Zbigniew Zamachowski

Stewart Schill's funny, anguished and on-target "The Continued Adventures of Reptile Man (And His Faithful Sidekick Tadpole)" affords a glorious role for Tony Curtis in what is arguably one of the half-dozen best performances of his career. Curtis is actor Jack Steele, whose claim to fame rests entirely, it would seem, on "Reptile Man," a TV series that ran from 1965 to '69.

FRIDAY, MAY 20 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Gus Van Sant directs the quirky Tom Robbins novel, starring Uma Thurman as the large-thumbed gal who travels from New York to an all-cowgirl ranch out West. Lorraine Bracco and Rain Phoenix await her. (Fine Line) Maverick. Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and former Maverick James Garner star for director Richard Donner in this update on debonair drifter Bret Maverick. When he sits down with the likes of Foster and Garner at a big poker championship, the bullets and witticisms fly. (Warner Bros.