The Italian (2007)

Russian Drama - Vanya is a handsome and intelligent six-year-old Russian orphan who is fiercely determined to escape from the orphanage to find his real mother. He is nicknamed "the Italian" as he is marked for adoption by a wealthy Italian couple. What an exciting film this is! And with fine acting. 99 min.

Forever Young (1992)

Human Drama/Romance - USA 1939 - Army test pilot (Mel Gibson) is deeply in love with his wife to be. Tragically, she is hit by a car and becomes comatose with no prognosis of waking up. To cope with his misery our hero the test pilot volunteers to be frozen alive in a cryogenics experiment. When he is woken up 50 years later, he has some challenging adventures. Unusual story and some fun performances. Starring Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Jamie Lee Curtis. 102 min

Mother of Mine (2005)

Foreign Film - Finland and Sweden during World War II.. The backdrop of this film is based on truth - evacuation of 70,000 Finnish children to neutral Sweden in 1943. Eero's dad is killed by the Russians, and his mom gives him up to the authorities to be sent to Sweden to a foster family. Disappointment arises when the Swedes learn he is not a girl, but a boy. And the boy discovers that it is not a vacation as his mom referred to it, but a long endeavor away from home. Fabulous performances all around and lovely views of the Swedish countryside/farmland. 1 hr. 51 min.

The Prestige (2006)

Psychological thriller - early 1900's rival magicians obsess at stealing each other's secrets, at ANY cost. Dark but intriguing story with fine performances. And the plot twists and turns. Stars Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, David Bowie and Scarlett Johansson. 130 min.

Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987)

French Drama - 1940's German occupied France - Catholic school kids form friendships as they face the austerities of school discipline, and cold weather. Several kids are Jewish and hiding from the Nazis. Great photography and acting. The story unfolds leisurely. 1 hr 43 min.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

Foreign Drama - Spanish with English subtitles - Mexico in the early 1900's - Tita, youngest daughter falls deeply in love with Pedro, but Tita's mother forbids the marriage on the grounds Tita must care for her mother. Instead the mother offers Tita's older sister and Pedro marries her! But passions continue to rage and Tita pours her heart and soul into her cooking. Somehow the family manages to stay together but not without some amazing consequences. Very well written and acted with fabulous photography! 1 hr.46 min.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Farcical comedy - based on the novel of the same title - London 1930's. Old-fashioned governess stumbles into working for a young starlet - and finds she has a talent for directing the star's "social schedule". More like a play than a drama, and with some over-acting, but entertaining and with an upbeat ending. 92 min.

Journey From The Fall (2007)

Vietnamese Drama - based on true stories - awesome tale of one family's struggle to survive the Vietnam War, and their partially successful escape to America. Fantastic performances and magnificent photography. Not one dull moment ! 2 hr. 15 min.

Chocolat (1988)

French Drama (not to be confused with Chocolat of 2000 - same title but completely different movie) Young girl growing up in Cameroon lives a life amidst natural beauty, wealth and servants. Tensions arise when a small plane makes an emergency landing near her remote abode and the stranded passengers become house guests for nearly a month. Fantastic photography, real performances, and a look at racial tension. 1 hr 46 min.

Summer (1986)

French Film "Le Rayon Vert" (The Green Ray) - serious look at a very lonely girl from Paris. Boyfriendless, and abandoned by her girlfriend (at the last minute), she is forced to vacation alone. But she is miserable. Actress Marie Rivere creates a very real and neurotic character in Delphine. Painful to watch as Delphine is very much stuck in her shell. But there is a ray of hope for her! 96 min.

Il Postino (1995)

Italian film - The Postman - a story of friendship... Nearly illiterate postman befriends a famous poet. Fantastic shots of remote island off Sicily. And the plot unfolds so delicately. Awesome acting. Best foreign film 1995. 108 min.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Comedy - Hockey player Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) turns his talents to golf when he realizes he can hit the ball over 400 yards. He hopes to win enough money to repossess his grandmother's home for her. Crazy and slapstick, but entertaining spoof on the game of golf. 92 min.

Soccer Mom (2008)

Comedy - Soccer mom masquerades as a famous Italian soccer player in order to successfully coach her daughter's team. Fine make-up job, she really resembles the famous Italian player. Goofy comedy, but pretty fun. 1 hr.40 min about.

La Ceremonie (1996)

French Drama - wealthy family living in the French countryside find "the perfect maid" only to realize later that this shy woman has some unusual characteristics. The maid befriends a family enemy causing great discord. Story moves along innocently though turns quite dark in the end. Fine acting (Isabelle Huppert, Sandrine Bonnaire, Jacqueline Bisset) and lovely photography. 1 hr 51 min.