11:14 / Crash type stories?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Anybody watched the film 11:14 or Crash? One of those films where seemingly random separate stories come together and the characters' lives intersect by the end of the film. I think these are called ensemble or multi-plot stories? Can anybody recommend some additional titles of similar stories/films to read/watch to study this genre, and are there any structural tips or rules/guides to use for writing such screenplays?

EDIT: Found a few resources once I got off my lazy virtual arse and googled--

1. http://www.plotsinc.com/sitenew/column_art_10.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensemble_cast
3. http://funjoel.blogspot.com/2007/07/lots-more-on-writing-ensemble-films.html
4. http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4730
5. http://www.6millionandcounting.com/filmtheory/ft1.php

EDIT: I am going to build a list here based on replies to my post from others here, and more googling:

1. 11:14
2. 21 Grams
3. The Air I breathe
4. Babel
5. Blue Powder
6. Crash
7. Go (1999)
8. Magnolia
9. Pulp Fiction
10. Short Cuts
11. Traffic
12. Twenty Bucks

 

[gi-jones]

Well, Pulp Fiction would be an obvious example.

 

[Kidster]

The story isn't that great, but check out "Blue Powder".

 

[A Messenger]

Nashville is a semi-classic Altman film of this style

 

[Outlawimpy]

I'd say Traffic and Go fit your description.

 

[TimCollins]

21 Grams also

 

[RodThompson]

twenty bucks, maybe? (it's been a while since i saw that one).

loved it!!