Only recently did I realize the looong list of films that Jenn needs to check out.  It’s not that the following films are The Best Ever.  They’re just good/great ones that I don’t think she’s seen.

In no particular order:

The New World – Terence Malick – unbelievably beautiful, silent, and moving

The Lookout – noirish, great performance by Matthew Goode and Joseph Gordon Levitt (my age-inappropriate crush)

Away We Go – written by Dave Eggers and his wife

Objectified – fantastic documentary about everyday design from the director/writer who created Helvetica (which you should also see)

The Visitor – Richard Jenkins is pitch perfect

Deconstructing Harry – one of the funniest, darkest, most inappropriate films I know of (but more sophisticated than World’s Greatest Dad)

Venus – Peter O’Toole makes 98% of other actors out there seem positively apish.

Hero/House of Flying Daggers – Stunning, seriously stunning art direction.

Howl’s Moving Castle – wow, wow, wow, wow.  Makes Pixar look peevish.

Transiberian – murder and Ben Kingsley.  Done and done.

Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst – one of my favorite documentaries.  Not only does it tell the story of the kidnapping/conversion, it also traces the history of the first mass media event and the schism between generational cultures.  Fascinating.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster – another fantastic documentary.  World’s Biggest Metal Band Goes To Group Therapy.

The complete Arrested Development series – please understand my crush on Jason Bateman and allegiance to David Cross.

Laurel Canyon – feels exactly like driving through the canyons of LA and Frances McDormand is just sexy as hell when she wants to be.

Lars and the Real Girl – Because it’s small, well-written, well-directed, and stars Ryan Gosling.

Half Nelson – see above

After the Wedding – stars the bad guy from Casino Royale, shot on video, Danish film, really fantastic.

Gone Baby Gone – impressive, no really, impressive directorial effort from Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck is very good in the lead role.

The King of Kong – another one of my favorite documentaries.  A truly epic battle to be the reigning champion of Donkey Kong.

Once – I hate, hate, hate musicals.  I love, love, love this movie.  Brand new interpretation of how to tell a musical story.

The Kingdom – exciting film from our friend Peter Berg (Very Bad Things).  And my parallel-universe boyfriend Jason Bateman is in it.

La Vie En Rose – one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.  And a very good film.

Infernal Affairs 1 & 2 – The original films that The Departed is based on.  And, sorry popular opinion, I think these are more exciting.  The performances and film direction serve the story, and not the characters.

Marie Antoinette – I’ll see anything that Sofia Coppola does.  Even if Kirsten Dunst is in it.  Beautiful art direction.  Interesting character profile.

Thank You For Smoking – well, actually you should put anything that Jason Reitman directs on your list.

Dig! – Documentary chronicling two “rival” bands – Dandy Warhols one of them – and the success of one and the failure of another

Match Point – Woody Allen starts his new chapter in filmmaking.  Really like this film.  Johannsen is luminescent, but also a bit too self-aware of it.  And Matthew Goode (see Lookout) is completely unrecognizable from the aformentioned film.

Battlestar Galatica – if you want to get into another TV series – this really is operatic and pretty amazing.  Named one of the best series on TV in the past few years.

The Party – Peter Sellers.  Highlarious.

Thirteen – excellent, excellent, excellent.  Gripping and gritty.

Away From Her – holy cow how did young Sarah Polley direct these two aged, acting greats in such a poignant and elegantly reserved film?  One of my favorites.

Raising Victor Vargas – shot on video.  Such real and convincing performances from unknowns,  you’ll think it’s a documentary.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind – Sam Rockwell and Drew Barrymore in the imagined biography of the Gong Show’s Chuck Barris.  Pop the popcorn.

To Die For – Gus Van Sant and Joaquin Phoenix, based on a true story and really funny.

Tigerland – tremendous film.  Pre-fuck up Colin Farrel.  Will point to why you like the post-fuck up Colin Farrel in “In Bruges.”  Put on the subtitles – the dialogue is tremendous but the sound mix is a bit off.

Punch Drunk Love – I’m surprised if anyone in the creative industry hasn’t seen all of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films – but this one seems to get overlooked.  AND I CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHY.  Love this movie.

Citizen Ruth – dark, funny, Alexander Payne written and directed, and starring Laura Dern.

American Movie – one of the best documentaries ever.

The Spanish Prisoner – David Mamet’s masterful sleight of hand.

The Tao of Steve – indie film, it’s just fun.

Anyone have anything else to add?