Carlos

Dir. Olivier Assayas (2010).
Olivier Assayas’s epic portrait of the ‘70s most infamous terrorist is more fun than Steven Soderbergh’s Che—to which it is routinely compared with regard to length, historical period, and revolutionary protagonist—in part because it is less conceptually rigorous. The controlled, rock-fueled tumult evokes and improves upon Assayas thrillers like demonlover and Boarding Gate; the extended account of Carlos’s most elaborate operation, holding hostage a full conference of OPEC oil ministers, would make a terrific movie in its own right.

Sat., Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 24, 3 p.m., 2010