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Salon: Arts & Entertainment

Movie, music and TV reviews, features and more from Salon critics and staff.

Semisweet "Chocolate News" Is David Alan Grier's flava-ful new sketch comedy show a black version of "The Daily Show"? Big Think: "I hope that we can restore our image" Lawyer and author Mahvish Khan discusses her experiences at Guantánamo. Critics' Picks What you need to see, read, do this week: Indie rock for Barack, a time capsule of late-'80s bohemia, a peek at other people's diaries. Don't call it mumblecore Ultra-indie American film grows up in a hurry with Joe Swanberg and Greta Gerwig's erotic, wrenching relationship drama "Nights and Weekends." "Happy-Go-Lucky" Sally Hawkins gives the finest performance of the year in Mike Leigh's intimate masterpiece. "Greatest film ever" or a cream cake? Mocked on initial release and long unavailable, Max Ophüls' wide-screen spectacle "Lola Montès" returns in a lustrous restoration. So what's the big deal? "The Wrestler" Mickey Rourke gives a knockout performance as a nearly washed-up wrestling star. "Body of Lies" Russell and Leo team up in this overly intricate indictment of the war on terror. "RocknRolla" Thugs, lowlifes and a bang-bang sex scene vie for attention in Guy Ritchie's latest mobster movie. Torture porn, made beautiful Pasolini's "Salò" blends fascism, de Sade and upscale art cinema into the most notorious film in the medium's history. Watch it at home! Doc Hudson vs. Che Guevara Paul Newman's crusty, kid-friendly, oddly classic final role (as a car). Plus: Film-world eggheads battle over Soderbergh's unconventional "Che." Big Think: Lisa Randall on how some things will be known The theoretical physicist discusses her work on understanding extra dimensions of space and string theory. From Cannes headliner to pay cable Why is the exasperating and delightful "Pleasure of Being Robbed" -- a breakthrough American micro-indie about a charming female sociopath -- barely getting released? Critics' Picks What you need to see, read, do this week: Your favorite writers on their favorite states, audaciously hopeful music and a deliciously decadent box set. "Rachel Getting Married" Jonathan Demme recaptures the ease and warmth of his early movies with this affecting take of a family wedding. "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" Simon Pegg is utterly charming as a troublemaking British journalist in this celeb-media sendup. "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" Two bridge-and-tunnel kids knock about nocturnal New York in this leisurely, low-key movie. "Blindness" Julianne Moore shines, others stumble through this extended metaphor on the condition of humanity. Bill Maher vs. the "talking snake" The HBO host and comedian talks about "Religulous," his onslaught against the religious idiocy that threatens to deliver America to Sarah Palin and her fellow "space god" worshipers. Desperation becomes her "The Ex List" is like "Sex and the City" without the trustworthy friends, the cool clothes the laughs. Is this a dramedy, or a cautionary tale?