Last night, the Milwaukee Film Festival cracked open its 2015 edition with "Youth." So that's one movie down and only about 300 to go. 

It's overwhelming slate of impressive cinema, so to help hopefully guide you to some winners, here are my three picks for what to see here on Day 2 of the most wonderful time of the year.

"The Russian Woodpecker"

My girlfriend – and my equal in film nerdiness – went out to work at Sundance this past winter, and while there, she got to see "The Russian Woodpecker." It didn't take long after she came back for her to insist on giving the film's poster one of the exclusive spots on our not particularly spacious walls.

South Milwaukee native Chad Gracia's debut utterly hypnotized her – and seemingly everyone else at Sundance. The documentary – following an oddball Chernobyl survivor as he investigates the tragic incident, and then so, so much more involving Ukraine's uneasy history with Russia – nabbed a ton of buzz, as well as the World Cinema-Grand Jury prize for documentary. Documentary sells it short though. This is more like a conspiracy thriller that plays like a dream and a nightmare. 

"The Russian Woodpecker" plays today at 5:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre, as well as on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Avalon Theater. 

"Nicola Costantino: The Artefacta"

Nicola Costantino is one of the most celebrated and controversial artists working today in Latin America, making bizarre pieces like bars of soap made from her own liposuctioned far (wait, is she Tyler Durden?) and more. Can a documentary live up to her reputation as a creative and controversial genius? I say it's worth checking out to see.

"Nicola Costantino: The Artefacta" plays today at 7:15 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre, as well as Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1:15 p.m. at the Downer Theatre.

"The Wrecking Crew"

The Wrecking Crew are some of the most musicians whose names you've never known. Until hopefully now, with this music doc that shines the long overdue spotlight on the studio band that created some of the music industry's most iconic sounds.

Music docs are a dime a dozen – and admittedly, "The Wrecking Crew" sounds like it might share at least a bit of DNA with the award-winning background singer doc "20 Feet from Stardom." Still, with a noteworthy story like The Wrecking Crew's  – and obviously noteworthy music in their repertoire – this one should stand out. Plus, you're guaranteed at the absolute worst a kick-ass soundtrack. 

"The Wrecking Crew" plays today at 9:45 p.m. at the Times Cinema, as well as Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Downer Theatre.