20 Films I love that my non-filmy friends don't know exist
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- DirectorIrwin WinklerStarsHayden ChristensenKevin KlineKristin Scott ThomasWhen a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.A gaggle of fantastic performances (my favourite by HC) and a moving script.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpyAndrea EckertA young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.Great interludes, great chemistry, lovely setting.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpyVernon DobtcheffNine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse's book tour.Great interludes, great chiemistry, lovely setting AND 9 years of anticipation.
- DirectorMatthew Ryan HogeStarsRyan GoslingDon CheadleKevin SpaceyA young man's experience in a juvenile detention center that touches on the tumultuous changes that befall his family and the community in which he lives.Sad, beautiful, thought provoking - this film just got to me and it's never gone away.
- DirectorVincent GalloStarsVincent GalloChristina RicciBen GazzaraAfter being released from prison, Billy is set to visit his parents with his wife, whom he does not actually have. This provokes Billy to act out, as he kidnaps a girl and forces her to act as his wife for the visit.The interaction between characters haunted me. I found this film mesmerising.
- DirectorFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckStarsUlrich MüheMartina GedeckSebastian KochIn 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.To try and say in a few words why I like this film would do it an injustice. So I'll just say I think it's wonderful.
- DirectorLisa CholodenkoStarsFrances McDormandAlessandro NivolaChristian BaleWhen an uptight young man and his fiancée move into his libertine mother's house, the resulting clash of life attitudes shakes everyone up.Amongst other highlights, the hottest non-touch love scene EVER!
- DirectorStephen WalkerSally GeorgeStarsJoe BenoitHelen BostonLouise CanadyA documentary on a chorus of senior citizens from Massachusetts who cover songs by Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Sonic Youth, and other unexpected musicians.I loved their passion and energy, I fell in love with them as people and then I mourned those who were lost.
- DirectorChristine JeffsStarsAlicia Fulford-WierzbickiSarah PeirseMarton CsokasWhilst on a family vacation on the Mahurangi Peninsula in New Zealand, 13-year-old Janey begins to realize that her parents' marriage is on the rocks.Emotive, atmospheric, and provoking.
- DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsMichael PittLouis GarrelEva GreenA young American studying in Paris in 1968 strikes up a friendship with a French brother and sister. Set against the background of the '68 Paris student riots.A guilty pleasure. Love the leads, love the film references, love the boundary pushing.
- DirectorHans WeingartnerStarsDaniel BrühlJulia JentschStipe ErcegThree activists cobble together a kidnapping plot after they encounter a businessman in his home.Another great German film. Captivating and clever.
- DirectorMike MillsStarsLou Taylor PucciTilda SwintonVincent D'OnofrioJustin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.Well written, I love the realtionships and the unusual situations that occur.
- DirectorJames MarshStarsPhilippe PetitJean François HeckelJean-Louis BlondeauA look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".The guy has guts and that blows me away, and I also loved the human element of him processing personal issues.
- DirectorBrad McGannStarsMatthew MacfadyenMiranda OttoEmily BarclayA disillusioned war journalist's return home is blighted when he becomes implicated in the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl he has befriended.I love love love the relationship between Paul and Celia, the scenery is to die for, and the whole film is beautiful, sad and moving. What a shame Brad McGann has passed.
- DirectorTom McCarthyStarsPeter DinklagePatricia ClarksonBobby CannavaleWhen his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.Just a beautiful little film with humour, heart and great performances.
- DirectorCédric KlapischStarsRomain DurisJudith GodrècheKelly ReillyA strait-laced French student moves into an apartment in Barcelona with a cast of six other characters from all over Europe. Together, they speak the international language of love and friendship.I wanted to move in!
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsJason SchwartzmanJude LawNaomi WattsA husband-and-wife team play detective, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, the happy duo helps others solve their existential issues, the kind that keep you up at night, wondering what it all means.Clever and so, so funny.
- DirectorRadu MihaileanuStarsYaël AbecassisRoschdy ZemMoshe AgazaiA Christian boy escapes to Israel from famine-stricken Ethiopia by pretending to be Jewish.A mini epic with a great storyline about love, being family, belonging and self-definition.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsMaribel VerdúGael García BernalDaniel Giménez CachoIn Mexico, two teenage boys and an older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life and each other.Hot, fun, a great journey, and lots of heart.
- DirectorRichard KellyStarsJake GyllenhaalJena MaloneMary McDonnellAfter narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.Challenging, mysterious, affecting, and a giant bunny!