CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DRAMA

(Most Films Made After 1970)

About a Boy Dir. Chris Weitz. Adaptation of Nick Hornby’s comic novel about a friendship formed between a childless man and a fatherless boy.

Adoration Dir. Atom Egoyan, Canada 2008. An engrossing film about prejudices, loss, the power of technology, and the effect of fiction on reality.

The Acid House Dir. Paul McGuigan, based on the novel by Irvine Welsh.

The Accidental Tourist Dir. Lawrence Kasdan. William Hurt, Kathleen Turner star in great adaptation of the novel by Anne Tyler.

Across the Universe Dir. Julie Taymor, 2007, a clever musical love story that reflects the mood of the 1960s and the growth of the anti-war and civil rights movements.

Adaptation Dir. Spike Jonze. Stars Meryl Streep & Nicholas Cage and is based on the novel "The Orchid Thief".

The Adjuster Dir. Atom Egoyan. Engrossing dead-pan comedy about an obsessive insurance adjuster and his clients. Rated R (VHS)

Adulthood Dir. Noel Clarke, 2008. A sequel to Kidulthood, set six years later.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence Dir. Steven Spielberg. Intriguing futuristic story about a couple, having lost a child, adopt a robot boy with “real emotions”.

All the Pretty Horses Dir. Billy Bob Thornton. Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz star in adaptation of the award-winning novel by Cormac McCarthy.

Almost Famous Dir. Cameron Crow. Is an autobiographical tale of a guileless teenager who goes on the road with a rock band as a journalist for Rolling Stone.

Amazing Grace Dir. Michael Apted, 2006 – an account of the life of the 19^th century British abolitionist , William Wilberforce.

American Beauty Dir. Sam Mendes -this exceptional portrait of the American Dream gone sour stars Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening.

American Friends Dir. Tristram Powell. Michael Palin stars in this 19th century romance inspired by a true family story. (VHS)

Amadeus Dir. Milos Forman, 1984 . The celebrated self-adapted Peter Schaeffer play about Mozart.

American Psycho Dir. Mary Harron, adaptation of the controversial novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Rated R.

American Splendor Dir. Robert Pulcini. Immerses the viewer in the life and worldview of Harvey Pekar, creator of the semi-autobiographical comic book series of the same name.

And When Did You Last See Your Father? Dir. Anand Tucker, 2007. Jim Broadbent and Colin Firth star in an unsentimental drama about the difficult relationship between a father and son.

Angel Dir. Francois Ozon, 2007. Classic period drama based on the novel by English writer, Elizabeth Taylor.

Angels and Insects Dir. Philip Haas. Adaptation of the novel about love & incest by A.S. Byatt. Rated R. (VHS)

Anita and Me Dir. Metin Huseyin. British Indian comic drama set in the 70s, in the style of “Bend it Like Beckham”.

The Apostle Dir. Robert Duvall. In his Oscar nominated role as a charismatic Southern preacher on the run.

Ararat Dir. Atom Egoyan. Movie within a movie about Turkey’s 1915 genocide against Armenians.

Art School Confidential Dir. Terry Zwigoff. John Malkovich, Anjelica Huston & Max Minghella star in comic drama about the harsh realities of the art world. 2005.

Ask the Dust Dir. Robert Towne. Colin Farrell & Salma Hayek star in a romantic drama set in 1930s.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Dir. Andrew Dominik, 2007, Brad Pitt stars in biopic about the infamous Missouri outlaw.

The Assassination of Richard Nixon Dir. Niels Mueller. Sean Penn stars as a disillusioned “everyman” who, in 1974 was driven to plot the assassination of a president.

Atonement Dir. Joe Wright, 2007. Impressive adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan.

Away From Her Dir. Sarah Polley, 2006. Julie Christie is amazing in this poignant tale, based on a story by Alice Munro, about a couple dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Babel Dir. Alejandron Gonzalez Inarritu, 2006. Cate Blanchett and Bradd Pitt in tense drama that completes the trilogy Inarritu started with Amores Perros, and followed with 21 Grams.

The Backwoods Dir. Koldo Serra. Gary Oldman & Paddy Considine star in a thriller set in rural Spain.

Bad Lieutenant Dir. Abel Ferrara, 1982. Harvey Keitel stars in this cult classic.

The Bank Job Dir. Roger Donaldson, 2008. The true story of a London bank heist gone wrong.

Basquiat Dir. Julian Schnabel. Great dramatisation of the short life of celebrated ‘80s NY street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Being Julia Dir. Istvan Szabo. Annette Benning and Jeremy Irons star in period drama based on a Somerset Maugham story.

A Beautiful Mind Dir. Ron Howard. Russell Crowe stars in bio of brilliant mathematician, John Nash.

Beautiful People Dir. Jasmin Dizdar. Written & directed by a Bosnian, this black comedy about the encounters of assorted Londoners with various Bosnian exiles is quite unlike any other British film. (VHS)

Becoming Jane Dir. Julian Jarrold 2007. Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy star in biographical drama about Jane Austen.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead Dir. Sidney Lumet, 2007. Grand master of a dark tale Lumet elicits astonishing performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Albert Finney.

Before Sunrise Dir. Richard Linklater. Romance between a young American & French student.

Being John Malkovich Dir. Spike Jonze. Quirky and highly original black comedy/ fantasy, stars John Cusack and Cameron Diaz and of course, John M.

Beloved Dir. Jonathan Demme. Oprah Winfrey stars in fine adaptation of Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about a woman’s transition (and the cost) from slavery to freedom. (VHS)

Bend it Like Beckham Dir. Gurinder Chadha. Football’s ability to bring a nation together is celebrated in this delightful film about a young Indian girl who joins a women’s soccer team.

Bhaji on the Beach Dir. Gurinder Chadha. A group of Asian women go on a day trip to the beach only to be pursued and confronted by their menfolk.

The Big Empty Dir. Steve Anderson. Aliens, Abductions, Cowboys, Blue Suitcases and Bowling Balls – strange things are happening out in the middle of nowhere.

Big Night Dir. Stanley Tucci & Campbell Scott. Not since “Babette’s Feast” has cooking and eating been so enjoyable on film.

Billy Elliot Dir. Stephen Daldry. Julie Walters, Jamie Bell & Gary Lewis are terrific in story of a working class boy who takes up ballet.

Bloody Sunday Dir. Paul Greengrass. Dramatic recreation of the tragic events of 30/1/72 when British troops clashed with protestors in Derry, Northern Ireland and 13 people were killed. Stars James Nesbitt.

Bloom Dir. Sean Walsh. Based on the novel Ulysses bu James Joyce.

Blow Dir. Ted Demme. Johnny Depp stars as legendary college dropout cum major league cocaine barron.

Bob Roberts Directed by & stars Tim Robbins - does for politics what "Spinal Tap" did for rock 'n' roll.

Boys Don’t Cry Dir. Kimberley Peirce. Searing drama based on true story of a girl (Hilary Swank) who passes herself off as a boy in rural Nebraska. Rated R.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Dir. Mark Herman, 2008. WWII story of a friendship between two young boys – one a Jew, the other the son of the commander of his concentration camp.

Brassed Off Dir. Mark Herman. Set during the devastating pit closures of British coal mines in the early ‘80s, this feel-good movie has put a left-wing spin on brass band music for a whole new generation.

Breakfast on Pluto Dir. Neil Jordan, 2005. Set in the 70s, a tale of a young man’s coming to terms with his sexuality and with society.

Brick Dir. Rian Johnson, 2005. Winner Special Jury Prize at Sundance, proclaimed as the most original film since Donnie Darko.

Brick Lane Dir. Sarah Gavron, 2007. Adaptation of the novel by Monica Ali about a Bangladeshi girl who leaves home for an arranged marriage in London.

Bride and Prejudice Dir. Gurinder Chadha’s delightful Bollywood rendition of the Jane Austen classic.

Brideshead Revisited Dir. Julian Jarrold, 2008. Movie length adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s novel.

Bridget Jones’ Diary Dir. Sharon Maguire, stars Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant & Colin Firth.

Bright Young Things Dir. Stephen Fry. Adaptation of the decadent jazz era novel, Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh.

Broken English Dir. Zoe Cassavetes, 2007. Tale of a single thirty-something woman whose mother reminds her of her failings. Zoe’s real-life mother , Gena Rowlands, stars in the mother role.

The Browning Version Dir. Mike Figgis. Great update of the play, stars Albert Finney.

Camp Dir. Todd Graff. A teen love triangle is the backdrop for this entertaining musical drama.

The Candidate Dir. Michael Ritchie, 1972. Robert Redford stars in sharp political satire. (VHS)

Capote Dir. Bennett Miller, 2005. Oscar winning portrait of the writer stars Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Dir. John Madden. Nicholas Cage & Penelope Cruz star in adapation of Louis de Bernierre’s wartime romance.

Carrington Dir. Christopher Hampton. Emma Thompson stars in biographical film about Bloomsbury artist Dora Carrington.

Cashback Dir. Sean Ellis. An art student works the nightshift in a supermarket and finds some unusual ways of dealing with his insomnia.

The Cat’s Meow Dir. Peter Bogdanovich. Entertaining speculations about the events on board William Randolph Hearst’s yacht in 1924.

The Changeling Dir. Clint Eastwood, 2008. Angelina Jolie stars in a 1920s thriller about a single mother whose child is abducted.

Chaplin Dir. Richard Attenborough. Robert Downey Jr stars in biography of the cinema legend.

Charlie Wilson’s War Dir. Mike Nicholls. Subversive dig at “good old boy” style US politics scripted by The West Wing writer Aaron Sorkin.

Che: Part One – the Argentine Dir. Steven Soderbergh. In 1956, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara (Benicio Del Toro) and a band of Castro-led Cuban exiles mobilize an army to topple the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Che: Part Two – Guerilla Dir. Steven Soderbergh, 2008. The second part of the biography covers 1967, when Che leads a small partisan army to fight an ill-fated revolutionary guerrilla war in Bolivia.

Chicago Dir. Rob Marshall. Stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere & Renee Zellwegger in roaring 20s musical.

Chocolat Dir. Lasse Hallstrom. Adaptation of Joanne Harris’ delightful novel about a chocolatier.

The Cider House Rules Dir. Lasse Hallstrom. Multiple award-winning adaptation of the novel by John Irving, starring Michael Caine.

Clean Dir. Olivier Assayas, 2004. Maggie Cheung and Nick Nolte star in an unflinching drama about the struggle to overcome addiction.

Closing the Ring Dir. Richard Attenborough 2007. Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer star.

Coco Chanel Dir. Christian Duguay, 2008. Shirley MacLaine stars in this life of the legendary fashion designer.

Cold Comfort Farm Dir. John Schlesinger. Delightful adapatation of the 30s novel by Stella Gibbons about a well bred young woman going to live with her eccentric rural relatives.

Cold Mountain Dir. Anthony Minghella. Nicole Kidman and Jude Law star in US Civil War story.

Cold Souls Dir. Sophie Barthes, USA 2009. Surreal comic drama about an actor who is wrestling with the lead role in Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’.

Colour Me Kubrick Dir. Brian Cook, 2005. John Malkovich stars in this bizarre story of a conman who spent years successfully impersonating the reclusive filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick.

The Comfort of Strangers Dir. Paul Schrader, based on the novel by Ian McEwan. Rated R.

The Commitments Dir. Alan Parker, 1991. Irish soul musical success story.

The Constant Gardner Dir. Fernando Meirelles. Adaptation of Le Carre’s thriller, stars Ralph Fiennes.

Control Dir. Anton Corbijn. Biopic about the enigmatic lead singer of the British band, Joy Division (Ian Curtis) who killed himself at the age of 23.

Conversations With Other Women Dir. Hans Canosa, 2005. Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart feature in a dramatic two hander about a chance sexual encounter at a wedding.

Conversations With God Dir. Stephen Simon, 2006. Adapted from the inspirational books by Neale Donald Walsch.

Copying Beethoven Dir. Agnieszka Holland, 2006. Ed Harris stars in a fictionalised drama about Beethoven’s final year of life.

Crash Dir. David Cronenberg. The controversial adaptation of JG Ballard’s novel. Rated R.

Croupier Dir. Mike Hodges. Highly original film about gambling.

Crush Dir. John McKay. Andie McDowell, Imelda Staunton & Anna Chancellor star in female friendship flick.

Cry Freedom Dir. Richard Attenborough. Denzel Washington stars as Steve Biko, apartheid activist.

The Crying Game Dir. Neil Jordan, 1992. Taut thriller about a British soldier kidnapped by terrorists, with a twist.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Dir. David Fincher, 2008. From a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man aging backwards.

The Dancer Upstairs Dir. John Malkovich’s directorial debut is a taut political thriller based on Nicholas Shakespeare’s novel.

Dancing at Lughansa Dir. Pat O’Connor. Meryl Streep stars in adaptation of the play about a close-knit rural Irish family by Brian Friel.

The Darjeeling Limited Dir. Wes Anderson. Three estranged American brothers set off on a journey across India to find themselves again.

Days of Heaven Dir. Terence Malick, stars Richard Gere, Brooke Adams & Sam Shepherd. A visual delight.

Dead Man’s Shoes Dir. Shane Meadows, UK 2004. A disaffected soldier returns to his hometown seeking revenge against the thugs who had brutalised his mentally disabled brother years earlier.

Death of a President Dir. Gabriel Range, 2006. Mockumentary about the impact of the fictional assassination of George W Bush in Chicago.

The Deep End Dir. Scott McGehee. Tilda Swinton stars as a woman whose teenage son gets involved with a gay hustler.

De-Lovely Dir. Irwin Winkler. Biography of the legendary composer Cole Porter, 2004.

Demon Lover Dir. Olivier Assayas. A diabolical techno thriller with music by Sonic Youth. Rated R.

The Dinner Rush Dir. Bob Giraldi, stars Danny Aiello in far more dramatic kind of “My Restaurant Rules”.

Donnie Brasco Dir. Mike Newell. Al Pacino stars in an intelligent Mafia movie made, unusually, by a British director.

Donnie Darko Dir. Richard Kelly. A troubled teenager attending a repressive high school in the 1980s is beset by nightmarish visions that may or may not be premonitions.

The Doom Generation Dir. Greg Araki. An extremely bleak view of the younger generation. Rated R.

The Door in the Floor Dir. Tod Williams, 2004. Jeff Bridges stars in adapatation of John Irving’s Novel A Widow for a Year, about a couple torn apart by the death of their sons.

Dorian Gray Dir. Oliver Parker, 2009. Adaptation of the famous Oscar Wilde story about beauty and corruption, satrring Colin Firth.

Doubt Dir. John Patrick Shanley 2008. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep star in a drama set in 1964 about a nun who suspects a priest of abusing a black student.

Driving Lessons Dir. Jeremy Brock. British coming of age story about a teenage boy trying to escape his domineering mother by working for an eccentric old lady, stars Laura Linney & Julie Walters.

The Duchess Dir. Saul Dibb, 2008. Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Charlotte Rampling star in bio of controversial 18^th century aristocrat, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.

Dust Dir. Milcho Manchevski. David Wenham and Joseph Fiennes. In the late 19^th century two brothers fall for the same woman in the American wild west. 100 years later in New York city the story must be retold.

Easy Virtue Dir. Stephan Elliot, 2008. Adaptation of the highly amusing play by Noel Coward it stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth and Jessica Biel.

Edmond Dir. Stuart Gordon. William H Macy stars in a rivetting David Mamet screenplay.

The Edge of Love Dir. John Maybury, 2008. Bio of the poet, Dylan Thomas, and the two women who loved him.

Educating Rita Dir. Lewis Gilbert, 1983. Michael Caine and Julie Walters star in adaptation of Willy Russell’s stage play.

An Education Dir. Lone Scherfig, 2009. A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London.

Elegy Dir. Isabel Coixet, 2008. Ben Kingsley and Penélope Cruz star in an “older teacher exploits younger student romance.” An adaptation of a novel by Philip Roth.

Elephant Dir. Gus Van Sant. Winner of the Palme D’Or at Cannes 2003, this is a meditation on the Columbine High School massacre.

Elizabeth Dir. Shekar Kapur. Cate Blanchett & Geoffrey Rush star in fine Elizabethan drama.

Elizabeth The Golden Age Dir. Shekar Kapur. The sequel.

Emma Dir. Douglas McGrath, an interesting Austen adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Alan Cumming & Ewan McGregor.

Emile Dir. Carl Bessai. Starring Ian McKellen, this is a poignant exploration of an older man’s struggle to reconnect with his past.

Enchanted April Dir. Mike Newell, splendid adaptation of the "romantic" novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim.

The End of the Affair Dir. Neil Jordan. Ralph Fiennes & Julianne Moore in great rendition of the Graham Greene novel.

Endgame Dir. Pete Travis, UK 2009. William Hurt stars in a tense drama about the covert negotiations to end Apartheid in South Africa.

Enduring Love Dir. Roger Michell. Adaptation of the psychological novel by Ian McEwan. 2005

Enemy at the Gates Dir. Jean-Jacques Annaud. Interesting perspective on the WWII Battle of Stalingrad.

The English Patient Dir. Anthony Minghella. Lavish adaptation of the novel set during WWII, by Michael Ondaatje, that swept the pool at the 1997 Oscars. Stars Juliette Binoche.

Enigma Dir. Michael Apted. Kate Winslet stars in very well recreated WWII code-breaking drama.

Equus Dir. Sidney Lumet, adaptation of the play by Peter Shaffer. Rated R

Erin Brokovich Dir. Steven Soderbergh. Julia Roberts and Alan Finney in legal David vs Goliath.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Dir. Michel Gondry. From acclaimed writer Charlie Kaufman and starring Jim Carey, Kate Winslet & Elijah Wood comes this comical and quirky view of human relationships and emotional baggage.

Ethan Frome Dir. John Madden. Based on the novel by Edith Wharton. (VHS)

Evening Dir. Lajos Kolati. Claire Danes, Toni Collette and Vanessa Redgrave star in a moving drama about a dying woman and her two daughters.

Everything is Illuminated Dir. Liev Schreiber. Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer about a young man attempting to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis during WWII.

Evita Dir. Alan Parker. Madonna stars as Eva Peron in film version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Exotica Dir. Atom Egoyan. Five disparate characters become linked to each other’s destinies, with a strip club called Exotica as the focal point. Rated R. (VHS)

Factory Girl Dir. George Hickenlooper, 2006. Based on the life of socialite Edie Sedgwick and her relationship with Andy Warhol.

Factotum Dir. Bent Hamer. Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei in a tale based on the novel by Charles Bukowski.

Far From Heaven Dir. Todd Haynes. Julianne Moore & Dennis Quaid star in a sumptuous visual homage to Douglas Sirk’s melodramas of the 1950s.

Fast Food Nation Dir. Richard Linklater. Based on the best selling book of the same name, a biting commentary on corporate ethics and the fast food industry.

Felicia’s Journey Dir. Atom Egoyan. Bob Hoskins stars as a mild-mannered but psychotic catering manager. (VHS)

Female Perversions Dir. Susan Streitfeld. Tilda Swinton stars in intelligent film about “femininity” and sexuality. Rated R. (VHS)

The Field Dir. Jim Sheridan. Richard Harris and John Hurt star in Irish drama. (VHS)

Finding Forrester Dir. Gus Van Sant. Sean Connery stars as a reclusive novelist.

Five Minutes of Heaven Dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel, 2009. Starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt, this is a powerful story which explores the challenges of coming to terms with Northern Ireland’s troubled past.

Four Last Songs Dir. Francesca Joseph. Comic drama revolving around music, set on a Mediterranean island, starring Stanley Tucci.

French Film Dir. Jackie Oudney, 2009. Don’t be fooled by its name, this is a thoroughly British comedy about how French and English cultures differ in their attitudes towards relationships.

The French Lieutenant's Woman Adaptation of John Fowles' novel with Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep.

Frida Dir. Julie Taymor. Salma Hayek stars in an extraordinary portrait of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Dir. John Avnet, based on a novel by Fannie Flagg.

Frost/ Nixon Dir. Ron Howard, 2008. Adaptation of the stage play of the legendary interview of Richard Nixon by David Frost.

Fugitive Pieces Dir. Jeremy Podeswa, 2007. Adaptation of the novel by Anne Michaels.

Fur Dir. Steven Shainberg, 2006. Nicole Kidman stars in biographical drama about the famous but eccentric New York photographer , Diane Arbus.

Gandhi Dir. Richard Attenborough. Indian biographical epic stars Ben Kingsley.

Garage Dir. Leonard Abrahamson, Ireland 2007. A tragicomedy set in a rural petrol station.

Garden State Dir. Zach Braff. Aspiring actor returns to his hometown and the inevitable conflicts with his father.

The General Dir. John Boorman. Based on the life of a Dublin working class criminal who evaded police capture for years. (VHS)

Gerry Dir. Gus Van Sant. Matt Damon & Casey Affleck star in a minimalist homage to dramatist Samuel Beckett set in the desert.

Ghost World Dir. Terry Zwigoff. A well observed study of alienation based on the comic book by Daniel Clowes.

The Gift Dir. Sam Raimi. Cate Blanchett gives a powerful performance as a small town psychic. Written by Billy Bob Thornton.

Girl With a Pearl Earring Dir. Peter Webber. Coling Firth and Scarlett Johansson star in fine adaptation of the novel about the 17^th century Dutch painter Vermeer.

Gods and Monsters Dir. Bill Condon. Ian McKellen stars in an exceptional character study of a filmmaker alone at the end of his life.

The Good German Dir. Steven Soderberg 2006. Moody black & white post-WWII drama starring Cate Blanchett and George Clooney.

Good Night and Good Luck Dir. George Clooney. Shot in B&W deals, with victory of journalist Ed Murrow against the anti-communist witch hunt led by Senator Joe McCarthy. Great soundtrack.

The Good Shepherd Dir. Robert De Niro, 2006. Drama about the history of the CIA.

A Good Woman Dir. Mike Barker. Delightful drama based on Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windemere’s Fan, stars Helen Hunt.

Goya’s Ghosts Dir. Milos Forman, 2006. Dramatic interpretation of the life of the 18^th century Spanish painter.

Gran Torino Dir. Clint Eastwood, 2008. Eastwood also stars as a Korean War vetran who deals in rough justice.

The Great Gatsby Dir. Jack Clayton, stars Robert Redford, Mia Farrow in adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel.

Gregory's Girl Dir. Bill Forsyth. The winning comedy of teenage love. (VHS)

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints Dir. Dito Montiel. A successful writer returns to his hometown after 15 years and has to deal with his demons. Stars Robert Downey Jr. 2006.

A Handful of Dust Dir. Charles Sturidge. Based on the story by Evelyn Waugh.

The Hanging Garden Dir. Thom Fitzgerald. Striking multi layered psychological drama about a man returning home after long absence. (VHS)

Happiness Dir. Todd Solondz. Confronting series of portraits of the members of an unhappy family. Rated R.

Happy Hour Dir. Mike Bencivenga, stars Anthony LaPaglia.

The Harder They Come Dir. Perry Henzell, 1972. Jimmy Cliff stars in this long unavailable cult Jamaican reggae crime caper.

Havoc Dir. Barbara Kopple. Gritty and erotic thriller about LA teens with a taste for the forbidden.

Hearts in Atlantis Dir. Scott Hicks. Anthony Hopkins stars in adaptation by William Goldman of two Stephen King stories – but not the one with this title.

Her Majesty Mrs Brown Dir. John Madden. Judy Dench and Billy Connolly star in much lauded royal Victorian drama.

Hideous Kinky Dir. Gillies Mackinnon. Kate Winslet stars in a well-observed study of early 70s selfishness, spontaneity and social mores set in Morocco. (VHS)

High Art Dir. Lisa Cholodenko. Ally Sheedy stars as a naïve young woman caught up the world of ‘high art’. (VHS)

Hilary and Jackie Dir. Anand Tucker. Biopic of famous cellist, Jacqueline du Pre, and her family.

The History Boys Dir. Nicholas Hytner, 2006. Alan Bennett adapted his own play about an eccentric gay teacher in a private boy’s school.

Hollow Reed Dir. Angela Pope. Sensitive & intelligent portrayal of a gay father’s battle for custody of his possibly abused child. (VHS)

A Home at the End of the World Dir. Michael Mayer. Adapted from the novel by Michael Cunningham, it stars Colin Farrell, Robin Wright Penn & Dallas Roberts.

Hotel Rwanda Dir. Terry George. This is based on the true story of one man’s courageous attempts to help save his countrymen during the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

The Hours Dir. Dtepehn Daldry. Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore & Meryl Streep star in a moving adaptation of Michael Cuningham’s novel (itself inspired by Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway”).

The House of Sand and Fog Dir. Vadim Perelman. Ben Kingsley stars in this grim drama of cultural difference.

The House of the Spirits Dir. Bille August. Adaptation of the novel by Isabelle Allende. (VHS)

Hunger Dir.Steve McQueen, 2008. Harrowing account of the last 6 weeks of life of imprisoned IRA leader, Bobby Sands.

The Hurt Locker Dir. Kathryn Bigelow, 2008. Oscar winning drama about an elite Army bomb squad serving in Iraq.

I Capture the Castle Dir. Tim Fywell. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith, this is an engaging tale about an eccentric family living in a dilapidated Suffolk castle.

I Shot Andy Warhol Dir. Mary Harron. In 1968 Valerie Solanas shot & seriously wounded pop art icon, Andy Warhol. This film traces her bizarre life leading up to that moment as well as her “SCUM Manifesto”. (VHS)

I Went Down Dir. Paddy Breathnach. Irish comedy of dis-Organised crime.

I’m Not There Dir. Todd Haynes, 2007. Rumination on the life of Bob Dylan where 6 characters embody different aspects of his life and work.

Imagining Argentina Dir. Christopher Hampton. Emma Thompson stars in moving account of the years of political oppression in Argentina.

Immortal Beloved Dir. Bernard Rose. Gary Oldman stars as Beethoven.

Impromptu Dir. James Lapine. Judy Davis stars as flamboyant French novelist Georges Sand.

In Bruges Dir. Martin McDonagh, 2008. Two hit men are holed up in Bruges after a difficult job.

In the Bedroom Dir. Todd Field. Sissy Spacek stars in an absorbing drama about how grief over the loss of their son affects a long time married couple and the people around them.

In the Company of Men Dir. Neil LaBute. Impressive debut about the depths of corporate misogyny from playwright LaBute. (VHS)

In the Name of the Father Dir. Jim Sheridan & Daniel Day Lewis star in drama of English/Irish injustice. (VHS)

Infamous Dir. Douglas McGrath, 2006. Biographical drama about Truman Capote and his writing of “In Cold Blood”.

Inner Life of Martin Frost Dir. Paul Auster 2007, adapts his own work for the screen.

The Insider Dir. Michael Mann. Stars Russell Crowe and Al Pacino in gutsy drama about a whistle blower in the tobacco industry.

Insomnia Dir. Christopher Nolan. Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, Robin Williams and Martin Donovan star in a multi-layered thriller set in Alaska.

Intimacy Dir. Patrice Chéreau. English language European art movie starring Kerry Fox, based on stories by Hanif Kureishi. Rated R.

Into the Wild Dir.Sean Penn 2007, adapatation of the book by John Krakauer about a young man who abandons society and material possessions and treks into the wilderness.

Invictus Dir. Clint Eastwood, 2009. Tells the inspiring true story of how the newly elected president, Nelson Mandela, joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country.

Irina Palm Dir. Sam Garbarski, 2007. Marianne Faithfull stars in a dramatic exploration of the world of prostitution.

Iris Dir. Richard Eyre. A moving biography of Iris Murdoch starring Judi Dench, Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent.

Is Anybody There? Dir. John Crowley, 2008. Tells the story of Edward, an unusual ten year old boy growing up in an old people's home run by his parents who forms a bond with one of the residents, a retired magician.

The Jane Austen Book Club Dir. Robin Swicord, 2007. Six people form a book club to discuss Austen’s novels only to find their lives imitating her art.

Jane Eyre Dir. Franco Zeffirelli. Stars William Hurt & Charlotte Gainsborough. 1996.

Jesus’ Son Dir. Alison MacLean. Based on Denis Johnson’s acclaimed short stories, this is a stream of consciousness reminiscence of one young man who was swallowed up by the drug culture of the ‘70s. Rated R. (VHS)

The Joy Luck Club Dir. Wayne Wang, 1993, is based on the bestselling novel about Chinese Americans by Amy Tan.

Julie & Julia Dir. Nora Ephron, 2009. Meryl Streep stars in a delightful adaptation of the book by Julie Powell about Powell’s obsession with the cooking expert, Julia Childs.

Julius Caesar Dir. Uli Edel. Richard Harris and Christopher Walken star in this portrait of the Roman emperor.

Juno Dir. Jason Reitman, 2007. A comic drama about the trials and tribulations of an unplanned teenage pregnancy.

Keane Dir. Lodge Kerrigan, 2004. Is an enigmatic and somewhat disturbing tale about a man’s search for “family”.

Kids Dir. Larry Clark. Is a confronting cinema verité style view of contemporary teenage sexuality. Rated R.

Kidulthood Dir. Menhaj Huda, 2006. A harrowing day in the life of a group of troubled teens growing up in West London.

Kill Me Later Dir. Dana Lustig. Selma Blair stars as a suicidal young woman taken hostage by a bungling bank robber – a good black comedy.

The Killing Fields Dir. Roland Joffé, 1984. Dramatic recounting of the Cambodian tragedy under the Pol Pot regime.

The King Dir. James Marsh. Controversial and provocative thriller starring Gael Garcia Bernal.

Kinsey Dir. Bill Condon. Liam Neeson stars as the controversial Alfred Kinsey whose study of sexual behaviour was sensational in its time.

Kiss of the Spider Woman Dir. Hector Babenco, 1985. Stars William Hurt and Raul Julia in an award-winning adaptation of the novel by Manuel Puig.

Kisses Dir. Lance Daly, 2008. Two kids, Dylan and Kylie, run away from home at Christmas and spend a night of magic and terror on the streets of inner-city Dublin.

The Kite Runner Dir. Marc Foster, 2007. Adaptation of the novel by Khaled Hosseini about childhood regret and adult atonement covering three decades of wartorn Afghan history.

Koyaanisqatsi Dir. Godfrey Reggio, mind-blowing cult film, with music by Philip Glass.

Ladies in Lavender Dir. Charles Dance. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith star in classic period drama as sisters whose lives are seriously affected by the arrival of a young houseguest.

Lars and the Real Girl Dir. Craig Gillespie, 2007. Tale of a delusional young man and his sincere relationship with a rubber doll.

The Last King of Scotland Dir. Kevin Macdonald, 2006. Forest Whitaker stars as the Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin.

The Last of the High Kings Dir. David Keating. Gabriel Byrne stars. (VHS)

The Last Picture Show Dir. Peter Bogdanovich, 1971. Great film adapted from Larry McMurty's novel of the problems of adolescence in a small Texas town of the 1950s.

The Last Supper Dir. Stacy Title. Five graduate students decide to rid the world of extremists who don’t conform to their political world view.

Leaving Las Vegas Dir. Mike Figgis, stars Nicolas Cage. Rated R

Left Luggage Dir. Jeroen Krabbe. Isabella Rossellini stars in an emotional drama dealing with the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.

The Libertine Dir. Laurence Dunmore. Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton & John Malkovich star in 17^th century drama of famously debauched nobleman/poet.

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers Dir. Stephen Hopkins. Geoffry Rush stars in biopic of the famous comic actor.

A Life Less Ordinary Dir. Danny Boyle. Ewan McGregor stars in black comedy about a janitor who kidnaps his ex-boss’ daughter – but she turns out to know more about committing crime! (VHS)

The Limey Dir. Steven Soderberg. Terence Stamp is mesmerising as an ex-con searching for the man who murdered his daughter.

Little Children Dir. Todd Field 2006. Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson star as the illicit lovers in a modern suburban melodrama worth of Sirk.

Little Voice Dir. Mark Herman. Jane Horrocks, Michael Caine & Brenda Blethyn are all sensational in story of attempt to exploit a reclusive girl with the uncanny ability to sing like Judy Garland.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Dir. Guy Ritchie. This is “Pulp Fiction” British style.

Lolita Dir. Adrian Lyne. Jeremy Irons stars in controversial remake of novel by Nabokov. Rated R. (VHS)

Lonely Hearts Dir. Todd Robinson. The tale of a pair of notorious serial killers from the 1940s. Stars John Travolta, James Gandolfini & Salma Haytek.

Looking for Richard Dir. Al Pacino. Fascinating semi-documentary about Pacino’s staging of the Shakespearean play. (VHS)

Love and Death on Long Island Dir. Richard Kwietniowski. John Hurt stars as an eccentric British writer who flies to Long Island in the hope of meeting/ consummating his fantasy relationship with a B-grade male film star. (VHS)

Love and Human Remains Dir. Denys Arcand. His first English language film adapts Brad Fraser’s successful stage play. Rated R. (VHS)

Love in the Time of Cholera Dir. Mike Newell, 2007. Adaptation of the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Love is the Devil Dir. John Maybury. Derek Jacobi stars in this life of British artist, Francis Bacon. (VHS)

Lovely and Amazing Dir. Nicole Holofcener. Catherine Keener, Brenda Blethyn & Emily Mortimer star in a moving portrait of a family of women.

Lulu on the Bridge Dir. Paul Auster. Harvey Keitel stars.

M Butterfly Dir. David Cronenberg, stars Jeremy Irons. (VHS)

The Madness of King George Dir. Nicholas Hytner. Nigel Hawthorn & Helen Mirren in witty adaptation of Allan Bennett’s play. (VHS)

The Magdalene Sisters Dir. Peter Mullan. Based on a true story of a Catholic home for “wayward girls”.

Mansfield Park Dir. Patricia Rozema 1999. A fresh and highly successful interpretation of Jane Austen, starring Frances O’Connor as Fanny Price.

The Man Who Cried Dir. Sally Potter. Strange operatic drama stars Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett, Christina Ricci & John Turturro.

Margot at the Wedding Dir. Noah Baumbach, 2007. A tale of self-absorbed East Coast intellectuals with Baumbach’s signature full payload of dysfunctional family baggage.

Maria’s Lovers Dir. Andrei Konchalovsky, 1984. Stars Nastassja Kinski.

Marigold Dir. Willard Carroll. Comic story of an American actress who becomes obsessed with Bollywood.

Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein Dir. Kenneth Branagh. Reworking of the gothic tale. (VHS)

Me & You & Everyone We Know Dir. Miranda July, 2005. A lonely shoe salesman and eccentric performance artist struggle to connect in this unusual take on contemporary life.

Me Without You Dir. Sandra Goldbacher. Portrait of a female friendship spanning three decades.

The Member of the Wedding Dir. Fielder Cook. Based on the novel and play of life in the Deep South by Carson McCullers (VHS)

Memoirs of a Geisha Dir. Rob Marshall. Based on the novel by Arthur Golden. Stars Gong Li.

The Mill on the Floss Dir. Graham Theakston. Adaptation of the novel by George Eliot. (VHS)

Million Dollar Baby Dir. Clint Eastwood. Hilary Swank , Eastwood and Morgan Freeman star in multi award winning drama.

Les Miserables Dir. Billie August. Robust but non-musical version of Hugo's classic stars Uma Thurmin and Leam Neeson.

Michael Collins Dir. Neil Jordan. Liam Neeson stars as the charismatic Irish rebel leader. (VHS)

Milk Dir. Gus Van Sant, 2008. Sean Penn is outstanding as the gay rights activist, Harvey Milk.

Miss Potter Dir. Chris Noonan. Renée Zellweger stars as the delightfully indomitable children’s book author.

The Mission Dir. Roland Joffe. Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons in 18th century drama of the Jesuits in Brazil.

Mister Lonely Dir. Harmony Korine , 2007. Wacky comic drama about celebrity impersonators.

Moll Flanders Dir. Pen Densham. Morgan Freeman & Stockard Channing star in this version of the 18th century novel by Daniel Defoe (VHS)

Monster’s Ball Dir. Mark Forster. Billy Bob Thornton & Halle Berry star in challenging drama that tackles very big issues. Rated R.

The Mother Dir. Roger Michell. Scripted by Hanif Kureishi, this is an absorbing, explicit and confronting story of an older woman’s sexuality.

Mrs Dalloway Dir. Marlene Gorris. Adaptation of the novel by Virginia Woolf, starring Vanessa Redgrave.

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont Dir. Dan Ireland. All but abandoned by her family an elderly woman (Joan Plowright) strikes up a curious friendship with a young man.

Munich Dir. Steven Spielberg. Based on the real terrorist events of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

My House in Umbria Dir. Richard Loncraine. Maggie Smith stars in an enchanting tale set in Italy.

My One and Only Dir. Richard Loncraine, 2009. Set in the 1960s, Renee Zellweger stars as a woman who takes her sons on a road trip in search of a man to take care of them all.

Mystic River Dir. Clint Eastwood. The lives of 3 boyhood friends intersect years later. Stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon.

Mystics Dir. David Blair. Irish comdy about pranksters, gangsters and a jack Russell.

The Naked Lunch Dir. David Cronenberg, stars Peter Weller, Roy Scheider, Judy Davis in extraordinary adaptation of William Burrough's novel.

The Name of the Rose Dir. Jean-Jacques Annaud. Sean Connery stars in great adaptation of the Umberto Eco novel set in medieval monastery.

Nicholas Nickleby Dir. Douglas McGrath. Adaptation of the Dickens novel.

Nil By Mouth Dir. Gary Oldman. First time director he also scripted this gritty portrait of a dysfunctional South London family. Rated R. (VHS)

Nine Dir. Rob Marshall, 2009. Musical homage to the life and work of the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, stars Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz.

Nine Lives Dir. Rodrigo Garcia. Nine women with very different life experiences.

The Nines Dir. John August 2007. A compelling series of three interconnected stories with shifting realities , all vaguely sci fi.

Nixon Dir. Oliver Stone. Anthony Hopkins stars in Stone’s second major political/biographical piece (VHS)

No Reservations Dir. Scott Hicks. Catherine Zeta-Jones stars in English language remake of the German romantic comedy, Mostly Martha.

Notes on a Scandal Dir. Richard Eyre, 2006. Judi Dench stars as a predatory older teacher taking advantage of a younger colleague’s mistake (Cate Blanchett).

Nowhere Dir. Gregg Araki. A kind of surreal American Graffiti. Rated R.

Nowhere Boy Dir. Sam Taylor-Wood, UK 2009. Biopic about John Lennon’s childhood and early music career.

Ocean’s Elevn Dir. Steven Soderbergh. Star-studded remake of the 50s “Ratpack” heist movie.

Of Love and Shadows Dir. Betty Kaplan, based on the novel by Isabel Allende. (VHS)

Of Mice and Men Dir. Gary Sinise. John Malkovich stars in adaptation of the novel by John Steinbeck.

The Old Curiosity Shop Dir. Kevin Connor. Peter Ustinov stars in this adaptation of the Dickens novel. (VHS)

Oleanna Dir. David Mamet. Brilliant film version of his play about pedagogy & sexual power.

Oliver Twist Dir. Tony Bill. This version stars Richard Dreyfuss. (VHS)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Dir. Milos Forman, 1975. Jack Nicholson stars in the Oscar winning adaptation of the psychiatric novel by Ken Kesey.

Onegin Dir. Martha Fiennes. Something of a family affair for the Fiennes in this epic interpretation of the Pushkin classic.

One Night at McCool’s Dir. Harald Zwart. Matt Dillon and Liv Tyler star in a smart take on an old story.

Once Dir. John Carney, 2006. An Irish musical about a busker and an immigrant and their shared love of music.

Ordinary People Dir. Robert Redford. Stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton.

Orlando Dir. Sally Potter. Striking adaptation of Virginia Woolf's novel. Tilda Swinton stars.

The Other Boleyn Girl Dir. Justin Chadwick, 2008. Eric Bana stars in a Tudor period piece based on a novel by Philippa Gregory.

The Others Dir. Alejandro Amenabar. The hot new Spanish director’s first English language film – a ghost story starring Nicole Kidman.

Outsourced Dir. John Jeffcoat, 2006. Romantic comedy about a man whose entire firm has been outsourced and he finds himself travelling to India to train his replacement.

Owning Mahowny Dir. Richard Kwietniowski. Portrait of a mild mannered banker with a truly magnificent gambling obsession.

The Painted Veil Dir. John Curran 2006. Adaptation of a novel by Somerset Maugham set in China during an outbreak of cholera.

Palindromes Dir. Todd Solondz. A fable of innocence, a journey of self exploration.

Paranoid Park Dir. Gus Van Sant, 2007. Adaptation of the novel by Blake Nelson about teenage life and morality.

Passchendaele Dir. Paul Gross, 2008. Good Canadian drama about the bloody WWI battle.

The Passion of the Christ Dir. Mel Gibson. Overtly bloody account of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Pierrepoint the Last Hangman Dir. Adrian Shergold, 2005. The life and times of Britain’s most prolific hangman.

Pirates of the Caribbean: the curse of the black pearl Dir. Gore Verbinski. Johnny Depp & Geoffrey Rush star in a swashbuckling extravaganza.

Pollock Dir. Ed Harris. Harris and Marcia Gay Harden are superb in this biography of the brilliant but self destructive artist Jackson Pollock.

Possession Dir. Neil La Bute. Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart star in adaptation of A.S. Byatt's novel.

The Power of One Dir. John G. Avildsen, based on the Bryce Courtenay novel about growing up in South Africa.

Precious Dir. Lee Daniels, 2009. Set in Harlem in 1987, Claireece "Precious" Jones is a 16-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want.

Pride and Prejudice Dir. Joe Wright. 2006 version starring Kiera Knightly.

Public Enemies Dir. Michael Mann, 2009. The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.

Purely Belter Dir. Mark Herman. Another working class tragicomedy from the director of “Brassed Off”.

Quills Dir. Philip Kaufman. Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet star in biopic of the mad Marquis De Sade.

Raising Victor Vargas Dir. Peter Sollett. 16 year old Victor’s main struggle in life is with his Dominican grandmother who is convinced (quite rightly) that he is importing vice into the family. A delight.

Ray! Dir. Taylor Hackford. Jamie Foxx stars as blind musician Ray Charles.

The Reader Dir. Stephen Daldrey, 2008. Screenwriter David Hare adapted the novel by Bernhard Schlink. Stars Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslet.

Real Women Have Curves Dir. Patricia Cardoso. An affirmative Latino take on body image and the pressures women feel.

Red Dust Dir. Tom Hooper. Hilary Swank stars in a thriller set during South Africa’s Truth & Reconciliation hearings and its struggle to heal the wounds of apartheid.

Redacted Dir. Brian De Palma, 2007. A montage of stories of US soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Reds Dir. Warren Beatty, 1981. Grand epic of communisim and the Russian Revolution as told through the eyes of the radical US journalist John Reed (played by Beatty) and feminist Emily Bryant (Diane Keaton).

Requiem for a Dream Dir. Darren Aronofsky. Follows the descent into hell that is drug addiction. Rated R

Revolutionary Road Dir. Sam Mendes, 2008. Adaptation of a great novel about 1950s middle class suburban angst by Richard Yates, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

The Riddle Dir. Brendan Foley. A journalist investigates a series of murders that follow from the discovery of an unpublished novel by Charles Dickens in an old London pub. Strong British cast includes Vanessa Redgrave and Derek Jacobi.

The Road Dir. John Hillcoat, 2009. Terrific adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s accalimed post-apocalyptic novel.

Rock’n’Rolla Dir. Guy Ritchie, 2008. Action comedy of sex and thugs and rock and roll.

A Room for Romeo Brass Dir. Shane Meadows. A small observational picture about boyhood, manhood & masculinity but with a deceptively large impact. (VHS)

Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead Dir. Tom Stoppard, film version of his amusing 1967 play.

Running With Scissors Dir. Ryan Murphy, 2006. Adaptation of the memoir by Augusten Burroughs about his dysfunctional family.

Safe Dir. Todd Haynes. Deals with issues of toxic chemicals affecting the everyday lives of affluent US citizens. Stars Julianne Moore.

The Safety of Objects Dir. Rose Troche. Glenn Close stars in this highly acclaimed film about people and their possessions.

Savage Grace Dir. Tom Kalin, 2007. Julieanne Moore and Stephen Dillane play out the shocking story of the murder of Barbara Daly Baekeland in 1972. Rated R.

The Savages Dir. Tamara Jenkins, 2007. Laura Linney & Philip Seymour Hoffman star as a brother & sister dealing with their aging parent.

A Scanner Darkly Dir.Richard Linklater, 2006. Bold mix of animation and live action, based on the futuristic novel by Philip K Dick.

Scenes of a Sexual Nature Dir. Ed Blum. British comic drama about love and lust, stars Ewan McGregor. 2006.

Schindler’s List Dir. Steven Spielberg. Academy Award Winning adaptation of Thomas Keneally story.

The Secret Life of Words Dir. Isabel Coixet. Explores the redemptive relationship between a hearing impaired woman and a burns victim.

Series 7 Dir. Daniel Minchan. Send up of the reality TV phenomenon.

Seven Years in Tibet Dir. Jean-Jacques Annaud. Brad Pitt stars as an Austrian mountaineer stranded in Tibet during WWII who was befriended by the young Dalai Lama.

Sexy Beast Dir. Jonathan Glazer. Retired British gangster, living the good life in Spain, is monstered into one last job. Stars Ben Kingsley.

Shadow of the Vampire Dir. E. Elilas Merhige. The story of filming Murnau’s silent vampire film Nosferatu stars John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe.

Shadowlands Dir. Richard Attenborough. New version of the C.S. Lewis biopic stars Anthony Hopkins & Debra Winger.

Shakespeare in Love Dir. John Madden. Witty multiple Oscar winner about a Bard with writer’s block.

Shallow Grave Dir. Danny Boyle. Very black cult comedy about share accommodation with a macabre twist, stars NZ’s Kerry Fox. (VHS)

Sherry Baby Dir. Laurie Collyer, 2006. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as an ex-convict trying to reclaim her pre-prison life.

The Shipping News Dir. Lasse Hallstrom. Sympathetic adaptation of E. Annie Proulx’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

Shooting Dogs Dir.Megan Raney Aarons. Critically aclaimed retelling of one of the many tragic stories of the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990s.

Silk Dir. Francois Girard, 2007. Tale of a 19^th Century French silk merchant, based on the novel by Alessandro Barrico.

Sin City Dir. Robert Rodriguez, 2005. Film noir tribute written by graphic novelist Frank Miller.

A Single Man Dir. Tom Ford, 2009. Colin Firth gives an extraordinary performance in this adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel.

Sling Blade Dir. Billy Bob Thornton. Fascinating portrait of a mentally deficient man released from prison 20 years after killing his mother & her lover and his attempts to re-enter society. (VHS)

Slipstream Dir. Anthony Hopkins, 2007. Hopkins also stars in his engaging directorial debut about an aging screenwriter.

Slumdog Millionaire Dir. Danny Boyle, 2008. Adaptation of the novel set in the Mumbai slums, “Q & A” by Vikas Swarup, this film made a clean sweep of the 2009 Oscars.

Smilla’s Feeling For Snow Dir. Billie August. Julia Ormond, Gabriel Byrne, Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave star in adaptation of Peter Hoeg’s bestseller. (VHS)

Snatch Dir. Guy Ritchie, stars Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones and Benicio Del Toro.

Snow Falling on Cedars Dir. Scott Hicks. Dazzling adaptation of the bestselling novel by David Guterson.

The Soloist Dir. Joe Wright, 2009. A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Julliard-trained classical musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

Some Mother’s Son Dir. Terry George. Helen Mirren is outstanding as the mother of an IRA prisoner during the prison hunger strikes of the 1980s. (VHS)

Someone Else’s America Dir. Goran Paskaljevic. A Spanish immigrant moves his blind mother to NY in the hopes of pursuing the American Dream. (VHS)

Somers Town Dir. Shane Meadows, UK, 2008. Passionately made black and white social realist drama.

Sometimes in April Dir. Raoul Peck. Set in Rwanda during the bloody conflict of 1994.

Songcatcher Dir. Maggie Greenwald. Beautifully rendered tale of a female musicologist collecting folk songs in the Apalachian mountains in the early 20^th century. Stars Janet McTeer. (VHS)

Sordid Lives Dir. Del Shores. Olivia Newton-John & Beau Bridges feature in aptly titled bomb.

Spanking the Monkey Dir. David O. Russell. An astonishing debut feature. (VHS)

Speaking of Sex Dir. John McNaughton. Sex farce starring Billy Murray and Lara Flynn Boyle.

Speaking Parts Dir. Atom Egoyan. Perceptive look at how technology has invaded modern life. (VHS)

The Squid and the Whale Dir. Noah Baumbach, 2006. Laura Linney stars in Baumbach’s low budget autobiographical tale about his parents’ messy divorce.

State of Play Dir. Kevin Macdonald, 2009. Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren star in a top flight thriller.

The Station Agent Dir. Tom McCarthy. Refreshingly original film about 3 lonely people who become friends.

The Story of a Bad Boy Dir. Tom Donaghy. A delightful coming of age and coming out comedy. (VHS)

Storytelling Dir. Todd Solondz. Another chilling foray into the darker reaches of American suburbia.

Sunshine Dir. Istvan Szabo. Epic tale of a Jewish family spanning three generations, with Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles.

Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Dir. Tim Burton, 2007. Johnny Depp stars in adaptation of the broadway musical by the same name.

The Sweet Hereafter Dir. Atom Egoyan. Profoundly moving eliptical tale about the loss of children.

Sweet Land Dir. Ali Selim. Set in 1920, a woman travels from Germany to rural Minnesota to meet the man destined to be her husband.

Sylvia Dir. Christine Jeffs. Gwyneth Paltrow stars in life of the poet Sylvia Plath.

Synecdoche, New York Dir. Charlie Kaufman, 2008. A theatre director struggles with his work and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life size replica of New York inside a warehouse for his new play...

The Tailor of Panama Dir. John Boorman. Pierce Brosnan & Geoffrey Rush star in John le Carré’s own adaptation of his novel.

The Talented Mr Ripley Dir. Anthony Minghella. Good adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Tango Lesson Dir. Sally Potter. Unusual personal film about dance and the desire to dance.

The Terminal Dir. Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks stars as an east European immigrant stranded at JFK airport.

There Will Be Blood Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007. Grand adaptation of the Upton Sinclair novel set at the turn of the 20^th century about family, greed, religion and oil.

The Thin Red Line Dir. Terrence Malick. Powerful remake of James Jones’ novel about the bloody attack of Guadelcanal during WWII.

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing Dir. Jill Sprecher. Intrriguing film that weaves together a number of seemingly disconnected stories all involving people who are unfulfilled.

Thirteen Days Dir. Roger Donaldson. Dramatisation of the U.S. government’s “Cuban Missile Crisis” of 1962.

This is England Dir. Shane Meadows, 2006. A powerful semi-autobioigraphical piece about 1980s punk Britain.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada Dir. Tommy Lee Jones. A modern western with intelligence and heart.

3:10 To Yuma Dir. James Mangold 2007. Remake of the famous 1950s western by Delmer Daves.

3000 Miles to Graceland Dir. Demian Lichtenstein. A gang of Elvis impersonators pulls off a heist in Las Vegas.

Thumbsucker Dir. Mike Mills. Quirky coming of age tale about a teenager who still sucks his thumb.

The Tiger’s Tail Dir. John Boorman, Ireland 2006. The story of a property developer from humble origins who has prospered on the back of the Irish economic boom and then his invetible crash in the recession.

To Die For Dir. Gus Van Sant. Nicole Kidman stars as totally immoral overly-ambitious reporter. (VHS)

Together Alone Dir. P. J. Castellaneta. Innovative Gay drama, Rated R. (VHS)

Tom and Viv Dir. Brian Gilbert. Willem Dafoe & Miranda Richardson star in moving drama about T.S. Eliot and his first wife. (VHS)

Total Eclipse Dir. Agnieszka Holland. Dramatisation of the relationship between the French literary figures Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine. (VHS)

Towelhead Dir. Alan Ball, 2007. A coming of age story about a young Arab-American girl.

Traffic Dir. Steven Soderbergh, stars Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Benicio Del Toro in drug traffic drama.

Training Day Dir. Antoine Fuqua. Denzel Washington’s Oscar-winning performance as a very bent cop. Rated R

Trainspotting Dir. Danny Boyle. From the makers of Shallow Grave comes a bleakly comic look at Edinburgh’s drug culture. Based on the cult novel by Irvine Welsh, Rated R.

Transsiberian Dir. Brad Anderson, 2008. A couple of naive American tourists get much more than they bargained for on the legendary train journey from China to Russia.

The Trial Dir. David Jones. Kyle Maclachlan and Anthony Hopkins star in a Harold Pinter adaptation of the Kafka novel. (VHS)

The Truce Dir. Francesco Rosi. John Turturro & Rade Serbedzija star in Primo Levi’s moving memoir of Auschwitz.

True Romance Dir. Tony Scott. Quentin Tarantino script. Rated R.

Trumbo Dir. Peter Askin, 2007. Tribute to one of the greatest Hollywood screenwriters who was victimised during the McCarthy era.

Twentyfourseven Dir. Shane Meadows. Bob Hoskins stars as a likeable boxing trainer of local layabouts. (VHS)

21 Grams Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Arresting drama told in non-linear fragmented fashion. Stars Sean Penn and Naomi Watts.

2 Days in Paris Dir. Julie Delpy, 2007. A couple try to rekindle their relationship by a visit to Paris.

Under the Skin Dir. Carine Adler. Complex and compelling drama about the twists and turns of an unusual mother/daughter relationship. Rated R.

United 93 Dir. Paul Greengrass. A harrowing real time account of United Flight 93, on of the planes hijacked on Sept 11, 2001.

The Usual Suspects Dir. Bryan Singer. Labyrinthine and extremely well-played thriller, stars Gabriel Byrne, Pete Postlethwaite.

Vatel Dir. Roland Joffé. Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth star in a sumptuously filmed tale of 17^th century French court intrigue.

Velvet Goldmine Dir. Todd Haynes. Opulent tribute to 70s glam rock is a triumph of style and excess. (VHS)

Very Annie-Mary Dir. Sara Sugarman. Rachel Griffiths stars in this winning Welsh parable about female emancipation and small town claustrophobia.

The Visitor Dir.Thomas McCarthy, 2007. A moving drama about illegal immigrants.

The Wackness Dir. Jonathan Levine, 2008. During the summer of 1994, New Yorker Luke Shapiro has just graduated high school. He spends the summer dealing pot, listening to hip hop and exchanging his wares for therapy sessions with his psychiatrist.

Wag the Dog Dir. Barry Levinson. Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman star in an astonishingly familiar tale of political spin-doctoring. (VHS)

Wah-Wah Dir. Richard E. Grant, 2005. Autobiographical story of Grant’s childhood growing up in Swaziland during the last days of British rule.

Walk the Line Dir. James Mangold. Biopic about legendary country music singer, Johnny Cash.

Waking Life Dir. Richard Linklater. Striking visual style combining animation and live action video to depict a young man’s stream of consciousness.

The War Zone Dir. Tim Roth. Roth’s directorial debut is a tough uncompromising exploration of a family at war with itself. Rated R. (VHS)

Washington Square Dir. Agnieszka Holland. Adaptation of the novel by Henry James. (VHS)

Way Down Town Dir. Gary Burns. Canadian comic drama about a group of co-workers competing for how long they can survive in the fully enclosed downtown of world of apartments, offices and shops without ever going outside.

Welcome to the Dollhouse Dir. Todd Solondz. The pain of puberty has never been realised so unflinchingly as in this satire.

Wendy & Lucy Dir. Kelly Reichardt, 2008. Gut wrenching road movie about a destitute young woman and her canine companion.

What Just Happened? Dir. Barry Levinson, 2008. Robert De Niro stars as a fading Hollywood producer struggling to get his new picture made.

What’s Cooking? Dir. Gurinder Chadha. Multicultural drama built around the Thanksgiving Day feast.

When Brendan Met Trudy Dir. Kierion J Walsh, written by Roddy Doyle. Irish romantic comedy.

When Will I Be Loved Dir. James Toback. Stars Neve Campbell as a totally uninhibited femme fatale.

Where the Truth Lies Dir. Atom Egoyan. Kevin Bacon & Colin Firth star in classy 50s noir thriller.

Who Loves the Sun Dir. Matt Bissonette, 2006. Canadian drama about a troubled young man's sudden return after a mysterious five-year disappearance that reunites him with his wife and his best friend.

Wilde Dir. Brian Gilbert. Stephen Fry is utterly compelling as Oscar Wilde.(VHS)

The Wings of the Dove Dir. Iain Softley. Helena Bonham Carter stars in dramatisation of Henry James’ novel. (VHS)

The Winslow Boy Dir. David Mamet. Nigel Hawthorne stars in absorbing remake of the Terrence Rattigan play. (VHS)

The Winter Guest Dir. Alan Rickman, stars real life mother and daughter Emma Thompson and Phyllida Law. (VHS)

Wonder Boys Dir. Curtis Hanson. Stars Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire and Frances McDormand. A college professor whose personal and professional life is foundering and his strange but gifted student.

The Woodlanders Dir. Phil Agland. Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy.

The Woodsman Dir. Nicole Kassell. Kevin Bacon gives a sensational performance as an ex-convict trying to re-establish his life.

Wuthering Heights Dir. Peter Kosminsky, stars Juliet Binoche.

Yes Dir. Sally Potter. Joan Allen and Sam Neill star as a high powered couple trapped in a loveless marriage.

Young Adam Dir. David Mackenzie. Ewan McGregor and Tilda Swinton Star in a moody sensual thriller.

Young Victoria Dir. Jean-Marc Vallée, 2009. A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.