AFI FILM FEST: THE FINAL WEEK

T he following are capsule reviews of this week’s screenings at the AFI Film Festival of Los Angeles. Screenings take place at the Los Feliz Theater, 1822 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, except where noted. Tickets and information: (213) 520-2000 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. THURSDAY

“Ricochets” (Israel, 1986, 7:30 p.m.). Conceived as an in-house documentation of decaying battlefront morale for the Israeli military, “Ricochets” evolved effectively into taut drama under the direction of Eli Cohen. Focusing on a small combat group inside Lebanon during 1985, it captures both the sudden horror and prolonged siege mentality of their situation. Seamlessly mixing professional actors with soldiers, Cohen produces an honest, forthright portrait which, thankfully, eschews both mock heroics and political proselytizing. Recommended.