The quality of the flicks on Star Movies on Friday at 9:30 p.m. keep getting better. On the 16th the channel will show the period piece Anna And the King. The theme is the age old classic conflict between Eastern and Western culture. Directed by Andy Tennant (Ever After) the film stars Oscar winner Jodie Foster (The Accused) as governess Anna Leonowens in the Victorian era. She and her son travel to Siam to teach the children of the King played with charm and elegance by Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon).

The relationship between them gradually blossoms as they start respecting each others traits. The political tensions that existed at that time give the film an extra dimension. The battle scenes and narrow escapes are fraught with tension enhanced by Luciana Arrighi's production design and Caleb Deschanel's breathtaking cinematography

 On the 23rd Robert Redford (Quiz Show) is the The Horse Whisperer. Based on Nicholas Evans's novel Redford who also directed stars as a cowboy who has a special way of communicating with horses. He seems to understand their language. A concerned mother played by Oscar nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) travels to his ranch in Montana after her daughter Scarlett Johannson suffers a bad accident with her horse. A special bond forms as the young girl is forced by Redford to get in touch with herself to understand how the horse feels. Cinematographer Robert Richardson paints a glorious picture of rural America. The film bagged Golden Globe nominations for picture and director. 

Finally on the 30th the channel assaults the senses with Fight Club. This raw wound from visionary David Fincher (Seven) tells the tale of two frustrated guys who decide to form a club where men can take out their frustrations by beating each other. When the members are physically exhausted that is when they are able to bare their feelings to each other. Soon clubs like this start springing all across the United States. Their sinister agenda is to turn the establishment on its head by blowing up corporate America buildings. The revelation at the end will make your head spin around.

The club has several rules including the fact that if you have just joined you have to fight that night. Watch the scene where Edward Norton (Primal Fear) beats himself to a pulp in order to blackmail his employer. It's a beaut!