Movie

Description  (~Improved IMDB)

The Lives of Others  (2007)

In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police, conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover, finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.   German; Thriller

Central Station  (1998)

An emotive journey of a former school teacher, who writes letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, in search for the father he never knew.  Brazilian; Drama

Cinema Paradiso  (1988)

A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village’s theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater’s projectionist. Italian; Romance/Drama

Amores Perros  (2000)

A horrific car accident connects three stories, each involving characters dealing with loss, regret, and life’s harsh realities, all in the name of love.  Mexican; Thriller/Drama

Searching for Bobby Fischer  (1993)

A child chess prodigy struggles with the idea that he must harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.  Drama

Primer  (2004)

Fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there’s something bigger and more innovative than the error-checking devices they’ve built, wrestle over their new invention.  A low budget movie that is able to interestingly capture the problems with time travel.  SciFi/Drama

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress  (2002)

Two well-off youths (a violinist and dentist) sent for a Maoist “re-education” in the mountains fall in love with the village tailor’s granddaughter and teach her to read classical literature.  Chinese; Drama

The Color of Paradise  (1999)

A kind blind boy, waits for his dad to pick him up for summer vacation.  Wanting little to do with him, his father prefers that he stays at the school for the winter vacation.  Iran; Drama

Talk to Her  (2002)

Two men share an odd friendship while they care for their girlfriends (a bullfighter and ballerina) who are both in deep comas.  Spanish; Drama

Beautiful Boxer  (2005)

Real life story of a Muay Thai boxer who underwent a sex change operation to become a woman. The movie chronicles her life from a young boy who likes to wear lipstick and wear flowers to her sensational career as kickboxer.  Thai; Drama

Oldboy  (2003)

After being kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in 5 days. Strong themes (messed up!) but beautifully done.  Korean; Thriller/Mystery with hints of romance.

Amelie  (2001)

Innocent, lonely and naïve, Amelie develops her own sense of justice, deciding to help those around her and along the way, discovers love.  A whimsical and colorful film oozing French culture.  French; Romance

Maria Full of Grace  (2004)

A pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family.  Colombian; Drama

Rounders  (1998)

A law student man is a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks.  Drama/Thriller

Sex and Lucia  (2002)

Various lives converge on an isolated island, all connected by an author whose novel has become inextricably entwined with his own life.  Spanish; Drama/Romance

Beijing Bicycle  (2002)

A seventeen-year-old country boy working in Beijing as a courier has his bicycle stolen, and finds it with a schoolboy his age who has come to depend on the bike.  Chinese; Drama

Gattaca  (1997)

In a future where applicants are judged on the perfection of their genes, a genetically inferior man attempts to assumes the identity of another in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.  Sci Fi/Drama

Paradise Now  (2005)

Two childhood friends are recruited for a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.  The film depicts the doubts and tribulations as they prepare to execute the plan.  Palestinian/Israeli; Thriller/Drama

Children of Heaven  (1999)

Zohre’s shoes are gone; her older brother Ali lost them.  They come up with the idea to share one pair of shoes. Will the plan succeed?  Iran; Drama

The Sea Inside  (2004)

The real-life story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his right to die.  Spanish; Drama

My Neighbor Totoro  (1988)

When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.  Animated/Child