"Christine Brown has a good job, a great boyfriend, and a bright future. But in three days, she's going to hell."

Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Directed by Sam Raimi, rated PG-13, 99 minutes

Drag Me to Hell is a tremendously fun and creepy horror film about a loan officer who, in attempt to move up to assistant manager, denies a loan to an old gypsy woman, and ends up being cursed, with the threat of being dragged to hell after three days. The film has a great mix of dark humor and creepy scares, as well as an absorbing story that, while a little predictable, is entertaining nonetheless. But, what makes the film particularly engrossing, is the relatable and interesting protagonist, who you actually care about. Drag Me to Hell is a moody and effective horror flick, that never slows down and never bores. You'll like it if: You like supernatural horror films, Justin Long, Sam Raimi's films, The Evil Dead Trilogy, The Frighteners or A Nightmare on Elm Street.

A Charming Little Film

The Station Agent (2003)
Directed by Thomas McCarthy, rated R, 89 minutes

The Station Agent is an engaging and subtly funny independent comedy-drama about a dwarf who, after his only friend dies and leaves his money to him, moves to New Jersey to buy an abandoned train station and live in solitude. But, soon enough some of the people in the city become curious about him. The plot is a bit thin, but each of the characters are deeply interesting and complex, and the film is filled with little moments of hilarity. The Station Agent was made on a tiny budget, but manages to look beautiful and create memorable and genuinely fascinating characters. You'll like it if: You like independent comedies, character driven films, films set in small towns, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Visitor or Snow Angels.

"...A place where hope survived."

Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Directed by Terry George, rated PG-13, 121 minutes

Hotel Rwanda is an unbelievably moving and challenging film that tells the true story of a hotel manager who houses over a thousand Tutsi refugees, to protect the from Hutu militia during the Rwandan genocide. The film portrays a dark moment of history, and doesn't shy away from the horrors of the time. However, this hotel manager provides a glimpse of hope. Don Cheadle is perfect in the lead as an ordinary man pushed to do great things. Hotel Rwanda is a powerful film that can't help but inspire and impress you. You'll like it if: You like films based on true stories, films set in Africa, Schindler's List, The Pianist or The Last King of Scotland.

"Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!"

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
Directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, PG, 104 minutes

A Matter of Life and Death is a magical and effortlessly fun romantic comedy about a British bomber in World War II who cheats death, and must argue in a celestial court that he should be allowed to stay alive with the woman he's fallen in love with. The film has a fairy tale feel to it, but manages to stay fresh and original. The visuals are dazzling, and the whole film has a unique style to it that's far ahead of its time. A Matter of Life and Death is a one of a kind romantic comedy, that stands out as a particularly charming, classy and fantastic film. You'll like it if: You like fantasy films, romantic comedies, British cinema, Being There or The Wizard of Oz.

A One of a Kind Documentary

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
Directed by Kurt Kuenne, not rated, 95 minutes

Dear Zachary is a deeply moving and gut wrenching documentary about a filmmaker who decides to make a film to memorialize his murdered friend, after he finds out his friend's ex-girlfriend is pregnant. Where most documentaries are filled with data and statistics, this film has raw emotion and the painful truth. Few documentaries or films can pack the emotional punch this film has, and no film I've seen can match the personal and intense feel of the film. Dear Zachary is a heartbreaking and exhausting film, with a story that can't help but stay with for a long time to come. You'll like it if: You like films about family, crime documentaries, The Changeling or The Thin Blue Line.

"Who will save us now?"

Watchmen (2009)
Directed by Zack Snyder, rated R, 162 minutes

Watchmen is a dark, complex and intense film based on one of the greatest graphic novels of all time. The film is set in an alternate 1985, where superheroes have been forced to stop working. But, when an old superhero is murdered, Rorschach, a vigilante superhero who never stopped, tries to find out what happened. The acting is hit and miss other than Jackie Earle Haley's disturbing and brutal performance as Rorschach. The film is pretty light on action scenes, in favor of complicated characters and a terrific story. Watchmen is a superhero movie for adults, and despite its flaws, is a truly interesting and colorful film. You'll like it if: You like dark films, comic book films, Jack Earle Haley, The Dark Knight, Sin City or 300.

"In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves."

Sideways (2004)
Directed by Alexander Payne, rated R, 126 minutes

Sideways is a subtly funny and melancholy film about a failed writer, who takes his best friend, a failing actor, on trip through wine country to celebrate that his friend is about to get married. The cast is absolutely amazing. Paul Giamatti gives a desperate, sad but somehow still funny and likable performance, and Thomas Haden Church is terrific as a failed actor still coasting on his remnants of fame. The Story is a bit slow, the film is really about the characters and how they change during their trip, but the writing is exceptional and keeps you interested. Sideways is a rather old school comedy, that has intriguing characters, wonderful dialogue and many hilarious moments. You'll like it if: You like films about wine, independent comedies, character studies, Bottle Shock or American Beauty.

"Music was his passion. Survival was his masterpiece."

The Pianist (2002)
Directed by Roman Polanski, rated R, 150 minutes

The Pianist is a monumentally powerful but difficult to watch film about a Polish Jewish musician who tries to survive after his ghetto is destroyed during World War II. Adrien Brody is incredible in the lead, offering a sad, but intense performance. The film is filled with scenes that will burn into your memory, moments of extreme terror and depravity, as well as scenes of beauty and kindness. Polanski perfectly captures the dismay and horror of the Nazi's victims, but also tells a truly magnificent story about an incredible human being. The Pianist visually stunning, the music is captivating and the acting is amazing, but the story is truly haunting. You'll like it if: You like films about the holocaust, films about survival, Roman Polanski's films, Schindler's List, Downfall or Chinatown.

A Wildy Fun Film

Bananas (1971)
Directed by Woody Allen, rated PG, 82 minutes

Bananas may be Woody Allen's funniest film, and it's an incredibly fun one at that. The film is about an oafish New Yorker who, after being dumped by his activist girlfriend, ends up involved in a revolution in a small Latin American country. The films is overflowing with absurd and hilarious jokes, and feels almost like a Marx brother's comedy. The plot is simplistic and ridiculous, but provides an interesting story for Allen to fill with wonderfully over the top jokes. Bananas is Woody Allen at his most charming and funny, and the films is preposterously entertaining. You'll like it if: You like absurd humor, Woody Allen, the Marx Brothers, Sleeper or The President's Analyst.