I thought I’d resurrect my film list. The following are films I think worth watching. And for your convenience, I’ve put them in alphabetical order.
If you’re interested, check out my page on Films To Watch Alongside Scripture.
Amazing Grace, dir. Michael Apted, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney , Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Ciaran Hinds
I knew so little about William Wilberforce and was astonished and deeply inspired by the story of his life and the things he accomplished. He is a giant on whose shoulders anyone who addresses injustice stands. A well acted, unsentimental, powerful telling of a story we need to know.
Babe, dir. Chris Noonan.
Beware the charms of this film. The film nominated for best picture in 1995 introduced me to James Cromwell all those years back, who I’ve enjoyed in many other roles. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall to track the process of the film from its concept to production. “That’ll do pig,” and it did.
Babette’s Feast, dir. Gabriel Axel
An older film from the late 80s, the film is a slow moving drama about a French woman exiled to a Danish community led by two sisters who shepherd a Christian sect. Babette spends her fortune to create a feast for the community, an act of unmerited grace to a religious community determined not to enjoy it. But such wasteful generosity can’t be ignored by even the coldest heart. Babette has a powerful line that the film’s power hinges on. I had some doubts until that point. I won’t ruin it for you, so go watch it.
Born into Brothels, dir. Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman
an inspiring documentary about children born into brothels in Calcutta and what the world looks like through the cameras given them in a program to help them escape the otherwise dire fate that awaits them in brothel life. reminds of philemon 6: imagine what you can do!
Bowling for Columbine, dir. Michael Moore
a documentary that wrestles with the reality of violence in North America and the present culture of fear
Bruce Almighty, dir. Tom Shadyac, starring Jim Carey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston
a film that helps to imagine God in a new way that gives dignity to humankind and underlines the dilemma of human free will and divine omnipotence; Carey in top comedic form
Changing Lanes, dir. Robert Michell, starring Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Toni Collette
announces that earth is a ’shit-hole’ and identifies man’s need for a change of heart, not just the end of bad behaviour
Children of Men, dir. Alfonso Cuarón, starring Clive Owen, Michael Cain, Julianne Moore.
One of the best movies of 2007, though nominated, sadly overlooked by Oscar. Two of the most incredible hand-held long shots embedded in action sequences I’ve ever seen. In a unique way, this movie is an incredible nativity story, though I don’t think that it its intent.
Collateral, dir. Michael Mann, starring Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith
contrasts little/ high regard for human life: meaninglessness vs. meaning
The Corporation, dir. Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbot.
suggests corporations, which by law are considered legal persons, should be considered clinically insane, based on how they treat employees, make decisions, and how they steward the earth. thorough, shocking, numbing. you’ll yell at the screen. interesting interviews with various ceo’s, michael moore, noam chomsky, naomi klein (no logo), and others.
Dead Poets Society, dir. Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke
a personal favourite: sieze the moment, dream big, and mentor others to realize their destiny
Fight Club, dir. David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonhom Carter
highlights the status quo of materialism, shallowness, hypocrisy, and demands more of existence
Five Hundred Days of Summer, dir. Mark Webb
It’s not a love story, even though you want it to be. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are charming, and I hope we see them more and more in other good roles that feature their magic. The film is funny and smart. I wasn’t a fan of some of the film’s views on sex and love (but that’s not the film’s fault, more the culture’s). Ultimately a feel good story of romantic love.
Good Night and Good Luck, dir. George Clooney, starring David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Frank Langella
an examination of the power and responsibility of news media in current events set against the backdrop of american senator McCarthy’s aggressive anti-communist tactics in the 1950’s. sublte and well acted, a worthwhile film.
Hero dir. Yimou Zhang, starring Jet Li, Ziyi Zhang, Maggie Cheung
a beautifully shot film, sensuous and visually stunning, with breathtaking choreography
Jarhead dir. Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Foxx
an important war film for today’s audience, who, no matter what their political disposition, are faced with the intensity and boredom of the present day soldier and perhaps, by extension, the north american male. a world of unrealized potential and hope.
Julie and Julia, dir. Nora Ephron
On a recent international trip with more than forty hours in the air, I had a lot of time to watch films I otherwise would not. Perhaps not fair to say of this flick, since I’m a huge admirer of Meryl Streep’s work, and enjoy Amy Adams. The story of Julia Child’s emergence as a household name, the woman who single-handedly changed how Americans view and cook food is told in tandem with the story of Julie Powell, the woman who years later does 365 days of cooking from Child’s Opus. Based on a memoir, the film is funny, and dare I say inspiring for anyone who dreamed of writing or blogging and wanting an audience, but beyond that, to people aspiring to do what they love.
Maria Full of Grace, dir. Joshua Marston, starring Catalina Sandino Mareno
I saw this film on an airplane and was mesmerized, made raw. An important film that raises awareness of one of many terrible issues that scar our world. Mareno, in her first feature deserved the Oscar nomination she earned for her turn in the film.
Memento, dir. Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pierce, Carrie-Ann Moss, Joe Pantoliano
eerie and involving, fragmented the narrative is told in reverse with a surprising ending. a slick flick that put Christopher Nolan on the map in North America. encouraging to read that he directed a film based on a short story written by his brother. gives hope to this Kooman boy
Millions, dir. Danny Boyle, starring Alexander Nathan Etel and Lewis McGibbon
if you have not seen this film, watch it! if you have, watch it again! a modern day parable about money and how it grips us. a beautiful film about what it means to be a saint.
One Hour Photo, dir Mark Romanek, starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan
an eerie film that gets under your skin. well realized art: technically excellent, while the content is carried by elements like sound, acting, suspense, and cinematography. to me the ending seemed a bit contrived, but the film lands a necessary punch in the gut
Pride and Prejudice, dir Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen
exquisite!
Running the Sahara, dir. James Moll
Narrated by Matt Damon, the film follows three men – Charlie Engle (USA), Ray Zahab (Canada) and Kevin Lin (Taiwan) who undertake a quest to run across the Sahara Desert. Yes. And they do. And it’s crazy. And unthinkable. And inspiring.
Schindler’s List, dir. Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Nieson , Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley
an account, from history, of man at his best and man at his most sinful and depraved
Shine, dir. Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush
the true story of David Helfgott, a talented young pianist obsessed with playing the ‘virtually unplayable’ Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. Geoffrey Rush’s performance is worth the price of admission.
Syriana, dir. Stephen Gaghan, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon
wow! see this film. then, let’s talk
The Best of Youth, dir. Marco Tullio Giordana, starring Luigi Lo Cascio, Alessio Boni, Adriana Asti, Sonia Bergamasco, Fabrizio Gifuni, Maya Sansa, Valentina Carnelutti, and Jasmine Trinca
Watch this film, winner of the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003, an ambitious 6 hour film that spans four decades of Italian history from the 1960s to the present, and follows the complicated relationships of two brothers, Matteo and Nicola from high school into middle age. Filmed tenderly and patiently, the characters feel more like real people, family or friends, by the film’s end. A film that gets inside of you, visually beautiful, exceptionally written, with enough heartbreak to rattle you for days
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring; The Two Towers; Return of the King, dir. Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchet, and more
a film vision true to the fantastic, involving novels by J.R.R Tolkien, a story of friendship, courage, and a world more foreign and personal filled with magic, where truth and character overcome evil at a price
a syncretism of world religions, philosophy, and cultures; a ‘post-human’ look at the future that asks, among other questions, ‘who are we? what is reality? who can we trust? who can save us?’
The Passion of the Christ, dir. Mel Gibson, starring James Caveziel, Monica Belucci
reminds and re/introduces the world to the reality of Christ’s sacrifice for humankind. the final pieta scene with left me breathless.
The Pianist, dir. Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody
another WWII drama that highlights the fear, loss, and despair of Jews ghettoized by the Nazis and condemned to die. one exquisite scene of scream out loud tension. generated an Oscar acceptance speech from Brody that is equally memorable
Things We Lost in the Fire, dir. Susanne Bier
A fantastic film. I watched it on DVD in 09 – the best film experience I’ve had in awhile. Bier uses extended, full framed close up shots to create an intimate and personal film about grief, what we lose and through gut-wrenching experience, what we gain. The first performance by Halle Berry that I’ve admired. Benicio Del Toro is fantastic. The film reminded me of the beauty and value of the person. Rattled and impacted me for days.
