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In theaters Friday: Atonement, The Golden Compass New on DVD: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Superbad

Since Sept. 11, 2001, there have been at least a dozen major documentaries about the attack itself and the ensuing Iraq War. The best I've seen, I watched last weekend, and it is called No End In Sight. The documentary interviews the political and military insiders who were there for a thorough bipartisan dismantling of the way an inexperienced Bush handed the foreign policy reigns to Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, who rushed to war without consulting the experts and ineptly squandered any narrow chance of success the U.S. could have had rebuilding the country post-war. But it took the guy who dared to hurl his way through McDonalds fast food and nothing but McDonalds for 30 straight days (see: Super Size Me) to produce the first film about the hunt for al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden. So, did Spurlock actually find the 9/11 mastermind? Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? will answer that question when it premiers at Sundance in January. No word yet, on a trailer.

Brad Pitt's "Make It Right" project is underway in the Lower Ninth Ward. I really admire Pitt's use of celebrity to not only bring attention to an issue, but to actually follow through, work hard and take part in seeing a positive vision come to fruition. Pitt has hinted in interviews that he may only act for a few more years, so he can then spend more time with his family and on social/charity projects like this one. Local architect Trey Trahan has designed an environmentally-friendly modern shotgun house as part of "Make It Right" and you can view renderings of the home right here.

Pitt and Spurlock are just two examples of filmmakers/actors who are using their resources and interests to make a difference, elevate the dialogue and shine a light where light is needed. The Filter salutes you!

And finally, for the Filter's now obligatory The Dark Knight update, Cinematical today has a complete run-down of the Heath Ledger's Joker as introduced in the first six minutes of the film. Click here for a vague, non-spoiler, but extremely positive reaction to the footage. Just be careful not to follow any of the other links if you'd rather not be spoiled. This opening sequence is actually being shown as a short film beginning Dec. 14 in front of IMAX screenings of I Am Legend. The rest of us will have to wait until next summer.