Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Crime Thriller - Financial executive with a drug problem desperately needs money to pay debts. He and his younger brother decide on a perfect crime - robbing their mom and dad's jewelry store ! But things don't go as well as planned. Fine acting and a well-paced story. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. 123 min.

In the Bedroom (2001)

Drama - New England town couple lose their only son just after his high school graduation. This is a story of how they deal with their grief. Fine photography and very real acting by Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkonson. 130 min.

Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997)

Bollywood Drama - Bombay Professor with young daughter and a faithful wife.... One day the wife is short of cash when buying shoes for her daughter and a wealthy woman bails her out. Problem is the wealthy woman is extremely clever and has an agenda to recruit nice looking women to her shady business enterprise. Fine acting and fascinating story. 2 hrs. 18 min.

Heart and Souls (1993)

Comedy / Supernatural - San Francisco lawyer Thomas Reilly (Robert Downey Jr.) has a most unusual fate. At birth he is visited by 4 newly departed souls (kind of like angels but more human) who look after him through childhood. But when he becomes an adult, Thomas must repay them by assisting each of them "complete their karma" - that is assisting them in doing what they most wanted to do but couldn't while they were alive. Fantastic story and fine performances. Very upbeat. 104 min

School Ties (1992)

Drama - David Green is accepted to a very prestigious prep school for Harvard University. Good news is he is a fine quarterback and the teachers and students love him. Bad news is they find out he is Jewish. Do environments like this still exist ? In this movie they do. Acting is excellent and the story moves. 110 min.

The God Who Wasn't There (2005)

Mini-Educational film casts light on the uncertain beginnings of Christianity. Director Brian Flemming asks very pointed questions such as why nothing is known of Jesus's childhood, and why Christianity disappeared until Paul's writings. Pagan heroes of similar circumstances to Jesus are mentioned. Fun variety of interviews with Christian and non-Christian scholars. This film manages to bring up difficult questions and not get too bogged down debating the answers. 62 minutes.

The Fountain (2006)

Metaphysical story with some New Age ideas and interesting special effects. Medical researcher is frantic to discover a miracle drug to shrink tumors. Time is running out for him as his lover / soul mate may soon die from her rapidly advancing brain tumor. Despite illness she is writing a mystical novel of past life connections and Mayan knowledge. The film swings back and forth between physical reality and astral / mental realities of the novel in progress. Fine acting by Hugh Jackman. 96 min.

Angels & Insects (1995)

Victorian Drama based on A.S. Byatt novel. Entomologist returns to England after years of studying in the Amazon and is befriended by an incredibly wealthy family. Staying with the upper class in their castle he feels both honored and but slightly uneasy with some of their ways. Things get really interesting when he falls for the eldest sister. Super fine acting by Mark Rylance who plays William Adamson the entomologist. Fascinating story as well. 117 min.

Bopha! (1993)

Bopha means "arrest" or "detention" in the Zulu language. South African apartheid - a family is ripped apart by opposing ideologies. The father is a senior police official for the severe South African government. The eldest son is an activist in the school system and society. The mother is deeply troubled as incidents of violence erupt on both sides. Excellent over the top acting by Danny Glover, and sensitive direction by Morgan Freeman. Educational and informative. 2 hours.

My Father's Glory (1991)

French film - based on the autobiography of Marcel Pagnol - told through the eyes (and voice) of Young Marcel as he spends a fabulous vacation in the French Alps at the turn of the century. A family tale of love and friendship. Beautifully photographed. 110 min.