Cinema Paradiso - 1988

Nuovo cinema Paradiso (Italian pronunciation: New Paradise Cinema), internationally released as Cinema Paradiso, is a 1988 Italian drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The film stars Jacques Perrin, Philippe Noiret, Leopoldo Trieste, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano and Salvatore Cascio; produced by Franco Cristaldi and Giovanna Romagnoli, and the music by Ennio Morricone along with his son, Andrea. It was originally released in Italy at 155 minutes, but poor box office performance in its native country led to it being shortened to 123 minutes for international release; it was an instant success. This international version won the Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and the 1989 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. In 2002, the director's cut 173-minute version was released (known in the U.S. as Cinema Paradiso: The New Version). Shot in director Tornatore's hometown Bagheria, Sicily, as well as Cefalù on the Tyrrhenian Sea, and told largely in flashback of a successful film director Salvatore to his childhood years, it also tells the story of the return to his native Sicilian village for the funeral of his old friend Alfredo, who was the projectionist at the local "Cinema Paradiso". Ultimately, Alfredo serves as a wise father figure to his young friend who only wishes the best to see him succeed, even if it means breaking his heart in the process. Seen as an example of "nostalgic postmodernism", the film intertwines sentimentality with comedy, and nostalgia with pragmaticism. It explores issues of youth, coming of age, and reflections (in adulthood) about the past. The imagery in each scene can be said to reflect Salvatore's idealised memories about his childhood. Cinema Paradiso is also a celebration of films; as a projectionist, young Salvatore (a.k.a Totò) develops the passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood.

Music of the Heart - 1999

Inspired by the true story of the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music and 'Small Wonders', a 1996 documentary about the school, the film opens with violinist Roberta having been deserted by her US Navy husband and feeling devastated, almost suicidal. Encouraged by her mother, she attempts to rebuild her life and a friend from student days recommends her to the head teacher of a school in the tough New York area of East Harlem. Despite a degree in music education, she has little experience in actual music teaching, but she's taken on as a substitute violin teacher. With a combination of toughness and determination, she inspires a group of kids, and their initially skeptical parents. The program slowly develops and attracts publicity.

Music of the Heart is a 1999 dramatic film. This film was produced by Craven-Maddalena Films and Miramax Films, and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution.

The film stars Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Gloria Estefan, and Angela Bassett. It was director Wes Craven's only foray outside of the horror/thriller genre aside from his contribution to the multifaceted and directorially diverse Paris, je t'aime. It was also his only film to get nominated at the Academy Awards. Wes Craven is known for directing the horror films A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes and the Scream series.

The Social Network - 2010

We all strive for a better life and that one IDEA that will springboard one to the top of the mark. Here is an inspiring story (based on true facts) about an ambitious Harvard college student who needed to do something substantial 'for a better life'. He most certainly did it. This film will hopefully inpsire new ideas and a new person with the right vision.


The Social Network is a 2010 drama film about the founding of the social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. The film was directed by David Fincher and features a cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Brenda Song, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Joseph Mazzello, and Rooney Mara.


Aaron Sorkin's screenplay adapts Ben Mezrich's 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires. Sorkin makes a cameo appearance as an unimpressed advertiser. Neither founder Mark Zuckerberg nor any other member of Facebook was involved with the project, although Eduardo Saverin was a consultant for Mezrich. The film was released in the United States by Columbia Pictures on October 1, 2010.


The film received widespread acclaim, with critics praising it for its editing, acting, score and screenplay. The Social Network appeared on 78 critics' top 10 list for 2010.

Vitus - 2006

Sometimes it's not always about the film but the "music"! I stumbled upon a postcard for this film in New York City. I never saw it in a theater but I saved the postcard and finally watched the film. I was pleasantly surprised. There is something so inpsiring about a child prodigy.


This dramatic film (written and directed by Fredi M. Murer) was released on February 2, 2006, in Switzerland. It stars real-life piano prodigy Teo Gheorghiu.


Vitus, played by Teo Gheorghiu, is a highly gifted pianist at the age of twelve. His parents mean well, but are over-protective, so Vitus seeks refuge with his grandfather (actor, Bruno Ganz), who loves flying. After faking a head injury, Vitus secretly amasses a fortune on the stock market. The money allows his grandfather to purchase a Pilatus PC-6 and his father to return triumphantly to the company that had fired him previously. The movie ends with Vitus performing Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto on stage with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra.

Four Minutes - 2006

One of my favorite films I viewed in the last year. The music alone is worth a look.

Traude (Monica Bleibtreu), an elderly music teacher who gives piano lessons to prisoners, finds an unexpected prodigy in Jenny (Hannah Herzsprung), a brooding young inmate, and devotes herself to developing Jenny's talent in the little time they have together. But while Traude teaches Jenny valuable lessons about music, Jenny herself inspires Traude to examine her own past and the meaning of her life -- and what might have passed her by.