HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (Harry Potter y el misterio del príncipe, US/UK 2009). In the sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, and in both wizard and muggle worlds Lord Volemort and his henchmen are increasingly active. With vacancies to fill at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledor persuades Horace Slughorn, back from retirement to become the potions teacher, while Professor Snape receives long awaited news. Harry Potter, together with Dumbledore, must face treacherous tasks to defeat his evil nemesis. In English with Spanish-language subtitles, and also in Sp. dub).
Directed by: David Yates. Written by: Steve Kloves, based on the J.K. Rowling novel. With: Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman. Scope (one print shown in Imax format with 3D fragments). Distributed by Warner. NC13. Running time: 153 minutes.

GAKE NO UE NO PONYO (Ponyo y el secreto de la sirenita, Japan, 2008). Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi), Ponyo is an animated feature using traditional, frame-by-frame techniques, the type of animation so much admired by Disney-Pixar’s John Lasseter — seemingly at the far end of the technological spectrum. In Japanese with Spanish-language subtitles.
Written by: Hayao Miyazaki, based on a story by Melissa Mathison. Character voices: Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, J‘ji Tokoro, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Yuki Amami, Kazushige Nagashima. Distributed by Pachamama. NR. Running time: 100 minutes.

HOME. (Switzerland/ France/ Belgium, 2008). In French with Spanish-language subtitles.
A family leading an odd lifestyle by the side of an old roadway are suddenly shaken out of their routine when the government decides to build a highway that will forever modify the surroundings.
Directed by: Ursula Meier. Written by: Antoine Jaccoud, Olivier Lorelle, Ursula Meier, Gilles Taurand, Raphaelle Valbrune and Alice Winocour. With: Isabelle Huppert, Olivier Gourmet, Adéla de Leroux, Madeleine Budd, Kacey Mottet Klein, Renaud Rivier. Distribuye by Primer Plano. NC16. Running time: 97 minutes.

GIORNI E NUVOLE (Sonrisas y lagrimas, Italy/ Switzerland, 2007). In Italian with Spanish-language subtitles. A well-off, middle-aged couple must confront a difficult situation as the husband loses his well-paying job. Action is set amid political scandal and the indifference of an alienated middle class. With: Margherita Buy (Manuale d’amore) and Antonio Albanese (Tu ridi).
Directed by: Silvio Soldini. Written by: Soldini, Doriana Leondeff and Francesco Piccolo, based on a story by Soldini, Doriana Leondeff, Francesco Piccolo and Federica Pontremoli. Distributed by Impacto Cine. NR. Running time: 118 minutes.