waiting for superman (2010)

Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems.

on imdb
watch full documentary (via vimeo) 

the inconvenient truth behind waiting for superman (2011)

A group of New York City public school teachers and parents wrote and produced this documentary in response to Davis Guggenheim’s highly misleading film, ‘Waiting for Superman.’ ‘The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman’ provides a critique of an increasingly free-market driven education system, the undermining of teacher unions and overall faith in the idea that charter schools are just what the country needs. The film highlights the real life experiences of public school parents and educators and takes a holistic look at education reform.

on imdb
watch full documentary (via vimeo) 

The Campaign (2012)

In order to gain influence over their North Carolina district, two CEOs seize an opportunity to oust long-term congressman Cam Brady by putting up a rival candidate. Their man: naive Marty Huggins, director of the local Tourism Center.

heartbreakingly funny. (you need to watch the film to get why i think so)

on imdb

safety not guaranteed (2012) 

Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel.

a beautiful feel-good film. recommended by the wonderful hayat. 

“it’ll make you happy and it’ll make you squeal and be so so happy.” -hayat

on imdb

The Namesake (2006)

American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family’s unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.

another film that proves my theory that actors who usually go for comedy are the best drama actors. 

on imdb

Shattered Glass (2003)

The true story of a young journalist who fell from grace when it was found he had fabricated over half of his articles

this was a really good film, but the fact that it’s based on true events just made it awesome. 

on imdb

Hesher (2010)

A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.

i’ve been going through old films i have and completely forgot about and this was one of them. absolutely brilliant. rainn wilson in a drama is very new to me, and i really really liked/loved him in this. 

on imdb

The Usual Suspects (1995)

A boat has been destroyed, criminals are dead, and the key to this mystery lies with the only survivor and his twisted, convoluted story beginning with five career crooks in a seemingly random police lineup.

one of my favorite ‘what just happened’ films. 

on imdb

John Oliver - Election Year

The road to Guantanamo

Part drama, part documentary, The Road to Guantánamo focuses on the Tipton Three, a trio of British Muslims who were held in Guantanamo Bay for two years until they were released without charge.

watch online (via youtube) 
on imdb

recommended by dina. thank you.

Gitmo

The New Rules Of War

more recommendations from faisal. he said i had to watch it in order starting with ‘red state’, ‘the most hated family in america’ and lastly ‘america’s most hated family in crisis’.

The most hated family in America

Louis struggles to come to terms with the infamous family who picket the funerals of soldiers in protest against an America that tolerates homosexuality.

on imdb
watch online (via google video)

America’s most hated family in crisis 

Louis returns to the Phelps family to find that several members have left the cult, and that they are being sued.

on imdb
watch online (via youtube playlist)

ps: i admire and respect mr. theroux for his patience with the phelps.