Rescue Dawn

Rescue Dawn (2006) is directed by Werner Herzog, and stars Christian Bale as an American fighter pilot shot down & captured by villagers in Laos. The film is set during the Vietnam War, and is based on a real life story of a German American pilot Dieter Dengler. 'Rescue Dawn' is not an action war movie, but is a moving war drama focusing on internal emotional states of prisoners-of-war struggling to survive in captivity, with plans of escaping. 'Rescue Dawn' was filmed on location in the jungles of Thailand.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462504/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_Dawn

Mood: War drama
Good Aspects: Werner Herzog film. Christian Bale is cast perfectly in the lead role.

Black Swan

"Black Swan" (2010) is directed by Darren Aronofsky - director of Requiem for a Dream, Pi, The Fountain, The Wrestler-and stars Natalie Portman who won an Oscar for her outstanding performance. The film is a psychological thriller focusing on a ballet dancer Nina who wins the lead in 'Swan Lake', but her life turns to a nightmare as her workaholism and perfectionism leads her down a self destructive path which descends deeper and deeper into darkness. Vincent Cassel stars as the ballet company's artistic director, and Mila Kunis as the understudy to Nina. The film is a masterpiece of filmmaking, showcasing Aronofsky's unique filmic creativity.

Interesting interview with Darren Aronofsky:
http://www.top10films.co.uk/archives/5594

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0947798/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Swan_(film)

Mood: Psychological thriller
Good Aspects: Darren Aronofsky film. A masterpiece of filmmaking.
Worth Noticing: Quite dark.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" (2007) is directed by Andrew Dominik-a New Zealand born Australian director, who also directed "Chopper" (2000). The film stars Brad Pitt as Jesse James the infamous outlaw, and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. The film is a masterpiece, with beautiful cinematography, lyrical narrative, and though is long at 160 minutes, it doesn't lose its' story or impact. The story focuses on Jesse James, his gang, and Robert Ford-who has idolized Jesse James, but finally turns against him, tempted by the reward offered for Jesse's capture & life. Brad Pitt is cast perfectly in the role of Jesse James, together with a great ensemble cast. Nick Cave makes a cool musical appearance in the film-he also composed the soundtrack with Warren Ellis.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443680/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Assassination_of_Jesse_James_by_the_Coward_Robert_Ford

Mood: Western with a difference.
Good Aspects: Beautiful cinematography, powerful acting.
Worth Noticing: Violent scenes. Not recommended for children.

Boxcar Bertha

Boxcar Bertha (1972) is an early film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Barbara Hershey, David Carradine, and Barry Primus. The film is set during the Depression in America, and tells the story of lovers Bertha and union leader Billy as they turn to crime and start robbing trains, after major problems with anti-union forces. The film was produced by Roger Corman, and is very loosley based on a novel "Sister of the Road" written by Dr Ben L.Reitman. "Boxcar Bertha" is an interesting film which makes statements about race & gender issues in 1930's American south.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068309/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxcar_Bertha

Mood: Crime, gangsters, Depression era America. Similar to "Bonnie & Clyde" (1967).
Good Aspects: An early film by Martin Scorcese.
Worth Noticing: Some violent scenes

A History of Violence

"A History of Violence" (2005) is directed by David Cronenberg. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, with William Hurt in a supporting role. It is based on a graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke. The story focuses on the owner of a small town diner-Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen)-who, after saving his employees & customers after a vicious attack from armed men-is sought by a gangster, who assumes that Tom is a gangster named Joey Cusack. The film is quite a tense thriller to watch.

"The film's title plays on multiple levels of meaning. Film critic Roger Ebert says that David Cronenberg suggests three possibilities: "(1) to a suspect with a long history of violence; (2) to the historical use of violence as a means of settling disputes, and (3) to the innate violence of Darwinian evolution, in which better-adapted organisms replace those less able to cope", with the last as the dominant focus of the film. "I am a complete Darwinian," says Cronenberg, A History of Violence is in many ways about the survival of the fittest—at all costs. Cronenberg did not come up with the title, however; that distinction belongs to John Wagner." [From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_Violence_(film)]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399146/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_Violence_(film)

Mood: Dark tense thriller
Good Aspects: David Cronenberg film
Worth Noticing: Violent scenes

The Conversation

The Conversation (1974) is a thriller written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gene Hackman in the lead role. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival. Gene Hackman plays the character of Harry Caul- a well respected surveillance expert, who discovers during one of his surveillance jobs after a cryptic tape recording-that a couple's life is in danger.

"On the DVD commentary, Coppola says he was shocked to learn that the film utilized the very same surveillance and wire-tapping equipment that members of the Nixon Administration used to spy on political opponents prior to the Watergate scandal. Coppola has said this is the reason the film gained part of the recognition it has received, but that this is entirely coincidental. Not only was the script for The Conversation completed in the mid-1960s (before the Nixon Administration came to power) but the spying equipment used in the film was discovered through research and the use of technical advisers and not, as many believed, by revelatory newspaper stories about the Watergate break-in."
(From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conversation)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071360/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conversation

Mood: Thriller
Good Aspects: Suspense, great cinematography, interesting story & soundtrack.

He Died with a Felafel in his Hand

"He Died with a Felafel in his Hand" (2001) is an Australian film directed by Richard Lowenstein. It is based on the cult book of the same name, by John Birmingham, and is an account of the author's years spent living in countless share accommodation houses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The film stars Noah Taylor as Danny-a philosophical struggling writer-on the constant move as he experiences many misadventures with the sometimes quite bizarre personalities of his many different housemates. The film is a comedy-maybe some of the humour can be understood better by viewers who are more familiar with Australian stereotypes, but is definitely recommended for anyone who wants an interesting insight into Australian city share accommodation culture taken to the extreme.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172543/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Died_with_a_Felafel_in_His_Hand_(film)

Mood: Urban quirky offbeat comedy.
Good aspects: Based on an interesting cult book of the same name.