Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002)

An individual's search for his or her true identity is a classic theme of movies and literature. Balto II: Wolf Quest, the entertaining sequel to the 1995 animated hit, explores this subject with sensitivity and depth. Balto (voice of David Carradine), the half-wolf, half-dog of the original, is raising a litter of pups he has fathered in civilization. His daughter, Aleu (Lacy Chabert), grows up feeling like an outsider among other dogs because she looks more like a wolf than her father. She decides she must learn what kind of “music sings inside her.” Balto joins his daughter on her quest back into the Northern wilderness from which their ancestors came.

Balto must defeat a mean wolf for leadership of a wolf pack, and he and Aleu must face down a ferocious bear. But their greatest challenge is surviving in the rugged, natural terrain. Their adventures are inspired in part by traditional Native American songs and chants. Although the movie is primarily for kids, adults will find it compelling as well.

Close-Up (1990)

Even in Third World countries, moviemaking is a glamorous profession that tempts weaker souls to violate their moral codes to become part of it. CloseUp, written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami (Life and Nothing More), is an intelligent exploration of these conflicts set in contemporary Iran. Based on an actual incident, the filmmaker uses the real-life people involved to play themselves in cleverly staged re-enactments. Sabzian, an impoverished printer's assistant, is riding a bus, reading a book called The Cyclist by noted Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Kandahar). When the book catches the attention of the wealthy Mrs. Ahankhah, seated nearby, Sabzian pretends to be Makhmalbaf.

Sabzian gets himself invited into the luxurious Ahankhah household by promising to use the premises as a location for his next film. The woman's husband and son become suspicious when Sabzian borrows money.

His hoax is exposed, and he's falsely accused of planning a robbery. Kiarostami uses the situation to make subtle comments on class differences and the disparities between rich and poor in Iran.

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P profanity

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4 justifiable

–1 questionable

–2 objectionable

–3 reprehensible