you're missing the grand design here!

A feel-good horsey movie, Jane Austen, a wacky caper, classic silent film, and intense violence. Some good ones here.

Home in Indiana (1944) - "A lad with a penchant for trouble is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Indiana. Though he's not happy about the arrangement at first, his love of horses and his affection for a young filly that he plans to race make life bearable. He also finds romance with tomboyish Char who shares his love for horses."

Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: Ward Bond is a favorite
IMDB: 6.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 50%

visuals: horses and wholesome whatnot
acting: Bond (Jed Bruce) does well in a limited role

intangibles: tests super high on the schmaltzometer but if you're looking for a warm and fuzzy film-watching experience: go for it
Academy Award nominee: Best Cinematography, color 
overall: recommended

Pride and Prejudice (1980) - "While the arrival of wealthy gentlemen sends her marriage-minded mother into a frenzy, willful and opinionated Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with haughty Mr. Darcy."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it's another of those stories of which I've seen several adaptations, in which a BBC version intrigued me
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A%

notable quote: "'I shall not go away until you have given me the assurance I require.'

'And I shall certainly never give it.'"
story: it's the most romantic story ever told, right? Learning to get over one's own prides and prejudices to see to the heart of another.
costumes, hair & makeup: fussy and straight-laced
acting: David Rintoul plays Fitzwilliam Darcy with great arrogance and distance, precisely as the role remands

intangibles: though this is much more constrained than some other adaptations - and minus some of the joy - it is faithful to the story and worth a watch
overall: recommended

The Mexican (2001) - "A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways."
Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I've wanted to watch this since it first came out
IMDB: 6.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 54% Audience: 44%

notable quote: "I'm just here to regulate funkiness."
story: the IMDB description (above) leaves out some details, but not too many. It is a wild, madcap, strange film.
visuals: terrific. Well shot, cut, and lit.
costumes, hair & makeup: terrific! I noticed them throughout (in a good way).
acting: James Gandolfini (Winston Baldry) was spectacular.

intangibles: far more doofy and bizarre than I had anticipated, this is a wackadoodle movie that will absolutely keep you guessing. Completely worth seeing!
overall: highly recommended

Sunrise (1927) - "An allegorical tale about a man fighting the good and evil within him. Both sides are made flesh—one a sophisticated woman he is attracted to, and the other his wife."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: it's a classic, a cross between sound and silent (with a score and sound effects, no dialog), and considered by some to be among the greatest films ever made
IMDB: 8.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 98% Audience: 92%
AFI: 100 Years...100 Movies (10th ann. ed., 2007) #82

100 Years...100 Passions (2002) #63

notable quote: "Make the little piggy roll!"
story: deceptively simple but enormously affecting
visuals: I have not seen many films from this era—the lighting, camera work, and effects were marvelous!
acting: George O'Brien (the man) was the real star of this show for me. His role took him through extremes of emotion and he carried it beautifully..

intangibles: though this isn't "my sort of thing" I liked it very much
Academy Award winner:
• Best Picture (Unique & Artistic Production)

• Best Actress--Janet Gaynor (the wife)

• Best Cinematography
Academy Award nominee: Best Art Direction
overall: recommended

King of New York (1990) - "A drug kingpin is released from prison and seeks to take total control of the criminal underworld, in order to give back to the community."

Source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: intriguing premise
IMDB: 7.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 73% Audience: 77%

notable quote: "motherfucker" (the pronunciation of which regularly reminded me of the emphasis in the clip below)
visuals: violent and dark
acting: Christopher Walken (Frank White) is terrific and Janet Julian (Jennifer, the attorney) is stark and heartbreaking

intangibles: a little goofy, and the end justifies the journey
overall: recommended

[the title quotation is from The Mexican]