Art School Confidential

'Wry' barely covers it. According to this film, everything you already think about modern art is true, and who's to argue? Overall, the story is slight but honest, it moves briskly, and just enough hearty laughs pop out to make you feel you've gotten your full share of comedy.

Bad Santa

Of such stuff are a curmudgeon's dreams made. In a world where corporate radio stations start playing Christmas carols in mid-November--the better to distract people with schmaltz--we need more works like this. Special props to Billy Bob Thornton for giving a tour-de-force as the scuzzy Santa. It gets a demerit or two for wimping out a bit at the end; otherwise, this would be "Best Of All" material.

Ghost World

Hits the nail on the head more often than a town full of Amish people building a barn. An awesomely true story with clever writing and a dead-on recognition of what's what in this world. The only possible quibble: in real life, girls that cute don't get that surly. Otherwise, it's perfect. A "Best of All" inductee.