"It's her last best chance... is she going to take it?"

The Good Girl (2002)
Directed by Miguel Arteta, rated R, 93 minutes

The Good Girl is a painfully real and darkly funny dramedy about a clerk at a small town discount store who, dissatisfied with her life and husband, becomes interested in a young, disaffected coworker. Jennifer Aniston, in perhaps her greatest performance, is a pitifully likable and miserable girl, as she draws you in, and has you hoping she'll end up happy. All of the characters feel like real people, albeit all a little odd, and the script finds hilarity in even the most depressing situations and settings. The Good Girl is an understated and subtly clever film that will have you laughing, thinking and wishing for the best all the way to the terrific ending. You'll like it if: You like dark comedies, dramedies, John C. Reilly, Raising Arizona, American Beauty or Donnie Darko.

"When you get to the NBA, don't forget about me."

Hoop Dreams (1994)
Directed by Steve James, rated PG-13, 170 minutes

Hoop Dreams is a thrilling and harrowing documentary following two high schoolers struggling to make their away out of their impoverished communities through a scholarship for college basketball, with hopes of playing in the NBA. The two main subjects are likable, but as they're still children, they make some frustrating decisions, and it's in many ways sad to see their siblings, friends, coaches and parents put all their hopes into these kids making the NBA. The film doesn't shy away from the incredible hardships of the families, and yet there are scenes of profound beauty that are impossible to forget. Hoop Dreams isn't just about basketball, it takes a look at the American dream, and is filled with incredible moments of success, failure, pressure, loss, glory, pain and hope. You'll like it if: You like sociological documentaries, sports films, The Up Series, The Basketball Diaries or Do the Right Thing.

An Original Coming-of-Age Comedy

Closely Watched Trains (1966)
Directed by Jiri Menzel, not rated, 93 minutes

Closely Watched Trains is a charming and influential Czech film about a young slacker who, during the Nazi takeover of Czechoslovakia, is more concerned with losing his virginity and slacking off at work. Vaclav Neckar is relatable and timeless in the lead role, but every character is wonderfully offbeat and unusual. The film is surprisingly similar to films like Superbad and American Pie, but has a much more mature setting and meaningful storyline. Closely Watched Trains feels many years ahead of its time with its quirky comedy, odd characters and lovable, slacker protagonist, which has made it one of the most beloved Czech films. You'll like it if: You like European films, teen comedies, quirky comedies, The 400 Blows, Rushmore or Breaking Away.

"Get ready to cheer for the bad guy!"

Payback (1999)
Directed by Brian Helgeland, rated R, 100 minutes

Payback is a devilishly dark and witty action thriller about a tough criminal who, after beating tricked, robbed, shot and left to die by his wife and friend, hatches a revenge plot to get his money back. Mel Gibson has never been better or more likable, but a lot of it is his brutal and darkly hilarious character. The story cleverly plays with revenge thriller tropes, with plenty of twists and turns and ridiculously memorable dialogue. Payback is based on the same book that inspired Point Blank, and like that classic thriller, Payback is at the top of it's genre and just a heck of a lot of fun. You'll like it if: You like crime comedies, revenge thrillers, Get Carter, Pulp Fiction, Point Blank or The Way of the Gun.

"The last place you'd ever expect to find yourself"

Moon (2009)
Directed by Duncan Jones, rated R, 97 minutes

Moon is an imaginative and powerful sci-fi film about the lone employee for an energy company stationed on the moon with only a computer, GERTY. Kevin Spacey provides the perfect voice of the computer on board, but Sam Rockwell proves he's one of the best actors around, as he's virtually the only actor in the film, and yet he can command the screen effortlessly. The writing is refreshingly creative, and despite it's relatively low budget, the visuals are incredibly believable and seamlessly done. Moon is an astounding and wonderfully unpredictable film, that will surely impress sci-fi fans and non-fans alike. You'll like it if: You like sci-fi films, cerebral films, Sam Rockwell, 2001: A Space Odyssey, 12 Monkeys or Sunshine.

"All the fun of college, none of the education."

Old School (2003)
Directed by Todd Phillips, rated R, 91 minutes

Old School is an outrageously funny and energetic comedy about three middle age men who, dissatisfied with their lives, start a fraternity for some of the less popular kids near the local campus. Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson have excellent chemistry and genuinely seem like guys you'd like to hang out with, but Ferrell is at his best, creating one lovable, quotable and memorable character. The story brings nothing new to the genre, but there are plenty of funny scenes and hilarious dialogue to make up for it. Old School isn't quite Animal House, but it's a ridiculously fun comedy. You'll like it if: You like raunchy comedies, comedies set in college, Will Ferrell, The Hangover, Wedding Crashers or Animal House.

"Lie. Cheat. Steal. All In A Day's Work."

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Directed by James Foley, rated R, 100 minutes

Glengarry Glen Ross is a painfully bleak and tense drama that takes a look at the pressured lives of the employees at a real estate office. The cast is unbelievable, including Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin and Alec Baldwin, who gives easily one of the most captivating and intimidating monologues ever. David Mamet always provides explosive and snappy dialogue, and here it's delivered perfectly, thanks to some brutally realistic acting. Glengarry Glen Ross is pretty close to a flawless film, everything is there for a reason, every actor does a fantastic job and every scene draws you in. You'll like it if: You like dramas, films about salesman, David Mamet's writing, Time Out, Salesman or American Beauty.

"I told him the truth, and strange enough, he believed me."

The Awful Truth (1937)
Directed by Leo McCarey, not rated, 91 minutes

The Awful Truth is a raucously funny and quick screwball comedy about a couple that breaks up over suspicions of infidelity, who subsequently undermine each other attempts at romance. Carey Grant is preposterously clever and insanely hilarious in a classic Grant role, and has wonderful chemistry with Irene Dunne, who holds her one with Grant. The film effortlessly sets up some truly funny situations, and the lightning fast dialogue will blow you away. Screwball comedies don't get much better than The Awful Truth, with its brilliant, bickering dialogue, lovably bitter characters and a surprisingly ambiguous ending. You'll like it if: You like screwball comedies, classic comedies, Carey Grant, His Girl Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace or The Philadelphia Story.

"Now he must decide between his life of lies...or the truth."

Time Out (2001)
Directed by Laurent Cantet, rated PG-13, 134 minutes

Time Out is a bleak and almost disturbing French drama about an unemployed man who works hard to keep his friends and family from finding out that he lost his job. Aurelien Recoing is absolutely mesmerizing as the lead, with a simple look on his face he can convey more than dialogue could. The story easily builds tension, and brilliantly wraps you up in the main character's lies, making you live and die with him. Time Out came out in 2001, but it has only become more and more relevant, and has one incredible and ambiguous ending. You'll like it if: French cinema, psychological dramas, gloomy dramas, Festen, Nights of Cabiria or Falling Down.