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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

Thought provokingEmotionalTear-jerkerHeartbreaking

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Kuenne
CAST:  Kurt Kuenne  •  Andrew Bagby  •  David Bagby  •  Kathleen Bagby

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Kuenne
CAST:  Kurt Kuenne  •  Andrew Bagby  •  David Bagby  •  Kathleen Bagby

True Crime (1999)

Tear-jerkerThought provokingSuspensefulTragic

Boozer, skirt chaser, careless father. You could create your own list of reporter Steve Everett's faults but there's no time. A San Quentin Death Row prisoner is slated to die at midnight – a man Everett has suddenly realized is innocent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Isaiah Washington  •  LisaGay Hamilton  •  Diane Venora

Boozer, skirt chaser, careless father. You could create your own list of reporter Steve Everett's faults but there's no time. A San Quentin Death Row prisoner is slated to die at midnight – a man Everett has suddenly realized is innocent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Isaiah Washington  •  LisaGay Hamilton  •  Diane Venora

Love in the Time of Money (2002)

Thought provokingIntenseRomanticTragic

New York serves as a backdrop for a cast of characters in search of love, lust or lucre including a woman who makes awkward moves on the man renovating her SoHo loft, an embezzler, a sleazy artist and a phone psychic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Mattei
CAST:  Vera Farmiga  •  Domenick Lombardozzi  •  Jill Hennessy  •  Malcolm Gets

New York serves as a backdrop for a cast of characters in search of love, lust or lucre including a woman who makes awkward moves on the man renovating her SoHo loft, an embezzler, a sleazy artist and a phone psychic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Mattei
CAST:  Vera Farmiga  •  Domenick Lombardozzi  •  Jill Hennessy  •  Malcolm Gets

Struck by Lightning (2012)

Thought provokingUpliftingFunnyCharming

After being struck and killed by lightning, a young man recounts the way he blackmailed his fellow classmates into contributing to his literary magazine.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Dannelly
CAST:  Dermot Mulroney  •  Sarah Hyland  •  Chris Colfer  •  Allison Janney

After being struck and killed by lightning, a young man recounts the way he blackmailed his fellow classmates into contributing to his literary magazine.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Dannelly
CAST:  Dermot Mulroney  •  Sarah Hyland  •  Chris Colfer  •  Allison Janney

Mary Magdalene (2018)

Thought provokingIntenseGrippingTragic

In the first century, free-spirited Mary Magdalene flees the marriage her family has arranged for her, finding refuge and a sense of purpose in a radical new movement led by the charismatic, rabble-rousing preacher named Jesus.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Garth Davis
CAST:  Rooney Mara  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Chiwetel Ejiofor  •  Ariane Labed

In the first century, free-spirited Mary Magdalene flees the marriage her family has arranged for her, finding refuge and a sense of purpose in a radical new movement led by the charismatic, rabble-rousing preacher named Jesus.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Garth Davis
CAST:  Rooney Mara  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Chiwetel Ejiofor  •  Ariane Labed

Nomadland (2021)

Thought provokingIntenseGrippingTragic

A woman in her sixties embarks on a journey through the western United States after losing everything in the Great Recession, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chloé Zhao
CAST:  Frances McDormand  •  David Strathairn  •  Linda May  •  Bob Wells

A woman in her sixties embarks on a journey through the western United States after losing everything in the Great Recession, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chloé Zhao
CAST:  Frances McDormand  •  David Strathairn  •  Linda May  •  Bob Wells

Monster's Ball (2001)

Thought provokingRomanticEmotionalTear-jerker

A prison guard begins a tentative romance with the unsuspecting widow of a man whose execution he presided over.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marc Forster
CAST:  Halle Berry  •  Billy Bob Thornton  •  Heath Ledger  •  Sean Combs

A prison guard begins a tentative romance with the unsuspecting widow of a man whose execution he presided over.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marc Forster
CAST:  Halle Berry  •  Billy Bob Thornton  •  Heath Ledger  •  Sean Combs

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

36 Chowringhee Lane (1981)

EmotionalThought provokingTragicBeautiful

Middle-aged Violet, an Anglo-Indian teacher, lives alone in a flat at 36 Chowringhee Lane in Calcutta. When a former student starts visiting her with her boyfriend, Violet welcomes them eagerly.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aparna Sen
CAST:  Jennifer Kendal  •  Dhritiman Chatterjee  •  Debashree Roy  •  Geoffrey Kendal

Middle-aged Violet, an Anglo-Indian teacher, lives alone in a flat at 36 Chowringhee Lane in Calcutta. When a former student starts visiting her with her boyfriend, Violet welcomes them eagerly.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aparna Sen
CAST:  Jennifer Kendal  •  Dhritiman Chatterjee  •  Debashree Roy  •  Geoffrey Kendal

The Elephant Man (1982)

Tear-jerkerOriginalBeautifulDark

A taped version of the stage play about a hideously deformed 19th-century London man and how he managed to triumph over his disease.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Hofsiss
CAST:  Kevin Conway  •  Penny Fuller  •  Richard Clarke  •  Glenn Close

A taped version of the stage play about a hideously deformed 19th-century London man and how he managed to triumph over his disease.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Hofsiss
CAST:  Kevin Conway  •  Penny Fuller  •  Richard Clarke  •  Glenn Close

Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

EmotionalThought provokingOriginalDramatic

Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Apted
CAST:  Sissy Spacek  •  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Levon Helm  •  Phyllis Boyens

Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Apted
CAST:  Sissy Spacek  •  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Levon Helm  •  Phyllis Boyens

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

Nowhere Boy (2009)

CharmingEmotionalThought provokingDramatic

The drama tells the story of John Lennon's teenage years in Liverpool and the start of his journey to becoming a successful musician. The story also examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Taylor-Johnson
CAST:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson  •  Kristin Scott Thomas  •  David Morrissey  •  Anne-Marie Duff

The drama tells the story of John Lennon's teenage years in Liverpool and the start of his journey to becoming a successful musician. The story also examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Taylor-Johnson
CAST:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson  •  Kristin Scott Thomas  •  David Morrissey  •  Anne-Marie Duff

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

RomanticEmotionalBeautifulEnjoyable

Years after his father disowns his adopted brother for marrying a woman of lower social standing, a young man goes on a mission to reunite his family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Karan Johar
CAST:  Shah Rukh Khan  •  Kajol  •  Amitabh Bachchan  •  Jaya Bachchan

Years after his father disowns his adopted brother for marrying a woman of lower social standing, a young man goes on a mission to reunite his family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Karan Johar
CAST:  Shah Rukh Khan  •  Kajol  •  Amitabh Bachchan  •  Jaya Bachchan

Seven Pounds (2008)

EmotionalHeartbreakingThought provokingPowerful

An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gabriele Muccino
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Sarah Jane Morris  •  Woody Harrelson

An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gabriele Muccino
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Sarah Jane Morris  •  Woody Harrelson

The Wind Rises (2013)

BeautifulEmotionalThought provokingOriginal

A lifelong love of flight inspires Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, whose storied career includes the creation of the A-6M World War II fighter plane.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hayao Miyazaki
CAST:  Hideaki Anno  •  Jun Kunimura  •  Mirai Shida  •  Miori Takimoto

A lifelong love of flight inspires Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, whose storied career includes the creation of the A-6M World War II fighter plane.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hayao Miyazaki
CAST:  Hideaki Anno  •  Jun Kunimura  •  Mirai Shida  •  Miori Takimoto

The Holiday (2006)

EmotionalEnjoyableBeautifulBoring

Two women, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nancy Meyers
CAST:  Cameron Diaz  •  Kate Winslet  •  Jude Law  •  Jack Black

Two women, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nancy Meyers
CAST:  Cameron Diaz  •  Kate Winslet  •  Jude Law  •  Jack Black

Closer (2004)

Thought provokingCleverDramaticEmotional

Two couples disintegrate when they begin destructive adulterous affairs with each other.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Nichols
CAST:  Natalie Portman  •  Jude Law  •  Julia Roberts  •  Clive Owen

Two couples disintegrate when they begin destructive adulterous affairs with each other.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Nichols
CAST:  Natalie Portman  •  Jude Law  •  Julia Roberts  •  Clive Owen

Before Midnight (2013)

Thought provokingRomanticBeautifulCharming

It has been nine years since we last met Jesse and Celine, the French-American couple who once met on a train in Vienna. Now, live in Paris with twin daughters, but have spent a summer in Greece on the invitation of an author colleague of Jesse's. When the vacation ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Linklater
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  Julie Delpy  •  Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick  •  Jennifer Prior

It has been nine years since we last met Jesse and Celine, the French-American couple who once met on a train in Vienna. Now, live in Paris with twin daughters, but have spent a summer in Greece on the invitation of an author colleague of Jesse's. When the vacation ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Linklater
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  Julie Delpy  •  Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick  •  Jennifer Prior

August: Osage County (2013)

EmotionalThought provokingOriginalPowerful

A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Wells
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Julia Roberts  •  Chris Cooper  •  Ewan McGregor

A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Wells
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Julia Roberts  •  Chris Cooper  •  Ewan McGregor
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