[The_Return]

Just some random recommendations:

Class of 1985 - Somewhere between exploitation + revenge flick, set in a high school. Brilliant performances for this kind of movie, and a really cool (and somewhat prophetic) script.

The Last Broadcast - Avoid if you don't like Blair Witch style psuedo-documentary type horror movies. Its low budget, but IMO its one of the best of its kind - and it actually came BEFORE Blair Witch!

Shallow Grave - Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) directed this one...great performances and a really cool murder story.

Beauty and the Beat (1946) - You said something about looking for Criterion suggestions...here you go. Jean Cocteau directs a visually stunning take on the classic story.

House of 9 - Not really an amazing movie, but if you like stuff in the vein of Saw and Cube, you really should check it out.

Following - Christopher Nolan's (Dark Knight, Memento, The Prestige) first feature length movie. Its low budget to the max, but the script is really well written and the 2 main actors are fantastic. Easily on par with most of his bigger budget/more mainstream stuff.

Altered - One of my favourite Alien abduction movies. Builds suspense and keeps you guessing the whole way.

Kwaidan - Another Criterion suggestion. Really cool visuals and superb storytelling - easily one of my top Asian films.


...that should do you for now. Have fun!