Category: Drama

North and South (2004)

When Margaret Hales’ (Daniela Denby-Ashe) father is suddenly sent to work in a distant town, they must quickly adjust to a completely different social and economical life. Almost at once Margaret finds herself at odds with the stern mill owner, John Thorton (Richard Armitage). As the two begin to get to know each other, they also begin to have their eyes opened to other points of view.

With a large ensemble cast this saga shows the highs and lows of regular people trying to find a life and happiness.

3hr. 55min.

The Boss Baby 2; Family Business (2021)

Tim and Ted Templeton are all grown up now and Tim has a happy family, but he can’t help feel a little at a loss with the more materially successful Ted. The two have drifted apart over the years, so when Tims’ youngest (baby Tina) reveals herself to be a part of Baby Corp and needs Tim and Ted to work together again on a mission, Tim jumps at the chance. The two brothers must put aside their differences and heal old hurts in order to save the day.

1hr. 47min.

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

In 1927, with the advent of “Talking Pictures”, superstars Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) suddenly have to deal with the fact that Linas’ voice doesn’t match her beautiful, silent, screen persona.  Their studio has already started trying to pump out another picture to cash in on the new fad, so Don and his best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) come up with a plan where the unknown actress Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) will secretly redub all of Lina’s dialogue.

Highlighted with some of the most memorable songs and dances of all time, this musical is easily one of the best movies ever made and continues to influence films today.

1hr. 43min.

The Rabbit Trap (1959)

Reliable and overworked Eddie (Ernest Borgnine) is finally taking a vacation with his wife Abby (Bethel Leslie) and their son Duncan (Kevin Corcoran), when his boss suddenly calls to have him come back to work immediately.  Worried about money, the intimidated Eddie decides to go back.  On their return Duncan realizes that they forgot their rabbit trap (they had planned to catch a rabbit and then release it) and that it is still set.  Despite Duncans’ worries that a rabbit will be trapped and no one will be there to release it, Eddie insists they can’t go back.  The plight of the rabbit makes Eddie realize that there is more at stake with his family and that what he decides next will have an effect on all of their lives.

1hr. 12min.

Scaramouche (1952)

Set in the turbulent times leading to the French Revolution, Andre (Stewart Granger) isn’t very interested in politics or the current unrest.  It’s not until his firebrand friend Philippe (Richard Anderson) is taunted into a duel with a master swordsman Noel (Mel Ferrer) and easily killed, that Andre decides to not only take up Philippes’ political mantel but also train in swordsmanship so that he is able to one day challenge Noel and avenge his friend.

The climatic duel set in an opera house is one of the finest in cinematic history.

1hr. 55min.

Dangerous Crossing (1953)

Mere moments after boarding a cruise ship on her honeymoon, Ruth (Jeanne Crain) realizes that not only can she not find her husband John (Carl Betz), but she can’t seem to find anyone who’s seen him at all.  As her sanity begins to come in question she is aided by the kindly ships doctor Dr. Manning (Michael Rennie).  At first just sympathetic to her plight, Manning begins to realize that a far more sinister plot is in motion.

Filmed in an impressive 17 days, the film utilized the set for the 1953 big budget Titanic to double for their cruise ship in this intense thriller.

1hr. 15min.

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Right before boarding a train, Iris (Margaret Lockwood) meets Miss Foy (Dame May Whitty) a kindly old lady who helps Iris when a planter box falls from a window hitting Iris on the head.  After some tea Miss Foy encourages Iris to take a nap, but when she wakes up Miss Foy is nowhere to be found.  In fact, all the other passengers in their compartment don’t seem to remember seeing the old lady at all.  With the help of musician/writer Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) Iris begins to unravel a complicated plot involving Miss Foy.

One of Alfred Hitchcocks’ earlier works, set the stage for his future Hollywood thrillers.

1hr. 37min.

Moontide (1942)

When a drifting sailor Bobo (Jean Gabin) passes through a small fishing town he isn’t looking for or expecting much.  His life begins to change when he rescues Anna (Ida Lupino) from suicide and the two begin a cautious relationship.  Just as they begin to build a life together, a local murder threatens their fragile happiness.

1hr. 34min.

The Hunter (1980)

Ralph ‘Papa’ Thorson (Steve McQueen) makes his living by tracking down bail jumpers and returning them for a bounty.  It’s sometimes funny sometimes dangerous work that he’s starting to think he’s getting too old for.  This sentiment is agreed on my his schoolteacher girlfriend Dotty (Kathryn Harrold) who’s pregnant with Ralphs’ child.  Impending fatherhood and threats over the phone by a psychopath that he put away years before, puts the pressure on as Ralph tries to get his life and priorities together.

Based on a true story, this was McQueens’ final film.

1hr. 37min.

Off Season (2001)

Set in a rundown motel in Florida in July, the story follows a newly orphaned boy Jackson (Rory Culkin) who is being cared for by his aunt, an aspiring singer, Patty (Sherilyn Fenn) who in exchange for room and board tends bar at the hotel.  Because of the trauma of his parents death Jackson is constantly making up stories about the guests in the hotel, including Sam (Hume Cronyn) who Jackson says is “Santa Claus on vacation”.  The two form an unlikely bond as Sam tries to spread some holiday cheer.  It’s not long before people start to believe Jacksons story about Sam and just maybe it’s actually true.

1hr. 34min.