Movies About Moonshine

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie follows Dom Cobb, an expert thief who is known for his ability to steal secrets from people’s dreams. He and his team are tasked with the impossible task of planting an idea in a target’s mind. In order to do this, they must enter into the subconscious of their target by creating dream worlds and manipulating them in order to plant the idea. Along the way, the team encounters many obstacles and dangers, including their own inner demons. The film shows the complexity of the mind, and how difficult it can be to manipulate it. Ultimately, the team succeeds in their mission, but it comes with a cost.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

"Requiem for a Dream" is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky. It stars Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans. The film follows the downward spiral of four New Yorkers whose lives become entangled in drug addiction and the struggle to maintain their dreams. Burstyn plays Sara Goldfarb, an elderly widow who becomes addicted to weight-loss pills. Leto plays her son Harry, a heroin addict who dreams of becoming a successful drug dealer. Connelly plays Marion, Harry's girlfriend who also becomes addicted to heroin. Finally, Wayans plays Tyrone, Harry's friend who also dreams of becoming a successful drug dealer. As the addiction takes hold of their lives, the characters' dreams gradually slip away. The film has been critically acclaimed for its powerful approach to the subject matter and its uncompromising depiction of drug addiction.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical adventure drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Sean Penn. It is an adaptation of Jon Krakauer's 1996 non-fiction book of the same name, based on the travels of Christopher McCandless across North America and his life spent in the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s. The film follows the adventures of 22-year-old Christopher McCandless who, after graduating college without a purpose, leaves his comfortable life and donates all his money to charity. He embarks on a journey across the United States, meeting different people and experiencing life, before finally arriving in Alaska. Despite the harsh conditions of the Alaskan wilderness, McCandless is determined to find meaning in his life and happiness. Along the way, he discovers the beauty of nature and the importance of living life to its fullest. In the end, however, his journey ends tragically. The film stars Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless and features supporting performances from Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, and Catherine Keener.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a 2001 psychological thriller/sci-fi film written and directed by Richard Kelly. The film follows the story of Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled high school student who is troubled by vivid nightmares and strange visions. Donnie discovers that the world may be ending on October 2, 1988 and must confront his own destiny and the consequences of his actions before time runs out. With the help of a mysterious figure known as Frank, Donnie learns to navigate the dark side of his own psyche and ultimately save the world. The film features an ensemble cast including Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, and Patrick Swayze.

From Cameron Crowe, starring Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand
Rated R

Almost Famous is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by Cameron Crowe, and starring Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, and Frances McDormand. The film tells the coming-of-age story of William Miller (Fugit), a 15-year-old music journalist who goes on tour with the band Stillwater in 1973. Along the way, William learns to balance his idealism and the realities of the rock and roll lifestyle. The film also features memorable performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Zooey Deschanel. Almost Famous was a critical and commercial success, earning $47 million worldwide and earning four Oscar nominations. The film was also praised for its accurate and empathetic portrayal of the 1970s music industry.

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a romantic horror film released in 2008 from Swedish director Tomas Alfredson. The story follows Oskar, a lonely and bullied 12-year-old boy living in a suburb of Stockholm. When a new girl moves into his apartment complex, she offers Oskar an unlikely friendship. Little does Oskar know that she is actually a centuries-old vampire. As their friendship develops, Oskar discovers the truth and must decide if he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her. The film is a thoughtful and compassionate exploration of loneliness and acceptance. It combines horror, romance, and realism to create a unique and unsettling take on the vampire genre.

From Henry Selick, starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Rated PG

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion animated musical fantasy film created and produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with the idea of celebrating the holiday. He devises a plan to kidnap Santa and take over the role himself, but soon discovers the holiday has more complexities than he anticipated. The film features the voices of Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington, Chris Sarandon as Jack's love interest Sally, and Catherine O'Hara as Jack's ghoulish rival Oogie Boogie. With its striking visuals, whimsical characters, and spooky-yet-fun soundtrack, The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a classic holiday film.

From Wes Anderson, starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray
Rated PG-13

Moonrise Kingdom is a 2012 coming-of-age film by Wes Anderson starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray. The story follows two young lovers, Sam and Suzy, as they escape from their small town in New England in order to be together. As their families and the local police search for them, a violent storm is brewing off-shore - and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than one. With its quirky humor and vintage aesthetic, Moonrise Kingdom captures the innocence of young love and the quirky magic of childhood.

From Lukas Moodysson, starring Oksana Akinshina, Artyom Bogucharskiy, Pavel Ponomaryov, Lyubov Agapova
Rated R

Lilya 4-Ever is a 2002 Swedish drama film written and directed by Lukas Moodysson. The film follows the story of a 16-year-old girl, Lilya, living in poverty in the former Soviet Union. When her mother abandons her, Lilya moves in with her relatives and falls in love with a local boy, Volodya. When Volodya abandons her as well, Lilya is left alone and desperate. She turns to prostitution to survive, and eventually falls into the hands of a human trafficker who attempts to smuggle her to Sweden. Despite her struggles, Lilya never gives up hope that one day she will have a better life.

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Rated PG-13

The Notebook is a 2004 romantic drama film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks and follows the story of two teenagers—Noah Calhoun (Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (McAdams)—who meet one summer in North Carolina. After the two fall in love, they are separated by Allie's parents, who disapprove of their relationship. Years later, they meet again, but Allie is engaged to another man. Throughout the film, Noah and Allie struggle to stay together despite the obstacles in their way. Ultimately, the two are reunited and are able to share a lifetime of love.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith
Rated R

Changeling is a 2008 mystery-drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie. The film tells the true story of a single mother's struggle in 1920s Los Angeles, where she is fighting to reclaim her kidnapped son. Christine Collins (Jolie) is a single mother whose nine-year-old son, Walter, disappears one day in 1928. Desperate for answers, she contacts the LAPD, who return a boy that they claim is Walter. Although Christine initially believes it is her son, she slowly begins to doubt the police’s story and suspects that the returned boy is an impostor. In her battle to prove the police wrong, Christine is met with resistance from the authorities, who insist that she accept the returned boy as her son or face repercussions. She eventually turns to a Presbyterian minister for help, and with his support, she continues her fight to find the truth about her son’s disappearance. Through her determination, Christine is eventually able to uncover an even more sinister plot involving a corrupt system, and she is ultimately able to reclaim her son.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen
Rated PG-13

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows the story of Gilbert Grape, a young man living in a small Midwestern town with his family. He is responsible for taking care of his mentally challenged brother Arnie and his morbidly obese mother. As Gilbert struggles to take care of his family, he finds himself in the midst of a complicated love triangle between a local girl, Becky, and his old flame, a married woman named Betty Carver. Gilbert eventually learns to accept responsibility and discovers the importance of family. He learns to appreciate the joy of small-town life, and ultimately discovers the courage to pursue his dreams.

From Marc Webb, starring Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated PG-13

500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. It follows the story of Tom Hansen, an aspiring architect, and his relationship with Summer Finn, a free-spirited young woman. The film is split into 500 days, and follows their relationship as it progresses, covering both the good and the bad. Tom initially falls in love with Summer, who, however, does not want a committed relationship and has no desire to fall in love. Despite the ups and downs, they continue to be close friends and their relationship takes many different turns. Throughout the film, Tom reflects on their relationship and learns how to become a better person in the process. In the end, Tom and Summer meet one final time and decide to remain friends.

From Henry Selick, starring Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders
Rated PG

Coraline is a young girl who is bored with her life and moves with her parents to a new home. She discovers a secret passageway to a parallel world that mirrors her own but is far more intriguing and magical. The world is inhabited by the Other Mother, a sinister being who will do anything to keep Coraline in her world. Coraline must use her courage and intelligence to outwit the Other Mother and escape the world before she is trapped in it forever. Along the way, she makes friends with the mysterious Wybie and discovers a dark secret about the Other Mother. With help from her friends, Coraline ultimately defeats the Other Mother and escapes the dangerous world.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. The story follows the estranged members of the wealthy Tenenbaum family as they reunite after a long separation. Royal (Gene Hackman) is the patriarch who had abandoned his family years before and suddenly decides to move back in. His wife, Etheline (Anjelica Huston), struggles to keep the family together, while the three Tenenbaum children, Chas (Ben Stiller), Richie (Luke Wilson), and Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), attempt to find their own paths in life. As the family struggles to reconnect and reconcile, secrets from the past are revealed, making it difficult for the Tenenbaums to find a way back to each other.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 science fiction psychological thriller directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. The film follows Evan Treborn, a young man with the ability to travel through time and alter the past, and his struggle to use his power to try and save the people he loves. With every change he makes in the past, a butterfly effect is created in the present, resulting in unexpected and often disastrous consequences. As Evan attempts to piece together the damaged lives of his childhood friends and family, he realizes that his actions may have far-reaching and devastating effects on their future. Ultimately, the film explores the idea of cause and effect and the power of choice.

From Jessie Nelson, starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

I Am Sam tells the story of Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a mentally challenged single father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). Despite his intellectual disability, Sam is determined to prove to the court that he is capable of being a responsible parent and fights for custody of his daughter. With the help of a young, ambitious lawyer (Michelle Pfeiffer), Sam embarks on an emotional and inspiring journey to prove his worth and regain custody of Lucy. Along the way, Sam and Lucy discover the strength of their unique bond and the power of unconditional love.

From Richard Ayoade, starring Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine, Noah Taylor
Rated R

From Scott Kalvert, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, Marilyn Sokol, James Madio
Rated R

From James Mangold, starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Rated R

From Gil Junger, starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik
Rated PG-13

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney
Rated PG

From Terry Zwigoff, starring Steve Buscemi, Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Renfro
Rated R

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Walter Raney
Rated PG-13

From Rob Marshall, starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Suzuka Ohgo
Rated PG-13