Brick

Brick (2005)

This unconventional film noir -- set in the halls of a modern-day high school -- marks a promising debut for writer-director Rian Johnson. Teenage loner Brendan Fry is forced to navigate his school's social network when a secret crush turns up dead and the murderer is anyone's guess. Through intense interactions with thespians, band geeks and druggies (including a grown-up Lucas Haas), Brendan works to crack the cliques -- and the case.

My Two Cents: Anachronistic whodunit that needs about 30 min for the offbeat lingo and style to settle in, but it's worth it.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10