Best movies like The Water Engine
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 298
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like The Water Engine (1992):
Similar in 75%
The American Clock (1993)
Plot Summary:
This film is based on Arthur Miller's recollection of the events of the 1930's Depression. In the film, John Rubinstein, Mary McDonnell, and Loren Dean are all members of an upper class family who find the world completely changed when they lose everything in the Stock Market crashes. Dean, a college age young man, who now faces no possibility of entering college, decides to go on the road to see what is happening to the rest of the country.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 112
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
Blood & Orchids (1986)
Plot Summary:
Hester Murdoch is found naked and nearly beaten to death by four young Hawaiian men on the beach and taken to the hospital. Some of the men didn't want to get involved, fearing they might be blamed, because she was white, but do so anyway. Almost immediately everyone suspects they are to blame. When Hester's politically influential mother Doris finds out what really happened, she fearing a scandal, forces her daughter to blame the men who rescued her, of raping and beating her. It's up to detective Curt Maddox, to find out what really happened, and their Hawaiian lawyer to do the impossible. Convince a white court of law, that they are innocent.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 267
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Deceitful Storm (2008)
Plot Summary:
When businessman David Morgan (Stefan Sims) embarks on an adulterous affair, his wife, Rena (Karyn Lewis), must decide whether his infidelity is the last straw in a relationship marred by years of neglect and emotional abuse. If she tries to mend the marriage, can her husband take responsibility for his actions and change his ways? Eric Harvey and Felicia Kerney also star in this potent urban drama directed by Shanda Davis.
IMDB Rating: 2.4
IMDB Votes: 44
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 80%
Rahm (2016)
Plot Summary:
A virtuous woman has to choose between her honour or saving her brother's life in a Sufi interpretation of William Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure'.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 55
Genere: Drama
Country: Pakistan, UK
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
Separate Tables (1983)
Plot Summary:
Two one-act plays explore love and loneliness. In "Table by the Window" an aging fashion model contrives a reunion with her ex-husband, a politician ruined by scandal, and their passion is rekindled. In "Table Number Seven" a meek woman harbors a secret love for a man accused of fraud and sex offenses, forcing her to take a stand for the first time in her life.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 214
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Far North (1988)
Plot Summary:
After being severly injured in a horse-riding accident,the family patriarch Bertram lies in a hospital bed plotting revenge against Mel, the four legged "enemy" he blames for putting him there. So when his eldest daughter Kate comes to visit,the father has but one request "Shoot that horse!" Meanwhile back at the house, Kate's mom is losing her grip on reality and Kate's sister Rita has her own problems with a teenage daughter who has recently discovered booze and boys. Between her ornery father,her fed up sister, her wild niece and her spaced out mom, Minnesotan turned New Yorker Kate is in for one helluva family visit!.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 747
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 83%
The Killing Yard (2001)
Plot Summary:
Lawyers must defend a prisoner accused of murdering two of his inmates during the Attica prison riots in 1971.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 249
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Lakeboat (2000)
Plot Summary:
Coming-of-age tale set aboard a shipping freighter traveling America's Great Lakes. Dale is an Ivy League college student who briefly joins a world-weary crew. Exposed to a seafaring lifestyle which falls short of his literary visions, Dale instead finds the experience rich in unexpected ways. The men's bravado and comical posturing gives way as their lively story-telling reveals more about their mythologized view of life than about what actually may have happened.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 734
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: surreal, melancholic, satirical, stylized, humorous, realistic, clever, talky, witty, semi serious
Similar in 86%
Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster (1992)
Plot Summary:
The real-life struggle to contain the environmental and financial damage caused to Alaska by the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez is dramatized.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 285
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: political
Similar in 82%
The Night That Panicked America (1975)
Plot Summary:
A dramatization of the Oct. 30, 1938 mass panic that Orson Welles' radio play, "The War of the Worlds" accidentally provoked.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 735
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: psychotronic
Similar in 76%
Oleanna (1994)
Plot Summary:
A two character movie, involving a college professor, John, who is confronted by a female student, Carol, who is failing his course. The two spend a long time talking to each other, during which time John says a few things that can be taken the wrong way. After the night the two spent talking, John is slapped with a sexual harassment accusation by Carol.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: psychological, disturbing, serious, realistic, intense, independent film, clever, talky, minimal cast, thought provoking
Similar in 87%
An Enemy of the People (1978)
Plot Summary:
A small forest town is trying to promote itself as a place for tourists to come enjoy the therapeutic hot springs and unspoiled nature. Dr. Stockmann, however, makes the inconvenient discovery that the nature around the village is not so unspoiled. In fact, the runoff from the local tanning mill has contaminated the water to a dangerous degree. The town fathers argue that cleaning up the mess would be far too expensive and the publicity would destroy the town's reputation, so therefore news of the pollution should be suppressed. Dr. Stockmann decides to fight to get the word out to the people, but receives as very mixed reaction.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: social, independent film, thought provoking, serious, realistic, masterpiece
Similar in 89%
Stand-ins (1997)
Plot Summary:
Six women who came to Hollywood with the dream of becoming famous find themselves working as stand-ins for the glamorous stars of the late 1930s. Gathering for a birthday celebration at their local watering hole, they introduce a new member to the group -- instigating a turn of events that will change their lives forever.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 191
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: independent film, atmospheric, serious, realistic, stylized, gloomy, period piece
Similar in 76%
I Was Lorena Bobbitt (2020)
Plot Summary:
Meet the once-battered woman who overcame years of abuse and a sensational televised trial to become an advocate for victims of domestic violence everywhere.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 338
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Macbeth (1981)
Plot Summary:
An adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 109
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 77%
King Lear (1982)
Plot Summary:
King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favor, he banishes her and turns for support to his remaining daughters. But Goneril and Regan have no love for him and instead plot to take all his power from him. In a parallel, Lear's loyal courtier Gloucester favors his illegitimate son Edmund after being told lies about his faithful son Edgar. Madness and tragedy befall both ill-starred fathers.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 278
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: period drama
Similar in 85%
Richard III (1983)
Plot Summary:
Richard Duke of Gloucester, youngest brother of King Edward IV, will stop at nothing to get the crown. He first convinces the ailing King that the Duke of Clarence, his elder brother, is a threat to the lives of Edward's two young sons. Edward has him imprisoned in the Tower of London; killers in Richard's pay then drown Clarence in a barrel of wine. When news of Clarence's death reaches the King, the subsequent grief and remorse bring about his death. Richard is made Lord Protector, with power to rule England while his nephew (now King Edward V) is still a minor. Before the young king's coronation he has his two nephews conveyed to the Tower, ostensibly for their safekeeping. Richard's accomplice, the Duke of Buckingham, then declares the two boys illegitimate and offers Richard the crown, which after a show of reticence he accepts. After Richard's coronation, he and Buckingham have a falling-out over whether or not to assassinate the two children.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 226
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 239 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Mass Appeal (1984)
Plot Summary:
A young seminarian rattles the established order at a Catholic parish run by an older pastor. (TCM.com).
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: talky, psychological, captivating, realistic, semi serious, sentimental, light, inspirational, sexy, touching
Similar in 83%
American Buffalo (1996)
Plot Summary:
Three inner-city losers plan a robbery of a valuable coin in a seedy second-hand junk shop.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: bleak, talky, stylized, independent film, minimal cast, clever, realistic, semi serious, thought provoking, intellectual
Similar in 83%
The Glass Menagerie (1973)
Plot Summary:
Amanda Wingfield dominates her children with her faded gentility and exaggerated tales of her Southern belle past. Her son plans escape; her daughter withdraws into a dream world. When a "gentleman caller" appears, things move to crisis point.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: novela, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 87%
David's Mother (1994)
Plot Summary:
Sally Goodson has been raising her autistic son David alone since her husband left many years ago. Now a social worker discovers that Sally has been dodging 'The System' to keep her son with her, instead of putting him in an institution. Each feels they know what's best for David. But their opinions are not the same. Sally's developing relationship with John Nils is caught in the middle.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 371
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 83%
The Best Little Girl in the World (1981)
Plot Summary:
Casey Powell is a young teenage girl who is secretly suffering from anorexia nevosa, a mental and physical illness of deliberately starving herself or self-induced vomiting, because of her troubled home life and problems at school in which her bickering parents must put aside their differences to help her recover before her condition kills her.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 567
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 85%
The Wool Cap (2004)
Plot Summary:
This film, originally made for tv, stars William H. Macy as a mute superintendent of a apartment building that is falling apart who becomes the unwilling guardian to a young girl with a bit of an attitude. The film is an updated and Americanized version of the 1962 feature film Gigot starring Jackie Gleason, who also wrote the original story.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, serious, realistic, feel good, spiritual
Similar in 87%
Edmond (2005)
Plot Summary:
Seemingly mild-mannered businessman Edmond Burke visits a fortuneteller and hears a remark that spurs him to leave his wife abruptly and seek what is missing from his life. Encounters with strangers and unsavory people weaken the barriers encompassing his long-suppressed rage, until Edmond explodes in violence.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: psychological, bleak, disturbing, intense, stylized, rough, cynical, erotic, philosophical, surreal
Similar in 85%
The Man in the Glass Booth (1975)
Plot Summary:
Arthur Goldman is a rich Jewish industrialist, living in luxury in a Manhattan high-rise. He banters with his assistant Charlie, often shocking Charlie with his outrageousness and irreverence about aspects of Jewish life. Nonetheless, Charlie is astonished when, one day, Israeli secret agents burst in and arrest Goldman for being not a Jewish businessman but a Nazi war criminal. Whisked to Israel for trial, Goldman forces his accusers to face not only his presumed guilt--but their own.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sad, independent film, tense, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, talky
Similar in 84%
LBJ: The Early Years (1987)
Plot Summary:
LBJ: The Early Years was a television movie that appeared on the NBC network in February 1987, depicting the life of former President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson from 1934 until 1973. Actor Randy Quaid won a Golden Globe award for his portrayal of Johnson.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 278
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 155 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, political
Similar in 78%
State and Main (2000)
Plot Summary:
A Hollywood Film unit invades a small Vermont town leading to wholesale abandonment of values and virtue. A smart, warm and funny movie - and not just for movie buffs. Tagline: When a film crew came to Waterford, Vermont - They Shot First And Asked Questions Later.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, talky, funny, melancholic, cynical, stylized, realistic, clever, witty
Similar in 75%
Inherit the Wind (1999)
Plot Summary:
Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: gothic, sincere, thought provoking, clever, serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing, contemplative, talky
Similar in 88%
Attica (1980)
Plot Summary:
A behind the scenes look of the 1971 prisoners revolt at the Attica prison.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 526
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: political, rough, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, tension, suspense
Similar in 87%
The Verdict (1982)
Plot Summary:
Frank Galvin is a down-on-his luck lawyer, reduced to drinking and ambulance chasing. Former associate Mickey Morrissey reminds him of his obligations in a medical malpractice suit that he himself served to Galvin on a silver platter: all parties willing to settle out of court. Blundering his way through the preliminaries, he suddenly realizes that perhaps after all the case should go to court; to punish the guilty, to get a decent settlement for his clients, and to restore his standing as a lawyer.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: suspense, tense, atmospheric, intense, sincere, thought provoking, touching, serious, suspenseful, clever