Note from Jeffrey Overstreet:
The following lists are recommended titles for groups to view and discuss.
They are not intended to represent comprehensive lists of films on their particular themes. Rather, they are films that I personally have found challenging and rewarding, and I have enjoyed discussions about them with other moviegoers.
I’ve compiled these lists with discerning adult viewers in mind. Some films contain elements that could be offensive to some viewers. I encourage you to read about the films ahead of time. Pay attention to what the film is rated, and why, and make sure that those in your discussion group do not go into the film unprepared.
Reviews of these films available at LookingCloser.org, or elsewhere, will help you determine which selections would be best for you and your viewing group. Proceed with caution, and a sense of adventure.
Each film in these lists may reveal multiple themes. They are listed under particular themes here only as suggested areas of focus. You may find other surprising connections and contrasts, and organize lists of your own.
These lists will be expanded and revised periodically at LookingCloser.org/Darkly.
RELATIONSHIPS
Theme: True Love, Marriage, and Infidelity
Films about the bond of marriage, and the temptation to be unfaithful.
For general discussion groups:
The Ice Storm, dir. Ang Lee
The Road Home, Zhang Yimou
Shall We Dance? (1996), dir. Masayuki Suo
Shadowlands, dir. Richard Attenborough
The New World, dir. Terrence Malick
For ambitious discussion groups:
Lantana, dir. Ray Lawrence
Claire’s Knee, dir. Eric Rohmer
In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-Wai
Hannah and Her Sisters, dir. Woody Allen
Husbands and Wives, dir. Woody Allen
Far From Heaven, dir. Todd Haynes
Days of Heaven, dir. Terrence Malick
Three Colors: White, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
The Secret Lives of Dentists, dir. Alan Rudolph
And, just for the fun of it…
The Princess Bride, dir. Rob Reiner
Theme: Family Life
Films that explore the rewards, and the fragility, of family relationships, and the need for respect and love between parents and children.
For general discussion groups:
Pieces of April, dir. Peter Hedges
In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
The Royal Tenenbaums, dir. Wes Anderson
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, dir. Lasse Haalstrom
Dear Frankie, dir. Shona Auerbach
For ambitious discussion groups:
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Tokyo Story, dir. Yasujiro Ozu
Yi-Yi (A One and a Two), dir. Edward Yang
Secrets and Lies, dir. Mike Leigh
And, just for fun…
The Incredibles, dir. Brad Bird
Theme: Faithful Fathers, Deadbeat Dads
Films that explore the role, responsibility, and influence of a father, and the complications that set in when a father is neglectful or absent.
For general discussion groups:
The Royal Tenenbaums, dir. Wes Anderson
A River Runs Through It, dir. Robert Redford
Don’t Come Knocking, dir. Wim Wenders
In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
Quiz Show, dir. Robert Redford
In the Name of the Father, dir. Jim Sheridan
My Father’s Glory, dir. Yves Robert
Nobody’s Fool, dir. Robert Benton
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Return, dir. Andrey Zvyagintsev
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, dir. Wes Anderson
Paris, Texas, dir. Wim Wenders
And, just for fun…
Finding Nemo, dir. Andrew Stanton
Theme: Motherhood
For general discussion groups:
Dear Frankie, dir. Shona Auerbach
Places in the Heart, dir. Robert Benton
The Joy Luck Club, dir. Wayne Wang
In Her Shoes, dir. Curtis Hanson
For ambitious discussion groups:
Nine Lives, dir. Rodrigo Garcia
Secrets and Lies, dir. Mike Leigh
Thirteen, dir. Catherine Hardwicke
Theme: Falling in Love/Breaking Up
Films that examine the rush of infatuation, falling in love, the qualities of a good relationship, and the hard work of staying together.
For general discussion groups:
A Room with a View, dir. James Ivory
The Road Home, Zhang Yimou
Sense and Sensibility, dir. Ang Lee
The New World, dir. Terrence Malick
Moulin Rouge!, dir. Baz Lurhmann
Chungking Express, dir. Wong Kar-Wai
When Harry Met Sally, dir. Rob Reiner
Autumn Tale, dir. Eric Rohmer
For ambitious discussion groups:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, dir. Michel Gondry
Before Sunrise, dir. Richard Linklater
Before Sunset, dir. Richard Linklater
Punch-drunk Love, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
All the Real Girls, dir. David Gordon Greene
Theme: Alienation and the Need for Intimacy
Films that consider the plight of lonely, alienated characters, or people who must overcome challenges in order to connect meaningfully with others.
For general discussion groups:
Edward Scissorhands, dir. Tim Burton
The Station Agent, dir. Thomas McCarthy
Italian for Beginners, dir. Lone Scherfig
Limbo, dir. Stephen Frears
The Remains of the Day, dir. James Ivory
Ghost World, dir. Terry Zwigoff
In the Mood for Love, dir. Wong Kar-Wai
For ambitious discussion groups:
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Code Unknown, dir. Michael Haneke
Taxi Driver, dir. Martin Scorsese
Lost in Translation*, dir. Sophia Coppola
Distant, dir. Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Punch-drunk Love, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Last Life in the Universe, dir. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Magnolia*, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Theme: The Generation Gap
Films about the challenges of relating to other generations and their cultural values.
For general discussion groups:
Thirteen, dir. Catherine Hardwicke
Tokyo Story, dir. Yasujiro Ozu
For ambitious discussion groups:
Café Lumiere, dir. Hou Hsiao-hsien
The Ice Storm, dir. Ang Lee
Theme: A Contrast of Personalities
Films about extremely different individuals who form unlikely relationships and change each others’ lives.
For general discussion groups:
The Fisher King, dir. Terry Gilliam
The Best of Youth, dir. Marco Tullio Giordana
Harold and Maude, dir. Has Ashby
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, dir. John Hughes
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Dreamlife of Angels*, dir. Erick Zonca
Down by Law*, dir. Jim Jarmusch
Man on the Train, dir. Patrice Leconte
Intimate Strangers, dir. Patrice Leconte
Distant, dir. Nuri Bilge Ceylan
GOOD AND EVIL
Theme: Redemption
Films about characters who seek to overcome hardship or despair, wrestle with lives of sin, take steps of faith toward deliverance.
For general discussion groups:
The Apostle, dir. Robert Duvall
The Fisher King, dir. Terry Gilliam
About a Boy, dir.
Tsotsi, dir. Gavin Hood
For ambitious discussion groups:
Ikiru, dir. Akira Kurosawa
Ordet, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer
Three Colors: Red, Krzysztof Kieslowski
Stevie, dir. Steve James
And, just for fun…
Groundhog Day, dir. Harold Ramis
Bruce Almighty, dir. Tom Shadyac
O Brother, Where Art Thou?, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
Theme: Horror and Human Depravity
Thought-provoking horror movies that cause us to reflect on our fears and our capacity for evil.
For general discussion groups:
Downfall, dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel
Schindler’s List, dir. Steven Spielberg
Alien, dir. Ridley Scott
Unforgiven, dir. Clint Eastwood
Mystic River, dir. Clint Eastwood
For ambitious discussion groups:
Safe, dir. Todd Haynes
The Addiction, dir. Abel Ferrara
Time of the Wolf, dir. Michael Haneke
Apocalypse Now, dir. Francis Ford Coppola
Dogville, dir. Lars Von Trier
Full Metal Jacket, dir. Stanley Kubrick
A Scanner Darkly, dir. Richard Linklater
Brother’s Keeper, dir. Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
Being John Malkovich, dir. Spike Jonze
Theme: Perspectives on War
Films that examine the ethical dilemmas we face when we enter into war, and that remind us of the cost of war in both sides of a conflict.
For general discussion groups:
Grave of the Fireflies, dir. Isao Takahata
The Fog of War, dir. Errol Morris
Three Kings, dir. David O. Russell
Empire of the Sun, dir. Steven Spielberg
Dr. Strangelove, dir. Stanley Kubrick
Platoon, dir. Oliver Stone
Paths of Glory, dir. Stanley Kubrick
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Thin Red Line, dir. Terrence Malick
Saving Private Ryan, dir. Steven Spielberg
Ride with the Devil, dir. Ang Lee
The Pianist, dir. Roman Polanski
Full Metal Jacket, dir. Stanley Kubrick
LAW AND ORDER
Theme: Rules and Freedom
Films that explore the tension between restrictions and freedom, responsibility and recklessness, definition and mystery, order and chaos.
For general discussion groups:
Picnic at Hanging Rock, dir. Peter Weir
Dead Poets Society, dir. Peter Weir
Catch Me If You Can, dir. Steven Spielberg
The Shawshank Redemption, dir. Frank Darabont
Cool Hand Luke, dir. Stuart Rosenberg
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, dir. Peter Weir
For ambitious discussion groups:
Au Hasard Balthazar, dir. Robert Bresson
Apocalypse Now, dir. Francis Ford Coppola
The Ice Storm, dir. Ang Lee
Theme: Pressure
Films about characters who must consider what is right and wrong in the midst of the pressures of family, peers, or tradition.
For general discussion groups:
Fiddler on the Roof, dir. Norman Jewison
A Room with a View, dir. James Ivory
Whale Rider, dir. Niki Caro
The Last Days of Disco, dir. Whit Stillman
Metropolitan, dir. Whit Stillman
Mean Girls, dir. Mark Waters
Almost Famous, dir. Cameron Crowe
Lord of the Flies, dir. Peter Brook
Saved!, dir. Brian Dannelly
For ambitious discussion groups:
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Mean Creek, dir. Jacob Aaron Estes
Thirteen, dir. Catherine Hardwicke
COMEDY
Theme: Comedy
Films that make us laugh for all kinds of reasons — some instructive, some satirical, some absurd.
For general discussion groups:
Raising Arizona, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
Modern Times, dir. Charlie Chaplin
The General, dir. Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton
Groundhog Day, dir. Harold Ramis
Young Frankenstein, dir. Mel Brooks
Roxanne, dir. Fred Shepisi
O Brother, Where Art Thou?, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
Rushmore, dir. Wes Anderson
Zelig, dir. Woody Allen
The Man Without a Past, dir. Aki Kaurismäki
Saved!, dir. Brian Dannelly
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, dir. Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
Being There, dir. Hal Ashby
Intolerable Cruelty, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
Fargo, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
For ambitious discussion groups:
Dr. Strangelove, dir. Stanley Kubrick
Delicatessen, dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest, dir. Milos Forman
Harold and Maude, dir. Hal Ashby
FREEDOM
Theme: Bondage and Freedom
Films about individuals looking for hope in the midst of oppression, imprisonment, or slavery.
For general discussion groups:
The Matrix, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski
Rabbit-Proof Fence, dir. Philip Noyce
The Cradle Will Rock, dir. Tim Robbins
Good Night and Good Luck, dir. George Clooney
The Truman Show, dir. Peter Weir
Born into Brothels, dir. Zana Briski
Glory, dir. Edward Zwick
Amistad, dir. Steven Spielberg
The Prince of Egypt, dir. Jeffrey Katzenberg
Braveheart, dir. Mel Gibson
For ambitious discussion groups:
Brazil, dir. Terry Gilliam
The Flowers of Shanghai, dir. Hou Hsiao-hsien
Natural Born Killers, dir. Oliver Stone
Far from Heaven, dir. Todd Haynes
A Scanner Darkly, dir. Richard Linklater
The Circle, dir. Jafar Panahi
Blade Runner, dir. Ridley Scott
Fight Club, dir. David Fincher
Requiem for a Dream, dir. Darren Aronofsky
CONSCIENCE
Theme: Character and Conviction
Films about characters whose integrity is put to the test, and who try to do the right thing.
For general discussion groups:
Almost Famous, dir. Cameron Crowe
Chariots of Fire, dir. Hugh Hudson
To Kill a Mockingbird, dir. Robert Mulligan
The Insider, dir. Michael Mann
Do the Right Thing, dir. Spike Lee
Holes, dir. Andrew Davis
Sense and Sensibility, dir. Ang Lee
Persuasion, dir. Roger Michell
Mansfield Park, dir. Patricia Rozema
Nicholas Nickelby, dir. Douglas McGrath
The Little Princess, dir. Alfonzo Cuarón
For ambitious discussion groups:
Three Kings, dir. David O. Russell
Donnie Darko, dir. Richard Kelley
Dirty Pretty Things, dir. Stephen Frears
Theme: Guilt
Films about sin, shame, and responses to guilt.
For general discussion groups:
Blood Simple, Joel and Ethan Coen
Hamlet (1948), dir. Laurence Olivier; Hamlet (1990), dir. Franco Zeffirelli; William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1996), dir. Kenneth Branagh; or Hamlet (2000), dir. Michael Almereyda
Nixon, dir. Oliver Stone
Insomnia, dir. Christopher Nolan
For ambitious discussion groups:
Wild Strawberries, dir. Ingmar Bergman
Crimes and Misdemeanors, dir. Woody Allen
Theme: Prejudice and Intolerance
Films in which varieties of prejudice put characters to the test.
For general discussion groups:
X-Men, dir. Bryan Singer
X-Men 2: X-Men United, dir. Bryan Singer
The Searchers, dir. John Ford
To Kill a Mockingbird, dir. Robert Mulligan
Malcolm X, dir. Spike Lee
Final Solution, dir. Cristobal Krusen
Rabbit-Proof Fence, dir. Philip Noyce
Snow Falling on Cedars, dir. Scott Hicks
For ambitious discussion groups:
Far from Heaven, dir. Todd Haynes
Crash, dir. Paul Haggis
Brokeback Mountain, dir. Ang Lee
The Human Stain, dir. Robert Benton
Theme: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Films about division, hope, and healing.
For general discussion groups:
Pieces of April, dir. Peter Hedges
The Royal Tenenbaums, dir. Wes Anderson
The Straight Story, dir. David Lynch
Howard’s End, dir. James Ivory
Final Solution, Cristobal Krusen
Woman, Thou Art Loosed!, Michael Schultz
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Son, dir. Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Stevie, dir. Steve James
Theme: Conscience and Action
Films about poverty and need, and those who rise to answer the call of compassion.
For general discussion groups:
Dead Man Walking, dir. Tim Robbins
The Widow of St. Pierre, dir. Patrice Leconte
Millions, dir. Danny Boyle
The Constant Gardener, dir. Fernando Meirelles
Born into Brothels, dir. Zana Briski
Hotel Rwanda, dir. Terry George
The Year of Living Dangerously, dir. Peter Weir
For ambitious discussion groups:
Stevie, dir. Steve James
Dirty Pretty Things, dir. Stephen Frears
Three Kings, dir. David O. Russell
Schindler’s List, dir. Steven Spielberg
Taxi Driver, dir. Martin Scorsese
Theme: Justice, Retaliation, and Revenge
Films about wrongdoing, retaliation, and the ethics of violence.
For general discussion groups:
Unforgiven, dir. Clint Eastwood
Rob Roy, dir. Michael Caton-Jones
Mean Creek, dir. Jacob Aaron Estes
In the Bedroom, dir. Todd Field
High Noon, dir. Fred Zinnemann
Hero, dir. Zhang Yimou
The Searchers, dir. John Ford
Hamlet (1948), dir. Laurence Olivier; Hamlet (1990), dir. Franco Zeffirelli; William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1996), dir. Kenneth Branagh; or Hamlet (2000), dir. Michael Almereyda
The Widow of St. Pierre, dir. Patrice Leconte
Death and the Maiden, dir. Roman Polanski
For ambitious discussion groups:
Three Colors: White, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
The Son, dir. Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Dogville, dir. Lars Von Trier
Theme: Finding and Telling the Truth
Films about lies and truth-telling.
For general discussion groups:
All the President’s Men, dir. Alan J. Pakula
The Usual Suspects, dir. Bryan Singer
The Insider, dir. Michael Mann
To Kill a Mockingbird, dir. Robert Mulligan
Shattered Glass, dir. Billy Ray
Good Night and Good Luck, dir. George Clooney
The Talented Mr. Ripley, dir. Anthony Minghella
Insomnia, dir. Christopher Nolan
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, dir. Marc Rothemund
The Exorcism of Emily Rose, dir. Scott Derrickson
A Man for All Seasons, dir. Fred Zinnemann
Erin Brockovich, dir. Steven Soderbergh
Super Size Me, dir. Morgan Spurlock
Brother’s Keeper, dir. Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
The Thin Blue Line, dir. Errol Morris
Death and the Maiden, dir. Roman Polanksi
Twelve Angry Men, dir. Sydney Lumet
For ambitious discussion groups:
Rashomon, dir. Akira Kurosawa
The Celebration, dir. Thomas Vinterberg
Chinatown, dir. Roman Polanski
FAITH
Theme: Faith in a Faithless World
Films that explore the challenges of the Christian life.
For general discussion groups:
The Apostle, dir. Robert Duvall
Tender Mercies, dir. Bruce Beresford
The Big Kahuna, dir. John Swanbeck
The Prince of Egypt, dir. Jeffrey Katzenberg
Dead Man Walking, dir. Tim Robbins
Saved!, dir. Brian Dannelly
Signs, M. Night Shyamalan
The Mission, Roland Joffé
Chariots of Fire, dir. Hugh Hudson
Italian for Beginners, dir. Lone Scherfig
Million Dollar Baby, dir. Clint Eastwood
Leap of Faith, dir. Richard Pearce
Shadowlands, dir. Richard Attenborough
Jesus of Montreal, dir. Denys Arcand
For ambitious discussion groups:
Day of Wrath, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Magnolia*, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Winter Light, dir. Ingmar Bergman
Cries and Whispers, dir. Ingmar Bergman
Diary of a Country Priest, Robert Bresson
Theme: Innocents, Fools, Redeemers
Films about innocents, redeemers, and Christ-figures who expose the sins of those around them.
For general discussion groups:
Man Facing Southeast, dir. Eliseo Subiela
Edward Scissorhands, dir. Tim Burton
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, dir. Steven Spielberg
The Passion of the Christ, dir. Mel Gibson
The Gospel of John, dir. Philip Saville
Fearless, dir. Peter Weir
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Passion of Joan of Arc, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer
Ordet, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer
Jesus of Montreal, dir. Denys Arcand
Au Hasard Balthazar, dir. Robert Bresson
The Life of Bryan, dir. Terry Jones
Theme: The Meaning of Life
Films that challenge us to consider how we should live in the world, and whether there is meaning and design in the world around us.
For general discussion groups:
The Fisher King, dir. Terry Gilliam
Gosford Park, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, dir. Jill Sprecher
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, dir. Tom Stoppard
Hamlet (1948), dir. Laurence Olivier; Hamlet (1990), dir. Franco Zeffirelli; William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1996), dir. Kenneth Branagh; or Hamlet (2000), dir. Michael Almereyda
Ikiru, dir. Akira Kurosawa
The New World, dir. Terrence Malick
In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
The Up Series, dir. Michael Apted (28 Up, 35 Up, etc.)
For ambitious discussion groups:
2001: A Space Odyssey, dir. Stanley Kubrick
Au Hasard Balthazar, dir. Robert Bresson
Wings of Desire, dir. Wim Wenders
Yi-Yi (A One and a Two), dir. Edward Yang
Magnolia*, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Mindwalk, dir. Bernt Amadeus Capra
Three Colors: Blue, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
Three Colors: Red, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
MISCELLANEOUS
Theme: What is Human?
Films about what it is that makes human beings distinct from animals and machines.
For general discussion groups:
Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, dir. Errol Morris
A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), dir. Steven Spielberg
Gattaca, dir. Andrew Niccol
For ambitious discussion groups:
Wings of Desire, dir. Wim Wenders
Blade Runner, dir. Ridley Scott
2001: A Space Odyssey, dir. Stanley Kubrick
Theme: Death and Mourning
Films about death, dying, and mourning.
For general discussion groups:
Last Orders, dir. Fred Shepisi
Ponette, Jacques Doillon
Wit, dir. Mike Nichols
Into the West, dir. Mike Newell
For ambitious discussion groups:
Three Colors: Blue, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
Tony Takitani, dir. Jun Ichikawa
Cries and Whispers, dir. Ingmar Bergman
The Sweet Hereafter, dir. Atom Egoyan
Love and Death, dir. Woody Allen
Theme: Short Stories about Sin, Consequences, and Wisdom
Films that examine multiple storylines about choices and consequences.
For general discussion groups:
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, dir. Jill Sprecher
Personal Velocity, dir. Rebecca Miller
Gosford Park, dir. Robert Altman
Nine Lives, dir. Rodrigo Garcia
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Decalogue, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
Magnolia*, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Short Cuts, dir. Robert Altman
Theme: Fear
Films about the things that scare us and how we respond to them.
For general discussion groups:
Limbo, dir. John Sayles
The Sixth Sense, dir. M. Night Shyamalan
The Village, dir. M. Night Shyamalan
Unbreakable, dir. M. Night Shyamalan
Signs, dir. M. Night Shyamalan
For ambitious discussion groups:
Safe, dir. Todd Haynes
Dr. Strangelove, dir. Stanley Kubrick
Time of the Wolf, dir. Michael Haneke
Cache, dir. Michael Haneke
Theme: Survival
Films that examine the hardship of living at the mercy of the elements, or of getting through a dark time when civilization is threatened.
For general discussion groups:
Cast Away, dir. Robert Zemeckis
Wit, dir. Mike Nichols
Signs, dir. M. Night Shyamalan
Watership Down, dir. Martin Rosen
Empire of the Sun, dir. Steven Spielberg
War of the Worlds, dir. Steven Spielberg
Lord of the Flies, dir. Peter Brook
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Pianist, dir. Roman Polanski
Time of the Wolf, dir. Michael Haneke
WORLDVIEW
Theme: When Worldviews Conflict and Contrast
Films about differing worldviews, and what happens when they clash.
For general discussion groups:
The Mission, Roland Joffé
The Unbelievable Truth, dir. Hal Hartley
Witness, dir. Peter Weir
Saved!, dir. Brian Dannelly
The Mosquito Coast, dir. Peter Weir
Fearless, dir. Peter Weir
Man on the Train, dir. Patrice Leconte
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, dir. Peter Weir
The Widow of St. Pierre, dir. Patrice Leconte
For ambitious discussion groups:
Ordet, dir. Carl Dreyer
Waking Life, Richard Linklater
Three Colors: Red, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowksi
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Safe, dir. Todd Haynes
I Heart Huckabees, dir. David O. Russell
IMAGINATION
Theme: Art, Artists, and Creativity
Films that examine the challenges that artists face, the role of art in society, and the temptations that come with creative genius.
For general discussion groups:
Pollock, dir. Ed Harris
Amadeus, dir. Milos Forman
Sweet and Lowdown, dir. Woody Allen
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, dir. Martin Scorsese
The Cradle Will Rock, dir. Tim Robbins
Girl with the Pearl Earring, dir. Peter Webber
Rivers and Tides: Any Goldsworthy Working with Time, dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer
For ambitious discussion groups:
The Five Obstructions, dir. Lars Von Trier
Andrei Rublev, dir. Andrei Tarkovsky
Theme: Talent and Genius
Films about people who use their gifts in many and varied ways, with differing motives and results.
For general discussion groups:
Amadeus, dir. Milos Forman
Citizen Kane, dir. Orson Welles
Vincent and Theo, dir. Robert Altman
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, dir. Martin Scorsese
Good Will Hunting, dir. Gus Van Sant
Searching for Bobby Fischer, dir. Steve Zallian
Big Night, dir. Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci
The Aviator, dir. Martin Scorsese
Quiz Show, dir. Robert Redford
Capote, dir. Bennett Miller
For ambitious discussion groups:
Barton Fink, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
And, just for fun…
The Hudsucker Proxy, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
Themes: Imagination and Faith
Films about living imaginatively and with faith in a world that is driven by rationality and doubt.
For general discussion groups:
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, dir. Terry Gilliam
Finding Neverland, dir. Marc Forster
Amelie, dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
American Splendor, dir. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Big Fish, dir. Tim Burton
The Secret of Roan Inish, dir. John Sayles
For ambitious discussion groups:
Brazil, Terry Gilliam
WONDER
Theme: Drawn Toward Mystery
Films about characters who answer a mysterious call, or who step forward in wonder and faith where others draw back in fear and skepticism.
For general discussion groups:
Picnic at Hanging Rock, dir. Peter Weir
Fearless, dir. Peter Weir
The Secret of Roan Inish, dir. John Sayles
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Steven Spielberg
Into the West, dir. Mike Newell
For ambitious discussion groups:
Grizzly Man*, dir. Werner Herzog
The Double Life of Veronique, dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski
Wings of Desire, dir. Wings of Desire
Solaris, dir. Andrei Tarkovsky
The Mirror, dir. Andrei Tarkovsky
PERSPECTIVES
Theme: It’s Tough Being a Kid
Films that consider the world through the eyes of children and teenagers, revealing the pressures, fears, and questions they experience.
For general discussion groups:
In America, dir. Jim Sheridan
Ponette, dir. Jacques Doillon
My Neighbor Totoro, dir. Hayao Miyazaki
E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, dir. Steven Spielberg
Empire of the Sun, dir. Steven Spielberg
Into the West, dir. Mike Newell
Children of Heaven, dir. Majid Majidi
The Color of Paraidse, dir. Majid Majidi
My Life as a Dog, dir. Lasse Haalstrom
Stand by Me, dir. Rob Reiner
For ambitious discussion groups:
Mean Creek, dir. Jacob Aaron Estes
Crazy/Beautiful, dir. John Stockwell
George Washington, David Gordon Green
The Butcher Boy, dir. Neil Jordan
Thirteen, dir. Catherine Hardwicke
The 400 Blows, dir. François Truffaut
Theme: Aging
Films about growing old.
For general discussion groups:
The Up Series, dir. Michael Apted (28 Up, 35 Up, 42 Up, etc.)
Nobody’s Fool, dir. Robert Benton
Fried Green Tomatoes, dir. Jon Avnet
Iris, dir. Richard Eyre
Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, dir. James Ivory
Mrs. Brown, John Madden
Shadowlands, dir. Richard Attenborough
The Straight Story, dir. David Lynch
For ambitious discussion groups:
Ikiru, dir. Akira Kurosawa
Tokyo Story, dir. Yasujiro Ozu
The Seventh Seal, Ingmar Bergman
Wild Strawberries, Ingmar Bergman
Theme: Culture Clash
Films about people of different cultures colliding, interacting, coping with, and learning from each other.
For general discussion groups:
Witness, dir. Peter Weir
Crash, dir. Paul Haggis
House of Sand and Fog, dir. Vadim Perelman
Dances with Wolves, dir. Kevin Costner
Whale Rider, Niki Caro
Empire of the Sun, dir. Steven Spielberg
The Gods Must Be Crazy, dir.
Do the Right Thing, dir. Spike Lee
Bend It Like Beckham, dir.
For ambitious discussion groups:
Time of the Wolf, dir. Michael Haneke
Code Unknown, dir. Michael Haneke
The World, dir. ZhangKe Jia
Distant, dir. Nuri Ceylan Blige
Junebug, dir. Phil Morrison
Three Kings, dir. David O. Russell
The Ballad of Jack and Rose, dir. Rebecca Miller
Theme: Films to Inspire and Challenge Children
Films for adults to watch with children and discuss afterward.
For five-year-olds and up:
My Neighbor Totoro, dir. Hayao Miyazaki
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, dir. John Lounsbery and Wolfgang Reitherman
Toy Story, dir. John Lasseter
Lilo and Stitch, dir. Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders
The Wizard of Oz, dir. Victor Fleming, Mervyn LeRoy, Richard Thorpe, and King Vidor
For eight-year-olds and up:
Duma, dir. Carroll Ballard
The Black Stallion, dir. Carroll Ballard
The Little Princess, dir. Alfonzo Cuarón
Finding Nemo, dir. Andrew Stanton
The Secret of Roan Inish, dir. John Sayles
The Emperor’s New Groove, dir. Mark Dindal
Mary Poppins, dir. Robert Stevenson
Babe, dir. George Miller
The Muppet Movie, dir. James Frawley
The Iron Giant, dir. Brad Bird
Kiki’s Delivery Service, dir. Hayao Miyazaki
The Miracle Maker, dir. Derek W. Hayes and Stanislav Sokolov
The Secret Garden, dir. Agnieska Holland
Monsters, Inc., dir. Pete Docter, David Silverman, and Lee Unkrich
Cars, dir. John Lasseter
The Story of the Weeping Camel, dir. Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni
For ten-year-olds and up:
The Princess Bride, dir. Rob Reiner
Star Wars, dir. George Lucas
Watership Down, dir. Martin Rosen
Into the West, dir. Mike Newell
Spirited Away, dir. Hayao Miyazaki
Holes, dir. Andrew Davis
March of the Penguins, dir. Luc Jacquet
Microcosmos, dir. Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou
To Kill a Mockingbird, dir. Robert Mulligan