 Babel 2006   R, 142 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Adriana Barraza, Gael Garcia Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi, Koji Yakusho, Elle Fanning, Nathan Gamble, Mohamed Akhzam, Mustapha Amhita, Peter Wight, Harriet Walter, Boubker Ait El Caid
This story involves people in four cities showing how we are all interconnected despite differences in geography and race. It begins with a random shooting in Morocco by a young boy that leaves Susan (Cate Blanchett) bleeding badly. As American tourists, Susan and husband Richard (Brad Pitt) are on a trip hoping to repair their marriage, and now Richard fights to keep Susan alive. The scene switches to Tokyo where deaf-mute teenager Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi) engages in sexual acts as a outlet to deal with her mother's suicide. Finally, the scene cuts back to San Diego where Richard and Susan's illegal alien housekeeper Amelia (Adriana Barraza) faces the problem of what to do with their children who she is tending while Richard and Susan are away. Amelia's son is getting married in Mexico, and she opts to take the American children across the border for the wedding. But, as luck would have it, problems present themselves when the group attempts to re-cross the border. The film received an Oscar for Best Original Score; five other nominations were received, including Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Rinko Kikuchi), and Supporting Actress (Adriana Barraza).
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The Brothers Bloom 2009  PG-13, 113 min.
Genre: Comedy / Adventure / Drama / Romance
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane, Maximilian Schell, Ricky Jay, Zachary Gordon, Max Records, Andy Nyman, Noah Segan, Ram Bergman, Craig Johnson, Nora Zehetner, Dubravko Jovanovic
Orphaned brothers Stephen (Max Records) and Bloom (Zachary Gordon) grow up protecting each other while scamming their playground pals. Now, as adults, there is competition between Stephen (now played by Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (now played by Adrien Brody). Stephen comes up with a "grand" scheme to con lonely heiress Penelope (Rachel Weisz) by posing as antique dealers and taking off with her money. All goes as planned–until Bloom falls in love with Penelope.
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| 1. Babel (2006)
2. The Brothers Bloom (2009)
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