See it before the hype gets out of hand.2Boys Don’t Cry (Sun, 6pm, Odeon West End)Hilary Swank is the rebel with a corset who alights in a Midwestern backwater; Chloe Sevigny the bored, boozy teen who gets taken in. What’s more, the film eschews the standard Hollywood ending where justice and the girl are rightfully won A classic.. 1

Being John Malkovich (Tue 8.30pm, Odeon West End)
In which John Cusack’s nerd puppeteer sells entrance into the skull of actor John Malkovich. But while Joe is patently the good guy, Loach resists painting him as a hero and, thanks to Mullan’s searing performance, the rage of his former days bubbles visibly under the surface. There are inspired moments of light-heartedness, too, as well as a romance between Joe and a health visitor that will make your stomach go soft.The Third Man (PG)Warner, retailBased on Graham Greene’s novella and set in post-war Vienna, The Third Man is the story of an American novelist, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), chasing the shadow of his old friend Harry Lime.

Orson Welles plays Lime, a racketeer whose rakish charm survives our realisation that his trade in diluted penicillin is causing women and children to die. Reed employs wonderfully stylised camerawork to convey the confusion felt by Martins and the crookedness of an ailing post-war Vienna. In an effort to shake off the guilt of his past, he runs a local football team and helps his cousin Liam to stay off smack. The enduring feeling is one of missed opportunity and unnecessary schmaltz.My Name is Joe (18)FilmFour, retailIn Ken Loach’s most recent social drama, Peter Mullan plays Joe, a recovering alcoholic who bears the weight of Glasgow’s social problems on his shoulders. The story itself – based on a study by Oliver Sacks – is fascinating, though neither the director nor Kilmer seem capable of conveying the man’s extraordinary experience. She persuades him to undergo a revolutionary new operation to restore his sight, but as Kilmer tries to negotiate the world after a lifetime of blindness, cracks appear in their relationship.

For the rest of us, it is deeply silly.At First Sight (12)MGM, rental & DVD retailMira Sorvino plays a New York architect who takes a holiday in an upstate resort, where she falls for a blind masseur (Val Kilmer). We are quickly introduced to the leader, Christoff, as he pretends to be mentally handicapped in a restaurant. It becomes increasingly clear that their antics are as much a test for their well-to-do neighbours as an exercise in self-help. If you believe there is something to be gained spiritually from making other people uncomfortable then The Idiots is for you. Symphony, Birmingham (02- 22 3333) today; Colston, Bristol (07-922 3686) tomorrow; St David’s, Cardiff (0222 878444) Mon; Pavilions, Plymouth (0752 229922) Wed. The Idiots (18)

Tartan, rental
The title of Lars Von Trier’s picture refers to an odd group of misfit twentysomethings whose idea of fun is to go to the woods to discover their “inner idiot”. Forum, London NW5 (07-344 0044) Wed; Anson Rooms, Bristol (07-929 9008) Fri4Death In Vegas tomorrowAfter one of the albums of the year in The Contino Sessions, this art-dance-rock crew play their only southern gig.Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London W2 (07-77 2000) tomorrow5Elvis Costello today, tomorrow, Mon & WedOld comrade Steve Nieve joins Elvis on this extensive tour, which should see him playing many of his big tunes.

Astoria, London W (07-434 0403) Mon & TueGraffiti Bastards A daylong event of hip-hop culture with the Scratch Perverts on the decks.Medicine Bar, Birmingham (02-693 600) tomorrow. 1

Wheat Fri
After an astonishingly good London gig last month, the melodic rollercoaster rock outfit from New England is back in town for one night only. ULU, London W (07-664 2030) Fri2Gomez todayThe Yorkshire-based banditos tie up their immensely successful Liquid Skin tour with the last of four gigs in the capital.Forum, London NW5 (07-344 0044)3Flaming Lips Wed & FriDirect from Oklahoma City, the F’Lips, with Wayne Coyne as intriguing frontman, are unrivalled in their brand of off-kilter, chemical-tinged guitar songs. School of Art & Design, Norwich (0603 6562) TueEminem The most anticipated white hip-hop arrival since the Beastie Boys stormed into town. HHSINGLE OF THE WEEKThe Flaming Lips `Waitin’ for a Superman’ (Warner Bros)Another slice of eccentricity from the Oklahoma City band, this time in the form of a quirky ballad, fleshed out beautifully with swathes of strings, keyboards and wrinkly drumbeats, resulting in a grand cinematic dreamscape..

1

The Sugarhill Gang with Grandmaster Melle Mel
The Twentieth Anniversary tour See Pop Preview, p3. Junction, Cambridge Mon; Embassy Rooms, London W Tue; Event, Brighton Wed; Blue Mountain, Bristol Thur. See ListingsColdcut The Ninja Tune founders present their sonically eclectic multi- media vision with special guests. Junction, Cambridge (0223 55) Thur; Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London (07-77 2000) FriArsonists The exciting and inventive Latino crew from NYC finish their UK tour. However, Ama’s second album sees her on good poppy form, incorporating gospel, funk and swing styles.