Coming soon

By Â¿Â¿Â¿Â¿Michael Sragow

November 14, 2008

next friday

Bolt (Walt Disney Pictures) A canine TV superhero doesn't realize his superpowers aren't real when he embarks on a cross-country trek accompanied by a jaded house cat and a hamster. With the voices of John Travolta and Susie Essman.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Miramax Films) A German boy befriends a young Jewish prisoner at a concentration camp in Krakow, Poland. With David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga and Asa Butterfield.

Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) Advancing toward winning millions on a game show, an 18-year-old orphan in Mumbai, India, is arrested for cheating. With Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Irfan Khan.

Twilight (Summit Entertainment) The publishing sensation comes to Hollywood in this tale of an eternally young vampire and his teen soul mate. With Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

Release dates are subject to change.

last call

Happy-Go-Lucky **** If you've never seen a Mike Leigh movie, the best place to start is this portrait of an optimistic London schoolteacher (Sally Hawkins, left) who demonstrates the power of an attitude that embraces the world. It will introduce you to the way he builds characters and the way people in life build friendships, intuitively and in action. If you're already a Leigh fan, go and savor a film that reflects the sunniest facets of his genius (without ignoring the dark sides). For novices and aficionados, this one is a win-win.