2 3 4 5

Junebug (2005)

IntensePowerfulEmotionalReal

On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine is convinced by her husband, George, that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleine's affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Morrison
CAST:  Alessandro Nivola  •  Amy Adams  •  Embeth Davidtz  •  Celia Weston

On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine is convinced by her husband, George, that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleine's affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Morrison
CAST:  Alessandro Nivola  •  Amy Adams  •  Embeth Davidtz  •  Celia Weston

Arizona Dream (1993)

PowerfulBrilliantEmotionalReal

An Innuit hunter races his sled home with a fresh-caught halibut. This fish pervades the entire film, in real and imaginary form. Meanwhile, Axel tags fish in New York as a naturalist's gofer. He's happy there, but a messenger arrives to bring him to Arizona for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emir Kusturica
CAST:  Johnny Depp  •  Jerry Lewis  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Lili Taylor

An Innuit hunter races his sled home with a fresh-caught halibut. This fish pervades the entire film, in real and imaginary form. Meanwhile, Axel tags fish in New York as a naturalist's gofer. He's happy there, but a messenger arrives to bring him to Arizona for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emir Kusturica
CAST:  Johnny Depp  •  Jerry Lewis  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Lili Taylor

Hoop Dreams (1994)

EmotionalGrippingBrilliantReal

Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve James
CAST:  William Gates  •  Arthur Agee  •  Steve James  •  Gene Pingatore

Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve James
CAST:  William Gates  •  Arthur Agee  •  Steve James  •  Gene Pingatore

Calvary (2014)

GrippingDramaticEmotional

After being threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Michael McDonagh
CAST:  Chris O'Dowd  •  Domhnall Gleeson  •  Kelly Reilly  •  Aidan Gillen

After being threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Michael McDonagh
CAST:  Chris O'Dowd  •  Domhnall Gleeson  •  Kelly Reilly  •  Aidan Gillen

City of Life and Death (2009)

EpicPowerfulTragicChristmas

In 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, then-capital of the Republic of China. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a six week period wherein tens of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lu Chuan
CAST:  Liu Ye  •  Gao Yuanyuan  •  Hideo Nakaizumi  •  John Paisley

In 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, then-capital of the Republic of China. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a six week period wherein tens of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lu Chuan
CAST:  Liu Ye  •  Gao Yuanyuan  •  Hideo Nakaizumi  •  John Paisley

The Impossible (2012)

PowerfulEmotionalTear-jerkerEpic

In December 2004, close-knit family Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  J. A. Bayona
CAST:  Naomi Watts  •  Ewan McGregor  •  Geraldine Chaplin  •  Tom Holland

In December 2004, close-knit family Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  J. A. Bayona
CAST:  Naomi Watts  •  Ewan McGregor  •  Geraldine Chaplin  •  Tom Holland

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

GrippingPowerfulClassicDramatic

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  F. Gary Gray
CAST:  O'Shea Jackson Jr.  •  Corey Hawkins  •  Jason Mitchell  •  Neil Brown Jr.

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  F. Gary Gray
CAST:  O'Shea Jackson Jr.  •  Corey Hawkins  •  Jason Mitchell  •  Neil Brown Jr.

Collateral Beauty (2016)

BeautifulEmotionalIntensePowerful

Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Frankel
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Edward Norton  •  Kate Winslet  •  Michael Peña

Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Frankel
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Edward Norton  •  Kate Winslet  •  Michael Peña

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

PowerfulClassicGrippingBrainy

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Jewison
CAST:  Sidney Poitier  •  Rod Steiger  •  Warren Oates  •  Lee Grant

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Jewison
CAST:  Sidney Poitier  •  Rod Steiger  •  Warren Oates  •  Lee Grant

Barney's Version (2010)

GrippingDramaticTragicEmotional

The picaresque and touching story of the politically incorrect, fully lived life of the impulsive, irascible and fearlessly blunt Barney Panofsky.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard J. Lewis
CAST:  Minnie Driver  •  Rosamund Pike  •  Dustin Hoffman  •  Paul Giamatti

The picaresque and touching story of the politically incorrect, fully lived life of the impulsive, irascible and fearlessly blunt Barney Panofsky.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard J. Lewis
CAST:  Minnie Driver  •  Rosamund Pike  •  Dustin Hoffman  •  Paul Giamatti

The Wrestler (2008)

EmotionalGrippingPowerfulReal

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Darren Aronofsky
CAST:  Mickey Rourke  •  Marisa Tomei  •  Evan Rachel Wood  •  Ajay Naidu

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Darren Aronofsky
CAST:  Mickey Rourke  •  Marisa Tomei  •  Evan Rachel Wood  •  Ajay Naidu

Nell (1994)

IntenseGrippingEmotionalWhimsical

In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell — a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Apted
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  Liam Neeson  •  Natasha Richardson  •  Richard Libertini

In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell — a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Apted
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  Liam Neeson  •  Natasha Richardson  •  Richard Libertini

Senna (2010)

Action-packedEmotionalRealGripping

The remarkable story of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of Senna, a documentary feature that spans ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Asif Kapadia
CAST:  Reginaldo Leme  •  John Bisignano  •  Pierre Van Vliet  •  Alain Prost

The remarkable story of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of Senna, a documentary feature that spans ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Asif Kapadia
CAST:  Reginaldo Leme  •  John Bisignano  •  Pierre Van Vliet  •  Alain Prost

Rust and Bone (2012)

BeautifulEmotionalSlow movingPowerful

Put in charge of his young son, Ali leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Ali's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jacques Audiard
CAST:  Marion Cotillard  •  Matthias Schoenaerts  •  Bouli Lanners  •  Céline Sallette

Put in charge of his young son, Ali leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Ali's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jacques Audiard
CAST:  Marion Cotillard  •  Matthias Schoenaerts  •  Bouli Lanners  •  Céline Sallette

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

MusicalGrippingTragicBeautiful

In Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, gifted but volatile folk musician Llewyn Davis struggles with money, relationships, and his uncertain future.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Coen  •  Ethan Coen
CAST:  Oscar Isaac  •  Carey Mulligan  •  Justin Timberlake  •  Jerry Grayson

In Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, gifted but volatile folk musician Llewyn Davis struggles with money, relationships, and his uncertain future.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Coen  •  Ethan Coen
CAST:  Oscar Isaac  •  Carey Mulligan  •  Justin Timberlake  •  Jerry Grayson

The Act of Killing (2012)

HeartbreakingPowerfulEmotionalInsightful

Filmmakers expose the horrifying mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia and those who are celebrated in their country for perpetrating the crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Oppenheimer  •  Christine Cynn
CAST:  Haji Anif  •  Syamsul Arifin  •  Herman Koto  •  Sakhyan Asmara

Filmmakers expose the horrifying mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia and those who are celebrated in their country for perpetrating the crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Oppenheimer  •  Christine Cynn
CAST:  Haji Anif  •  Syamsul Arifin  •  Herman Koto  •  Sakhyan Asmara

Warrior (2011)

PowerfulDramaticEmotionalGripping

The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gavin O'Connor
CAST:  Tom Hardy  •  Jennifer Morrison  •  Nick Nolte  •  Joel Edgerton

The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gavin O'Connor
CAST:  Tom Hardy  •  Jennifer Morrison  •  Nick Nolte  •  Joel Edgerton

The Dig (2021)

RealIntenseOriginalBeautiful

As WWII looms, a wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain's past resonate in the face of its uncertain future‎.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon Stone
CAST:  Ralph Fiennes  •  Carey Mulligan  •  Lily James  •  Johnny Flynn

As WWII looms, a wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain's past resonate in the face of its uncertain future‎.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon Stone
CAST:  Ralph Fiennes  •  Carey Mulligan  •  Lily James  •  Johnny Flynn

The Fighter (2010)

RealEmotionalPowerfulInspiring

Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David O. Russell
CAST:  Mark Wahlberg  •  Christian Bale  •  Amy Adams  •  Melissa Leo

Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David O. Russell
CAST:  Mark Wahlberg  •  Christian Bale  •  Amy Adams  •  Melissa Leo

Temple Grandin (2010)

RealThought provokingOriginalPowerful

A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of top scientists in humane livestock handling.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mick Jackson
CAST:  Claire Danes  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Julia Ormond  •  David Strathairn

A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of top scientists in humane livestock handling.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mick Jackson
CAST:  Claire Danes  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Julia Ormond  •  David Strathairn
2 3 4 5