodóvar teams up again with Penélope Cruz for a labyrinthine plot full of sexy verve.

MID-AUGUST LUNCH
Cert U, 76 mins
A minor masterpiece by Gianni DiGregorio, in which he plays a harassed Roman left in charge of some old ladies.

SIN NOMBRE
Cert 15, 96 mins
Gripping tale of illegal immigrants crossing the US border from Mexico.