Filmmaker Ramin Bahrani’s last feature, Man Push Cart, was
beautiful but overwhelmingly bleak (the tragic overfeeding of a
kitten was involved). But with Chop Shop, Bahrani hits the
sweet spot at the intersection of relentless oppression and
indomitable human will. Alejandro is a NYC street kid who lands
a job at a black-market mechanic in Queens—but his pretty
older sister, Isamar, and carefree buddy Carlos don’t share his
obsessive work ethic. Chop Shop is the best American
indie so far this year. (Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th
Ave, 267-5380. 3, 5, 7, and 9
pm, $5–$8.50.)

Annie Wagner is The Stranger's former film editor. She was born and raised in Capitol Hill, but has since lived in such far-flung locales as Phoenix, AZ, Charlottesville, VA, and Wedgwood. After graduating...