"The Man. The Myth. The Celebrity."

Bronson (2008)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, rated R, 92 minutes

Bronson is an exhilarating and brutal film about Britain's most violent prisoner, who originally went to jail for stealing a few pounds from a post office, but ended up staying for most of his life because of crimes committed in prison. Tom Hardy, as Bronson, is electric in every scene, bringing an odd charm to the character's violent insanity, and there's not a second you won't love watching him. Director Nicolas Winding Refn provides some stunning visuals, and never lets the film slow down with some perfectly executed artistic flourishes. Bronson, based on a true story, is one wild, fun and inspired ride, and Hardy's Bronson is one of the most compelling anti-heroes in recent memory. You'll like it if: You like rebellious protagonists, prison films, violent crime films, Chopper, Taxi Driver or The Pusher.

"I didn't ask for you to show up."

Trucker (2008)
Directed James Mottern, rated R, 90 minutes

Trucker is a touching and well-acted independent drama about a hardened female trucker who is forced to take care of the son she abandoned ten years earlier while his dad stays in the hospital with cancer. Michelle Monaghan knocks it out of the park in the lead, with a role that's not all that likable, but she brings toughness and yet vulnerability to her character, as she commands the screen in every scene. The story is in no way original, but the solid acting and interesting and engaging characters make the story almost feel new. Trucker doesn't break new ground, but it's a truly satisfying film, held together by Monaghan's incredible performance. You'll like it if: You like strong female protagonists, family dramas, Michelle Monaghan, Frozen River, Wendy and Lucy or Gone Baby Gone.

"He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove."

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Directed by Jared Hess, rated PG, 82 minutes

Napoleon Dynamite is a quirky, offbeat comedy about an unpopular, rather weird high schooler who tries to help his one friend become Student Body President, overthrowing an extremely popular girl. Jon Heder, in his defining role, is utterly convincing in the lead, simply becoming the part, and he's given a string of hilarious and quotable lines. The plot leaves a lot to be desired, but it's the odd characters populating the film that make it so enjoyable, each one funny in their own bizarre way. Most people will either love or hate Napoleon Dynamite, but if you get caught up in the world of the film, it's a very funny ride. You'll like it if: You like strange humor, low budget comedies, high school comedies, Dumb and Dumber, Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Superbad.

"Why is the world so different from what we thought it was?"

Yi Yi (2000)
Directed by Edward Yang, not rated, 173 minutes

Yi Yi is a touching and poignant Taiwanese drama about the lives of a middle-class family that tries to remain stable after the family matriarch suffers a stroke and goes into a coma. The performances are terrific all around, even the younger actors, and director Edward Yang gives the film a very subdued style, that makes the realistic story all the more effective. The films follows a large number of characters, but each one is likable and distinctly crafted, and surprisingly their stories are pretty much equally interesting. Yi Yi has a long running time, but it effortlessly sucks you into the world of the characters, and you can't help but enjoy this deeply human film. You'll like it if: You like family dramas, ensemble films, foreign dramas, Magnolia, Tokyo Story or Fanny and Alexander.

"Two old-fashioneds, for two old-fashioned people."

Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
Directed by Leo McCarey, not rated, 91 minutes

Make Way for Tomorrow is a powerful and sadly unseen drama about an elderly couple who, after running out of money and losing their house, must separate and live with whichever of their children will take them. The characters are all beautifully drawn, as no one is made to be just good or bad, and the two leads are so charming it's almost painful to see them sad. Few films realistically deal with the problems of the elderly, and this film does it with dignity and thankfully without cliches. Make Way for Tomorrow is simultaneously the most heartwarming and heartbreaking film I've ever seen, and the bold and poignant ending is truly unforgettable. You'll like it if: You like family dramas, older protagonists, melancholy dramas, The Awful Truth, The Best Years of Our Lives or Harold and Maude.

"I don't think of myself as a hero. No, only dead people are heroes."

Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997)
Directed by Werner Herzog, not rated, 80 minutes

Little Dieter Needs to Fly is a harrowing and awe-inspiring documentary about a pilot who was shot down during the Vietnam War, captured and imprisoned. Dieter Dengler is an unbelievable man, but he remains incredibly humble about everything that's happened to him, and comes off as almost nonchalant while describing the awful things that occurred. Some parts of Dieter's story seem impossible to believe, but it's all true, and there's no way to get bored with the insane series of events. But Little Dieter Needs to Fly doesn't just have an amazing story to tell, director Werner Herzog provides some terrific visuals which make the film an engrossing experience. You'll like it if: You like war documentaries, Vietnam War films, Werner Herzog's films, Rescue Dawn, Hell in the Pacific or Encounters at the End of the World.

"Talk on the phone. Finish your homework. Watch T.V. DIE!"

The House of the Devil (2009)
Directed by Ti West, rated R, 95 minutes

The House of the Devil is a creepy, slow burning horror film set in the 1980's about a college student looking to make some money who takes a questionable babysitting job. Jocelin Donahue is delightful in the lead - you can't help but like her character, and Tom Noonan is effortlessly unsettling even when doing very little. The films lets the tension build quite adeptly as things seem always on the edge of terror, though perhaps it builds for too long without the punch. The House of the Devil is sure to please all fans of 80's horror, with it's subdued, throwback style, but any fan of thrillers can appreciate this frightening experience. You'll like it if: You like horror films, suspenseful films, cult horror films, Halloween, Black Christmas or Dead End.

"Two guys. One job. No rules."

The Promotion (2008)
Directed by Steve Conrad, rated R, 86 minutes

The Promotion is an ambitious and subtlety funny comedy about two assistant managers at a crappy local grocery store, who battle against each other to get promoted to manager. Seann William Scott steps out of his normal persona in the film, opting for a more subdued and hilariously frustrated performance, and John C. Reilly can make almost anything funny. The film has a strange way of telling the story in that it doesn't really make either one the "bad guy," and while it makes for an odd experience, it's refreshingly unique. The Promotion's only real problem is it's not quite as funny as it could be, but the story is a lot of fun to watch, and the characters are riotously funny. You'll like it if: You like independent comedies, workplace comedies, John C. Reilly, Observe and Report, Extract or The Good Girl.

"So you're like... ransom."

Alpha Dog (2006)
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, rated R, 122 minutes

Alpha Dog is a captivating and shocking crime drama about a gang that kidnaps the 15 year old brother of guy that owes them money, and as he begins to enjoy being part of the gang, they're not sure how to cover their tracks. The film is filled with up and coming young actors who all bring a lot of personality to their characters, and surprisingly Justin Timberlake proves he can really act. The dialogue is all realistic and sometimes quite funny, especially Timberlake who brings charm to even his most vulgar tirades. Alpha Dog doesn't draw clear lines between the good guys and the bad guys, which makes this tragedy, based on true events, all the more difficult to swallow. You'll like it if: You like films about teens, crime dramas, Emile Hirsch, Bully, Brick or Zero Day.

"All of a sudden, I miss everyone..."

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Directed by John Cassavetes, rated R, 155 minutes

A Woman Under the Influence is a harrowing and powerful drama about a woman whose complex relationship with her ill-matched husband starts to fall apart when she has a nervous breakdown. Gena Rowlands sinks into her painful role, and you can't help but identify with her as she tries to be normal among her friends and family. The film is unbelievably tense, and as the emotions of the characters build, disaster always feels imminent. A Woman Under the Influence is distinct to Cassavetes style, with surprisingly moving, improvised dialogue and an almost documentary style - the film feels real, which makes it hard to, but definitely worth watching. You'll like it if: You like family dramas, impressive female protagonists, John Cassavetes films, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Revolutionary Road or Short Cuts.