My quest to see the films of female directors has led me to a Deepa Mehta's drama about personal choices, culture, and social roles. Groundbreaking and controversial in India due to it's depiction of women in love and challenging the status quo. Lovely, gentle, and suitable for those inexperienced in Hindi film viewing.

Solid, suspenseful sci-fi action romance featuring Vera "the eyes" Farmiga. Loved it: but why does the scientist have to be a "mad scientist'? Makes me homesick for Chicago. Duncan Jones, "Moon" directs.

Official Site: http://www.enterthesourcecode.com

Preposterous, weird combo of romance and sci-fi, beautifully photographed by John Toll. Adapted from Phillip K. Dick's 1954 short story. Great locations and cinematography.

Official Site: www.theadjustmentbureau.com

Dark comedy, not entirely a teenage (angst) story, like Easy A, but deeper, and funnier. Loved it!

Official Site: http://www.daydreamnationmovie.com/
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Daydream_Nation/70138810?trkid=496624#height847

Jazz, and black and white cinematography are not enough. Without characters, chemistry between those characters, and story structure, it's hard to care.  If you're going to indulge in extreme close-ups, please make sure your subjects are beautiful, or at least interesting.

Official Site: http://www.guyandmadeline.com/
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Guy_and_Madeline_on_a_Park_Bench/70117006?trkid=496624#height1637

Italian director & writer Luchino Visconti is a master of realistic romantic period pieces. His films are like paintings, with long takes, slow pans and generous depth of field. Visconti's films focus on the cycles of romantic love, society, and personal integrity. It's so strange to see Farley Granger dubbed in Italian, but I rather fancy him that way. The bonus features help put Senso in perspective. I loved it, and not just because it's set in Italy 1866, has no close-ups, no hand-held camera, sparse editing, and long luxurious takes.

Official Site: http://www.criterion.com/films/27543-senso
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Senso/70159612?trkid=496624#height1656