I picked up a Netflix account about a month ago because I wanted to see City of Gods. (I know. Can I possibly be any later?) Now, I’m a full blown Netflix addict. It’s not all bad. I know I want to make films one day, so I really should watch more movies than I have in the past. (The list of movies I’ve seen is actually quite pathetic. Let’s just say Disney movies rank high in my favorites.) Through the “Grand Netflix Experiment” I’ve found that I love indie movies and (surprise, here) movies about or that inspire travel. I’m on the hunt for more, but here are some of my favorite travel movies.

1. The Motorcycle Diaries: There are many people that won’t like (or even watch) this movie because of the politics that surround Che Guevara. I urge you not to be one of those people. I will also not tell you to just watch the movie and forget that it’s Che Guevara’s life, because then you would really miss the point. The story was taken from Che Guevara’s journal as he traveled through South America with his friend, Alberto Granado. It shows how travel can change someone and bring about a side that you never knew existed. Guevara creditsthis journey as his reason for wanting to fight and die for the poor. The movie is also very well acted and filmed.

2. Broken English: I was surprised to see how many of the people that reviewed the movies on Netflix found it to be unrealistic. (I really don’t like Netflx reviewers). American girl meets French boy in Manhattan. Girl spends a few glorious days with French boy. French boy has to leave to go back to Paris. Girl is heartbroken. Girl shows up in Paris weeks later to find French boy. WHAT is unrealistic about that? I’ve lived that story and seen so many other people live it. This story hits the core of what travel is all about: spontaneity.

3. Before Sunset: This is one of my favorite movies ever. I love the way it was shot. There’s just a camera following two people as the have a conversation in Paris in real time. The couple reunites nine years after they spent one night together in Vienna (chronicled in Before Sunrise, another movie that could have made this list). The film is beautifully shot and shows great images of Paris. It’s quite the departure from the regular Holloywood thing.

4. The Art of Travel: This movie wasn’t great. Actually, I found the script to be tedious and downright awful. Then combine that previous statement with very meh acting. So how did this movie make the list? The message was beautiful, the location shots were great and the cinematography was very good overall. After watching, I just wanted to drop everything and sprint to the airport without any bags or a destination in mind.

5. Black Orpheus: I am not a fan of old movies. However, this film from the 60′sperfectly captured the spirit of Brasil. It’s based on the Greek story of Orpheus and centered around Rio’s Carnaval. It’s in Portuguese with English subtitles, so it was a perfect way to get some more practice with the language. It’s also nice to see a movie that doesn’t just show the violence in Brazil (not that City of God isn’t a helluva film).

And you…any movies that make you want to hop on a plane?

Related posts:

1. If You Want To Travel, Hang Around Travelers
2. Cool Travel Things On the Web
3. How To Make Room For Travel Pt. 3: Think Travel, Not Vacation