A Devastating and Disturbing Film

Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, unrated, 102 minutes

Requiem for a Dream is an emotionally powerful, visually amazing, truly disturbing but honest look at drug addiction. The film is about the lives of four addicts whose lives are destroyed by their drug of choice. The film relies on its incredibly real characters, who are aptly portrayed by Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and most impressively by Ellyn Burstyn who gives a heartbreaking performance. The music is tremendously beautiful and Darren Aronofsky's direction is simply stunning. This is genuinely one of the most visually impressive films you'll ever see. Requiem for a Dream is a bold film that doesn't sugarcoat reality, it takes you deep into the world of addiction, and the outlook is bleak. You'll like it if: You like movies about drugs, dark movies, depressing movies, Trainspotting or Pi.

Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara

The Fog of War (2003)
Directed by Errol Morris, rated PG-13, 107 minutes

The Fog of War is a fascinating and revealing documentary about former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and the many lessons he's learned about life and war. McNamara, even if you despise him, is a great subject because of his amazing life experiences and his candidness about them, however director Errol Morris keeps his thoughts from turning into ramblings. Philip Glass provides a wonderful score that perfectly accents McNamara's words, and Morris keeps the visuals from being all talking heads, with fitting footage. The Fog of War is a compelling documentary that takes an interesting look at a tumultuous time. You'll like it if: You like movies about history, Mr. Death: Fred A. Leuchter Jr. or Thirteen Days.

A Timeless Comedy

His Girl Friday (1940)
Directed by Howard Hawks, unrated, 92 minutes

His Girl Friday is a riotously funny and lightning fast screwball comedy about a newspaper editor who'll do anything to keep his ex-wife and old star reporter from marrying a boring man. Cary Grant is immaculately funny and impossibly endearing, and Rosalind Russell matches Grant with fantastic line after fantastic line. The plot is close to the being the perfect screwball story, as each event get more and more over the top. His Girl Friday is an influential comedy, with amazing dialogue and genuine laughs. You'll like it if: You like fast-paced dialogue, screwball comedies, Cary Grant, Arsenic and Old Lace or The Hudsucker Proxy.

An Interesting True Story

Frost/Nixon (2008)
Directed by Ron Howard, rated R, 122 minutes

Frost/Nixon is a tense and surprisingly entertaining docudrama about the post-Watergate interview by British talk show host David Frost of former President Richard Nixon. Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, as Nixon and Frost respectively, aptly revive their roles from the play. Langella even manages to bring sympathy to Nixon, making him a sad and dreary character. Though the story has a slow start, and a few odd scenes where characters talk to the camera like a documentary, once the interviews actually start, the story gets interesting and oddly suspenseful. Frost/Nixon is a tightly made, and interesting look at a true story. You'll like it if: You like historical movies, movies based on plays, All the President's Men or Apollo 13.

An Endearing Film About the Power of Movies

Be Kind Rewind (2008)
Directed by Michael Gondry, rated PG-13, 102 minutes

Be Kind Rewind is quirky and funny film about two employees at a video store who, after one of them becomes magnetized and destroys all the tapes, must re-film the movies themselves for the store's most loyal customer: An elderly woman with signs of dementia. The biggest thing the film has going for it, are the videos the two of them make, which are very creative and laugh out loud funny. The story is remarkably well done and oddly inspiring, but most importantly, you really care about the characters. Be Kind Rewind is a whimsical film that will remind you why you love movies. You'll like it if: You like quirky comedy, movies about movies Jack Black, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or The Royal Tenenbaums.

5 Films with Incredible Villains

5. Blue Velvet (1986) Directed by David Lynch, rated R, 120 minutes
Blue Velvet is a bizarre and surreal cult film about a young man who finds a severed ear in a field, which leads him to investigate into the seedy underworld in his perfect little town. Dennis Hopper is unbelievably menacing, incredibly weird and oddly quotable in his eerie role. Director David Lynch gives the film a unique feel that couldn't be made by anyone else, and the story is strangely compelling. Blue Velvet is a one of a kind film that you'll either love or hate. You'll like it if: You like weird movies, film noir, Wild at Heart or Eraserhead.

4. The Terminator (1984) Directed by James Cameron, rated R, 107 minutes
The Terminator is an astonishingly entertaining and innovatively made sci-fi action film about an unstoppable cyborg sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, whose only hope is man also sent from the future. Arnold Schwarzennegar was born for the role of an emotionless killing machine, and plays the part perfectly. What makes the film work so well is how you relate to Sarah Connor, and then seeing her utter hopelessness going up against the Terminator. The Terminator is an intelligent and interesting film that entertains from beginning to end. You'll like it if: You like horror movies, Children of Men or Halloween.

3. No Country for Old Men (2007) Directed by The Coen Brothers, rated R, 122 minutes
No Country for Old Men is a masterfully made and deeply entertaining neo-western about the consequences when a hunter who finds some dead bodies, some heroin and two million dollars decides to take the money. Josh Brolin is very realistic as the hunter and Tommy Lee Jones plays the sheriff perfectly, but it's Javier Bardem who simply amazes as the killer sent to find the money. Bardem's scenes with Brolin are incredibly suspenseful, and some of the most well made shootouts ever filmed. The story is exciting all the way to the end, the acting is amazing and the direction is stunning: No Country for Old Men is a masterpiece. You'll like it if: You like violent movies, Sam Peckinpah's films, Fargo or The Terminator.

2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Directed by Jonathan Demme, rated R, 118 minutes
The Silence of the Lambs is a disturbing and influential psychological thriller about a young FBI agent who must rely on the help of an incarcerated, psychotic and manipulative killer to catch another serial killer. Anthony Hopkins is incredible in his 16-minute part as Hannibal Lecter, and manages to simultaneously make you hate and like him. The Silence of the Lambs is an undoubtedly well made film that will shock, disturb and entertain you. You'll like it if: You like movies about serial killers, horror movies, Seven or Manhunter.

1. The Night of the Hunter (1955) Directed by Charles Laughton, unrated, 93 minutes
The Night of the Hunter is a suspenseful and beautifully made film noir about a religious fanatic who marries a widow in hopes of taking the ten thousand dollars her dead husband hid. Robert Mitchum is incredible and truly menacing as he tries to find out where the money is from the two helpless kids. The movie is wonderfully filmed, with incredible scene after incredible scene. Originally banned in some countries, The Night of the Hunter is a frightening film that doesn't disappoint. You'll like it if: You like film noir, Robert Mitchum or In Cold Blood.

A Touching Comedy

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Directed by Judd Apatow, rated R, 116 minutes

The 40 Year Old Virgin is an immensely funny and surprisingly heartfelt comedy about a nerdy, virgin loner who after his "secret" is revealed to a couple of his co-workers, is egged on to finally get it done, but all the pressure isn't helping as he tries to form a relationship with a single mom. Steve Carell is fantastic and oddly relatable as the eponymous virgin, but it's the rest of the cast, including Seth Rogen in his breakout role and the always funny Paul Rudd, that takes this movie to a new level. The story is great and the dialogue is endlessly quotable, even though much of it was improvised. The 40 Year Old Virgin is an extremely entertaining film that will make anyone laugh. You'll like it if: You like dialogue heavy movies, raunchy comedies, Steve Carrel, Knocked Up or Chasing Amy.

A Can't Miss Sci-Fi FIlm

Children of Men (2006)
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, rated R, 109 minutes

Children of Men is an amazingly interesting and visually stunning sci-fi film set in 2027, where people can no longer bear children. However, when a young refugee becomes pregnant, a former activist agrees to escort her to a place where scientists may be able to use her birth to save all of mankind. Clive Owen is terrifically real as the lead, and the writing is fantastic and deeply interesting. The action scenes are some of the best you'll see, with incredible looking, though faux, single-shot sequences. Children of Men is a dark and realistic film, that will no doubt impress you with its strong characters and story. You'll like it if: You like dark movies, movies set in the future, V for Vendetta or The Terminator.

A Tense and Original Crime-Thriller

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Directed by Sydney Lumet, rated R, 117 minutes

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a genuinely powerful and original crime film about two brothers who execute a jewelery store robbery on their parents' store, which causes more problems than it's meant to solve. Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei all give emotional and truly great performances, but Philip Seymour Hoffman's acting is just outstanding and simply masterful - it will drop your jaw. The story plays out in a rather unconventional and thankfully unpredictable way, and Syndey Lumet's anxious direction gives the film a unique look. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is bold film that is well written, directed and acted. You'll like it if: You like movies about amateur criminals, movies about families, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dog Day Afternoon or Fargo.