Control (2007) (nat)

This one is a biopic of Joy Division's frontman Ian Curtis. Shot entirely in black and white (well, shot in color and converted to black and white), it's a really good movie. Unlike Passion, you don't have to know a thing about the guy, the band, the scene, anything, to be able to appreciate and follow the story. And it's compelling--despite Curtis being doomed and a bit of a cad at points you want him to succeed and escape his demons. It's a very simple story of his rise and fall and it manages to avoid be starstruck by Curtis or the British post-punk scene. It is also very artsy without falling victim to the inclination. Sam Riley's performance is impressive (even more so considering it's his first role of any sort of import) and the others fall in line without overwhelming Curtis as the point of the plot. Definitely worth a watch.