Choreographer Pina Bausch died suddenly in 2009, and given the difficulty of preserving choreography, Pina may become the most lasting widely accessible archive of this giant beating heart of an artist. Deterred by her death, director Wim Wenders originally called off his plans to make Pina. But her dancers convinced him to go ahead—to our massive benefit (they testify to their rich relationship with her throughout the film). The movie is close, warm, sometimes hot. Something about the in-your-faceness of 3-D—including its funny history as a delivery system for schlock shocks—makes a satisfying match for Bausch’s deep impropriety and disregard for expected boundaries. There’s an essential muchness to Bausch, captured in everything she did. Just watch her body move—it’s enough to make you cry, or move your own body in response. (JEN GRAVES)