To make it meaningful to stay home (see prev. post about 20 pounds CO2 per gallon), herewith, a list of 15 worthwhile movies, defined as movies saying something necessary in a beautiful or funny way. Sissako’s films in particular will take your breath away, but Samba (by Nakache/Toledano with Charlotte Gainsbourg) is my favorite. No need to subscribe to Amazon.com to watch them from there for under $4.00.
Historical: Of Gods & Men (2010) Dir. Xavier Beauvois (set in Algeria)
Fanny’s Journey (2016) Lola Doillon (in WWII France)
Satirical: Bringing Down the House (2003) Steve Martin (race/U.S. society)
The Decoy Bride (2011) Sheree Folkson (Scotland/wedding frenzy)
Madea: Witness Protection (2012) Tyler Perry (his best)
Environmental Documentary (serious but delightful and treading lightly):
The Ants & the Grasshopper (2021) Raj Patel & Zak Piper
Drama: Bamako (2006) Abderrahmane Sissako
A Prophet (2009) Jacques Audiard (set in a French jail- R-rated)
Samba (2014) Olivier Nakache/Eric Toledano
Timbuktu (2014) A. Sissako
Comedy/Drama:
Swades (2004) Ashutosh Gowariker
Lars & the Real Girl (2007) Craig Gillespie
The Band’s Visit (2007) Eran Kolirin
The Best Man Holiday (2013) Malcolm Lee
The Hundred Foot Journey (2014) Lasse Hallstrom
Please add more names of any you like in the comments!
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