Central Station
(1998) Argentine, subtitles 
Director:  Walter Salles
Screenwriter:  Marcos Bernstein, Joao Emanuel Carneiro
Principals:  Fernanda Montenegro, Vinicius de Oliveira


This old fashioned film about the meaning of life tells the unlikely story of a lonely woman and a young boy searching for his father.  Their improbable journey together and the relationship it engenders is a thing of sadness and longing, a voyage straight to the heart.  You can also travel that road by seeing this film.



Character
(1997) Dutch, subtitles
Director/Screenwriter:  Mike van Diem
Principals:  Jan Decleir, Fedja van Huet, Betty Schuurman


This story of a young man trying to live up to a parent’s expectation is characterized by great acting and technical wizardry in its photography.  These assets compliment the story giving emotive vitality to this dark, morality play, which includes a character who could only be described as evil.  If you give this film a try, you will be rewarded in the end.



The Chorus
(2004) French, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter:  Christophe Barratier
Principals:  Gerard Jugnot, Francois Berleand


This heartwarming story examines the childhood of a successful conductor and his mentoring by a caring and brilliant teacher.  Gerard Jugnot and Francois Berleand bring passion to their roles and director/writer Christophe Barratier hits every note in a film about love and music and doing the right thing.  If you are looking for a wonderful film to see with children, this is it.  


Cinema Paradiso
(1988) Italian, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter:  Giuseppe Tornatore; Music:  Ennio Morricone
Principals:  Salvatore Cascio, Philippe Noiret


A young Sicilian boy, Toto, falls in love with the cinema, and finds a surrogate father in projectionist, Alfredo.  This simple film is gorgeous to the eye and ear.   Writer/director Giuseppe Tornatore makes every scene immediate and personal.  The music by Ennio Morricone is captivating.  Actors Salvatore Cascio, Philippe Noiret, et al hit the mark every time.  This film is a classic.  To complete a survey of the great films, you must see Cinema Paradiso.

Citizen Cohn
(1992) Showtime 
Director:  Frank Pierson; Screenwriter:  David Franzoni
Principals:  James Woods, Ed Flanders


A biography of Roy Cohn, this film follows his life from childhood, through McCarthyism, the Kennedy Presidency, and up to Cohn’s death of AIDS in 1986.  This film is complicated because Cohn was complicated.  He was a gay Jew who helped persecute gay Jews.  Of course, this film is episodic in nature but it handles the transitions masterfully.  Good supporting performances are turned in by veteran actors Ed Flanders, Joe Don Baker, and Joseph Bologna.  But, the primary reason for seeing this film is the gritty, smarmy performance by James Woods as Cohn.


City of God
(2002) Brazilian, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter:  Fernando Meirelles
Principals:  Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora


You could compare Tarantino’s work, but City of God is in a class by itself.  City of God is so powerful in its message, style and content that it should be required viewing in any college-level film class.  Fernando Meirelles has written and directed a masterpiece of cinema verite.  This story is about the slums of (“postcard perfect”) Rio de Janiero, which were virtually taken over by gangs.  The gang culture during the 1960s is remembered through the real life accounts of the central character, Rocket, played by Alexandre Rodrigues, and the gang leader, Li’l Dice played by Leandro Firmino da Hora.  The acting is clean and simple.  But what separates this film is its flawless editing and photography.  The audience comes away from this film, in large part due to the photography, feeling as though the dust and dirt from the streets of Rio are on their own shoes.  The film’s pace is gruelingly fast because of its quick cut editing which matches perfectly the lifestyle of the film's main characters.  It just doesn’t get any better than this.  Please see this film. 


City of Hope
(1991) Sayles 
Director/Screenwriter:  John Sayles
Principals:  David Straitharn, Chris Cooper, Tony Lobianco


John Sayles wrote, directed and edited this incredible film about urban America. The story revolves around the machinations of powerful interests to raze an old apartment block to make way for a large commercial development and the little people who live and work in the building and want to save it.  The ensemble cast is filled with such notables as David Straitharn, Chris Cooper, Tony Lobianco, and Vincent Spano.  These veteran actors are able to capture exactly the stresses and motivations of their characters.  The entire film weaves and turns like a gigantic dance between the actors and the camera.  The cinematography is as mesmerizing as the story itself.  The script is tightly drawn with memorable lines throughout.  City of Hope is about making choices.  Please choose to see this film.  You will be struck by the wit, passion and complexity of a film by one of America’s greatest filmmakers.


The City of Lost Children
(1995) French, subtitles 
Director:  Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
Screenwriter:  Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Gilles Adrien
Principals:  Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet, Jean-Claude Dreyfus


This weird film is a visual feast.  It is science fiction fantasy about a mad scientist who clones himself into various forms and tries to enliven his dream world by kidnapping children for their dreams.  Well… something like that, I guess.  But it’s not the story, stupid; it’s the fantastic artwork, surrealistic looking sets, and animation of certain scenes, which takes this film out of this world.  Co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro are the creative force behind this uniquely original vision.  They also teamed up on the Maven Listed Delicatessen.


Clerks
(1994) Indie 
Director/Screenwriter:  Kevin Smith
Principals:  Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith


Kevin Smith’s first film about two clerks working in a convenience store/video shop hits the mark.  This film is smart and witty.  The acting is so natural that everything seems real and believable.  The dialogue is rapid-fire so listen carefully or you might miss something outrageously funny.  On the surface, the two clerks lead pointless lives but how could it all be meaningless when they have so much to say.  The ending does not try to tie up everything into a neat little package or find some deeper meaning.  For Kevin Smith fans, this is the beginning of it all.


Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
(2002) Indie 
Director:  George Clooney; Screenwriter:  Charlie Kaufman
Principals:  Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, George Clooney


Sam Rockwell stars as Chuck Barris, T.V. producer of “The Dating Game,” “The Newlywed Game,” and “The Gong Show,” songwriter of “Palisades Park,” and CIA assassin of 37 people.  Yes, Barris’ autobiography is indeed stranger than fiction.  Rockwell is in almost every scene and is absolutely perfect in a very zany role.  He is joined by none other than George Clooney who also directed, Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.  Cameos by an assortment of stars including Brad Pitt and the real Chuck Barris are fun to watch for.  Clooney’s direction is inspired and works well with the material. Charlie Kaufman’s screenplay, as always seems to be the case, is bizarre and filled with enough twists to keep you guessing throughout. 


Confidence
(1997) Indie 
Director:  James Foley
Screenwriter:  Doug Jung
Principals:  Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman


So, this isn’t great filmmaking and it copies the slick style of directors like Ritchie, but it keeps you guessing from beginning to end, has a cast to die for, and captures the basic elements of film noir at its best.  Confidence is about a con man who unsuspectingly pulls a job on a mob boss’ accountant.  This leads to payback with the con to end all cons.  Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman, need I say more.  Yes, Dustin Hoffman gives a performance as a sleazy racketeer who you won’t soon forget.  The actor’s rock but it’s the complicated story of the con that makes this movie worth it.


The Conversation
(1974) Coppola 
Director/Screenwriter:  Francis Ford Coppola
Principals:  Gene Hackman, Cindy Williams, Robert Duvall, John Cazale


Francis Ford Coppola was at the height of his powers when he made this “little” film and Gene Hackman gives a quintessential performance as a bugger who devises a way to eavesdrop both visually and aurally on a couple as they stroll through a busy city park.  Of course, the bugger doesn’t know what his handiwork would ultimately lead to.  The scene in which Hackman tries to find the bug in his own apartment will send goose bumps down your spine.  Great supporting roles abound with Harrison Ford, John Cazale, Cindy Williams, and Robert Duvall.   


The Criminal
(2000) British
Director/Screenwriter:  Julian Simpson
Principals:  Stephan Mackintosh, Eddie Izzard, Natasha Little, Yvan Attal


This hard hitting cops & robbers film looks a bit like Tarantino.  Stephan Mackintosh stars in this film noir thriller about a man who is accused of being a serial killer.  It has enough twists and turns to make you feel like you just drove the Grand Prix at Le Mans.  




Crumb
(1994) Documentary 
Director:  Terry Zwigoff
Principals:  Robert Crumb, Alice Kominsky, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb


Crumb tells the story of comic book artist, Robert Crumb, who created Fritz the Cat and the Zap comic, “Keep on Truckin.”  Director Terry Zwigoff gets into the head of this eccentric genius by chronicling his life, his family and his work.  Interviews with Crumb’s brothers and his mother are intriguing and powerful.






(1985) British 
Director:  Mike Newell; Screenwriter:  Shelagh Delaney
Principals:  Rupert Everett, Ian Holm, Miranda Richardson


This film is about Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Great Britain.  Her story is one of love and hate, jealousy and obsession, passion and madness.  This film is directed by the great Mike Newell who orchestrates the cinematography, music, and screenplay into a powerful portrait of a historical character.  Most of all, the acting is a delight.  Rupert Everett and Ian Holm give magnificent performances as Ellis’ lover and doting companion.  Miranda Richardson is tour de force as Ellis.  She walks a tightrope of emotions which will leave you breathless.


The Dancer Upstairs
(2002) Ecuador, English 
Director:  John Malkovich
Screenwriter:  Nicholas Shakespeare
Principals:  Javier Bardem, Juan Diego Botto, Laura Morante


This film is about terrorism south of the border.  A policeman tries to unravel the mysteries behind a mixture of assassinations and abductions committed by an unidentified conspirator known only as Ezekiel.  This film would simply be a good whodunit were it not for its star, Javier Bardem.  Bardem is the sexiest leading man around, as well as a truly gifted actor who is able to bring magic to every role through his charisma, charm, and ability to capture the nuance of expression effortlessly.


Dark Blue World
(2001) Mostly English 
Director:  Jan Svera
Screenwriter:  Zdenek Sverak
Principals:  Ondrej Vetchy, Krystof Hadek, Charles Dance, Tara Fitzgerald


This tale of love and betrayal involves the true life story of Czech pilots who joined the British Royal Air Force to fight the Nazis during World War II.   The air scenes are taut and brilliant, and the fate of the pilots after the war is shocking.  Although the director probably spent more time than necessary on the love triangle theme, this film is a winner.


Das Boot
(1981) German, English 
Director/Screenwriter:  Wolfgang Petersen
Principals:  Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Gronemeyer


This is the story of a German U-Boat and its heroic crew.  Too often, we make demons of our enemies.  In this film, their humanity shines through.  Jurgen Prochnow and Herbert Gronemeyer give stirring performances in a powerful, gripping film about the horrors of war.  Although long and tedious, Das Boot is worth the effort.  Besides being powerfully scripted and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, this film has a visual power, which is accentuated by the tight quarters of the ship, making it beautiful and horrible at the same time.


The Daytrippers
(1995) Indie  
Director/Screenwriter:  Greg Mottola
Principals:  Parker Posey, Stanley Tucci, Hope Davis, Leiv Schreiber, Campbell Scott


This film incorporates a hilarious script about a love letter, a meddling family, and a day in New York City with a great cast starring Stanley Tucci, Hope Davis, Parker Posey, Leiv Schreiber, Campbell Scott and Anne Meara.  Picture your family piling into a station wagon on the way to confront your spouse about his seeming infidelity.  The dialogue is witty and wild which make this film very funny and worth it.  Aside from a sophomoric ending, The Daytrippers is a madcap ride well worth the trip. 


Dear Frankie
(2004) Irish 
Director/Screenwriter:  Shona Aeurbach
Principals:  Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, Sharon Small


This wonderful story is filled with pathos, humor and tenderness.  Actors Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler and Sharon Small interact with a passion and spontaneity that makes their characters come alive.  Writer/director Shona Aeurbach has created a mesmerizing script that reaches the heart and soul of the relationship between mother and son.  My only criticism is that its depiction of sign language and lip reading is a bit unrealistic.


Decalogue
(1987) Polish, subtitles 
Director:  Krzysztof Kieslowski
Screenwriter:  Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Principals:  Henryk Baranowski, Maja Komorowska


Set in present-day Warsaw, Decalogue is ten short films with different actors who at times reappear in cameo roles.  Each screenplay symbolizes the story of one of the Ten Commandments.  Each production is uniformly excellent characterized by subtle and telling direction, and believable, even inspired acting.  The creative force behind this masterwork is Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski, and his collaborator, screenwriter Krzysztof Piesiewicz.  These short films are dark and brooding, so, for serious viewing. 


Delicatessen
(1991) French, subtitles 
Director:  Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet; Screenwriter:  gilles Adrien
Principals:  Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Anne-Marie Pisani, Pascal Benezech


It doesn’t get any weirder than this.  This film is about a future world in which starving people quite literally eat their next door neighbors.  Well, actually, you won’t see any feasting but you will see a lot of madness and mayhem.  This film is so creative and unique that it begs to be seen.  It is humorous at every turn, and the production design is an unbelievable concoction of overlaid sets and surrealistic imagery which takes you out of this world.  Trog on.


The Dinner Game
(1998) French, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter:  Francis Veber
Principals:  Jacques Villeret, Thierry Lhermitte, Francis Huster


Francis Veber, who also created “La Cage Aux Folles,” wrote and directed this witty farce which is sure to be adapted by Hollywood and made into yet another cheesy remake.  But, here is the unvarnished original starring Jacques Villeret, Thierry Lhermitte and Francis Huster.  This film touches upon human frailty and the need to be loved with cleverness and humor, and ends up turning the tables upon its protagonist and maybe upon us as well.


Divided We Fall
(2000) Czech, subtitles 
Director:  Jan Hrebejk
Screenwriter:  Jan Hrebejk, Petr Jarchovsky
Principals:  Bolek Polivka, Anna Siskova, Csonger Kassai


This film is profoundly and uniquely surrealistic.  A childless Czech couple hides a Jewish friend from the Nazis and this situation leads to dangerous situations involving his possible discovery.  Comedy and tragedy get rolled up together, average people rise up to become heroes, and just about every character in this film is full of surprises. This is not an easy film, but if you stay all the way, you will be rewarded with one of the best endings ever, guaranteed.


The Doe Boy
(2001) Indie
Director/Screenwriter:  Randy Redroad
Principals:  James Duval


This finely crafted film about Native Americans from Director Randy Redroad and Producer Chris Eyre stars James Duval as a conflicted youth who is torn between the expectations of his white father and his Indian grandfather.  The Doe Boy mixes humor with spiritualism and dramatic intensity, and rivals Smoke Signals as one of the best films about the Native American experience.

 
Donnie Darko
(2001) Indie 
Director/Screenwriter:  Richard Kelly
Principals:  Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore


This apocalyptic film is anything but apocalyptic. It is more like a sci-fi film gone psycho.  Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone and Drew Barrymore are persuasive in this time travel movie which also stars a giant, malevolent bunny rabbit.  Mind bending, this film will take you to places you’ve never been before and may not wish to return to.  Nevertheless, you are in for one heck of a ride.


Double Happiness
(1994) Canadian
Director/Screenwriter:  Mina Shum
Principals:  Sandra Oh

*  Unfortunately, Double Happiness is only available in VHS format - so if you're still old school click on the poster link.  

This film will make you doubly happy or your money back.  Powerful, witty, touching, this film moves between humor and drama effortlessly.  It is a delight from beginning to end with a rare performance by Sandra Oh as a character torn between two cultures.  All of the acting is right on and the screenplay is fresh and true in its depiction of a 20-something who tries to please her parents while at the same time make a life of her own.   


The Dream Catcher
(2003) Indie 
Director:  Edward A Radtke
Screenwriter:  Edward A. Radtke, M.S. Niesen
Principals:  Maurice Compte, Paddy Connor


Although not a great film, The Dream Catcher has engaging characters and the kind of story which will hold your attention and make you a better person for seeing it.  Maurice Compte and Paddy Connor star as two troubled youngsters who run away from their problems with only one emerging into manhood.  This is the story of a road trip that ends with one character finding personal responsibility and the ability to care for others while the other falls back into his old ways.  Although gritty at times, this film is perfect to watch with children.


The Dreamlife of Angels
(1998) French, subtitles 
Director/Screenwriter:  Erick Zonca
Principals:  Elodie Bouchez, Natacha Regnier, Gregoire Colin


This is a powerful, tragic drama, so be warned.  It embodies deep character studies and an intelligent, surprising script about two young women who share an apartment after its occupants end up at a hospital in comas after a tragic car crash.  Natacha Regnier and Gregoire Colin are able to pull off convincing performances in complicated, difficult roles.  But, this film belongs to actress Elodie Bouchez, and the fastidious direction of writer/director Erick Zonca.  Bouchez creates a formidable character with grace and ease.  It is the kind of haunting performance that will stay with you for a long time.  Light entertainment, it’s not. 


Dummy
(2003) Indie 
Director/Screenwriter:  Greg Pritikin
Principals:  Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas


This quirky film is filled with warped, funny characters and a surprising performance by Adrien Brody, who plays an introverted failure who finds life and love with ventriloquism.  Writer/director Gregory Pritikin amalgamates a simple story with plenty of wit and pathos.  Most of all, actors Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Jessica Walter and Ron Leibman are perfectly cast and bring great vitality to their roles without going over-the-top and taking this film into the realm of fantasy.  Instead, we can identify with these characters and take heart.

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