Definitely, Maybe. Much better than I was expecting, although it could probably have gone a step or two further. Strong performances, good characters, and good writing carry this film to a successful conclusion that satisfactorily wraps everything up. Writer/director Adam Brooks does a fine job of creating a compelling tale that avoids the expectations of the genre while still delivering a relatable experience. He has given us a film where there are no "bad guys," but where the inhabitants have their own desires and dreams which will converge and veer away from the others. It is well written and compelling. Definitely worth the time. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Persepolis. Uniquely crafted and involving tale of a time I know little about. This offers some insight into a time of revolution and repression. It also gives us a first hand account of what it was like to grow up in this period. Persepolis could just as easily have been live action, but the animation style, inspired by the graphic novel, is simply stunning. I may have been left a bit flat at the end, but there is no denying the film's appeal. Do yourself a favor and see this movie. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Man of a Thousand Faces. My knowledge of older films is definitely lacking, and this looks like one I would like to see. It is a biopic about Lon Chaney, whose life was cut short just after his first talkie. Chaney is portrayed by James Cagney. Sounds like a winner, no? (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Charlie Bartlett. This movie combines the renegade spirit of Ferris Bueller's Day Off with a little of the aesthetic and psychiatry of Running With Scissors. The end result falls somewhere in between the two; while it does not rise to the level of Ferris Bueller, it is much more watchable and feels more real than Scissors. It features an engaging lead character and takes a look at the effects of prescription drugs and the ignored and alienated youth of the nation. The problem is the film's wild tone shifts hold it back from greatness. It does prove to be much more entertaining than might be expected. It is at times laugh out loud funny, at other times it takes a satirical bent, while other moments are pure drama. It is well worth your time, though; the positives well outweigh the negatives. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Honeydripper. The latest John Sayles film is set in Alabama during the 1950s and concerns a struggling juke joint that plans a blowout with a legendary guitar player in order to save the joint. It has a cast that includes Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Stacy Keach, and Mary Steenburgen. Looks good to me. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)