TRACKER 

Aside from being one of the best man-hunt films in recent memory, TRACKER affords the great British character actor RAY WINSTONE an all too rare chance to shine in a leading role. After unsuccessfully defending his South African farmland against the forces of British Imperialism, the titular tracker heads to New Zealand looking for a fresh start. Soon after his arrival he is enlisted by his former enemies to help capture a native Maori suspected of murdering a Colonial Officer.

From here on in, what we have is one of the best man-hunt pictures in recent memory. Trading on some same themes that made THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA so great- two strong personalities wrestling with personal pride/integrity in the face of cultural shame/injustice. If you are looking for a guilt free epic, look no further.

SECRET SUNSHINE

There have been some truly impressive imports from South Korea lately, and this one, from the director of POETRY, was especially powerful. Do-yeon Jeon won Best Actress at Cannes for her portrayal of a young widow who moves to the small town where her late husband grew up, only to have a second tragedy befall her there. As she tries to find religion and then rages against it, lovesick Jong Chan (Kang-ho Song, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE) is always at her side, barely noticed by her. Although it's a film about bereavement, it's full of surprising humor, sweetness, and hope. Released by Criterion Collection.

LOUIE Season 1

Profoundly dark, supremely human, Stand-Up Comedian, and longtime Chris Rock collaborator, Louis C.K. has made something very special here. Confessional, and brutally honest insights turn to comic gold in his hands. Imagine if the stand-up parts of Seinfeld were greatly extended, and the bits with actors had more to do with the on-stage material. One of the most original feeling comedies around.

THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST

Yes, this IS a stupid comedy, but it has Amy Sedaris in it, and we laughed all the way through it, so we had to add it to the list.  Neil Patrick Harris and Bonnie Somerville play Jeff and Samantha. a Delaware couple who move to Manhattan and discover that getting their child into a good preschool there is so difficult that they would have had to register before the child was even born. Enter paid "consultant" Amy Sedaris, who has them pretend that software engineer Jeff is actually a poet (because "no one can tell the difference between good and bad poetry anymore.") When a friend's dirty text messages are mistaken for Jeff's freestyle poetry, the couple is welcomed with open arms into the city's elite. New York critics did not approve of being mocked in this manner, but we're on the west coast, so we're allowed to laugh, right??

MY DOG TULIP

A totally worthwhile entry into the world of canine loving cinema, and while this is technically a cartoon- this ain't no Marmaduke. Based on the memoirs of cherished Brit-wit and confirmed crotchety old bachelor J.R.Ackerly, this is the story of life with a rambunctious rescued Alsatian bitch. Both warm-hearted and intelligent, My Dog Tulip marks the return of the recently defunct NEW YORKER VIDEO and features voice actors Christopher Plummer, Isabella Rossellini, and the late Lynn Redgrave.

TROLLHUNTER

We have Bigfoot, Norway has Trolls, and lots of 'em. Government cover-ups, intrepid reporters, and flash light wielding hillbillies are just the beginning. We've probably all seen one too many Blair Witch style films, but once you buy into it (give it 1/2 hour) the PG-13 thrills couldn't be any cooler for fans of Creature features like Cloverfield, Host, or Big Man Japan. Full of great laughs and even greater CGI this one's a treat!

POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS: THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD

The latest docutainment from Morgan Spurlock (SUPERSIZE ME) takes on the inescapability of advertising in modern life. By funding his documentary entirely through product placements, Spurlock takes a fascinating, tongue-in-cheek look at the process and how it affects the way that we see the world. This is the sort of film you can watch several times and find new easter eggs of irony with each viewing. Check out our Morgan Spurlock section for more enlightening documentaries with a touch of hilarity!

STAKE LAND

Sort of like a supernatural version of THE ROAD, this critically acclaimed thriller takes place in an America that economic collapse and political chaos have turned into a post-apocalyptic wasteland.  Oh, and there's also the bit about a vampire epidemic sweeping across the country, embraced by a Fundamentalist Christian militia who believe the all-consuming creatures are instruments of God. An orphaned teenage boy, a rogue vampire hunter, and a pregnant young girl attempt to travel from the Deep South to the supposed "New Eden" of Canada amidst all of this. This one has all the thrills you would want from a popcorn movie, but it has enough of a brain that you won't feel like you need to take a shower afterwards.

COLD WEATHER

Realer-than-real "Mumblecore" meets Masterpiece Mystery in this acclaimed indie feature. Doug is a Forensic Sciences drop-out who has just returned to Portland to live with his older sister Gail, landing work at a dead-end job in an ice factory. When his ex-girlfriend goes missing, Doug finally has the opportunity to use his detective skills, attempting to track her through a maze of complex clues with the help of his sister and one of his co-workers. The real charm of this film is that instead of the throwaway romantic interest you would expect, it focuses on brother-sister bonding.

LITTLE BIG SOLDIER

This is not just another crotch-kicking Jackie Chan slapstick vehicle, nor is this an epic strategy war film. He stars as a lowly farmer who survives a brutal battle by relying on wit and fakes, hides, flees himself out of harms way at nearly every opportunity. After awaking in a pile of slain soldiers, Chan discovers the wounded but living General of the enemy, whom he takes as his hostage in hopes of a juicy reward. Full of humor, and respect for life, and yeah maybe a crotch-kick here or there, this is a sweet little rough and ready adventure film.