By STEVE PERSALL, Times Film Critic
Published May 26, 2005
TOP FIVE
Current movies recommended by the Times:
1. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - The Force is with us again. George Lucas wraps up his outer space epic in grand, occasionally gruesome, style.
2. Kingdom of Heaven - Ridley Scott's 12th century Crusades epic has political relevance today, with sword-slinging action rivaling Gladiator.
3. Crash - Racial tensions in Los Angeles simmer among an ensemble cast, a la Magnolia and Short Cuts. Director/co-writer Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby) fills his movie with messages.
4. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room - Alex Gibney's brisk documentary account of a crushing financial scandal should be required viewing for business ethics classes forever.
5. Madagascar - The creators of Shrek and Shark Tale turn their attention to animals in the zoo who realize too late that their life of confinement is a good thing.
UPCOMING RELEASES
Wednesday: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
June 3: Cinderella Man; Lords of Dogtown; Layer Cake; 3-Iron
June 10: Mr. and Mrs. Smith; The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D; The Honeymooners; The Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rock School; Nina's Tragedies; Look At Me; High Tension