::Some Fave Film & Movies::

TELEVISION / INDIE

I'll start with a few notable films made for the small (TV) screen. Often overlooked by film aficionados, they stand right alongside the more normal (classic) movies below. Many are long(er) since television allows that luxury.

LONESOME DOVE
A superior western that centers around one of the most heroic figures ever written (played by Robert Duvall). And although one can criticize many of the minor character's here, the 4 major actors (2 males & 2 females) are so compelling, and the story so well crafted, that it ensures this film of classic status.

  PS: Duvall reappeared in 2 future westerns worth noting here. In '03 he starred in OPEN RANGE, directed by & co-starring Kevin Costner. It has a similar western theme & psyche. It even echoes a bit of Unforgiven's underlying morality.
  In 2006 AMC produced BROKEN TRAIL, a 4-hr TV western that has similar themes of freedom & justice... themes that the great classic westerns of the past had. With great cinematography it captures the American west of 1897, a time not that far away, and shows the constancy of people, both good & bad. And Robert Duvall is superb in all 3 of these films... he's simply one of our greatest actors of all time.

I CLAUDIUS
Perhaps the best drama of a historical fiction work made. Not only accurate in the events themselves, but disturbingly similar to modern history in it's implied treachery and political maneuvering.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
This is the BBC/A&E (long) version with an excellent performance by Jennifer Ehle. I'm not a natural Jane Austen fan, but this drama changed my mind. It's witty and charming as heck. And quite a refreshing change from the (overly used) flash & action of modern films... to the more verbal words of the classics.

THE SINGING DETECTIVE
A bleak yet quite original 6-hr mini-series by Dennis Potter. A narrative that has film noir, musical, comedy, and dark personal reflection all rolled into one surrealistic dreamy story.

THE BOURNE IDENTITY
This original made-for-TV action thriller from 1988 was based on the Robert Ludlum novel. Starring Richard Chamberlain & Jaclyn Smith it's well acted & photographed. Shown on cable occasionally, a DVD edition is now available as well. A film version was made in '02 starring Matt Damon, with a slightly different plot/script. It's better in some ways, and weaker in other ways. But both are well worth seeing for action & mystery film fans.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
Fairly straight-forward rendition of L.M. Montgomery's classic youth novels. This TV production was expanded to 10 hours after this initial story. What makes it so special is the performance of young Megan Follows... she is Anne, and carries the film. The camera work & score also help raise this to something all ages can enjoy.

THE WINSLOW BOY
1988 British Great Performances TV production of Terrence Rattigan's play. There's another excellent movie version from '48 starring the great Robert Donat. This version is filmed entirely on one set, and brings a power that only such stage-like productions can derive: from acting... instead of relying on slick cinematography or action scenes. It also features a young Emma Thompson, long before she became a Hollywood star. She's quite excellent here, playing a smart young suffragette.The plot concerns a father's desperate attempt to get justice for his son against the power of the state, although it's broader in scope than just that central theme.

THE PRISONER
I mention this on my bio page. I'll simply say that this short television series was written, produced and acted by Patrick McGoohan after his success in Danger man (Secret Agent). It's an imaginative and thought-provoking allegory about freedom, government (power), and society. It remains entertaining, artistic, and original television... even nearly 40 years later.

WAR AND REMEMBERANCE
An un-godly long mini(?) series, that's a follow-up to the earlier mini-series, THE WINDS OF WAR, from Herman Wouk's Novels. It's strength is it's simple historical accuracy on many major turning points and flow of WW-2. For those who don't read history, or haven't seen the superb documentary on WW-2, THE WORLD AT WAR, this has a good view of the basic underlying history of the war.
   The drama part of it is actually very depressing, as the main characters are ever-so-slowly dragged toward impending doom. The long length, in the end, gives one the illusion of actually experiencing the 5 years that the film covers. Not altogether successful, primarily because of the length, but worthwhile none-the-less. I've heard that the DVD version has additional interviews and extras.

BAND OF BROTHERS
Excellent 10 hour dramatization follows US Airborne troops through N Europe during WW-2. Historically accurate and added by interviews, it isn't as slow moving as the above series. The action scenes are as intense as any in film history. The film has a depth because of it's well written, long, yet cohesive plot, good acting, and superior production. It gives a true cross section of American archetypes... showing flaws and virtue... tragedy and heroism. But it also captures the American spirit, and our underlying morality. Perhaps the best dramatic war film ever made.

SHERMAN'S MARCH
Ross McElwee's '86 idiosyncratic auto-documentary (of himself). Whether this film is the first modern-narci-cinema film or not isn't important. It's both different and charming enough to deserve a mention here.

DRAMA

BEN HUR
ALEXANDER NEVSKY (ru)
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT -Katherine Hepburn's performance is arguably the all-time best of any actress. A long, dark, intense, and great film.
SCARECROW
5 EASY PIECES
DR ZHIVAGO
THE EMIGRANTS/THE NEW LAND (swe)
JEAN de FLORETTE (fr)
BLUE VELVET
LOST HORIZON -Capra's '37 classic of John Hilton's Shangri-la novel.
A FACE IN THE CROWD -Andy Griffith's best performance.
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
GOODFELLAS -Original title was "Wise Guys"...not used because of television series. Compelling despite the ultimately repellent characters. No doubt spurred The Sporano's.
DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES -Early serious film about alcoholism.
12 ANGRY MEN -Law is the foundation of democracy; required for every citizen.
THE MIRACLE WORKER
CITIZEN KANE (41)
GOODBYE MR CHIPS
STAND AND DELIVER -Why our education system sucks. Sadly, the real-life true ending of this is NOT as uplifting as the film is.
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
THE GLASS MENAGERIE ('50)Rarely seen Kirk Douglas film of classic Tennessee Williams story.
ROB ROY -Often brutal historical drama of Scotland. Liam Neeson has the best swordplay scene ever (unlike his more trivial Star Wars work).
DAYS OF HEAVEN
SHINDLER'S LIST -The last reel is flawed, but doesn't ruin it IMO.
THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
THE DEER HUNTER -Not totally a "war" film despite the tragic emotions in it (Viet Nam). It gets deeper into other issues (family, friendship, love, life & death) and does it more powerfully & artfully than most films.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
THE 10'TH MAN -Anthony Hopkins before he was well known, in a thoughtful Graham Greene WW2 story.
84 CHARING ROAD -Another early Anthony Hopkins performance with Anne Bancroft in this quiet yet charming romance.
OF MICE AND MEN
THE PAPER CHASE -Film based on popular novel about competitive (Harvard) law school. Although the main characters lack sympathetic warmth, and the film has it's share cliches, it's still emotionally satisying.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THE ONION FIELD -Police murder film based on a true story.
SUNSET BLVD
GRAPES OF WRATH
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
THE CONVERSATION -Thoughtful & artful film w/Gene Hackman as confused wiretapper.
THE BEST MAN
SEABISCUIT -Quite a different view from the book, but well cast and played despite moocho cliches. Not a sports movie, but a historical drama.
AVALON -Charming true biographical story of producer Barry Levinson's immigrant family. 4 Oscar nominations.
GREED ('24)
LES MISERABLES ('35)
CHARLEY -Oscar for Robertson. Touching drama about the limits of science.
FURY ('36)
SCARECROW
SHIP OF FOOLS
ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN ('41)
FREAKS ('32) -It's age doesn't lessen it's extraordinary strangeness.
ON THE WATERFRONT
REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT -This is NOT a boxing film... it's much more, however dark & slow it can be.
COOL HAND LUKE
THE AFRICAN QUEEN
WHITE OLEANDER -Flawed but powerful story of young girl's chaotic emotional journey.
THE COURT-MARTIAL OF BILLY MITCHELL -Otto Preminger film about war hero who predicted Pearl Harbor & WW-2 decades before it happened. With Gary Cooper & Rod Steiger.
CHINATOWN
7 DAYS IN MAY
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
DRUGSTORE COWBOY -Hip & realistic, yet sad tragi-comedy about young dopers... "we played a game we couldn't win."
TAXI DRIVER
SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER -Well played quiet film.
THE THIRD MAN
MY BRILLIANT CAREER
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
BEFORE SUNRISE -Charming romantic reality play, as is it's sequel.
APOLLO 13
PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII ('33)
I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG ('32)
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

ACTION-ADVENTURE

IVANHOE
3 MUSKETEERS
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA ('37)-Selznick's ver here w/ Ronald Colman is far better than the 52 ver.
MARK OF ZORRO
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD ('38)-The color is unmatched; amazing for it's time.
FOREVER AMBER
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX
FITZCARRALDO
WALKABOUT
LAST OF THE MOHICANS -Both versions are good.
KING SOLOMONS MINES
ZULU
SPARTICUS
COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
THE VIKINGS
THE TRAP
DEATH HUNT -Based on a true character in the North's outback.
GUNGA DIN
SCARLET PIMPERNEL
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
TARZAN FINDS A SON (39) -Gotta have some Tarzan films on any such list. Ex-Olympian Johnny Weissmuller had the best series of adventures (16 years worth) starting way back in 1932! Most all are very good.
TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE (59) -Gordon Scott here in the post Weissmuller era. A young Sean Connery as villain.
CALL OF THE WILD
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
PAPILLON -Steve McQueen's work here is under-playing & under-appreciated. It transcendentally gets to the heart of Henri Charriére's deeper message in this otherwise standard (yet true) adventure story.
MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (35)
COMING OUT OF THE ICE -True amazing story of Victor Herman.

COMEDY

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
THE PRODUCERS -I loved this when it came out, but it's aged poorly IMO.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
IT'S A MAD, MAD, WORLD -Remains a classic.
TOOTSIE
ANIMAL HOUSE -This National Lampoon production remains a classic showing the timelessness of disorder in life.
MY COUSIN VINNY
THE FLIM FLAM MAN -Great George C Scott performance in this lesser seen small film.
FATHER GOOSE
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT
THE HEARTBREAK KID -Neil Simon story based on unbelievable premise.
TWINS
A CHRISTMAS STORY -Narrated by Jean Shephard from a script made from a mixture of his stories.
9 TO 5
BEING THERE -Black humor from Jerzy Kosinski story
SUNDAY IN NEW YORK
FLAMINGO KID -More a feel-good growing up movie (a la Breaking Away), it's still fun.
OVERBOARD
HARVEY -Jimi Stewart is the real pukka here!
MY MAN GODFREY
Almost ANY LAURAL & HARDY film (Way Out West, etc)
NO TIME FOR SGT'S
USED CARS
BACK TO THE FUTURE (& 2)
WORKING GIRL
EMMA (96)
SIDEWAYS (04) -Smart, well-acted adult romantic comedy.
OPERATION PETTICOAT
PRETTY WOMAN
LEGALLY BLONDE -Reese Witherspoon virtually carries this silly film with a fantastic performance. (Bruiser is great too.)
FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF
DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD -Doesn't lower itself to cruder aspects as so many similar films do.
THE BANK DICK
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

SUSPENSE

3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR -I'm not Redford fan, but this is well played. The final scene was an eerie premonition of the Gulf War, a full decade later.
SHADOW OF A DOUBT -Everything by Hitchcock is worth seeing, and this is subtler than most.
DELIVERANCE
DIABOLIQUE -The orig Fr version (55) in the style of Hitchcock.
THE GETAWAY -The orig Peckinpah (72) w/ McQueen, who's at his anti-hero best. The remake w/ Baldwin & Basinger ain't bad either.
MALTESE FALCON -Variants on this have been done for decades on thousands of TV police/sleuth shows... this is the classic orginal.
EXECUTIVE DECISION (96) -Pre 9-11 hi-jack thriller.
AIR FORCE ONE (97) -Another airliner thriller w/ Harrison Ford & just as good.
JAWS
TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA -The best car chase scene period.
VERTIGO -As good as this Hitchcock film is, it influenced films decades after it.
FRANTIC -Superb acting by Harrison Ford lifts this above it's average plot.
5 CAME BACK
THE NAKED PREY -'66 film directed by & stars Cornel Wilde as a man chased & hunted like an animal in wild Africa.
BODY DOUBLE
THE 39 STEPS ('35) -Hitchcock re-did this classic plot twice more (including NxNW below). Robert Donat is one early cinema's best actors.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
MARATHON MAN
PAYBACK -Mel Gibson as anti-hero among rogue's gallery in remake of Point Blank (The Hunter). Over-the-top, but way more class & style than Tarrantino's later similarly styled (copycat) fare.
DIE HARD
DEATH WISH -A film hated by many film critics; I like it a lot.
FX
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS -Not as good as the book, & perhaps a bit over-rated.

WAR

DR STRANGELOVE -Kubrick's classic black comedy.
FAILSAFE -Powerful cold-war bookend to Dr Strangelove.
THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
THE GREAT ESCAPE
HEAVEN KNOWS MISTER ALLISON -Robert Mitchum & Debra Kerr as marine & nun stranded on WW2 Jap island. Directed by John Houston.
GUNS OF NAVARONE
5 GRAVES TO CAIRO -Suspenseful Billy Wilder WW2 film.
WHERE EAGLES DARE
VON RYANS EXPRESS -Quite entertaining WW2 drama w/Sinatra.
THE DIRTY DOZEN -Still fun and entertaining.
THE TRAIN
STALAG 17
KELLY'S HEROES -Fun entertainment... and quite a lot less serious than the other films in this section.
THE TUSKEEGEE AIRMEN -Kinda predictable, but true history (plus they helped protect my dad in WW2.)
TORA TORA TORA
GUADALCANAL DIARY
RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD -Based on Patrick O'Brian's books. Realistic well-acted look at 19'th cent naval warfare.
CASUALTIES OF WAR
CHARLOTTE GRAY -Not a totally fulfilling film, it does have enough history & intrigue (& Cate Blanchett) to make it worth seeing.
OBJECTIVE BURMA
12 O'CLOCK HIGH
30 SECONDS OVER TOKYO
PRIDE OF THE MARINES
THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS
PATHS OF GLORY -Kubrick's early film is one of his best.
BEAU GESTE ('39)
PATTON -Fascinating look at a complex historical figure. Great score & photography too.
MR ROBERTS
PLATOON
CAINE MUTINY
CATCH 22
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS
KING RAT
APOCALYPSE NOW
DESPERATE JOURNEY
SOLDIER OF ORANGE (Hol)
MEMPHIS BELLE
THE SAND PEBBLES
SGT YORK -True story of anti-war farmer who becomes war hero.
THE THIN RED LINE
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN -Excellent mix of history and drama using modern techniques with classic old war-movie style.

SCIENCE FICTION

2001 -Remains a landmark film for both what it so artistically reveals and the technical boundaries Kubrick pushed back. Nietzsche wrote "what is the ape to man? A laughingstock or painful embarrassment?"
INVISIBLE MAN
FOBIDDEN PLANET
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (51)
CONTACT -Sagan's novel is abridged here, but still respects both science & religion equally. Jodie Foster is (finally) well cast here as a smart, searching young woman.
DUNE
THE TIME MACHINE ('60) -Perhaps dated today, but won a special effects Oscar.
A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) - Surprisingly dark, yet quite deep film, although it has it's share of problems.
SOYLENT GREEN
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE -Kubrick's highly stylized version of Anthony Burgess's novel remains as compelling & urgent as when it came out in '72, although (sadly) not quite as disturbing.

SCI FI - (adventure/suspense)

TERMINATOR (1, 2, & 3) -All are quite well done, even the (shoestring budget) first. The 3'rd mixes humor in a seemless way, in direct contrast to the "serious" action, that makes it quite unique. Great mix of action & classic sci-fi themes.
TOTAL RECALL
ALIEN (1 & 2) -The first is a dark horror film, the 2'nd a (sometimes campy) action film. Most TV versions leave out the main character's early "lost daughter" scene, which is unforgivable IMO.
PLANET OF THE APES
STAR WARS -Ultimately disappointing because it switches between seriousness & buffoonery. But any 9-film series is ambitious enough to hold some hidden depth.
INVASION OF THE BODYSNATCHERS (56)
LOGANS RUN
MINORITY REPORT -Suspenseful murder-mystery set in the future.
WAVELENGTH
THE MATRIX -Hip, mostly fun Sci-fi adventure trip.
WESTWORLD
STRANGE DAYS (95)-James Cameron film is from a Twilight Zone episode; great frantic performance by Ray Fiennes.
ALTERED STATES
ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (33)
WAR GAMES

HORROR / SUPERNATURAL / SCI-FI

FALLEN -Has some original spooky moments.
POLTERGEIST
FRANKENSTEIN
PSYCHO -Perhaps it belongs in the "suspense" section; it remains a perfectly conceived & edited classic work.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
RESURRECTION
PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
THE OMEN
THE COMPANY OF WOLVES
GARGOYLES -Small film that struck me as creepy.
SCANNERS
THE FLY -Both versions have their virtues.

FANTASY - (& sci-fi)

BRAZIL
GROUNDHOG DAY -A dark, funny, and uplifting film... all in one.
PARENTS
THE WITCHES -Pretty good kid's film
KING KONG ('33)
AMELIE (Fr)-Not fully a fantasy as much as a fantastically sweet romantic film.
EL TOPO
FAIRY TALE: A TRUE STORY -Enchanting family film
MIRACLE ON 34'TH ST
♥ THE WIZARD OF OZ -Timeless classic has no weaknesses and totally combines forms: it's a drama, a comedy, a horror film, a musical, a fantasy/ sci-fi, and a suspense/ adventure story. And it's a great color masterpiece, despite being made at the very dawn of color film.
TIME BANDITS
ENCHANTING APRIL (92)-Small intimate film, but enchanting nonetheless.
THE TRUMAN SHOW -It's many sub-themes that reflect moral issues of modern society makes this worth seeing.
CACOON -Almost too predictably cute (& lame) in parts, but it's final (serious) moral theme, of respect & the value of old age (in our vacuous youth culture), saves it nicely.
GHOST
THE HIDDEN -Quite strange, yet lots of fun. Like an early, hip, less-slick (& funnier) Men in Black.

WESTERNS

THE SEARCHERS
SHANE
THE WILD BUNCH
MAN IN THE WILDERNESS -True story of the west based on a classic epic poem.
UNFORGIVEN
HOMBRE (67) -Much better than Paul Newman's next (campy & extremely popular) western. From an Elmore Leonard story about an outcast halfbreed Indian.
BLACK ROBE -Extremely realistic & historical view of the early 1600's. Makes one grateful to live in the present. Beautiful photography. Canadian Oscar for best film.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
THE OX-BOW INCIDENT -Classic western morality play by a fave author.
HONDO
TRUE GRIT
HIGH NOON
ONE-EYED JACKS
GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY -Character foil Eli Wallach raises this up from mediocrity.
CIMARRON (31) -Academy award winner that influenced the genre for decades.
STAGECOACH
3 GODFATHERS
SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON
JEREMIAH JOHNSON

FILM NOIR

DOUBLE INDEMNITY ('44) -This is the prototype for all Noir films.
THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE ('46) -Almost a remake of above, yet totally original. This orig ver is much superior to the later one.
BODY HEAT
SCARLET STREET ('45) -Fritz Lang's re-make of Renoir's La Chienne, with Edward G Robinson.
DETOUR
BORN TO KILL -Psychotic murderer involved with amorous sisters.
BLOOD SIMPLE
BLACK WIDOW -Debra Winger & Theresa Russell have each done many films, but few better than this minor one, a "reverse murder-mystery." Even the 2'nd-rate ending doesn't ruin it.
SEA OF LOVE
DIAL M FOR MURDER
THE ASPHALT JUNGLE ('50) -Marilyn Monroe has an early small part in this great criminal adventure. The basic plot here has been re-done dozens of times over the years.
HIGH SIERRA
THE KILLERS ('46 ver) -Debut of Burt Lancaster, also has Ava Gardner.
NARROW MARGIN (52)
M ('31 Ger ver) -Early Fritz Lang talky with Peter Lorre.
BLUE ANGEL

SPORTS

HOOSIERS -Has solid, well-grounded truths that belie it's simple story.
DOWNHILL RACER -Amazing how this mimics Bill Johnson's true story... a decade before it happened.
BREAKING AWAY -Not truly a sports film, it's more about growing up. The cycling "backstory" has huge flaws, but the moral lessons overcomes those errors.
AMERICAN FLYERS -Much more realistic cycling than above.
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM -Uses soccer to show family dynamics of immigrants. Predictable, but well-cast & funny.
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME -Romantic drama that treats baseball as realistically as any I've seen. Costner is well cast here.
ICE CASTLES
FOUR MINUTES -Drama by SI writer Frank Deford on the breaking of the 4-minute mile by Roger Bannister in '54.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN -Mixes comedy and history with (rare) authentic ballplaying.
VISION QUEST
HE GOT GAME -Very mod stylized look at basketball recruiting. Stars non-actor (and fave local team) UConn star Ray Allen
OUR WINNING SEASON
RUNNING BRAVE -True story of runner Billy Mills.

SPORTS - boxing

RAGING BULL
GREAT WHITE HOPE
KID GALLAHAD
GOLDEN BOY
BODY AND SOUL ('47)
THE SET UP ('49) Robert Ryan in this classic Noir-like boxing film.
THE CHAMPION ('49)
THE CHAMP ('31)
THE HARDER THEY FALL
THE CROWD ROARS ('38)
THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL

Possibly not listed above because... I've not seen 'em yet: Braveheart, Casablanca, Rocky, ET, and a quite a few others too!!!