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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z -W- simply click on a movie poster to purchase the film Washington
Heights
 (2002)
Indie
Director: Alfredo de Villa Screenwriter: Nat Moss, Alfredo de Villa Principals: Tomas Milian, Manny Perez, Andrea Navedo, Bobby Cannavale Carlos Ramirez (Manny Perez) aspires to get out of the tough Dominican neighborhood where he grew up and become a comic book artist. But, he is forced to work at the bodega (market) after his father is shot. Carlos’ best friend also wants to get out of the neighborhood and ends up stealing from a hood played by Bobby Cannavale. This film is filled with memorable characters, great acting, a complicated story, and as much life and emotion as found in ten Hollywood dramas. Although the ending is bittersweet, stars Tomas Milian and Manny Perez, and director Alfredo deVilla have made a film that will make you laugh and make you cry. Waydowntown  (2002) Canadian Director: Gary Burns Screenwriter: Gary Burns, James Martin Principals: Fab Filippo, Don McKellar, Marya Delver, Gordon Currie This utterly cynical movie is about office life with a twist. Several proles wager on who can stay indoors the longest. The thirty day bet stipulates they all must live, work and shop using the underground tunnels and building overpasses in Calgary where you can go from bed to work to bed again without ever stepping outside. Gary Burns directs this film with a quirky edge bordering on the surreal. Welcome to the Doll House  (1995)
IndieDirector: Todd Solondz Screenwriter: Todd Solondz Principals: Heather Matarazzo, Brendan Sexton III, Matthew Faber, Daria Kalinina What is it like to be a nerdy 7th grader growing up with parents who could care less about you, a smarter older brother, and a cute younger sister who says and does all the right things? Through the experiences of Dawn Wiener, known at school as “wienerdog,” you are about to find out. This is a seriously funny film, and just about anybody should be able to relate to it. The actors play it over the top but that’s what living in the doll house will do to you. White Oleander  (2002)
Indie Director: Peter Kosminsky Screenwriter: Mary Agnes Donoghue Principals: Michelle Pfeiffer, Allison Lohmann, Robin Penn Wright, Renee Zellweger This complicated story involves a mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) who kills her boyfriend and as a consequence her daughter (Allison Lohmann) ends up in foster care. They along with the foster parents played by Robin Penn Wright and Renee Zellweger give emotionally compelling performances. There is enough love/hate here to fill up a 40gig iPod. Although this film is a bit long and tedious, it’s still worth the sit. Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself  (2002)
Scottish Director: Lone Scherfig Screenwriter: Lone Scherfig, Anders Thomas Jensen Principals: Jamie Sives, Adrian Rawlins, Shirley Henderson Although it sounds like a screwball comedy, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself is anything but. Wilbur does indeed try to kill himself again and again by assorted means, but his brother saves him every time and finds love to boot. But, so does Wilbur and although it gets really complicated, this film finds its way out with simplicity and sanity. Great acting by Jamie Sives, Adrian Rawlins and Shirley Henderson combined with the formidable direction of Lone Scherfig turn a story which could have been merely peculiar into something poignant and wonderful. Wild Reeds  (1994) French, subtitles Director: Andre Techine Screenwriter: Olivier Massart, Gilles Taurand Principals: Elodie Bouchez, Gael Morel, Stephane Rideau This is another artsy French film which develops slowly, lacks action and special effects, but is loaded with fine acting, subtle direction, and an intriguing screenplay. It involves a crew of young people growing up in a rural French village in 1962. The war in Algeria is raging and it affects their lives in surprisingly personal ways. Wings of Desire  (1987)
German/French, subtitles Director/Screenwriter: Wim Wenders Principals: Bruno Ganz, Solweig Dommartin This amazing film about discovery involves an angel who finds his humanity. This movie is what great art films aspire to be. His charisma and command of expression prove once again why Bruno Ganz is one of Europe’s greatest stars. Solweig Dommartin is beautiful in a natural way. Wim Wenders wrote and directed this fascinating film. The Wings of the Dove  (1997)
British Director: Iain Softley Screenwriter: Hossein Amini Principals: Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Charlotte Rampling This is an old fashioned costume drama set in 1910 about a young woman who is forbidden to see her lover or lose out on a fortune in inheritance. She plots to remedy the situation with unforeseen, unfortunate consequences. Helena Bonham Carter makes her scheming character (Kate Croy) believable in this adaptation of the Henry James novel. The costumes, set decoration and Venetian gondolas are picture perfect. The Winter Guest  (1997)
Scottish Director: Alan Rickman Screenwriter: Alan Rickman, Sharman Macdonald Principals: Emma Thompson, Phyllinda Law This film was written and directed by Alan Rickman. It concerns a widow, her mother and her children. The story all takes place in one day and all of the main characters have life-changing experiences without the others knowing about it. The screenplay is complicated, moody and self absorbed but worth the effort. The cinematography of the Scottish coastline with all its nooks, crags and crannies is breathtaking. The acting is first-rate with Emma Thompson and Phyllinda Law leading the way. Wonderland  (1999)
British Director: Michael Winterbottom Screenwriter: Laurence Coriat Principals: Shirley Henderson, Gina McKee, Molly Parker Four days in Wonderland is like a lifetime anywhere else. This superb film tells the story of a dysfunctional family with so much heart and soul that it’s like being on a roller coaster that you never want to get off. Actors Shirley Henderson, Gina McKee, Molly Parker and the entire supporting cast are so believable, so real, that you become a part of their lives. Michael Winterbottom directs with verve and precision. The screenplay by Laurence Coriat is filled with twists and turns. You’ll even be humming the theme song after the credits end. A tour de force, must-see film. -X- simply click on a movie poster to purchase the film Nothing as of yet...
-Y- simply click on a movie poster to purchase the film Yesterday
-Z- (2004)
South African, subtitles Director/Screenwriter: Darrel James Roodt Principals: Leleti Kumalo, Lihle Mvelase This little film examines one of the biggest stories of our time, AIDS in Africa. A young mother in South Africa’s Zululand gets sick and finds out that she has HIV/AIDS. Her goal in life is to see that her daughter Beauty begin school. The acting is pure and heartfelt much like the story and direction by Darrel James Roodt. The calm of the magnificent African landscape contrasts dramatically with the turmoil unleashed upon the lives of the characters. Yi Yi  (2000) Taiwan
(subtitles) Director/Screenwriter: Edward Yang Principals: Nien-Jen Wu, Elaine Jin, Issei Ogata, Kelly Lee This amazing film follows the lives of a close-knit family that harbors dark secrets. Everything about this film is exceptional. The acting is understated and naturalistic, and the cinematography captures the minutiae of life with clarity and precision. The characters will surprise you from start to finish. Edward Yang has created a classic film, which reverberates emotionally without pause. Please, see this film. Yom Yom  (1998)
Israeli, subtitles Director: Amos Gitai Screenwriter: Amos Gitai, Jacky Cukier Principals: Moshe Ivgi, Hanna Maron Yom Yom, which means day after day, is like Fellini in Israel. Intricate relationships and dream sequences are infused with political, religious, racial and sexual imagery making it a heady brew of Jewish/Arab cultural angst. Moshe Ivgi, Hanna Maron and a fine supporting cast give spirited, interesting portrayals. Amos Gitai, who wrote and directed, puts it all together into something different and arresting. simply click on a movie poster to purchase the film Zentropa
 (1991)
Danish, some subtitles but mainly English Director: Lars von Trier Screenwriter: Lars von Trier, Niels Vorsel Principals: Jean-Marc Barr, Barbara Sukowa, Udo Kier This visually stimulating film is set in Germany after the fall of the Nazis. A naïve American gets himself involved with a group of Germans who worked on the trains that took Jews and other prisoners to the death camps. They say that they didn’t know anything about what was really going on, but memories can be deceiving. Although confusing and hard to decipher, this film is visual in ways that will blow your mind. From black and white film with color overlays, to back projection, to superimposing different shots one atop another, you will hardly be able to believe your eyes much like the protagonist in the film. The visuals coupled with a hypnotic narrative make this film a feast for the mind’s ey |
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