Absolute Power

USA,1997,1:56 min.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris.
Directed by:Clint Eastwood.
He was where he shouldn't have been and saw what he shouldn't have seen. Now, who will believe the word of a career thief and ex-con? Who will trust Luther Whitney when he says he saw a woman killed -and that the man responsible for her death is the president of the United States? A stellar cast, which includes Gene Hackman and Ed Harris, creates well-rounded characters that intensify a constantly spiralling game of cat and mouse between Whitney, local police and the highest levels of the White House power. Al-Kasaba Theatre &Cinematheque
 

American Beauty

Directed by Sam Mendes
Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening
USA 2000/English
With 5 Academy Awards and 6 Bafta's, American Beauty is the most talked about film of the year. A funny, shocking and disturbing journey through suburban America, it traces a year in the life of the Burnham family and their neighbours. Brilliant performances and a sharp script make for a very satisfying and insightful work of art. Popular Art Center
 

Being John Malkovich

Directed by Spike Jonze
John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich
USA 2000/English
A remarkable, audaciously original black comedy/fantasy about an out-of-work puppeteer who discovers an actual, physical "tunnel" into the mind of actor John Malkovich. With his new-found business partners, he goes on to send people on short journeys into this famous star's consciousness, so that for a brief period they too can "be" John Malkovich. This romantic comedy is gloriously entertaining, full of ideas that tickle the brain and touch the heart. Popular Art Center
 

Central Station

Directed by Walter Salles
Fernando Montegro Vinicius
Brazil 1999/Portuguese/English subtitles
1999 Academy Award for best Foreign Film. A woman who writes letters for the illiterate at Rio de Janeiro's central train station feels obliged to help a 9-year-old boy whose mother has just been killed. The two form an unlikely bond and journey to a remote area of Brazil to try to find his father. Extremely well done, with a shining performance by Montenegro (one of Brazil's leading actresses)and newcomer de Oliveira. Popular Art Center
 

Children of Heaven

Directed By Majij Majidi
Iran 1999/ Farsi /English subtitles
A very simple yet deeply moving film, winner of many awards. Within the very poor towns in Iran, owning shoes is a status symbol. Ali, a small boy, accidently loses his sister's pair, and so the two young siblings are forced to share his sneakers. With many poignant and heartfelt moments, the brilliant young actors bring this story to life in a very captivating way. Popular Art Center
 

Cider House Rules

Directed By Lasse Hallstrom
Michael Caine,Tobey Maguire,Charlize T heron
USA 2000/English
Best Actor Academy Award for Michael Caine's performance in this adaptation of the John Irving novel. Filmed on beautiful locations across New England, Cider House Rules follows the life of Homer as he grows up in an orphanage (and secret abortion clinic)during World War 2.As Homer comes of age, he confronts good and evil and must decide where his own morals are leading. An insightful and moving drama. Popular Art Center
 

Erin Brockovich

Directed by Stephen Soderbergh
Julia Roberts, Albert Finney
USA 2000/English
Very humorous and dramatic, Erin Brockovich is a true story. Broke and desperate, the twice-divorced single mom Erin bosses her way into a clerical job with attorney Ed Masry, who's indebted to Erin after failing to win her traffic-injury case. Erin is soon focused on suspicious connections between a mighty power company and the poisoned water supply of Hinkley, California, where locals have suffered a legacy of death and disease. The factual basis of this film adds a boost of satisfaction, proving that greed, neglect and corporate arrogance are no match against a passionate crusader. Popular Art Center /AlKasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

Goodfellas

USA,1990,2:19 min.(Arabic Subtitled)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci.
Directed by Martin Scorsese
A wry, violent and exhilarating film about the life of Henry Hill, an aspiring criminal who ends up in the FBI's witness protection program after testifying against his former partners. Al Kasaba Theatre &Cinematheque
 

Hello,Are You Alone?

Spain,1995,1:30 min,English Subtitled. Comedy.
Starring: Candela Pea, Silke, Elena Irureta, Alex Angulo.
Directed by Iciar Bollapn
Trini and La Nia are similar in many ways: both are twenty years old, both were affected the disappearance of their mothers, and both enjoy an uncomplicated existence. They also experience various aspects of life, which will test their friendship. Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

High Fidelity

Directed By Stephen Frears
John Cusack, Iben Hjelje
USA 2000/English
Hilarious romantic-comedy about Rob Gordon, a lazy thirty-something who owns a vintage-record shop in Chicago. Rob has millions of top- five lists in his head, including his top five break-ups. Now that he has just broken up with the love of his life, he decides to go and revisit his past girlfriends to find out what went wrong. With a great cast and star cameos (Bruce Springsteen, Tim Robbins),this journey of self-discovery is loaded with wit and warmth. Popular Art Center
 

In The Mood For Love

Directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Tony Leung Maggie Cheung
Hong Kong 2000/Mandarin/English subtitles
Beautiful Cannes Film Festival winner (Tony Leung -Best Male Performance, and Grand Prix Technique)about restrained passion. Chow Mo Wan and his wife move into a building at the same time as Su Li Zuen and her husband. With the prolonged absence of their partners, they get to meet each other during mahjong sessions at their landlord's place. Soon they discover that their partners are having an affair, and are become confused about the growing passion between themselves. Popular Art Center
 

Love Can Seriously Endanger Your Health

Spain,1996,2:00 hrs, English Subtitled
Starring: Ana Beln, Juanjo Puigcorb, Gabino Diego.
Directed by Manuel Gsmez Pereira
At a gala dinner offered by the King and Queen of Spain at a hotel in Paris, Santi,a royal guard, meets Diana, the attractive widow of a Banker. In the middle of their argument the action jumps back 30 years, when they saw each other for the first time. Al-Kasaba Theatre &Cinematheque
 

Me, Myself and Irene

Directed By Bobby Farrelly
Jim Carey, Renee Zelwegger
USA 2000/English
The latest face-bending comedy from Jim Carey. As a cop in denial about his wife's affair, Charlie Baileygates (Carey)is a nice guy who goes around trying to do the right thing, but he's taken advantage of every step of the way. After ignoring the abuse for so long, suddenly a split personality breaks out, and Charlie finds himself fighting his passionate and wild alter-ego instead of fighting crime. A side-splitting comedy from the directors of "There's Something About Mary" and "Dumb and Dumber". Popular Art Center
 

Oh,Carmela!

Spain, 1990,1:44 min, English Subtitled.
Drama -Comedy
Starring: Carmen Maura, Andres Pajares, Gabino Diego
Directed by Carlos Saura
Winner of five awards for best film, director, script, best actor and best actress Spain,1938.The Republican High Command orders Carmela and Paulino to take their "refined variety show Carmela and Paulino"to the front to entertain the troops. Fed up with the cold and hunger of the battle front, they decide to drive back to Valencia. In the fog of a cold winter's night, they take the wrong turning and cross the enemy lines. Once in the "National Zone", they are arrested by Franco's Troops. A cynical captain orders them to be taken to school "the town prison" to be taught the ways of the "New Spain". Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

Shakespeare in Love

USA,1998,2:00 hrs.
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush.
Directed by John Madden
Winner of 7 Academy Awards for the year 1998 Shakespeare in Love is a romantic comedy of the 1990's set in the 1590's,telling the witty, sexy story behind the creation of the greatest love story of them all -Romeo and Julliet. Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

Snake Eyes

USA,1998,1:34 min
Starri: Nicolas Cage, Gary Sinise, John Heard.
Directed by Brian De Palma
A rigged boxing match is attended by the Secretary of Defense, who ends up dead at the hands of a sniper. Are the match and his death related? Only a wily cop (Cage)is able to solve the riddle Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

The End Of The Affair

Directed by Neil Jordan
Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore
UK 1999/English
This romance set in London during WW2 burns and scars. Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient") is broodingly intense in his portrayal of Maurice Bendrix,a writer involved with another man's wife. Director Neil Jordan's refined and intelligent adaptation of Graham Greene's novel is a masterpiece, with more unspoken emotion in a single scene than found in most entire films. Popular Art Center
 

The Fencing Master

Spain,1992,1:28 min,English Subtitled. Drama
Starring: Omera Antonutti, Assumpta Serna, Joaquim De Almeida
Directed by Pedro Olea
Winner of two awards for Best Adapted Script and Music Madrid,1868.The reign of Isabel II is beset by political turmoil. Don Jaime Astarloa, the famed master swordsman, now in his sixties, uneasily observes society's changing manners and values. One day, he finds himself pursued by a mysterious woman, who begs him to teach her the fetal sword thrust. Don Jaime finds himself involved in an assassination. The mysterious woman has vanished. Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

The Final Destination

Directed by James Wong
Devon Sawa, Ali Larter
USA 2000/English
Horror suspense-thriller about a group of students who get off a flight to Paris when one of them dreams the plane will crash. After the plane does take-off and end in a ball of flames, the seven lucky survivors soon begin to die in very bizarre and mysterious circumstances. As they race against their own fates, their circumstances play a domino-effect with doom. An upbeat and quirky thriller. Popular Art Center
 

The Kid

Directed By John Turteltaub
Bruce Willis,Mathew Perry
USA 2000/English
Ever wondered what the child that you were would think of you now? This easy comedy tells the story of a cold-as-ice businessman who suppresses all memories of his childhood and shuns his family, until he is confronted by his 8 year-old self.A humorous journey of self-discovery follows .A good film to put a smile on your face. Popular Art Center
 

Thesis

Spain,1996,2:05 min,English Subtitled. Drama
Starring:Ana Torrent,Fele Martdnez, Eduardo Noriega.
Directed by Alejandro Amenxbar
While working on her university thesis on "audiovisual violence", Angela discovers a "snuff
movie", a film of a real murder. She also discovers that the tape has been shot at the university. She herself could be the next victim. Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

The Other

Directed by Youssef Chahine
Hanan Turk, Hanni Salameh
Egypt 2000/Arabic/English subtitles
The latest masterpiece from Youssef Chahine, the director of "Destiny"! A love story between Hanan and Adam leads to marriage. But instead of enjoying their honeymoon, the couple finds themselves involved in troubles beyond their control. Reflecting the current social and political concerns of the Arab world, this is a love story with a bite. Popular Art Center
 

The Patriot

USA,2000,2:40 min
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson.
Mel Gibson stars in this action-packed historical drama. Portrays Benjamin Martin, an unassuming man who is forced to join the American Revolution when the British threaten to take his farm away from him. Together with his patriotic son, Gabriel (Heath ledger),the pair faces the vicious Redcoats with a heroism that reflects the stubborn pride of a young country's most dedicated supporters. Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque
 

The Perfect Storm

Directed By Wolfgang Pederson
George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg
USA 2000/English
The true story of the greatest storm of the last century, and the struggle of a fishing fleet to survive it.In 1992 the fishing-trawler Andrea Gail departed the Maine coast for the last catch of the season, and soon found itself trapped inside the vortex of three massive storms colliding in the Atlantic. Brilliant special effects bring this high-seas drama to life. Popular Art Center
 

The Sixth Sense

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Colette.
USA 2000/English
Nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Film, This is the fright-film of the decade. An exceptional thriller about a dedicated child psychologist who faces his greatest challenge in reaching and understanding a young boy who spends his life paralyzed by fear, because he lives in a world of ghosts. Young Osment is extraordinarily good opposite a strong silent Bruce Willis; the film is sinous and creepy without resorting to gore. Popular Art Center
 

The Talented Mr.Ripley

Directed By Anthony Minghella
Matt Damon,Jude Law ,Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchette
2000 UK/English
"It's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody" is the belief of Tom Ripley. When given the opportunity to slip into the world of the rich Americans living along the Italian Riviera, Tom's skill to impersonate others leads to his wildest dreams coming true. But with them comes a twisted life of lies, duplicity and murder. Popular Art Center
 

The Thin Red Line

Directed by Terrence Malik
Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, John Cusak, Woody Harrelson
Guadacanal 1999/English
Nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director),The Thin Red Line is possibly the greatest war film of contemporary times. A powerful cast leads this hauntingly realistic view of moral and military chaos, amidst the beauty and serenity of a pacific island. With some of the most heart- pounding action scenes ever captured on film, and profound insights into isolation and madness, this stylish film is set to become a cult classic alongside "Apocalypse Now". Popular Art Center
 

Three To Tango

Directed By Damon Santostefano
Mathew Perry, Neve Campbell
USA 2000/English
A charming romantic comedy of errors. Convinced that his budding new architect (Mathew Perry)is gay,a rich business man asks him to look after his mistress (Neve Campbell) and ensure that she doesn't fall in love with anyone else.Whilst trying to maintain the gay pretence so that he can both keep his job and stay with the woman he is rapidly falling in love with,Perry manages to draw out a lot of laughter. Popular Art Center
 

U-571

Directed by Johnathon Mostow
Mathew McConaughy, Harvey Keitel, Bill Paxton
USA 2000/English
Action thriller set on board WW2 submarines. An American crew goes on an urgent mission to board a German U-boat and capture it's decoder for radio transmissions. While this explosion-filled film maintains it's tense pace, it also presents a genuinely human drama, and the remarkable journey of an unexpected hero. Popular Art Center
 

West Beirut

Directed by Ziad Doueiri
Lebanon 1998/Arabic/French subtitles
Winner Cannes Film Festival, International Critics Award, Toronto Film Festival. April 13, 1975: first official day of the Lebanese Civil War. Christian militiamen massacre the passengers of a Palestinian bus in front of Tarek and Omar, two teenagers from West Beirut. The boys, however, are determined to make the most of their youth. Together with May, a Christian girl, they search for adventure. They film everything they see in their battlefield playground on a Super 8 camera. But, gradually, they are drawn into the spiraling violence. Even the "brothel", where Christians and Muslims met in peace, is invaded by the religious conflicts. Popular Art Center
 

What Lies Beneath

Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer
USA 2000/English
A good old-fashioned thriller. Ford and Pfeiffer are the picture-perfect married couple, Norman and Claire Spencer, who seem happy and content with a fabulous house and college-age daughter. But when Claire starts obsessing about her new neighbors, she becomes convinced that the moody husband killed the neurotic wife, and that the wife's ghost has a desperately important message for her. In a time of simple violent horror films, What Lies Beneath is an intelligent, fun thrill ride that will leave you breathless. Popular Art Center
 

X-Men

Directed by Bryan Singer
Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle Berry
2000 USA/English
Science-fiction blockbuster,s et in a future world where normal people have been divided from mutants (X-men and women,who have special abilities like mind-reading).Based on the hugely popular X-Men comic book series,this latest adaptation to the cinema of a fantasy world is the best in a long time,with complex characters tied into the brilliant action sequences. Popular Art Center /Al-Kasaba Theatre & Cinematheque