At the beginning of the plot, Dan
Millman (Scott
Mechlowicz) is a
university student as well as a locally famous gymnast who dreams of winning a
National Championship competition. He sexually couples with numerous young
women who are impressed by his agility and skill, but suffers from
psychological restlessness. On one occasion, Dan attempts to compensate for the
restlessness by running along streets before sunrise. At a car-service station,
he encounters an old man (Nick Nolte) who seems to know more about Dan's
problem than Dan himself knows, whom Dan later nicknames "Socrates."
Dan is unsettled by Socrates' knowledge; by the fact that Socrates had appeared
in a nightmare as a faceless janitor, clad in mismatched shoes (by which he is
identified in waking life), who sweeps up the pieces of Dan's shattered leg;
and by the old man's extraordinary speed, agility, and co-ordination. As a
result of his exposure to the last, Dan seeks to learn the secret behind it.
Socrates,
prodded by the impatient and defiant Dan, gives the boy a series of tasks and
lessons. The central concept of "Soc"'s philosophy is this: that one
must live entirely in the present moment. Other ideas include the related
notion that at no time is "nothing going on" and the idea that an
appropriate time exists for fighting and another for abstaining from violence.
These lessons are conveyed through practical lessons, long contemplation, and
one spectacular mystical experience. Dan gradually learns to appreciate every
moment; to view the journey toward a goal as more meaningful and significant
than the attainment; to pay attention to that which he is doing – thus
increasing his gymnastic prowess; and (to a slightly lesser extent) control
himself. Throughout the lesson, Dan learns virtually nothing about his mentor,
other than the philosophy, Socrates' belief that service is the most noble
action possible (hence his choice to work as a car serviceman), and the
presence of another protegé.
This
protegé, a woman of Dan's own age named Joy (Amy Smart),
has learned and integrated Socrates' philosophy into her life, to the extent
that she seems as wise as Socrates himself. Dan attempts to ask her for
information regarding Socrates, but receives little. Joy treats Dan
indulgently, though she evidently respects him. She is very compassionate and
does not attempt at any point to seduce or be seduced by Dan.
One
day, Dan drives recklessly, and his motorcycle collides with a car that ran a
red light, causing his right femur bone to shatter. He is rushed to a hospital, where a metal
bar is placed in his leg to maintain its integrity. As a result, his gymnastic
coach (Tim DeKay)
stops believing that Dan can compete in the National competition. Dan, hurt by
this lack of faith, recovers from the injury and resumes his training under
Socrates' tutelage. Eventually, he is restored to full health and strength,
while his co-ordination improves and his mind is set entirely on the present
moment. He competes in the U.S. Trials for the Olympics and achieves a victory.
Slightly
before the competition, Dan diverts the bus he is riding to Socrates' station,
only to find that Socrates has vanished without a trace. At the arena, he
attempts to teach his teammate Tommy (Ashton Holmes)
what he has learned, but fails due to Tommy's emotional insecurity and lack of
comprehension.
2. The Butterfly Circus
At
the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus leads his
troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of
audiences along the way. During their travels they discover a man without limbs
at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he
becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed. Starring
Eduardo Verástegui (Bella), Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth, Fantastic
Four)
and featuring the debut performance of Nick Vujicic.
3. Fireproof
At
work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's
adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his
marriage, he lives by his own rules.
Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave
firefighter...just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage,
Catherine wonders when she stopped being "good enough" for her
husband.
Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have
readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.
As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's father challenges
his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: "The Love Dare." Wondering
if it's even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father's sake more than for
his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book's daily challenges are tied into
his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.
While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and
again. He finally asks his father, "How am I supposed to show love to
somebody who constantly rejects me?"
When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes
a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God's help he begins to
understand what it means to truly love his wife.
But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now
Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever...rescuing his wife's heart.
4. Patch Adams
Academy
Award® -winner Robin Williams is Patch Adams - a doctor who believes in
laughter as medicine and will do just about anything to make his patients laugh
- even if it means risking his own career. Based on a true story, Patch Adamscombines sidesplitting humor with an inspiring story that transcends the
traditional comedy
5. August Rush
The
story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist and a sheltered young cellist who
have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square,
but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned
by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a
mysterious stranger, August uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the
parents from whom he was separated at birth.
6. Validation
A
cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate
parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments
about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes
up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon,
the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation. He
appears on news broadcasts and even ends up validating George W. Bush and
Saddam Hussein. His life hits a roadblock when he goes to the DMV to get his
driver's license photo taken and is met with a beautiful photographer whom he
can't get to smile.
7. Taare Zameen Par
Ishaan
Awasthi is an eight-year-old whose world is filled with wonders that no one
else seems to appreciate; colours, fish, dogs and kites are just not important
in the world of adults, who are much more interested in things like homework,
marks and neatness. And Ishaan just cannot seem to get anything right in class.
When he gets into far more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed
off to a boarding school to 'be disciplined'. Things are no different at his
new school, and Ishaan has to contend with the added trauma of separation from
his family. One day a new art teacher bursts onto the scene, Ram Shankar
Nikumbh, who infects the students with joy and optimism. He breaks all the
rules of 'how things are done' by asking them to think, dream and imagine, and
all the children respond with enthusiasm, all except Ishaan. Nikumbh soon realizes
that Ishaan is very unhappy, and he sets out to discover why. With time,
patience and care, he ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.
8. The Shadow Effect
A Journey from your darkest thought to your greatest dream.
The Shadow Effect is
an emotionally-gripping, visually-compelling docudrama that reveals why
suppressed emotions and unresolved internal conflicts leads to behavior that
continually unseats politicians, destroys celebrity careers, destabilizes the
economy and affects the lives of millions each year.
In
this age of public humiliation and media meltdowns, the work of New York Times best selling author, Debbie Ford, continues to make headway
as she exposes the opposing forces of both light and dark that compete for
attention within every human being. In her film debut, The Shadow Effect, Ford presents the hidden power of “the Shadow” alongside
some of today’s most provocative thinkers including Deepak Chopra, Marianne
Williamson, Mark Victor Hansen, James Van Praagh and others.
In
this life-altering journey, individuals who have transcended child abuse,
racism, the Holocaust, war, and wounded upbringings, share their remarkable
stories. Meet those who have learned to face their terror, heal their wounds,
and embrace their higher, heroic selves to overcome the shadow effect.
9. The Moses Code
Thirty-five hundred years ago God gave Moses a gift that
changed the world. Some of the most incredible miracles in history came from
applying a simple code, activating the power of the creative force of God in
the world. This ancient technology has largely been lost or ignored since then,
only to be revealed once again through this movie and book. This code, if
finally applied by humanity, has the power to transform the planet, as well as
add the richest blessings to your own life.
Some of the best known spiritual teachers in the world
join James Twyman in this film, offering tools on how you can apply the Moses
Code to your own life. This is the foundation upon which the Law of Attraction
is built. The film focuses on the power of “Soul Manifestation,” drawing upon your
own innate spiritual connection to produce miracles everywhere you go. Many
other films and books have focused on using the Law of Attraction to “get” the things we
believe we need, eg. houses, cars or other goods. The Moses Code takes the next
much more important step - how do we use this law to “give“ from our soul,
automatically attracting spiritual blessings into our lives.
10. 3 Idiots
Two friends, Farhan ( R. Madhavan)
and Raju (Sharman Joshi) set out in search of their third buddy Rancho (Aamir
Khan). As they travel the valleys, another story sets in, the journey through
their past life- their college days. Rancho, Farhan and Raju are room mates, studying
in the most prestigious engineering college of India, headed by it's dean Viru
Sahastrabudhhe aka Virus (Boman Irani).
Rancho
comes in with new ideas that oppose the education system and ultimately oppose
all the teachers and Virus too. The irrepressible free-thinker Rancho, in his
unique way, touched and changed their lives. Virus tries his level best to
separate the three friends and prove Rancho's ideas to be wrong. Parallel to
all this, is the developing love between Rancho and Pia (Kareena Kapoor) who is
Virus's daughter.
With
a tale of incidents, respect and love for Rancho increases as Virus too,
realises what a gem he is! However, at the graduation ceremony, Rancho
disappears and is never seen again.
Back
in the present time, Farhan and Raju on their journey to find Rancho, unveil
some hidden facts that make them curious to know who and where Rancho actually
is!
Three
Idiots is a comedy of ideas that is as provocative as it is funny, as wildly
entertaining as it is insightful. A laugh-riot that talks about the most
important of human pursuits: self-actualization.
