We're not typically drawn to period pieces, but we're willing to make an exception for The Last Mistress, the latest from French provocateur Catherine Breillat. Mistress stars Asia Argento, pictured, as the steamy, wild-eyed courtesan La Vellini, whose libertine lover attempts to leave her to marry a virginal daughter of the aristocracy. Not a good idea: Yes, that's blood she's covered in, above. If other historical flicks had this much humping, swordplay, and treachery, we'd reconsider our stance.

Also out today: Pixar's postapocalyptic Wall-E, a green-leaning tale of love among robots (one suspiciously resembling the iPod). The raves are pouring in—quite an achievement, given that the only stab at human speech in the first hour is a videotaped musical number from Hello, Dolly. (But don't worry: It's brief.)