A Refreshing and Daring Classic Comedy

To be or Not to be (1942)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, not rated, 99 minutes

To be or Not to be is a bold and hilarious film that satirized Nazi ideology during World War II. The film is about a group of Polish actors who use their acting skills to try to save the Polish underground. Jack Benny is hysterical in the lead, but the entire cast is spot on and they have fantastic chemistry. The film cleverly blends romantic comedy and political satire, producing a very funny and captivating film. To be or Not to be is quick paced and lively comedy with an extremely entertaining story and perfect characters. You'll like it if: You like classic comedies, satirical movies, Trouble in Paradise, The Great Dictator or Duck Soup.

"Love and money... You have mixed them both."

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Directed by Danny Boyle, rated R, 120 minutes

Slumdog Millionaire is a highly entertaining and exciting film about a young man, who grew up in the slums of India, who has major success on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The story is fast paced and fun, but at its heart, the film is about the relationship between the 'slumdog' and the love of his life. The film gets a bit unrealistic at times, but the wonderful acting and brilliant direction, by Danny Boyle, keep the film going. Slumdog Millionaire is a likable and upbeat film with a powerful message and a great story. You'll like it if: You like movies about growing up, movies about true love, Danny Boyle's films, The Kite Runner or Big Fish.

"A Modern Day Tale About The Search For Love, Sanity, Ethel Merman And The Holy Grail."

The Fisher King (1991)
Directed by Terry Gilliam, rated R, 137 minutes

The Fisher King is an emotionally powerful and subtly funny film about a radio shock jock who becomes a despondent alcoholic after his words inspire a man to violence. But, he finds a second chance, when he meets a homeless man who was a tragic victim of the violence. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams deliver incredible performances, and even despite some over the top dialogue, they create magnificently deep and likable characters. The story is moving, with some very funny parts, and director Terry Gilliam adds his trademark fantastic visuals. The Fisher King is a beautiful and overwhelming film, filled with amazing characters, great acting and an absorbing story. You'll like it if: You like dramedies, movies about unlikely friendships, Reign Over Me, Twelve Monkeys or Big Fish.

5 Obscure Films Worth Seeing

5. Shock Corridor (1963) Directed by Samuel Fuller, not rated, 101 minutes

Shock Corridor is an engrossing and wonderfully pulpy thriller about a determined journalist who goes undercover into a mental institution to solve a strange murder. The films has a classic 60's feel, with fantastic, over the top characters and excellent dialogue. The film has a unique ability to suck you into the world of the journalist stuck in this nightmarish institution. Shock Corridor is a creative and confident mystery, that has a truly unforgettable ending. You'll like it if: You like cult classics, One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nestor or Twelve Monkeys.

4. 13 Tzameti (2005) Directed by Gela Babluani, not rated, 93 minutes

13 Tzameti is a tense, subtle and original French thriller a young worker who finds a mysterious set of instructions for someone else, and decides to follow them. The film is shot in beautiful black and white and overflows with grit and tension. The story is concise and disturbing, and as the film goes on the more engrossed you become in it. 13 Tzameti is a nerve racking and memorable film that takes an interesting premise and makes an unpredictable little film. You'll like it if: You like foreign thrillers, Repulsion or Saw.

3. Punishment Park (1971) Directed by Peter Watkins, rated R, 88 minutes

Punishment Park is a dark and evocative mockumentary about a film crew following a disturbing government plan of putting hippies and dissidents into a sort of game of capture the flag in the desert, while trying to get away from soldiers. The film isn't exactly subtle, but the situation is believable and the pseudo-documentary style adds to the unsettling nature of the film. The story is thoroughly frightening and depressing, and effectively conveys a feeling of dread. Punishment Park is a smart and disturbing film that can't be easily forgotten. You'll like it if: You like political thrillers, 70's cinema or Brazil.

2. Night on Earth (1991) Directed by Jim Jarmusch, rated R, 129 minutes
Night on Earth is a hilarious and emotionally powerful independent film that covers fives stories in fives cities that all take place in taxis on one eventful night. The acting is all around perfect, and the characters are well written and engaging. Each story is entertaining, some of them are laugh out loud funny and others are tragic and touching, and the camerawork is innovative and intriguing. Night on Earth is a lovable and beautiful film that shows a handful of incredible stories from across the world. You'll like it if: You like independent film, Down by Law or Lost in Translation.

1. A Better Place (1997) Directed by Vincent Pereira, not rated, 87 minutes

A Better Place is a chilling and truly absorbing low budget film about a high school loser who becomes friends with a potentially violent outcast. Most of the acting is average, but Eion Bailey is brilliantly menacing as the violent outcast. The story is original and fascinating, and you can't help but become involved in the tragic story. The ending is immensely powerful, undeniably effective and unforgettable. A Better Place is an unpredictable and absolutely amazing film, that doesn't pull its punches. You'll like it if: You like independent film, Elephant, Zero Day or Clerks.

"Fear... Paranoia... Suspicion... Desperation"

Cube (1997)

Directed by Vincenzo Natali, rated R, 90 minutes

Cube is a fascinating, bizarre and gripping sci-fi film about seven strangers who wake up in a weird puzzle, made up of a series of identical, room-sized cubes, some containing deadly traps. The premise is brilliant and so is the execution, delivering a mysterious and riveting story that makes you feel like you're in the puzzle with them. The film is really low-budget, but you can hardly tell with the adequate special effects, surprisingly good acting (especially from sci-fi hero David Hewlett) and the genius story. Cube is a frightening, claustrophobic and extremely entertaining psychological thriller that will suck you in and take you on an odd and disturbing journey. You'll like it if: You like survival movies, movies about puzzles, sci-fi horror movies, Saw, Primer or Predator.

"We bury our sins, we wash them clean."

Mystic River (2003)
Directed by Clint Eastwood, rated R, 137 minutes

Mystic River is a deeply intriguing and complex crime drama about three men, whose lives have been overshadowed by a childhood tragedy, who are reunited when one's daughter dies. Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins are incredible as the leads, each crafting rich and emotion filled characters. The story is just enthralling as each twist pulls you deeper into the plot, and director Clint Eastwood creates a gritty and depressing mood. Mystic River is an unpredictable and fascinating film that takes an uncompromising look at a tragic series of events. You'll like it if: You like crime dramas, gritty movies, Clint Eastwood's films, Gone Baby Gone or The Departed.

"Everyone wants to be found."

Lost in Translation (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, rated R, 102 minutes

Lost in Translation is a beautiful and undoubtedly powerful romantic film about a bored movie star doing commercials in Japan who has an unlikely relationship with a neglected newlywed. The perfectly deadpan Bill Murray and gorgeous Scarlett Johansson have incredible chemistry, and they're each effortlessly likable and funny. The story is slow and the humor is subtle, but the amazing emotions that are evoked throughout the film are absolutely remarkable. Lost in Translation is wonderfully artistic and well written film, that manages to capture some raw and truly moving emotions. You'll like it if: You like romantic movies, arthouse movies, Bill Murray Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Broken Flowers.

"The Revolt that Stirred the World!"

The Battle of Algiers (1966)
Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, not rated, 121 minutes

The Battle of Algiers is a brilliantly made and remarkably realistic film about the bloody revolution in Algeria against the French. The film takes a surprisingly unbiased look at the revolution, showing the good parts and the deplorable parts of both sides. The film feels almost like a documentary, using many real people as opposed to actors, and a look similar to a news reel. The film can be hard to watch, as the brutality looks real and events are true, but the powerful story is fascinating and enlightening. The Battle of Algiers is a monumental and illuminating film that has a powerful message and an unforgettable true story. You'll like it if: You like political thrillers, historical dramas, war movies, Lawrence of Arabia, All Quiet on the Western Front or Rome, Open City.

"When Ambition Meets Faith"

There Will be Blood (2007)
Directed by P.T. Anderson, rated R, 158 minutes

There Will be Blood is a visually arresting and utterly engrossing film about a greedy oil prospector whose insatiable thirst for success drives him to get all the oil in a small western town. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers what can only be described as a tour de force, he's charming, ruthless, greedy, frightening, powerful and absolutely unforgettable. The story is a slow burner, but the characters are interesting, the cinematography is amazing and the suspense of the story continues to build all through the film. The anxious music helps add to the unsettling and brilliantly dark mood. There Will be Blood is a relentless and awe-inspiring film that sucks you in till the shocking and perfect ending. You'll like it if: You like movies about greed, character studies, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York, The Night of the Hunter, The Shining or Magnolia.