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The Way Way Back (2013)

UpliftingEnjoyableCharmingBeautiful

Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nat Faxon  •  Jim Rash
CAST:  Steve Carell  •  Toni Collette  •  Allison Janney  •  Sam Rockwell

Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nat Faxon  •  Jim Rash
CAST:  Steve Carell  •  Toni Collette  •  Allison Janney  •  Sam Rockwell

American Underdog (2021)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Erwin  •  Jon Erwin
CAST:  Zachary Levi  •  Anna Paquin  •  Hayden Zaller  •  Dennis Quaid

The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Erwin  •  Jon Erwin
CAST:  Zachary Levi  •  Anna Paquin  •  Hayden Zaller  •  Dennis Quaid

Black Snake Moan (2006)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

A God-fearing bluesman takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, is looking everywhere for love, but never quite finding it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Brewer
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Christina Ricci  •  Justin Timberlake  •  S. Epatha Merkerson

A God-fearing bluesman takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, is looking everywhere for love, but never quite finding it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Brewer
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Christina Ricci  •  Justin Timberlake  •  S. Epatha Merkerson

If I Stay (2014)

BeautifulDramaticRomanticPowerful

Mia Hall, a talented young cellist, thought the most difficult decision she would ever have to make would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at prestigious Juilliard or follow her heart to be with the love of her life, Adam, a rock singer/guitarist. However, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  R.J. Cutler
CAST:  Chloë Grace Moretz  •  Mireille Enos  •  Jamie Blackley  •  Liana Liberato

Mia Hall, a talented young cellist, thought the most difficult decision she would ever have to make would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at prestigious Juilliard or follow her heart to be with the love of her life, Adam, a rock singer/guitarist. However, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  R.J. Cutler
CAST:  Chloë Grace Moretz  •  Mireille Enos  •  Jamie Blackley  •  Liana Liberato

The Messenger (2009)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oren Moverman
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Woody Harrelson  •  Jena Malone  •  Eamonn Walker

Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oren Moverman
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Woody Harrelson  •  Jena Malone  •  Eamonn Walker

When the Game Stands Tall (2014)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A young coach turns a losing high school football program around to go undefeated for 12 consecutive seasons.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thomas Carter
CAST:  Jim Caviezel  •  Michael Chiklis  •  Laura Dern  •  Clancy Brown

A young coach turns a losing high school football program around to go undefeated for 12 consecutive seasons.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thomas Carter
CAST:  Jim Caviezel  •  Michael Chiklis  •  Laura Dern  •  Clancy Brown

Friday Night Lights (2004)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's dormant social problems begin to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Berg
CAST:  Billy Bob Thornton  •  Lucas Black  •  Garrett Hedlund  •  Derek Luke

A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's dormant social problems begin to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Berg
CAST:  Billy Bob Thornton  •  Lucas Black  •  Garrett Hedlund  •  Derek Luke

Little Birds (2011)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

Lily and Alison face a life-changing event after they leave their Salton Sea home and follow the boys they meet back to Los Angeles.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elgin James
CAST:  Juno Temple  •  Kay Panabaker  •  Kyle Gallner  •  Neal McDonough

Lily and Alison face a life-changing event after they leave their Salton Sea home and follow the boys they meet back to Los Angeles.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elgin James
CAST:  Juno Temple  •  Kay Panabaker  •  Kyle Gallner  •  Neal McDonough

Before Sunset (2004)

RomanticBeautifulBrilliantCharming

Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Linklater
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  Julie Delpy  •  Vernon Dobtcheff  •  Louise Lemoine Torrès

Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Linklater
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  Julie Delpy  •  Vernon Dobtcheff  •  Louise Lemoine Torrès

Heart of Champions (2021)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

During their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999, a group of friends and crew teammates' lives are changed forever when an army vet takes over as coach of their dysfunctional rowing team.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Mailer
CAST:  Michael Shannon  •  Alexander Ludwig  •  Charles Melton  •  Michael Tacconi

During their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999, a group of friends and crew teammates' lives are changed forever when an army vet takes over as coach of their dysfunctional rowing team.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Mailer
CAST:  Michael Shannon  •  Alexander Ludwig  •  Charles Melton  •  Michael Tacconi

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

EnjoyableCharmingLightheartedUplifting

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways as the residents find new purpose in their old age.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Madden
CAST:  Bill Nighy  •  Maggie Smith  •  Tom Wilkinson  •  Judi Dench

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways as the residents find new purpose in their old age.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Madden
CAST:  Bill Nighy  •  Maggie Smith  •  Tom Wilkinson  •  Judi Dench

Sleepwalking (2008)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

When her boyfriend is arrested for marijuana possession, Joleen Reedy and her 11-year-old daughter, Tara, take refuge with Joleen's aimless brother, James. Joleen soon runs off with a truck driver, and James is unable to meet his responsibilities. After Child ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Maher
CAST:  Nick Stahl  •  AnnaSophia Robb  •  Charlize Theron  •  Woody Harrelson

When her boyfriend is arrested for marijuana possession, Joleen Reedy and her 11-year-old daughter, Tara, take refuge with Joleen's aimless brother, James. Joleen soon runs off with a truck driver, and James is unable to meet his responsibilities. After Child ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Maher
CAST:  Nick Stahl  •  AnnaSophia Robb  •  Charlize Theron  •  Woody Harrelson

An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong (2009)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A fourth grader and her friends deal with bullying from a more popular girl in their class.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Samantha Hanratty  •  Austin Thomas  •  Annabeth Gish  •  Michael Learned

A fourth grader and her friends deal with bullying from a more popular girl in their class.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Samantha Hanratty  •  Austin Thomas  •  Annabeth Gish  •  Michael Learned

National Champions (2021)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A star quarterback ignites a players’ strike hours before the biggest game of the year in order to fight for fair compensation, equality, and respect for the athletes who put their bodies and health on the line for their schools.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ric Roman Waugh
CAST:  Stephan James  •  J.K. Simmons  •  Uzo Aduba  •  Alexander Ludwig

A star quarterback ignites a players’ strike hours before the biggest game of the year in order to fight for fair compensation, equality, and respect for the athletes who put their bodies and health on the line for their schools.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ric Roman Waugh
CAST:  Stephan James  •  J.K. Simmons  •  Uzo Aduba  •  Alexander Ludwig

Jane Eyre (2011)

RomanticBeautifulEmotionalDramatic

After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meet the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Mr. Rochester. Jane and her employer grow close in friendship and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Cary Joji Fukunaga
CAST:  Mia Wasikowska  •  Jamie Bell  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Judi Dench

After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meet the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Mr. Rochester. Jane and her employer grow close in friendship and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Cary Joji Fukunaga
CAST:  Mia Wasikowska  •  Jamie Bell  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Judi Dench

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Paxton
CAST:  Shia LaBeouf  •  Stephen Dillane  •  Josh Flitter  •  Peter Firth

A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Paxton
CAST:  Shia LaBeouf  •  Stephen Dillane  •  Josh Flitter  •  Peter Firth

Borg vs McEnroe (2017)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

The Swedish Björn Borg and the American John McEnroe, the best tennis players in the world, maintain a legendary duel during the 1980 Wimbledon tournament.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Janus Metz
CAST:  Sverrir Gudnason  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Stellan Skarsgård  •  Tuva Novotny

The Swedish Björn Borg and the American John McEnroe, the best tennis players in the world, maintain a legendary duel during the 1980 Wimbledon tournament.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Janus Metz
CAST:  Sverrir Gudnason  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Stellan Skarsgård  •  Tuva Novotny

The Birdcage (1996)

FunnyEnjoyableUpliftingCharming

A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancé's conservative moralistic parents.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Nichols
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Gene Hackman  •  Nathan Lane  •  Dianne Wiest

A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancé's conservative moralistic parents.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Nichols
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Gene Hackman  •  Nathan Lane  •  Dianne Wiest

Apocalypto (2006)

Action-packedViolentEpicBrilliant

Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Gibson
CAST:  Rudy Youngblood  •  Dalia Hernández  •  Jonathan Brewer  •  Morris Birdyellowhead

Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Gibson
CAST:  Rudy Youngblood  •  Dalia Hernández  •  Jonathan Brewer  •  Morris Birdyellowhead

The Social Network (2010)

GrippingFast pacedInsightfulDramatic

The tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Fincher
CAST:  Jesse Eisenberg  •  Andrew Garfield  •  Justin Timberlake  •  Rooney Mara

The tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Fincher
CAST:  Jesse Eisenberg  •  Andrew Garfield  •  Justin Timberlake  •  Rooney Mara
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