I concede that it's possible you might already have a film in mind to see this weekend. I understand that there's a highly anticipated major release hitting theaters today that's expected to draw huge crowds. But enough about Space Chimps. This is the Indie Spotlight, a weekly round-up of films opening in limited release that you can see now (if you live in the right city) or put on your list of Movies to Watch Out For.

So what's opening beyond the multiplexes today? These nine films: Before I Forget, The Doorman, Felon, Lou Reed's Berlin, Mad Detective, A Man Named Pearl, Take, Transsiberian, and A Very British Gangster. Here's the lowdown:

Transsiberian
What it is: A thriller about an American couple (Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer) who gets tangled up in murder, drugs, and intrigue while on a train from China to Moscow. Directed and co-writer by Brad Anderson (The Machinist).
What they're saying: Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson raves about it here, and also interviewed the director and Mortimer. The consensus is pretty positive at Rotten Tomatoes, too. Looks like Brad Anderson has another winner.
Where it's playing: New York City's Angelika Film Center and Paris Theatre.
Official site: None.

Lou Reed's Berlin
What it is: A concert film, directed by Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), in which Lou Reed re-performs his 1973 album Berlin. Shot over five nights in 2006.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Christopher Campbell liked it overall, which just a few qualms about Schnabel's methods. At Rotten Tomatoes, about two-thirds of the reviews are positive. One suspects that, as usual with concert films, those with no interest in the music itself probably won't be converted by the movie.
Where it's playing: NYC's Film Forum; L.A.'s Nuart Theatre.
Official site: Berlin the Film.
Before I Forget
What it is: A French drama about a retired gay hustler examining his life as he nears the end of it.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson speaks highly of it, calling it "emotionally complex." It's gotten almost universal acclaim at Rotten Tomatoes, too.
Where it's playing: NYC's IFC Center.
Official site: None.

Mad Detective
What it is: The latest from crazy Hong Kong action director Johnnie To (Exiled, Triad Election), it's about a cop who can see into people's souls -- their "inner ghosts" -- and use that to track down bad guys.
What they're saying: Only a few reviews have been posted at Rotten Tomatoes, but almost all are positive, saying the film is the usual visual insanity from the creative Mr. To.
Where it's playing: NYC's IFC Center.
Official site: CTV International. It's kind of in French, though.

The Doorman
What it is: A mockumentary about New York's most important nightclub doorman.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Nick Schager hated hated hated it: "What do war, famine, disease and poverty have in common? They're four of the few things in life less funny than The Doorman." He's not alone, either. Six of the eight reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are slams, too.
Where it's playing: New York City's CC Village East Cinemas.
Official site: Gigantic Pictures.

Take
What it is: A drama about a woman going to witness the execution of a stranger who affected her life some years earlier. Minnie Driver and Jeremy Renner star.
What they're saying: The reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are about evenly split.
Where it's playing: NYC's Landmark Sunshine Cinema. Opens in L.A. next week.
Official site: Take the Movie. Includes scheduled release dates for other cities.

A Man Named Pearl
What it is: A documentary about a guy who's one of the best topiary artists in the country. That means he cuts bushes and hedges into the shapes of animals and stuff.
What they're saying: The critics at Rotten Tomatoes are divided into two camps: those who say it's a pleasant and inspiring portrait, and those who say it's just an expanded version of a local newscast's "person of the week" feature.
Where it's playing: NYC's Angelika Film Center.
Official site: A Man Named Pearl. Includes an extensive list of upcoming release dates for other cities.

A Very British Gangster
What it is: A documentary about the colorful, larger-than-life head of one of England's biggest crime families.
What they're saying: It's eight for and five against at Rotten Tomatoes.
Where it's playing: NYC's Cinema Village; L.A.'s Culver Plaza Theatre.
Official site: A Very British Gangster.

Felon
What it is: A gritty drama about a family man who goes to prison after killing a home invader. And prison is rough, you know. Stephen Dorff plays the guy; Val Kilmer plays his cellmate.
What they're saying: Almost all good stuff so far at Rotten Tomatoes.
Where it's playing: NYC's Landmark Sunshine Cinema; L.A.'s Mann Chinese 6 and Krikorian Buena Park Metroplex 18;
Official site: None.