Early January is a good time for movies. Most of the December prestige films are out in theaters, the weather is too cold for outdoor activities, and perhaps the post-holiday pace has slowed a bit. But it also means there is an excess of good films from which to choose. That’s where year-end lists from critics, who see a lot of movies (I saw over 60 this year), can be helpful.

My own “best films” list includes my overall top 10 (#1 is no surprise for those who read my review of it), plus 15 honorable mentions and 10 excellent documentaries. These are all films that provoked me in good ways, leaving a lasting impression in a culture where very little stays with us from one trending topic to the next. As you make your movie-watching decisions this month, you can’t go wrong with any of these.