A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Based on a Tennessee Williams play, this searing drama is a multiple Oscar winner. It is most memorable fro the Oscar-winning turn by Vivien Leigh, as the fragile Blanche Dubois. Who could forget Marlon Brando, in one of his greatest roles. Kim Hunter as his wife and Karl Malden as Blanche's naive suitor complete the picture. Intense and tremendously moving.

Viva Zapata! (1952)

OK movie about  Mexican Emiliano Zapata who led the fight to restore land taken from the people during the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz during the period between 1909 and 1919.

Starring Marlon Brando as Zapata, Jean Peters and Anthony Quinn (Oscar Winner - Best Supporting Actor). Directed by Elia Kazan.

I wish I could say this is a memorable film.

Elia Kazan's America America (1963)

This is a film largely forgotten today, but was acclaimed when it was initially released in 1963.

It was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director - Elia Kazan, who also directed "On the Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" and so many other classic films from the 40s-60s.

The film is a coming of age story about a young Greek teenager who leaves his town for America, the country of his dreams.

It's a personal film of Kazan's, who made the film in honor of his family roots and own experiences of traveling to America from eastern Europe.

I first watched this film in 2005 on VHS.