Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991)

Action Adventure - based on the true story of Sonora Webster, a young girl obsessed with becoming a rider of diving horses. Fine performances and a crisp well-paced story. Very entertaining and endearing. 90 min.

Sarkar (2005)

India - Gangster film. Resembling Godfather I and II, a Bombay underworld leader has two sons, one of which remains true blue while the other defects to another crime family. The result is one brother must kill the other. A rare Bollywood film with no dancing and singing (yay!) Fabulous performances by all the cast, and a very well made movie. 124 min.

A Good Woman (2004)

Drama/Romance- Adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windermere's Fan".  Set in the 1930's in Italy, two women (Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson) fight over a wealthy man. Elegantly costumed with an intricate plot. Entertaining and light-hearted. 1 hr. 33 min.

My Summer of Love (2005)

Romance Drama - England - Teenage girls (one rich, one poor) meet in summer and share immediate attraction for each other. They begin an onslaught of unusual adventures. Superb acting, fine photography, and an intense story. 87 min.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Classic Sci-Fi Drama filmed in black and white... Made just after World War II, and at the start of the cold war with Russia - UFO lands in Washington DC and a human-like alien steps out holding a gift for the President of the United States. Problems begin as a nervous soldier shoots and wounds the humanoid. Then a large robot steps out of the space craft and "laser-melts" all the weapons held by the gathered military and police. The injured humanoid is taken to a military hospital for examination and tests but manages to escape, creating havoc in Washington as the public fear and mistrust of the alien escalates. But actually the alien means no harm. Very realistic movie with a clever script. Almost like it could really happen! 92 min.

Zhou Yu's Train (2004)

Chinese Drama - impulsive artistic young woman falls deeply in love with a poet who lives far away. Despite huge distances, she travels to see him twice a week by train. On one of her journeys she meets another man, a veterinarian, and a love triangle begins. Lovely scenes from the Chinese countryside, and the actors are very real. The story is intriguing at first and but a bit unsatisfying in the conclusion. 1 hr. 37 min.
 

After The Wedding (2007)

Foreign Drama (Denmark) - Wealthy successful businessman offers a huge donation to an Indian orphanage managed by a Danish man. But there are some serious strings attached. And to further complicate things, it seems the Danish man living in India was involved with the rich man's wife years ago. The acting is brilliant, as well as the photography and the direction. One of the best movies I have seen. 2 hrs.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2004)

Japanese Action/Drama - English audio and subtitles. Chinese soldier refuses orders to kill women and children and abandons the Emperor's army. The emperor assigns a leading swordsman to hunt him down and execute him. Fight scenes abound mixed with philosophy and touches of romance. Beautifully filmed in what looks like the Gobi Desert. Entertaining ! 2 hrs.

Coach Carter (2005)

Basketball Movie - based on the story of former basketball coach of the Richmond High School Oilers. Coach Carter was revolutionary in his approach to education - he locked the gymnasium doors and refused to open them until his players improved their academic performances ! Well-scripted and well-acted and mostly true (except for some added fight scenes and a shooting). 2 hrs. 16 min.

Funny Farm (1988)

Comedy - Two urbanites move to the countryside to get away from city life and to work on their writing. Misadventures begin immediately when their moving company gets lost leaving them with no furniture. There is no telephone, there are snakes in the nearby lake and the birds sing distractingly loud. Two people alone in a house in the country can be challenging - it is fun to watch the subtle strains on the marriage as the story progresses. Not riproaringly funny but pretty amusing. Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith play the leads. 1 hr 41 min.

The Crossing Guard (1995)

Human Drama - Father swears revenge on a drunken hit and run driver who ran over his 7 year old daughter. Major emotional challenges for the father (Freddy - played by Jack Nicholson) as he cannot cope with the loss, starts drinking and loses his wife to another man. Story starts with the hit and run driver being released from prison and Freddy's failed attempt to kill him. Excellent performances all around -David Morse plays the convicted felon. Sean Penn directs. 1 hr. 51 min.