10 movies that could change your life

Found here: girlosophy

1.    Imaginary Heroes
Michelle Williams and Emile Hirsch are in fine form here in this tale of family life, secrets and grief. Hilarious and dark by turn in her role as smart-mouthed-mother-losing-her-grip, Sigourney Weaver shows why she can do any acting part justice. There’s a particularly memorable scene on New Years Eve ‘and a few unexpected moments in between that make this film about families a genuine classic.
Top Quote: ‘Tell me what my life would look like Marge, without you and your big mouth!’
2.    Gas Food Lodging
Ione Skye is radiant in Allison Anders quirky story set in the desert where trailers aren’t necessarily associated with trash and vivid dreams are created by watching old black and white Mexican movies. Infused with gorgeous photography and some pretty decent casting, this is a beautiful film about love and redemption.
Top Quote: ‘I don’t know about love, I’m just afraid of not having any dreams.’
3.    Ruby in Paradise
Ashley Judd burst on the indie film scene in this little known release which uber-critic Roger Ebert pronounced one the year’s best in 1993. Ruby is the new girl in town and has to learn fast who’s who in the zoo, how to keep it together when you live on your own and starting over. One of those rare films that sneaks up on you and stays long after.
Top Quote: ‘On the edge of the edge, now it’s up to me…to what I want to be.’
4.    The Joyluck Club
This has more than a few moments of heart piercing sadness, so get the tissues out early for this film about mothers, daughters, friendship and jealousy that criss-crosses countries, generations and decades. Based on Amy Tan’s novel of the same name, this is a sweeping epic that has some memorable one-liners in it (and probably was the genesis of the original so-called ‘tiger mother’ syndrome). A story that is as universal as it is uplifting.
Top Quote: ‘Losing him does not matter, it is you who will be found’.
5.    The Opposite of Sex
Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame, plays deadpan meets uptight to perfection. Christina Ricci is maddening as the manipulative Dedee who is far too clever for her own good but lacks the empathy to drive her smarts into any real achievement. Funny and crazy, there’s a lot to enjoy here and a few life lessons too.
Top Quote: ‘This is how we do things on the Planet Maturity!’
6.    Map of the Human Heart
One of the first films to ever feature real Inuit (Eskimos) and their language and starring the impossibly gorgeous Jason Scott Lee, this film might have spawned the lesser Pearl Harbour. Featuring a love scene on top of a blimp that should probably go down as the most creative of its type committed to film, this is a must-see that will require a whole box of tissues. You have been warned.
Top Quote: ‘I dreamed I would be married to a white man’
7.    White Oleander
This copped a lot of unfair criticism from a ton of male critics, but the film adaptation of Janet Fitch’s novel features a stellar cast and a strong performance from newcomer Alison Lohman as Astrid, a foster child whose mother is as beautiful as she is dangerous. Evocative soundtrack on a par with American Beauty makes it haunting and eerily real. Renee Zellweger is a revelation. Robin Wright-Penn earns her stripes too.
Top Quote: ‘This is the price of what you did Mother.’
8.    The Upside of Anger
Don’t be put off by the title, this is a gem if only for Joan Allen’s scathing portrayal of a suburban mother and Kevin Costner’s return to form as a past-it ball player with a past. Felicity’s Keri Russell is here as is Thirteen’s Evan Rachel Wood and it’s a wild ride. Take it.
Top Quote: ‘Have you ever heard of boundaries?’
9.    Water
Deepa Mehta’s final instalment of her trilogy (Fire / Earth / Water), that examines the lives of women in India. These women have had the misfortune that their husbands have died including little Chulia who was only a child bride, condemning her to a life of poverty and seclusion. Visually splendid, Water is ultimately uplifting and a story of hope.
Top Quote: ‘What is good should not die out. But who will decide what is good?’
10. Japanese Story
Toni Collette has been in some cracker films and Japanese Story is certainly one of them. It is more timely than ever given the mining boom going on in the Kimberley Region. Could be seen as a more serious precursor to Red Dog, but no less important for the cultural messages it examines.
Top Quote: ‘In Japan we have no space. There is nothing, it scares me.’ You have shown me something beautiful.’

-Capri