1. "Blue Velvet" directed by David Lynch (1986).

Easily one of David Lynch's most followable plot lines, Blue Velvet follows the story of a young man who finds a human ear in a field and is led into the life of a nightclub singer who has had her child kidnapped by a group of criminals. The format of the film is 35 mm, calling for deep colors and a certain cinematic excellence not otherwise seen in more modern films.

Starring: Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern

2. "Girlhood" directed by Céline Sciamma (2014).

While the name is similar to that of the recent Academy favorite, "Boyhood," this subtitled French film has a raw darkness that "Boyhood" could never compare to. It tells the story of a girl searching for her identity by joining a girl gang and reinventing her outward appearance. The film won Best Cinematography at the Stockholm International Film Festival, and rightfully so. The consistent blue tones in the film add to the roller coaster of emotion that unfolds throughout the story.

Starring: Karidja Touré, Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh

3. "From Dusk Till Dawn" directed by Robert Rodriguez (1996).

To get the full effect of this film, I recommend you don't read too much about it before watching. Seriously. Not even the Netflix description, which gives away the most crucial plot line in the movie. If you like violent movies with an extra gory twist, and if you love Quentin Tarantino making an unusual appearance, you'll love this movie—hands down.

Starring: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek

4." The House I Live In" directed by Eugene Jarecki (2012).

America is losing a war, and not one that we are fighting in a foreign country. "The House I Live In" explores every angle of America's war on drugs and how it effects every single person in this country. Easily one of the most insightful documentaries that benefits everyone that watches it, it won the Grand Jury prize for documentaries at Sundance Film Festival.

5. "Enter the Void" directed by Gaspar Noe (2009).

This film is shown from the perspective of Oscar, a drug dealer living in Tokyo. After a psychedelic trip gone bad, the film travels through past and present, conscious and unconscious, through both Oscar's life and the life of his prostitute sister. This film takes a unique perspective that no other drug-based film has done before. The entire film feels somewhat like a dream, and the bright lights of Tokyo add to the already beautiful cinematography.

Starring: Paz de la Huerta, Nathaniel Brown

6. "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her & Him" directed by Ned Benson (2013).

There is something about a movie made into parts that makes it more personal and keeps the watchers drawn into its story. This film follows the story of a couple, hopelessly in love, and the tragedy that tears them apart. I recommend watching "Her" first, then "Him," and altogether avoiding "Them," a studio produced mixture that was made to appeal to a wider audience. If you take the time to watch both "Her" and "Him" you will experience the full effect of this heart-wrenching, true-to-life film.

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Viola Davis

7. "United 93" directed by Paul Greengrass (2006).

"United 93" details the events that occurred onboard United Airlines flight 93, one of the planes hijacked during the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The film attempts to follow the events as closely as possible, though it's disclaimed that some imagination had to be used as the people on the flight, who knew they were all going to perish, did everything in their power to make sure the plane did not hit a building and harm others. This is an important film to watch for any American, as it shows a different perspective of the events that occurred on that tragic day. In addition to the multiple awards this film received, it was listed on many top ten lists of notable publications.

Starring: J.J. Johnson, Gary Commock, Polly Adams, Opal Alladin

8. "Leon: the Professional" directed by Luc Besson (1994).

The fact that Luc Besson created this masterpiece relieves him of the fact that he also is responsible for the atrocity that was "Taken 2." If seeing a young Natalie Portman kick a— and take names appeals to you, this movie is right up your ally. Young Mathilda, 12 years old, is taken in by professional assassin, Leon, after her family is brutally murdered. The pair form an unusual relationship as Leon trains Mathilda to become his assassination protégée.

Starring: Natalie Portman, Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and a very important house plant.

9."The Believer" directed by Henry Bean (2001).

As if starring a young Ryan Gosling wasn't enough, this film takes the cake for outlining the inner battle of fighting personal belief versus personal heritage. Ryan Gosling stars as a young neo-nazi strong in his belief against the Jewish people, the only problem standing in his way: his Jewish blood and heritage. After watching this widely critically acclaimed film, you will never be able to believe that it is the director's first feature.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Billy Zane

10. "Battle Royale" directed by Kinji Fukasaku (2000).

11. "The Emperor's New Groove" directed by Mark Dindal (2000).

Because, well, duh.

Starring: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton