Movie Tuesday

Here are some movies I've seen recently, Reneé-style.
Reviews taken from netflix.com.

These are all foreign films, so you must be ready for subtitles! I liked most of them.


The World's Fastest Indian
Based on a true story, this drama follows 67-year-old grandfather and New Zealander Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) as he flies across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats and blazes into the record books at 183.586 mph on his customized Indian Scout motorcycle.

Recommended. I thought it was inspirational.



Ten Canoes
Hoping to teach younger brother Dayindi (Jamie Gulpilil) a lesson about fidelity, Aboriginal elder Minygululu (Peter Minygululu) weaves a lengthy ancestral fable about warrior Ridjimiraril's sibling battle for his bride's affection. The tale has deep meaning, but the brothers' expedition is the greater reward for both.

Not recommended, unless you're way into anthropology. And even then, maybe not. Interesting, but I still can't figure it out.



Born into Brothels
This Oscar-winning documentary is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in Calcutta's red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes. Spurred by the kids' fascination with her camera, Zana Briski, a photographer documenting life in the brothels, decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.

Wholeheartedly recommended.


Children of Heaven
A delightful Iranian movie about a boy who accidentally loses his sister's shoes and must share his own sneakers with her in a sort of relay while each attends school at different times during the day. Finally, the boy enters a much-publicized foot race, hoping to place third. The prize: a new pair of sneakers.

Wholeheartedly recommended for all audiences (who can read). Even my mother, who only liked Driving Miss Daisy.


After the Wedding
To save the failing orphanage he runs in India, Danish transplant Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen) returns to his homeland to meet a self-indulgent businessman named Jørgen who's offered a generous donation -- and who represents everything the noble-minded Jacob abhors. Complicating matters further are the unusual strings Jørgen has attached to his so-called gift. Rolf Lassgård co-stars in this Oscar-nominated emotional powerhouse of a drama.

Recommended.


Water
After losing her husband to illness, 8-year-old Chuyia (Sarala) is forced to live out the rest of her days in a temple for Hindu widows, communing with 14 other women and a cruel headmistress who agrees to take her in. But it's through the trials of another widow, a beautiful prostitute named Kalyani (Lisa Ray) who's being courted by a man from a higher caste (John Abraham), that Chuyia learns the true restrictions of widowhood in this Oscar nominee.

A beautiful movie. Made me want to move to India and work with widows, especially the child widows.