The Films I've seen in 2018 From Best to Worst
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- DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.When I first saw this film over 30 years ago I thought it was as close to perfection as this type of film could be and after seeing it again I still feel the same way...from Rossen's brilliant direction,terrific script to the exceptional black and white cinematography and than there's those performances...Eddie Felson has always been one of my favorite characters in movies and it's my favorite Newman performance,Gleason talks more with his body language than words and I think his performance stood out for me more this time than when I first saw it as did Piper Laurie and George C. Scott who surprised me the most maybe because I'd forgotten how good they were.
This is my favorite Paul Newman film,one of the best films of the 60's and still one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorGeorge CukorStarsNorma ShearerJoan CrawfordRosalind RussellA study of the lives and romantic entanglements of various interconnected women.There may be no men in this film but they are an essential part of this highly entertaining romp, it's one of the best comedies ever made that's filled with terrific dialogue and has some wonderful performances from Shearer,Russell,Goddard,Boland and Crawford and is directed beautifully by the great George Cukor...I've seen this film a few times and my enjoyment of this classic hasn't changed,I've always considered this the best film of 39 and until I see some of the others again still do and it's also one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorBilly WilderStarsFred MacMurrayBarbara StanwyckEdward G. RobinsonA Los Angeles insurance representative lets an alluring housewife seduce him into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, an insurance investigator.Brilliantly written and directed noir with 3 of the great performances in the genre,MacMurray has never given a performance as good as this one,Stanwyck is one of the great if not greatest femme fatale's of all time and yet for me it's Robinson who steals the show,in what I consider his greatest performance...I've seen this masterpiece many times and is probably my favorite Billy Wilder film,my favorite noir and still one of my all time favorite films.
10 - DirectorFrank CapraStarsRonald ColmanJane WyattEdward Everett HortonWhen a revered diplomat's plane is diverted and crashes in the peaks of Tibet, he and the other survivors are guided to an isolated monastery at Shangri-La, where they wrestle with the invitation to stay.After re-watching some of my favorite Capra film's they haven't been able to retain their magic hold on me like they used to but "Lost Horizon" still captivates me and if it's not my favorite film of his,it's close... it's probably my favorite Ronald Colman film and it's without question one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorJean RenoirStarsPatricia WaltersNora SwinburneEsmond KnightThe growing pains of three young women contrast with the immutability of the holy Bengal River, around which their daily lives unfold.It's certainly one of the most beautiful films ever made but it's also one of the best slice of life/coming of age films I've ever seen that doesn't end with any resolutions but just like life, goes on...the kind of film you savor when it's over and there are very few films that utilize their settings as well as this film which ranks with the best Renoir has ever made and will probably be among my favorite films when I make my list again.
10 - DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsJean GabinGabriel GabrioSaturnin FabreA wanted gangster is both king and prisoner of the Casbah. He is protected from arrest by his friends, but is torn by his desire for freedom outside. A visiting Parisian beauty may just tempt his fate.My 2nd viewing of this film and to be honest I didn't really remember much other than Gabin's terrific performance but after watching it again was amazed at what a beautifully made noir this is and believe it ranks with the best of the genre...Gabin is a marvel to watch but some of the other performances are quite good to...2nd viewing far better than first and one of my favorite films from France.
10 - DirectorGregory La CavaStarsKatharine HepburnGinger RogersAdolphe MenjouA chronicle of the ambitions, dreams, and disappointments of aspiring actresses who all live in the same boarding house.In many ways this was the precursor to "The Women" and "All About Eve" and it's almost as good as those films with terrific ensemble work from the female cast...Hepburn and Rogers stand out but most of the cast has a great line or 2 and the dialogue at times is as good as anything in those films if not better...it's been about 25 years since I last saw this film and it's as great as I remembered and still one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodGene HackmanMorgan FreemanRetired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner Ned Logan and a young man, The "Schofield Kid."There have been many Westerns that have tried to deconstruct the mythology of the genre but I'm not sure any have done a better job than Unforgiven and to have a star who's career began in that mythology gives the film a resonance that would not exist with anyone else.
I've seen Clint's masterpiece 4 times now and always find something new to admire and was struck by the final scene of William Munny riding not into the sunset like in Shane or Clint's own Pale Rider but riding into a dark and rainy night as if to say there are no happy endings here...Clint's best film as director and star and one of the greatest westerns ever made and still one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsFrank SinatraLaurence HarveyJanet LeighAn American POW in the Korean War is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy.Crackling political thriller,that's one of the best in the genre brilliantly directed by Frankenheimer with a good performance from Sinatra and a great performance from Harvey but for me it's Angela Lansbury who astounds in a role she should of gotten the Oscar for...the only fault I have with this film is the love interest part with Janet Leigh that didn't really belong and even though the Harvey/Parrish part was pertinent to the film it did slow the pacing down...3rd viewing as good as when I first saw it and there's no denying the film is as relevant now in the Trump era as it's ever been.
10 - DirectorStephen FrearsStarsAnjelica HustonJohn CusackAnnette BeningA small-time conman has torn loyalties between his estranged mother and new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.Cusack is good,Bening is terrific and Huston is exceptional and help make this well made noir one of the best ever made and one of the best films of the 90's...2nd viewing as good if not better than first.
10 - DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsJudy GarlandMargaret O'BrienMary AstorYoung love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family.Sumptuous looking musical that ranks with the best ever made,beautifully filmed, and acted especially by Garland who also sings a couple of memorable songs and the wonderfully mischievous Margaret O'Brien...it's been 32 years since I first saw this wonderful film and it's still as great as I remember.
10 - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJohn GetzFrances McDormandDan HedayaThe owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies, and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.The Coen Brothers first film ranks among the greatest debuts in cinema,it's a brilliantly made dark comic noir that would make Hitchcock smile and M. Emmet Walsh has never had a better role...I've seen it 4 or 5 times now and my enjoyment for it has never wavered and is my favorite film of theirs.
10 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsGene HackmanJohn CazaleAllen GarfieldA paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.The Converstion is a slow paced,brilliantly executed film on paranoia,with one of Hackman's best performances that I always find very rewarding and quite thrilling and probably ranks as my 2nd favorite Coppola film...Coppola's place in history as one of the greatest directors of all time is based on 4 films he made in the 1970's because there's nothing in his later work as far as I'm concerned that can compare,in fact I would argue his later work diminished his greatness as I'm one who doesn't rank him among the best but it's hard to argue that at least for one decade he really deserved to be ranked among the elites...this is one of Harrison Ford's earliest roles and he's quite memorable in it...would make a great double bill with Michelangelo Antonioni equally brilliant "Blow-Up"
9 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroHarvey KeitelDavid ProvalIn New York City's Little Italy, a devoutly Catholic mobster must reconcile his desire for power, his feelings for his epileptic lover, and his devotion to his troublesome friend.The film that put Scorsese on the map and deservedly so and even though it's not as polished as some of his later films there's something quite exciting about seeing a director come into his own...there is an energy and vibrancy to this film that most of his later films don't have and I have to say that even though De Niro has the showier role it's Keitel who really stood out for me...I've seen this film a few times and my admiration for it hasn't changed.
9 - DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsJennifer JonesJoseph CottenEthel BarrymoreIn Depression-era New York, an impoverished painter has a chance encounter with an enigmatic, old-fashioned little girl in Central Park who inspires him and changes his destiny.Direction,cinematography,music and performances,especially Jones and Barrymore are all exceptional and makes this one of the best romantic fantasies ever made...one get's drawn into this almost ethereal world and you don't want to leave...2nd viewing as good as when I first saw it over 25 years ago.
9 - DirectorBrett MorgenStarsJane GoodallHugo Van LawickHugo Eric Louis van LawickThe life and work of the renowned primatology scientist, Jane Goodall, especially on her research about chimpanzees.I grew up watching and admiring Jane Goodall's fascinating work on chimps and this amazing documentary does her and her work justice and the archive footage most if not all filmed by the man who would become her husband is astonishing...a marvelous film about a true pioneer.
9 - DirectorJoseph H. LewisStarsJohn DallPeggy CumminsBerry KroegerTwo disturbed young people release their fascination with guns through a crime spree.Influential and exceptionally well made and acted crime film that was ahead of it's time and the precursor to "Bonnie and Clyde" that still packs quite a punch...2nd viewing even better than first.
9 - DirectorJacques TourneurStarsDana AndrewsPeggy CumminsNiall MacGinnisAmerican professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshipper Julian Karswell.Atmospheric and generally creepy and suspenseful supernatural horror film that ranks among the best ever made with 2 great performances from Andrews and MacGinnis and while most may consider "Cat People" Jacques Tourneur masterpiece of horror I think this is the better film...4th or 5th time seeing this film and my opinion hasn't really changed,if anything I may even like it more but I will say after seeing it again I never realized how much Sam Raimi's enjoyable "Drag Me To Hell" has in common with this film.
9 - DirectorMark SandrichStarsFred AstaireGinger RogersAlice BradyA woman thinks a flirting man is the co-respondent her lawyer has hired to expedite her divorce.This was always my favorite Astaire/Rogers film and even though it's gone down a notch for now until I see "Swing Time" and "Shall We Dance" again still is...I have a feeling today's audiences
,other than the dance numbers would find this very dated but I enjoy all the double entendre's and the performances from the usual players and Astaire and Rogers in their own way are among the great pairings in film...The Continental dance number is absolutely marvelous.
9 - DirectorAlberto CavalcantiCharles CrichtonBasil DeardenStarsMervyn JohnsMichael RedgraveRoland CulverGuests invited to a weekend in the country share their supernatural stories, beginning with Walter Craig, who senses impending doom as his half-remembered recurring dream turns into reality.Perhaps the first anthology horror film and certainly the best that gets better as it goes( with the exception of the one comedic story which at best is mildly entertaining) and ends with an absolute classic tale of horror involving ventriloquist Michael Redgrave that on it's own ranks with the best that the genre has to offer and helps make this film a classic.
9 - DirectorDavid LeanStarsRobert NewtonAlec GuinnessKay WalshIn Charles Dickens' classic tale, an orphan wends his way from cruel apprenticeship to den of thieves in search of a true home.It's greatest virtue may be the noirish look of the film but it's hard to deny the performances of Francis,Newton and Alec Guinness who plays the controversial Fagin about as well as can be expected...it's been about 25 years since I first saw it and my opinion is about the same and ranks as one of the most cinematic adaptations of Dickens put on screen and is one of Lean's best films but I can't deny that until I see it again thinking that the musical "Oliver" was far more enjoyable.
9 - DirectorMark SandrichStarsFred AstaireGinger RogersEdward Everett HortonAn American dancer comes to Britain and falls for a model whom he initially annoyed, but she mistakes him for his goofy producer.The film itself is fun and enjoyable with terrific supporting work from Horton,Blore and Broderick but it's Astaire and Rogers who make this something special and when they dance it truly is magical...2nd viewing same as first.
9 - DirectorVictor SjöströmStarsLon ChaneyNorma ShearerJohn GilbertA bitter clown endeavors to rescue the young woman he loves from the lecherous count who once betrayed him.What you remember most when you watch a Lon Chaney film is not how well made it is, as this one is but Chaney...he really is one of the great silent actors and his marvelous performance in this amazing film ranks with his best
9. - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsRobert DonatMadeleine CarrollLucie MannheimA man in London tries to help a counter-espionage agent, but when the agent is killed and the man stands accused, he must go on the run to save himself and stop a spy ring that is trying to steal top-secret information.Some prefer the early Hitchcock masterpieces like "The Lady Vanishes" and this one maybe because there's a breeziness to them in terms of style and performances that makes them more fun than his later classics but as much as I enjoy the lighter touch to this film it doesn't quite rank with his best...the interplay between Donat and Carroll are as much a reason this film works as well as it does as Hitch's direction if not more.
9 - DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonJack NicholsonKim BasingerThe Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.I've always considered Tim Burton's Batman my favorite comic book movie but after seeing it again I'm not so sure...for me this is closer to the comic books that I read in my youth and visually it's hard to top,I also think Keaton did a good job in the role although I'm not sure I'd call him the best Batman like I once did but this film rises or falls on your opinion of Nicholson as The Joker and I have always thought it was one of his best roles and still do,he commands the screen whenever he's on and for me his portrayal is closer to the character that I grew up on but those who prefer Ledger's portrayal will probably find Nicholson's performance to campy and over the top(to each their own)...for now based on the comic book movies I've re-watched I'd still put it on top but barely and we'll see where it stands once I watch the Nolan films again...it's been about 15 years since I last saw it and still a great film but not quite as great as I once thought.
9 - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.The bleakest,darkest and most ambitious super hero movie ever made and even though it succeeds better than any other comic book film in stripping away the limitations one comes to expect from this genre I found myself not as engaged as I was when I first saw it and am not sure why especially in a world that seems even darker today that this film wouldn't resonate even more with me now....I admire the film and some of the performances,Eckhart as Harvey Dent was terrific and of course Ledger was unforgettable as The Joker(I'm not going to debate who the better Joker is) and Bale was good although I think he was overshadowed by the other 2 and not as memorable as he was in the first film and I still think it's a great film but I thought this was the film that all other's in this genre would bow down to and it's not but I do think there is more here to digest than any of the others.
9 - DirectorRené ClémentStarsCharles BronsonJill IrelandMarlène JobertA US Army colonel in France tries to track down an escaped sex maniac.I've always liked Charles Bronson even though most of his films as a star are passable at best but there are gems worth appreciating and this French crime film ranks as one of his best...the cat and mouse game that goes on between him and Jobert is terrific...I wish Bronson would of taken more chances with his career instead of letting himself being typecast and making so many mediocre action films especially in the 80's and 90's because there is talent there even if it's limited but there's no denying he's probably the only guy who could give Eastwood a run for his money in a stare down haha.
It's been about 15 years since I last saw it and it's still as great as I remember it being.
9 - DirectorTony ScottStarsChristian SlaterPatricia ArquetteDennis HopperIn Detroit, a pop-culture nerd steals cocaine from his new wife's pimp and tries to sell it in Hollywood, prompting the mobsters who own the drugs to pursue the couple.This just might be my favorite Tarantino film even though he only wrote it, mainly because Tony Scott the director doesn't have Tarantino's penchant for excess and this film is all the better for it... Arquette gives one of her best performances and one wishes Oldman had more screen time but the best scene in the film is between Hopper and Walken who play off each other brilliantly,it also has some terrific dialogue which is a trademark of Tarantino as is the pop references and violence...my 2nd viewing even better than my first.
9 - DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.Even though I'm not as blown away by it as I was when I first saw it,this is still among the best comic book movies made and the credit belongs to Robert Downey Jr. who's tour de force performance as Tony Stark might just be the best thing he's ever done and is right up there with Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson's Joker among the best this genre has to offer...Favreau's assured direction and Paltrow and Bridges help make this such an entertaining and exciting film.
9 - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.The final battle may be the weakest part of this film but in terms of story,character and humor this is the one Marvel film other than Iron Man and Spiderman 2 both of which I need to see again that still works the best...it's great fun and 2nd viewing as good as the first.
9 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstAlfred MolinaPeter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a former brilliant scientist named Otto Octavius.I've seen this film 4 or 5 times and have always felt in terms of story,character and action this was about as good as this genre has to offer and even though it may have gone down a notch from my last viewings I still feel that way...truthfully the reason I like this film so much is because Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst created 2 of the most memorable characters this genre has to offer and it's their relationship that stands out over everything else but unlike the first film I think the action sequences are better and I liked Alfred Molino as Doc Ock.
9 - DirectorErnst LubitschStarsEmil JanningsHarry LiedtkePaul BiensfeldtThe Ethiopian King offers his daughter to a powerful Pharaoh to secure peace between the two countries.As complete a version of this film as is known and it's quite astonishing from sets,lighting,a terrific musical score to some fine performances(Emil Jannings again shows why he's one of the greatest actors of his time) and Lubitsch's wonderful direction...if you love cinema it's not to be missed.
9 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsJohn David WashingtonAdam DriverLaura HarrierRon Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, Colorado, successfully infiltrates the local Ku Klux Klan branch aided by a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events.Funny,powerful and certainly in the Trump era very relevant,this well made and acted film that's based on a true story is probably my favorite Spike Lee film...the scene of the KKK members watching "Birth of a Nation" while Harry Belafonte tells the true story of Jerome Turner being burned alive is chilling as is the scenes of Charlottesville at the end.
9 - DirectorJohn FordStarsClaudette ColbertHenry FondaEdna May OliverNewlyweds Gil and Lana Martin try to establish a farm in the Mohawk Valley but are menaced by Indians and Tories as the Revolutionary War begins.I'm not sure any director has had as good a year in movies as Ford had in 1939 with 2 bona fide classics in Stagecoach and Young Mr. Lincoln and this beautiful looking and rousing adventure film that may not rank among his true classics but is still great entertainment...the usual Ford regulars are perfectly suited to this material.
9 - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleMichael CaineKen WatanabeAfter witnessing his parents' death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city.A darker more serious and adult Batman that was as close to perfect as this genre could possibly be for the first 2/3 thirds of the film at least but I thought the last third of the film was a little uneven and didn't come to as satisfying a conclusion as I would of liked which stops it from being at the top but after seeing it again I think Bale is more assured in the role than Keaton and Caine was perfectly suited to play Alfred as was Oldman as Gordon...2nd viewing pretty much the same as first.
9 - DirectorRené ClémentStarsGeorges PoujoulyBrigitte FosseyAmédéeA young French girl orphaned in a German air attack is befriended by the son of a poor farmer, and together they try to come to terms with the realities of death.Death as seen through the eyes of a child has rarely been done as well as in this French film which is handled in a more natural and honest way than you would get in a Hollywood film and the 2 child stars,especially Brigitte Fossey are exceptional...2nd viewing almost as good as 1st.
9 - DirectorRob ReinerStarsCary ElwesMandy PatinkinRobin WrightA bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.There are things that don't really work in this engaging fantasy(Billy Crystal's shtick comes to mind) but I'm enjoying myself so much I let it pass...it hooks it's teeth into me and I just go along for the ride...the score is memorable and the cast is terrific especially Patinkin.
3rd or 4th time seeing this film and it's still among the best fantasies ever made.
9 - DirectorWalter LangStarsSpencer TracyKatharine HepburnGig YoungTwo extremely strong personalities clash over the computerization of a television network's research department.When you watch Hepburn and Tracy you see 2 actors so comfortable with each other that their acting seems effortless and you just enjoy the experience and I think this is one of their best films together but I must say the supporting cast is extremely good as well in this highly entertaining comedy.
9 - DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsShin SaburiKinuyo TanakaIneko ArimaA businessman clashes with his elder daughter over her choice of a husband.This is only the 4th film I've seen from Ozu and it's another winner that deals with his usual themes of family and the struggle that exists between old traditions and new and even if your not an expert on Japanese culture is still
accessible to everyone because the themes are universal but this film had a comedic touch to it that the other films I've seen didn't which worked extremely well...poor Mr Hirayama didn't stand a chance against these women. )
9 - DirectorErle C. KentonStarsCharles LaughtonBela LugosiRichard ArlenA mad doctor conducts ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor who finds himself trapped there.By far the best version of the Well's story with Laughton relishing his role as Moreau and one of the few horror films from that time period not made by Universal that holds up well with the best from that studio...I liked it more this time than when I first saw it 25 years ago.
9 - DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsAudrey HepburnGeorge PeppardPatricia NealA young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.I have mixed feelings about Hepburn's performance in this film...I think she performs more than she acts but her vulnerability and charm show through and makes this film work in spite of all the artificiality and I do think Peppard is quite good to,as is that memorable tune that stays in your head long after the movies over...it's been about 20 years since I last saw Breakfast and my opinion hasn't changed much...I see how phony this film is and yet I find it irresistible.
9 - DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsFredric MarchMiriam HopkinsRose HobartDr. Jekyll faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that transforms him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde.Probably the best version of the classic story beautifully photographed and well directed by Mamouilian with a good performance by March that manages to overcome a make-up job that's a little over the top...this version could only be made in the pre-code era which it benefits from greatly.This is my 4th or 5th viewing of the film and my view hasn't really changed .
9 - DirectorHoward HawksStarsJohn WayneDean MartinRicky NelsonA small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a disabled man, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.I've seen "Rio Bravo" many times and even though I think it's a great film I still feel a little disappointed by it and am not sure why...it's entertaining and the stars fill their roles perfectly,although I could of done with a little less cackling from Brennan and even though Wayne is effective in the lead I wouldn't consider it one of his best performances as many do,I think Dean Martin probably acquits himself best...it could just be that this doesn't live up to the hype of being among the greatest westerns made or that this was Hawks and Wayne's answer to "High Noon" a film they both didn't like due I assume to it's more liberal leanings but that film to me is a meticulously made film that works on all levels and is one of the true masterpieces in the genre while this to me is just a great piece of entertainment.
9 - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsPaul WilliamsWilliam FinleyJessica HarperA disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The Paradise.I was 9 years old when I saw this at the theater and just loving it even though it did kind of freak me out and I've watched it a few times since than and my opinion hasn't really changed...this tongue and cheek musical/horror/comedy is filled with inspired moments especially Gerrit Graham's memorable performance as a glam rock artist and even some of the songs are surprisingly good...the film came out 1 year before Rocky Horror Picture Show and while that films cult status is well known,this to me is the better film and deserves a wider audience...as far as I'm concerned this is one of De Palma's best films.
9 - DirectorJules DassinStarsMelina MercouriPeter UstinovMaximilian SchellA conman gets mixed up with a group of thieves who plan to rob an Istanbul museum to steal a jewelled dagger.Enjoyable heist film that starts slowly but gets better as it goes with a terrific ending and a cast that works well together,although I'm not sure Ustinov deserved an Oscar for his performance...the fact that it doesn't take itself seriously helps a lot...2nd viewing pretty much as good as when I first saw it 35 years ago.
9 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsPaul NewmanTom CruiseMary Elizabeth MastrantonioFast Eddie Felson teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.Cinematically uneven and it really shows especially in the 2nd half but I still think this might be Scorsese's best commercial film and I'm probably over-rating it mainly because of Newman who reprises what I consider his most iconic role and does it flawlessly, Mastrantonio is excellent as Tom Cruise's girlfriend and even though Cruise may be the weaker of the 3 performances is good as well and I enjoyed myself immensely returning to this world even if it can't quite recapture the seedy gritty feel of " The Hustler".
9 - DirectorMorgan NevilleStarsAlan CummingPeter BogdanovichOja KodarIn the final fifteen years of the life of legendary director Orson Welles, he pins his Hollywood comeback hopes on a film, The Other Side of the Wind (2018), in itself a film about an aging film director trying to finish his last great movie.This documentary on Orson Welles struggles to get his last film made is quite fascinating with terrific archival footage...I have yet to see whether the finished product is something special or not but it certainly peeked my interest.
8 - DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsSetsuko HaraYôko TsukasaMariko OkadaA widow tries to marry off her daughter with the help of her late husband's three friends.Another beautifully made Ozu film that's similar in theme to Equinox Flower but not quite as satisfying mainly because despite their best intentions the guys plans for the 2 women felt cruel at times.
8 - DirectorLee UnkrichAdrian MolinaStarsAnthony GonzalezGael García BernalBenjamin BrattAspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.While I wouldn't rank this with the best Pixar has to offer,it's still a warmhearted and beautifully told story filled with visual delights but I do think this is a film adults will appreciate more than kids.
8 - DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsClint EastwoodJohn MalkovichRene RussoSecret Service agent Frank Horrigan couldn't save Kennedy, but he's determined not to let a clever assassin take out this president.There's so much to like about this thriller from the performances by both Eastwood and Malkovich to the tight script that works for the most part and good direction from Petersen and yet things that never bothered me before kind of bothered me this time...the love interest part of the story was unnecessary and I do think the script towards the last 30 minutes or so with certain situations borders on the hard to believe and makes this film not quite as great as I once thought.
8 - DirectorJohn ParkerBruno VeSotaStarsAdrienne BarrettBruno VeSotaBen RosemanThis film, with no dialogue at all, follows a psychotic young woman's nightmarish experiences through one skid-row night.Wonderfully strange,surreal horror film that must of had an influence on David Lynch...the settings,cinematography and music are terrific and help bring you into this woman's nightmare world...another film I never heard of that more than satisfies and is a classic of it's type.
8 I actually think I'm underrating it - DirectorDebra GranikStarsThomasin McKenzieBen FosterJeffery RifflardA father and his seventeen-year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon when a small mistake derails their lives forever.Another film by Granik that has a feel of authenticity to it with 2 terrific performances from it's stars...this is a small quiet film about a father and daughter who love each other dearly but who's relationship is slowly tested by societal norms where one runs away from it and the other wants to embrace it.
8 - DirectorDonald CrispBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireFrederick VroomTwo spoiled rich people find themselves trapped on an empty passenger ship.I personally wouldn't put this among Keaton's best but there's no denying there are inspired moments of comic creativity that no comic including Chaplin have ever risen to but it took a while to get there.
8 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.This was my favorite of the series and until I see the final installment still is...it's the darkest of the films so far and the one film that engaged me from beginning to end but like most of the films the 2nd viewing wasn't as good as 1st.
8 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.Thanos to my surprise turns out to be one of the more interesting and complicated villains in The Marvel Universe and is one of the reasons I enjoyed this film as much as I did but as much as I enjoyed this film I'm not sure how to judge it because I have a feeling that many of the shocks and surprises that happen in this film may not be what it seems but we'll have to wait for the sequel to find out,which may make much of the things I liked about this film meaningless,so for now I think the blending of action,humor and bringing in all the superheroes together worked fairly well with the exception of Black Panther who almost seemed like an add-on and was not utilized the way he should of been but it's Thanos and those surprises that makes this for now one of the better Marvel films.
8 - DirectorTerence YoungStarsSean ConneryUrsula AndressBernard LeeA resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program.When I think about Connery's best Bond films this one never comes up mainly because other than Ursula Andress and putting Connery on the map there's not much that's memorable but that's not to say it's a bad film,I think it's quite good but it may not appeal to those who like the more action packed and gimmicky films that followed.
8 - DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsBarry G. BernsonHerb CaillouetBill CampSteven, a charismatic surgeon, is forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice after his life starts to fall apart, when the behavior of a teenage boy he has taken under his wing turns sinister.For about half the film your not really sure what's going on and only the ominous music that plays every now and again tells you that something's not right and something bad is going to happen and like the director's last film "The Lobster" it's an original and weird(but in a good way) film that will appeal more to those who want something different and I have to admit I found this film more satisfying than "The Lobster" with terrific performances from Farrell and Kidman.
8 - DirectorElio PetriStarsMarcello MastroianniUrsula AndressElsa MartinelliIn a future where a human vs. human "Big Hunt" is used as an alternative to war, a veteran huntress' plan to kill a "victim" for a major TV sponsorship deal is compounded by romance.Highly entertaining campy fun that has a terrific 60's vibe,from the costumes and look to the music and is in many ways a precursor to films like "Death Race 2000","The Running Man" to "The Purge". It also helps a lot having 2 engaging stars....2nd viewing as good as when I first saw it 25 years ago but have only seen the dubbed version and would love to see Italian version with eng. subs if it exists.
8 - DirectorYoshiaki KawajiriStarsKôichi YamaderaEmi ShinoharaTakeshi AonoA vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.Action packed,bloody and very entertaining Japanese anime that ranks as one of the best in the genre that I've seen not directed by Miyazaki.
8 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.On the whole this film works better than the first in terms of action and excitement which makes this a little more entertaining and I did like Redford playing against type...2nd viewing almost as good as first.
8 - DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.Michelle Pfeiffer pretty much steals the movie with her portrayal of Catwoman that ranks as one of the best characters that this genre has to offer and I liked the interplay between her and Keaton yet this film didn't give me as much enjoyment this time around as when I first saw it and it may be because some of the other characters didn't really work for me...Devito is fine as Penguin but it's not the Penguin that I remember and Walken was wasted and even though I liked the darker tone it didn't always work.
8 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.The series comes to a fairly satisfying conclusion in the most enjoyable of the films next to Half-Blood Prince but I must confess after it's all over I can't help but think as someone who's never read the books that the tone of the books are probably darker and the films played it safe and it's one of the problems I had with the series,the other being even though there's nothing really wrong with Radcliffe as Potter,he never really engaged me the way some of the other characters did,like Watson and Grint but my favorite character played wonderfully by Rickman was Severus and that may have to do with there being an air of mystery to the man that wasn't explained until the end...overall the series as a whole for me wasn't bad but there's very little that's memorable which was why I watched it again because I remembered very little of the films and after watching them again I've already forgotten a lot of what I've seen.
8 - DirectorVictor FlemingStarsClark GableJean HarlowGene RaymondThe owner of a rubber plantation becomes involved with the new wife of one of his employees.Gable and Harlow have always worked well together and this is one of their best even though it's not quite the great romantic drama I once thought it was it's still a well made and enjoyable film but it's also a film of it's time that may not play well with modern audiences.
8 - DirectorJack ArnoldStarsPeter SellersJean SebergWilliam HartnellAn impoverished backward nation declares a war on the United States of America, hoping to lose, but things don't go according to plan.Maybe not as laugh out loud funny as when I first saw it but it's still a very enjoyable comedy with Peter Sellers in 3 roles.
8 - DirectorStuart CooperStarsBrian StirnerDavyd HarriesNicholas BallDuring World War 2, a young lad's called up and, with increasing sense of foreboding, undertakes his army training for D-day.The human interest story isn't quite as compelling as the newsreel footage that's mixed in but the blending of the 2 for the most part works quite well and makes this a very effective war film.
8 - DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsDonald SutherlandBrooke AdamsJeff GoldblumWhen strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city's residents one body at a time.The original is one of the best films on paranoia and this version does a great job of recapturing the feel of Siegel's classic...I've seen this version probably as many times as the original and while some consider this the best version I'm not quite there.
8 - DirectorGeorges FranjuStarsPierre BrasseurAlida ValliJuliette MaynielA surgeon causes an accident which leaves his daughter disfigured and goes to extreme lengths to give her a new face.It has a certain vibe and at times is visually striking and manages to stay with you viscerally but it never grabbed me emotionally which is how I felt about it the first time I saw it 25 years ago.
8 - DirectorCarol ReedStarsMark LesterRon MoodyShani WallisAfter being sold to a mortician, young orphan Oliver Twist runs away and meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor in 1830s London.I loved this film when I first saw it and I always considered it my favorite musical but the magic wasn't there 2nd time around,there are certainly memorable songs and the film for the most part is engaging but the performances disappoint when compared to Lean's wonderful version,especially Mark Lester who's rather bland as Oliver and there's no denying it's not as cinematic...I saw "Oliver Twist" at the beginning of the year and still remember those wonderful performances and the terrific cinematography,while in this version I'll probably remember some songs as time goes by and that's about it and I saw this at the end of the year...suffice it to say it's a big disappointment from my first viewing and is no longer one of my all time favorites.
8 - DirectorIda LupinoStarsEdmond O'BrienFrank LovejoyWilliam TalmanTwo fishermen pick up a psychopathic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.Taut well made film noir with fine performances especially by Talman as the psychopathic murderer but it may be Ida Lupino(the first female director of a noir film) who deserves most of the credit for this little sleeper.
8 - DirectorAlan CroslandStarsJohn BarrymoreConrad VeidtMarceline DayFrançois Villon, in his lifetime the most renowned poet in France, is also a prankster, an occasional criminal, and an ardent patriot.Barrymore is very engaging in this historical drama and the film is very entertaining,I just wish it had a better musical score and I might have liked it even more because the synchronized score on the version I saw was distracting at times.
8 - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.Culturally the film's importance can't be and shouldn't be ignored and the film has terrific performances from most of the cast,especially Michael B. Jordan whose Erik Killmonger might be the best villain to come out of a super hero movie since Heath Ledger's Joker but despite all that the film falls short from being among the best comic book movies because the CGI doesn't always impress especially the fight scenes with them in their Black Panther costumes and there were what I would call Spielberg moments where scenes are meant to create an emotional response from the audience using stirring music and while there were only a couple of scenes like that it didn't work for me but whatever criticisms I have it's story is far deeper and more meaningful than you would expect from this genre.
8 - DirectorJohn FordStarsVictor McLaglenHeather AngelPreston FosterIn 1922, an Irish rebel informs on his friend, then feels doom closing in.The emotional punch this film once had for me just wasn't there this time around and the reason is Victor McLaglen's performance just wasn't as great as I once thought...he's always been a bit of a ham and even though I think he gives a good performance,there are times when he overacts and makes some scenes less powerful than they should be but overall I still think it's a well made and beautifully shot drama that still works for the most part even though I would no longer consider it one of Ford's best films and it's certainly not one of my all time favorites anymore.
8 - DirectorJohn BadhamStarsRoy ScheiderWarren OatesCandy ClarkThe cop test pilot for an experimental police helicopter learns the sinister implications of the new vehicle.It's been about 35 years since I first saw this film and my opinion hasn't changed much...I still think it's an exciting and entertaining action film and one of Scheider's better films.
8 - DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.It's the smaller or more intimate moments in this film that work so well for me rather than the big crowd pleasing ones...the origin story,his relationship with Peggy Carter and his superior Colonel Chester Phillips was well done and probably among my favorite moments in any of the Marvel universe films but I do think the film becomes less involving when he deals with Red Skull and I didn't find the action sequences all that thrilling but Evans,Atwill and Jones made this well worth watching...2nd viewing pretty much the same as the first.
8 - DirectorRobert StevensonStarsDick PowellSigne HassoMayliaAfter witnessing an incident on a foreign ship off California coast, a U.S. Treasury agent aboard a Coast Guard vessel decides to further investigate the matter by following a crime trail leading to China, Egypt, Lebanon and Cuba.One of the better documentary style crime films with a "French Connection" style plot and a solid performance from Powell.
8 - DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsCary GrantJeanne CrainFinlay CurrieDr. Noah Praetorius falls in love with Deborah, a student who discovers that she is pregnant by her old boyfriend.That the film works as well as it does is a testament to Mankiewicz the writer more than Mankiwiewicz the director and wonderful performances from the cast especially Finlay Currie,Jeanne Crain and Cary Grant.
8 - DirectorTobe HooperStarsMarilyn BurnsEdwin NealAllen DanzigerFive friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.I'd seen Texas 3 times before and it never had much of an impact on me because every version I saw was so dark that much of the night time scenes was hard to see,plus some of the actors were extremely annoying and it never lived up to the hype that surrounded it but after seeing it on Blu-Ray was surprised at how clean and clear most of it is(although there's still 1 chase scene that's hard to see) and what a visceral experience it was...the scenes with the hitch-hiker, seeing Leatherface for the first time and him chasing people around with the chainsaw,the sound of that chainsaw and Marilyn Burns panic stricken face and her screams got in my head and affected me in ways it never has before and when it was over realized that in my head the film seems more violent and gory than what's actually on the screen.
8 - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteA year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.Scream never broke new ground but it was a clever and fun horror movie that used many of the cliche's from the genre to it's advantage... I thought this was Craven's best film when I first saw it and still think so.
8 - DirectorWilliam A. WellmanStarsBurgess MeredithRobert MitchumFreddie SteeleAt the close of WWII, Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle travels with the U.S. Army's Company C Division during their liberation of Italy.Deliberately paced and somber war film well made and acted by Meredith and Mitchum that has an authenticity to it that you rarely find in this genre.
8 - DirectorAri AsterStarsToni ColletteMilly ShapiroGabriel ByrneA grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences.I won't lie but when the film was over I had to go online to get clarity on the ending which I found a little confusing but until than I thought this was a creepy little horror film that worked extremely well and reminded me in the best sense of the word of some of the greats in the genre like "The Exorcist,Rosemary's Baby,Suspiria and The Wickerman" to name a few and I'm not sure this film would of worked at all without Toni Collette's believable and exceptional performance.
8 - DirectorBenny SafdieJosh SafdieStarsRobert PattinsonBenny SafdieJennifer Jason LeighAfter a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail.The kind of film Sidney Lumet would of made...a gritty crime film with characters that seem believable and Robert Pattinson is so good that he'll make you forget about those horrible Twilight films.
8 - DirectorArthur PennStarsMarlon BrandoJane FondaRobert RedfordThe citizens of a Texan town become concerned and panicked when a local bad boy escapes prison and heads for his hometown.The cast is phenomenal and even though no one really stands out they helped pull me into this sordid trashy melodrama and made it far better than it should be.
8 - DirectorÁlex de la IglesiaStarsRaphaelMario CasasPepón NietoDuring the never-ending TV taping for a New Year's Eve program, peoples personal lives clash and eventually explode out into the open.Frenetic goofy comedy that doesn't always work but I had a fun time with it and is the best thing I've seen so far from this director.
8 - DirectorMatt PalmerStarsJack LowdenMartin McCannTony CurranA shocking deed turned their weekend trip into a nightmare. Now their only hope is to swallow their paranoia and act normal.Better than expected thriller that may not offer anything new but manages to push the right buttons effectively when needed.
8 - DirectorPhil GoldstoneStarsZita JohannJohn MiljanAlan DinehartA young woman with a difficult past is sentenced for a murder she didn't commit, but revealing the truth could hurt people she loves.Good performances with a fairly unique narrative that manages to surprise in ways I wouldn't have expected especially from a film of the 30's...a sleeper in the best sense of the word.
8 - DirectorRichard BrooksStarsElizabeth TaylorPaul NewmanBurl IvesBrick is an alcoholic ex-football player who drinks his days away and resists the affections of his wife. A reunion with his terminal father jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.Even though it does feel at times like a stage play and a certain subject matter is handled very discreetly due to the times it still manages to be a well made drama that works because of the terrific performances from the cast especially Newman and Taylor who gives one of her best performances.
8 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.The story line about unfettered power is interesting but by the end doesn't really go anywhere,the fight scene between the super heroes is entertaining but meaningless and to be honest the Bucky Barnes story line doesn't interest me all that much but I still enjoyed myself and Spiderman and Black Panther were welcome additions to the series...Most consider this the best of the Captain America films although it might as well be the 3rd Avengers film but I think as much as I enjoyed it ,it's probably the weakest...2nd viewing about the same as 1st.
8 - DirectorNicholas EliopoulosStarsCharles ChaplinWalt DisneyAmelia EarhartA chronicle of the life and career of silent film star Mary Pickford.Mary Pickford was one of the true pioneers of the motion picture industry and this documentary does a terrific job of highlighting not just her acting career but how ahead of her time she was in taking control over her career and you come away wondering why her importance to the film industry is forgotten today when compared to many of her male counterparts of the time.
8 - DirectorJohn FordStarsEdward G. RobinsonJean ArthurArthur HohlA meek milquetoast clerk is mistaken for public enemy N° 1, and the notorious killer takes advantage of the situation.Not your typical Ford film but his light touch and Edward G. Robinson's fine performance help make this such a fun and entertaining film.
8 - DirectorJoseph H. LewisStarsNina FochMay WhittyGeorge MacreadyJulia Ross secures employment through a rather nosy employment agency, with a wealthy widow, Mrs. Hughes, and goes to live at her house. 2 days later, she awakens - in a different house, in different clothes and with a new identity. She's told she is the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Hughes and has suffered a nervous breakdown. Is Julia really 'Julia', or is it true that she's lost all memory of who she is?Effectively made thriller by Lewis with solid performances from the cast but even though some consider this his best film I don't think it comes close to Gun Crazy.
8 - DirectorMartin BrestStarsRobert De NiroCharles GrodinYaphet KottoA bounty hunter pursues a former Mafia accountant who is also being chased by a rival bounty hunter, the F.B.I., and his old mob boss after jumping bail.De Niro and Grodin work surprisingly well in this entertaining buddy action/comedy that in it's time was one of the most profane laced films made and when I first saw it even though I enjoyed it was one of the things that annoyed me about the film because it didn't seem necessary but this time around it didn't bother me-sign of the times I guess.
8 - DirectorJohn 'Bud' CardosStarsWilliam ShatnerTiffany BollingWoody StrodeIn rural Arizona, countless killer tarantulas are migrating through a farm town, killing every living thing in their path. The town's veterinarian will do everything in his power to survive the onslaught.Despite all it's cheesiness I still find this low budget horror film quite effective and a lot of fun and am always surprised at how much I enjoy it...Shatner's actually pretty good in this film although that may have more to do with how bad some of the other performances are.
8 - DirectorJoey FigueroaZak KnutsonStarsJohn MiliusEthan MiliusAmanda MiliusA look at the life of filmmaker John Milius.Engaging look at one of the mavericks of Hollywood who played by his own rules which wasn't always in his best interest.
8 - DirectorRex IngramStarsAlice TerryPaul WegenerFirmin GémierA magician/alchemist, seeking to create life, finds that he needs the "blood of a virgin" to continue his experiments. He sends out his dwarf assistant to pick out the right girl.I wonder if James Whale saw this curio that will make you think of Frankenstein especially towards the end in the tower...if your into silent films it's well worth a look.
8 - DirectorAaron KatzStarsLola KirkeZoë KravitzJohn ChoA heinous crime tests the complex relationship between a tenacious personal assistant and her Hollywood starlet boss. As the assistant unravels the mystery, she must confront her own understanding of friendship, truth and celebrity.I'm not sure the film holds up under scrutiny but I had a good time with this methodically paced mystery.
8 - DirectorLewis GilbertStarsAidan QuinnKate BeckinsaleAnthony AndrewsA skeptical professor visits a remote British estate to debunk allegations of psychic phenomena, but soon finds himself haunted by a ghost from his own past.Uneven it may be and it's certainly not the great ghost story I once thought it was but I still found it to be a very engaging film that works for the most part.
8 - DirectorAndrew L. StoneStarsJames MasonRod SteigerInger StevensDuped by former Army pal Paul Hoplin into building a time-bomb, New York shop owner Jim Molner and his family become hostages of Hoplin who uses bomb-threats to extort money from airlines.Despite some contrivances in the story especially towards the end I still found this to be a very effective thriller with good performances from Steiger and Stevens.
8 - DirectorStanley DonenStarsCary GrantIngrid BergmanCecil ParkerAn actress who has given up on love meets a suave banker and begins a flirtation with him--although he's already married.This is a perfect example of a film that works because of it's star power, both Bergman and Grant are wonderful and make this imperfect romantic comedy well worth watching...I did get a kick out of Grant's dancing.
8 - DirectorRené ClairStarsMichel SimonGérard PhilipeNicole BesnardThe Faust story retold, with an aged alchemist accepting the gift of renewed youth from the devilish Mephistopheles.Even though there have been better versions of the Faust tale and I wouldn't rank this among Clair's best it's still a fairly engaging tale with a terrific performance from Simon.
8 - DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneRhys IfansAfter Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically altered spider, he gains newfound, spider-like powers and ventures out to save the city from the machinations of a mysterious reptilian foe.Garfield is such a good actor that even though he really doesn't fit the character the way Maguire did you believe and Stone is perfectly cast as Stacy and it's their relationship that makes this film work for me even if most of the other characters are forgettable,2nd viewing not as good as 1st but still quite enjoyable.
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