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Leave No Trace (2018)

UpliftingThought provokingEmotionalTear-jerker

A father and daughter live a perfect but mysterious existence in Forest Park, a beautiful nature reserve near Portland, Oregon, rarely making contact with the world. But when a small mistake tips them off to authorities, they are sent on an increasingly erratic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Debra Granik
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Thomasin McKenzie  •  Jeff Kober  •  Dale Dickey

A father and daughter live a perfect but mysterious existence in Forest Park, a beautiful nature reserve near Portland, Oregon, rarely making contact with the world. But when a small mistake tips them off to authorities, they are sent on an increasingly erratic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Debra Granik
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Thomasin McKenzie  •  Jeff Kober  •  Dale Dickey

The Survivor (2022)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barry Levinson
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Billy Magnussen  •  Danny DeVito  •  Peter Sarsgaard

Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barry Levinson
CAST:  Ben Foster  •  Billy Magnussen  •  Danny DeVito  •  Peter Sarsgaard

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

Les Misérables (2012)

MusicalIntenseEmotionalEpic

An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Hooper
CAST:  Hugh Jackman  •  Russell Crowe  •  Anne Hathaway  •  Amanda Seyfried

An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Hooper
CAST:  Hugh Jackman  •  Russell Crowe  •  Anne Hathaway  •  Amanda Seyfried

Departures (2008)

EmotionalInspiringBeautifulOriginal

Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yojiro Takita
CAST:  Masahiro Motoki  •  Tsutomu Yamazaki  •  Ryoko Hirosue  •  Kazuko Yoshiyuki

Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yojiro Takita
CAST:  Masahiro Motoki  •  Tsutomu Yamazaki  •  Ryoko Hirosue  •  Kazuko Yoshiyuki

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

Brooklyn (2015)

EmotionalRomanticBeautifulGripping

In 1950s Ireland and New York, young Eilis Lacey has to choose between two men and two countries.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Crowley
CAST:  Saoirse Ronan  •  Domhnall Gleeson  •  Emory Cohen  •  Emily Bett Rickards

In 1950s Ireland and New York, young Eilis Lacey has to choose between two men and two countries.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Crowley
CAST:  Saoirse Ronan  •  Domhnall Gleeson  •  Emory Cohen  •  Emily Bett Rickards

Emmanuelle: First Contact (1994)

RomanticBeautifulEmotionalDisturbing

Emmanuelle makes first contact...when a group of intergalactic travelers arrives, seeking to understand human love and sexuality. Who better to teach them than Emmanuelle, the most sensual woman in the world...and beyond.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lev L. Spiro
CAST:  Krista Allen  •  Paul Michael Robinson  •  Kimberly Rowe  •  Debra K. Beatty

Emmanuelle makes first contact...when a group of intergalactic travelers arrives, seeking to understand human love and sexuality. Who better to teach them than Emmanuelle, the most sensual woman in the world...and beyond.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lev L. Spiro
CAST:  Krista Allen  •  Paul Michael Robinson  •  Kimberly Rowe  •  Debra K. Beatty

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  •  Hayden Zaller  •  Anna Paquin  •  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  •  Hayden Zaller  •  Anna Paquin  •  Dennis Quaid

Tomboy (2011)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

A French family moves to a new neighborhood with during the summer holidays. The story follows a 10-year-old gender non-conforming child, Laure, who experiments with their gender presentation, adopting the name Mikäel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Céline Sciamma
CAST:  Zoé Héran  •  Malonn Lévana  •  Jeanne Disson  •  Sophie Cattani

A French family moves to a new neighborhood with during the summer holidays. The story follows a 10-year-old gender non-conforming child, Laure, who experiments with their gender presentation, adopting the name Mikäel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Céline Sciamma
CAST:  Zoé Héran  •  Malonn Lévana  •  Jeanne Disson  •  Sophie Cattani

Dirty Dancing (1987)

RomanticCharmingClassicCute

Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile Ardolino
CAST:  Jennifer Grey  •  Patrick Swayze  •  Cynthia Rhodes  •  Jerry Orbach

Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile Ardolino
CAST:  Jennifer Grey  •  Patrick Swayze  •  Cynthia Rhodes  •  Jerry Orbach

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

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

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

Ghost (1990)

EmotionalRomanticClassicFunny

Even though Sam Wheat, the successful investment counsellor, still finds it difficult to express his deeper feelings for her after all these years, his young potter girlfriend, Molly Jensen, is the love of his life. However, a curious case of a systematic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jerry Zucker
CAST:  Patrick Swayze  •  Demi Moore  •  Tony Goldwyn  •  Whoopi Goldberg

Even though Sam Wheat, the successful investment counsellor, still finds it difficult to express his deeper feelings for her after all these years, his young potter girlfriend, Molly Jensen, is the love of his life. However, a curious case of a systematic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jerry Zucker
CAST:  Patrick Swayze  •  Demi Moore  •  Tony Goldwyn  •  Whoopi Goldberg

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

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

I Am Sam (2001)

UpliftingThought provokingEmotionalTear-jerker

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

American Honey (2016)

UpliftingDepressingHeartbreakingEmotional

A teenage girl with nothing to lose joins a traveling magazine sales crew, and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard partying, law bending and young love as she criss-crosses the Midwest with a band of misfits.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrea Arnold
CAST:  Sasha Lane  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Riley Keough  •  Raymond Coalson

A teenage girl with nothing to lose joins a traveling magazine sales crew, and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard partying, law bending and young love as she criss-crosses the Midwest with a band of misfits.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrea Arnold
CAST:  Sasha Lane  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Riley Keough  •  Raymond Coalson

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
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