My Favorite Movies

In my humble opinion, the best movie ever made. Pacino's performance is his best ever along with the rest of the cast. This is an amazing Shakespearean tragedy parallelling the lives of a young Don Vito Corleone's (Robert DeNiro) rise to power in New York and his son's slow descent into deception and betrayal several decades later. This is a film that far superceeds rthe ambitions of the original and is genrally overlooked because people assume the sequel can't be as good as the original. They are way wrong. If you have to see only one movie this entire year, make it this one. Want to truly appreciate this film? See it with me. :)

Considered by man one of the greatest films of all time, I actually find it a close second to its sequel. Brando's performance coupled with the superb supporting cast make this less of a gangster film and more of a study familial love. Francis Ford Coppola was at the top of his game, but I point to the script, the cast and the production team a sbeing the real reasons this film became the legend it is.

This is one of the most underrated movies of all time. Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern and a young Jennifer Connelly all shine in this epic story of friendship and betrayal. Don't be daunted by the near 4-hour running time. Just embrace the visual feast Sergio Leone serves with every frame. Savory every line of dialogue (they are sparse). Wallow in the unflinching story that takes you on a ride you will not soon forget. Noodles and Max are street punks growing up in Hell's Kitchen. Soon they are a part of the ever-expanding underworld. They will grow up to be Robert De Niro and James Woods, respectfully, and carve out an empire for themselves during the prohibition. However, the conscience of one and the greed of the other cause a collision that will reverb throughout the ensuing decades. You'll thank me later.

The legacy of Christopher Walken's career lay in the frames of this film. DOn;t get me wrong, this is Robert De Niro's film. It's also Meryl Streep's, John Cazale's, John Savage's, etc etc etc. But its the haunting look on Walken face before final moments of the film play out that will live forever...and they will be played repeatedly after he has left this earth (God forbid). This was among the first films made about the Vietnam war and easily one of the most brutal. The film is broken into three acts: 1) a group of friends prepare to go off to Vietnam 2) their experiences in Vietnam including being interred in a POW camp and 3) the aftermath, including how they returned home only shells of themselves, barely recognizable to friends and family. But itd Walken who lays the thread throughout the film. His slow descent into madness is achingly real...as is De Niro's post war stare. These are two men who left all signs of the men they were in the jungles. This would be Michael Cimino's career high and its too bad. He shows true promise as a filmmaker. Heaven's Gate and a small string of flops that follow buried him. See this one with some tissue nearby. "Let's go home, Nicky."

One of the greatest scripts I have ever seen mixed with masterful direction by Sidney Lumet to give us a semi-documentary style that was rarely seen at this time in film. If you've never seen it, do so immediately. Pacino's performance is oddly powerful yet funny in an over the top way. it's hard to decide if this is frightening drama or an absurd comedy. The bottom line is: its based on a true story.

"You know this is not going to have a happy ending." So predicts William Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) as we enter the third act. By this time we have witnessed the crime scenes of a handful of the most bizarre murders ever captured on film...and that's only the start. This is the film that would catapult David Fincher to the director status he enjoys today. Although not a "horror" film, it still stands as one of the most unnerving films I have ever seen. Have a strong heart when you see this one.

Most people saw this film as a complete misstep in the Godfather saga. I am not one of those voices. I truly believe people don't like Sofia Coppola's performance simply because of the nepotism involved (let's not forget Talia Shire is FF Coppola's sister, everybody). In this installment set at the end of Michael Corleone's career, the family tries to go completely legit by investing in the Vatican and its world bank. However, much to their surprise, they learn that even the church is corrupt. This film smacks of everything Shakespearean and even messes with a little history in the process. Although Robert Duvall is sadly missed, we do watch as Al Pacino effects the emotions that consume him after the actions that brought him down in Part II. No, it is not as good as the first two, but it's not a piece of crap either.

This is a film that had an amazing impact when first released but has been largely forgotten by todays audiences. This is a true example of great filmmaking, storytelling and acting so good you can hardly believe its not real. Williams plays the introverted doctor who tirelessly looks for a cure to patients left catatonic after an encephalitis epidemic. He makes an astounding break through, but the long term results are more devastating that anyone could imagine. This is three-kleenex filmmaking at its finest.

This film reeks of both hard hitting drama, and over the top campiness. On both levels, its a masterpiece. Whether you like Pacino's thick as molasses accent or roll your eyes at Giorgio Moroder's score, you still can't argue you weren't averting your eyes during the infamous chainsaw scene. Oliver Stone and Brian DePalma go all out in this 80's cocaine epic but ultimately its Pacino who has the last laugh...or should I say the last of over 180 utterances of the "f" word?

This was the film that introduced me to the powerhouse that is Jack Nicholson. Sure he was already a legened by the time this was made, but its his performance as the anti-authority poster child, MacMurphy, is probably his best ever. Most people have forgotten the stellar supporting cast that includes Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd and Lousie Fletcher's Academy Award winning turn as the rigid Nurse Ratched. She is the one woman MacMurphy has no hopes of charming, so he does the exact opposite...as anyone should.

One of the few films I can easily admit, changed my life. My entire outlook on film was forever altered after seeing this masterpiece. Now, admittedly, this is a rip off of the HK flick "City On Fire" but no matter. It's the characterizations and dialogue that make this film the treat that it is. It's Quentin Taratino's ability to blend drawn out conversations, extreme violence, pop culture references and 1970's rock and roll (you'll never listen to "Stuck In The Middle With You" the same way ever again). For all the things he has borrowed from other filmmkaers (1970's blaxploitation films, Sam Peckinpah films, etc), Taratino created a new genre that dominated the 90's and even bled into the current decade. If anyone wants to challenge me, I say, "You gonna bark all day, little doggy...or are you gonna bite?"

Although most people found this film too long and without the action it promised, I disagree. This is a compelling character study of criminals and the cops who chase them. The centerpiece shoot-out in downtown L.A. was a heartstopper back when this film was originally released and I use it as the "one to beat" when watching the action films that came in its wake. Even though Pacino and DeNiro headline this film, they only share they screen for a minimal amount of time. This also may disappoint most viewers. But make no mistake: this is a tightly wound drama with high tension suspense and some of the best acting you will ever see.

Laregly overlooked today, this is one of the greatest mind-fuck films of all time. This is one of Peter O'Toole's greatest achievements and, although the film does come off as a bit amateurish in other areas, its O'Toole's scene chewing that make this film worth watching. I sum my feelings for this film up in the words of Director Eli Cross (played by Peter O'Toole): "If God could do the things we could do, he'd be a happy man."

This is a film that will remain timeless. Even though it was made 18 years ago (as of this writing), it still feels fresh. Robin Williams unites a group of boys in an upper class prep school through poetry. He teaches them not only to live their lives to the fullest but to savor every second and question that which they find restrictive. Of course, such free thinking is going to cause a ruckus in such a stiff bastion of learning. Indeed, feathers a ruffled and some people don't end up with so happy of endings. But, its through living their lives that these boys find victory and their teacher, John Keating, will forever be that inspiration to them. Take the ride. Read the poetry. Bask in the shadow of the "sweaty toothed madman" and find YOUR voice in this world.

There are not many westerns in existence that grab m attention and Dances With Wolves was not going to one of them when I saw the trailer for the first time. However, when I went to the opening night screening I came away a different person. It had been a long time since I had seen a film that was both highly entertaining and sympathetic to the cause of Native Americans. Kevin Costner plays Lt. John Dunbar, a disillusioned Civil War veteran who is sent to a remote outpost on the untamed frontier. When he arrives, he finds it abandoned but remains there to keep it up. Eventually he makes contact with the local natives and, after a rocky start, befriends them. It is through their relationship that Dunbar comes to realize that it is his people who are the ones to be feared...and with the coming westward expansion, he knows the white men will virtually wipe out the Natives and their culture entirely. This is a film that is a wild adventure and a lesson in tolerance. It puts a familiar face to a people once feared by white people but reminds us that we are all human and we all deserve a place to call home.

The only film to get the X rating and win Best Picture (1969). Midnight Cowboy might seem tame by todays standards, but when it was released, it was the high water mark in cinema for a long time to come. Jon Voight plays Texan Joe Buck who fancies himself "one helluva stud!" As a result, he decides to leave his dead-end Texas town and board a bus for New York City. His plan is to become a gigolo and service all the lonely , rich women in the city. it's not long before he discovers that majority of the work he desires is performed by gay men and his naive ways get him hustled by the more streewise people of the city. He ends up forming an unlikely friendship with Rico "Ratso" Rizzo, a homeless cripple who hobbles from short term grift to short term grift. They hole up in a condemned building and dream of hitting the jackpot so they can move to Florida. But with winter setting in and Ratso's cough becoming worse, Joe Buck is beginning to run out of options. The amount of sex in this film is very low, but there is nudity, references to oral sex and, of course, adult language. The film has since been reclassified as "R". But to watch it with the eyes of a 1968 audience reveals this film to be altogether shocking. Dustin Hoffman turns in, what I claim to be, his finest performance. Ratso is without a doubt the most fully realized characterization he has ever undertaken, particularly this early in his career. The "X-Flat" scenes are classics, shot almost as if Buck and Ratso were a married couple on a television sitcom. Although the importance of this film may have faded in the last forty years, it's place in the history of cinema will live forever.

Everything Brando did before was just a warm up to this, his greatest achievement. Elia Kazan's metaphor for the Hollywood blacklist is still an important film over 50 years later. Brando's charisma as the broken down pugilist, now a strong-arm for the mob, stands as one of the most memorable performances in cinema history. But what most people don't remember is the supporting cast. Karl Malden as the crusading priest stands as one of his best performances (behind Streetcar Named Desire). Eva Marie Saint is stunning as the object of Brando's affections. But you will never forget Lee J. Cobb's Johnny Friendly, the boss of the docks who decides who gets to work...and who dies for betraying the code of silence. Laced with stereotypical 60's noir dialogue and brilliantly shot by cinematographer Boris Kaufman, this is a slice of 50's pop culture that should be remembered for hundreds of years. The famous back seat taxi scene is always a stunner, but a lot people should remember Brando's speech about pigeons, the death of Saint's brother and the final moment on the docks as Brando faces the full fury of Friendly. If you never have, you must see it.

Not my favorite of the trilogy, but unfortunately you have to take them all as a whole. I was told this film would be wall to wall action. That it is not. It is what it is supposed to be, the 2nd act of three act story. Still, considering its pedigree, it is still a visual masterpiece. You can't have the other two and not watch this one. Dive in.

The best film of 1997 and Russell Crowe's best performance. The only film so far to full capture the world James Ellroy creates in his novels. This is a must see for all fans of Hollywood then and now. This is the film that amde Crowe a star in the US.

If you're looking for a post-noir mystery with all the sexiness and hard boiled gumshoes intact? Look no further. This is the gem in Robert Evans canon. Nicholson at his best. Robert Towne's best script and Roman Polanski's direction is flawless. The final twist, though a little faded by nearly 35 years. is still relatively shocking. Does it offend? Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.

GO TO LUNCH!! I came for Pacino and left being a newborn fan of Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Alac Baldwin, Ed Harris and Alan Arkin. Although the real estate talk may be lost on some people, the pultizer prize winning play by David Mamet is built as character studies of men, so despicable they would sell their own mothers to make a deal. Just sit back and let this one flow over you.

Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em!!! This is the best anti-smoking film ever made and it doesn't hurt that Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Diane Venora and Michael Mann were all involved. This film, based on a true story, is compelling viewing from start to finish. Although I do admit it could have been about 15 minutes shorter due to some of Mann's indulgences, the story still never suffers.

An absolute classic. The film that mamde Kevin Costner a star, revived Sean Connery's post James Bond career and introduced us to Andy Garcia. However, what really sucks you in is DeNiro's understated performance as Al Capone. This is a bloody film with all of Brian DePalma's usual trappings...in a good way. He sets up the scenes as mini epics, pays homage to some of the greatest filmmakers ever (The Battleship Potemkin reference is near brilliant) and never lets the audience go, even when setting up the sympathetic angles of the characters. Drown in this film, its worth every second.

One of the most twisted films I have ever seen. Brad Pitt's performance is a must-see. The script is tight, the action fierce...but most of all, people will be surprised to see that this is a actually a comedy. Yup. Get ready to laugh your ass off and to have a twist thrown at you that is so big...but wait, I'm breaking the first rule of fight club.

The best Star Wars film of the entire series. Lots more action. Far more engaging characters and situations. More backstory on what "the Force" really is. And of course, the ultimate downer ending. Only watch the beginning of Return of the Jedi to see the resolution of this film, then shut it off. Empire rules.

An overlooked masterpiece by Peter Weir. I went into this thinking "ok, I'm here for Crowe" and I came out wanting to read all the books. This one never lets you go and shows naval combat as no other film has before or since.

An incredible visual feast. Crowe is at the top of his game but might not have deserved the Oscar for this. Ridley Scott proves he's one of our living legends

Can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to still be alive...but everyone else around you thinks your dead? This film is a nightmarish tale of a soldier "killed" in WWI. In a devastating explosion, he loses his arms, legs and majority of his face. The doctor's believe that there couldn't possibly be any brain activity left. But we, the viewers, know different. As the doctor's keep this "living" body alive so they can study him more closely, we are taken on a harrowing journey through the mind of this man who slowly discovers what he has become. He can not speak. He can not see or hear. He can't even communicate through hand signals. As he slowly dissolves into madness, he sees blurring images of his past life and hallucinations of the coming afterlife (including Jesus played by Donald Sutherland). It's during a flashback conversation that he remembers the words of his father: "Do you remember your Morse Code?"

K-I-L-L M-E

"Wild At Heart" is a snake skin jacket. It symbolizes its individuality and belief in artistic freedom. This is by far David Lynch's masterpiece (and I know I'll get some argument on this). As Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern are pursued across the landscape, they encounter no less than Lynch's finest assemblage of kooks and crazies, reminding us that life is, indeed strange. The sex is scorching. The supporting cast is truly appalling (in a good way). But its the overall theme of lover conquers all that ultimately wins through. Nicolas cage is Sailor Ripley. Sailor is in love with Lula. Lula's mother forbids the relationship and tries to seduce Sailor. Unsuccessful, she sends some men after Sailor to convince him otherwise. In the course of this convincing, Sailor kills one of the men and is sent to prison for manslaughter. As soon as Sailor is released, he and Lula flee across the country in an attempt to outrun the long arm of Lula's Mother. Only David Lynch could take the above scenario and meld it with references to the Wizard of Oz. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself.

Among the top 5 westerns ever made and Sam Peckinpah's masterpiece, The Wild Bunch is a truly revolutionary film produced at the most pivotal moment in film history. An orgy of violence, it received the controversial X rating before it was relegated to the porn industry. However, 25 years later, it was re-released with the same rating (only updated to the NC-17). William Holden plays the leader of a gang of outlaws who realize that the west is dying. The days of bank robberies and train heists will soon be fading (cars are starting to become the fashion). They strike out to pull a final job before they decide to call it quits. However, they are betrayed by their benefactors and one of their own is captured. This is a truly iconic film that broke barriers for its use oif violence and depiction of just how raw the west really was. Sure, its still soaked down by Hollywood standards (the ratings board was still in its infancy and directors were still testing just how much they could et away with), but its still a sight to behold. Peckinpah would go on to influence a generation of directors, most notably Hong Kong's John Woo. From its opening shoot-out in the streets of a sleepy small town to the final battle of "Bloody Porch", this is a film that you won't soon forget.

Sidney Lumet's first film is easily one of his best. One of the finest casts ever assembled takes on one of the most classic pieces of drama. If you have never seen this film and you are in the film industry, see it immediately. You'll meet an actor most people have forgotten: Lee J. Cobb (On The Waterfront, The Exorcist). Here, Cobbis the quintessential "angry man." While Henry Fonda plays straight man, its Cobb that eats the furniture with every breath he draws. Enjoy.

The Coen Brothers have three types of films they make. This one falls under the category of films that end up winning a lot of awards. This is a true sleeper. Javier Bardem turns in a performance that would make any Hollywood heavy jealous. Josh Brolin gets to take the spotlight while Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harellson spice up the background. After finding $2M at a drug deal that went bad, Brolin soon realizes that the owners of the cash are looking for him. Bardem plays a hitman so ruthless, he's like The Terminator, only human. Jones effects a role that is like the male counterpart to Frances MacDormand in "Fargo" and shows the proper restraint even while chewing the scenery and delivering some of the best lines in Coen history. Warning, this film is SLOW...but, like Sergio Leone film, its worth every second.

Stanley Kubrick first "official" film is something of a curiosity. Light years ahead of its time (as Kubrick would be for most of his career), this film combined elements of 50's film noir and the upcoming post MPAA period that would explode in the 1970's. Sterling Hayden (one of the most underrated stars ever) turns in a sick performance as the brutal bank robber who will sacrifice anything and anyone to pull off the heist he has planned. The dialogue is pure 50's noir. The characters are pure 50's noir. But the sensibilities of how it is shot and put together flashes forward to an era filmmakers hadn't experienced yet. Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" has been compared to this film...and rightly so.

One of the greatest gangster films ever made. Period. There is no storyteller like Martin Scorsese and this film is near the top of his heap. DeNiro cruises through this film like he's on auto pilot. Ray Liotta spins manic charm and wide-eyed wonder at the life he has gotten himself into. But its Joe Pesci's explosive turn as the psychotic gangster run amok that steals every frame of this film.

This is the younger cousin to Scorsese's "Goodfellas". Most people felt it went a bit too far to the cheesy side of Vegas and wasn't hard hitting enough. Really? Have you seen the beating in the cornfield? OK, Joe Pesci is essentially doing a repeat of his role in "Goodfellas", but can you think of a guy better suited to play Anthony "The Ant" Spilatro? I'm not a fan of Sharon Stone. I actually liked her in this film and felt she deserved the Academy Award nomination she got. hats off to James Woods for taking a minor role as the creepy hustler. But overall, let's give a big cheer to the one-two punch that is Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro for just being who they are in the first place. Don't overlook this film. It is a gem.

It only took the Academy, what, 35 years to finally give Martin Scorsese what we all knew he deserved? Thankfully it was for a film that was a definite compliment to his resume. The Departed may seem like its not a typical Scorsese film, but that's only because Jack Nicholson (his first time working with Marty) is kept in the background. Instead its DiCaprio and Damon that are given the limelight. However, what truly got me going were the scenes between Damon and Mark Wahlberg. Marky was robbed of the Oscar for his performance, but at least he was nominated. There's not a single slouch in the film. The camera work, the acting, the script...everything. This is a compliment to a filmmaker who is proving he will never lose his edge.