1. About Schmidt: Schmidt rolls
over in bed, looks at his sleeping wife and asks himself, "How did this
old woman get in my bed?" That line condenses his dilemma, a retiree who
is wondering what meaning his life has. This is the humorous and touching road
story of a man searching for a connection.
2. Adaptation: This is
the story of an actual screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman, who is struggling to
find his artistic voice. Setting out to adapt the book The Orchid Thief,
he ends up writing the movie we are watching.
3. Catch Me if You Can:
Frank Abagnale, Jr. learned to commit crimes from his father, the biggest
influence of his childhood. The absence of conscience in Frank's adult life
made him search for a strong father figure, represented perfectly by FBI agent
Carl Hanatty. "Catch Me if You Can" is a compelling story that depicts
how change is possible, even in the most hopeless case.
4. Chicago: On a backdrop
of exhilarating, uplifting music, the timeless tale of how the media's meddling
can affect a criminal trial is told. "Chicago" offers captivating
music and dance scenes that linger in the viewer's mind for days after seeing
the film.
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding:
This heartwarming production is a modern Cinderella story with a hilarious
ethnic twist.
6. Gangs of New York: We
see all the primitive violence man is capable of when ethnic religious conflict
is compounded by economic impoverishment. An early history of the Five Corners
neighborhood in New York City, this is still a very modern story.
7. Talk to Her: A beautiful
portrayal of the friendship that develops between two men who share a common
circumstance: they both adore two different women suffering from comas in
the same hospital. This dramatic film is poignantly highlighted with music,
dance and humor. The two men, Benigno and Marco, enjoy a powerful bonding
that offers a hopeful future to all who long to experience the healing power
of love.
8. The Hours: This movie
provides insight into the complicated interplay of many psychological issues,
including depression, suicide, and mother-child relationships. "The Hours"
points to the link between depression and creativity; that is, it provides
an example of creative people enduring the internal struggles that fuel their
passionate inspiration.
9. The Pianist: "The
Pianist" is a beautiful portrayal of one Polish Jew and his family's
journey through the Holocaust. Wladyslaw Szpilman survives psychologically
and physically because he maintains his identity as a cultured musician who
does not allow the horrors around him to quell his talent.
10. 25th Hour: Our critic
thinks this is Spike Lee's best and most sophisticated film yet. "25th
Hour" shows how strong the power of fantasy can be as a young convicted
drug dealer awaiting imprisonment reflects on his life and his relationships.
