Monsoon Wedding – India
Directed by Mira Nair  (2001)

A stressed father, plans an arranged marriage for his daughter, with a man she’s only know for a few weeks. The problem is she has a secret that could change everything. Monsoon Wedding is a colorful celebration of modern-day India. It displays the beautiful city of New Delhi in cultural transition, combining the beauties of the old world with the surprises of the new world.

Empire of the Sun – China

Directed by Steven Spielberg (1987)

A young English boy (played by Cstruggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II. This movie was nominated for 3 creative arts Oscars (cinematography, art direction and editing) for its ability to make you feel like you are actually in China in the middle of the war.

Memoirs of a Geisha – Japan
Directed By Rob Marshall (2005)

Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of a young girl, Chiyo Sakamoto, who is sent off to school to become a geisha (a traditional, female Japanese entertainer). This movie follows her struggle to find love and herself. Director, Rob Marshall fills the screen with colorful visuals that will keep you amazed for all 145 minutes.

Lizzie McGuire Movie – Italy
Directed By Jim Fall (2003)

Can’t afford a class trip overseas? This is the solution. The movie follows Disney character Lizze McGuire (played by Hilary Duff) on a class trip to Italy. Despite being a Disney movie, they managed to capture all the famous Italian sites including the Trevi Fountain, The Leaning Tower Pisa and the Sistine chapel.

Mamma Mia – Greece
Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd (2008)

Based on the Broadway play, Mamma Mia follows bride to be Sophie Sheridan on the quest to find her biological father. The entire movie, shot in the Greek island of Skopelos, seems to have a warm, yellow glow. Every scene looks like an image from a post card.

Moulin Rouge! – France
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann (2001)

The quirky musical dramady features a poet who falls for a beautiful courtesan but finds himself competing for her affection with a wealthy duke. The sequin filled performances creates a kaleidoscope of colors and glitter. Sometime a little over the top but its Paris, what did you expect?

Slumdog Millionaire – India
Directed By: Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandan (2008)

Slumdog is an untraditional rags to riches story, as a boy from the slums of India wins the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The film is alive with vibrant colors and strange sights. Even the darker scenes are visually stunning. At the end they throw in a modern Bollywood dance scene. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Up – South America
Directed By: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson (2009)

By tying thousands of balloons to his home, Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to visit South America. To his dismay, he accidentally drags young Russell along with him, after he fails to leave the porch before lift off. Up is probably one of the best animated movies made in the last 10 years. Its use of CGI animation is so advanced that you almost forget that it’s animated.