1980 · Horror, Thriller · 144 min

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Kubrick's The Shining is an obvious can't-miss opener for CO150. You probably know all you need to know about The Shining already, so I'm here to share some fun facts. Last year I rewatched and was surprised to see a view of our very own Flatirons! The Torrance family is staying in Boulder before they head out for a holiday at the Overlook (which btw was filmed at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park). A very Colorado movie, perfect for kicking off CO150! See here for the actual Boulder apartment coordinates: https://idyllopuspress.com/idyllopus/film/sh_boulder.htm

1997 · Drama, Romance · 96 min

Directed by Wong Kar-Wai

Wong Kar-wai's stunning breakup movie follows a gay couple from Hong Kong who travel to Argentina together, break up, and don't have enough money to fly home. It's a heartbreaking and oversaturated spectacle that is a great pick for Bleak Week. If you're on your second watch, do consider reading about the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. Wong Kar-wai very purposefully released this right before the handover, and it really deepens the read of the movie through the lens of exile, colonization, and coming to terms.

1966 · Drama · 84 min

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman's classic psychological drama. A nurse taking care of her actress patient begins to have trouble distinguishing herself from her patient. Don't miss it!

The Shining

1980 · Horror, Thriller · Dir. Stanley Kubrick

Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

2010 · Documentary · Dir. Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France, capturing the oldest known pictorial creations of humankind in their astonishing natural setting.

Milk

2008 · History, Drama · Dir. Gus Van Sant

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.

Saving Private Ryan

1998 · War, Drama, History · Dir. Steven Spielberg

As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.

Milk

2008 · History, Drama · Dir. Gus Van Sant

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.

Tuner

2026 · Crime, Thriller, Comedy · Dir. Daniel Roher

A talented piano tuner's life is turned upside down when he discovers that his meticulous skills for tuning pianos can equally be applied to cracking safes.

The Furious

2026 · Action, Crime, Thriller · Dir. Kenji Tanigaki

After Wang Wei's daughter is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out to find her himself. His only ally is Navin, a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly battle the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.

The Sheep Detectives

2026 · Mystery, Crime, Comedy, Family · Dir. Kyle Balda

George is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Tuner

2026 · Crime, Thriller, Comedy · Dir. Daniel Roher

A talented piano tuner's life is turned upside down when he discovers that his meticulous skills for tuning pianos can equally be applied to cracking safes.

Boogie Nights

1997 · Drama · Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

In 1977, an idealistic porn producer and his promising protege try to catch up with the end of an era before their never-ending party collides with cold, hard reality.

Se7en

1995 · Crime, Mystery, Thriller · Dir. David Fincher

Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.

The Furious

2026 · Action, Crime, Thriller · Dir. Kenji Tanigaki

After Wang Wei's daughter is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out to find her himself. His only ally is Navin, a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly battle the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.

Persona (1966)

1966 · Drama · Dir. Ingmar Bergman

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.

Amores Perros

2000 · Drama, Thriller · Dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu

A fatalistic car crash in Mexico city sets off a chain of events in the lives of three people: a supermodel, a young man wanting to run off with his sister-in-law, and a homeless man.

Boogie Nights

1997 · Drama · Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

In 1977, an idealistic porn producer and his promising protege try to catch up with the end of an era before their never-ending party collides with cold, hard reality.

Persona (1966)

1966 · Drama · Dir. Ingmar Bergman

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.

Happy Together

1997 · Drama, Romance · Dir. Wong Kar-Wai

A couple travels from Hong Kong to Argentina to revive their relationship but experience turbulence when both men's lives drift in separate directions.

Amores Perros

2000 · Drama, Thriller · Dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu

A fatalistic car crash in Mexico city sets off a chain of events in the lives of three people: a supermodel, a young man wanting to run off with his sister-in-law, and a homeless man.

Persona (1966)

1966 · Drama · Dir. Ingmar Bergman

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.

Boogie Nights

1997 · Drama · Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

In 1977, an idealistic porn producer and his promising protege try to catch up with the end of an era before their never-ending party collides with cold, hard reality.

But I'm a Cheerleader

2000 · Comedy, Drama, Romance · Dir. Jamie Babbit

Megan is an all-American girl. A cheerleader. She has a boyfriend. But Megan doesn't like kissing her boyfriend very much. And she's pretty touchy with her cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents worry that she must be a lesbian and send her off to "sexual redirection" school, where she must, with other lesbians and gays learn how to be straight.