Outsiders who stereotype the Milwaukee area by waist size or alcohol consumption are just not aware of the intangibles that make life here not only civilized but culturally cosmopolitan. Important among these is a bounty of alternative film offerings at multiple venues.

On the east side, there are the Oriental and Downer theaters, perched above the Lake Michigan shoreline like independent film lighthouses. Meanwhile, the resilient west side outpost Times Cinema - singlehandedly kept afloat by manager and programmer Eric Levin - picks out the best films that the Oriental and Downer miss and shows classic films. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union Cinema, dependably the local home of experimental and foreign films has, under a new programmer, organized a particularly challenging and substantial schedule of films, including appearances by world-class filmmakers. And the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film/ Video Festival (Thursday through Sept. 17) and the Milwaukee Independent Film Festival (Oct. 19-29) loom like hardy fall perennials.

The list below is a healthy sampling of these offerings, whose dates are, in some cases, tentative. For schedules, admission policies and programming changes, call the venue or go to its Web site.

An innocent woman released from prison seeks the man who put her there. Operatic and deadpan series of violent tableaux by director of "Oldboy."

Two silent classics, and Alfred Hitchcock's accompanied by the Alloy Orchestra. Admission is $10 per film, or $15 for both. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15.

Semi-autobiographical tale of hard-drinking writer Charles Bukowski, played by Matt Dillon. Also: a private detective investigates the death of TV "Superman" George Reeves; with Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck.

British reality "mockumentary" about a competition for most original wedding. Also: animated French film about a future world ruled by a corporation.

Visually inventive Michel Gondry film with Gael García Bernal as a man who has trouble distinguishing between his real life and his dreams. Also: a documentary on the ex-Beatle's anti-war activities; and a series that includes new prints of Pedro Almodóvar films "Law of Desire," "Matador," "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," "Talk to Her," "All About My Mother," "Bad Education," "The Flower of My Secret" and "Live Flesh."

Rowan Atkinson as a distracted preacher unaware that his family is falling apart. Based on a story by Richard Russo. Also: an explicit tale of human sexuality by director John Cameron Mitchell.

Based on Augusten Burroughs' novel about growing up with alcoholic parents. With Alec Baldwin, Annette Bening, Bryan Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Cross.

Alejandro González Iñárritu film about randomly intersected lives in different parts of the world. With Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal.

includes Christian Faure's "A Love to Hide"; Aureaus Solito's "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros," Ramon Salazar's "20 Centimeters," Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker's "Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria," Todd Stephens' "Another Gay Movie," Georgia Lee's "Red Doors," Valérie Minetto's "Looking for Cheyenne," Mary Jordan's "Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis." On opening night, Q. Allan Brocka's relationship comedy "Boy Culture" will have its premiere at the Oriental Theatre. (For LGBT festival schedule information, go to www.arts.uwm.edu/lgbtfilm ).

First feature by animator Sarah Watt, combines live action and animation. Story of a woman who witnesses an accident that connects her to the lives of others.

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