​Watership Down (1978, 2015 Criterion Collection edition)
Recommended by Angela Labenski, Campus Operator
"Watership Down" was made into an animated feature film in 1978. There was also a Television series from 1999-2001. Also a miniseries in 2018 which was also released on Netflix.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Recommended by Lee Fellows, Coordinator of Science Facilities and Equipment
"I think the 13th Warrior might be an educational as well as an enjoyable adventure film. Crichton was a serious author, and based his fiction on actual events, or true cultural and scientific mores of the period. The 13 Warrior tells of the clash of three disparate 16th century cultures; two of them noble but different; one debased (in modern human terms). The story evolves around a Viking stead-holder under siege by a cannibalistic horde, a separate Viking village that sends warriors to his aid, and a Muslim cultural envoy who gets caught up in the conflict. Crichton never made a dull movie (example: Jurassic Park!), or a nasty one, so any age, sex or social proclivity can enjoy this picture."
Far From Men (2014) Original title: Loin des hommes
Recommended by Phil Hopkins, Philosophy
"French drama set at the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence. A fascinating encounter between two men rich with political insight, with echoes for the 18th and 19th c imperial US and for the middle east more broadly. Adapted from Camus' The Guest.
The Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005)
Recommended by Phil Hopkins, Philosophy
"There's no real plot. The filmmaker lived with a family on the Mongolian plains for a season and then edited her footage to tell something like a story. A glimpse inside a fascinating world."
Ali's Wedding (2017)
Recommended by Dr. Erin Taylor, Chemistry
"A funny comedy and romance in the Australian Islamic community. It was nice to see a different culture shown on screen that is not just a token or stereotype."
Roma (2018)Recommended by David Gaines, English Department
""Roma" (2018) is the best movie I have seen in the past year. No, make that the past few years. Alfonso Cuaron's loving homage to the woman who raised him and to Mexico City is one beautiful shot after another. So many frames could hang on the walls of a remarkable photography exhibit. The depictions of family life--a complicated marriage, sibling interactions, holiday parties, and (above all) the permeable membrane between nannies and children--cross borders of space and time. Watch the closing credits that end with "Shantih Shantih Shantih," Sanskrit for "the peace that surpasseth understanding." Indeed."
Candleshoe (1977)
Recommended by Theresa Zelasko, Library
"Teenage Jodie Foster cons a Dame, her entourage of orphans, and her staff in this vintage Disney caper movie. When ex-con artist Harry (Leo McKern) claims that a secret treasure is hidden inside Candleshoe, an English estate, he creates an elaborate plan to find and steal the prize. By convincing a girl named Casey (Foster) to impersonate the estate owner's granddaughter, Harry hopes to uncover the treasure's location. But when Casey has a change of heart, she must follow the clues and find the treasure, in order to save Candleshoe and stop Harry before it is too late. Helen Hayes and the fabulous David Niven also star. "
The Best of Enemies (2019)
Recommended by Alicia Moore, Education
"I must admit that I have seen it yet. Here is a snapshot of the movie's storyline: "Atwater, a well-known and influential community leader, helps change the heart and mind of Ellis, then the president of the Durham Ku Klux Klan, during a period of stark racial divide." I can't wait to see it in a few weeks (4/3/19)." Read more here.