I cannot seem to get movies out of my head today -- remembering them, wanting new ones to inspire me, and so on. So here is my top 5 list -- in random order -- of movies you may not have seen that I love for their inspirational quality.

There is something about film, and the ability of image to implant an idea or a feeling, that can linger with us, shaping us, moving us to see the world in new ways, to react differently, to feel more deeply, laugh more profoundly, and to see the images from films we saw years ago as clearly in our memory today as when we first saw them. My list follows -- And yours would be..???

1. Bagdad Cafe

There is a run-down motel and cafe called The Bagdad Cafe in the middle of an un-named desert in America. It is operated by a dysfunctional and run-down family with a series of eccentric motel guests. All seems to be in a downward groove until a stranded German tourist woman comes to stay for few days. This film is quiet and lovely -- funny and touching, and ultimately is about the power of love to work magic. It is simple, as far as plots go. Cast of characters include:: Marianne Sagebrecht, CHH Pounder, Jack Palance, Monica Calhoun.

2. The Night of The Shooting Stars

A woman looks back at her childhood in Italy at the end of WWII. She lived in a Tuscan village that heard the Nazis were about to invade just as the Americans were about to liberate the village. A group of villagers -- led by an old man -- decide to flee the village to seek out the Americans, rather than to stay and risk invasion by the Nazis. This is not a movie about combat, but a film about the effects of war on the spirit, and the enduring strength of the spirit. It is, having said that, at points one of the gentlest films I have seen. It moves seamlessly from laughter to tears to wonder to hope. It was directed by Paolo Taviani, and Vittorio Taviani.

3. Red Beard

This film can be life-changing. A young medical intern in Japan in the 1800's is angry that he has been posted to an impoverished village to do his internship. He has eyes on a prestigious future, but is more involved in the idea of being a bi-deal doctor than in a desire to help or heal. His supervisor a the village hospital is "Red Beard". This long film, in black and white, contains some of the most fabulous visual images that linger with me 25 years after I saw the film. Ultimately, the intern finds his compassion, but the spiritual journey that he takes is central to the film. Director: Kurosawa.

4. El Amor Brujo

This Spanish (subtitled) film directed by Carlos Saura is part of a trilogy of free-standing films, each of which interprets a Spanish tale or legend of piece of music, into the flamenco idiom. It uses the entre score of the ballet by Manuel deFalla, but overlays a plot and dialogue and flamenco. This story takes place in a gypsy village and is about two interconnected couples, each who is with a partner that the other loves - and about the bonds that linger even after death. But even death can be cheatd by love and devotion and courage.

5. A Japanese Story

The iMDB description is excellent -"Against the background of an Australian desert landscape, so much space
and so few people, Sandy, a geologist, and Hiromitsu, a Japanese
businessman, play out a story of human inconsequence in the face of the
blistering universe. The end of the journey leaves no-one capable of
going back to where they started from." There are consequences for everything. And there is majesty and beauty in the most unexpected places, from rthe most unexpected people.

I just noticed that I have listed exclusively non American films -- and I have no idea why that is -- but if I coud expand the list I would add "Babe" (yes, the one about the pig); "Fried Green Tomatoes"; "Malcolm X" and probably a hundred more.

Related blogs about inspiring films:

Peggy Payne: points to the film, "Juno" as inspiring, saying, :This movie encourages honesty, of the gutsy rather than the petty kind."

Natalie, in Inspiring Energy singles out: "We are Marshall" as one that lifted her up.

Jessica at When Life Gives You Lemons truly loved and was inspired by the film, "Becoming Jane" about Jane Austen.