Grandbanana Movie Recs

 

Bonus Degree Heating Day site for my dad: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=bgm

 

Movies I'm recommending to my folks, and (sometimes) why:

 

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Brokeback_Mountain/70023965?trkid=20479

Heart-wrenching and gorgeous

 

The Chorus (2004)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Chorus/70019005?trkid=201911

"Music teacher Clement Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot) lands a job at a boys' boarding school populated by delinquents and orphans -- and run by a martinet headmaster (Francois Berleand). Sensing potential in the rambunctious ruffians, Mathieu forms a choir to rein in his charges through the transforming power of song … even at the probable cost of his career."

Shelley says: What's not to love?

 

Finding Neverland (2004)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Finding_Neverland/70001999?trkid=20479

Terrific performances by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet

 

Fifth of July (1982)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Fifth_of_July/70027966?trkid=226871

Swoosie Kurtz & Richard Thomas are terrific actors, and this play was very well received during its Broadway run.

 

King of Masks (1999, Chinese, subtitled)

http://www.spout.com/films/The_King_of_Masks/93342/725613/trailers.aspx

We saw this and really enjoyed it. Interesting snapshot of a very different time and place, great warm connection between the protagonists, but not sappy-sentimental.

 

Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Mad_Hot_Ballroom/70021129?trkid=201911

Great documentary film about kids preparing to compete in a city-wide ballroom dancing competition.

 

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Miss_Pettigrew_Lives_for_a_Day/70084778?trkid=226871

Francis. McDormand. Can do no wrong. I watched this twice in a week, gladly.

 

Monsoon Wedding (2002)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaP-UrmS6Ww

Interesting cross-cultural content, timeless themes, great acting.

  

Miracle (2004)

"Do You Believe in Miracles?" The story of the improbable US Hockey team's win in the Olympics over the USSR.

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Miracle/60033300?trkid=201913

 

Tom Dowd and the Language of Music

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Tom_Dowd_and_the_Language_of_Music/60033851?trkid=189334

I haven't seen this yet, but it sounds like it's right up my alley!

 

Unzipped (1995)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Unzipped/60032960?trkid=147042

One of my favorite documentaries... and you know I don't care at all about fashion! Isaac is just such a character, and this movie does a great job of illuminating the fashion world's "backstage."

 

The Visitor (2007)

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/thevisitor/

I haven't seen this one yet, but I saw this director's first film (The Station Agent) and loved it. Based on Grandpa's recent enjoyment of seeing the world through a fresh set of eyes (Tsotsi), I thought this might be worth a look.

 

Walk the Line (2005)

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Walk_the_Line/70023968?trkid=20479

I don't even like Johnny Cash that much, but I loved this movie. Great performances.