"One family. Infinite degrees of separation."

Margot at the Wedding (2007)
Directed by Noah Baumbach, rated R, 93 minutes

Margot at the Wedding is a dry and bittersweet dramedy about a neurotic writer who brings her son along to visit her sister on the eve of her sister's wedding to an offbeat man that she disapproves of, which leads to some old family tensions. Nicole Kidman is ruthless as she has this perfect way of being horribly mean while pretending to be nice, and Jack Black offers a rather subdued and subtly funny performance. Writer-director Noah Baumbach's dialogue is potent with subtext and often darkly hilarious, but the film's style is a little too self-consciously "indie." Margot at the Wedding's characters are brutal and sometimes completely unlikable, but they're relationships are utterly realistic and fascinating to watch. You'll like it if: You like films about dysfunctional families, dark comedies, The Squid and the Whale, The Savages or The Royal Tenenbaums.

"Terry Griffith is about to go where no woman has gone before."

Just One of the Guys (1985)

Directed by Lisa Gottleib, rated PG-13, 90 minutes

Just One of the Guys is, on its face, just another stupid 80's sex comedy, but this one stands out because it's surprisingly funny, unpredictable and a lot of fun to watch. The film is about high school girl who, after losing a journalism competition partly because she's "just a pretty girl," decides to enroll at school as a boy. Yes, the story's fairly cliched, but there is a somewhat interesting look at gender politics, and the complicated, almost subversive love story is impressively compelling and memorably charming. Just One of the Guys isn't a masterpiece, but it's consistently funny, has a wonderful performance by Joyce Hyser and has genuinely likable and relatable characters. You'll like it if: You like 80's sex comedies, teen protagonists, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Superbad or Tootsie.

"It's the hottest day of the summer. You can do nothing, you can do something, or you can..."

Do the Right Thing (1989)
Directed by Spike Lee, rated R, 120 minutes

Do the Right Thing is a tense, funny and eclectic film set on one block in Brooklyn on the hottest day of summer, following a slew of characters getting through the day as racial tensions heat up. Spike Lee produces a number of memorable and eccentric characters and gives them dialogue that ranges from hilarious to poignant, and Danny Aiello stands out delivering a complex performance. The film has a brilliant pace, allowing you to get to know the characters and the neighborhood, as the story slowly builds underneath, and director Lee's visual style keeps things exciting. Do the Right Thing is a rare film that deals with race issues without being heavy-handed or annoying, and just allows the characters to speak for themselves and let's you come up with your own answers. You'll like it if: You like urban dramas, films about racial tension, ensemble films, La haine, Boogie Nights or 25th Hour.

"He'd always wanted a friend. A friend that wasn't invisible, a pet or rubber figurine."

Mary and Max (2009)
Directed by Adam Elliot, not rated, 92 minutes

Mary and Max is a heartwarming and quirky stop motion film about an unlikely friendship between two penpals - a young girl in Australia, and an offbeat, obese man in New York. Philip Seymour Hoffman is perfect as the New Yorker, offering a completely convincing voice, and his character is given plenty of wonderfully absurd lines. While the stop motion animation is impressive and sometimes dazzling, it's the deeply personal and touching story that makes the film so powerful. Mary and Max isn't afraid to show the harsh realities of the world, and at times the film is really dark, but it makes the main characters' beautiful friendship all the more magnificent. You'll like it if: You like films about friendship, dark humor, stop motion animation, The Station Agent or About Schmidt.

"Matt never saw her coming... but all his friends had!"

The Girl Next Door (2004)
Directed by Luke Greenfield, rated R, 108 minutes

The Girl Next Door is a ridiculously fun and surprisingly smart comedy about straight-laced high school senior who finds his passion for schoolwork waning when a porn star moves in next door. While the plot sounds like your typical teen sex comedy, the film is, unexpectedly, a lot more interested in creating believable characters and solid dialogue than over the top raunchy humor (though there's a bit of that too). Another thing that sets this film apart is the terrific acting; Emile Hirsch and Chris Marquette play off each other masterfully as the lead and best friend respectively, and Elisha Cuthbert even proves she's more than just a pretty girl. The Girl Next Door could be another lazy teen comedy, but it's compelling main characters, truly hilarious dialogue and excellent cast chemistry make it one memorable romp. You'll like it if: You like coming-of-age films, teen sex comedies, Emile Hirsch, Superbad or Harold & Kumar go to White Castle.

"I've got an infinite number of places to go, the problem is where to stay."

Naked (1993)
Directed by Mike Leigh, rated R, 131 minutes

Naked is a harsh, raw and atmospheric drama about an intelligent drifter who, after raping his girlfriend, flees to London to avoid punishment, where he wanders around having various encounters. David Thewlis's character is utterly repulsive, treating women like trash the entire film, but his performance is indescribably brilliant, as he finds a way to make his character more pitiful than loathsome, with charm and wit. All of the film's characters are interesting in their own ways, some are horrifying to watch, and others just sad, but the clever dialogue makes each scene easier to take. Naked is a not an easy film to watch, but its powerful social commentary, memorable characters and unbelievable lead performance make it a must-see. You'll like it if: You like psychological dramas, disturbing dramas, dark comedy, Secrets & Lies, Trainspotting or American Psycho.

"It took God six days to create the earth, and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up."

The Meaning of Life (1983)
Directed by Terry Jones, rated R, 107 minutes

The Meaning of Life is a tasteless but outrageously funny comedy where Monty Python tries to answer the age old question of "Why are we here?" through a series of sketches. Monty Python is in top form here, with some of their most bizarre, outlandish and devilishly clever sketches, but also some humorously poignant moments. The film is visually magnificent, sometimes delving into surreal imagery, and while the film has no plot, the jokes mainly revolve around life and death which gives a sense of cohesiveness. The Meaning of Life is quite different from Monty Python's earlier films, but retains their madcap spirit and their smart humor, and it might even make you think. You'll like it if: You like Monty Python, sketch films, Man Bites Dog, A Fish Called Wanda or The Fireman's Ball.

"Every 'Revolution' Needs A Leader"

Youth in Revolt (2009)
Directed by Miguel Arteta, rated R, 90 minutes

Youth in Revolt is an ambitious and chaotic comedy about a young outcast who creates an alter-ego to help get his sophisticated dream girl. The film has plenty of great character actors, like Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis, but Michael Cera stands out, easily becoming the pitiful, awkward lead character, while also perfectly playing his insane, badass alter-ego. The writing has a potent mix of subtle and black humor, and the film has an offbeat atmosphere where everything feels a little strange. Youth in Revolt wouldn't work if the main character wasn't so damn likable and charming, and thanks to the hilarious dialogue and wonderfully manic storyline - it works flawlessly. You'll like it if: You like coming-of-age films, quirky humor, Michael Cera, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Good Girl or Broken Flowers.

"All the world's a stage..."

The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by Peter Weir, rated PG, 103 minutes

The Truman Show is a unique and inspired dramedy about an insurance salesman who finds out his entire life is being filmed for a TV show. Jim Carrey, in his first "serious" role, gives a low-key but charming performance, and Ed Harris is incredibly forceful and enigmatic as the show's director. The premise is undeniably intriguing, and while on its face its absurd, it has a strange edge of nightmarish believability, and thankfully the rest of the film is as well written and interesting as the idea. The Truman Show works as a clever satire of reality TV, but it's the wonderful, relatable characters and exhilarating, somewhat sci-fi story that make the film so memorable. You'll like it if: You like odd premises, dreamlike films, Jim Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Stranger than Fiction or Gattaca.