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I have a small but nice collection of foreign movies that aren't stupid. The Python movies aren't stupid, but they are comedies.

A lot of serious movies come under the heading of well made, but I don't want to see it again. Schindler's List, for example. There's a Japanese Anime of the same tone -- Grave of the Fireflies -- that is great, but once is enough.

I watched "Hiroshima mon amour" for the 1st time in a college course.

Later "Nuit et brouillard" in that same course

In more recent days, "Sunshine" sort of on my own time.

There is a common theme among these all, certainly. That (Jew killing) was not what the original course was about. The class was much more interesting, informative, and eloquent. It was about cinema as art. I would wish such a course be imposed upon just about any thinking person.

Star Wars is really outside of the visual effects, one of the sorriest movie serials that I have ever seen. A comic book story that is unworthy of the attention that it receives. Reminds me of the history of the nickelodeons of yore. If they film it people will come.

Perhaps some might want to read a few trashy Harold Robbins books if they'd like to know more. Dream Merchants might suffice as a primer.

BTW, I love Monty Python, but I have refused to ever view the Life of Bryan. I am told that it is masterful, but I simply refuse. It was not so when it came to "the last temptation of Christ" or certain other works. I am (IMHO) open minded, but I refuse to indulge the total irreverence of others. Last Temptation OTOH was quite thought provoking.

“A lot of serious movies come under the heading of well made, but I don't want to see it again. Schindler’s List, for example. There's a Japanese Anime of the same tone — Grave of the Fireflies — that is great, but once is enough.”

“Grave of the Fireflies” (we own it) is the saddest movie I've ever seen. Even Schindler’s list had more hope than that one.
But it is a perfect description of post WW II Japan. We in the US were so busy defeating their government and military, that we forgot that a lot of civilians were caught up in the death of that time.

I like your Freeper of the day tribute in your home page to RadioAstronomer.