Cinema Rewind

The Sting

2011-04-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

The Sting
1973 -- Rated PG
Director: George Roy Hill
Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw

It's a damp cold day today so I pulled out my copy of the DVD The Sting, the 1973 classic con movie staring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. I don't know for sure what it is about a grifter movie I love so much - maybe it's the intricate plot twists involved, maybe it's the level of trust the con artists must have in each other, but whatever it is I love it and The Sting is a masterpiece of con movies as evidenced by the seven academy awards it walked away with including Best Director (George Roy Hill), Best Music (Marvin Hamlisch), Best Screenplay (David Ward) and of course Best Picture.
As a period piece The Sting is a jewel. The costumes (which also won an Oscar), the vintage cars, the locales (again, also an Oscar for set design) and the lingo are breathtaking to behold. The character actors in this movie read like a Who's Who of character actors with Harold Gould (Patch Adams), Ray Walston (South Pacific and TV's My Favorite Martian), Dana Elcar (TV's MacGyver), and many more. Newman and Redford though are, of course, the stars and their bountiful talent plays well against each other. In fact I feel their performances in The Sting are far superior to the other great buddy film they joined forces in - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (also a George Roy Hill film).
The premise of the sting is the long con of a dangerous New York racketeer (Robert Shaw) in retaliation for his having a friend of theirs killed. Pitting Lonnegan's (Shaw) weaknesses against himself the duo of Gondorff (Newman) and Hooker (Redford) lead an ensemble of veteran con artists in a magnificent game of deception to lure Lonnegan in and take him for half a million dollars (which in the 1930's was a lot of money) and to do it without him knowing he was taken.
So if you can find it on iTunes or Amazon or Netflix or any of those movie services you really need to invest in it and pull it out on a wet rainy day - believe me, it'll make you feel good!

Get Low

2011-04-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

Get Low
2009 -- Rated PG13
Director: Aaron Schneider
Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Lucas Black

As I sat and watched this film I wondered if Robert Duvall ever did a bad film. I couldn't think of any. I even looked him up on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) to see if there were films that might have been less than stellar. The answer is no. Well, there was Gone in 60 Seconds which wasn't a highly acclaimed film but it was fun and Duvall's character definitely helped that movie stay away from the basement.
In Get Low, Duvall plays a cantankerous old hermit in rural 1930's Tennessee who sets out to throw his own funeral party while he is still alive but with a catch - those attending have to tell a story about him.
The story is well crafted, the casting is superb and the acting is above par. Bill Murray (Stripes, Lost in Translation) is absolutely mesmerizing as Frank Quinn the slightly skewed owner of the funeral parlor. Other notable performances include Sissy Spacek (Carrie, Coal Miner's Daughter), Gerald McRaney (TV's Simon & Simon), and Lucas Black (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) as Buddy, a young up and coming funerary apprentice.
As wonderful as all the performances are, Duvall's acting stands far above his castmates. Get Low is humorous at times, nostalgic always and poignant when it needs to be - in short it is a masterpiece of film-making.

Across the Universe

2011-04-03T08:30:00.006-05:00

Across The Universe
2007 -- PG13
Director: Julie Taymor
Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson

For my friends who know me well it comes as no surprise that I would write about Across the Universe, the 2007 film that is built upon and around the music of the Beatles, after all the Beatles are without a doubt the greatest rock band that ever was or ever will be. Okay, I know that's a very subjective statement to make but hey - it's my blog! What I would find to be an even bigger surprise (especially to me) is that I actually LOVE this film. A surprise because I am extremely picky when it comes to artists who cover these icons of rock and roll, it either has to be an absolutely dead on cover that sounds like the original OR the artist has to make it completely their own - neither of which is an easy thing to do. In fact my friend, musician Clay Howard is probably the only artist I've heard that can do the Beatles, even acoustic, and do it well. I've even dubbed him the "sixth" Beatle. (Beatle fans should understand why sixth and not fifth).
So the other day I decided to pop Across the Universe into the DVD player for the purpose of studying it's screenplay structure but of course it didn't take long to just get lost up in this beautiful piece of art - in fact I forgot about studying it the moment Jim Sturgess's character Jude launches into "Girl" in the very first scene.
Across the Universe is a musical tale fabricated from the stories and characters created in the music of the Beatles. I'm not going to say much about the story line here (you'll have to rent the DVD) other than to say it is set against the backdrop of the turbulent, often violent 60's, the Vietnam war, hippies and the revolution America's youth was embroiled in at that time with the establishment.
What I will say though is that each and every song is crafted and performed with an immensely powerful emotion that occasionally left me crying - yes crying. When Max (Joe Anderson) reports for his physical to determine his eligibility to be drafted into the Army the imagery that accompanies "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is staggering. Likewise the mental pain and anguish of post traumatic stress is more felt than heard when Max sings "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" in the Army medical ward. Bono (as Doctor Robert) and Joe Cocker (as a bum) both deliver exhilarating performances of "I Am The Walrus" and "Come Together" respectively but comedian Eddie Izzard's tripping performance as Mr. Kite is truly spectacular, a prime example of making a song your own as he speaks the song ("For the Benefit of Mr. Kite") rather than singing it.
That Dana Fuchs as Sadie and Martin Luther as Jo-Jo appear to channel Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix is surely no coincidence. The performance by each is truly mind blowing.
Many of the best and most popular Beatles songs are to be found here including "Let It Be," "Hey Jude," "Helter Skelter," "All You Need Is Love," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Strawberry Fields," "Something" and many more, all of which tell an integral part of the story that is Across the Universe - a movie that is far and away one of the best, if not the best neo-musical movie yet.

True Grit

2011-04-02T10:48:00.011-05:00

True Grit
2010 -- PG 13
Director: Ethan & Joel Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin

It is difficult to fathom anyone playing a role originally played by John Wayne, especially from one of his western or war films. Being a huge John Wayne fan it was with a lot of trepidation that I went to see the new Coen Brothers remake of the Wayne classic True Grit. "How," I wondered "can a couple of brothers who admittedly have made some fantastic dark comedy movies in the past (Fargo, Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou), possibly remake an iconic film like True Grit and expect it to be well received? The answer it would seem is that they stayed true to the original story, including much of the exact dialog. Jeff Bridges is cast in the role of the oft drunken and always cantankerous Rooster Cogburn and Matt Damon takes on the role of Texas Ranger La Boeuf, roles portrayed in the original by John Wayne and Glenn Campbell respectively. Apart from the wonderful cinematography, this film uses a wonderful musical score that is based solely on traditional Christian hymns such as "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms," "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and "Hold To God's Unchanging Hands." The hymns are presented principally as orchestral pieces and provide the scenes with a musical theme that is understated so as to embellish and not to detract from the scene.
Clearly though the Rooster Cogburn character could very well be the first movie role to provide the actor playing the part with an Oscar for both versions. John Wayne won his only Oscar playing Rooster in the original and Jeff Bridges could very easily win it for his portrayal of the same one-eyed lawman in this version.
Other notable performances in this film include Josh Brolin who got top billing over Barry Pepper even though Pepper has more screen time. Both actors turn in wonderful performances in the respective roles of outlaws Tom Chaney (who Cogburn is after) and Lucky Ned Pepper. As far as the role of Mattie Ross, portrayed in the original by Kim Darby, new-comer Hailee Steinfeld makes the character every bit as insufferable as Darby's original portrayal.
Bottom line is - go see this movie! True Grit is a throw-back to the days when movies were meant to be fun. This is how westerns were meant to be made!

*****UPDATE*****

True Grit ended up receiving ten Oscar nominations including Actor (Bridges), Supporting Actress (Steinfeld) and Film of the Year but alas it was a tough year and this incredible film came away with no wins.

Cloverfield

2008-03-29T08:22:00.002-05:00

Cloverfield
2007 -- Rated R
Director: Matt Reeves
Michael Stahl-David, Jessica Lucas

Cloverfield, the monster flick from J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias), is an intensely crafted work of art that succeeds on every level of keeping you on edge and tense. Filmed entirely from the point of view of a hand held video camera (a la 1999's Blair Witch Project), Cloverfield begins with filming a going away party for Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David - The Black Donnellys) at his New York City apartment when a sudden violent shaking of the building and subsequent blackout sends everyone to the roof top to see what's going on. From there the mayhem ensues and the camera continues to roll as Hud (T.J. Miller) leaves the camera on throughout their frightening night.
The creature that has suddenly appeared in New York, lays waste to the big city in horrible fashion, knocking buildings over, beheading the Statue of Liberty, destroying the Brooklyn Bridge and on and on. The monster is not seen clearly through all of this, though it's size is definitely on an astronomical scale. Not until the very end do we get a good look at the behemoth and then not in its entirety due to its size.
The one downfall of Cloverfield is that the filming style can become annoying at times and can cause you to feel nauseous. Even with a cast of unknowns it is largely due to the style of filming that this movie succeeds. You "feel" the tension, the anxiety and the fear as the creature and its smaller "offspring" devastate and devour.

3:10 To Yuma

2007-09-17T07:44:00.001-05:00

3:10 To Yuma
2007 -- Rated R
Director: James Mangold
Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda

It could be that Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Life, Master and Commander: Far Side Of The World) is a good actor. Or it could be that Christian Bale (The Prestige, Batman Begins) is a good actor. Or maybe the story is good or the action is good or... maybe I'm just glad to see a bona fide western in the theater again. Or maybe it's all of the above. Whatever the reason 3:10 To Yuma is a good western movie.
The original film was based on the Elmore Leonard short story of the same name. With this new treatment, Academy Award winner Crowe takes on the role of outlaw leader Ben Wade and Bale is the hard working rancher Dan Evans (roles played by Glenn Ford and Van Heflin respectively in the original film) who takes on the job of delivering the smooth talking outlaw to the nearest town with a train going to Yuma and the penitentiary located there. Along the way to the train the group battle Apaches, vengeful railroad lawmen and money hungry townspeople all the while each man gaining a degree of respect for the other that must be dealt with at the end of the line.
One surprising delight in 3:10 To Yuma is the enigmatic performance turned in by relative newcomer Ben Foster as Charlie Prince, Wades myrmidon second in command. Prince, whose only allegiance is his fatally flawed devotion to Wade, is a sociopathic killer and Foster brings the character scarily to life.
New westerns are few and far between so thankfully 3:10 To Yuma is worth the wait.

Mr. Brooks

2007-09-17T07:39:00.003-05:00

Mr. Brooks
2007 -- Rated R
Director: Bruce Evans
Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, William Hurt

Most folks I know are either a Kevin Costner fan or they’re not and if they’re not they say he has very limited acting range and his emotions are monotonous. That being said Mr. Brooks is a perfect vehicle for Costner. Mr. Brooks (Costner) is a very complex man and he must hide that complexity as best he can, which means his emotional range is very limited. You see, Mr. Brooks is a serial killer and not just your garden variety of serial killers either, Mr. Brooks is a schizophrenic – and he knows it.
Yet while he spends his evenings killing, his daylife is consumed by a boorish existance as the owner of a box making company. He has even been named Portland, Oregon’s Man of the Year.
Mr. Brooks has managed to keep his schizophrenia under control for two years by attending AA meetings, divulging only that he is an “addict.” But Marshall, Mr. Brooks’ imaginary alter-ego played wonderfully by the talented William Hurt, manages to convince Mr. Brooks to “do” one more killing.
As complex a person as Mr. Brooks is, his complexity rivals that of the movie plot which, though never too hard to follow, successfully intertwines several different storylines. Demi Moore is Tracy Atwood, a Portland detective who has been on the trail of the “Thumbprint Killer” (Costner) for quite some time. Dane Cook is Mr. Smith who accidentally takes photos of Mr. Brooks’ latest escapade, but rather than turn him in, he wants to learn how to kill. Amidst all this, Mr. Brooks’ daughter suddenly appears on the scene, having dropped out of college because of an alleged pregnancy but it turns out that she too suffers from the same homicidal disease as her father.
It would be difficult to divulge more of the plot lines without giving away too much of the movie. Suffice it to say that this is one heck of a movie that will keep you riveted to your seat. Costner is perfectly cast as Mr. Brooks and Mr. Brooks is easily the best movie of the year so far.

300

2007-04-03T14:22:00.003-05:00

300
2007 -- Rated R
Director: Zack Snyder
Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West

Admittedly I didn’t know a whole heck of a lot about King Leonidas and the Spartans before I saw 300, and though I have since been educated via the History Channel specials, I came away from this movie with a greater understanding and appreciation for the actual event that inspired the story. Based on the Frank Miller graphic novel, 300 is beautifully filmed and told, albeit with an ample amount of creative license. Gerard Butler (Timeline) renders King Leonidas as both a powerful leader and a loving husband and father. Lena Headey (The Cave) portrays Queen Gorgo in a way that keeps the viewer riveted through both her beauty and her unflappable devotion to her country.
300 is one of the best films of 2007

The Station Agent

2006-08-24T09:29:00.002-05:00

The Station Agent
2003 -- Rated R
Director: Thomas McCarthy
Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Benjamin

This jewel of a film is one of my top movies of 2003. Peter Dinklage (from TV's Threshold) is Finbar McBride, a man born with dwarfism. McBride leads a quiet life in the city until his best friend dies. Inheriting a small abandoned train depot in Newfoundland, NJ, he is determined to live an isolated existence. As the film progresses he encounters a small group of local characters from whom he tries to keep his distance, both physically and emotionally, but to no avail and eventually he befriends the quirky ensemble.
Though this film would lack its punch without the dwarf storyline, it does not pander to silly stereotypical short jokes. In fact, the story rarely touches on McBride's size, choosing instead to delve into the intricacies of the different characters personalities and relationships. Dinklage's performance is stunning. His skill at conveying every emotion with just an expression is remarkable. Add to that a powerful storyline and a quality supporting cast and you'll begin to see why this film was nominated for just about every film award there is and won Dinklage a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.
Light at times, sad at times and perfect from start to finish, The Station Agent is well worth renting, but even more so it is a powerful addition to anyones movie library.

Mystery, Alaska

2006-08-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

Mystery, Alaska
1995 -- Rated R
Director: Jay Roach
Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Burt Reynolds

Before Russell Crowe took the world by storm in Gladiator, he was a star in his native Australia. I first noticed him as the gunslinger-turned-preacher in 1995's The Quick and the Dead with Sharon Stone. I went to see Mystery Alaska because I wanted to go see a movie that night and I had already seen everything else at the theatre, so I said what the heck and bought a ticket. Sometimes serendipity is fortuitous because this is a gem of a movie that almost got by me.

Mystery, Alaska is a town that revolves around it's weekend ice hockey matches. In a town that is snowed in for much of the year, the townspeople talk of little else and find their identity in the weekly matches amongst themselves. When Charles Danner (Hank Azaria), who has left the humble burg for the big city arranges to have a professional hockey team come play a match against the Mystery team it requires the townspeople to set aside their differences and pull together to beat the big league boys who aren't taking them seriously.

Burt Reynolds as the towns judge and stoic critic of the home team has a engaging performance. Alongside Crowe's role as the town's police chief and the team's captain is a bevy of character actors that really flesh out this movie and make it an enjoyable experience - even if you are not a hockey fan!

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World

2006-08-06T16:41:00.000-05:00

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World
2003 -- Rated PG-13
Director: Peter Weir
Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany

One of my many loves is the ocean and anything to do with the ocean, be it sailing, swimming, diving, fishing... it doesn't matter, I've got salt in my blood. Add to that the appeal of a swashbuckler and it's got to be a winner in my book. But Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World goes so much further than just a swashbuckler or sailing movie, it introduces the past to the present in a way few films can. Based on the series of novels by the late author Patrick O'Brian, the film is actually a masterful melding of two of O'Brian's stories, the first in the series, Master and Commander and the eleventh, Far Side of the World.

The film covers the life aboard a Royal Navy ship captained by Jack Aubrey played to perfection by Russell Crowe. Also in the ships company is Paul Bettany who once again teams up with Crowe as the ships doctor Dr. Maturin. Master and Commander does on film what O'Brian did on paper. An erudite writer, O'Brian captures the nuances of life onboard ship, nuances that Crowe and company beautifully capture on film, whether it be the almost poetic language of the time or the conscription of boys to serve in the Royal Navy. Master and Commander is without a doubt the most serious and deliberate work to ever emerge concerning life at sea.

Click

2006-08-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Click
2006 -- Rated PG-13
Director: Frank Coraci
Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken

When Adam Sandler first came on the scene I didn't get it. I didn't get it with Saturday Night Live, I didn't get it with Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore. But then came The Wedding Singer and I began to get it. Then The Waterboy, Mr. Deeds, and 50 First Dates and I was a fan. When 2004's Spanglish came out I wasn't sure I was ready for a serious Adam Sandler but the movie, storyline and characters won me over readily. Then came Click. I wasn't sure what to expect with this film but I figured it would be more of the comedic Adam Sandler. It was, but what I wasn't ready for was the serious message this film gets across. By the middle of the film, no one is laughing. Instead I hear sobs as the audience realizes that Sandler's character is trapped in a whirlpool of events that are spiraling faster and faster out of control. When the film ends and the audience is packed away in their cars and heading home I wonder if they like me have been made to reflect on their own lives and the choices they have made. The films message is clear - family MUST come before career or we will be looking back on our lives in the end with sadness and regret.

Yes, there is comedy in Click but it is used sparingly and artfully. Sandler has made a giant leap ahead as an actor to be taken seriously.

I would be remiss if I didn't also point out the stellar performances by the enigmatic Christopher Walken and the stunningly beautiful Kate Beckinsale who oozes a mature sexuality in every scene.

King Kong

2006-01-02T20:29:00.000-05:00

King Kong
2005 -- Rated PG13
Director: Peter Jackson
Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Naomi Watts
I went to see this movie solely because I loved the work director Peter Jackson did on the Lord of the Rings trilogies and I wanted to see how he treated Kong. I was deftly afraid I was going to see another horrid remake of the 1933 black and white classic. Now weeks later I still feel an ache in the pit of my stomach as I recall the great ape's loneliness and demise. Jackson (and even more-so Andy Serkis, who played the ape for the computers) has crafted a worthy retelling of the story. Not once did I ever think about the time during the 3+ hours of the film. This is likely the best remake of a movie ever made.

Desperado

2005-12-27T15:02:00.000-05:00

Desperado
1995 -- Rated R
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida

This is the second in the Mariachi trilogy of films by Robert Rodriguez and is the best of the three. The violence in this film is so high as to be almost comical, indeed it comes off as a dark comic book and without question Banderas is totally captivating in his role as El Mariachi, a man who played guitar until the gangster Bucho has his henchmen kill El Mariachi's girl then shoot his hands, thus ending his playing days. El Mariachi thus embarks on a killing spree as he attempts to track down Bucho. Also starring Cheech Marin, Desperado is a sexy, violent film that is way over the top. Along with his missle and machine gun guitar case toting compadres, the trio of Mariachi's decidedly destroy the town. The true highlight of this film is the exceptional music assembled for the soundtrack. In particular is the phenomenal opening tune which Banderas himself sings. Banderas and Hayek are smoldering on screen.

White Christmas

2005-12-27T15:01:00.000-05:00

White Christmas
1954 -- Not Rated
Director: Michael Curtiz
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

Aside from his "On The Road" films with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby is probably best known for his quintessential Christmas movies (Holiday Inn and The Bells of St. Marys being the others). Both White Christmas and Holiday Inn are sometimes hard to tell apart because there is so many similarities. Consider: both films star Bing Crosby, both carry Irving Berlin's name on the musical score, both films are set in New England at Christmas, both feature "White Christmas" as it's central song, both films involve two male dancing partners (Crosby/Astaire and Crosby/Kaye) and two female dancing partners (Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale in "Inn" and Clooney/Vera-Ellen in White Christmas, and it goes on. White Christmas doesn't pretend to be high art as film goes but it is a gem of a movie that succeeds in delivering innocent "warm fuzzies" in a day and time when there are too few "warm fuzzies" to go around.

The Body

2005-12-27T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Body
2001 -- Rated PG13
Director: Jonas McCord
Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams

This suspense thriller isn't necessarily the best film in the genre that I have ever seen, nor is it Banderas' best work, though he still carries the film on his shoulders quite well. What makes this film one worth watching is the entire premise it is built around - an archeological dig that discovers the skeletal remains that date to the first century and fits perfectly with the description of the crucified Christ. The obvious implication of the physical body of Christ being found would cause the destruction of the worlds greatest religion - Christianity - if proven to be true. Banderas as a priest sent by the Vatican to investigate is wonderful to watch as he unravels the mystery and fights to retain his faith in the face of the mounting evidence. Well worth watching just for the whole concept.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2005-12-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
1966 -- Rated Mature
Director: Sergio Leone
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef

The last in the Dollars trilogy, GBU is by far the best of the three and while the subsequent film Once Upon A Time In The West is by far a superior film, GBU is quite excellent in its own right. What sets GBU apart from it's predecessors is the haunting Ennio Morricone score. Wallach's turn as the savage Mexican bandit Tuco, complete with a gravelly stereotypical accent, is easily Wallach's best work.

Once Upon A Time In The West

2005-12-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

Once Upon A Time In The West
1968 -- Rated PG
Director: Sergio Leone
Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale

Truly Sergio Leone was one of the greatest directors of our time. In his hands silence, emptiness, voids, wide open spaces become integrel characters. Once Upon A Time In The West is in my opinion his greatest work. The opening sequence at the depot with its austere silence, coupled with the extreme closeups sets the tone for this exceptional film. Leone’s use of music in his films obviously sets him apart from his peers. In Once Upon A Time... each of the main characters has thier own musical theme which is set up in layers culminating in a rich full orchestral sound by the films end. Leone’s selection of Fonda (one of the iconic good guys of the American screen) as a villain is pure genious. Robards, Bronson and Cardinale flesh out this film in perfect fashion. A lengthy film Once Upon A Time... is mesmerizing from start to finish. Leone’s best work.

Open Range

2005-12-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

Open Range
2003 -- Rated R
Director: Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening

Good versus bad, the good guys wear the white hats, bad guys wear black. Lost in a quagmire of studio megahits in 2003, this film is a jewel that captures a lost yet enduring era. Costner captures the vast enormity of the west in this beautifully detailed and crafted western epic.
This film is number three on my list of top ten western movies.

Planet of the Apes

2005-12-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

Planet of the Apes
1968 -- Rated G
Director: Franklin Schaffner
Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowell, Kim Hunter

Charlton Heston had become famous to another generation as the patriarch Moses and Ben-Hur, but to a more recent generation his fame was born in the 1968 film Planet of the Apes as George Taylor. Though sci-fi fans enjoy the offsprings (including six sequels, a TV series and a cartoon series) of this hit film only the original is considered one of the top sci-fi films of all time. Planet of the Apes is also a strong social commentary using the human / ape allusion to make a statement of the race conflict in our own society at that time (and which in a large way is still ongoing today). One scene which brilliantly captures the commentary of de-humanization is when Heston is brought before a tribunal - naked! Many fans and critics point to the films tagline scene where Heston's character screams at his captors to take their paws off of him "you damn dirty apes!" as one of the best taglines in moviedom. I prefer the point when Heston screams "It's a madhouse!" Truly a gem of a film.

Hatari!

2005-12-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hatari
1962 -- Not Rated
Director: Howard Hawks
John Wayne, Red Buttons, Hardy Kruger, Elsa Martinelli

Set in the plains of Africa, John Wayne and ensemble are modern day wranglers only they capture wild African animals to export to zoos around the world. The film on whole is average fare but it is an enjoyable view. Red Buttons as "Pockets" almost steals the movie from the stoic John Wayne. Hatari is probably more notable because of its Henry Mancini soundtrack which features the tune "Baby Elephant Walk." But it is the opening score which is really dynamite. "Sounds of Hatari" is nothing but percussion. It starts out slow and works its way up to a frenzied cacophony of beating drums. On the soundtrack album the tune lasts only six minutes and fortyone seconds though it seems like fifteen (an enjoyable fifteen) and it leaves you breathless.

Seven

2005-12-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

Seven
1995 -- Rated R
Director: David Fincher
Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow

This is easily one of the most frightening films I know of. On the verge of being a Film Noir type of film, Seven keeps you on the edge of your seat, even after the suspect is caught. Kevin Spacey is magnificent as the psychotic genious who has perpetrated the "seven" gruesome murders. Nothing extraordinary stands out about Morgan Freeman or Brad Pitt's performances - and that is exactly why they are so good in thier parts as well as so believable.

Field of Dreams

2005-12-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Field of Dreams
1989 -- Rated PG
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster

No other baseball film comes close to capturing the essence of the game of baseball. Even though very little baseball is actually played in this movie it manages to impart the knowledge of why baseball is truly the game all Americans identify with. Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster lovingly portray thier characters and the afinity they have for the game. Easily one the two or three all time best sports movies.

Wind

2005-12-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

Wind
1992 -- Rated PG13
Director: Carroll Ballard
Matthew Modine, Jennifer Grey, Stellan Skarsgård

Okay, so I know this film shouldn't be on anyones list of best films - and yet I have to include it on mine for a purely selfish reason - I love sailing. The story line is average, the characters are interesting and the photography... well, when the boats are on the water and racing the photography will please fans of sailing. Other than that there isn't a whole lot to say about this film.

The Searchers

2005-12-27T12:19:00.000-05:00

The Searchers
1956 -- Not Rated
Director: John Ford
John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles

Forever ensconced in the American psyche as the pre-eminent cowboy, John Wayne was also a wonderful actor though he is rarely lauded as such. In The Searchers, the Duke portrays one of the most complex characters of his storied career. The conflicts and emotions that ravage the character on the inside are clearly seen in Waynes eyes. Waynes portrayal may not have been good enough to win an Oscar in 1956 (Yul Brynner won that year) but it was surely good enough to at least be nominated, but he wasn't. A sad testament to the Academy's tastes.

A Walk In The Clouds

2005-12-27T12:16:00.000-05:00

A Walk In The Clouds
1995 -- Rated PG13
Director: Alphono Arau
Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Giancarlo Giannini

Though I thoroughly enjoyed Keanu Reeves performance, it pales next to the casting of the other characters and the cinematography. Aitana Sanchez-Gijon as Victoria Aragon and Giancarlo Giannini as her father Alberto are mesmerizing on screen. Aitana fairly well limits her films to European (Italian) movies so appearances to U.S. audiences is very limited and that is a shame. Both her talent and her beautiful looks are duly missed on this side of the ocean.

Citizen Kane

2005-12-27T12:08:00.000-05:00

Citizen Kane
1941 -- Not Rated
Director: Orson Welles
Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Everette Sloan

No greatest films list should be considered complete without this film being included somewhere near the top. Under Orson Welles direction this critically acclaimed film is considered by many to be the defining example of what a movie should be. Though Welles' performance was exemplary, it is clearly his direction that causes this film to stand out. His use of contrasting lights and darks as well as unusual camera angles all contribute to making this film a first rate classic.

Saving Private Ryan

2005-12-27T12:04:00.000-05:00

Saving Private Ryan
1998 -- Rated R
Director: Steven Spielberg
Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, Tom Sizemore, Ed Burns, Matt Damon

Spielberg is without question the premier director at work today and can easily be among the top five of all time. Once again Spielberg has wreaked havoc with conventional film making and probably for the first time ever an audience can have real empathy with what the soldiers are going through in the heat of battle. I cannot watch this movie and come away without tears in my eyes for being thankful for the sacrifices the boys and men depicted in this film made.

Blade Runner

2005-12-27T10:36:00.000-05:00

Blade Runner
1982 -- Rated R
Director: Ridley Scott
Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, Rutger Hauer

Yet another Harrison Ford vehicle. This time the setting is in a Los Angeles of the future and Ford's character is coerced back into the special unit police force which tracks down and eliminates runaway replicants. A movie that does an excellent job of adding color to what is essentially a film noir piece. Lots of good ethics and morals discussion fodder to be found in this movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl

2005-12-27T10:05:00.000-05:00

Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl
2003 -- Rated PG13
Director: Gore Verbinski
Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley

Like the Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies, Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl is what movies is all about. Adventure, daring, action, love story, and just plain good old fashioned story-telling at its best. Basically from the opening scenes of Captain Jack Sparrow riding his sinking vessel to the dock to the feel-good ending, Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) is just plain fun. Johnny Depp’s over-the-top portrayal of Sparrow steals the film. His character is as riveting as it is comical, ironic and full of verbal slapstick. Almost as appealing as Depp’s Sparrow is Geoffrey Rush’s portrayal of the vexed Captain Barbarosa - a performance that is nothing short of perfect. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley not only dress up the screen with thier handsome and beautiful appearance but also add wonderful depth to the story with thier performances. POTC is definately among my top ten favorites of all time - no wonder I saw it several times in the theatre first.

Indiana Jones & Raiders of the Lost Ark

2005-12-27T09:57:00.000-05:00

Indiana Jones & Raiders of the Lost Ark
1981 -- Rated PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
Harrison Ford, Karen Allen

The ultimate action/adventure film of all time. This is story telling at its utmost best. Spielberg weaves a wonderful tale that has something for everyone - romance, action, adventure, comedy. With the 1950's serials as a model, this film keeps the viewer hanging on the edge of their seat and they will often find that they are out of breath from the intense fast pace of the movie. Harrison Ford will likely be better remembered as Indiana Jones rather than Jack Ryan or even Hans Solo.