This groundbreaking masterpiece features seven signature tracks in odd keys, the compositions of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. Desmond’s alto is light, lyrical, and laid-back, in stark contrast to other saxophone players. Full of astonishing solo work, particularly given the rhythms and harmonies, this incredible album is absolutely essential.

Grade: A++.

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Don Cheadle stars as a counselor at a mental hospital, focusing on a small core of teenagers. The focus of this picture is on a young scrapper named Lyle. This well-acted character drama is full of real passionate moments, but also full of terribly amateurish handheld video camera footage.

Grade: C.

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This book, targeted at cubicle monkeys and other corporate malcontents, gives straight-forward advice about creating opportunities to escape from meetings, the office, and even the country. While the author lays it on a little thick sometimes, his book is so stuffed with incredible information that it warrants multiple reads.

Grade: A.

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This ten-track CD features Charlie Parker playing some of the best-known bebop compositions. This compilation is a good introduction to Parker’s staggering improvisational ability and interpretation, but the low-budget release lacks any explanatory liner notes. There are much better recordings of these songs on significantly superior albums.

Grade: C+.

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The Polish brothers write and produce their third picture — the story of a town in Montana in the future reservoir of a new dam. The acting is great, the cinematography is stunning and gorgeous, but the story seems to lack focus and meander aimlessly in this extremely unique, surreal fantasy.

Grade: B-.

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This Australian mini-series follows the journey of young Mary Bryant, who was convicted of stealing and sentenced to be transported to Australia aboard the First Fleet. The story of the very first attempt to colonize Australia is interesting, as well as Bryant’s 3000 mile escape from oppression and starvation.

Grade: A-.

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Edmund Talbot is a young British nobleman who finds a position in the colonial government of Australia, which requires him to sail across the world on a repurposed warship. The screenplay, adapted from William Golding’s novels, is excellent and the adventure is exciting and engrossing, despite a few miscast characters.

Grade: B.

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Helen Mirren is picture perfect as Queen Elizabeth II dealing with the aftermath of the untimely death of the incredibly popular Princess Diana and the staid traditions of her position. Mirren’s Oscar-winning performance is unforgettable as are the strong performances of her supporting cast and Peter Morgan’s wonderful screenplay.

Grade: A.

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Louis Malle directs this magnificent story about the friendship of two boys in a Catholic school in occupied France. The acting is completely believable, the cinematography is stunning, and the story imaginative, thought-provoking, and completely engrossing. The performances of the two acting leads make this picture shine even brighter.

Grade: A+.

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This well-crafted documentary offers a scathing indictment of the American credit industry, displaying in surprising detail the extent to which consumers have to deal with predatory practices by financial institutions—especially those unable to afford to resist them or ignorant of any alternative to their ruthless and continuous exploitation.

Grade: A.

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