Drama
The Secret Garden
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The Secret Garden

1993
This evocative adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved children's novel recounts the tale of Mary (Kate Maberly), a strong-willed English girl who's orphaned during an earthquake in India and must move into her unfeeling uncle's oppressive mansion. But the somber girl's mood lightens when she finds the key to a neglected garden that brings the entire house to life in this moving film from Polish director Agnieszka Holland.

Directed by:

  • Agnieszka Holland
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    The Secret Life of Bees
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    The Secret Life of Bees

    2008
    Haunted by her mother's death, 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) escapes her dreary life on her father's farm and heads to Tiburon, S.C., with friend and caregiver Rosaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson), spawning a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Set amid the hotbed of racial tensions in the 1960s South, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood's touching drama is based on Sue Monk Kidd's best-selling novel of the same name.

    Directed by:

  • Gina Prince-Bythewood
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    City of Men
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    City of Men

    2003
    Based on Fernando Meirelles' s acclaimed drama City of God, this Brazilian TV series navigates the slums of Rio de Janeiro, following the exploits of two teens coming of age in one of the city's infamous shantytowns. Blending scenes of uncompromising realism with humor, these episodes introduce 13-year-old best friends Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) and Acerola (Douglas Silva), whose pluck and spirit prevail in the face of soul-crushing poverty.

    Directed by:

  • Fernando Meirelles
  • Katia Lund
  • Cesar Charlone
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    The Women of Brewster Place
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    The Women of Brewster Place

    1989
    Booted out of her parents' house after refusing to identify her unborn baby's father, Mattie Michael moves to a run-down housing project on Brewster Place, where she joins a group of strong-minded women battling poverty, bigotry and other woes.

    Directed by:

  • Donna Deitch
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    Persepolis
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    Persepolis

    2007
    Marjane (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni) just wants to be an ordinary kid, but that isn't easy in 1978 Iran. This profound animated film follows Marjane's childhood in a repressive society, her adolescence in France and her return to Tehran as an adult. Based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, this Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature Film also features the vocal talents of Catherine Deneuve and Simon Abkarian.

    Directed by:

  • Vincent Paronnaud
  • Marjane Satrapi
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    The Tango Lesson
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    The Tango Lesson

    1997
    Writer-director Sally Potter also stars in this semiautobiographical drama. Frustrated with her latest movie script, a screenwriter flees to Paris, where she meets Pablo (Pablo Verón), a gifted tango dancer who changes her life. In exchange for dance lessons, she promises to cast Pablo in her film. Romance blossoms, but constant fighting threatens to undermine their partnership on the dance floor.

    Directed by:

  • Sally Potter
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    The Ron Clark Story
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    The Ron Clark Story

    2006
    Idealistic young teacher Ron Clark (Matthew Perry, in an Emmy-nominated role) is full of hope as he leaves the familiarity of his hometown for New York City's provocative and volatile inner-city public school system. Clark's fearless devotion and fresh approach to learning is his key to unlocking the chains of ignorance that bind his students. Randa Haines directs this Emmy-nominated biographical drama based on the inspiring true life of the innovative educator.

    Directed by:

  • Randa Haines
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    Entre Nos
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    Entre Nos

    2009
    Abruptly abandoned by her husband in a country completely foreign to her, Colombian native Mariana (Paola Mendoza) struggles to take care of herself and her two young children on the unforgiving streets of New York City. Sebastian Villada, Laura Montana and Anthony Chisholm also star in this gritty independent drama jointly written and directed by Mendoza and her collaborator Gloria La Morte.

    Directed by:

  • Paola Mendoza
  • Gloria La Morte
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    Masterpiece Mystery!: Poirot: Cards on the Table
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    Masterpiece Mystery!: Poirot: Cards on the Table

    2005
    The enigmatic Mr. Shaitana (Alexander Siddig) hosts an evening of bridge that results in his own murder. Fortunately, four of his eight guests are in the sleuthing business -- including famed Belgian inspector Hercule Poirot (David Suchet). The other four attendees also have something in common: Shaitana suspected that each one had gotten away with murder. Poirot searches for clues in their card play.

    Directed by:

  • Sarah Harding
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    We Need to Talk About Kevin
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    We Need to Talk About Kevin

    2011
    Eva's relationship with her son, Kevin, has been difficult from the beginning. When the 15-year-old boy's cruel streak erupts into violence, Eva wonders how much blame she deserves for his actions.

    Directed by:

  • Lynne Ramsay
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Felicity: An American Girl Adventure
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    Felicity: An American Girl Adventure

    2005
    Based on the popular American Girl series of dolls and books, this tale set in colonial Williamsburg follows 10-year-old Felicity Merriman (Shailene Woodley) as she becomes enamored with a beautiful mare and attempts to rescue the horse from its abusive owner. Along the way, the high-spirited girl learns valuable lessons of independence, responsibility and loyalty. John Schneider, Marcia Gay Harden and Kevin Zegers lead the supporting cast.

    Directed by:

  • Nadia Tass
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Pay It Forward
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    Pay It Forward

    2000
    In this gentle drama from director Mimi Leder, young Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) responds to a school assignment with a plan to help three people who will, in turn, help three more, and so on, in an ever-widening circle. But Trevor touches more people than he expected, including his abused mother (Helen Hunt), his physically and emotionally scarred teacher (Kevin Spacey) and a journalist (Jay Mohr) who's investigating the plan.

    Directed by:

  • Mimi Leder
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Little Women
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    Little Women

    1994
    Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel comes to life in this sensitive, soulful adaptation. Four sisters (including Winona Ryder, Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst) and their mother (Susan Sarandon) battle life's vicissitudes in Civil War-era America after their father leaves to join the conflict. Brimming with compelling performances from a strong ensemble cast, Little Women breathes new cinematic life into a revered classic.

    Directed by:

  • Gillian Armstrong
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Water
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    Water

    2005
    After losing her husband to illness, 8-year-old Chuyia (Sarala) is forced to live out the rest of her days in a temple for Hindu widows, communing with 14 other women and a cruel headmistress who agrees to take her in. But it's through the trials of another widow, a beautiful prostitute named Kalyani (Lisa Ray) who's being courted by a man from a higher caste (John Abraham), that Chuyia learns the true restrictions of widowhood.

    Directed by:

  • Deepa Mehta
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Suburbia
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    Suburbia

    1984
    Escaping their hard-boozing mother, Evan (Bill Coyne) and his brother, Ethan (Andrew Pece), take refuge with punks who live as squatters in an abandoned home next to a highway in this Penelope Spheeris-helmed film, which examines Los Angeles' punk rock scene in the 1980s. But the boys' newfound clan is tested when a group of discontented suburbanites comes down on them. T.S.O.L., The Vandals and D.I. deliver live performances.

    Directed by:

  • Penelope Spheeris
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Wildflower
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    Wildflower

    1991
    Diane Keaton directs this touching drama about a brother and a sister who befriend Alice, an epileptic forced to live in a barn, and decide to help her discover a kinder, more forgiving world.

    Directed by:

  • Diane Keaton
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Now and Then
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    Now and Then

    1995
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
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