6. Be Kind Rewind
This movie is one of the most heartfelt valentines to imagination out there. Not only is it literally a reminder of why imagination is great and what draws us to it in the first place, but thematically, it also illustrates the positive effects imagination can have on a community. And Michel Gondry was the perfect director to bring this out. Mos Defs Mike, Jack Blacks Jerry, and Melonie Diazs Alma create amazing movie sets with cardboard boxes and other miscellaneous everyday objects, create the illusion of space using editing, and use innovative camera angles and practical technical strategies to produce special effects. Their movies may not be perfect, nor completely sterile ideas of what is considered appropriate for a positive environment, but they positively depict such inappropriateness. Their movies are about what is important to them, and, with their neighbors involvement, what is important to the community. The whole city of Passaic, New Jersey becomes emotionally invested in a creative process, brought together in a more powerful and real way than any local or federal government officials could ever inspire. Indeed, the powers that be want to split the community apart to benefit more economically-appealing citizensso despite Mike, Jerry, and Almas lofty visions, Be Kind Rewinds world is a tough one. But Be Kind Rewind reminds us that true community, involving everyone, regardless of economic resources, gender, or race, can even inspire and console in the face of bulldozers.