The Films I've Seen In 2013 From Best To Worst
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- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.The moment I here John Williams score I'm hooked,than there's one of the greatest opening scenes in movie history and for the next 2 hours I'm riveted to one of the most thrilling and entertaining films ever made...I saw Jaws when it first came out when I was 10( I skipped school and spent the afternoon watching it) and over the years it has become one of my most watched films and my opinion hasn't changed much since that first viewing...perhaps what makes "Jaws" so great is that it shouldn't be,after all a movie about a great white shark that terrorizes a small community doesn't sound like anything special and the reason it turned into something so memorable is due to Spielberg's great direction...for the first half he builds suspense by not showing the shark and when he finally does our focus has shifted to the three main characters and the suspense is built through them so much so that we believe in their fear of a shark that at times doesn't look very realistic. I admire films that give me more than they should and "Jaws may be the greatest example of that...Jaws has been on my top 10 longer than any other film and after seeing it again it's still there...without question one of the greatest films ever made.
10+ - DirectorMerian C. CooperErnest B. SchoedsackStarsFay WrayRobert ArmstrongBruce CabotA film crew goes to a tropical island for a location shoot, where they capture a colossal ape who takes a shine to their blonde starlet, and bring him back to New York City.You would think being a child of the seventies that "Star Wars" would be the film of my youth but it's "King Kong"...this is the film that made me love movies and even though it may not be my favorite film of all time it's the one I'm most fond of...it's the definition of movie magic...CGI has spoiled people into believing you can create anything your imagination can come up with and even though I can enjoy those films it's taken away the magic...Kong was the greatest creation in film for almost 60 years until "Jurassic Park" came out and still thrills me in ways none of these more hi-tech films have ever done but Kong was the first non-human creation that you actually cared about which made this the greatest tragic love story ever made...every one has a film that is beyond criticism and this is that film for me...the word classic gets thrown around to easily these day but "King Kong" is the definition of a classic...this masterpiece is one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorCarol ReedStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenAlida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.One of the best film noirs ever made...beautifully filmed and acted with perhaps the greatest entrance in movie history...Orson Welles makes the most of his short time on screen and creates one of the most memorable characters of all time...One of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneJeffrey HunterVera MilesAn American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.The final shot of John Wayne alone in the doorway ranks as one of my all time favorite images in movie history...this was probably the darkest film John Ford ever made and certainly the darkest character John Wayne ever played which is a shame because I think his 2 best performances were playing people that weren't all that likable and had an edge to them( Ethan Edwards from this film and Thomas Dunson from Red River),a far cry from the characters were used to seeing him play...a timeless tale about revenge and racism that is one of John Ford's masterpieces and one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorGregory La CavaStarsWilliam PowellCarole LombardAlice BradyA scatterbrained socialite hires a vagrant as a family butler - but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.I love the screwball comedies of the 30's and this is one of the best...everyone in this film is at the top of their game and the social commentary never gets in the way of the comedy...this isn't just one of the best comedies ever made it's one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsMel GibsonBruce SpenceMichael PrestonIn the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community to get rid of a horde of bandits.This is the best thing Mel Gibson ever did as actor or director and you get to hear him with his Australian accent and long before all his personnel problems began to overshadow his career...this film just moves as fast as the cars do,it's a non-stop adrenaline filled thrill ride and one of the best films of the 80's.
10 - DirectorPreston SturgesStarsEddie BrackenBetty HuttonDiana LynnAfter an all-night send-off party for the troops, a small-town girl with an awkward boyfriend wakes up to find herself married and pregnant, but with no memory of her husband's identity.One is always amazed when watching a Sturges film with just what he gets by the censors...I think they must be laughing so hard that they're not paying attention to the subject matter and that's a big reason why I enjoy his films so much.Sullivan's Travels was always my favorite Sturges film but this one seems to get better every time I see it.
10 - DirectorPatrice LeconteStarsMichel BlancSandrine BonnaireLuc ThuillierA recluse is accused of murdering a young woman simply because his neighbors think he is strange.Wonderful film about Michel Blanc's obsession with the luminous Sandrine Bonnaire...the 2 leads are absolutely brilliant...this is a remake of the 1946 film Panique and I think that film is even better.
10 - DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.This movie made me a fan of the Beatles...it's a fun,exuberant film that leaves you smiling when it's over...George,John,Paul and Ringo were just a joy to watch as was Wilford Brimley as John's trouble-making uncle.
10 - DirectorJames WhaleStarsColin CliveMae ClarkeBoris KarloffDr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.One of the great sci-fi/horror films ever...'The Bride of Frankenstein' is even better.
10 - DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsEdward WoodwardJack ThompsonJohn WatersThree Australian lieutenants are court martialed for executing prisoners as a way of deflecting attention from war crimes committed by their superior officers.Every aspect of war is ugly but films that deal with soldiers being sacrificial lambs for their governments to save face or better their political cause bother me more than most and this powerful and unforgettable film is one of the best in dealing with the politics of war and the futility of fighting against it.
10 - DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsPaul MuniGlenda FarrellHelen VinsonWrongly convicted James Allen serves in the intolerable conditions of a Southern chain gang, which later comes back to haunt him.Even 80 years after this film was released it still manages to retain much of it's power and is one of those rare movies that really did make a difference...one of Paul Muni's best films.
10 - DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsMax SchreckAlexander GranachGustav von WangenheimVampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.After seeing Herzog's wonderful version of this film and the fictionalized making of it in "Shadow of the Vampire" it made me want to see the original again and all I can say is it may be 90 years old but it's still the definitive vampire film and Schreck is still the greatest and most memorable vampire of them all.
9 - DirectorFred SchepisiStarsTimothy HuttonLindsay CrouseJohn LoneA prehistoric Neanderthal man found frozen in ice is revived by an arctic exploration team, who then attempt to use him for their own scientific means.Another one of these films that I hadn't watched for almost 30 years and it's still one of the most thought provoking sci-fi films I've seen...it works because John Lone makes Charlie the iceman such a believable character...he's able to convey his emotional state with body language and talking mostly in grunts and unintelligible words-I think it's a remarkable performance and makes a story that may not be that plausible very plausible.
9 - DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsRinaldo SmordoniFranco InterlenghiAnnielo MeleTwo shoeshine boys in postwar Rome, Italy save up to buy a horse, but their involvement as dupes in a burglary lands them in juvenile prison; the experience take a devastating toll on their friendship.De Sica is my favorite Italian director and this is among his best...a powerful and unforgettable film about two young friends who's lives are torn apart when they end up in reform school.
9 - DirectorFrank CapraStarsJean ArthurJames StewartLionel BarrymoreThe son of a snobbish Wall Street banker becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family not realizing that his father is trying to force her family from their home for a real estate development.What was once my favorite Capra film has gone down a notch after seeing it again...it's been a while since I've seen some of my favorite Capra films and this one felt more manipulative than I remember and really did feel at times that he was going overboard trying to get the emotional responses he wanted and yet by the end as Capra always seems to do he wins me over and I just go along for the ride because the characters are so engaging.
9 - DirectorKen AnnakinAndrew MartonGerd OswaldStarsJohn WayneRobert RyanRichard BurtonThe events of D-Day, told on a grand scale from both the Allied and German points of view.When I first saw "The Longest Day" almost 30 years ago I thought it was a brilliant re-enactment of "The Battle of Normandy" even though I found the big name stars to be a bit of a distraction it did nothing to deter my admiration for the film...this time around it didn't bother me at all and even though I still have great admiration for the film I've given it a lower rating...I'm not sure why,it may be that I've seen more realistic war films since than which has lessened the impact of this film but I would still put this among the best WW2 films ever made.
9 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.E.T. has always been one of those films that I felt sooner or later it's magic wouldn't work on me because it really does rely on tugging at your heart strings and alas I just wouldn't give in like I have in the past and while I still think it's a great film,it's far from the masterpiece I once thought it was.
9 - DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireJoe KeatonA film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meagre skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.One of Keaton's more inventive and entertaining films and one of the best silent comedies I've seen.
9 - DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKoji YakushoMunetaka AokiNaoto TakenakaA tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a feudal lord.Miike tones it down for this samurai tale about family,honor and humility and creates his most rewarding film to date...a tragic and powerful film that was much better than I expected...I haven't seen the original but would love to compare it to this great film.
9 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsLaurence OlivierJoan FontaineGeorge SandersA self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.My second viewing of this Hitchcock classic ends up being a little disappointing from the first time and I think it has to do with Judith Anderson...she wowed me the first time and commanded the screen every time she was on but this time around I didn't find her as compelling...the performances of Olivier and Fontaine however are terrific.
9 - DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneYutaka SadaTatsuya NakadaiAn executive of a Yokohama shoe company becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.Terrific and absolutely compelling crime film from the great Kurosawa.
9 - DirectorRobert RossenStarsBroderick CrawfordJohn IrelandJoanne DruThe rise and fall of a corrupt politician, who makes his friends richer and retains power by dint of a populist appeal.It's been about 20 years since I last saw this film and while I still think it's as relevant today as when it first came out it didn't seem to have the same impact on me...even though Broderick Crawford is terrific in the lead his performance wasn't as powerful as I once thought it to be and is probably the reason the film has gone down a notch...still this is one of the best political films ever made.
9 - DirectorDon SiegelStarsKevin McCarthyDana WynterLarry GatesA small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.Don Siegel is one of the most underrated directors of all time and this is one of his best films...it never gets old and even though there's been many interpretations of the story,this is still the best.
9 - DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.I still think this is the best film Bruce Willis has ever made and one of the best action films of the last 25 years but the real star is Alan Rickman who should of been nominated for an oscar for his memorable performance as Hans Gruber one of the all time great villains but I will admit your enjoyment of this film may depend on how much the stupidity of the police and FBI bothered you...for me it was a minor inconvenience.
9 - DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.This is a terrific fantasy/adventure film and one of the best 0f 2012...the visuals are amazing and makes me wish I saw it on the big screen and as someone who doesn't consider himself religious but open-minded I found the religious theme throughout as interesting rather than overwhelming and it did nothing to deter my enjoyment from this beautifully crafted film.
9 - DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsAlain DelonBourvilGian Maria VolontèAfter leaving prison, master thief Corey crosses paths with a notorious escapee and an alcoholic former policeman. The trio proceed to plot an elaborate heist.Meticulously crafted crime film from the great"Melville"..if you enjoy his style of film making you'll love this film.
9 - DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppIsla FisherTimothy OlyphantRango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.I think this is one of the best animated films I've seen in a while but I do think it will appeal more to adults,and movie lovers who will get a lot of the humor and movie references...Johnny Depp is proving once again that he is one of the best actors around and can do any genre of film well.
9 - DirectorNorman Z. McLeodStarsCary GrantConstance BennettRoland YoungA fun-loving couple, finding that they died and are now ghosts, decide to shake up the stuffy lifestyle of a friend of theirs.Wonderful comedy/fantasy... Cary Grant,Constance Bennett and Roland Young are terrific.
9 - DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.After the disappointing Quantum of Solace,Bond is back with one of the best in the franchise...Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery and Javier Bardem is memorable as one of the best Bond villains of all time.
9 - DirectorWerner HerzogStarsKlaus KinskiIsabelle AdjaniBruno GanzCount Dracula moves from Transylvania to Wismar, spreading the Black Plague across the land. Only a woman pure of heart can bring an end to his reign of horror.This is a film I've been dying to see for decades and it did not disappoint...a film that you experience in a cerebral way due to it's eerie music and images...Herzog's Nosferatu does homage to the original and is probably the best vampire film since Murnau's and Kinski is almost as memorable as Max Schreck.
9 - DirectorCheol-soo JangStarsSeo Yeong-hieJi Seong-wonMin-ho HwangA woman subject to mental, physical and sexual abuse on a remote island seeks a way out.Brutal,uncompromising and at times very uncomfortable revenge film that will not appeal to everyone but there is more going on here than meets the eye...Yeong-hie Seo is amazing in what must of been a very difficult role to play.
9 - DirectorJules DassinStarsBarry FitzgeraldHoward DuffDorothy HartA step-by-step look at a murder investigation on the streets of New York.Great crime film with a solid performance from Barry Fitzgerald.
9 - DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.A thoroughly engaging film based on the Iran hostage crisis and probably Ben Affleck's best film but did Alan Arkin really deserve an oscar nomination.
9 - DirectorPeter R. HuntStarsGeorge LazenbyDiana RiggTelly SavalasBritish agent James Bond goes undercover to pursue the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who is planning to hold the world to ransom.I've always felt that Lazenby get's a bit of a bad rap for his portrayal of Bond...personally as much as I love Connery I'm not sure he would of worked for this film as it was...this film was different from other Bond films which is why I like it so much and Connery's Bond would not of worked and while I wouldn't say Lazenby was anything special I do think his portrayal worked for this film...even though it may not be as great as I once thought it was,I would still put it among the best Bond films and Diana Rigg may not be the traditional Bond girl but to me she was the best leading lady in any of the films.
9 - DirectorWerner HerzogStarsTimothy TreadwellAmie HuguenardWerner HerzogA devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.Fascinating,funny,disturbing and in the end tragic documentary about Tim Treadwell, an obsessed and I think delusional man who believes that he is one with the grizzly bears he spends time with.
9 - DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsRalph FiennesJuliette BinocheWillem DafoeAt the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.Old fashioned love story that works due to the quality of the performances and the sure hand of it's director who keeps you interested from beginning to end.
9 - DirectorBertrand TavernierStarsMélanie ThierryLambert WilsonGaspard UllielBased on the classic didactic novel, the action centers on the noble lady who soon becomes exposed to the sexual and political intrigues of the French court of the religious wars era.Terrific costumer involving court intrigue,arranged marriages and forbidden love...I think the French do these type of films better than anyone.
9 - DirectorMark Steven JohnsonStarsBen AffleckJennifer GarnerColin FarrellA man blinded by toxic waste which also enhanced his remaining senses fights crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero.I seem to be in the minority but I think this is among the 10 best comic book movies made and it works for me because it has a terrific cast that fit their roles perfectly.
9 - DirectorNa Hong-jinStarsLee Yoo-miHa Jung-wooLee Hee-joonWhen the attempt to kill a professor goes wrong, a series of violent events are triggered which force a taxi driver to run for his life.Despite the police being a bunch of buffoons(and I thought that was only prevalent in American films) and the main characters seeming to be indestructable this film managed to overcome it's flaws and ended up being another great South Korean crime film due to the great performances of Jung-woo Ha and especially Yun-seok Kim and all the surprising plot twisits which made this film such an engrossing film experience.
9 - DirectorGavin HoodStarsPresley ChweneyagaeMothusi MaganoIsrael Matseke-ZuluSix days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader.Superb film about a thug who finds his humanity after accidentally kidnapping a baby.
9 - DirectorRoy Hin Yeung ChowStarsNick CheungSimon YamJanice ManAn old but serious miscarriage of justice clouds a current police investigation looking into the death of a mutilated corpse.I just love Asian thrillers and this ones terrific.
9 - DirectorSheng DingStarsJackie ChanLeehom WangYoo Seung-junAn old soldier kidnaps a young General of an enemy state and takes him on a long journey to collect the reward.An absolute delight...one of the best Jackie Chan films I've ever seen.
9 - DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsRobert HosseinJean SorelCatherine RouvelA man plans a hold-up with a group of trusted fellows, he gets his hands on the money, and the girl - what could go wrong? Almost everything.This film feels like a classic forties film noir beautifully shot in black and white and at times will remind you of The Postman Always Rings Twice but has enough twists to make it it's own film.
9 - DirectorCaroline BottaroStarsSandrine BonnaireKevin KlineFrancis RenaudA chambermaid on Corsica is obsessed with chess after seeing a US expat play it lovingly with l'Américaine. She cleans his house and now also plays with him on Tuesdays.If you can accept the premise that Sandrine Bonnaire needs chess in her life to fulfill her in some way you'll be rewarded with a surprisingly good movie...as someone who plays chess I can relate...Kevin Kline gives a solid performance as her teacher but the film hangs on Sandrine Bonnaire who in all the films I've seen of hers has never given a bad performance and does a very good job here.
9 - DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJessica ChastainJoel EdgertonChris PrattA chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.For me it's the first two thirds of the film that makes this movie work...the third act of actually getting Bin Laden was not as fascinating or compelling as the CIA's efforts in sifting through intel to get to that point.
9 - DirectorYôji YamadaStarsHiroyuki SanadaRie MiyazawaNenji KobayashiAs the feudal Japan era draws to a close, a widower samurai experiences difficulty balancing clan loyalties, 2 young daughters, an aged mother, and the sudden reappearance of his childhood sweetheart.Simple but moving samurai tale with the usual themes of love,family,duty and honor...The leisurely pace will not appeal to everyone but for patient viewers you won't be disappointed.
9 - DirectorAnton CorbijnStarsGeorge ClooneyPaolo BonacelliViolante PlacidoAn assassin hides out in Italy for one last assignment.Terrific old fashioned thriller and one of Clooney's best films and performances.
9 - DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsSong Kang-hoKim Ok-binChoi Hee-jinThrough a failed medical experiment, a priest is stricken with vampirism and is forced to abandon his ascetic ways.Vampire films have been around for almost 100 years so it's surprising that 2 of the best in the genre have come out in the last 5 years...Let the Right One In and this one and they both work so well because they take an original approach to the material.
9 - DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill give outstanding performances in this terrific baseball movie that looks at the game through the general manager's eyes and not the players.
9 - DirectorE. Elias MerhigeStarsJohn MalkovichWillem DafoeUdo KierThe filming of Nosferatu (1922) is hampered by the fact that its star Max Schreck is taking the role of a vampire far more seriously than seems humanly possible.Fun fictionalized account of the making of Nosferatu with Malkovich and especially Dafoe at their best.
9 - DirectorHoward HawksRichard RossonStarsPaul MuniAnn DvorakKaren MorleyAn ambitious and nearly insane violent gangster climbs the ladder of success in the mob, but his weaknesses prove to be his downfall.For me this is the definitive Scarface and far superior to the over the top 1983 version even the hint of an incestuous relationship between brother and sister are here which in the 80's version never shocked me but did in this one...Paul Muni was one of the best actors of his generation and this is one of his best roles if not his best.
9 - DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonHoward TruesdaleKathleen MyersWith little luck at keeping a job in the city a New Yorker tries work in the country and eventually finds his way leading a herd of cattle to the West Coast.Not as inventive as his best work but it's still a lot of fun...the more I watch Keaton the more I appreciate him.
9 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsMelanie LynskeyKate WinsletSarah PeirseTwo teenage girls share a unique bond; their parents, concerned that the friendship is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.A film that I struggled with at the beginning but as it went on it got better and better...Peter Jackson's approach to the material which mixes in elements of fantasy to show the mind set of these girls doesn't always work but the performances by the 2 leads are terrific and for me made all the difference.
9 - DirectorMel BrooksStarsGene WilderMadeline KahnMarty FeldmanAn American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.Even though there are some good laughs in this film,it's Brook's loving recreation of the classic movie that makes this so much fun and my favorite of his films.
9 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellEllen SandweissRichard DeManincorFive friends travel to a cabin in the woods, where they unknowingly release flesh-possessing demons.Hard to believe this film is 32 years old and it's been about 30 years since I last saw it and the biggest surprise is it still works...Sam Raimi throws everything at you...it's so over the top and silly that you just go along for the ride and have a great time and Sam is probably the real star of this film because it wasn't until the sequel that Bruce Campbell's Ash became the memorable character that he did.
9 - DirectorRoberto BenigniStarsRoberto BenigniNicoletta BraschiGiorgio CantariniWhen an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.The usually manic Benigni gives a wonderfully restrained performance for him as a father trying to protect his son from the reality of their stay in a concentration camp by making it a game...a film that I wasn't that impressed with at first but by the end won me over.
9 - DirectorLuis EstradaStarsDamián AlcázarJoaquín CosioErnesto Gómez CruzAfter being deported back to Mexico, a man has no choice but to join the vicious drug cartel that has corrupted his hometown in order to survive.The mix of comedy and seriousness doesn't always work in this terrific crime film but it is so well done with some great performances and pointed social commentary that puts the blame on everyone for why the criminal element is allowed to flourish in parts of Mexico that it's impossible to ignore.
9 - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsRooney MaraChanning TatumJude LawA young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects.Great thriller and one of the best films Soderbergh has made...Jude Law and especially Mara Rooney are terrific.
9 - DirectorGuillaume CanetStarsFrançois CluzetMarie-Josée CrozeAndré DussollierAn accidental discovery near a doctor's estate stirs up some painful memories eight years after his wife's hideous murder, and now, things are bound to take a turn for the unexpected. Does the good doctor know more than he's letting on?Great French crime film that holds your interest from beginning to end and I swear Francois Cluzet will remind you of Dustin Hoffman in his prime.
9 - DirectorJohn WooStarsChow Yun-FatTony Leung Chiu-waiTeresa MoA tough-as-nails cop teams up with an undercover agent to shut down a sinister mobster and his crew.John Woo's Hong Kong action films were among the best of their generation and highly influential but after this film he sold his soul to the devil and went to Hollywood to make mostly mediocre films(with the exception of Face-Off)...it's really a shame because one wonders how many more great films he could of made if he stayed in Asia.
Only 'The Killer' is better than this terrific film.
9 - DirectorSamuel FullerStarsCliff RobertsonDolores DornBeatrice KayA teenager who witnesses the murder of his father vows to exact revenge on the four mobsters involved in the killing.Tough gritty crime film from the under appreciated Samuel Fuller...the performances are first rate especially Cliff Robertson who is unforgettable in the lead.
8 - DirectorDebra GranikStarsJennifer LawrenceJohn HawkesGarret DillahuntAn unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.The film that made Jennifer Lawrence a star and deservedly so...authentic looking and feeling drama filled with terrific performances but it's Lawrence who holds it all together.
8 - DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsRobert ShawBruce DernMarthe KellerWhen a Black September terrorist group begins a plot to carry out a massive terrorist attack in the United States, an Israeli commando works with the FBI to identify the target and conspirators, and prevent the plan from succeeding.No holds bar taut,suspenseful pre 9/11 thriller that would be a hard sell today.
8 - DirectorGrigoriy ChukhrayStarsVladimir IvashovZhanna ProkhorenkoAntonina MaksimovaYoung Russian soldier Alyosha earns a medal, but asks to visit his mother instead. His journey recounts various kinds of love during wartime.Simple poignant anti-war film that is surprisingly effective.
8 - DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsToshirô MifuneYôko TsukasaGô KatôThe mother of a feudal lord's only heir is kidnapped away from her husband by the lord. The husband and his samurai father must decide whether to accept the unjust decision, or risk death to get her back.Well made samurai film with the wonderful Toshiro Mifune.
8 - DirectorDanny BoyleStarsJames McAvoyRosario DawsonVincent CasselAn art auctioneer mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting.Mind boggling crime film with a little bit of "Inception" thrown in that's well worth watching.
8 - DirectorAlex StapletonStarsRoger CormanMartin ScorseseQuentin TarantinoA documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.Fun documentary about one of the most important and influential people in the movie industry in the last 50 years,not so much for his films but for the talent that got their careers started through him and for being one of the first independent film makers.
8 - DirectorChris ButlerSam FellStarsKodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickChristopher Mintz-PlasseA misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.Fun and very enjoyable animation film refreshingly aimed at a more mature audience.
8 - DirectorLuis PuenzoStarsNorma AleandroHéctor AlterioChunchuna VillafañeDuring the final months of Argentinian Military Dictatorship in 1983, a high school teacher sets out to find out who the mother of her adopted daughter is.As good as this film is I still found it to be a little disappointing because it never pulled me in the way it should of...the story is compelling but I just never got as emotionally involved in what was going on as one should,which would of made this a much more powerful film.
8 - DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsMickey RourkeMarisa TomeiEvan Rachel WoodA faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.Authentic feeling film about a washed up wrestlers life with 2 wonderful performances from both Rourke and Tomei.
8 - DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsMia WasikowskaNicole KidmanMatthew GoodeAfter India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.Cold but well made and effective retelling of Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt"...another Park film that depending on my frame of mind I could of rated higher or lower.
8 - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsAustin StokerDarwin JostonLaurie ZimmerA Highway Patrol Officer, two criminals and a station secretary defend a defunct Los Angeles precinct office against a siege by a bloodthirsty street gang.Rio Bravo meets Night of the Living Dead...this exciting action/thriller is my favorite Carpenter film.
8 - DirectorLukas MoodyssonStarsLisa LindgrenMichael NyqvistEmma SamuelssonIn 1975, the dynamics of a Swedish commune begin to change upon the arrival of a beaten wife and her two kids.Enjoyable quirky film about love,sex and relationships...I like being surprised by a film that I never heard anything about and this certainly was that.
8 - DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsJack BlackShirley MacLaineMatthew McConaugheyIn small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.Wonderful comedy based on a true story with what is probably Jack Black's best performance.
8 - DirectorLuchino ViscontiStarsMarcello MastroianniAnna KarinaBernard BlierA man faces a trial for murder. The court is biased because of his personal qualities.Intriguing Visconti film about a man who seems emotionally detached to everything in his life from his mothers death to his own act of murder...Mastroianni who I've seen mostly in comedies is quite good playing someone who's behavior isn't easily explained.
8 - DirectorMike CahillStarsBrit MarlingWilliam MapotherMatthew-Lee ErlbachOn the night of the discovery of a duplicate Earth in the Solar system, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident.Nicely made drama with sci-fi elements about a woman who did something horrible and trying to find redemption but the ending was predictable.
8 - DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.Quirky Romantic/Comedy/Drama with a terrific performance from Jennifer Lawrence.
8 - DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsGlenn FordLee RemickStefanie PowersA man with an asthmatic voice telephones and assaults clerk Kelly Sherwood at home and coerces her into helping him steal a large sum from her bank.Very effective thriller with a more realistic feel to it...Ross Martin is terrific as the man terrorizing Lee Remick...one of Blake Edwards best non-comedies.
8 - DirectorTobe HooperStarsJoBeth WilliamsHeather O'RourkeCraig T. NelsonA family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.Not quite as good as I once thought it was but Poltergeist still works because one cares for this family which makes all the difference otherwise some of the things that happen might be hard to swallow...I still find it hard to believe that Tobe Hooper directed this film because it really does feel like a Spielberg movie.
8 - DirectorTerrence MalickStarsRichard GereBrooke AdamsSam ShepardA hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.This is only the second film I've seen by Malick,the first being "Badlands" which I thought was overrated,his understated approach either works for you or it doesn't and this one worked for me...it's also a beautifully looking film.
8 - DirectorMatías BizeStarsBlanca LewinGonzalo ValenzuelaA young man and woman have a sensual, one-night stand in a motel room where they confide in each other about their troubled lives.What a nice surprise...A film about 2 people who let it all out there both physically and emotionally,the 2 actors are amazing and are the reason this film is as good as it is.
8 - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsDenzel WashingtonNadine VelazquezDon CheadleTroubling questions arise after airline pilot Whip Whitaker makes a miracle landing after a mid-air catastrophe.There is no denying Denzil Washington gives one of his best performances in this at times terrific film but there is a scene in a hotel room towards the end of the film that seemed so silly that everything that happened after that diminished it's greatness...still there's 80% of a great film.
8 - DirectorAntonio MargheritiSergio CorbucciStarsBarbara SteeleGeorges RivièreMargrete RobsahmA journalist takes a bet that he can spend the night in a haunted castle on All Hallow's Eve. During his stay, he bears witness to the castle's gruesome past coming to life before him, and falls in love with a beautiful female ghost.Wonderfully effective gothic horror film and one of the best of it's type ever made.
8 - DirectorPeter BogdanovichStarsRyan O'NealTatum O'NealMadeline KahnDuring the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership.Entertaining but somewhat overrated comedy...the chemistry that Ryan and his daughter Tatum have makes this film work.
8 - DirectorBudd BoetticherStarsRandolph ScottRichard BooneMaureen O'SullivanAn independent former ranch foreman is kidnapped along with an heiress, who is being held for ransom by trio of ruthless outlaws.Randolph Scott and Richard Boone shine in this tense psychological western.
8 - DirectorJi-hoon KimStarsKim Sang-kyungSol Kyung-guSon Ye-jinA Christmas Eve party at a luxury residential building takes a horrific turn when a fire breaks out.South Korea's version of "The Towering Inferno that's just as exciting and entertaining... a nice surprise.
8 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsNicholas HoultStanley TucciEwan McGregorThe ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack, a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds.Thoroughly enjoyable old fashioned fantasy that was much better than I expected.
8 - DirectorSean BranneyStarsStephen BlackehartAutumn WendelP.J. KingBased on the H. P. Lovecraft story of the same name, a folklorist investigates reports of unusual creatures in Vermont only to uncover more than he bargained forThis was a nice surprise...a sci-fi/horror movie shot in beautiful b/w that is reminiscent in style to the classic universal horror films of the 30's and 40's...Re-Animator was always my favorite Lovecraft film but I think this is just as good if not better.
8 - DirectorAndy MuschiettiStarsJessica ChastainNikolaj Coster-WaldauMegan CharpentierAfter a young couple take in their two nieces, they suspect that a supernatural spirit named Mama has latched onto their family.Genuinely creepy horror film that manages to sustain itself to the end even as it starts to unravel...this was much better than I thought it would be.
8 - DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.To me there is no actor who fits their comic book persona better than Robert Downey Jr. and he is the reason I enjoy the Iron Man films as much as I do...this ones a little better than #2.
8 - DirectorBen WheatleyStarsAlice LoweKenneth HadleySteve OramChris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn.Even though the humor at times is very dry and doesn't always work this dark comedy is a lot of fun but probably not for everyone.
8 - DirectorPierre MorelStarsCyril RaffaelliDavid BelleTony D'AmarioIn the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and an ex-thug try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb.High adrenaline french action flick that's a lot of fun.
8 - DirectorBudd BoetticherStarsRandolph ScottCraig StevensBarry KelleyTexan Tom Buchanan is heading back home with enough money to start his own ranch, but when he stops in the crooked town of Agry, he's robbed and framed for murder.Another solid western from Boetticher and Scott.
8 - DirectorTakeshi KitanoStarsTakeshi KitanoAya KokumaiTetsu WatanabeSeveral yakuza from Tokyo are sent to Okinawa to help end a gang war. The war then escalates and the Tokyo drifters decide to lay low at the beach.Leisurely paced crime film that works surprisingly well.
8 - DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenSimon YamSiu-Wong FanDuring the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy martial artist is forced to leave his home when his city is occupied. With little means of providing for themselves, Ip Man and the remaining members of the city must find a way to survive.Donnie Yen is terrific as IP man in this very engaging film but it's certainly not the masterpiece some people have made it out to be.
8 - DirectorJean RollinStarsFrançoise PascalHugues QuesterNatalie PerreyA young couple out for a walk decide to take a stroll through a large cemetery. As darkness begins to fall they realize they can't find their way out, and soon their fears begin to overtake them.I've never understood why Jean Rollin is as highly regarded by some as he is...the few films I've seen would have an image or a scene that would peek my interest but he couldn't sustain it for a whole movie but this eerie and atmospheric horror film managed to do just that...by far the best thing I've seen from Rollin.
8 - DirectorJohn FarrowStarsJohn WayneGeraldine PageWard BondArmy dispatch rider Hondo Lane discovers a woman and young son living in the midst of warring Apaches and becomes their protector.Much better western than I remembered with one of Wayne's better performances.
8 - DirectorJonathan LevineStarsNicholas HoultTeresa PalmerJohn MalkovichAfter a highly unusual zombie saves a still-living girl from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.Hard to make a zombie film with any originality but this film takes a fresh approach to the material that makes it very enjoyable.
8 - DirectorJee-woon KimStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerForest WhitakerJohnny KnoxvilleThe leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff.Personally I think Schwarzenegger has made a lot of watchable films but very few good films,this is a surprisingly good action film and one of the best things Arnold has ever done.
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