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Documentary
Olympia
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Olympia

1938
On the heels of her propaganda film, Triumph of the Will, German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl chronicled the 1936 Olympics with this stellar, poetic sports documentary which captures the games in Berlin, including Jesse Owens's history-making victory. The thrill of the games, the beauty and power of the athletes, Riefenstahl's groundbreaking camera techniques and an evocative soundtrack make this one of the best sports documentaries ever made.

Directed by:

  • Leni Riefenstahl
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    My Neighbor, My Killer
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    My Neighbor, My Killer

    2009
    Victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide try to make peace with the perpetrators of the violence in this compelling documentary from filmmaker Anne Aghion, who takes viewers to a village where government trials attempt to foster reconciliation. The powerful footage follows the court proceedings, where women whose family members were killed are asked to forgive the responsible parties so they can move back into their communities.

    Directed by:

  • Anne Aghion
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    Grey Gardens
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    Grey Gardens

    1975
    Documentary pioneers the Maysles brothers (Gimme Shelter) capture poignant moments in the lives of Jackie O's quirky relatives -- Edith Bouvier Beale, aka Big Edie, and her middle-aged daughter, Little Edie -- at their decaying estate, Grey Gardens. The ladies shut out their bleak present by recalling richer times and lost loves, and while Little Edie confides that she'd like to leave, the camera captures an enduring co-dependency.

    Directed by:

  • Albert Maysles
  • David Maysles
  • Ellen Hovde
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    Paris Is Burning
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    Paris Is Burning

    1990
    Penetrating the tight-knit community of minority drag queens living in New York City, Jennie Livingston's acclaimed documentary offers an early glimpse at the art of "voguing," the underground dance style later popularized by Madonna in her hit song. The film also explores issues such as racism, homophobia and AIDS, while offering a detailed examination of the intricate Ball culture, in which queens are judged for their style and expression.

    Directed by:

  • Jennie Livingston
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Sci-Fi & Fantasy
    Toothless
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    Toothless

    1997
    After her untimely death in an accident, self-absorbed dentist Katherine Lewis (Kirstie Alley) strikes a bargain to redeem herself and work her way out of afterlife limbo by taking on the job of the fabled Tooth Fairy. Lacking compassion at first, she begins to change when she befriends a troubled child (Ross Malinger) in this genial fantasy, which aired as part of the TV anthology series "The Wonderful World of Disney."

    Directed by:

  • Melanie Mayron
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Three Wishes
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    Three Wishes

    1995
    &NFb;&NFb_;A mysterious drifter (Patrick Swayze) and his dog move in with a struggling single mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) whose husband died in the Korean War. Does the stranger really have magical powers, or is he just a tall-tale spinner? Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl, Rambling Rose) directs this period romance with a touch of fantasy.

    Directed by:

  • Martha Coolidge
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Big
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    Big

    1988
    Penny Marshall directs this whimsical comedy in which 12-year-old Josh yearns to be a grown-up, and when he makes that wish at a Coney Island fortunetelling machine, he awakens the next morning as a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). Josh lands a job at a Manhattan toy company, where his child's-eye view helps him climb the ranks -- but he finds himself pining for all he left behind, despite the attention of a beautiful co-worker (Elizabeth Perkins).

    Directed by:

  • Penny Marshall
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Skellig: The Owl Man
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    Skellig: The Owl Man

    2009
    When new kid on the block Michael (Bill Milner) befriends a mesmerizing man named Skellig (Tim Roth) who lives alone in a shed, their blossoming connection helps take Michael's mind off school bullies -- and his baby sister's increasingly troubling illness. Kelly Macdonald and Skye Bennett co-star in this family-friendly, made-for-television adaptation of David Almond's award-winning novel of the same name.

    Directed by:

  • Annabel Jankel
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Children & Family
    Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie
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    Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie

    2006
    Strawberry Shortcake and pals Orange Blossom, Ginger Snap, Angel Cake and Pupcake travel to the Land of Dreams. Their juicy mission is to stop the greedy Peculiar Purple Pieman from stealing all the dreams in Strawberryland. Join the colorful friends as they learn how working together can be a sweet dream. Sarah Heinke provides the voice of Strawberry Shortcake, the animated heroine popular with children and parents since 1980.

    Directed by:

  • Karen Hyden
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong
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    American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong

    2008
    In the first American Girl film based on a modern-day character, young Chrissa finds her life turned upside down when she transfers to a new school, as she struggles to find her own way, make new friends and deal with a clique of bullies. Chrissa tries to adapt to her new surroundings, but she is targeted by a close-knit group of girls in this story about friendship and standing up for yourself. Annabeth Gish and Timothy Bottoms star.

    Directed by:

  • Martha Coolidge
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


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    You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Favorite Parties
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    You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Favorite Parties

    1998
    Tween twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen picked their three favorite party videos -- "Fashion Party," "Costume Party" and "Campout Party" -- for this collection, which includes plenty of singing, dancing and fun for the whole family. The girls dress up for a real-life runway show, travel back in time to groove to the music of different eras, and go on an outdoor adventure full of hiking, fishing and more.

    Directed by:

  • Barbara Daoust
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    Unstrung Heroes
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    Unstrung Heroes

    1995
    Steven Lidz (Nathan Watt) is 12 years old, confused and angry. Overwhelmed by life with an ailing mother (Andie MacDowell) and an emotionally distant father (John Turturro), Steven runs off to live with his two eccentric uncles (Michael Richards and Maury Chaykin). There, he finds a measure of solace in his uncles' strange and endearing idiosyncrasies -- and makes the transition from boyhood innocence to a young man's understanding of life.

    Directed by:

  • Diane Keaton
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    Drama
    Lady Chatterley
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    Lady Chatterley

    2006
    When her husband is paralyzed in World War I, frustration drives Lady Chatterley into an affair with a gamekeeper. She finds in her new lover not only physical passion but also an inner kindness, both of which her husband can no longer provide.

    Directed by:

  • Pascale Ferran
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


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    Of Love and Other Demons
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    Of Love and Other Demons

    2009
    Sierva María (Eliza Triana), the 13-year old daughter of nobles, finds her life turned upside down when she's bitten by a rabid dog, and afterward is believed to be under the spell of demons, in this tale of forbidden love during the Spanish Inquisition. When it's decided that Sierva must submit to an exorcism, young priest Cayetano Delaura (Pablo Derqui) is assigned the task, but ultimately he finds himself possessed by Sierva's stirring sexuality.

    Directed by:

  • Hilda Hidalgo
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Heaven on Earth
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    Heaven on Earth

    2008
    After a cheerful wedding celebration, young bride Chand (Preity Zinta) arrives in Toronto and meets her new husband, Rocky (Vansh Bhardwaj). But soon, she discovers his violent nature and the disturbingly dysfunctional tone of his family. Cut off from her family and desperate to cope with Rocky's abuse and her mother-in-law's domineering personality, Chand hopes a co-worker's love potion will solve her problems. Deepa Mehta directs.

    Directed by:

  • Deepa Mehta
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


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    Streetwalkin'
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    Streetwalkin'

    1985
    This gritty drama follows the downward spiral of Cookie, a runaway who ends up as a hooker in New York City. When things get violent, Cookie tries to flee again, but her enraged pimp will stop at nothing to keep her under his thumb.

    Directed by:

  • Joan Freeman
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 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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