A Time For Drunken Horses (2000)

Directed by Bahman Ghobadi, A Time for Drunken Horses stars Ayoub Ahmadi, Rojin Younessi, Amaneh Ekhtiar-dini, and Madi Ekhtiar-dini. Each of these children use their real first name in the film, in which Ayoub plays a young boy who suddenly is thrust into paternity. He and his eldest sister, Rojin, combine efforts in order to take care of their sickly brother, Madi. This film gives up a glimpse into the lives of Kurdish children who are just a few of the many Kurds plagued by invisible boundaries drawn by authoritarian governments. Although they're all Kurds in the area, they must smuggle goods back and forth as some live in Iraq, and the others live in Iran.

This movie is particularly dark, yet offers a tiny bit of humor. One will find their heart warmed by scenes where the siblings display their love for one another, yet that will quickly end when the children are confronted on all sides by difficulties from adults who one would think would have mercy on children. This cutthroat world of survival first is poignantly exhibited for the world to see.

While this movie leaves the viewer hoping, the outlook is pretty dim. I would not recommend anyone watch this with children, even though there is no violence or bad language. The content and issues dealt with in this film are far too serious for a child to be exposed to.

On a side note, I would like bring up the fact that some of the comments and plot synopses on this movie state that Madi is the youngest of the children, however in the movie Ayoub says that he is 15. I believe Madi to actually be the oldest, but being developmentally challenged has not only physically crippled him, but mentally as well.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Some Like It Hot is a 1959 American comedy classic directed by Bill Wilder. It stars Marylin Monroe as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, the beautiful but ditsy and gullible lead singer of a travelling all-girl band. Joe and Jerry, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, respectively, are two unfortunate musicians who witness the Valentine's Day Massacre. They decide to dress up as women as go on tour with the all-girl band in order to conceal their identities and make some money.

This film is mainly a comedy, and it plays through very well. Even though some of the jokes are physical/slapstick type of humor, there are some legitimately funny lines that stick out and seem to cross generations in their impact. One will find themselves chuckling as they watch the unfortunate duo of Joe and Jerry travel to Florida where their story reaches its climax.

This film can be recommended to anyone as the humor is innocent and often easy to get. There are some violent scenes, but the violence is loosely portrayed, probably partially due to the fact that in 1959, squib technology was not where it is today. Special effects aside, this film is definitely a worthy addition to one's comedy collection, if not only just for sentimental value.

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 Maori language film that deals with the troubles of a modern Maori family. As often experienced by people descended from tribal culture, they find themselves lost in life without a real link to their heritage.

Directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Rena Owen as the triumphant Beth Heke and Temeura Morrison as the abusive yet troubled Jake Heke, Once Were Warriors offers a story of retribution and the power of one's ancestral culture. Jake abuses his family, especially his wife, as he drinks away all of their money. Beth, just wanting to protect her children, puts up with the abuse. While struggling with this, Beth is also plagued by feelings of having no connection with her ancestors. Maoris often find themselves losing their culture in the melting pot of modern society.

This film was powerful, but not one I would watch more than once. It's a great story of courage, especially when Beth finds strength in returning to her culture and confronts Jake about his abusive ways. However, the film is not enjoyable as it is filled with disturbing imagery and sad themes. It's one to experience, but perhaps not one to enjoy.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

1988's Cinema Paradiso is an Italian language film directed and written by Giuseppe Tornatore. It's a film that manages to contain the whole of Tornatore's life within a couple hours through skillful use of artistic direction. From a daydreaming, movie-obsessed child to a successful film maker, we follow the life of Toto, a boy who must lose everything he's had in order to find out what he is capable of.

This film is inspirational. Although Toto is chastised by his mother for constantly watching movies and wanting to be at the theater, he continues to follow his passion. Eventually, he follows the advice of his new mentor, Alfredo the projector operator. He leaves his hometown, unsure of what will be left when he returns. This film shows that bravery is necessary for one to find themselves, and that one shouldn't be so afraid of losing their home, as places must change with each generation.

I would definitely recommend this film for anyone who feels that they are the black sheep of the family. That is, anyone who feels that they have found their calling but are constantly told that this is wrong by their family. Sometimes, one just needs to let go of everything and everyone so that they can finally have the freedom to pursue their goals.

The Kite Runner (2007)

Directed by Marc Forster, The Kite Runner is a film that features the Dari, Pashtu, Russian, Urdu, and English languages. The film partially takes place in California, however the main story occurs in Afghanistan.

The Kite Runner stars Khalid Abdalla as Amir, a boy who grows up in Afghanistan and befriends a young boy named Hassan, who is the son of the family servant. This film shows some disturbing scenes that highlight issues in Afghanistan's history, and is highly valuable for anyone looking for a glimpse into what it may be like to grow up in such a troubled land. From the Taliban to Russians, Afghanistan is a country that has been rocked by fighting and fundamentalists/extremists attempting to seize control by force. Sometimes one can find solace only through escaping to a foreign land such as the USA.

Familial secrets and a guilty conscience find our protagonist putting his "normal" life in California on pause in order to redeem himself for past cowardice in Afghanistan. This film is a must-see, however some may find it a bit too depressing, as often these types of films are. The journey to self realization is never an easy one, however, director Forster makes it one worth taking.

The Namesake (2006)

With films such as Bachelor Party and Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle under his belt, one would think Kal Penn was focused only on comedic acting. However, he gives a great performance as Gogol in the 2006 film, The Namesake. The Namesake is a film that deals with a family of first generation immigrants from India. The parents have come to America to make a better life, and their children, being born in America, act starkly different from how children in India would act. The parents must figure out how to deal with the culture gap between them and their children, all while struggling to fit in America themselves. Gogol, the son of Ashoke and Ashima, tragically begins to discover his connection with his parents' birth country after the death of his father.

Irrfan Khan's portrayal of Ashoke is heartfelt and pure. He gives the character a breath of life that lets the audience know what kind of person he is. He does not want to trouble his son with his own story, but it would mean a lot for him if Gogol did learn the significance of his name.

This film is great for viewing at any time in any company. It's not vulgar or graphic and yet deals with very mature themes., making it a suitable film for any adult.

Central Station (1998)

Central Station is a Portuguese language film based in Brazil. It stars Fernanda Montenegro as the accidental hero, and Vinicus de Oliveira as her benefactor, Josue. After an unfortunate event at the train station, Isadora is left to find Josue's family, or at least find some sort of future for him. It's a powerful roller coaster of emotions as Dora and Josue develop an adoptive mother/son relationship.

Montenegro's casting as Isadora made it a believable character and one that the audience could relate to. She is not the typical movie star beauty who immediately captivates everyone when she enters the room. She is purposefully shown to be an average, even homely woman who is desperately seeking some sort of romantic and familial relationship.

I found this movie to be greatly entertaining, especially as Dora Josue's chemistry was palpable. There are some disturbing themes brought up in this movie, notably one involving Josue's future, but they are tactfully dealt with by the director, Walter Salles. I would recommend this movie for anyone looking for a heartfelt and honest story about two unlikely souls forming a bond that lasts a lifetime.

City Lights (1931)

City Lights is an English film directed by and starring the legendary Charles Chaplin. It is the story of a poor tramp and a blind flower girl who are entangled by fate and develop one of the most endearing relationships in cinema history. The tramp, upon finding out that the flower girl's blindness can be cured, ends up going on a wild adventure that eventually ends with success and jail time.

It's strange to find that certain things almost never change. The humor in this movie is still spot on and does not succumb to the generation gap. Timing and delivery definitely play a strong part in the success of this film, as Charles Chaplin was a master of both. Although I enjoyed this film, I would most likely not watch it again, as I am not particularly a fan of the silent movie genre, although I appreciate its place in film history.

This movie is worth a watch if you're up for a couple of laughs and want to experience cinematic history.

Tsotsi (2005)

Tsotsi is a South African film about a young boy who must learn to overcome the hardships of his past to become a better person. Although he is a very dark individual, he shows a certain innocence that the audience can connect with. After unintentionally committing a crime that stresses his morals beyond their breaking point, we find Tsotsi having to go through a period of self reflection and doubt while he decides on what to do next.

I enjoyed this film, although it is certainly dark and depressing. The main character's upbringing is just an example of the type of living condition that many children in this area are experiencing, starkly contrasting the rich homeowners in the suburbs of Johannesburg. This movie shows that no matter where one is in their life, regardless of the things they have done, they still have the chance to do better. Although it may not make up for past actions, it can be liberating and fulfilling to know that you can change your ways and become a decent human being.

The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate's appearance onto the cinematic scene brought a new type of film to the playing field. The Graduate is an American Language film directed by Mike Nichols and stars Anne Bancroft as the seductive Mrs. Robinson and Dustin Hoffman as the bright eyed and ever hopeful Ben Braddock.

I loved the movie's portrayal of a young graduate's life in America. Although it is a concept that would seemingly offer little in terms of emotionally moving themes, especially when compared to other films that take place in less fortunate landscapes, this film is able to produce characters that the viewer can feel for.

No matter where one comes from, they should be able to connect with the experience of Ben, someone with potential but no real direction. At some point, everyone goes through a searching phase, where they may get into trouble, but come out for the better in the end.