1. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris 2006)
This heart-warming comedy will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Beginning with the silly family, consisting of Mom, Dad, their two children, Dwayne and Olive, their young at heart Grandpa, and Uncle Frank, a suicidal college professor, sitting down to dinner, the film follows the cast as they take a road trip to a children's beauty contest in California. This dysfunctional family erupts into absurd arguments, but the unbreakable love and commitment they have to each other, even amidst the squabbling, is heartfelt and tastefully portrayed.
2. CITY OF GOD (Fernando Meirelles, 2002)
The gorgeous and brilliant cinematography portrayed in Meirelles' 2002, City of God, is reason enough to watch this movie. Set in a slum in Rio de Janeiro, this film follows the paths of two young boys as they grow up. One decides to pursue his passion for photography while the other follows a more a path more commonly took, filled with drugs and gang-violence. The film exposes the ruthless reality of life in the "favelas," but also exposes the more common pastimes that fill their everyday lives, such as sports, dancing, and hanging out at the beach. This film cannot be missed, especially if you have a HD TV; the bright colors and natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro, along with the emotion of the plot will blow you away.
3. THE CONSTANT GARDNER (Fernando Meirelles 2005)
This suspenseful film takes the audience on a journey to Kenya. Directed by Fernando Meirelles, who also directed "City of God," this story, like its predecessor, is cinematographically gorgeous and brilliant. A high definition TV will undoubtedly enhance the viewing experience. The film follows Justin Quayle, as he attempts to piece together the brutal murder of his beloved activist wife, Tessa. Through flashbacks, Tessa's story is revealed and so are her discoveries. Fighting against the intense corruption of the pharmaceutical industry, Tessa's intrepid determination leads her to encounter enormous injustices that eventually lead to her murder.
4. ALMOST FAMOUS (Cameron Crowe, 2000)
This endearing story takes the audience on tour with Stillwater, a fictional seventies rock band. The film portrays the various characters as they climb into their simple tour bus. Without satellite TV, Nintendo Wiis, and whatever other entertainment most tour busses are equipped with today, the characters find entertainment in other ways, such as conversing with one another. This story details the relationships of the diverse personalities coming together to share their common love of music and adventure.
5. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (Danny Boyle, 2008)
This incredibly unique and emotionally gripping low budget film took the world by surprise. With it's often beautiful, and sometimes disturbing imagery, this uncommon and exhilarating love story, set in Mumbai, India, cleverly takes the audience on a journey back through main character, Jamal's life while he is competing on India's version of "Who wants to be a millionaire." Jamal, a "slumdog" from Mumbai, continues to answer the bizarre questions correctly, leading officials to believe he is cheating. The film, then artistically and anecdotally flashes back to the unusual experiences in Jamal's life that have caused him to remember the answers to the questions. This low-budget gem almost was not released in theaters, it was planned to go straight to DVD. With the rising popularity of big screen high definition TVs, there is no doubt people would have experienced some of the aesthetic beauty of this film, but luckily it was released in theaters, and eaten up by the world, going on to win 8 Oscars in 2009.
This heart-warming comedy will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Beginning with the silly family, consisting of Mom, Dad, their two children, Dwayne and Olive, their young at heart Grandpa, and Uncle Frank, a suicidal college professor, sitting down to dinner, the film follows the cast as they take a road trip to a children's beauty contest in California. This dysfunctional family erupts into absurd arguments, but the unbreakable love and commitment they have to each other, even amidst the squabbling, is heartfelt and tastefully portrayed.
2. CITY OF GOD (Fernando Meirelles, 2002)
The gorgeous and brilliant cinematography portrayed in Meirelles' 2002, City of God, is reason enough to watch this movie. Set in a slum in Rio de Janeiro, this film follows the paths of two young boys as they grow up. One decides to pursue his passion for photography while the other follows a more a path more commonly took, filled with drugs and gang-violence. The film exposes the ruthless reality of life in the "favelas," but also exposes the more common pastimes that fill their everyday lives, such as sports, dancing, and hanging out at the beach. This film cannot be missed, especially if you have a HD TV; the bright colors and natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro, along with the emotion of the plot will blow you away.
3. THE CONSTANT GARDNER (Fernando Meirelles 2005)
This suspenseful film takes the audience on a journey to Kenya. Directed by Fernando Meirelles, who also directed "City of God," this story, like its predecessor, is cinematographically gorgeous and brilliant. A high definition TV will undoubtedly enhance the viewing experience. The film follows Justin Quayle, as he attempts to piece together the brutal murder of his beloved activist wife, Tessa. Through flashbacks, Tessa's story is revealed and so are her discoveries. Fighting against the intense corruption of the pharmaceutical industry, Tessa's intrepid determination leads her to encounter enormous injustices that eventually lead to her murder.
4. ALMOST FAMOUS (Cameron Crowe, 2000)
This endearing story takes the audience on tour with Stillwater, a fictional seventies rock band. The film portrays the various characters as they climb into their simple tour bus. Without satellite TV, Nintendo Wiis, and whatever other entertainment most tour busses are equipped with today, the characters find entertainment in other ways, such as conversing with one another. This story details the relationships of the diverse personalities coming together to share their common love of music and adventure.
5. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (Danny Boyle, 2008)
This incredibly unique and emotionally gripping low budget film took the world by surprise. With it's often beautiful, and sometimes disturbing imagery, this uncommon and exhilarating love story, set in Mumbai, India, cleverly takes the audience on a journey back through main character, Jamal's life while he is competing on India's version of "Who wants to be a millionaire." Jamal, a "slumdog" from Mumbai, continues to answer the bizarre questions correctly, leading officials to believe he is cheating. The film, then artistically and anecdotally flashes back to the unusual experiences in Jamal's life that have caused him to remember the answers to the questions. This low-budget gem almost was not released in theaters, it was planned to go straight to DVD. With the rising popularity of big screen high definition TVs, there is no doubt people would have experienced some of the aesthetic beauty of this film, but luckily it was released in theaters, and eaten up by the world, going on to win 8 Oscars in 2009.
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