FILM: THE FIVE BEST FILMS

1

Majorettes in Space (8)

Highlights of this inspired and unmissable package of short films, subtitled "Five Gay Tales from France", are Summer Dress and A Little Death, by young director Francois Ozon.

2

Love and Death on Long Island (5)

Anyone insulted by what Visconti did to Death in Venice should turn to Richard Kwietniowski's tentative love story for comfort. John Hurt is the fuddy-duddy who falls for an American teen idol (Jason Priestley).

3

Life Is All You Get (8)

Aids, unemployment and riot squads in modern Berlin. Not obvious comic material, but Wolfgang Becker's highly original film has a parched, surreal wit on its side - Ken Loach crossed with Bertrand Blier.

4

The X Files (5)

Mulder and Scully's first big-screen outing is no great progression from the television series, though what you get is expertly woven tension - even if it does finally add up to just another conspiracy theory.

5

Zero Effect (5)

Bill Pullman is a hoot as Daryl Zero, the world's greatest private investigator, in this comedy from 22-year-old Jake Kasdan (son of Lawrence). His performance is manic, even seething, yet brimming with compassion.