The Last Samurai (
2003) | IMDb:
7.8
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.
I Am Sam (
2001) | IMDb:
7.6
Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.
Starring:
Sean Penn
,
Michelle Pfeiffer
,
Dianne Wiest
,
Dakota Fanning
,
Richard Schiff
,
Loretta Devine
Traffic (
2000) | IMDb:
7.6
An exploration of the United States of America's war on drugs from multiple perspectives. For the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the war becomes personal when he discovers his well-educated daughter is abusing cocaine within their comfortable suburban home. In Mexico, a flawed, but noble policeman agrees to testify against a powerful general in league with a cartel, and in San Diego, a drug kingpin's sheltered trophy wife must learn her husband's ruthless business after he is arrested, endangering her luxurious lifestyle.
Starring:
Michael Douglas
,
Benicio del Toro
,
Catherine Zeta-Jones
,
Don Cheadle
,
Erika Christensen
,
Jacob Vargas
Conspiracy Theory (
1997) | IMDb:
6.7
A man obsessed with conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of his theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, in order to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.
Starring:
Mel Gibson
,
Julia Roberts
,
Patrick Stewart
,
Cylk Cozart
,
Steve Kahan
,
Terry Alexander
Free Willy (
1993) | IMDb:
6
When maladjusted orphan Jesse vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley, develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.
Starring:
Jason James Richter
,
Keiko
,
Lori Petty
,
August Schellenberg
,
Michael Madsen
,
Jayne Atkinson
Radio Flyer (
1992) | IMDb:
6.9
A father reminisces about his childhood when he and his younger brother moved to a new town with their mother, her new husband and their dog, Shane. When the younger brother is subjected to physical abuse at the hands of their brutal stepfather, Mike decides to convert their toy trolley, the "Radio Flyer", into a plane to fly him to safety.