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Louie & Ernest Clay-Crew
Married February 2, 1974


12/21/1974
 
8/17/2006

I asked various email lists of Episcopalians to tell me which films have changed their lives or most deeply moved them. Here are the responses so far. If you are an Episcopalian and want me to consider adding your response, write to lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu letting me know your choices. Indicate why in 25 words or less for each. Indicate your name and parish.

The Rev. Randall Day has suggested that the list is a good resource for planning a parish film festival. Enjoy!

1. About Schmidt starring Jack Nicholson. Recommended by Kate Hall. St. Dunstan's, Houston, TX. "Similar to Pay It Forward - we can make a difference even when we don't know it - and even when we're not particularly saintly people."
2. Adam & Steve starring Chester, Malcolm Gets, Parker Posey, Chris Kattan. . Recommended by Wade Glascock. Calvary in Memphis. "A sweet, old-fashioned gay romantic comedy. This film makes same sex marriage look down right mainstream.."
3. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terrance Stamps et al.. Recommended by Prsicilla Bailous. Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston. "Drag queens take a trip across Australia in a pink bus named 'Priscilla.' "I admit to a personal affection for 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' because of all the nicknames I have acquired from it, primarily at Camp. (Do folks know about 'Camp' Camp? Please excuse a quick little PR plug. It's a week long summer camp in Maine for GLBT folks. REAL summer camp, not sex camp. See ttp://campcamp.com/. )"."
4. The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Recommended by Charles Nightingale. Holy Trinity, Clemson. "Set in WWI Africa, with Kate as a missionary whose brother, also a missionary, was killed. Bogart is the boozy river pilot who is taking her to civilization, and they have to evade German raiders. ."
5. Agony and the Ecstasy, the starring Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, and Dine Cilento. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "A two-volume video about Michaelangelo and his milieu. A story and performance not easily forgotten for who does not echo the pope's whisper `When will you be done?'."
6. All About Eve starring Bette Davis, Celeste Holme and Ann Baxter. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "The story of a fading theater diva and the treachery an aspiring actress shows in climbing over the established star to the top.  Themes of trust versus deceit,  mis-directed kindness,  age discrimination/concerns, and forgiveness in the face of humiliation."
7. All About My Mother starring Cecilia Roth. Recommended by Netflix. . "After her son's accidental death, a mother flees and bonds with a pre-operation transgendered person.."
8. Amadeus starring F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "A dramatic rendering of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart notable for the blending of world-class performances of Mozart's music into the composer's troubled life. ."
9. Amazing Grace starring Ioan Gruffodd. Recommended by Dom Lawton. St. Johns in San Francisco. "A dramatic portrayal of William Wilberforce's leadership in abolishing the slave trade in Britain. Social justice advocates have to struggle a lot harder to stay on message during a time of war and rallying around the flag.."
10. Amelie starring Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "Magic realism at it's best and the DVD contains many thought provoking interviews, creative insights, and even a panel discussion filmed at a French University."
11. American President starring Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Fox, Martin Sheen. Recommended by The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh. Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ. "The time to return fire is different in every exchange, but once it's time, it's TIME."
12. Angels in America starring Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Ben Shenkman, Patrick Wilson, Mary-Louise Parker et al. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "a graphic tale of the early Aids crisis in the US. It's well done w/ an all star cast but takes a time commitment of 6 hours. It also treats theodicy and deals w/ God as Deus Absconditus.."
13. Anne of Green Gables (modern edition) starring Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth. Recommended by Jackie Leftwich Williams. Trinity in Tariffville, CT. "A red headed orphan tranforms the lives of an elderly sister and brother and the place where she lives, Prince Edward Island. Great for kids and adults. An especially positive message for young girls. This video and its sequels should be purchased as they will be family treasures."
14. The Apostle starring Robert Duvall. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "Duvall plays a Pentecostal preacher, on the run after killing his wife's lover. A satisfying story about a complicated man who does bad things but is on fire for God."
15. As Good As It Gets starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., et al. Recommended by Jim Strader. Grace St. Paul's Church - Tucson, AZ. "Honestly portrays the struggle gay people face with acceptance in their own neighborhood, and the world while affirming the virtue of redeemed relationships."
16. Auntie Mame starring Rosalind Russell et al. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "The story of a eccentric `Aunt' who throws convention to the wind in the pursuit of truth, inclusively and honesty.  Entertaining and funny film based on the book by Patrick Dennis (the heroin's nephew)."
17. Babe starring James Cromwell and Magda Szubanski. Recommended by The Rev. Tobias Haller, BSG. St. James-fordham, the Bronx, NY. "A profound message about exceeding expectations."
18. Babette's Feast starring Gabriel Axel, Stéphane Audran, et al. Recommended by Ana Hernandez. St. Clements, NYC. "It's a beautifully crafted, haunting film about at least fifty things! Vocation, goodness, beauty, thanksgiving, relationships, pain, sadness, joy, graciousness, quiet, stinginess, etc... Besides, it keeps me mindful of the fact that you can never be sure who is cooking your meals and for what reasons - from the other side, as a cook, you never know who might be eating what you've made."
19. Barn Burning starring Henry Fonda and Diane Kagan. Recommended by Louie Crew. . "1980 film of Faulkner's short story, about a son who must decide whether to win his father's love when that entails participating in violence."
20. Beaches starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey . Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "About two women who meet on a beach in their youth and continue the friendship into maturity even unto death."
21. Beau Geste starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, and Robert Preston. Recommended by Charles Cummings. Grace Church in Newark, NJ. "1939 adventure in the French Foregin Legion."
22. Beautiful Boxer starring Asanee Suwan . Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "portrays kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol, who's harboring an unusual secret: He's a transvestite. Inspired by a famous Thai pugilist who lived two drastically different lives, through this moving film written and directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham recounts Parinya's painful attempts to exist in paradoxical worlds. To fund the sex change he longs for, Parinya earns money in the ring, participating day after day in the ultimate male sport. ."
23. Becket starring Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton. Recommended by Netflix. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "The story of Norman King Henry II and the Saxon Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England, elevated to Archbishop of Canterbury and ultimately slain by Henry II in Canterbury Cathedral.."
24. Bed Among the Lentils starring Maggie Smith. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "One of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads monologs. Maggie Smith plays a disaffected and alcoholic vicar's wife who finds redemption with her grocer. A superb piece of acting."
25. Bedazzled starring Peter Cook, Raquel Welch and Dudley Moore. Recommended by James Toy. Episcopal Church of St. Matthew & St. Joseph, Detroit. "Computer programmer makes a pact with the devil.."
26. Bend It Like Beckham starring Rhys-Meyers, Parminder K. Nagra and Keira Knightley. Recommended by R. F. Allen. Holy Comforter, Richmond, VA. "A marvelous and funny movie for teenagers apparently about adolescent rebellion; this is really about alienation and reconciliation."
27. Big Eden starring Arye Gross, Eric Schweig Director: Thomas Bezucha. Recommended by Paul Goercke. Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. "The film shows acceptance in an unexpected setting."
28. Big Fish starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup and Jessica Lange and directed by Tim Burton. Recommended by L. Zoe Cole. St. Luke's Denver, CO. "First you believe everything is true, then you think it's all a lie; in the end you understand what truth really is - like the Bible.."
29. Billy Budd starring Melville's story of innocence betrayed by law, simplicity by statute. The good captain driven by his legal code to execute the guileless (and forgiving) boy. Recommended by The Rev. John-Julian, OJN. Order of Julian of Norwich. "Terrence Stamps."
30. Billy Elliot starring Jamie Bell and Gary Lewis. Recommended by Wade Glascock. Calvary in Memphis. "A working class British boy realizes his dream of becoming a dancer. WARNING: I found the English dialect used in the film difficult to follow and had to use the subtitles to understand the dialogue.."
31. Bird Cage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Armand & Albert,a middle-aged gay couple, reluctantly accept Armand's son's intention to marry the daughter of a conservative Senator, but when the fiancee's family comes to visit, the whole household is turned upside down."
32. Birth of a Nation starring Lillian Gish. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Recommended by Nigel A. Renton. St. Mark's in Berkeley, CA. "It helped me understand the entrenched racism of Southerners whose families suffered during Reconstruction--and what a powerful propaganda weapon a well-made movie could become."
33. Body & Soul (PBS Mini-Series, Adult) starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Patrick Allen, Gary Mavers, et al.. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "A nun chooses between obligations to her family and commitment to the convent while facing a difficult choice about celibacy.."
34. Boys Don't Cry starring Hilary Swank. Recommended by The Rev. Gari Green. St. Andrew's, Kenosha. "It was one of the first, if not the first, movie to bring the trans matter to the general movie viewing population. ."
35. Boys' Shorts starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. . "Short films on black gay young men."
36. Breakfast on Pluto starring Liam Neeson. Recommended by Gwen Thomas. St. Dunstan's at Auburn University, Alabama. "A transvestite (the love child of a priest) flees his small town in Ireland and meets up in London with the mother who abandoned him. I love the little film with its theme of reconciliation of past sins and hurts. It shows the power of a gentle will to survive the most awful things life can throw at us. ."
37. Brief Encounter starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "A simple tale, stunningly well-told. The emotion is almost over-powering. A love story for grown-ups."
38. Brokeback Mountain starring . Recommended by Robert E. Stiefel. . "A film by Ang Lee based upon the short story by E. Annie Proulx. Two young sheepherders -- Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger)-- meet and fall in love while working together near Wyoming's Brokeback Mountain in 1963. This independent film has won more awards than any other motion picture to date. Because of its openly gay content, it was not expected to be shown in cinemaplexes, but it was. (2005)."
39. Broken Hearts Club starring Dean Cain and Andrew Keegan. Recommended by Harry Coverston. . "I love this movie. Gay. My former life in Dallas."
40. Brother Sun, Sister Moon starring Graham Faulkner and Judi Bowker. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "The story of St. Francis of Assisi.  It had an impact on me as a youth in the 70's but seeing again, it looks very dated and `hippy-ish'.  Still a great portrayal of the saint's life."
41. Brother to Brother starring . Recommended by Murdoch Matthew. . "About a young gay black manbefriending an elderly survivor of the Harlem Renaissance, with manyflashbacks to Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, et al. LangstonHughes is played by the actor who starred on Broadway in Take Me Out.."
42. Brother, Where Art Thous starring George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson. Recommended by The Rev. Kay Sylvester. St. Paul's, Tustin, CA. "An epic and hilarious re-telling of the Odessey, Southern Gothic style. The music functions beautifully as part of the narrative. the entire cast is pitch-perfect. Great river baptism scene."
43. Bullets Over Broadway starring Woody Allen. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "Best line: `You're a degenerate Zombie!."
44. C.R.A.Z.Y. starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "There are five boys in the Beaulieu family -- Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zachary and Yvan. But Zac (played by Emile Vallee and Marc-Andre Grondin) is the only one who's gay. That's why growing up in Montreal alongside his heterosexual brothers and his strict, emotionally distant father (Michel Cote) proves especially challenging for the blossoming outsider, who finds solace in the music of Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie. ."
45. Cardinal starring Tom Tryon and Cecil Kellaway et al. Directed by Otto Preminger. . Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "An ambitious priest faces excruciating moral choices while rising to the rank of Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. ."
46. Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "One of the greatest scripts ever (classic lines galore), w/ the moving transformation of anti-hero into hero, via self-sacrificing love (plus `As Time Goes By’!)."
47. Central Station starring Fernanda Montenegro. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "I swear to God, if you want a definition of grace, see this movie. I'm nearly crying just thinking about it."
48. Changing Times starring Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "Set in Morocco, this French film tells the story of a man who has obsessed over his 1st love for 30 years, finds her, pursues her and comes close to capturing her. Both actors are fantastic.."
49. Children of Heaven starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "An Iranian boy accidentally loses his sister's shoes. A delightful focus on innocence while all the other stuff we know is going on in the background."
50. Children of Men starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Recommended by The Rev. Kay Sylvester. St. Paul's, Tustin, CA. "Based on the novel by P.D. James; imagines a world only slightly more violent and anarchic than our own in which people can no longer reproduce. The main character is introduced to and becomes the protector of a pregnant woman. VERY violent but powerfully-told fable.."
51. Chocolat starring Binoche, Lena Olin, Judi Dench, and Alfred Molina. Recommended by The Rev. Sherman Hesselgrave. St. George's, Roseburg, OR. "How one person can transform a community."
52. Choir (1995 PBS mini-series -- adult) starring Nicholas Farrell, James Fox and David Warner. . Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "Story of a gifted musician in an affair with the mother of a chorister, set in the midst of British choral music and gothic cathedral architecture; sub-plot analyzes the cathedral's intriguing dean.."
53. The Chorus starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Gay teacher in French school who starts a choir."
54. The Client starring Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro, Mary-Louise Parker.. Recommended by Louie Crew. . "Based on the John Grisham novel. Mark Sway is an 11-year-old torn between what he knows and what he can never tell. A hitman will snuff him in half a heartbeat if Mark reveals what he learned about a Mob murder. An ambitious federal prosecutor will keep the pressure on until Mark tells all. Suddenly, Mark isn't a boy playing air guitar anymore."
55. Cold Comfort Farm starring Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, and Eileen Atkins. Directed by John Schlessinger, 1995. Recommended by The Rev. Randall Day. St. Mark's, Teaneck, NJ. "The power of one vibrant soul to bring a whole community to new life.  Great comedy and remarkable portrayals of a host of bizarre characters by an all-star cast.  This is also a great `systems' movie showing the effect of self-differentiation and healthy functioning."
56. Color of Fear starring Director Lee Mun Wah and a men's collaborative. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "I have used this powerful documentary in my classes to sensitize us to racism. The House of Bishops viewed it in the mid-1990s."
57. Color Purple starring Whoopie Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey..... Recommended by The Rev. Brad Whitaker. Christ Church, Grosse Point, MI. "I always turn to this anytime it is being re-run on TV."
58. Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean starring "Cher (her first movie) Sudie Bond, Karen Black, & Kathy Bates. Recommended by Stephen Skardon. Grace in Charleston. "Directed by Robert Altman. It is a 1970s reunion of a James Dean fan club from the 1950s."
59. Cries and Whispers starring Harriet Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Ingrid Thulin, Erland Josephson. An Ingmar Bergman film. Recommended by James Toy. Episcopal Church of St. Matthew & St. Joseph, Detroit. "I've seen it at least 6 times -- as I write I get chills just thinking about it. The film speaks eloquently and luminously to the joy and the tragedy of the human condition."
60. Crimes and Misdemeanors starring Woody Allen. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "The Mouselini/Jack Ass scene is an all time classic."
61. Crimson Tide starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. Recommended by The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh. Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ. "Leadership and decisiveness are never absolute, either in their etiology or in their application."
62. Dark Crystal starring Puppets. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "1994 film directed by Jim Hensen.  This film explores the nature of Good and Evil as actually having an integral and `yin-yang' relationship---the good does not seek to destroy the evil, but seeks to absorb it in non-violent ways.  Themes of resurrection also appear."
63. A Day without a Mexican starring Caroline Aaron, Tony Abatemarco, Melinda Allen. Recommended by Lelanda Lee. St. Stephen's, Longmont, CO. "Satire about what happens one day in California when a mysterious pink cloud appears and not a single Latino/a is left in the state."
64. Dead Man Walking starring Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon. Recommended by Beth Strickland. Christ Church, Waukegan (Chicago). "`It consolidied my feelings on the death penalty and demonstated what it means to `seek and serveChrist in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself'."
65. Dead Poets Society starring Robin Williams. Recommended by Br. Thomas Bushnell. . "About integrity and courage and passion--where passion is a virtue which struggles against mediocrity of every kind and against all compromise with injustice."
66. Death at a Funeral starring Peter Dinklage, Matthew Macfadyen and Rupert Graves. Recommended by Stephen Skardon, Jr.. . "truly a side-splitting comedy. It looks like a screen adaptation of a very British play. I watched it twice yesterday and my abdominals will definitely not need a workout for a couple of weeks."
67. Deer Hunter starring Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep and directed by Michael Cimino. Recommended by Mike Hignite. St. James, Dexter, MI. "The movie grabbed me viscerally and showed how destructive war is. Lives are altered, only for the worse, and no good comes at all. It showed the thin veneer of civilization that we display hides sinful animal natures. It took me days to recover from this one.."
68. Diary of a Country Priest: Le Journal d'un Cure' de Campagne starring Claude Laydu, Nicole Ladmiral, Jean Riveyre. Directed by Robert Bresson. Recommended by David H. De Porte. St. John's in the Village in Manhattan. "It is an extraordinary study in faith.  I have seen it at least ten times and every time am awash in tears. Because of the way the voice-over narration works with the action, it absolutely must be seen in its original French version, with subtitles, and not dubbed."
69. DIE BRÜCKE (German: THE BRIDGE) starring Volker Bohnet, Fritz Wepper, Michael Hinz, and Cordula Trantow. Produced by Bernhard Wicki. Recommended by The Rev. John-Julian, OJN. Order of Julian of Norwich. "The most moving, powerful anti-war movie I know: the wasteful, meaningless destruction of radiant and vibrant youth in the stupid, patriotic, jingoistic name of war."
70. Different for Girls starring Rubert Graves and Steven MacIntosh. Recommended by Gwen Thomas. St. Dunstan's at Auburn University, Alabama. "I shows the struggles of a relationship between a man and his trans-woman paramour as it developed over many years.."
71. Doctor. Zhivago starring Julie Christie, Omar Sharif, and Rod Steiger. Recommended by Janet Tunick. St. Paul's in Montvale. "Incredible epic film of the Russian revolution filmed magnificently - based on the novel by Boris Pasternak. ."
72. Dogfight starring River Phoenix, Lili Taylor, Richard Panebianco, Holly Near. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "Four Marines about to ship out to Viet Nam hold an 'ugliest date' contest. River Phoenix as Eddie invites Rose who discovers the truth. Eddie tries to make amends and the two begin to fall in love. Sometimes crude but touching."
73. Dogma starring Alanis Morisette as God, George Carlin as Cardinal Glick. Recommended by Michael Cudney. Holy Trinity Inwood, NY C. "One of the great movies to get a theological discussion going is DOGMA. Absolutely brilliant, and hilarious. Even though a bit gory at the end, with some slow moments but enjoyable nonetheless."
74. Earth starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A powerful account of the devastating genocide that broke out between Hindus and Muslems when the Brits separated Pakistan from India. Deepa Matha directed it.."
75. East of Eden starring James Dean. Recommended by Janet Tunick. St. Paul's in Montvale. "James Dean's first movie (I was a big fan of his!) - a sensitive portrayal of a young man trying to understand who he is and why he is in conflict with his sternly religious father and brother in Salinas CA around the start of WWI based on John Steinbecks's novel.."
76. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman starring . Recommended by Lelanda Lee. St. Stephen's, Longmont, CO. "Master Chef Chu lives with three unmarried daughters. Life revolves around an elaborate Sunday dinner and surprises in the love lives of the family members Chinese film by Ang Lee with English subtitles."
77. 84 Charing Cross Road starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "The story of a years long friendship conducted by mail and centering around old books."
78. Elizabeth starring Cate Blanchett. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "The best film I've ever seen about the early years of our Anglican church. Religious compromise (not to mention "divine-right" politics) is not pretty---but in the long run, it works."
79. Elizabeth I (2 disks) starring Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons. Recommended by Charles Nightingale. Holy Trinity, Clemson. "The two-part miniseries on HBO starring Helen Mirren in the title role, and Jeremy Irons as Robert Dudley. It begins after Elizabeth has been on the throne 20 years, and continues to her death. I find it to be more historically accurate than Elizabeth, and for me at least, a much more engrossing production. ."
80. Emmanuel's Gift starring Emmanuel Ofusu and Oprah Winfrey. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Set in Ghana. The hero champions others who are disabled by war.."
81. Enchanted April starring Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson et al.. Recommended by George L. Werner. Retired President of the House of Deputies. "A slow-paced gem is about the civilizing influence of Italy on beleaguered Londoners."
82. Enemy Mine starring Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett, Jr.. Recommended by Mac Todd. St Davids Chesterfield County, Diocese of Virginia. "This sci-fi film deals with two space pilots on opposite sides of a space war. Quaid is an earthling and Gossett is a Drac. They both crash land on a desolate planet and learn from one another. This movie shows a level of developed tolerance going to friendship which I fear we would not often see if we meet extra-terrestials.."
83. The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain starring Hugh Grant and George Garrard. Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "Surveyers demote a moutain to a hill and the small community in Wales reacts.."
84. Equus (adult) starring Richard Burton and Peter Firth. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "In startling and provocative depth, Burton plays a psychiatrist who seeks to help an adolescent boy struggling with religious and sexual issues.."
85. ET starring Drew Barrymore. Recommended by Renee Rutkowski. Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria VA. "A `snapshot' of sibling rivalry, where Drew Barrymore calls her brother `penis breath'; the struggles of a mom to hold the family together, the crucifixion images where ET is in the stream, the `experts' poking and prodding at Eliott, who BELIEVES, and ET, who heals the wounds with the touch of love."
86. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "A man tries a procedure that would erase memories of his girlfriend and then tries to rescue some of those memories.."
87. Field of Dreams starring James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster.... Recommended by The Rev. Steve Snider. Church of the Holy Apostles, Wynnewood, Philadelphia, PA. "It is the story of my father and me. Coincidental or providential - I'm not sure - my father (deceased) and I were both Iowans ... the setting for the film. Theology in the film? Loaded. Remember Burt Lancaster's `sacrifice play' to save the little girl?."
88. Finding Nemo starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould directed by Lee Unkrich. Recommended by Nancylee Ziese. . "A delightful undersea world unfolds in Pixar's animated adventure.."
89. 5000 Fingers of Dr. T -- Dr. Seuss starring Tommy Rettig, Hans Conried and Peter Lind Hayes. Recommended by James Toy. Episcopal Church of St. Matthew & St. Joseph, Detroit. "It was banned for years because of references to the atomic bomb -- camp forever -- a dungeon scene, drag for days, a man crooning to a boy -- the first time I saw it I was high on hash brownies and consequently blown away. . . .."
90. 4 Little Girls starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "The story of the 4 children killed in the Birmingham bombing in the 1960s."
91. Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank. Recommended by The Rev. Frederic Guyott. . "Is the story of a naïve young white female teacher whose first assignment is in an inner-city school in Long Beach, California. She is able to communicate to children of diverse racial/ethnic groups the importance of education and the value of respect for all people, despite human differences.."
92. Gallipoli starring . Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "Australia. Dedication, sincerity, Patriotism VS ego, pride, opportunism = redemption, effort, fate.."
93. Gandhi starring Ben Kingsley, Saeed Jaffrey. Recommended by The Rev. Sherman Hesselgrave. St. George's, Roseburg, OR. "The antidote for the `myth of redemptive violence'."
94. Garcon Stupide starring Pierre Chatagny and Lionel Baer. Recommended by Netflix. . "Young gay man stuggles to choose between series of meaningless encounters and true intimacy with an older man.."
95. Genghis Blues starring Paul Pena, Kongar ol Andar. Recommended by Sarah Lawton. St. John's San Francisco. "A blind blues singer in San Francisco struggles to become a throat singer. It is one you should see for the improbable joy of it all. ."
96. Ghosts of Mississippi starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "The trials and final conviction of Byron dela Beckwith, murderer/assasin of civil rights leader Medgar Evers."
97. Giant starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. Recommended by The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh. Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ. "A straight white guy learns to get over it."
98. The Girl in the Cafe starring Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald. U2's Bono and former PB Frank Griswold together in the Bonus Features. Recommended by L. Zoe Cole. St. Luke's Denver, CO. "An excruciatingly painful love story about changing the world. You'll never again hear fingers snapped without thinking of the MDG's.."
99. Glory starring . Recommended by Anne McConney. Editor of RUACH, the newsletter of the Episcopal Women's Caucus. "Loosely based on the letters of Col. Robert G. Shaw (Matthew Broderick), this Academy Award-winning war film follows the first group of African-Americans to serve in combat during the Civil War.."
100. God Grew Tired of Us starring . Recommended by The Rev. Frederic Guyott. . "This is the story of the travails of thousands of children who fled from the strife in the Sudan and were displaced persons in several countries. The fortunate few were brought to the United States by a variety of Christian relief agencies and resettled in homes. These children have often been called “the lost boys of Sudan.” Many fled when they were pressed to become soldiers in the conflict. The film gives an eloquent portrayal of the terror of leaving family and country and the struggle to assimilate and thrive in a very different cultural and social context.."
101. Godspell starring For young and old, makes being a disciple of Jesus (the Hippie Clown) into a celebration of friends, fun and deep feeling (and NYC: more poignant now after 9/11). Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "Musical that retells the story of Matthew's gospel.."
102. Gone with the Wind starring Clark Gable, et al. Recommended by Janet Tunick. St. Paul's in Montvale. "Margaret Mitchell's novel about the old South and reconstruction."
103. Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon, Ben Afleck and Robin Williams. Recommended by Janet Tunick. St. Paul's in Montvale. "Story of a young man with an abused past from South Boston whose math genius is uncovered while working as a janitor at a prominent university and his whole life and circumstances begin to be transformed. Very dramatic and touching.."
104. Goodbye, Mr. Chips starring Peter O'Toole, Michael Redgrave, and Petula Clark.. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "A simply superb yet heart-rending account of the life of a classics teacher in a British boys' boarding school, set primarily during World War Two."
105. Goodnight Mister Tom starring John Thaw, Nick Robinson. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A bitter old man is transformed when he takes in a war refuge in rural England."
106. Gorillas in the Mist: The Adventure of Dian Fossey starring Sigourney Weaver. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "About the young anthropologist in Africa whose love for the rare gorillas led to her untimely death in the faraway jungles. Never to be forgotten movie about passion, dedication, and love."
107. Gospel According to Matthew starring Bruce Marchiano; produced by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Recommended by William F. Hammond. St. Andrews, Albany, NY. "I saw it around 1960 while I was a college student in the Boston area. A very much not-air-brushed Jesus came through in a new way."
108. Grapes of Wrath starring Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin, Dorris Bowdon, Russell Simpson, OZ Whitehead, John Qualen. Directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda. Recommended by Carol M. Marsh. Ruidoso, New Mexico. "A 1940 film based on John Steinbeck's novel about the Joad family, displaced Oklahoma dustbowl farmers during the Great Depression, The Grapes of Wrath illustrates compassion at the deepest level in the face of man's inhumanity to man, especially in the poignant scene when Rose of Sharon tries to safe a dying man's life by feeding him from her breast."
109. The Great Debaters starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whittaker, et al.. Recommended by Louie Crew. . "A debate team at a small black college defeats Harvard in the heights of apartheid in the US."
110. The Green Mile starring Tom Hanks. Recommended by The Rev. Katherine Merrell Glenn. St. Andrew's, Tacoma, WA. "The `Jesus character,' a death row inmate wrongly convicted, provides profound metaphorical insight into the compassion of God in the execution of a fellow prisoner."
111. Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. Recommended by Dina Strong. St. Luke's in Fort Collins, Colorado. "What life feels like to me, at 50: getting up every day to live the same day all over again. The Good News in Groundhog Day is that love is found right there, in the mundane task, the ordinary day."
112. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner starring Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, and Katharine Hepburn. Recommended by John Vaisey. St. John's, Portland, OR. "It was Spencer Tracy's last movie, and the subject matter was ahead of its time, forecasting social issues to come."
113. Hannah and Her Sisters starring Woody Allen. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "I can't get enough of Julie Weist!."
114. Harold and Maude starring Ruth Gordon. Recommended by The Rev. Thomas B. Woodward. St. Paul's, Salinas, CA. "In a movie dominated by different images of death, Maude is a pied-piper into another level of reality altogether. Jesus in the guise of an 80 year old woman."
115. He Who Must Die starring Servais, Mohner ... A Jules Dassin's 50's film on the Passion. Recommended by James Toy. Episcopal Church of St. Matthew & St. Joseph, Detroit. "At the end, my then rector was overcome and consequently speechless -- never before and never since, to my knowledge."
116. Henry the Vth starring Kenneth Branagh as director an actor.. Recommended by Donald Lowery. Rector, Church of the Holy Innocents, Henderson, NC. "Shakespeare's major history play. Spectacularly filmed, wonderfully acted, it shows the utter horror of war as it was in Middle Ages, and by extension, in our own day. It shows how essentially moral people can be drawn into a situation in which they view violence as their only recourse, and how the church has, at times, aided and abetted that process. This is in contrast to Olivier's equally famous version which was intended to use Shakespeare to pump up morale and strenghten pro-was sentiment as Britain battled the Nazis.."
117. High Noon starring Starring Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Grace Kelly, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Harry Morgan, and Ian MacDonald. Directed by Fred Zinnemann. Recommended by Hon. Thomas Little. Trinity, Shelburne, VT. "Gary Cooper, as the erstwhile retired peace officer, portrays an honest, forthright and principled member of a community that is waffling over its responsibility to protect the safety of the town. His dedication to principle risks his marriage (to the character played by Grace Kelly, portraying a pacifist)."
118. His Secret Life starring Margherita Buy. Recommended by Netflix. . "Wife discovers that her dead husand had a secret lover for 7 years and she tries to connect with the lover.and an extended family of gays, the transgendered....."
119. The History Boys starring Nicholas Hytner, Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour. Recommended by Richard Konopka. At large in the Diocese of Newark. "The History Boys is a lovely coming-of-age story set in a second tier English public school. Based on the Tony award winning play by Alan Bennett, it is the queering of Dead Poets Society.."
120. Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle (Oscar nominee). Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "An ordinary man who runs the hotels courageously saves over 1,000 refugees during Rwanda's genocide .."
121. The Hours starring Stephen Daldry, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "The role of Virginia Wolfe won Nicole Kidman a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actress.  The intermingling of the stories of 3 woman--Virginia Wolfe, a 50's house wife, and a chic urban NYC editor.  Explores the tough issues of life and each persons response to them.  Love, redemption, despair, suicide and reconciliation all figure into this dramatic rendering of a boring book."
122. Ikiru starring Takashi Shimura. Recommended by The Rev. Tobias Haller, BSG. St. James, Fordham, The Bronx, NYC. "This inspires me every time I see it with its triumphant message about the value of life, new birth, and strength in weakness triumphant over `the powers'."
123. In the Mood for Love starring Tony Leung. Recommended by Sarah Lawton. St. John's San Francisco. "A romance in Hong Kong in 1962. The atmospherics and costuming are marvelous, and he captures a sense of unfulfilled longing so beautifully.."
124. Inconvenient Truth starring . Recommended by Cliff Moore. Ministry developer in the Diocese of Wyoming. "Al Gore's documentary on global warming. I think you will find it most informative and timely.."
125. The Inn of the 6th Happiness starring Deborah Kerr. Recommended by Lelanda Lee. St. Stephen's, Longmont, CO. "Based on a true story. Deemed unqualified, Englishwoman becomes missionary on own initiative, saves orphans from invaders, and evangelizes Chinese workers through her Christian example."
126. Iron-Jawed Angels starring Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston. Recommended by Sarah Lawton. St. John's San Francisco. "On Alice Paul and the fight for women's suffrage. A typical biopic perhaps but nicely done and a reasonably accurate portrayal of that struggle in particular and also how such struggles can be won.."
127. It's a Wonderful Life starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Recommended by Libby Nickel. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN. "Simple, clear message that the golden rule makes life worth living. Kind of cheesy, but the perfect movie to watch when you are feeling sorry for yourself."
128. James Baldwin starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. . "documentary."
129. Jasper, Texas starring Roy T. Anderson. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "The brutal murder of James Byrd, Jr, just because he was black."
130. Jesus of Montreal starring Lothaire Bluteau. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "Perhaps the finest attempt ever made on film to present the ministry and passion of Jesus in contemporary terms....or on any terms. It, too, is very funny at times and yet deeply serious and always leaves me moved beyond words. I show it to my students in religious studies at UNH. When it is over I leave the lights off for an extra moment until the tears stop flowing."
131. Jezebel starring Bette Davis and Henry Fonda. Recommended by Charles Cummings. Grace Church in Newark. "She's a destructive temprtress who leads a man to his death."
132. Joe Versus the Volcano starring Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan. Recommended by Casey Rousseau. Trinity, Harford. "A delightfully satisfying modern fairy tale. A hypochondriac with a fatal diagnosis takes the trip of a lifetime and finds a reason to live.."
133. The King of Comedy starring Robert De Niro. Recommended by Stephen Skardon. Grace in Charleston. "Martin Scorsese directed Robert DeNiro, Jerry Lewis, and Sandra Bernhard (in her first movie) in this very dark, outrageous comedy.."
134. King of Hearts starring Alan Bates. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "A comedy set in WW1 France about the thin lines between sanity and insanity, suggesting that often the sane are crazy and that the insane have discovered a secret of life. I haven't looked for it on DVD. It is best seen in the original version, in French, English, and German with appropriate subtitles."
135. Kingdom of God starring ??. Recommended by Donald Lowery. Rector, Church of the Holy Innocents, Henderson, NC. "Set in medieval Palestine at the time of the crusades, it shows Sala Hadin (Saladin) as an honorable man, which in fact he was, and the Christian ruler of Jerusalem as desirous of living in peace with the Moslems. After the King of Jerusalem died, his place was taken by an unscrupulous monster who deliberately provoked a war with the Islamic forces. Despite this, some people struggle to uphold the highest ideals of their respective religions. It shows that there might be hope for peace in the Middle East, over the long haul, despite current troubles.."
136. Lackawanna Blues starring Rubn Santiago-Hudson, S. Epatha Markerson.. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Rachel Crosby opens her house to anyone looking for a place to rest and regroup, as segregation begins to lose its grip."
137. Ladies in Lavendar starring Judie Dench, Maggie Smith et al.. Recommended by George L. Werner. Retired President of the House of Deputies. "Two sisters befriend a mysterious foreigner who washes up on the beach of their 1930's Cornish seaside village.."
138. The Last King of Scotland starring Forest Whitaker. Recommended by Ernest Clay. Grace in Newark, NJ. "Idi Amin. Whitaker won an academy award for his performance.."
139. Last Orders starring Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren,David Hemmings, Ray Winstone. Recommended by George Hayman. Grace Church in Madison, NJ (Diocese of Newark). "A modern Canterbury Tales. Friends, son fulfill Southwark butcher's final request to transport ashes, toss them off Margate Pier. Includes side trip to Canterbury Cathedral."
140. Last Temptation of Christ starring Willem Dafoe. Recommended by The Rev. Ann Markle. . "This was a faith-changing, life-changing movie for me. It was about as Biblical as `The Passion of the Christ' (not very), but much more thought provoking.."
141. Laura starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews, Clifton Web and Vincent Price. Recommended by Charles Cummings. . "Private investigator Marc McPherson looks into the murder of Laura, who died before the film begins. Strangely, he falls in love with the dead woman through her beautiful oil painting hanging in her apartment. He investigates her lover/benefactor Waldo Lydecker and another man who may or may not have been her lover. Why would a woman whom every man falls in love with be murdered, and is the dead body really Laura at all?."
142. Lawrence of Arabia starring David Lean, Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "Lessons of fidelity, cultural sensitivity and compassion."
143. Lesson Before Dying starring Don Cheedle. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Wrongly condemned murderer visited daily by Cheedle."
144. Licensed to Kill starring Arthur Dong and various men in prison for murdering gay men. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "This chilling PBS documentary looks murderers eye to eye, those who have killed gay men. The murderers come from many races and classes. It is fascinating how often scripture and culture have written their scripts. It is a powerful resource to use for classes and spiritual retreats, but only if you have time to discuss it in detail before leaving."
145. Life is Beautiful starring Roberto Begnini. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Begninni won an Oscar for this amazing use of comedy and a child to keep hope alive in the face of the holocaust."
146. Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "This Australian flick will give you a new appreciation for the abilities of Cate Blanchett. She plays a recovering Heroin Addict struggling w/ a family friend who is still addicted. Like many in recovery she believes that she should not be accountable for her actions while using drugs and unfortunately she cannot get a loan to open her own business b/c of her past. She copes but the pain is all there on the screen.."
147. Little Miss Sunshine starring Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinneaer, and Toni Collette. Recommended by Kay Achar. St. Mark's, Teaneck, NJ. "I found it especially moving because, as the Rolling Stone reviewer put it, it's 'a scrappy human comedy that takes an honest path to laughs and is twice as funny and touching for it.' Many reviewers have invoked the 'dysfunctional' label to describe the family whose story the film tells. True, the troubles and quirks of each family member and the points of conflict they engender are spotlighted--but with gentleness and compassion. For all the s0-called 'dysfunction,' it displays, the movie is comic and not tragic because this small band of individuals who seem to have ended up in a family together purely by chance bear with one another in love, without sacrificing the calling to which each has been called.."
148. Little Voice starring Brenda Blethyn. Recommended by Harry Coverston. . "Not to be missed! Amazing performances. Very funny, very sweet.."
149. The Lives of Others starring . Recommended by Sherman Hesselgrave. . "One of the most deeply moving stories of redemption that I have ever seen. It is set in East Germany from 1984 until after the wall came down in 1989.."
150. Locked Up starring . Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "Love and lust seem to find a way to bloom despite the circumstances. Imprisoned for credit-card fraud, Dennis (Marcel Schlutt) is ready to give his life over to misery until he meets Mike (Mike Sale), a fellow convict who catches Dennis' eye. Before long, the two arrange a series of liaisons for sexual fulfillment, all under the voyeuristic gaze of prison guards and other inmates. But this erotic tale is no ordinary love story. ."
151. Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers starring Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett and Sir Ian McKellen. Recommended by The Rev. James Creasey. Non-parochial in the Diocese of Alabama. "The magical world of J. R. R. Tolkein."
152. Madea's Family Reunion starring . Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Helen Betenbaugh. Non-parochial on Disability in Marianna, FL . "Tyler Perry, who writes, produces, directs, and plays both the leading male and female roles in the Madea series, really struck gold with this one. It has his usual blend of Black humor, a dash of slapstick, and powerful human core values around which the plot revolves. The long scene on the importance of Family near the end is pure sacrament, enhanced still further by the gifts of orators Maya Angelou and Cicely Tyson. ."
153. Magic Flute starring Josef Köstlinger & Ulrik Cold. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "The opera is performed much as it was at the time of its premier, but with the ironic perspective of two centuries since the Enlightenment. As music historian and avid opera goer, I know of no better realization of this opera, whether on stage or on film, and believe me, I've seen a lot of them since I was first undone by Mozart's music and this opera when I saw it in a student production at the University of Michigan when I was 14 years old."
154. Magnificent Obsession starring Irene Dunn, Robert Taylor, and Charles Butterworth. Recommended by John Vaisey, LEM. St. John's, Portland, OR. "I saw John Stahl's original 1935 black and white production as a teenager in the 1940s before I had ever entered an Episcopal church. Was re-made in 1954, starring Rock Hudson, Jane Wyman, and Agnes Moorehead."
155. Maltese Falcon starring Humphrey Bogart. Recommended by Charles Cummings. . "John Huston's first film; defined the Bogart character; introduced Greenstreet; first film noire."
156. Man Called Peter starring Richard Todd and Jean Peters. Recommended by Gerardo Ramirez-Miller+. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Carle Place, N.Y., Diocese of Long Island. "It is about a chaplain to the US SENATE. In one scene Peter Marshall hears the calling of the Holy Spirit, undergoes a conversion experience and pursues the ministry.."
157. Man for all Seasons starring Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller and Robert Shaw. . Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "An account of the refusal of Sir Thomas More's refusal to acknowledge Anne Boleyn's rise to Queen of England under Henry VIII.."
158. Man Without a Face starring . Recommended by Brad Lamonte. Grace in Birmingham, Alabama. "Against long odds, a young boy works hard to pass the entrance exam that will allow him to enter his late father's alma mater. The handicap is that he's ignored by his mother and sisters. So, he asks Justin Mcleod (Mel Gibson), an ex-teacher who's horribly disfigured, to tutor him. As they work hard together to prepare for the examination, the man and boy forge a friendship that could heal the wounds of both their pasts. ."
159. The Manchurian Candidate starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey. Recommended by The Rev. Scott Elliott. Diocese of Chicago. "Sinatra's finest film performance by far. Glorious. A Korean war hero has been brainwashed to be a sleeper agent for North Korea.."
160. Manhattan starring Woody Allen and Meryl Streep. Recommended by Lee Shaw. St. Stephen's Parish, West Valley City, Utah. "It is black and white and possibly the perfect movie. The sound track, all Gershwin is incredible with the (for me) definitive version of "Rhapsody in Blue" by the New York Philharmonic, Gary Graffman, soloist.."
161. Master and Commander starring . Recommended by Anne McConney. Editor of RUACH, the newsletter of the Episcopal Women's Caucus. "Just because I'm a great fan of Patrick O'Brian's books and what they have to say about human experience and the human spirit, and the film is a loving attempt to capture some of that. Plus, of course, some beautiful shots of sailing ships.."
162. Midnight Cowboy starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman . Recommended by Janet Tunick. St. Paul's in Montvale. "Two lonesome down and out street people from entirely different backgrounds strike up a friendship on the streets of NYC.."
163. Millions starring Alex Atel and Louis McGibbon. Recommended by The Rev. Tobias Haller, BSG. St. James-fordham, the Bronx, NY. "A delightful film with a message about poverty and wealth, greed and generosity... A powerful yet charming statement about global mission.."
164. The Mission starring Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons. Recommended by The Rev. Dan Martins. St John the Evangelist, Stockton, CA. "Two responses to evil: active (violent) and passive. Both lead to martyrdom. Moving moment: Irons character dies carrying monstrance w/ MBS; Indian child picks it up and keeps walking. (1986)."
165. Monsignor starring Christopher Reeve and Genevieve Bujold. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "Reflections of the Vatican's shady behavior during World War Two."
166. Motorcycle Diaries starring . Recommended by T. E. Lynberg. Retired Archdeacon of Los Angeles. "Che Guevera's diaries put to scrreen. Engagement in Latino justice issues.."
167. Mrs Doubtfire starring Robin Williams. Recommended by Nancylee Ziese. . "People tend to think Dads don't care about their kids when a relationship goes bad or in the latter case when the mother dies. In my work as a social worker, I have often seen fathers struggle to be a part of their children's lives and be rebuffed. Children need both parents if at all possible, even in the case of separation and divorce as in Doubtfire. The final scene in that movie deeply moved me.."
168. Mrs. Minniver starring Orson Wells et al.. Recommended by Charles Cummings. . "William Wilder film about English family in WW2. Stars Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Best picture of 1943.."
169. My Life in Pink (Ma Vie en Rose) starring Georges du Fresne. Recommended by Christina Beardsley. St. Stephen's Chapel, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. "This is my favourite and I have made a little sequence of scenes on my laptop, illustrating the accumulation of cross-gender feelings and actions that would lead an adult to identifiy as and be recognised as transgendered. In the film, of course, it is a child, and the outcome in adult life would be less predictable, I think.."
170. My Own Private Idaho starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "Mike and Scott, two hustlers living on the streets of gritty Portland contront surprises in their sexuality and in their relationships to their families.."
171. Mysterious Skin starring . Recommended by Murdoch Matthew. . "Gregg Araki's riveting drama, based on a novel by Scott Heim, brings together two unlikely heroes (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet): a young man who makes a living by selling his body on the streets and another who's convinced he was once abducted by aliens. It seems they have unspeakable tragedy in common as both of them discover they were abused as children. What results is a friendship built on despair but rife with hope.."
172. Name of the Rose starring Sean Connery and F. Murray Abraham. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "A compelling murder mystery set in a Roman Catholic monastery during the Inquisition."
173. Nat King Cole, Unforgettable starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. . "documentery."
174. No Man's Land starring Branko Djuric, Rene Bitorajac Director: Danis Tanovic Synopsis. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "It is is a must see film about the absurdity of war. Takes place in Bosnian/Serbian war. Everyone including the UN and the press comes off bad.."
175. Norma Rae starring Sally Field. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "The real life story of Norma Rae who revolutionizes a textile mill town (Roanoke Rapids, NC) for the union.  Sally Field won the Oscar for Best Actress in this film about struggle, commitment and the elusiveness of victory.  Based on the book `Crystal Lee A Woman of Inheritance' by Henry P. Leifermann."
176. Normal starring Jessica Lang. Recommended by Renee Rutkowski. Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria VA. "The ending line is enough, where the night before her husband's gender reassignment surgery, she embraces his face, sighs and says `What we do for love'."
177. Now Voyager starring Bette Davis and Paul Henried. Recommended by Frank Dowd. St. Mary's, Bonta Springs, FL. "Bette Davis plays the role of a lackluster spinster imprisoned in her mother's house. She has a nervous breakdown, undergoes a complete transformation of personality and finds the love of her life on a cruise to Rio. Improbable, but inspiring stuff for anyone coming out."
178. Off the Map starring Valentina d'Angelis and Sam Elliott. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "Perhaps the best coming of age tale I've ever seen. Story of a precocious young girl living w/ her parents off the grid. Dad, Sam Elliott, suffers from depression. Mom, Joan Elliott, keeps their heads above water. Fun, meaningful and impossible to capture in a few words.."
179. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever starring Barbra Steisand. Recommended by Harry Coverston. . "My favorite Babs movie. I love it."
180. On With the Show starring Ethel Waters. Recommended by Ronald Bushnell. . "A 1929 Warner Brothers' backstage musical. It has everything. Flapper showgirls, ridiculous show tunes, sound that comes and goes (talkies were only two years old then) and a plot as thin as any of what passed for theatre on Broadway in the twenties. Ever read the book of a Gerschwin play? But Ethel Waters made her Hollywood debut in it, singing "Am I Blue?". That alone justifies the existence of cinema. Lord, I'm still in love with a black woman who has been dead for twenty years. I need a therapist ."
181. Once Were Warriors starring Rena Owen, Temeura Morrison. Recommended by The Rev. Scott Elliott. Diocese of Chicago. "The story of a Maori family in modern-day Aotearoa. A harsh film, very, very hard to watch, but well worth the pain."
182. Ordinary People starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton..... Recommended by The Rev. Randall Day. St. Mark's, Teaneck, NJ. "The film presents the need for authentic intimacy and connection and the destructiveness of being outside the affection given to the chosen few. It also speaks to the vulnerability of human beings when they depend on the dumb idols of image and `the way things are supposed to be'."
183. Paper Clips starring . Recommended by Lelanda Lee. St. Stephen's, Longmont, CO. ":To teach diversity to a predominantly white rural Tennessee school, students focus on the Holocaust and collect paperclips representing Hitler's extermination of six million Jews."
184. Paradise Now starring Kais Nashef, Allie Sullman. Recommended by The Rev. Peter R. Powell. President, The Interfaith Housing Association. "An excellent treatment of the horror of life in the West Bank w/ a nuanced discussion of Suicide Bombing as a reaction. I believe the film comes down against suicide bombing, but it's a close decision.."
185. Parallel Sons starring Louie Crew. Recommended by TLA video. . "Interracial gay film in which two men are bound by their isolation.."
186. Passion of Joan of Arc starring Renee Maria Falconetti. Recommended by Michael Cudney. Holy Trinity, Inwood, NYC. "It's truly one of the landmark films, with a once-in-a-lifetime performance by Renee Maria Falconetti, shattering in its intensity. On VHS and DVD, it now has a beautiful musical accompaniment by contemporary composer Richard Einhorn, featuring Anonymous 4 as the voice of Joan. If you've never seen this film, prepare yourself: it is absolutely incredible."
187. A Patch of Blue starring Sidney Poitier. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A black farmer introduces a blind white girl to a whole new world.."
188. Pay It Forward starring Haley Joel Osment, Kevin Spacey, and Helen Hunt. Recommended by Kate Hall. St. Dunstan's, Houston, TX. "This movie shows us how much of a difference a little kindness can make - even when we don't get to realize it. I am reminded that I am supposed to do/pray/say things for the Glory of God, not the Glory of Kate."
189. Perils of Obedience starring Stanley Milgrim. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A scary and controversial experiment in which a Yale pyschologist tested how far research volunteers would be willing to go in following orders."
190. Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks, Joanne Woodward, Antonio Bandares, Denzell Washington  and Bob Castle. Recommended by Marge Christie. Christ Church, Ridgewood, NJ. "I'm not sure why because I didn't ‘learn’ anything new, but I find that I can't resist watching it every time it replays on TV.  Some of that is because of the powerful acting of Tom Hanks, but also Joanne Woodward, Antonio Bandares, Denzell Washington  and my friend Bob Castle.  But despite all that acting worship, I still cry every time I see it. So I guess it gets my vote."
191. The Piano starring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. Recommended by The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh. Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ. "Our harbored illusions are more dangerous than our moment-to-moment reality ever can or will be."
192. Pieces of April starring Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson and Derek Luke. Recommended by Donna Britt Madison. St. Michael's in Anniston, Alabama. "Trying to make amends for her past as the ultimate problem child, April Burns has offere to host an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner for her suburban clan in her grubby Lower East Side apartment, but her attempts go awry....."
193. Places in the Heart starring Robert Benton, Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse..... Recommended by The Rev. Brad Whitaker. Christ Church, Grosse Point, MI. "I always turn to this anytime it is being re-run on TV."
194. The Pledge starring Jack Nicholson, Aaron Eckhart, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Venessa Redgrave, and Sam Shepard. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A detective is driven to seek the truth...and driven into the darker reaches of his own mind by obsession.."
195. Ponette starring Victoire Thivisol. Recommended by The Rev. Christopher A. Smith. St. Ann's Episcopal Church, Amsterdam, NY. "It is the story of a four year old girl who has lost her mother in a car accident. The story of her struggle to come to terms with her loss and to continue to live is a miracle. The actress who plays Ponette gives an equally miraculous performance. A film to own and to give in time of need."
196. Powder starring Sean Patrick Flanery. Recommended by Brad Lamonte. Grace in Birmingham, AL. "It's excellent Jesus Story. Fantasy blends with drama in this tale of a 16-year-old albino (Sean Patrick Flanery) dubbed 'Powder; (because of his stark-white skin). After an isolated existence in his grandparents' cellar, he's ...."
197. Power of One starring . Recommended by Brad Lamonte. Grace in Birmingham, Alabama. "Terrorized because of his political beliefs, a white South African orphan turns to a streetwise black prisoner (Morgan Freeman) who teaches the boy how to box. After years of witnessing injustice all around him -- including seeing racist white jailers cruelly humiliate black inmates -- the young pugilist (Stephen Dorff) unites with a former boxing adversary to fight the uphill struggle against apartheid. ."
198. Pride starring Terence Howard and Bernie Mac. Recommended by The Rev. Frederic Guyott. . "It tells the story of an African-American swimmer who was discriminated against in his youth who became the supervisor of a broken down recreation center with an unused swimming pool in a bad section of Philadelphia. Although swimming was quite foreign to the youth in the neighborhood, this man developed a swim team which competed in local leagues. The level of discrimination faced by his team.."
199. Priest starring Linus Roache, Tom Wilkinson, Robert Carlyle and Cathy Tyson. Recommended by Kit Wang. St. George's York Harbor, Maine. "I saw Priest with friends from my long past seminary days when visiting SF on business a number of years back. It reminded me of the struggles of being gay in the priesthood, but also just slapped back open my ongoing but sometimes sluggish discernment process about priesthood--which had been in a `not if but when' status for about 10 or more years at that point. The movie came out before the Roman Catholic priest sex scandal in its major form, and is about a Roman priest in England."
200. Prince of Tides starring Barbra Streisand. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "Based on Pat Conroy's best-selling novel. Barbra also directed this film and her own son Jason Gould starred as her screen son, Bernard."
201. The Princess Bride starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Robin Wright Penn. Recommended by Casey Rousseau. Trinity, Harford. "A more traditional fairy tale about the power of true love directed by Rob Reiner with brilliant cameos by Peter Falk, Billy Crystal and Fred Savage.."
202. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio starring Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern. Recommended by Donald Synder. Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC. "This film is based on a true story and is an inspiring example of how the human spirit can continue to triumph over adversity."
203. The Producers starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. Recommended by Allen Hinman. . "A bad play about Hitler becomes a success for the producers."
204. Quinceanera starring Emily Rios. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A sensitive portrayal of a 14-year-old girl whose family cast her out when she is pregnant. She goes to live in a household with her great-granduncle and a gay cousin."
205. Rabbit Proof Fence starring Kenneth Branaugh. Recommended by The Rev. Kay Sylvester. St. Paul's, Tustin, CA. "A horrifying and ultimately triumphant true story about aboriginal children, removed from their families, who escape their boarding school and travel across Australia on foot to rejoin their families.."
206. Radio Days starring George Tirebiter. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "Whenever I need to laugh and feel warm and fuzzy (also "Jeffery" for this curative), I pull either of these down from the shelf."
207. Raisin in the Sun starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. Recommended by Brent Miller. St John the Baptist, Portland, OR. "A classic story of personal dreams, racial conflict and the redemptive quality of the family."
208. Raising Arizona starring Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage. Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "A childless couple 'borrows' one from a furniture magnate with quintuplets.."
209. Rashomon starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo. Recommended by The Rev. Scott Elliott. Diocese of Chicago. "Another absolute classic, about truth and falsehood and point of view. "This is considered one of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's masterpieces. It won an Oscar. Crime drama unfolds as four witnesses to a rape and murder report their versions of the attack.."
210. Razor's Edge starring Tyrone Power, based on the Somerset Maugham. Recommended by The Rev. Grant Mauricio Gallup. Casa Maria, Managua, Nicaragua. "It had a profound effect upon me and ushered me into a religious quest that has sent me slipping and sliding on the razor's edge through a lifetime of questioning and wandering, poetry and pilgrimage with Jesus and Gandhi as guides."
211. Rector's Wife starring Jonathan Coy, Lindsay Duncan, Ronald Pickup and Miles Anderson. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "This drama highlights the conflict between a traditional, albeit disturbed Anglican cleric and his contemporary spouse. ."
212. The Red Shoes starring Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, and Moira Shearer. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "My all-time favorite movie. Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture. Winner of Best Art Direction and Best Movie Score. The film is based upon Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale about a girl whose bewitched shoes dance her to her death, torn between her career and her marriage.."
213. Remains of the Day starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Based on Ishiguro's novel. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "A butler and housekeeper in an English country home on the eve of World War II. Steven, the butler, is devoted to Lord Darlington, a Nazi sympathizer. The movie explores loyalty, longing and regret."
214. Rent starring Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin. Recommended by Wade Glascock. Calvary in Memphis. "A musical about the erly years of the AIDS epidemic. This film really tugs at the heart strings.."
215. River Runs Through It starring Robert Redford, Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt..... Recommended by The Rev. Brad Whitaker. Christ Church, Grosse Point, MI. "I always turn to this anytime it is being re-run on TV."
216. Rocky Horror Picture Show starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "All need to let go of whatever inhibitions imprison them. Let's do the Time Warp again!."
217. Romero starring Raul Julia. Recommended by The Rev. Tommy Dillon. St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, LA. "This moved me greatly. It is about the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Watching a modern day saint who gave his life while standing up for the oppressed people of El Salvador  gave me the passion to begin doing missionary work in El Salvador."
218. The Sandpiper starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "A married Episcopal priest serving as Headmaster of a boarding school struggles with his emotions and his duty as he falls for the mother of a student.."
219. Saving Face starring Joan Chen, Michelle Krusiec, Lynn Chen. Recommended by Lelanda Lee. St. Stephen's, Longmont, CO. "Redemption and true love follow culture shock and secrets when pregnant widowed mom shows up on closeted Chinese American lesbian surgeon daughter's doorsteps.."
220. Schindler's List starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes. Recommended by John Bergeron. St. Dunstan's, Houston, TX. "It moved me because it showed how inhumane man can be. The movie visualized the Holocaust."
221. Secondhand Lions starring Michael Cane, Robert Duvall and Haley Joel Osmint. Recommended by Charles Nightingale. Holy Trinity, Clemson. "Haley Joel Osmint is a young adolescent sent to live with his uncles by his wandering mother, in hopes that they will leave him at least some of their reputed secret wealth.."
222. Secrets and Lies starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A family confronts shocking secrets and long-forgotten lies in this bittersweet drama. Especially powerful about race and class in Britain."
223. Separate But Equal starring Sidney Poitier. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Based on the life of Thurgood Marshall.."
224. Seven Samurai starring Takashi Shimura, Tosiro Mifune. Recommended by The Rev. Scott Elliott. Diocese of Chicago. "An absolute, absolute classic. Don't bother renting Netflix; buy it, the new Criterion 3-disc edition. Mifune's speech about farmers and samurai, and Shimura's 5 seconds of charging the camera with his sword, each alone are worth the purchase price.."
225. Seventh Seal starring Gunnar Bjornstrand. An Ingmar Bergman film. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "I first saw this as a freshman in college. I have seen this film dozens of times since. The film never fails to penetrate to the core of my being and repeatedly bring me to tears. Antonius Blok, a knight, and his squire return to Sweden from the Crusades during the Black Plague of the 14th Century. On the way, Antonius plays chess with Death, seeking to wrest the meaning of life from Death if not from an all silent God."
226. Shadowlands starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, and directed by Richard Attenborough. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "An account of the life of C. S. Lewis.."
227. Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "A prison movie about friendship, patient endurance and strength. There are some brutal scenes in it."
228. The Shop on Main Stret starring . Recommended by Ken McEvoy. Bathurst United Church, Toronto. "An inept Slovak peasant is torn between greed and guilt when the corrupt, Nazi-backed bosses of his small town appoint him "Aryan controller" of an old Jewish widow's button shop. Humor and tragedy fuse in this scathing exploration of one cowardly man complicity in the horrors of a totalitarian regime. ."
229. Shower starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Chinese bath house run by father and retarded son; delighteful. As the Ghanaian hymn exhorts, Jesus washes their feet. Teach us to love the neighbors we have from you.."
230. Sicko starring Michael Moore. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "The evil medical system in the USA."
231. Simon Birch starring Ian Michael Smith and Joseph Mazzello. Recommended by Roy Murphy. St. Thomas, Bellerose, NY. "Film adaptation of John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. It illustrates why we must all become like little children to enter the Kindom of Heaven.."
232. The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn starring Sidney Poitier. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Small-town farmer Noah Dearborn (Sidney Poitier) lives an uncomplicated existence till shady developer Christian Nelson (George Newbern) tries to usurp his family's land. Nelson will do anything to take Noah's property, including hiring shrink Sarah McClellan (Dianne Wiest) to have him declared insane. What Nelson doesn't anticipate is Noah forming an unbreakable bond with the doctor that proves stronger than anything the land baron can dish out. ."
233. Singer not the Song starring Dirk Bogarde. Recommended by John S. Morgan. All Saints' Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. "It explores the question of whether the church is propelled forward by the persuasive powers of the prelate or by her inherrent message. A Roman Catholic priest in a remote Hispanic village is interested in saving the soul of the town's bad man; the bad man is attempting to get the priest to surrender to his authority by killing innocent town folks one at a time, first one whose last name begins with A then B etc."
234. Sister Act starring Whoopie Goldberg. Recommended by Very Rev. Marilyn Engstrom. St. Matthew's Cathedral, Laramie, WY. "A pleasant reminder with great music showing that liturgy that speaks to the people in their language is transformative and even leads to mission."
235. The Sixth Sense starring Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis. Recommended by Charles Nightingale. Holy Trinity, Clemson. "Some kids are imaginary friends. When does this border on madness? This film has an unexpected twist.."
236. Slingblade starring Billy Bob Thornton. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "A released mental patient who had been institutionalized for murder forms a friendship with a young boy and his mother. A beautiful film about friendship, community and sacrifice."
237. Small Time Crooks starring Woody Allen. Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "I love Tracy Ullman!."
238. Smoke Signals starring Adam Beach, Evan Adams. Recommended by The Rev. Ann Fontaine. Lander, Wyoming. "Great film about our complex relationships with fathers. Sherman Alexie wrote and produced it."
239. Sneakers starring All-star cast (Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Ackroyd, River Phoenix). Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "They play aging computer hackers turned corporate security experts. Mary McDonnell plays straight man and Ben Kingsley the arch-villain. One of my favorite movies of all times. Maybe you have to be a geek to fully appreciate it."
240. Snow Cake starring . Recommended by Gillian Barr. St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego. "Curmudgeon Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) has just been released from prison and is driving across Canada. He picks up a female hitchhiker. When his car is hit by a tractor trailer and the hitchhiker is killed but Rickman survives, he goes to her mother to apologize. He discovers that Linda (Sigourney Weaver) is a high-functioning autistic woman and ends up staying with her until the funeral to assist her. As he develops a friendship with her and her neighbor, we come to see more depth to his character and see him struggle with some of the memories and mistakes which haunt him. One of the best moments in this excellent film is in the extras, a deleted scene 'Actually She's My Wife,' which could serve as a metaphor for the Incarnation.."
241. Solaris (1972) starring Director Andrei Tarkovsky's science fiction cult classic . Recommended by Ken McEvoy. Bathurst United Church, Toronto. "Very slow moving (about 3 hours), with some very long shots that reminded me of Antonioni. Being in Russian with English subtitles, it was almost impossible to understand ... but that's OK."
242. Solaris (2002) starring George Clooney. Directed by the award-winning Steven Soderbergh. Recommended by Ken McEvoy. Bathurst United Church, Toronto. "I had expected to be disappointed by the Soderburgh/Clooney remake, but in fact I was blown away by it. It's very solid, much tighter, and I found that I understood what was happening to the characters, even if what is happening in reality is still a mystery (as it is supposed to be).."
243. Soldier's girl starring Troy Garity and Lee Pace. Recommended by Gwen Thomas. St. Dunstan's at Auburn University, Alabama. "Based on murder of Barry Winchell, soldier. (I wish Calpernia herself could have played the lead).."
244. Something the Lord Made starring Mos Def and Robert Rickman. Recommended by Gillian Barr. St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego. "Emmy and Peabody Award-winning portrayal of Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), the African American lab technician who was the right-hand-man to Dr Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) who pioneered open-heart surgery in the 1940s. In the lab and operating theatre Blalock recognizes Thomas's work as brilliant and essential; outside of it the two are still constrained by the racial mores of the day and Thomas's work goes virtually unrecognized at the time. Stays very close to historical fact and gives viewers much to ponder about race, class and vocation. Also stars Mary Stuart Masterson as the severely-hearing-impaired surgeon who inspired Blalock to try to find a cure for 'Blue Baby Syndrome.'."
245. Songcatcher starring Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn, Pat Carroll, Jane Adams, E. Katherine Kerr. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "A college professor collects folk songs and new friends in Appalachia."
246. Sophie's Choice starring . Recommended by Ken McEvoy. Bathurst United Church, Toronto. "Aspiring author Stingo (Peter MacNicol) shares a Brooklyn boarding house with winsome Polish émigré Sophie (Meryl Streep) and her mercurial lover, Nathan (Kevin Kline) -- a union unsettled by Nathan's violent behavior and Sophie's disturbing recollections of her wartime experience. Stingo discovers that Sophie is a fraud, though, when her accounts of her stint at a Nazi concentration camp unravel, laying bare the real source of her torment. ."
247. Sordid Lives starring Delta Burk, Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges and Leslie Jordan. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "This film is for those raised in the South (or those who wish they were).  Truly White Trash culture deals with the issues of homosexuality, honesty, mendacity and reconciliation. Have a bucket of fried chicken and a RC Cola near by as you laugh (and maybe cry) the evening away."
248. Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, et al.. Recommended by Donald Lowery. Rector, Church of the Holy Innocents, Henderson, NC. "I know, I know, how can that be serious movie? But as a child growing up in a Pentecostal family in the south, it was the first time I heard chant. The wedding scene was my first exposure to anything that resembled liturgical worship. I was enamored of both chant and liturgy and so began a quest which led me to the Episcopal Church and ordination. While I told the Commission on Ministry that Jesus had called me to the priesthood, I was really looking for a chance to wear cassocks a lot - as close to being Maria as I could get ."
249. South Pacific starring Izio Pinza, Rossano, Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, Ray Walston, France Nuyen..... Recommended by Patti Barricklow. St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral, Dallas, TX. "I was only 5 years old, but I never forgot it, especially Gable's words, `You've got to be taught to hate and fear. It has to be drummed in your dear little ear....'."
250. Southern Comfort starring Robert Eads, Lola Cola. Recommended by Gwen Thomas. St. Dunstan's at Auburn University, Alabama. "Documents the last year of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transgendered person dying of ovarian cander.."
251. Star Wars Trilogy starring Hamill, Ford, Fisher, Harrison Ford. Recommended by The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh. Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ. "The power of the root metaphor, the seminal myth, is eternal."
252. Station Agent starring Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale and Patricia Clarkson. Recommended by Laura Klenk. . "Finbar McBride, a handsome dwarf, just wants to be left alone. When Fin's train-store boss dies and leaves him an abandoned depot in rural New Jersey, he hopes solitude will at last be his.."
253. The Story of the Weeping Camel starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "A documentary about a Mongolian camel who rejected her newborn white colt."
254. Street Fight starring Cory Booker, Sharp James. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "The 2006 mayoral race; nominated for Oscar as 'best documentary'."
255. Strictly Ballroom starring Baz Luhrmann, Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice et al.. Recommended by The Rev. Rosa Lee Harden. Holy Innocents, San Francisco. "An Australian film about dancers who will not follow the rules of ballroom dancing. It's outrageous, hysterical."
256. Sum of Us starring Russell Crowe et al.. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Candid portrayal of a gay plumber who falls in love with a gay gardener. Set in Australia."
257. Sunset Boulevard starring William Holden. Recommended by Harry Coverston. . "great 1950's expose of Hollywood."
258. Tender Mercies starring Robert Duvall, Tess Harper..... Recommended by Mary Sicilia. Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon. "It is, I think, very difficult to talk about goodness without lapsing into pap. This film declares what we know to be true: that grace is amazing and, really, totally unexpected."
259. Thorn Birds starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Christopher Plummer, et al. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "Chamberlin plays a Roman Catholic priest whose rise to power amidst very human frailty is dependent upon his relationship with a very wealthy Australian family.."
260. Thousand Clowns starring Jason Robards and Martin Balsam. Recommended by The Rev. Thomas B. Woodward. St. Paul's, Salinas, CA. "Robards, as Murray, is the epitome of the clown/fool in an overly pragmatic world. Told he must `come back to reality,' Murray responds `Only as a tourist'."
261. 300 Spartans starring . Recommended by Anne McConney. Editor of RUACH, the newsletter of the Episcopal Women's Caucus. "Grist of the Hollywood mill, I know, but a decent cast, and we lovers of classical Greek literature and history have to take what we can get. And I'm always moved in remembering that a bunch of stubborn Greeks--their minds on something else and no idea of any future beyond the immediate--handed us our world as we know it.."
262. Times of Harvey Milk starring Harvey Milk. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "A 1984 Oscar winning documentary. Only on VHS, I think, and a bit hard to find. I show this film in a series moving from the Holocaust through the Civil Rights Movement and the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., onto The Vagina Monologues and closing with Harvey's story and The Laramie Project."
263. To Kill a Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck. Recommended by Blake Rider. St. Stephen's, Houston. "This movie definitely changed my life. Listening to the conversations between Scout and her Dad, and to her internal monologues, shaped the way that I view human relationships. A must see. Also recommend the soundtrack. One of the songs (the main theme I suppose) by Elmer Bernstein is still my head - after not having seen the movie for 20 years."
264. To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguzamo--all dressed in drag. Recommended by The Rev. T. Scott Allen. Saint Elizabeth's Church, Schnecksville, PA. "Themes of who is good and bad, cultural sensitivity, reconciliation/redemption, compassion, domestic violence, love and beauty tips all rolled into one entertaining show."
265. Top Hat starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "Their best: beautiful Irving Berlin score, charming comedy, gorgeous Art Deco sets, and oh, those dancing feet!."
266. Torch Song Trilogy starring . Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "This film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway play traces 10 years (1971-81) in the life of middle-aged homosexual Arnold Beckoff (Fierstein himself). The film is, by turns, a riotously funny and poignant story of an aging drag queen and his attempts to connect with someone … anyone! Co-stars Anne Bancroft as Fierstein's shrewish mother and Matthew Broderick in one of his first movie roles.This film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway play traces 10 years (1971-81) in the life of middle-aged homosexual Arnold Beckoff (Fierstein himself). The film is, by turns, a riotously funny and poignant story of an aging drag queen and his attempts to connect with someone … anyone! Co-stars Anne Bancroft as Fierstein's shrewish mother and Matthew Broderick in one of his first movie roles.."
267. Trainspotting starring Ewan MacGregor, Robert Carlyle and Jon Lee Miller. Recommended by William Bradford. St. Mark's in Hood River, Oregon. "Young men try to find their way out of joblessness, aimless relationships and drug addiction.."
268. TransAmerica starring Felicity Huffman, David Harrison. Recommended by Prsicilla Bailous. Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston. "Transgendered person discovers a son she did not know 'he' had fathered and they tour America."
269. Tree of Wooden Clogs starring Luigi Omaghi, Francesca Moriggi. Recommended by Garry Lovatt. Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Toronto, Canada. "A stunningly photographed drama about the daily struggles and joys, through the seasons, of an Italian peasant farm community. Presented with simplicity, honesty, humor and tenderness, it is widely considered to be a masterpiece."
270. The Trip to Bountiful starring Geraldine Page. Recommended by Ernest Clay. Grace in Newark, NJ. "A golden oldie, about the persistence of faith of an elderly woman whose unloved by her family.."
271. Truly, Madly, Deeply starring Stevenson and Alan Rickman. Recommended by Susan Hagen. Emmanuel Parish, Harrisonburg, Virginia. "A very funny love story about a woman mourning her dead lover who then returns and hangs around along with all of his dead friends."
272. Unchained Memories starring Oprah, Ruby Dee, Don Cheedle et al.. Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Slave narratives.."
273. Unconditional Love starring Kathy Bates, Rupert Everett , and Dan Akroyd. Recommended by The Rev. James Creasey. Non-parochial in the Diocese of Alabama. "A Chicago widow helps the lover of a British pop star find his lover's killer.."
274. V For Vendetta starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Frye, Stephen Rea and John Standing as the bishop with a dirty little secret. Recommended by L. Zoe Cole. St. Luke's Denver, CO. "If you don't find yourself shocked into re-thinking justice, courage and even non-violence, you weren't paying attention.."
275. Vicar of Dibley starring Dawn French. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "BBC television series about an English village and its vicar . . . a woman!."
276. Walkabout starring Jenny Agutter. Recommended by Wayne Juneau. . "Basically a chronicle of physical, spiritual, and emotional journey of two siblings abandoned by their father in the Outback. Their are rescued (in a way) by an Aborigine boy on his 'walkabout' (tribal initiation into manhood) and all three are changed as they deal with both civilization and savage elements of the natural world. The film is visually delicious - Roeg was a cinematographer before turning director and the John Barry score is haunting.."
277. Walking Ned Divine starring Jackie O'Shea and Michael O'Sullivan. Recommended by Pat Clavier. . "How can dead Irishman Ned Devine collect his lottery winnings? Well, longtime cronies Jackie O'Shea (Ian Bannen) and Michael O'Sullivan (David Kelly) have the answer. After discovering that Ned croaked from the shock of hitting the jackpot, Jackie and Michael mastermind a scheme to impersonate the lucky stiff and collect his prize money. Now all they need to do is persuade the rest of Tulaigh Mohr's denizens to go along…."
278. Water starring Lisa Ray and Seema Biswas. Recommended by The Rev. Christopher A. Smith. St. Ann's Amsterdam, NY. "This film from India is truly beautiful though sad. No real Hollywood ending. A vivid reminder that life holds tragedy that we are powerless to prevent but that can be redeemed. Recommended by The Rev. Christopher A. Smith, St. Ann's Amsterdam, NY. Set in the 1930s during the rise of the independence struggles against British colonial rule, the film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man who is from a lower caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. [Actually, I think he was from a higher caste,."
279. Wedding Banquet starring Mitchell Lichtenstein and May Chin. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "About a young gay Chinese business executive who lives in Brooklyn with his WASP nurse-therapist partner. The parents back in Taiwan want to see their son married. The two young men go to great lengths to please the parents. It is a very funny film with a profound subtext, and the closing scene leaves its blessed and lasting impression upon the inner eye of mind and soul. An Ang Lee film."
280. West Side Story starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. Recommended by J. Collins Fisher. St. James Episcopal Church, Albion, MI. "The Music! The 1950s American "Romeo & Juliet" story may seem hokey, but the music (and the emotion behind it) is timeless and gorgeous."
281. Whale Rider starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene..... Recommended by Neil D Houghton. St. John's, Honeoye Falls, NY. "It was a week before I dove into GC 2003. I found myself dragged to see a film from New Zealand, `Whale Rider.' It was perfect. The analogies to what I was about to experience just kept flowing. The heroine, through sheer force of determination, brings those around her to a new level of consciousness about true spirituality."
282. What's Eating Gilbert Grape starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio, Juliette Lewis and Mary Steenburgen. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Recommended by L. Zoe Cole. St. Luke's Denver, CO. "An infinitely small story of profound hope; the antithesis of a blockbuster. I dare you not to feel that your own life is more important.."
283. What's Opera Doc? starring Buggs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. Recommended by The Rev. Dr. Robert Stiefel. Non-parochial, a professor at University of NH. "Several takes on Wagner and Rossini and other composers are combined. Until you have experienced Elmer Fudd as Siegfried and Bugs in drag as Brunhilde, well, you haven't really lived. Heck, this holds true for almost any Bugs Bunny cartoon, and a whole treasure trove of them are being released in time for Christmas. This four DVD set will include dozens of Bugs best on one DVD and on another DVD many starring moments by his diva cousin, Daffy Duck. Poor Elmer, to have had always to play straight man to two of the most gay figures in American culture!."
284. When Harry Met Sally starring Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan. Recommended by Casey Rousseau. Trinity, Harford. "Another Rob Reiner romantic comedy and the source of the quote I use when I talk about marriage equality: `When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.'."
285. When the Levees Broke starring . Recommended by Bert Jones. . "Spike Lee's documentary of Katrina's devastation of New Orleans."
286. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder. Recommended by Ann B Carlson. St. Mark's in Hampton, VA. "It's probably the only movie that I think is 10 times better than the book. The movie makes me believe (I've almost worn out the videotape and have the whole thing memorized) in `pure imagination' and in the power of love and compassion to answer life's questions. It answers the part of me that's always wanted to believe in uncomplicated goodness."
287. Wings of Desire starring Bruno Ganz, directed by Wim Wenders. Recommended by Sherri King Edman. Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, VA. "An angel, unable to heal brokenness in the humans he loves, chooses to become human.  A transcendently beautiful film about joy and goodness in earthly things."
288. The Wire starring . Recommended by Sarah Lawton. St. John's San Francisco. "Now in its fifth and final season as a TV series. Earlier seasons are avaialable on DVD. "It's important to watch the whole series from the beginning as it is as complex a portrait, and indictment, of Baltimore as a good Dickens novel is of London, but season two (dock workers specifically and the death of the working class more generally) and four (education) are especially good. ."
289. Wit starring Emma Thompson. Recommended by Nathan J. A. Humphrey. St. James in Monkton, MD. "It is about an English professor who is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A real tear jerker."
290. With Honors starring Joe Pesci, Brendan, Fraser, Moira Kelly, and Patrick Dempsey. Recommended by Libby Nickel. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN. "Story of a Harvard student who learns to think about others before himself, to take risks with other people, and recognize the value of every human being. Good stuff and quality cast."
291. Witness starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis. Recommended by Jim Hammond. St. Luke's, Remington, VA. "This is a murder mystery notable primarily for its setting among the Amish of Lancaster County, PA. The Amish lifestyle provokes thoughtful discussion about devotion to religious principles.."
292. Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr.... Recommended by Randy William Ash. St. Margaret's in DC. "My numero uno. I am a friend of Dorothy, i am a friend of dorothy, i am a friend of dorothy......... I am Dorothy!."
293. Wonder Boys starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand. Recommended by Murdoch Matthew. . "A New York agent comes to college town to check on a professor who wrote one best seller years ago and has been trying to finish his next book ever since. Agent is accompanied by beautiful six-foot drag queen named Roberta, whom he quickly drops for a bright student with a promising manuscript in his backpack. Student may or may not be queer -- he lies reflexively, on principle, and, like David in the scriptures, he won't say no to someone offering him the world. He’s played by Tobey McGuire (Spider-Man). There’s a funny dog that comes to a bad end. A dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe is lost. Loose ends fly around like tentacles and are finally tied up. Burdens of past are shed (or fly off the back of a bike carrier rack), new beginnings are made. And, to my regret, Roberta is never seen again. I really liked her/him."
294. Year of Living Dangerously starring Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver.. Recommended by Tim Orwig. Epiphany in Walpole, MA. "Directed by Peter Weir. Ostensibly a love story set against political upheaval in Indonesia, stars Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver. Foreign correspondent Gibson and his photographer Billy Kwan (for which Linda Hunt won an Academy Award) face difficult moral choices."
295. Yentl starring Barbra Streisand. Recommended by Alice Hanson. St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. "Streisand also directed, produced, and co-wrote the screenplay about a young girl's love of learning denied flourishing because of cultural mores at the turn of the century. Definitely a story for today about a woman's search for freedom And a her discovery of herself ... and of love."
296. Yesterday starring . Recommended by Louie Crew. Grace/Newark, NJ. "Darrell James Roodt (Cry, the Beloved Country) directs this heartfelt drama, the first Zulu-language film to be released internationally. Struggling to raise her daughter in a poor African village, Yesterday (Leleti Khumalo) finds the odds stacked against her when she learns that she's HIV positive. With her husband in denial, Yesterday must somehow find the strength to go on, determined to live just long enough to see her daughter go to school. ."
297. Zorba the Greek starring Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates. Recommended by Robin Hodson. St. Alban's, Arcata, CA. "It taught me to do everything with passion, even failure."

• Books That Changed Your Life. A similar list to this one compiled several years ago.
• Recent films I have watched. By Louie Crew
• Reccent Reading. By Louie Crew
• Louie Crew's Anglican pages: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/rel.html
• Louie Crew's home page: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew
• Send mail to: lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu

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