Great idea Elanorgold! It's hard to limit myself to just one, but here I go!

I'm picking one that I recently re-watched that I love. To me, "Music of the Heart," is a beautiful movie - a real triumph of the human spirit. It's a true story that takes place in an elementary school in East Harlem, New York. Meryl Streep stars as Roberta Guaspari, a single mother of two and a violin teacher. She sets up a program for these inner city kids, teaching them how to play the violin. Ten years later, the program is threatened when funding is pulled. The way that Roberta, her students, their families and others react is what makes the movie worth watching. To find out why - you'll have to watch!

Waking Ned Devine.   

Watch it and find out.  

One movie I often toss out in threads like this is The Quiet Earth (1985, New Zealand). It's post-apocalyptic, but not your typical battle for survival variety of post-apoc. A scientist awakens after a suicide attempt to find all but himself and a couple other humans have apparently vanished. He and the others try to figure out what happened and why they were spared. A research project that he was involved with seems to be part of it. It gets mystical towards the end (and the meaning of the ending is open for discussion) so may not be particularly "hard" s-f, but is certainly one of the more thoughtful s-f movies from my lifetime.  Well-written, well acted, good storytelling, if a bit slow and quiet (but that's a virtue here). It's a wonderful antidote to the over-wrought fx gimmickery of tentpole s-f movies like those of James Cameron.

Alas, it is also not the easiest movie to find at times.  Netflix doesn't have it, nor does Youtube Movies. Maybe hit your favorite pirate site?? Perhaps some of the smaller, more specialized video stores??

Mendalla

Trishcuit - thanks for reminding me of that wonderful movie.

Mendalla - I'll have to keep my eyes open for that movie.

I'll think about what movie to add here.

Do you guys actually have movie rental places nearby?  There used to be a Roger's which closed, and my husband and I drove around looking for the Blockbuster, arguing a bit about where we thought it was (this was before they went bankrupt), we never found it.  When we got home we found out why, it had closed!  Now we use a vending machine in the closest grocery store, but it only has new releases.  The apartment's convience store used to have a few movies for rent, and they don't even offer that service anymore.

I wish we still had a local video store!!  Like chemgal - ours have all disappeared.

chemgal-The movie studio at 87 Ave and 109th St.

Hope it's still there.

If you ever have late fines there just ask them to reduce them.

Good selection plus a free section of documentaries.

Yeah, our nearest was a Blockbuster (RIP) and I haven't really found anything else nearby that has decent selection other than London Public Library (but they are weak on new releases). Netflix Canada seems to be better for TV shows than for movies. Youtube Movies is getting better all the time but still doesn't always have what I'm after (you pay per movie rather than a monthly subscription like Netflix so it's more like video store). A couple of the younger folks at work are going the "free" download route, but I'm not totally sold on it. It's piracy, strictly speaking, and the quality and security of the sites and downloads, is dicey in some cases.

Mendalla

We have a locally owned video store a couple of blocks down the street.

Weeeelll, I am tempted by the films so far. Trish, brief, to the point, compelling, I'm not sure I can give you an A for descriptive writting though! ; ) lol.

We are lucky to still have two video rental places, 20 mins away. One is fairly new and doesn't have many older films, the other has been there a while and while it isn't as big as a Blockbuster, it suffices. The library system is sadly lacking, I often have to buy a film I'm desperate to see. For example one called Farinelli: Il Castrati, about a Rococo castralto singer I found out about on Youtube. I'll have to buy it on Ebay.

I used to have a 24 hr video across the street (early 90's), and would rent at least two a week, sometimes 4.

Somegal, That reminds me of the one with Michelle Pfeiffer in it, set in a rough urban center. That was realy good. But that's not the movie I'll pick to recommend...

Elanorgold - I'm guessing that you're thinking of Dangerous Minds?

I'd say Music of the Heart is more like Mr. Holland's Opus, personally.

She is. My son recently got into Gangsta's Paradise, the big single from the soundtrack. It's by the rapper Coolio.

Inevitably, perhaps, there's a Weird Al parody of it.

Mendalla

I'm going to recommend "Alive" starring Ethan Hawke. 1993. It should be fairly easy to find.

This movie changed my life. It is one of 18 movies that have done this in a major way. I saw it some 17 years ago and it still lives on in my mind.

It is the true story of a group of young rugby players whose plane crashes in the Andes in the 70's, and how they die and survive. It is a realistic and gritty portrayal that used testimonies from the survivors to put together the scenes. We see life turn from normal and comfortable, as we all know it, to harsh and raw and primal, in a few seconds. We learn about human nature, and how our traits fare when put to the ultimate test, and also the cruel harshness of chance. We learn about ourselves in this film. It is at times hard to watch, but does not glorify gore, and therefore I was able to see it through. We go with the survivors through their arduous experience, share in their guilt, fear, resignation, strengths and weaknesses, ingenuity and triumphs, and leave the film changed, quiet, thoughtfull, appreciative. I have sour tears in my eyes just remembering it.

I listened to the book on tape telling of this story by the main character in the film: Nando Parrado a few months ago, and was once again moved and changed. 

I think anyone who wants to know more about humanity, themselves, how it all works, and how we all fit in should see this film. Definately ***** 5 stars.

Yes. I liked Mr Holland's Opus too. Aha! ANd SOmegal knows Amish Paradise! I was trying to remember what song it was parodying when I watched it. He did a great job on that!

Amish Paradise may be Weird Al's greatest parody ever!

Enjoyed watching Gansta's Paradise again. Haven't seen it since the film was out. That was a film about a world I knew nothing about. I was at once repelled and compelled, and all together educated. Plus, Michelle was awesome in it and looked fantastic.

Loved THIS!!!: (free from our public library) — The Big Tease…

Maybe you can see it ALL on YouTube??

So you're letting the movie speak for itself Mike? We are getting some creative replies here!

Thanks Tabitha, I'll check it out sometime!

The Big Tease looks amusing.

It's a really sad thing if modern technology has robbed us of the chance to see older movies. Ya know, browsing the isles of the video store... mining the gems... Can you do that on Netflicks?

Our local store still rents movies. The owner and the folks at the library blame the same monster. The DVD, great format, but as a rental they suck. They are always stopping (scratched, etc).

My movie would be The Meaning of Life.

Have you ever asked, "why are we here?" or "what's it all mean?" You are not alone. The Monty Python troupe take the topic on in this one. They start at the beginning, conception,  and the premise that "every sperm is sacred". Near the end of life, in the movie not your own, there is a musical number with special significance to me- the rousing "Isn't it Awfully Nice to Have a Penis".

Is everyone afraid of giving too much away?

Not me! Mine ends in death... Merry Christmas!

Not easily. Netflix tends to create themed lists for you to browse based on movies and TV shows that you've either watched or rated. Some of them actually come up with interesting stuff. "Acclaimed 1980s Dramas Based on Books" or "Cult TV Series with Female Leads" (offered based on my giving Buffy four stars) and that sort of thing. You can also go into genres and browse lists specific to those genres (Cult Horror, Witty Fantasy, and such like).

Still not quite like browsing a store, though, any more than looking through Kobo or Amazon is like browsing through a good bookstore.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a specific title or person (e.g. you crave a Woody Allen movie), then they have a search engine that makes the job quite easy compared to to trying to find a specific item in some stores.

Mendalla

Seconded. Heartily. Although my favorite Python is the The Life of Brian.

Did you hear that most of the surviving Pythons are getting together to contribute voice performances to a new live action-CGI s-f comedy directed by Python'er Terry Jones? Apparenlty, Eric Idle is the only one not on board and they are still talking to him so that could change.

Mendalla

Terry Jones, I like Terry Jones.

Rousing recommendation SG. I enjoyed the Life of Brian. Funny, I had forgotten about that last musical number.

Yeah, I can see how Netflix works then. How are they to know what we will and won't find interesting? I like to pick by the cover picture, rating, and description on the back. Lethbridge library used to be really good. Got out The Sorceress there, starring Christine Boisson, which was really educational and meaningful and rare, and historical, but I'm not recommending that one, as per my one movie rule! ; )

Lethbridge library is still really good!  Now there are two branches and they have great selection including a lot of current titles.  I picked up Moneyball to watch tomorrow.

Awesome Hillary! We had many a movie out from there. Most thngs I wanted to see, I could get there. Miss it still! You sure look different without the platinum hair! Cute pic!

When you're browsing, you can assign ratings from 1-5 stars to movies and shows you've already seen and then they assume that similarly rated movies of a similar type will also interest you. They also take account of what you've already watched on Netflix and how you rated that content.

So, if you rate the new Star Trek at 5 stars, they will likely steer you to the other Trek movies (they don't have any of the Trek TV shows on Netflix Canada, but all of the movies).

They do show you the cover (if they have a cover image available) and a summary based on the back blurb. But, you still only see the ones that they are feeding you unless you go into a genre and click the all titles option. So, it doesn't help with browsing by cover (something I do, as well), though, does it?  I've picked a few winners over the years just by looking at the cover and reading the back blurb.

In the end, I'd rather go to a video store or library for browsing, but like online source like Netflix when I'm zero'ing in on something specific.

Mendalla

Yes, it would be useful, if you have high speed. DO you watch on your computer or burn to dvd and watch on your tv screen? Or maybe your computer hooked up to your tv. It would be a drag to watch movies on our computer! You hae to have all the technology for all that to work. Good thing we still do have some video stores. You find things you wouldn't expect to like, or wuldn't otherwise notice. True, I do often like a film that is similar to something else, but part of the fun is finding stuff you never knew about and isn't like anything else. But that said, I find a lot of stuff I like on Youtube through the sidebar, and on Amazon through the related items there. I just hope people will allways have access to the movie gems of yesteryear.

You can't burn Netflix content to disc (well, I suspect there are ways, but I'm not doing it). It's a streamed service (i.e. it plays from the website to your computer). Kind of like a big, fee-based Youtube in that regard. There's a Netflix client for the Nintendo Wii (for all of the big game consoles, actually), so we have our Wii connected to our home network and can then stream Netflix to the TV through it. Only downside is that the Wii isn't High-Definition so we can't access the HD content (Xbox 360 and PS3 are better Netflix clients in this regard).

For stuff that we do download, I copy it to an external hard drive and connect that to a Patriot Box Office media player. The Patriot basically lets you take digital media content and play it on a TV without having to have a computer or network connection on the TV itself. Plays full 1080p and can be networked using Wi-fi. No Netflix or Youtube client as of yet, though.

Mendalla

I loved one called "Antonia's Line". There are a lot of movies I really enjoy, but I'd be hard-pressed to remember them afterwards or a couple of years later.

This one really stayed with me and I've seen it a few times.

So where do I start? Directed by Dutch filmmaker Marleen Gorris, it is a retrospective of a very strong, caring woman who drew around her the vulnerable and disenfranchised  ones in her small, rural Dutch community post WW2. It's very progressive and inclusive. Everyone is valued and accepted for who they are.

Together they all pull together and work hard to survive.

The characters are extremely well-drawn. There is the young teen with Down Syndrome from a neighbouring farm, who she saves from a horrible life. This is the most difficult part of the movie to watch as it is a rape scene. It's handled well. And justice prevails.

Her own daughter (who she raises alone) has a child out of wedlock, but falls in love with another woman and they are accepted as a couple raising their child together.

The widower next door becomes her "special friend" but she eschews marriage.

Conversation:

Him  "My sons need a mother"

Her  "I don't need your sons"

Him  "You don't need a husband?"

Her  "What for?"

They spend time together away from everyone in a little bunkie when things get romantic.

There are also some quirky villagers who the director treats with real compassion.

Remember this all takes place at a time when social norms were very conservative and repressive.

This movie is amazing. Well worth your time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonia%27s_Line

Thank you for reminding me of that excellent movie Ninja! I saw it several years ago and whole-heartedly agree with your recommendation.

OK Mendalla, I feel like a total cave woman now. lol.

SOunds like a great film Ninj. It's going on my list. All the films recommended are. I like films about human nature, and how we make things work, how we survive and adapt and relate.

I recoomend "One Week" It is the best movie I have ever seen.

It is a road trip story, about a young recently engaged man who is diagnosed with terminal cancer at the begining of the movie, and then takes a motorcycle trip accross Canada to find the meaning of life, and what his purpose is.  

The movie makes you think, laugh, cry and feel joy.   The film explores human relationships, spirituality and our connectness to nature.  The film is also a celebration of being Canadian, with great scenes shot in the most beautiful places, and it is also filled with great Canadian music, written and recored by independant and up and coming Canadian artists.

It also has one of the most inspiring and brillant endings of any movie.

One of my favourites as well, Alex. I recommend it highly. It's just so achingly beautiful.  Definitely on the short list for my permanent collection!

I guess I should have also mentioned that "Antonia's Line" is subtitled.

Somegal -- nice to meet another person who doesn't mind subtitles

A good movie is a good movie - regardless of the language spoken!

Definately gonna see that one Alex. The description reminds me of Into the Wild, though I expect they are quite different. But Into the Wild reeeeealy moved me, and is also about one man's journey to find meaning and fulfillment.

Another movie I put on sometimes just for fun, it's like visiting old friends, is "The Princess Bride".  It's funny and cute and has some great one-liners and just timeless appeal. Oh and Billy Chrystal makes a cameo appearance. Can't top THAT.

Partially based on a recommendation here by Elanorgold, last night I watched Alive. I learned something about myself - that I should not watch movies about plane crashes at night! I live a couple of blocks away from a hospital that frequently has helicoptors landing on its' roof and I can usually see them through my bedroom window. Last night I heard them a couple of times and, each time, horrific scenes from the movie floated into my mind.

That said, I did find the movie to be very moving - and I found it interesting how things that I found to be grotesque, at first, became bearable (and watchable) by the end. I was quite emotional by the end.

Awww, I'm touched. ANd touched that you're touched. The visions while copters arrive will fade. That's natural. It's a responce to the new thoughts, and to the expantion of your mind through the movie. I'm sure you'll never forget it. Nando talks about the unbearable becoming common by the end in his own book too. How humanity adapts.

I just watched a student made trailer for the film. It's good.

Ah yes, Princess Bride is always good. I now have two copies. Billy Crystal is great, and Carol Cane is so funny! "I'm not a witch I'm yer wife! But after what you just said, I'm not sure I wanna be that anymore!!"

Ah yes, Princess Bride is always good. I now have two copies. Billy Crystal is great, and Carol Cane is so funny! "I'm not a witch I'm yer wife! But after what you just said, I'm not sure I wanna be that anymore!!"

Hubby and I fling Princess Bride quotes around all the time. If one of us has an appointment the other one says "Have fun storming the castle!"

: ) That's cute.

Actually watched a couple movies this weekend. One I'm a bit iffy on (Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris) but the other is an unqualified recommendation.

The recommendation is An Education (2007). It's about a 17 year-old girl (Carey Mulligan, who deservedly picked up a raft of awards for the role) who gets involved with a high-flying older man (Peter Sarsgaard) during the swinging sixties and how it affects her life both positively and negatively. Smart script by Nick Hornby based on a memoir (forget the author) and a very well-made film overall. While Mulligan got a lot of the attention for it, the rest of the cast is also excellent, esp. her parents. Also looks gorgeous as it takes us through the London hip scene of the period as well as a visit to Paris.

As for Midnight in Paris, I'm a big Woody Allen fan and this movie should, on paper, be the sort of Allen film that I eat up. However, when we watched it yesterday, it just didn't click with me until near the end. I'll probably give it another view. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it. Basically, a writer visits Paris with his fiancee and her parents. He's always wanted to go there and is particularly enamoured of the 1920s Paris inhabited by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and other writers and artists that he idolizes. One night, he finds himself taken back to that time where he starts hanging out with his idols, even getting Gertrude Stein to critique his novel and having a rather chaste fling with Picasso's mistress. It's getting the most praise (and the best box office returns) that Woody's had since his heyday in the seventies and eighties so I just feel I should have liked it more than I did.

Mendalla

Hmm, it's weird feeling when you feel you should like a film better. It might be a mood thing, or else it wasn't as good as others, or you're evolving away from Woody films... I've had that feeling before too about films and albums.

An Education sounds really interesting. I was in town today but only briefly, so sending hubby with a movie list tomorrow...

I just thought of another unofficial recommendation, "I'm Not There" about Bob Dylan. It was a funky off beat partly b&w film, and Kate Blanchett was awesome in it. She played Bob fantastically, her and Ben Whishaw were my favorite Bobs. Having some Bob in my past, the film had relevance to me. Anyone who isn't familiar with any Bob lore though, would be rather lost.

I watched One Week a couple days ago. Thanks Alex. It reminded me of my male chauvanist friend. He looks a lot like him too. Love the ending, re-inforces the importance of being true to one's self, and doing as we need. Made me feel proud of my own accomplishments and choices. : ) And I'm sure encouraged my husband to keep submitting his novel in to publishers. And enjoyed the Canadian settings. I've been to some of them, Tofino, Banff, Hells Gate... Sask was very much like southern ALberta.

So many movies, but one from a while ago, "Beaches" with bette middler (tearjerker) or  The Colour Purple.

I guess I liked them because they both emphasize the bond women have with each other. They're not the greatest movies I've ever seen, but still they touched my heart.

City Island

I pulled this off wiki...it summarizes the movie perfectly and better than I ever could have.

--

I saw Beaches when it was new, ad cried through just about the whole thing. My Dad even cried too! My best friend at the time watched it with us and started laughing part way through, and I looked over to her, I mean, the insult! She had removed herself from the whole scene and found it quite funny that all three of us, mom, dad and me were all boo-hoo'ing. lol! But yeah, great female bond film. That was a log time ago though, so I might be due to see it again.

The flip side of that thought might be Heavenly Creatures, about two girls who become bosom buddies and it gets carried away and twisted. Really made me feel gross. The two girls plot to murder the mother who tries to keep them apart, and thereafter have to spend the rest of their lives apart for their own good, one of them in a mental hospital. A warning not to let friendships go too far.

Sheldon: Sounds terrifying!

Did you realize that Heavenly Creatures was a Peter Jackson movie (i.e. Lord of the Rings, King Kong, The Hobbit)? Quite a different movie from the tentpole epics we're used to seeing from him these days. He also did some rather screwball horror-comedy films in his early years before getting all Hollywood on us.

It was also Kate Winslet's first feature film (she'd mainly done TV before).

Mendalla