NEW RELEASES - June 20 HIGHLIGHTS

Syriana (2005).

"A movie that demands and rewards close attention," writes A.O. Scott in the New York Times. "Loosely based on the memoirs of a C.I.A. veteran, Robert Baer, on whom [George] Clooney's character is modeled, it aims to be a great deal more than a standard geopolitical thriller and thereby succeeds in being one of the best geopolitical thrillers in a very long time."

Also starring Jeffrey Wright and Matt Damon and written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, who does for oil here what he did for drugs in Traffic.

Eight Below (2006).

"An old-fashioned doggy-endurance yarn that consciously evokes the spirit of live-action Disney standbys Old Yeller and The Incredible Journey, only updated with a bit of that March of the Penguins spirit," writes Andrew Pulver in the Guardian.

Night Watch (2004).

"Night Watch, the occult thriller that shattered box office records when it was released in Russia during the summer of 2004, not only represents an alternate universe - it is one," writes J. Hoberman in the Village Voice. "Despite its cheesy blood and thunder and ludicrous 'Sunshine Makers' metaphysics, this is the funniest apocalypse I've seen since George Romero's Land of the Dead."

A Fine Madness (1966).

A very 60s-era comedy about a poet - played by Sean Connery! - and costarring Joanne Woodward, Jean Seberg and Colleen Dewhurst.

I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968).

"This movie is dated but that's why I love it," writes ZenBones. "It's kind of like The Monkees for grown-ups, illustrating that sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and 'doing your own thing' don't have to be threatening at all.... Like Alice B. Toklas brownies, this movie is sweet, fun and just a tad decadent."

Paul Mazursky wrote it and Peter Sellers stars in it.

The Loved One (1965).

"Wildly and unpredictably funny, The Loved One careens from scene to scene so quickly you may not be able to keep up with the jokes," writes Christopher Null at filmcritic.com. "The black and white photography from Haskell Wexler is stark, reminiscent of Dr. Strangelove (as is the whole film - with Jonathan Winters in two roles)."

Petulia (1968).

Richard Lester, who reinvented the pop star vehicle with A Hard Day's Night and Help!, told us how to get The Knack and explained how John Lennon Won the War, got rather avant and experimental with Petulia, a very 60s sort of comedy with George C. Scott, Julie Christie and a slew of other stars. The cinematographer here, by the way, is Nicolas Roeg.

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971).

Featuring a very young Robert De Niro, this comedy based on Jimmy Breslin's novel follows the increasingly ridiculous exploits of a gang that can't seem to wipe out a Mafia boss.

Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel (2004).

In true "live fast die young" rock 'n' roll fashion, Gram Parsons died in 1973 of a drug overdose, leaving behind a timeless song catalog, as well as one of the more tragic and twisted life stories in rock history. Gandulf Hennig's new documentary Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel sheds light on the fascinating, short life of the influential musician. Recently, Heather Johnson spoke to the German filmmaker on the eve of the documentary's release.

Clark Gable: The Signature Collection (1933 - 1953).

What's most remarkable about this collection is not just the eyeful of that fine-lookin' Clark Gable - six features' worth - but also the lineup of costars in these films selected from Gable's many long years as an A-lister.

In Dancing Lady (1933), his costar is Joan Crawford; in China Seas (1935), it's Jean Harlow and Wallace Beery; in San Francisco (1936), Jeannette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy; in Wife vs. Secretary (1936), Jean Harlow again and Myrna Loy; in Boom Town (1940), Spencer Tracy again and Claudette Colbert and Hedy Lamarr; and in Mogambo (1953), John Ford directs Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly.

Equinox (1970).

"Before he took you to a galaxy far, far away, before he brought you face-to-face with living, breathing prehistoric beasts, Dennis Muren, the future nine-time Oscar-winning visual-effects artist (Star Wars, Jurassic Park), joined forces with a group of talented young filmmakers to create an homage to the creature features of yore in the eerie monster mash Equinox," writes Criterion. "The film has gained a passionate cult following and inspired succeeding generations of horror/fantasy filmmakers."

Sister Princess: Complete Collection (2006).

Wataru Minakami's butler sends him to school at Stargazer's Hill in a mysterious place called Promised Island, and wouldn't you know, the place is crawling with cute girls. The catch: they're all his sisters.

Here's the complete series.

Click on to see what's Coming Soon.

You also might want to browse the New Releases Archive for more recent arrivals.