A Mysterious Vampire Film

Let the Right One In (2008)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson, rated R, 115 minutes

Let the Right One In is a dark and mysterious Swedish romantic vampire film about an often bullied twelve year old, who develops a friendship with the vampire girl who just moved into town. Despite some fairly violent scenes, the film retains a childish fantasy feeling and the subdued visual style compliments the fantasy aspects of the film. The characters are wholly lovable, and the film expertly builds towards a fantastic ending. Let the Right One In is exciting film, with well written characters and style to spare. You'll like it if: You like movies about children, vampire movies, foreign movies, Pan's Labrynth or The Devil's Backbone.

A Gangster Comedy

Made (2001)
Directed by Jon Favreau, rated R, 94 minutes

Made is a clever and quick gangster comedy about two aspiring boxers who, in order to make a quick buck, dip their toes in low-level organized crime. Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn reunite after making it big with Swingers. They are great together as ever and their fluid chemistry holds the film together. The film wonderfully plays with crime film conventions, and the dialogue between Favreau and Vaughn and the real gangsters is hilarious. Made is fun little film, with relatable characters and great writing. You'll like it if: You like dry humor, gangster movies, Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers or Swingers.

5 Moving War Films

5. The Thin Red Line (1998) Directed by Terrence Malick, rated R, 170 minutes

The Thin Red Line is a beautifully filmed epic war film about the experiences of many soldiers fighting at Guadalcanal during World War Two. The cast, including Sean Penn, John Travolta, Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, John Cusak, Adrien Brody and George Clooney, is simply incredible. Director Terrence Malick provides intense, disturbing and masterfully crafted war scenes, as well as personal characters. The Thin Red Line is unforgettable experience with powerful imagery and fantastic acting. You'll like it if: You like epic films, Terrence Malick's films or Saving Private Ryan.

4. Full Metal Jacket (1987) Directed by Stanley Kubrick, rated R, minutes

Full Metal Jacket is a disturbing film that's impossible to forget about a group of soldiers who have a particularly tough time at boot camp, and their time in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. R. Lee Ermey is both frightening and humorous as the drill instructor, which he plays perfectly, and the whole boot camp part of the movie is amazingly accurate. Once the film moves to Vietnam it becomes even harsher, and director Stanley Kubrick provides a truly horrific and almost surreal look at the Vietnam War. Full Metal Jacket is a bold war film with realistic acting and an intense look at the soldiers themselves. You'll like it if: You like Stanley Kubrick's films, City of God or Platoon.

3. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Directed by Lewis Milestone, not rated, 133 minutes

All Quiet on the Western Front is perhaps the most powerful statement against war ever made, and is truly a depressing and harrowing film. All Quiet on the Western Front is about a young soldier who is disillusioned by the horrors he experiences during World War One. The film has scene after scene that are both memorable and bleak. All Quiet on the Western Front is beautifully made film that realistically and powerfully portrays the true horrors of war. You'll like it if: You like old movies, anti-war movies or Cross of Iron.

2. Paths of Glory (1957) Directed by Stanley Kubrick, not rated, 87 minutes

Paths of Glory is a emotionally powerful and stunningly well made film about three soldiers who are sentenced to be executed as example after they, as well as all the other soldiers with them, refuse to attack when given an impossible order. Kirk Douglas offers a commanding performance, and the writing delivers in every way. Director Stanley Kubrick provides perfectly made battlefield scenes, accurate scenes in the trenches - really every scene is beautifully filmed. Paths of Glory is an outstanding and stirring film that never slows down till the haunting ending. You'll like it if: You like Kirk Douglas, Stanley Kubrick's films or Lawrence of Arabia.

1. Apocalypse Now (1979) Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, rated R, 153 minutes

Apocalypse Now is a film that will last with you forever, a perfectly crafted surreal, epic war film, that is truly a work of art. The film is about a soldier sent on a dangerous mission to assassinate a rogue Green Beret, who has made himself into a God among a local tribe in the Vietnam jungle. The unbeatable cast includes Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Harrison Ford and Dennis Hopper. Marlon Brando gives a masterful portrayal and Martin Sheen delivers an all-time great performance. Director Francis Ford Coppola offers a visual feast with too many memorable scenes to recount. Apocalypse Now is an absolute must-see for everyone: it has incredible acting, great music, perfect writing and monumental direction. You'll like it if: You like 70's cinema, epic movies, Marlon Brando, The Godfather Trilogy or Blue Velvet.

A Tragic Love Story

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Directed by Mike Figgis, rated R, 111 minutes

Leaving Las Vegas is an oddly humorous but painfully depressing romantic drama about a suicidal alcoholic who develops an unusual romance with a prostitute while in Vegas with plans to drink himself to death. Nicolas Cage is disturbingly realistic as the suicidal alcoholic, you can barely even recognize him. However, Elisabeth Shue more than holds her own as the prostitute. The writing is excellent, and the love story isn't sugarcoated which makes it all the more powerful. Leaving Las Vegas is a original film that will depress and uplift you at the same time. You'll like it if: You like depressing movies, Nicolas Cage, Requiem for a Dream or Punch-Drunk Love.

A Wicked Dark Comedy

Trainspotting (1996)
Directed by Danny Boyle, rated R, 94 minutes

Trainspotting is exceptionally well made and dark cult comedy about the lives of a group of heroin addicts in Scotland. One of them tries to get clean and get out, despite the negative influence of his old friends. Ewan McGregor is impossible not to love as the junkie trying to get clean, but the whole cast is excellent as well. Director Danny Boyle gives the film a colorful and stylized look, contrasting with the dark subject matter. The story, despite being a little plotless, manages to stay exciting till the end, and is filled with incredible scenes. Trainspotting is a hilarious and wonderfully unruly film that will stick with you forever.
You'll like it if: You like British cinema, 90's cinema, Danny Boyle's films, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or Pulp Fiction.

"It's Not Just A Game Anymore."

Clue (1985)
Directed by Jonathan Lynn, rated PG, 94 minutes

Clue is a wonderfully campy and preposterously entertaining black comedy based on the Clue board game, about six dinner guest who are invited to a mysterious Gothic mansion, and must work with the each other and the butler to solve a murder. The entire cast is mind-blowingly good, including Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean and the incredible and lovable Tim Curry. The film aptly adapts the game Clue into an exciting murder mystery, but it's the hilarious interactions of the characters that make the Clue truly memorable. Clue perfectly mixes fun, campy laughs, with frightening and sometimes funny scares. You'll like it if: You like murder mysteries, Tim Curry, The Rocky Horror Picture Show or Scream.

"Once in 50 years suspense like this!"

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Directed by Billy Wilder, not rated, 116 minutes

Witness for the Prosecution is a brilliant and suspenseful courtroom drama about a lawyer who's told by his doctor to give up all excitement, including court cases. Instead, he takes a complicated case involving a murder, and the accused's wife is a witness for the prosecution. The cast is fantastic all the way down the line, and the writing is clever and entertaining. The plot is wonderfully twisted, and doesn't let you catch up till the incredible ending. Witness for the Prosecution is a smart film that has terrifically tense courtroom scenes and a great story. You'll like it if: You like courtroom dramas, Billy Wilder's films, 50's cinema, Anatomy of a Murder or Presumed Innocent.

A Surprising and Moving Film

Changeling (2008)
Directed by Clint Eastwood, rated R, 141 minutes

Changeling is well acted and darkly disturbing film about a woman in 1920's L.A. whose son goes missing. When the corrupt LAPD say they found her son, she believes she has proof the child is not her's and tries to fight back. Angelina Jolie, who was nominated for an Academy Award for this performance, is simply stunning, and you can't help but empathize with her. Director Clint Eastwood gives the film dark mood and atmosphere, but it's the mystifying story that makes the film. Though the film is a little slow, Changeling is a moving and startling drama. You'll like it if: You like dark movies, Angelina Jolie, Mystic River or In Cold Blood.

A Wonderful Tribute to Andy Kaufman

Man on the Moon (1999)
Directed by Milos Forman, rated R, 118 minutes

Man on the Moon is beautifully made and deeply interesting film about the life and career of Andy Kaufman, the eccentric and sometimes bizarre comedian. Andy Kaufman's life story is wonderfully odd, and everything Kaufman does is shocking and unforgettable. Jim Carrey delivers a fantastic performance as Kaufman, sinking right into the character, both good parts and bad parts. Man on the Moon is a both a hilarious comedy and a powerful drama, that immortalizes the life of a mad genius and brilliant comedian. You'll like it if: You like dark comedies, biographical movies, Jim Carrey, Ed Wood or The Truman Show.