7 Movies That Have Me Excited Right Now

By Peter Kowalke on January 15, 2020

I love a good movie, one that expands your boundaries, makes you think, or sticks with you years after you watch it.

Every Friday during my college years, I would attend an 8AM math class and then scour the video rental store for the latest independent and foreign films. Afterwards, I’d come home and watch a double feature before starting my weekend studies.

While I no longer have the luxury of watching movies on a Friday afternoon, I still love good cinema. Someday after I am done traveling, I plan to curate a weekly film series. Until then, here’s what’s got me excited.

Shoplifters (2018)

On the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders is united by fierce loyalty and a penchant for petty theft. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous, below-the-radar existence.

Timbuktu (2014)

Islamic militants occupy the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, imposing a regime of terror. Not far from there, cattle herder Kidane lives peacefully in the dunes with his family.

Metro Manila (2014)

Oscar flees from a life of poverty and moves with his family to Manila. They fall victim to the hardened locals until Oscar finds work with an armoured car company.

Also Seen Recently (Honorable Mention)

These are some of the other movies I’ve seen recently that are worth a watch. While not quite as good as the films above, they still are well worth your viewing time. Consider these honorable mentions.

Same Same But Different (2009)

Benjamin (David Kross), a German high school student, is a backpacker on his first major tour. In a nightclub in Phnom Penh, he meets a young local girl, Sreykeo (played by Apinya Sakuljaroensuk), and rapidly falls in love with her. Ben opts for this love, even though Sreykeo turns out to be HIV positive and seems to be a prostitute.

Tanna (2014)

After a young woman runs away with the man she loves to avoid an arranged marriage, villagers wrestle with preserving their traditional culture or adapting it to the increasing outside demands for individual freedom.

Roma (2018)

Cleo is one of two domestic workers who help Antonio and Sofía take care of their four children in 1970s Mexico City. Complications soon arise when Antonio suddenly runs away with his mistress and Cleo finds out that she’s pregnant. When Sofía decides to take the kids on vacation, she invites Cleo for a much-needed getaway to clear her mind and bond with the family.

The Naked Director (Netflix TV series)

The Naked Director follows the story of Muranishi’s unusual and dramatic life filled with big ambitions as well as spectacular setbacks in his attempt to turn Japan’s porn industry on its head.

Grown Without Schooling (2001)

My movie (which you can watch here)! Accompany 10 grown homeschoolers from around the U.S., ranging in age from 19 to 31, as they explore and candidly discuss the lasting influence home education has had on their lives.