This short documentary features interviews with a number of former advertising professionals, downsized during the financial crisis of 2007 – 2010, who are painfully forced to reevaluate their work and lives. Many of the people depicted here found happiness in big career changes, inspiring anybody looking for a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Grade: B+.

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Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins star as Micah and Jo, a pair of African-Americans in San Francisco, who discuss life in the city, minority politics, and relationships in the aftermath of a drunken one-night stand. The character-driven drama delivers memorable moments, wonderfully understated cinematography, and striking authenticity.

Grade: B.

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Hayao Miyazaki writes and directs this unique animated fairy tale about a sullen girl who becomes a slave in a bathhouse for the spirit world, as she struggles to rescue her parents. The art here is spectacular, the story is thoroughly entertaining, and the strange world Miyazaki creates is unforgettable.

Grade: A+.

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Herbie Hancock leads a wonderful quintet in this spectacular album that incorporates modal jazz, luscious melodic composition, and incredible solo work. The interplay between the musicians, particularly Hancock on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and George Coleman on tenor saxophone, makes this set of five original charts an unforgettable treat.

Grade: A+.

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In this obscure independent comedy, a video store clerk becomes smitten with a very shy customer with an addiction to soft-core adult films. The two start a strange relationship as she harshly rejects and cruelly mistreats him. This festival film is a believable character study about two broken people.

Grade: B+.

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Multiple story lines converge in this short-lived series about a marine biologist who discovers a dangerous new species of aquatic life, a young teenager who finds an egg, and a group of government agents trying to keep it all quiet. This engaging well-written series is worth a look.

Grade: B.

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Viggo Mortensen garners an Oscar nomination in this highly entertaining thriller about a powerful Russian mafia family in London. Naomi Watts co-stars as a midwife who finds the diary of a dead teenaged girl and vows to find her rapist. This extraordinary thriller delivers a great story and phenomenal acting.

Grade: A.

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In this gorgeous fantasy, Tommy (Hugh Jackman) is trying to save his wife, Izzi (Rachel Weisz), from cancer. The drama splits into three time periods — 16th century Spain, present day, and 500 years in the future. With a beautiful story and stunning cinematography, this other worldly romance is completely unforgettable.

Grade: A.

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Daniel Craig leads a talented cast in this gripping historical drama about the exploits of the Bielski brothers, who led a band of Jewish partisans in a fight against the Nazis in Belarus. While based on an extraordinary true story, the script takes a few entertaining liberties with historical accuracy.

Grade: A-.

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With lots of spunk drawn from her own personal setbacks, Karen Salmansohn’s quirky self-improvement book presents 70 examples and exercises to help the reader recover from adversity. With a bubbly style, this interesting little gem provides a number of practical hands-on assignments for getting back in the game.

Grade: A-.

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