Movie recommendations

 This showed up in my FB memories from 10 years ago. This list held up really well.

My movie list. Two important things: it's not my favorite movies of all time, it's my favorites that I thought my friends would like, and it's comprised of movies I thought my friends wouldn't have seen, so it's mostly movies no one's heard of!

Remember the Titans (2000) - obviously sports movies are not my genre, but this is special

Gattaca (1997) - atmospheric exploration of a future world where advances in genetics has led to discrimination against "naturals" - people born without genetic engineering

The Siege (1998) -- terrific political thriller; it's scary how prescient this movie was, about the American government manipulating the situation in the Middle East in order to declare martial law in the U.S.

Absolute Power (2002) - not one of Clint Eastwood’s most celebrated films, but a fine intelligent mystery enlivened by terrific performances; based on a novel by David Balducci

The Interpreter (2005) - strangely under-rated; the subplot involves political developments in the UN and an African country, but the main story is a moving exploration of grief

Signs (2002) - ostensibly about an alien invasion, this is really a meditation on lost faith

The Third Miracle (1999) -- Ed Harris as a priest having a spiritual crisis; based on an equally terrific book

Return to Paradise (1998) - before he was a staple in raunchy comedies, Vince Vaughn gave a few dramatic performances and this is the best; this movie poses the age old question “am I my brother’s keeper” with devastating results

Matewan (1987) - hard to pick a favorite Sayles film, but this one really shines; about a coal miners’ strike in West Virginia; amazing performances and stellar writing; everyone I recommend this to becomes a fan

Coupe de Ville (1990) - terrific road movie and family dramedy about feuding brothers taking their father's treasured car across country, bickering all the way

Funny Bones (1995) - dramedy about family relations and the roots of comedy's soul, with Jerry Lewis, and Oliver Platt in one of his best roles ever

Safe Men (1998) - quirky comedy about a group of bungling burglars; stellar cast includes Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Michael Lerner and Paul Giamatti in an early role that suggests he’s destined for greatness

The Imposters (1998) - offbeat comedy with Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt as hapless comedians stowing away on a cruise ship

Zero Effect (1998) - odd but super entertaining comedy about “the world’s greatest private investigator”

Who Am I This Time? (1982) -- based on a Kurt Vonnegut short story (though you'd never guess) with Christopher Walken (in a rare sweet performance) and Susan Sarandon; they fall in love during a community theater performance of A Streetcar Named Desire.