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THE QUEEN Whether or not one agrees with a character's declaration that the royal family is comprised of "freeloading, emotionally retarded nutters," it's fascinating to watch these upper-crust Brits play out their own sordid soap opera in this wicked -- and wickedly good -- show that takes a highly dubious premise and somehow turns it into one of the year's best films. Set mostly in the days following the death of Diana back in 1997, it focuses on the reactions of Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and the rest of the royal family to the tragedy as well as the efforts of newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) to take control of the situation. It sounds like so much dreary sensationalism, yet because Stephen Frears' direction is nimble and Peter Morgan's script clever and resourceful, The Queen never bogs down in any potentially problematic areas. It manages to be both respectful and critical of the monarchy, a double-edged viewpoint that neatly reflects the attitude of the characters themselves. Mirren's performance is a thing of beauty, but Sheen admirably keeps pace with his formidable co-star in this majestic entertainment. ***1/2

SHORTBUS A multi-layered film featuring a multi-character ensemble, Shortbus pushes the envelope of what's allowed on screen further than just about any other non-porn flick that comes to mind. The result isn't distasteful or juvenile; instead, it's a celebration of sex that, in turn, morphs into a celebration of those most inalienable of American rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In focusing on a handful of New York residents struggling with relationship woes, writer-director John Cameron Mitchell isn't so Pollyanna that he's suggesting everyone's difficulties will be solved by one good bout of sexual acrobatics -- indeed, many of the characters' problems and hang-ups are directly hardwired into their own opinions on the subject. But what makes Shortbus unusual for an American movie is that it isn't frightened of sex, it doesn't reduce the act to insensitive frat boy gyrations, and it doesn't employ it as a bludgeoning weapon. As a movie, Shortbus is a turn-on, but not in the sense readers might imagine. The picture isn't physically stimulating so much as it's mentally and emotionally arousing -- it considers the brain and the heart the true erogenous zones, a viewpoint that ultimately turns out to be the movie's most startling declaration. ***1/2

OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10:

BABEL: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett.

DELIVER US FROM EVIL: Oliver O'Grady, Tom Doyle.

A GOOD YEAR: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney.

HARSH TIMES: Christian Bale, Eva Longoria.

RENAISSANCE: Daniel Craig, Ian Holm.

THE RETURN: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sam Shepard.

STRANGER THAN FICTION: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson.