Hi John,
Are you planning on colour grading in post, or do you want to get film-like images right out of the camera? I would really recommend getting a flat image out of the camera and then making the colours look the way you want them to after the fact, when you'll have more control over (and ability to change your mind about) the way everything looks.
I shoot with with the CINE-D scene file (F6 on the scene file knob) for increased dynamic range, and then color grade in After Effects. CINE-V (F5) is supposed to provide a more contrasty, film-like look - but even then you'll want to do some work on the image in post to get it to pop.
If you really want to, you can push your in-camera image settings further than the presets - but you're going to be cutting out image information that you could preserve for the time being and gain more flexibility in post. Here's some
interesting reading on the different settings if you want to go that route - but my reccomendation is just to get a flat, flexible image out of the camera and worry about achieving a look that you want in post.
Hope that helps,
Gord