Recommended Reading & Viewing
with "diversity" themes

Great Reading!
  • 1984 (George Orwell) 

    • Classic, chilling novel of totalitarian Government, which plays on citizens' fears of others and seeks to erase all individuality; now often overlooked but still compelling.  "Big Brother is watching." 
     
     
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) 

    • Classic (1884) adventure of young Huck Finn on the run with escaped slave Jim.  Language is dated but the story is still exciting and rewarding.  Not recommended for young readers to read alone; they may derive messages of racial intolerance instead of recognizing the difference between what Huck thinks he knows to be true, and what he gradually learns despite himself.  
     
  • Angela's Ashes (Frank McCourt) 

    • Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of Irish girl growing up in extreme poverty. 
     
     
  • Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) 

    • True memoirs of a young Jewish girl who is hidden from Nazis in Amsterdam throughout much of WWII occupation.  Not long, and a unique slice of history. 
     
  • An Anthropologist on Mars (Oliver Sacks) 

    • Seven fascinating, true studies of mental and neurological disorders, told engagingly and with warmth. By the well-known neurologist whose early studies were the subject of the movie Awakenings. 
     
  • At Play in the Fields of the Lord (Peter Matthiessen) 

    • New missionaries in South America must deal with fanaticism of the missionaries already in residence, while trying to be sympathetic to the true needs of the local Indios.  (Also see movie listings below.) 
     
     
  • Black Boy (Richard Wright) 

    • Autobiography by the author of Uncle Tom's Children and Native Son, describes growing up black in the deep South in the early 20th century. 
     
     
  • Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) 

    • Landmark story of a future in which love and self-respect are virtually forgotten, and a "natural" person is an object of ridicule.  Written in 1932, still a gripping and important view of what modern technological society could possibly become. 
     
     
  • The Chosen (Chaim Potok) 

    • Story of two Jewish sons and their fathers, from very different families, in 1940's Brooklyn. 
     
  • Coming of Age in Samoa (Margaret Mead) 

    • Nonfiction; controversial landmark study of a culture in which children appear to develop few of the sexual taboos prevalent in Western societies. 
     
     
  • The Education of Little Tree (Forrest Carter) 

    • Heartwarming story of a young boy in the 1930's who is orphaned and goes to live with his Cherokee grandmother and grandfather in an Appalachian Mountain cabin. 
     
     
  • Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes) 

    • Nebula Award-winning short story, and novel expanded from it.  A mentally retarded man participates in an experiment to increase his intelligence – allowing him to discover that he has long been an object of ridicule.  Both the short story and the novel are highly effective.  (See also movie listing "Charly.") 
     
  • The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood) 

    • Disturbing near-future story of a society in which women are expected to fill no useful role but producing children. 
     
  • The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (Carson McCullers) 

    • Story of a cultured but lonely deaf-mute who seeks to involve others in his life, including African Americans who are similarly "handicapped" by their place in society.  Critically acclaimed, fine writing by 23-year-old McCullers.  More complex story than could be completely translated to the screen, though the movie is excellent.  (See movie listings below.) 
     
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou) 

    • A distinguished African-American poet recalls the anguish of her Arkansas childhood and her adolescence in northern slums. 
     
  • I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (Hannah Green) 

    • An institutionalized schizophrenic 16-year-old girl struggles between fantasy and reality.  Suitable for teens.  (Also see movie listings below.) 
     
     
  • It Can't Happen Here (Sinclair Lewis) 

    • Nobel Prize-winning author Lewis wrote this "alternate America" novel in 1935, on the premise that an ambitious politician could use the 1936 presidential election to make himself dictator by promising quick, easy solutions to the depression – just as Hitler had done in Germany.  Note this was written before the worst abuses of the Hitler regime. 
     
  • The Joy Luck Club(Amy Tan) 

    • Four young Chinese-American women and their respective mothers, born in feudal China, explore their past.  (Also see movie listings below.) 
     
  • The Kitchen God's Wife (Amy Tan) 

    • Relationship between a Chinese mother and her American-raised daughter, focusing on nonverbal communication between the two. 
     
  • The Left Hand of Darkness (Ursula K. LeGuin) 

    • Science Fiction novel (winner of both Hugo and Nebula awards) of a lone man's travels on a planet where all humanity is bisexual, potentially either sex at each monthly cycle.  Adventure, fine prose, plus a study of trust and how relationships are affected by sexual orientation.  Not only for science fiction fans. 
     
  • Lord of the Flies(William Golding) 

    • English schoolboys are shipwrecked on an island, form tribes and revert to savagery.  Engrossing, often recommended for middle and high school readers but also for adults.  (See also movie listings.) 
     
  • Loving Each Other(Leo Buscaglia) 

    • Popular self-help book on overcoming our personal obstacles to achieving full appreciation of others. 
     
  • The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love (Oscar Hijuelos) 

    • Story of two Cuban brothers who come to the US in pre-Castro days, and try to make a new life in an unfamiliar culture.  Strong sexual content; not for all readers. 
     
  • Native Son (Richard Wright) 

    • Classic novel of a black man trying to succeed in white society. 
     
  • Night (Elie Wiesel) 

    • Disturbing, compelling tale of despair in the Nazi death camps. 
     
  • Pigs in Heaven(Barbara Kingsolver) 

    • Story of a modern Cherokee child who becomes a media pawn. 
     
  • Player Piano (Kurt Vonnegut Jr.) 

    • Futuristic novel of a society in which all individuality is lost to automation, and the roles of individuals in society are determined by standardized testing.
     
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor) 

    • Racial tensions and family relationships in the deep South during the Great Depression; written especially for adolescent readers.  Winner of American Library Association's Newbery Medal for 1977. 
     
  • Soul on Ice (Eldridge Cleaver) 

    • Brutally honest, disturbing, autobiographical work by a founder of the Black Panthers recounts his descent into hatred. 
     
  • The Souls of Black Folk (W.E.B. DuBois) 

    • Classic 1903 collection of essays in which the educator, philosopher, and co-founder of the NAACP explains the black person to the world and challenges the prevailing philosophy of gradually fitting into white society. 
     
  • To Kill a Mockingbird(Harper Lee) 

    • Semi-autobiographical novel tells of the author's father, a white lawyer who, while the author was a young girl in the Depression-era South, defended a black man against an undeserved rape charge.  Subplot involves misunderstood, feared neighbor "Boo" Radley.  Thoughtful, suitable for adolescents (despite adult theme) as well as adults. 
     
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin(Harriet Beecher Stowe) 

    • Classic 1852 novel of slavery and courage, this book was published largely in reaction to the Fugitive Slave law; it quickly broke all international sales records and is viewed by many as one trigger of the Civil War.  Based in part on true experiences of Rev. Josiah Henson; features classic characters Eliza, Simon Legree.  Also available in modern retelling. 
     
  • An Unquiet Mind(Kay Redfield Jamison) 

    • Landmark autobiographical work in which a successful psychiatrist "comes out," admitting that she suffers from manic-depressive illness and describing its often life-threatening impact.  Gripping and honest autobiography by a fine healer who is also a patient. 
     

 
 
 

Great Viewing!

Click on the movie title for a synopsis; 
use browser's "Back" button to return to list

Have Fun!


 
 

Movie Synopses


American History X (1998) 
  ·  Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
  ·  Drama.  A young neo-Nazi skinhead is jailed and painfully revises his outlook; on release, he tries to prevent his younger brother from following the same violent path.  Violent, very disturbing film, rewarding but not for young or sensitive viewers. 

Amistad (1997) 
  ·  Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey
  ·  Dramatized true story of revolt on the Spanish slave ship Amistad and the fate of African slaves who find themselves in America, unable to communicate in order to defend themselves.  A striking episode in the slow progress of the search for equality under the law in America.  Watch for an unusual acting appearance by a well-known non-actor in the final scenes.  Rated "R" for violence, some nudity. 

Anna and the King (1999) 
  ·  Jodie Foster, Yun-Fat Chow
  ·  Drama.  Colorful and thoughtful retelling of the true memoirs of a young English widow who is invited to teach Western ways to the family of the King of Siam, during height of colonialism in Southeast Asia.  The older musical version, "The King and I," is an excellent substitute for light viewing, especially for younger children. 

At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)
  ·  Tom Berenger, John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah, Aidan Quinn, Tom Waits, Kathy Bates
  ·  Drama (from novel by Peter Matthiessen).  New missionaries in South America must deal with fanaticism of the missionaries already in residence, while trying to be more sympathetic to the true needs of the local Indios.  Beautiful photography, good acting, intense characterizations; rated "R" for violence, brief nudity. 

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
  ·  Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, Ernest Borgnine
  ·  Drama.  In 1945, a WWII veteran tries to deliver to a Japanese-American man the medal his son earned for heroism in the war, but meets unexpected resistance in a small Western town.  Bleak but suspenseful and affecting story from a fine cast. 

A Beautiful Mind (2001)
  ·  Russell Crowe (Best Actor Oscar nominee), Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly (Best Actress Oscar), Christopher Plummer
  ·  Drama.  Mainly true story of brilliant (Nobel Prize-winning) mathematician John Nash, whose uncertainty and paranoia develop into schizophrenia and major break with reality, followed by slow and uncertain recovery.  Don't believe everything you see.  Additional Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Ron Howard), Best Screenplay.

Benny & Joon (1993)
  ·  Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn, Oliver Platt
  ·  Comedy / Romance.  A mentally ill young woman, dependent on her protective brother, finds love with an eccentric young man.  Whimsical, amusing, but sympathetic approach. 

The Birdcage (1996)
  ·  Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria
  ·  Comedy.  Ultra-conservative politician's daughter is engaged to the son of the liberal, gay proprietor of gay/transvestite club.  Based on French hit "La Cage Aux Folles."  Highly enjoyable; received mixed reviews as to whether its portrayal of gay characters is fair. 

The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
  ·  Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage, Colleen Dewhurst, Fred Gwynne
  ·  Understated, sensitive fantasy about an apparently mentally disturbed teenage boy who can fly – or at least his new next door neighbor, who needs something to believe in, is convinced he can.  Suspend your disbelief.  Fun and suitable for all ages. 

Chariots of Fire (1981)
  ·  Ian Charleson, Ben Cross, Ian Holm, John Gielgud
  ·  True historical drama of two runners preparing for the 1924 Summer Olympics; one a Scot preparing for a career as a Christian missionary, who must reconcile the demands of athletic competition with those of his religion, the other a Jewish student at Cambridge whose need is to be accepted in society despite his religion.  Great acting, period atmosphere.  (Oscars for Best Picture, screenplay and musical score.) 

Charly (1968)
  ·  Cliff Robertson (Best Actor Oscar), Claire Bloom
  ·  Science fiction / drama, from the novel by Daniel Keyes (from his Nebula Award-winning short story, "Flowers for Algernon").  A mentally retarded man participates in an experiment to increase his intelligence – allowing him to discover that he has long been an object of ridicule. 

Children of a Lesser God (1986)
  ·  William Hurt, Marlee Matlin (Best Actress Oscar), Piper Laurie
  ·  Drama.  A sign language teacher at a school for the deaf becomes involved with a troubled deaf woman.  (Marlee Matlin is in fact deaf, but a successful actress in numerous roles.)

The Color Purple (1985)
  ·  Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey
  ·  Drama, from novel by Alice Walker.  Follows the life of Celie, a young black girl growing up in the early 1900's. 

The Cup (2000) 
  ·  Jamyang Lodro, Neten Chokling, Orgyen Tobgyal
  ·  Comedy.  Unusual film written, produced, directed by and featuring Tibetan Buddhist monks in exile in Bhutan.  A twelve-year-old monk, obsessed with soccer, schemes to find a way to see the World Cup. 

Dances with Wolves (1990)
  ·  Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman
  ·  Drama / adventure.  US Civil War officer at a remote outpost befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military. (Best Picture Oscar)

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) 
  ·  Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals
  ·  Drama / mystery.  African-American WWII veteran finds a job as a detective, looking for a missing high-society white woman.  Satisfying to fans of traditional 1940's mysteries, yet accounts for the problems of a black man placed in such a position. 

Finian's Rainbow (1968)
  ·  Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele, Keenan Wynn, Al Freeman Jr.
  ·  Musical comedy, from 1940's Broadway play.  Whimsical, half-fantasy story of scheming Irishman who brings his daughter to Depression-era Appalachia in search of wealth.  Surprising interplay between black, white and green characters, including biting satire directed at an apparently irredeemable bigot (Wynn) who is the local political power.  Memorable songs. 

Flirting (1991) 
  ·  Noah Taylor, Thandie Newton, Nicole Kidman
  ·  Drama.  Australian story of teenagers at boarding schools, where an awkward young white man falls in love with a young black woman, daughter of the Ugandan ambassador.  Explores maturity and interpersonal relationships.  Critically acclaimed; recommended for mature teens and young adults (some nudity). 

Gandhi (1982)
  ·  Ben Kingsley (Best Actor Oscar), Candice Bergen, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard
  ·  Epic biography of the great Indian leader, a lawyer who developed the practice of passive resistance to the degree that he succeeded in freeing India from British colonial rule.  Long, but thoroughly engrossing, rewarding, and historically accurate.  Kingsley went to great lengths to portray Gandhi accurately, and succeeded.  (Best Picture Oscar) 

The Garden of Finzi-Continis (1970) 
  ·  Dominique Sanda, Lino Capolicchio 
  ·  Beautifully filmed story of aristocratic Jewish family trying to retain its place in society in late-1930's Italy.  (Best Foreign Film Oscar) 

Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
  ·  Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, Celeste Holm (Best Supporting Actress Oscar), John Garfield 
  ·  Drama; New York magazine writer pretends to be Jewish, and is surprised by the reactions and the effects on his family.  (Best Picture Oscar) 

Get on the Bus (1996) 
  ·  Richard Belzer, De'aundre Bonds, André Braugher, Ossie Davis
  ·  Drama.  Fine film about widely different men traveling to the Million Man March for widely varying reasons; some consider it Spike Lee's best. 

Glory (1989)
  ·  Denzel Washington (Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, Donovan Leitch
  ·  Drama / war.  The stirring story of the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company. 

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
  ·  Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tung Thanh Tran
  ·  Comedy / Drama.  An unorthodox and irreverent disk jockey is assigned to the US Armed Services Radio station in Vietnam, where he tries to understand the local situation and people, with painful results. 

Good Will Hunting (1997)
  ·  Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie Driver, Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor Oscar) 
  ·  Drama.  Brilliant but troubled young man struggles with perceptions of class differences, and with his own potential for greatness. 

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) 
  ·  Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn (Best Actress Oscar), Cecil Kellaway, Katherine Houghton, Beah Richards, Isabel Sanford
  ·  Comedy / Drama.  Liberal white couple in 1960's finds their attitudes challenged when their daughter brings home a fiancé who is educated, cultured, charming, highly accomplished, and black.  Spencer Tracy's last film; top performances by all.  Possibly dated, but with a fine script and great acting by the top three stars; not to be missed.  (Do not confuse with the recent remake; there is no comparison.)

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968)
  ·  Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke, Stacy Keach, Chuck McCann, Percy Rodriguez, Cicely Tyson
  ·  Drama (from novel by Carson McCullers).  Engrossing, brilliantly acted story of a cultured but lonely deaf-mute (Arkin), trying to involve others in his life, including African Americans who are similarly "handicapped" by their place in society.  Compelling subplot of relationship between African American doctor (Rodriguez), who seeks to work within white society, and his angry daughter (Tyson). 

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977)
  ·  Kathleen Quinlan, Bibi Andersson, Sylvia Sidney, Diane Varsi, Dennis Quaid
  ·  Drama.  A schizophrenic, institutionalized 16-year-old girl struggles between fantasy and reality. 

Inherit the Wind (1960) 
  ·  Fredric March, Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, Dick York, Harry Morgan, Claude Akins
  ·  Drama.  All-star cast in gripping story based (somewhat loosely) on the Scopes "monkey trial" over the teaching of evolution in the schools.  Religious faith is pitted against scientific curiosity; explores the intolerance that can arise on both sides of such issues.  Brilliant script is true to the issues in the historic trial, though some details are changed. 

The Joy Luck Club (1993)
  ·  Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen, Lisa Lu
  ·  Drama (from novel by Amy Tan). Through a series of flashbacks, four young Chinese-American women and their respective mothers, born in feudal China, explore their past. 

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
  ·  Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Maximilian Schell (Best Actor Oscar), Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift
  ·  In 1948, an American court in occupied Germany tries four Nazi judges for war crimes on the basis of their roles in approving involuntary sterilization, torture, and other abuses.  Not a mere anti-Nazi propaganda film by any means, but a sensitive, troubling study of the nature of justice. 

The Karate Kid (1984)
  ·  Pat (Noriyuki) Morita, Ralph Macchio, Elisabeth Shue
  ·  Lonely teenager turns to elderly Japanese-American neighbor to learn karate and overcome his problems with bullies; unexpectedly discovers a different culture and outlook on life.  Light entertainment, suitable for younger viewers, but with valuable lessons.  The sequels are not important. 

Kundun (1997)
  ·  Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tencho Gyalpo
  ·  Drama / biography.  Life story of current Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, from childhood through flight to India under Maoist pressure.  Mystical, visually beautiful, and informative; but dark in mood.  Uses all-local cast to great effect.  Not for young viewers. 

The Last Emperor (1987)
  ·  John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole
  ·  Drama / history.  Story of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China.  Intricate view of an unusual slice of history; attempts to bring home the devastating impact of the isolation and complacency of the truly powerful.  Impressive staging and photography.  (Best Picture Oscar)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
  ·  Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains
  ·  Historical drama.  Dramatized true story of British lieutenant T.E. Lawrence, who manipulated British and Arab leaders to change the path of World War I in the mideast.  Lawrence seeks to respect the culture and mores of Arab peoples but is caught in the midst of colonial and other political pressures.  Epic in scope, visually magnificent, outstanding acting and script.  Best Picture, Director (David Lean), 5 other Oscars. 

Lilies of the Field (1963)
  ·  Sidney Poitier (Best Actor Oscar), Lilia Skala
  ·  Light Drama.  An unemployed construction worker heading out west stops for assistance at a farm in the desert, which is being worked by East European Catholic nuns; Mother Superior believes he was sent by God to build a church in the desert.  An understated, warm-hearted, ultimately inspiring film. 

Lord of the Flies (1963, 1990)
  ·  1963:  James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards, Nicholas Hammond
  ·  1990:  Balthazar Getty, Chris Furrh, Danuel Pipoly
  ·  Drama.  English schoolboys are shipwrecked on an island, form tribes and revert to savagery.  Frightening view of the human tendency to dominate and to ostracize.  The 1963 black & white version and the novel (see above) are particularly compelling; but the later color version will do. 

A Majority of One (1961)
  ·  Alec Guinness, Rosalind Russell, Marc Marno, Mae Questel, Alan Mowbray
  ·  Comedy / drama.  A gentle love story about a Japanese businessman (played unfortunately but well, as usual, by Guinness) and a Brooklyn widow visiting Japan, who must overcome preconceptions to understand him as a person. 

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
  ·  Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey, Doghmi Larbi, Shakira Caine
  ·  Drama / adventure (from a short story by Rudyard Kipling).  Two British adventurers in India strike out to set themselves up as kings of a remote kingdom, without ever trying to understand local beliefs.  Complex concepts in a simple story; beautifully filmed, lyrical, but disturbing at times. 

The Man Without a Face (1993) 
  ·  Mel Gibson, Margaret Whitton, Nick Stahl, Gaby Hoffman, Fay Masterson, Richard Masur
  ·  Drama.  Low-key, thoughtful, moving film about a troubled young boy who has almost given up hopes of the academic success he wants – until he finds a strange, shunned, but very competent tutor.  Gibson's first film as director as well as star, it inspires without preaching.  Suitable for all ages. 

Mask (1985)
  ·  Cher (Best Actress – Cannes), Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz, Estelle Getty, Laura Dern
  ·  A boy with a massive facial skull deformity and his biker gang mother who attempts to give him a normal life.  A believable look at disabilities in the real world. 

The Miracle Worker (1962)
  ·  Anne Bancroft (Best Actress Oscar), Patty Duke (Best Supporting Actress Oscar), Victor Jory 
  ·  True (dramatized) story of blind/deaf/mute Helen Keller and her determined teacher, Annie Sullivan.  A classic. 

The Mission (1986)
  ·  Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn
  ·  Drama.  Christian missionary among Brazilian Indians in 17th Century must give shelter to Spanish mercenary and slave trader, who seeks forgiveness and sanctuary in the Church.  Beautiful film, visually and for insights into humanity; violent segments may be intense for some viewers. 

Mississippi Masala (1991) 
  ·  Denzel Washington, Sarita Choudhury, Roshan Seth, Sharmila Tagore
  ·  Drama.  A family of Indian descent, expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power, settles in Mississippi; the daughter eventually falls in love with a black man, and the respective families have to come to terms with this. 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 
  ·  Jack Nicholson (Best Actor Oscar), Louise Fletcher (Best Actress Oscar), Scatman Crothers, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Will Sampson
  ·  Drama (from novel by Ken Kesey).  Mental patient half-rationally, half-irrationally seeks fair treatment from the hospital and a rigid head nurse; dignity and self-respect are found in small pieces.  Nicholson's best and one of only 3 movies ever to win all top 5 Oscars (Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay). 

The Pawnbroker (1965)
  ·  Rod Steiger, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Brock Peters, Juano Hernandez
  ·  Drama.  Pawnbroker who is survivor of Nazi concentration camp lives in New York's Harlem; juxtaposes concentration camp treatment of Jews with ghetto neighborhood treatment of ethnic minorities. 

Philadelphia (1993)
  ·  Tom Hanks (Best Actor Oscar), Denzel Washington, Roberta Maxwell, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, Antonio Banderas 
  ·  Drama.  When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer as the only advocate he can find willing to bring a wrongful dismissal suit. 

Pleasantville (1998)
  ·  Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Don Knotts
  ·  Fantasy about modern teens who find themselves in 1950's TV sitcom in which everything is "pleasant" – because nothing and no one is different.  Offbeat but charming film about people discovering their human potential.  Fine direction, striking performances bring out the subtleties in seemingly simple characters; it's deeper than you think. 

Popi (1969) 
  ·  Alan Arkin, Rita Moreno, Miguel Alejandro, Reuben Figueroa
  ·  Drama / comedy.  Touching story of single Puerto Rican father in American city slums, who develops an audacious plot to give his sons a better life. 

Rain Man (1988) 
  ·  Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor Oscar), Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino
  ·  Drama / comedy.  Self-centered Yuppie must decide how to deal with his "idiot savant" autistic long-lost brother.  Striking and extremely realistic portrayal of unusual mental disorder by Hoffman, who based his performance on close study of a real victim of the illness.  (Best Picture Oscar) 

A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
  ·  Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Louis Gossett Jr.
  ·  Drama of young black father trying to raise his family in small apartment, and how they deal with opportunity when it arrives.  A modern classic. 

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966)
  ·  Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith, Jonathan Winters, Paul Ford, Theodore Bikel
  ·  Comedy / drama.  During Cold War, Russian submarine is beached near a New England resort town, and panic ensues at apparent invasion; actually these Russians only wanted to see America because they never saw it before; they just wish they could get away in peace.  Light fare, suitable for children & adults. 

Schindler's List (1993)
  ·  Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall
  ·  Historical drama.  Oskar Schindler uses Jewish forced labor to start a factory in Poland during WWII, but witnesses the horrors endured by the Jews, and begins attempt to save them.  (Best Picture Oscar) 

Shine (1996)
  ·  Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Lynn Redgrave
  ·  Drama / biography.  True story of pianist David Helfgott, who has a nervous breakdown and remains mentally ill but retains brilliant musical talent.  Fine performances throughout.  (Best Picture Oscar) 

Show Boat 
  ·  1936 version (B/W):  Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger, Paul Robeson, Helen Morgan, Queenie Smith, Hattie McDaniel
  ·  1951 version (Color):  Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, Joe E. Brown, Marge Champion, Gower Champion, Agnes Moorehead, William Warfield
  ·  Musical drama, from book by Edna Ferber.  Life on a "show boat" on the Mississippi in Reconstruction-era South.  Family and friends in the floating theater company must deal in their different ways with state laws prohibiting blacks and whites from marrying, or performing together.  Great Oscar Hammerstein – Jerome Kern score, excellent musical and acting performances in both versions; the earlier features legendary Paul Robeson's rendition of "Old Man River" (in one of his few major film roles) and other highlights, but the later (Technicolor) film does not suffer by comparison. 

Smoke (1995)
  ·  Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Harold Perrineau Jr., Forest Whitaker, Stockard Channing
  ·  Drama.  Intertwined stories of a New York tobacco-store proprietor and his clients and friends.  Engaging characters in a quiet, thoughtful movie, a study of human interaction and trust.  Top performances throughout; stay with it right through the credits. 

Smoke Signals (1998) 
  ·  Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer, Monique Mojica
  ·  Drama.  Coming-of-age film about modern Native American youth, sensitively and honestly portrayed; written and directed by Native Americans.  Critically acclaimed, won numerous non-mainstream film awards. 

Stand and Deliver (1987)
  ·  Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Virginia Paris, Daniel Villarreal
  ·  True story of dedicated teacher Jaime Escalante, who successfully inspired failure-prone students in his South LA high school to learn calculus to build up their self-esteem.  Realistic characters, not over-idealized. 

Three Kings (1999) 
  ·  George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze, Mykelti Williamson, Cliff Curtis, Saïd Taghmaoui
  ·  Drama / adventure.  After the Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold previously stolen from Kuwait, but discover people who need their help.  Unusual in modern films for honest portrayals of Arab characters of varying attitudes. 

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
  ·  Gregory Peck, John Megna, Rosemary Murphy, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans
  ·  Drama from semi-autobiographical novel by Harper Lee.  A white lawyer in the Depression-era South defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge; seen mainly through his young daughter's eyes.  Subplot involves misunderstood, feared neighbor "Boo" Radley.  Gregory Peck's perfect role; suitable for all ages. 

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) 
  ·  Laurence Fishburne, Allen Payne, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Courtney B. Vance, John Lithgow, Cuba Gooding Jr.
  ·  Fine made-for-TV historical drama.  African American pilots overcome opposition, scorn and bureaucracy to form an all-black fighter squadron, one of the most successful US units in WWII. 

12 Angry Men (1957) 
  ·  Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam 
  ·  Gripping drama of all-white, male jury trying to overcome their preconceptions to find justice in the case of a minority youth accused of murdering his father.  Fine directing, acting. 

West Side Story (1961)
  ·  Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno (Best Supporting Actress Oscar), George Chakiris (Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Tony Mordente
  ·  Musical drama.  Based on "Romeo & Juliet," with music by Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim.  Stirring portrayal of tension between rival Puerto Rican and Anglo New York street gangs; memorable songs with brilliant lyrics and outstanding choreography.  Voice of Natalie Woods was by the great Marni Nixon; street scenes were filmed in NY slums that were about to be torn down to make room for Lincoln Center (where Bernstein spent much of the rest of his life).  Best Picture and 9 other Oscars 

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
  ·  Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Darlene Cates
  ·  Young man's life is taken up with caring for his autistic brother and his obese mother, and he must try to find a way to have his own life.