Resources: Movies
University Unitarian Universalist Society is a lay-led congregation. This page is dedicated to University UUs to share their personal favorites with one another; many of the suggestions come from members and friends. Please share any suggestions or comments by sending email to SC (bottom of SC page). Updated last 2010-10-24
Inside Job (2010) - Charles Ferguson ("No End in Sight") uncovers the large scale fraud behind the wall street meltdown of 2008. The film explores the mechanics of the inside corrupution of our government, and the collapse of the system, which was bailed out. This intelligent filmaker lays out the history of the criminal conspiracy, and questions why the American government has not pursued justice, since no one was prosecuted. The film has neither a right or left leaning bias, but stays focused on how things were accomplished.
Food, Inc. (2009) - An intelligent & entertaining film about the way food is produced. It will alter your way that you look at food. It would make a good pick for the UU ethical eating focus. I also suggest reading Fast Food Nation and "The Omnivore's Dilemma."
District 9 (2009) - A clever twist on the boring alien invasion story. Aliens show up over South Africa in a broken star ship. Because of the loss of their queen, the aliens are rudderless, making them victims of a system that claims to be helping them. The film explores whether it is necessary to suffer to understand the plight of the less fortunate. Best scifi film of 2009.
Iron Man (2008) - It isn't an intelligent film... The storyline has holes in it... It's based on a comic book... However, Robert Downey Jr.'s acting performance makes it a fun summer film.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) - A creative and intelligent film directed by Julian Schnabel, based on the best selling memoir of the same name. After having a stroke, our protagonist finds that in one sense he is essentially trapped in his body like a man in a diving bell. Yet, this man comes to live more consciously as he explores his past, and uses his imagination to escape the mundane existence. Thank you Ms. Fundim.
Rendition 2007 - Explores the U.S. government's extraordinary rendition program in which the CIA has extradite foreign nationals for interrogation in secret overseas prisons, without due process. Its storyline is powerful. Much of its power comes from its personal story, which is the way that humans best understand torture, not as a mental abstraction or sheer numbers, but as a personal in your face portrayal.
The Lives of Others 2007 - At once a political thriller and human drama, THE LIVES OF OTHERS begins in East Berlin in 1984, five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin....
Infamous 2006 - Strong acting by Toby Jones as Capote and Daniel Craig as Perry Smith in a more involving story than Capote. Movie covers many of the highlights of Capote's life based on the book, Capote, by George Plimpton.
Tsotsi (R), DVD, 2006, This film includes some intense brutality but in the end is a spiritually moving film where the main character slowly becomes human after accidently taking a child during a car jacking.
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, Movie, 2006, A moving experience as this documentary-concert film covers a 2005 tribute show honoring this Montreal poet's seventieth birthday. Highlights include Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," Nick Cave on "Suzanne" and Beth Orton and Jarvis Cocker on "Death of a Ladies Man." Cohen interprets his songs and tells of adventures that took him from New York clubs to a Zen monastery.
An Inconvenient Truth, Movie, 2006, This movie has received many kudos for its accurate presentation concerning global pollution which is causing unprecedented climate change. Al Gore worked within the Clinton administration to reflect the science, being instrumental in the U.S. signing on with the Kyoto agreement. A must see film, see Roger Ebert's Review and Climate Science from Climate Scientists.
The Times of Harvey Milk, DVD, 1983, Both inspiring and heart wrenching, this documentary covers the life of social activist Harvey Milk. Besides helping to acheive some level of equality for gay men and women, Mr. Milk worked hard to improve the conditions of many (senior citizens, the poor and minorities). Unfortunately his life and that of San Francisco's mayor was tragically ended in a brutal killing of both Mr. Milk and the Mayor of San Francisco that a jury ruled was manslaughter. For more information, see Harvey Milk.
Murderball, DVD, 2005, Fantastic documentary about quadriplegics who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs - overcoming all obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games.
Rize, DVD, 2005, A riveting documentary about the Los Angeles worlds of clowning and krumping. Spectacular visual experience, see also Amazon review.
Kung Fu Hustle, DVD, 2005, is a creative, fun movie that is sort of a mixture of the Matrix, Bruce Lee, and Resevoir Dogs. Unlike the Matrix, it's not pretencious and has genuine heart while being quite entertaining, including comedic.
Serenity, DVD, 2005, is an imaginative, superior science fiction film by Joss Whedon. Originally a television series called Firefly, it was a mixture of old west with good dialogue and well developed characters. Fox television showed the series out of sequence on television and then canceled it. The film follows the team after the series end.
Junebug, Movie, 2005, is a film concerning getting to know each party's birth family. Highly recommended by Steve Hall.
The Constant Gardener, Movie, 2005, is an emotionally moving film based on a novel by John Le Carre. The film concentrates less on the detective aspects and more on the journey of a man discovering his wife after her death. The plot revolves around powerful pharmaceutical firms exploiting Africans and the cover ups involved with a compromised British government. The footage of Africa is quite haunting. This director also made the powerful, City of God.
Downfall, DVD, 2003, is a powerful film concerning the last days of the Nazi regime. The movie has been criticized for its portrayal of a human Hitler. Many people would prefer to think of him as a madman whereas he was a shrewd politician who essentially seized more land than Germany did during WWI without engaging significant resistance. The film reminds us that when leaders are not held accountable for their misdeeds, others suffer.
The Triplets of Belleville (TOB), DVD, 2004, is one of the most imaginative films I have ever seen- highly rated. TOB is an animated film with an intelligent script that draws you into its own world full of threats, mysteries, and a genuine charm not matched in many films.
Crash, Movie, 2005, a Lions Gate Film, takes a challenging and unflinching look at the complexities of racial intolerance in America. This film is intelligently written and directed with a superb cast that includes: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, William Fichtner, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe and Larenz Tate. This is one of the best American films ever made.
Forbidden Passion - Oscar Wilde, DVD 1986, This film covers the life of Oscar Wilde, including his trial and subsequent imprisonment. An excellent performance by the gifted British actor, Michael Gambon. Thank you, Mark Spivey. For more information on Oscar Wilde's life, see Wikipedia's Oscar Wilde.
Vera Drake, DVD, 2005, Writer-director Mike Leigh's movie concerns a helpful house cleaner in 1950s London named Vera Drake who takes care of her own family, shut-ins and a lonely man. Her love ones are not aware that Vera also helps young women get rid of unwanted pregnancies, until a near death triggers an investigation, and the police show up during a family get together. The movie doesn't take a stance concerning this issue, but instead explores how the wealthy and poor cope with unwanted pregnancies. The relationships breath with life. Imelda Staunton, as Vera Drake, is outstanding in her portrayal.
Million Dollar Baby, DVD, 2004, Clint Eastwood tragic "Million Dollar Baby," explores a controversial issue, while exploring the fight world. It's a powerful film that is not recommended for children, but for anyone willing to confront bigger questions of themselves and their own responsibility. Thank you, Kathy Parry.
Super Size Me, DVD, 2004, Surprisingly good documentary were a man decides to eat at McDonald's for a month straight (breakfast, lunch, dinner) to see if there are any negative effects on his body. He has physicians who monitor him, but even they are surprised at how much his health declines in a short period of time. The filmmaker addresses personal responsibility but delves further into corporate responsibility and into school boards who have mandated less physical education and allowed junk food into many school cafeterias as a source of income to alleviate government education cutbacks, see Attack of the Food Giant.
Bonhoeffer, 2003, a compelling story of a Theologian who gave his life stop the tyrannical rule of the fascist Nazi party. Bonhoeffer went to great efforts to protect the Jewish people, while many other churches were more concerned with accommodating the Nazi party. Bonhoeffer felt his personal beliefs should be reflecting back in how he lived his life. A must see.
Genghis Blues, DVD/VHS, 2000, fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable documentary connecting a blues musician, the country of Tuva, physicist Richard Feynman, and throat singing. Paul Pena is a blind blues musician who makes a journey to the country of Tuva to express his joy of their ancient throat singing. Two college kids created this excellent film.
My Architect, 2003, a legendary architect dies alone in a train station men's room and his illegitimate son begins a journey to understand the father he never knew. "My Architect" is a riveting story of this unfolding tale. Louis I. Kahn is considered by many architects to have been one of the most important architects in recent history. Kahn's artistic effort was a search for truth and clarity, yet his personal life was filled with chaos and betrayal. The son, Nathaniel, explores his father's life in search of knowing his father.
Mystic River, DVD, 2003, Clint Eastwood's film, based on Dennis Lehane's novel, is a gritty crime fiction with the themes of violence, honor and guilt. Sean Penn and many others put forth excellent acting performances. This is an excellent film that is not recommended for children.
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision 1995 Academy Award winner for best documentary. This film covers the work of a courageous young woman who as a Yale college student designs the winning Vietnam memorial. For me, the story is about discovering our own chosen path. The film spends sometime on this story in itself which is interesting in itself. Later, it covers some of her other works, including the Civil Rights Memorial.
42 Up, DVD, 1999. Fascinating film follows the life of fourteen British children from age 7 through adulthood. The film maker revisits each of them every 7 years, uncovering the decisions they make and their consequences, successes and failures and the social-economic factors that affect us all.
9/11, DVD, 2002. Heartfelt documentary by award-winning French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, who started out to make a movie about a rookie NYC fireman's transition to manhood. Instead, their film is a witness to the tragedy and courageous efforts of fireman and relief workers at the World Trade Center on 9-11.
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Special Edition) (1964) Stanley Kubrick's cold-war satire of political & military insanity is genius. Peter Sellers plays three roles- Dr. Strangelove, (a mad scientist) a British colonel, & President of the United States. George C. Scott stands out in a brilliant portrayal of an American general.
Fight Club, DVD/VHS, 2000, Fincher's late 20th century psychological masterpiece. A powerful film whose title is inappropriate; it's not so much about fighting with others as with yourself. Intense film with violence, strong language & explicit sexuality, not suitable for children.
Rabbit-Proof Fence, DVD, 2000. This true story covers the life of three young girls who are forcibly taken from their families in 1931 as part of Australian's government program, now known as Australia's Stolen Generation- this program continued into the 1970s. For more information, see Australia's Stolen Generation. Kathy Parry recommends The Fatal Shore, The epic of Australia's founding, by Robert Hughes (1986).
21 Grams, 2004, excellent movie about injuries to ourselves and others. Twenty one grams is supposed to be the weight we all lose at the moment of death- some used to think this was the weight of the soul. Naomi Watts, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn deliver powerful performances. Intense film with violence and explicit sexuality- not suitable for children.
