Sweet James

I readily admit that I watched Some Days are Better Than Others just because James Mercer is in it. He does a bang-up job in portraying down-trodden Eli sensitively and without an ounce of pride. The movie is quiet and thoughtful and thought-provoking. Portland is another character in the movie (like Ann Arbor's Zingerman's Deli is in The Five-Year Engagement) and it's integral to the plot. My favorite part? The karaoke of "Total Eclipse of the Heart."

Powerful

Whether you're a poetry fan or not, you'll be moved by Louder Than a Bomb. The documentary follows several teams as they ready to compete Chicago's annual poetry slam. The students' lives will draw you in and the pieces they perform will entertain and educate you.