measured backdrop

Movies with measured vibe

The White Ribbon

1191. The White Ribbon

Drama Mystery Historical Drama Whodunit
7.8

20092h 24min

Italy, Germany

Director: Michael Haneke

An aged tailor recalls his life as the schoolteacher of a small village in Northern Germany that was struck by a series of strange events in the year leading up to WWI.

Themes

Abuse of power, Fear of the unknown, Gendered power dynamics, Puritanical authority, Landowner dominance, Village surveillance

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Desert Flower

1192. Desert Flower

Drama Tragic Drama
7.3

20092h

Austria, Germany

Director: Sherry Hormann

The autobiography of a Somalian nomad who was sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation.

Themes

Wilderness resilience, Nomadic origin to global stage, Gendered commodification, Autonomy through mobility, Public voice and responsibility, Cross-cultural advocacy

Available on

Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Taking Chance

1193. Taking Chance

Drama War TV Movie Family Drama True-Story TV Movie
7.4

20091h 17min

United States

Director: Ross Katz

Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort accompanies the body of Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps to his hometown in Wyoming.

Themes

Duty under ritual, Humility in witness, Gratitude toward service, Grief as community, Memory through ceremony, Respect through ceremony

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dorian Gray

1194. Dorian Gray

Fantasy Drama Thriller Dark Fantasy Tragic Drama
6.2

20091h 52min

United Kingdom

Director: Oliver Parker

Seduced into the decadent world of Lord Henry Wotton, handsome young aristocrat Dorian Gray becomes obsessed with maintaining his youthful appearance, and commissions a special portrait that will weather the winds of time while he remains forever young. When Gray's obsession spirals out of control, his desperate attempts to safeguard his secret turn his once-privileged life into a living hell.

Themes

Obsession with youth, Portrait as self-image, Societal pressure and vanity, Decadence and corruption, Consequences of indulgence, Mentor influence and decadence

Available on

Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Michael Moore comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).

Themes

Economic inequality, Corporate dominance, Foreclosure and labor action, Plutocracy risk, Democracy over capitalism, Financial exploitation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

A Prophet

1196. A Prophet

Crime Drama Prison Crime
7.8

20092h 35min

France, Italy

Director: Jacques Audiard

Sentenced to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena is alone in the world and can neither read nor write. On his arrival at the prison, he seems younger and more brittle than the others detained there. At once he falls under the sway of a group of Corsicans who enforce their rule in the prison. As the 'missions' go by, he toughens himself and wins the confidence of the Corsican group.

Themes

Manipulation and control, Loyalty under pressure, Prison faction power, Illiteracy as vulnerability, Protection through violence, Outside criminal networks

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Secret in Their Eyes

1197. The Secret in Their Eyes

Mystery Thriller Drama Investigation Mystery Investigation Suspense
8.2

20092h 10min

Argentina, Spain

Director: Juan José Campanella

Hoping to put to rest years of unease concerning a past case, retired criminal investigator Benjamín begins writing a novel based on the unsolved mystery of a newlywed’s rape and murder. With the help of a former colleague, judge Irene, he attempts to make sense of the past.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Coercive power dynamics, Revenge and consequence, Unresolved past, Justice under pressure, Political faction influence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Julie & Julia

1198. Julie & Julia

Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Professional Drama
7.0

20092h 3min

United States

Director: Nora Ephron

Julia Child and Julie Powell – both of whom wrote memoirs – find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both women are at loose ends... until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.

Themes

Cookbook publishing pressure, French cuisine tradition, Blog influence on ambition, Cooking as professional identity, 9/11 context shaping careers, Celebrity chef visibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

District 9

1199. District 9

Science Fiction Alien Contact Sci-Fi
7.9

20091h 52min

New Zealand, South Africa

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth. Not to conquer or give aid, but to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

Themes

Internment and displacement, Dehumanization through othering, Xenophobia and segregation, Exploitation of outsiders, Satire of power structures, Profiteering through weaponization

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Cove

1200. The Cove

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
8.4

20091h 32min

United States

Director: Louie Psihoyos

The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.

Themes

Environmental activism, Government complicity, Visibility vs secrecy, Economic incentives in hunting, Public awareness and risk

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.