I loved Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain because, like Bourdain himself, the film pulls no punches. It’s fearless in that it’s not looking to beatify its deceased subject.

Compulsory viewing for anyone with the slightest interest in rock history or the power of celebrity.

This level was weird fun was thought to be extinct until Joe Begos came around and proved us all wrong. It’s a game-changer for sure, and the fallout should be phenomenal.

Archenemy is an absolute must-watch.

Mr. Toilet: The World’s # 2 Man is an informative and fun documentary. I know that it sounds like an odd choice of words, given its subject matter, but it really is something special.

I can't rave about this film enough -- this is passionate filmmaking at its best. One of the best foreign films, heck, one of the best films I have seen this year -- go see it!

This amazing tour-de-force presents Huppert in a role, which is equal parts abrasive and vulnerable, exasperating and pathetic, monstrous and saintly.

The Beastie Boys have delivered the ultimate gift to their fans and the title couldn't be more perfect.

The film has a whimsical surreality to it, just like the actor himself.

The film has an innate sense of wonder in every moving landscape, colorful character, or evocative performance.

For all of its groovy fun, Yellow Submarine offers a subliminal reminder that the power of love never goes out of fashion.

What Haynes has essentially done is create a film that is a Bob Dylan song, one of his best.

Mickey And The Bear is remarkable, maximizing its heartbreakingly honest script and emotional directing. Bolstered by a phenomenal cast and an ending that will leave the audience breathless, there is not a single misstep in the entire production.

This is the purest of American narratives, and this, indeed, is one of our finest storytellers.

Eastwood tells the story at a pace well under the Hollywood speed limit, tosses in details so beguiling they seem about to sprout into motion pictures of their own and bathes his subjects in shadows as lovely as those in any Rembrandt.

One of the most towering and extraordinary films to grace the screen.

Mothersbaugh himself acknowledges that the band’s curse has always been being ahead of its time, but it is fitting that we have finally arrived at a time when that is obvious. If you have not seen this legendary band play live yet, do so while you still have the chance, if you can. Whether you have or have not, see Devo as soon as possible.

This film is a fascinating and dynamic investigation of American politics. It does more with the documentary form than I thought possible.

It’s honestly one of the best dark comedies I’ve seen in years, and I can’t wait to watch it again.

Rich with wonderful music and images.

At every turn, Marielle Heller provides nuanced, intimate framing and dialogue that is most interested in the little dramas that define who we are while never losing sight of its overarching narrative.

Malick’s masterpiece makes a great argument that it’s the little-known heroes, as opposed to the ones we trumpet as such, that truly form the ethical foundation upon which our society still creakily rests. Malick is a true cinematic maestro, conducting the orchestra of life. A Hidden Life is breathtaking in every aspect.

Should become required viewing for all troubled youth, their uncertain parents, the military establishment and their detractors or supporters.

There really needs to be more stories told like Bob Trevino Likes It, about the good that people can do in the world for strangers. It’s heartwarming and eventually heartbreaking with where the story goes, but the purity that Leguizamo gives off is so strong that it’s a career-defining role (in a lifetime of memorable performances). Kudos to Tracie Laymon for bringing it all together to make a modern classic.

See this film and laugh your ass off, and in between your tears of joy learn the true cause of racial and ethnic division.

The Disappearance of My Mother is rife with grand philosophical questions about beauty, capitalism, love, life, and death, while still maintaining the intimacy of a family connection.

I've already seen at least 20 documentaries this year. They've left me amused, sad, informed, bored, pissed-off, whatever. I'm willing to bet, though, that I don't see another this year as richly entertaining or as cathartic as The Kid Stays in the Picture. Is it really that good? You better believe it.

Even after over four decades, Diva still impresses with Beineix’s masterful mix of highbrow and lowbrow. With the stunning new 4K restoration, Diva retains its well-deserved status as a late 20th-century movie masterpiece.

Eddie Murphy does everything in this movie successfully. Coming To America remains his most personal work and a great argument that a movie can be decent and wholesome despite having enough profanity to make Bill Cosby lose sleep. A perfect argument for Eddie Murphy as decent guy even without the fame and fortune. Not that he's planning on giving it back though.

Black Ice is the kind of film where you are in a different world once finishing it.

Kung Fu Hustle is something you rarely encounter in theaters: a genuinely original comedy.

It’s gripping, reflective, dramatic, and even a bit humorous.

Overall, I think this documentary is perfect, even if it is a bit of Christmas propaganda.

Check out VHYES if you want to see the most original film to come out in ages.

Racism, teen sex, and war are all hot button issues. When you are a young person these things can seem new and confusing. In Alan Ball’s genius Towelhead, all of those above mentioned subjects go hand-in-hand in a truly wonderful cinematic experience.

I highly suggest seeking out Knife+Heart if you like 70s & 80s B-movie and exploitation films. This was a spot-on homage to the beloved genre. It’s hilarious and haunting and genuinely beautiful, an ambitious film that the more prudish amongst us will be squirming in their seats during. So this is definitely not something to go see with your parents, regardless of your and their ages.

Run is that rare beast that tells you in the trailer exactly what’s going to happen and still manages to surprise and shock you.

Life As A B-Movie: Piero Vivarelli is an endless feast for hardcore Italian film fans, but it’s also a fantastic introduction for newcomers to the wonderful world of Italian genre filmmaking.

She Is Conann shatters the limits of cinematic imagination.

The leads not only hold everything together, but they also hoist it all up in the air and twirl it around their heads. Gordon shows the richness of his comedic side; his bewilderment is infectious. Way anchors the audience’s perspective in his portrayal of what I took as a cowboy from Sweden. Gladstone is the standout. She holds a power as a western hero that creates a palpable humming sensation up your arms.

Ultimately, Smith finally achieves that perfect balance between humor and heart that he's been dancing towards with all his films.

Take the safety off of the comedy Magnum called Happiness and put the barrel in your mouth. You'll laugh your ass off as it takes off the back of your head...It could be the best film of the year. At the very least, I'll never forget it.

Thanks to immaculate design and puppetry work, amazing acting, and a fully realized, vividly crafted world Yamasong: March Of The Hollows is a spellbinding adventure.

Blends classic elements of fantasy, teen-angst and coming-of-age tales to create a genre all its own. And through it all, the movie is undeniably wholesome.

The movie is also just plain out fun, and I feel like a lot of other horror films could take a lesson from it.

With unparalleled verisimilitude, Hirori captures both the helplessness and the resolve it takes to see past it, to hold on to a glimmer of hope, faint as it may be. Sabaya will leave you scarred, its images scorched forever into your mind.

Laugh hard, laugh long, but just laugh at true greatness. Parker and Stone have done it again, multiplied millions of times.

If the state government in Massachusetts refuses to acknowledge its execution of innocent men, then at least this compelling and powerful production can serve as a graceful elegy to the doomed men who were murdered by their adopted homeland.

I cannot recommend The Swerve enough. It is one of the most depressing horror films I’ve ever seen, so maybe don’t watch it if you’re trying to feel super-sunshiney. It is an amazingly cathartic experience.

Among the finest films made in the Middle East. This small, subtle gem offers a vivid portrait of life in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, presenting its message with an intelligence and vibrancy that celebrates the human spirit in an environment where humanity is routinely crushed and assaulted.

Gozu is a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a cow's head. If you think that this last statement doesn't make any sense, just watch the movie.

Izzy Gets The F*ck Across Town is as delightfully offbeat as the title suggests, with an engaging and heartfelt story. Smartly written with stellar acting and deft direction, this hilarious movie demands to be seen as soon as possible.

Quite simply, House of Flying Daggers is a film that sets several new standards for production and entertainment values. It is a wild riot of color, music, passion, action, mystery, pure old-fashioned thrills and even dancing.

The result is a mature, graceful and extraordinary accomplishment.

The screenplay has a lot it wants to say and does so in a fun, murderous way lined with wicked humor. All the actors understood the assignment and successfully pull off their roles.

It's tough and cold and gives an inside look at poverty in America. Yet the film is also incredibly compelling and intense and I can't think of another film that's this small and powerful.

The proceedings have that perfect narrative balance of a simple fairytale, leading to baffling visions and fantastic ideas.

One of the most beautifully stark, yet provocative and powerful films of 2005 has to be Capote. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who gives his finest screen performance to date, literally becomes Truman Capote through effete mannerism, nasaly voice & self-absorbed tone.

There’s no question here that moviegoers will be treated to a completely enveloping, three-hour vacation from reality.

Only for fans of the bizarre and certainly not for those with even a faintly weak stomach. But for those meeting both qualifications: Welcome to a devious little nightmare.

A powerful film worthy of a truly extraordinary American.

Animale is the new state-of-the-art for high-end horror. It will have genre fans and art house aficionados weeping black tears of joy worldwide.

To me, Say Anything is without a shadow of a doubt the most rewarding, funny, and likable romance of the last twenty years. It heralds the decency of romantic love against the gears of a cold, grinding mechanical world.

No End In Sight is the most important film of the year thus far and, more significantly, the most comprehensive, clear-eyed account of the Iraq debacle and the arrogance behind it that we have.

This is one of the best films of the year.

The Bogarin siblings use many methods of storytelling to tell us the tale of their family, creating an atmosphere in 306 Hollywood that is Errol Morris-meets-Wes Andersen. It’s a beautiful documentary filled with magical realism and most importantly the heart and soul of their grandmother.

When you get old and crotchety, you say things like, “They don’t make ’em like that anymore.” For the most part, “they” don’t. Then you see VFW and realize it’s not a nostalgia thing. It’s genuinely not done this way anymore. Thank you Joe Begos for reminding us how it should be.

This may be an extremely bold statement to make, but there hasn’t been such an amazing character study in film since “Citizen Kane.” I honestly can’t praise it enough. From the opening to the ghastly ending, this film will sit in the depths of your stomach for some time to come.

With Babylon, Chazelle laments and condemns; he documents and romanticizes. There’s truth beneath the embellishments. The filmmaker gives this project his all. Luckily, it all works. Bravo.

You will laugh, cry, and be left breathless by Hedges’ heart-pounding adventure and intimate portrait of family love. This film will hurt and capture your heart in the best way. It is without a doubt an unmissable cinematic achievement.

To be able to understand these universal experiences on a deeper level because of this film is a true gift. Even if you don’t have a Zoe, just know that you’re never truly alone.

Provocative and poignant.

A tough sit, but it attracts more than repels you. It commands your attention. Once it lands its hooks in you, there's no tearing away.

Sunlight is delightful, dramatic, and deep all at once. The pacing is excellent, and the screenplay is clever. Conti and Allen bring a great deal of sweetness and vulnerability to their respective roles. The ending is about as perfect as conclusions get. Please watch this as soon as possible, you won’t be disappointed.

One of Spike Lee's greatest films -- seamlessly merging personal drama against a canvas of larger social significance on a level worthy of "Do the Right Thing."

Gory, scary, smart and funny, this is definitely one of the best horror films I’ve seen in years.

Novelist Cormac McCarthy explored the idea that violence can be regenerative and redemptive. In Sisu: Road to Revenge, Helander has painted that concept on the movie screen 20 feet tall, near death, and dripping with gore. By becoming inhumane, Aatami seeks to recover his humanity. Never before will you have felt so cleansed by such brutality.

It will stick with you long after you leave the theater. It is as moving as it is possible for a film to be.

Joyous. This is a film that will put a goofy grin on your face from the opening frame, through to the credits, out into the lobby, the whole way home, and possibly even till you fall asleep.

The actual performances during the film range from excellent to somewhat amateurish, but this amateurism is easily absorbed by the sheer power of the imagery on display.

The result is crisp, brutal and utterly inspirational.

An absolute must-see so that the sins of the past do not doom our future.

Gavin Rothery understands that filmmaking is a visual medium. The story of Archive is told through pictures as much as dialogue. In some of the most effective and integral scenes, no one is talking. Archive is an old story told well.

I would like to praise My Big Fat Independent Movie for achieving something that most independently-produced comedies fail to do: it creates laughs.

Anyone who likes gothic horror and science fiction will appreciate what Kelsey Egan and Emma Lungiswa De Wet offer. They create a beautiful and horrible world in which you cant help bet get lost. As I said before, it is my favorite film of the year so far, so if that carries any weight with you, seek this gem out.

Like any great Robin Williams film, Robin’s Wish has moments of joy, nostalgia, heartbreak, and, most of all, hope.

Documentaries by nature are utilitarian, telling a story from real events as they happen with little expectation of aesthetic value. Once again, Smith ups the ante, delivering a film that is not only intellectually stimulating but visually as well.

The humanity of District 9 adds another dimension to this multilayered, rewarding work -- one of the best of the summer, and undoubtedly the most inventive from the multiplex this year.

Forastera is methodical and observant, which are two of its greatest strengths. Iglesias is unhurried, allowing every scene to sit in the peaceful quiet before the storm of death shakes everything apart.

Lifeline is high-concept sci-fi, but it’s intensely dramatic and engagingly mysterious.

Forman’s classic has not aged one bit. In fact, it’s become more relevant than ever, considering today’s tumultuous climate.

Put simply, Mind Game is a mind-blowing experience.

West’s bold, stylish direction and brilliant use of color and shadow push Pearl into a whole different level of horror. Goth carries the picture with a bit of acting that is subtle and over-the-top at the same time. How? I don’t know, but I know it works wonders.

In a brave move, bound to startle viewers used to conventional structures, Shults shifts gears, subtly layering shades of complexity without ever weighing the film down.

This is an amazing black satire filled with vicious biting words that snap like firecrackers.

So just do yourself a favor, get out there and see Ong Bak. You’ll leave the theater bruised and battered, but you'll be happy about it.

As Hitler, Bruno Ganz ignites the screen with every appearance.