Daniel Coyle illustrates the importance of myelin-building deep practice in this inspirational book about unlocking the secret of building potential into world-class performance. He uses anecdotes and stories from respected coaches, business professionals, musicians, and teachers to show how fine-tuning and other techniques lead to advanced proficiency.

Grade: A+.

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Liam Neeson leads an all-star cast in this outstanding historical drama, set in 18th century Scotland, as Robert Roy MacGregor, a farmer and de facto village mayor, who borrows money from a local noble and is forced to fight for his honor and name when the money is stolen.

Grade: A.

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In a twist on the boy-meets-girl romance, this boy, Clarence (Christian Slater), meets and falls in love with a hooker, Alabama (Patricia Arquette), eliminates her pimp, and runs away with her and a suitcase of cocaine. Good acting, a thrilling story, and hilarious moments make this amazingly entertaining.

Grade: A-.

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Pam Grier stars in this superb caper picture opposite the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Robert DeNiro, Michael Keaton, and Bridget Fonda, scripted and directed by Quentin Tarantino. She plays Jackie Brown, a flight attendant caught smuggling cocaine who is forced to help the police take down an arms dealer.

Grade: A.

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The forces of light and darkness face off in this Russian vampire fantasy, with eye-popping special effects and unbelievable writing, set in the dirtiest, grungiest corners of Moscow. Anton, our troubled protagonist, is trying to find “The Great Other” before the Forces of Darkness succeed in winning him over.

Grade: A-.

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In this adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel, a group of young anthropologists and corporate security guys travel back in time to the 14th century to rescue their professor. While the story was interesting, this missable film was mired in cheesy clichés, lame dialogue, mediocre acting, and hokey action sequences.

Grade: C-.

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David Duchovny stars as successful author, Hank Moody, a hard-drinking womanizer who is still in love with his ex-wife, Karen. His struggles with writer’s block, flings with gorgeous women, and relationship with his eccentric daughter make this Emmy winner, full of smart writing and believable acting, thoroughly entertaining.

Grade: A.

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In this final season of a well-written science fiction teen drama, Max is trying to find his son, Isabel is getting married, and relationships are tested against the ever-closer FBI, impending high school graduation, and life in adulthood. With good acting and writing, this reaches a satisfying conclusion.

Grade: A.

See also:

• Roswell, Season 2 (2000)
• Roswell, Season 1 (1999)

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Barry Pepper stars opposite Annabella Piugattuk in this adventure set in the tundra of Northwest Territories, Canada. Pepper is Charlie, a bush pilot flying an Inuit native woman to a hospital when his plane crashes and the two of them have to walk across the vast wilderness before winter comes.

Grade: A-.

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After the President dies in office, MacKenzie Allen succeeds him to become the first female President of the United States. Geena Davis stars in this single-season political drama, fronting a talented cast that includes Donald Sutherland and Harry Lennix. Good acting and effective writing make this an engaging rental.

Grade: B+.

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