Holy Motors

"Bizarre" doesn't even begin to describe Holy Motors, the first film in twelve years from French director Leos Carax. But if you're willing to endure what are sure to be some of the strangest sequences you'll see on film, you'll be rewarded with a refreshingly unique story and a lead performance that rivals (and possibly eclipses) Joaquin Phoenix's work in The Master as the best of 2012.

Holy Motors

Director: Leos Carax

Starring: Denis Lavant, Edith Scob, Eva Mendes

Cloud Atlas

If I had to guess a single adjective that will appear in the most reviews of Cloud Atlas, it would be "ambitious." But that truly is the perfect word for the latest directorial effort by the Wachowskis, who teamed with Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer to bring David Mitchell's 2004 book - which many deemed "unfilmable" - to the big screen. A crisscrossing tale of six connected stories that span hundreds of years, this is a hard sell even with its A-list cast. But the result is a powerful and emotional piece of pop entertainment that, like most of the Wachowski's best work, is equally adept at combining thrilling action and philosophical explorations into one cohesive whole.

Cloud Atlas
Writers/Directors: Tom Tykwer, Andy and Lana Wachowski
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Doona Bae, Jim Broadbent

Sinister

After receiving rave reviews from the festival circuit earlier this year, Sinister heads into theaters a week before what's sure to be a box office juggernaut in Paranormal Activity 4, and since the two films share producers, they're hoping to have a very good October. While there two share a similar haunted house vibe, Sinister has a bit more going on underneath the surface to go with the scares, making it a must-see for horror fans this month.

Sinister
Co-writer/Director: Scott Derrickson
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, James Ransone, Michael Hall D'Addario

Seven Psychopaths

Following up a great directorial debut like the cult classic In Bruges would be a tough challenge for any filmmaker, but writer/director Martin McDonagh is back with a more lighthearted movie that still carries his hallmarks of great dialogue and tons of violence. With memorable performances, a wacky plot, and a nice mixture of humor and bloodshed, Seven Psychopaths is one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a theater this year.

Seven Psychopaths
Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken