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Soul Bird (2014)

Thought provokingTragicEmotionalHeartbreaking

We must listen to the 'bird' of the soul as well as our hearts in order to soar alongside our destiny. Jova has to make a decision with the love of her life, and can only feel that voice within.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roana Wullinger
CAST:  Daniel Abreu  •  Danielle Drass  •  Matthew McKelligon  •  Morayo Orija

We must listen to the 'bird' of the soul as well as our hearts in order to soar alongside our destiny. Jova has to make a decision with the love of her life, and can only feel that voice within.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roana Wullinger
CAST:  Daniel Abreu  •  Danielle Drass  •  Matthew McKelligon  •  Morayo Orija

Apur Sansar (1959)

Thought provokingTragicCharmingEmotional

Apu is a jobless ex-student dreaming vaguely of a future as a writer. An old college friend talks him into a visit up-country to a village wedding...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satyajit Ray
CAST:  Soumitra Chatterjee  •  Sharmila Tagore  •  Alok Chakravarty  •  Swapan Mukherjee

Apu is a jobless ex-student dreaming vaguely of a future as a writer. An old college friend talks him into a visit up-country to a village wedding...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satyajit Ray
CAST:  Soumitra Chatterjee  •  Sharmila Tagore  •  Alok Chakravarty  •  Swapan Mukherjee

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

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

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

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

Careful What You Wish For (2015)

Thought provokingIntenseGrippingSuspenseful

A guy gets more than he bargained for after entering into an affair with the wife of an investment banker. Soon, a suspicious death and substantial life insurance policy embroil him in a scandal.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
CAST:  Isabel Lucas  •  Kandyse McClure  •  Nick Jonas  •  Dermot Mulroney

A guy gets more than he bargained for after entering into an affair with the wife of an investment banker. Soon, a suspicious death and substantial life insurance policy embroil him in a scandal.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
CAST:  Isabel Lucas  •  Kandyse McClure  •  Nick Jonas  •  Dermot Mulroney

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

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

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

Spun (2003)

Thought provokingIntenseFunnyTragic

Over the course of three days Ross, a college dropout addicted to crystal-meth, encounters a variety of oddball folks - including a stripper named Nikki and her boyfriend, the local meth producer, The Cook - but all he really wants to do is hook up with his old ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonas Åkerlund
CAST:  Jason Schwartzman  •  Mickey Rourke  •  Brittany Murphy  •  John Leguizamo

Over the course of three days Ross, a college dropout addicted to crystal-meth, encounters a variety of oddball folks - including a stripper named Nikki and her boyfriend, the local meth producer, The Cook - but all he really wants to do is hook up with his old ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonas Åkerlund
CAST:  Jason Schwartzman  •  Mickey Rourke  •  Brittany Murphy  •  John Leguizamo

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

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

Rabbit Hole (2010)

DramaticEmotionalEnjoyableTragic

Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cameron Mitchell
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Sandra Oh  •  Dianne Wiest  •  Aaron Eckhart

Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cameron Mitchell
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Sandra Oh  •  Dianne Wiest  •  Aaron Eckhart

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

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

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

TragicEmotionalHeartbreakingIntense

In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Isao Takahata
CAST:  Tsutomu Tatsumi  •  Ayano Shiraishi  •  Yoshiko Shinohara  •  Kozo Hashida

In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Isao Takahata
CAST:  Tsutomu Tatsumi  •  Ayano Shiraishi  •  Yoshiko Shinohara  •  Kozo Hashida

Personal Effects (2009)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalRomantic

Walter is a rising star in the NCAA wrestling world until his life is ripped apart by the brutal murder of his sister. Returning home to console his mother Gloria he seeks vengeance on the man who is accused of the crime. A chance meeting with a beautiful mature ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Hollander
CAST:  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Ashton Kutcher  •  Kathy Bates  •  Spencer Hudson

Walter is a rising star in the NCAA wrestling world until his life is ripped apart by the brutal murder of his sister. Returning home to console his mother Gloria he seeks vengeance on the man who is accused of the crime. A chance meeting with a beautiful mature ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Hollander
CAST:  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Ashton Kutcher  •  Kathy Bates  •  Spencer Hudson

Amour (2012)

DepressingTragicSlow movingRomantic

Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Haneke
CAST:  Emmanuelle Riva  •  Jean-Louis Trintignant  •  Isabelle Huppert  •  William Shimell

Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Haneke
CAST:  Emmanuelle Riva  •  Jean-Louis Trintignant  •  Isabelle Huppert  •  William Shimell
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