Lately, I have been drawn to, have watched, and have enjoyed such movies as My big Fat Greek Wedding, Lost in Translation, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Bend It Like Beckham.
So, based on the fact that I like these kind of movies, what other movies like these do you think would be just as good?
Oh, and by the way, if you’re tempted to mention Christopher Guest movies, I think I’ve allready seen them all. Thanks.
Perhaps Drop Dead Gorgeous?
If you liked greek wedding and beckham, you’ll love Monsoon Wedding.
How about a delightful French film called Man Bites Dog?
I’d think Rushmore would be an obvious choice, as it’s both written and directed by Wes Anderson (who did The Royal Tennenbaums) and stars Bill Murray.
I’d also recommend Ghost World, especially if you liked Scarlet Johansson’s performance in Lost in Translation.
Whale Rider is really good
A borrowed a friend’s DVD of The In-Laws this week, what an outstanding comedy. I’m talking about the original with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, I heard the recent re-make was awful. Great performances, snappy dialogue and some inspired moments of pure absurdity. Nice commentary track with Falk, Arkin and director Arthur Hiller.
Rushmore
Bottle Rocket
You Can Count on Me
American Beauty sort of obviously.
Well, all of those films are classified (don’t flame me! I mean they are marketed) as “indie” or “art house” movies. Find a theater that shows these and pick a night of the week to just go watch one. A lot of my favorite independent films don’t get a lot of advertising. Some you might look into:
Amelie
Secretary (more than a little risqué)
Tape
These are all dramas that are based on the idea that the heart of a movie is the emotion and the performance. I’ve ranked them in what I feel is lightest to darkest – that is, Amelie could be called a romantic comedy, but the other two shift rapidly into serious, heartrending drama.
The Station Agent is a good one.
I’ll second Ghost World and also recommend Almost Famous. Since I burned out on big-budget Hollywood spectaculars (Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle was the last straw), these strike me as the best American movies of the past decade.
My Eccentric Ethnic Family and Our Sumptuous Traditional Dishes 
The remake of The In-Laws was indeed terrible. Don’t bother.
If you don’t mind subtitles Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman which is about a Taiwanese chef and his three daughters is highly enjoyable.
Chocolat with Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Lena Olin
Another vote for Amelie
Both of these movies have a combination of wit, romance and a certain undefinable quality.
If you liked The Royal Tenenbaums, then I think you’ll also enjoy Bottle Rocket and Rushmore. All three movies were written by Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson, and all three movies were directed by Wes Anderson.
And here’s another vote for Almost Famous.
Another another vote for Amelie.
And Secretary was guilty sexy.
When I clicked on this thread, I was thinking, “no matter what recommend Raising Arizona.” So see that. It’s weird, funny amd a little sad, with some great images.
And Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch are imo, worth the rental fees.
Released on DVD earlier this year:
Mostly Martha(2001) a.k.a. Bella Martha is a romantic comedy/family drama, one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.
15 Amore(1998) is a WWII-era romantic comedy/family drama set in Australia.
Nowhere in Africa (2001) a.k.a. Nirgwendo in Africa is WWII-era drama about a Jewish family that flees to Africa.
And case you’ve never seen them, John Sayles’ Lonestar (1996) and Limbo (1999) are two gems with a wonderful combination of romance, mystery, humor and family drama.
If you felt it watching Lost in Translation, try The Quiet Earth for that total empty lost helpless sensation.
And for one hell of a scenic ending…
Oh, and WereOtter is dead right with his choices. Everything that happens in Lonestar is the real thing. Sayles just put the story together and filmed it. Perfect.