"My Recommended Films Of All Time"
My picks in no particular order
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- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman Star in this drama
based on a Stephen King story. This tells the story of mild-
mannered banker, Andy Dufresne (Robbins) who is falsely
accused of murdering his wife and her lover. He's sentenced
to life in prison at New England prison, Shawshank where
he befriends a convict, Ellis Redding aka "Red" (Freeman)
whom is also serving time for murder. Andy faces obstacles
including a sadistic warden, but overcomes them with hope.
I love this film, Robbins and Freeman are terrific in it and
Thomas Newman's score is excellent. This film will always
make us believe that hope is one of the best things. - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsChristopher ReeveMargot KidderGene HackmanAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder and Marlon
Brando star in Richard Donner's action film based on the DC
comics. This tells the story of alien, Kal-El (Reeve) who is
sent to Earth from doomed planet, Krypton by his father, Jor-
El (Brando) where he becomes a symbol of justice, but also
lives as bumbling, mild-mannered reporter, Clark Kent. Kidder
plays his reporter love interest, Lois Lane and Hackman plays
the diabolical, Lex Luthor. This is one of the best comic book
films with a great cast, neat effects and classic score by John
Williams which will always make us believe a man can fly. - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
and Burgess Meredith star in John Avildsen's drama centering
on Philadelphia boxer, Rocky Balboa (Stallone) who gets an
opportunity to go the distance with heavyweight champ,
Apollo Creed (Weathers). Shire plays Rocky's love interest,
Adrian Penina, Young plays her alcoholic brother, Paulie
and the late Meredith, plays Rocky's manager, Mickey
Goldmill. This is definitely one of Sly's best with a
great cast and unforgettable score by Bill Conti. - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceJamie Lee CurtisTony MoranFifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis star in John Carpenter's
horror film. This story takes place in Haddonfield, Illinois
where a teenage girl, Judith Myers is brutally murdered by
someone revealed to be her 6-year old brother, Michael.
After 15 years, Michael (Nick Castle) escapes from Smith's
Grove hospital to continue his killing spree. Pleasence plays
his psychiatrist, Sam Loomis who is determined to stop him
and Curtis plays teen babysitter, Laurie Strode who becomes
stalked by the killer along with her friends. This is one of
Carpenter's best that changed the holiday forever, Curtis
and the late great, Pleasence are terrific in it and who can
forget Carpenter's chilling score. Carpenter also paid tribute
to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic thriller, "Psycho" where the
name, Sam Loomis, the kitchen knife and Janet Leigh's
daughter, Curtis were used. - 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.Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger star in Tim
Burton's action film based on the DC comics. This takes place
in Gotham City and tells of billionaire businessman, Bruce Wayne (Keaton) who lives another part of his life as a masked vigilante fighting crime. Nicholson plays lethal criminal, Jack Napier who becomes clown menace, The Joker and is the man who killed
Bruce's parents as a kid. Basinger plays photographer, Vicki
Vale who becomes Bruce's love interest and is determined
to get a story on the mysterious, Batman. This is one of the
best comic book films that's also one of Burton's best with
a great cast and excellent score by Danny Elfman. - DirectorWes CravenStarsHeather LangenkampJohnny DeppRobert EnglundTeenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life.Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon star
in Wes Craven's horror classic. This tells the story of teen
girl, Nancy Thompson (Langenkamp) who has been having
nightmares along with her friends. They're stalked in their
dreams by a mysterious fiend, Freddy Krueger (Englund)
who was a child killer burned by an angry mob of parents
avenging thier kids and is back for revenge by terrorizing
the kids of Elm Street. Saxon plays Nancy's father, Donald
who is a police lieutenant. This is one of Craven's best,
Englund is terrific as Freddy, Langenkamp and Saxon are
great and who can forget Charles Bernstein's classic score. - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin
Glover and Thomas F. Wilson star in Robert Zemeckis'
sci-fi adventure. Marty McFly (Fox) is a teen who
lives with his distance parents, Lorraine (Thompson)
and George (Glover). He dreams of becoming a musician
and has a friend, Emmett Brown (Lloyd), a scientist who
has just made the ultimate invention, a Delorean time
machine. Soon, Marty is thrust into an adventure where
he travels back 30 years in time meeting his parents and
tries to get them together while trying to get back to
1985. Wilson plays Biff Tannen, a bully who has given
George a tough time since high school and has a crush
on Lorraine. This is one of Michael's best, he and
Christopher are great together and who can forget
Alan Silvestri's excellent score. - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Alec Guinness
star in George Lucas' sci-fi classic. This takes place in a
far away galaxy where we meet young farmboy, Luke
Skywalker (Hamill) who dreams of becoming a starfighter.
He gets 2 droids belonging to old wizard, Ben "Obi-Wan"
Kenobi (Guinness) who must rescue kidnapped princess,
Leia Organa (Fisher) from Darth Vader (played by David
Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones), leader of the
Galactic Empire. Soon, Luke meets Ben and unites with
smuggling pilot, Han Solo traveling on an adventure to
save the princess and the galaxy from the Empire's deadly
weapon, the Death Star. This is one of sci-fi's best with a
great cast and classic score by John Williams. - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and John Rhys-
Davies star in Steven Spielberg's adventure.
This focuses on 1930's archaeologist, Henry
"Indiana" Jones who embarks on a quest to find
the Ark of the Covenant and tries to stop Nazis
from getting to it first. Allen plays Indy's love
interest, Marion Ravenwood, Freeman plays
French archaeologist, Rene Belloq and Davies
plays Indy's friend, Sallah. This is one of Ford
& Spielberg's best with a great cast, cool effects
and classic score by John Williams. - 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.Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Skeet Ulrich
and Drew Barrymore star in Wes Craven's horror film.
This centers on teenage girl, Sidney Prescott (Campbell)
who becomes targeted by a psychotic killer obsessed
with scary movies a year after her mother's murder
and everyone becomes a suspect. Arquette plays
Deputy and friend Dewey Riley, Cox plays reporter,
Gale Weathers, Ulrich plays Sidney's boyfriend,
Billy Loomis and Barrymore plays the killer's first
victim, Casey Becker. This is one of Craven's
best next to "A Nightmare on Elm Street"
with a great cast that redefined the
horror genre. - DirectorTom HollandStarsChris SarandonWilliam RagsdaleAmanda Bearse"Fright Night" sees a teenager believing that the newcomer in his neighborhood is a vampire. He turns to an actor in a television hosted horror movie show for help to deal with the undead.Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse and
Roddy McDowall star in this horror film. Charlie
Brewster (Ragsdale) is a teen who has a girlfriend,
Amy Peterson (Bearse) and lives with his mother.
He discovers that his new neighbor, Jerry Dandridge
(Sarandon) is a vampire. Soon, Charlie tries telling
police and Amy, but they don't believe him. He also
asks Peter Vincent (McDowall), the vampire killing
host of his favorite tv show, "Fright Night" for help
who also doesn't belive him at first, but soon does.
After Jerry, seduces Amy and bites her, Charlie
and Peter endure a night from hell to save her.
This is one of the best vampire/horror films with
a great cast, neat effects and excellent score
by Brad Fiedel. - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles and John
Gavin Star in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller based
on the novel. This takes place in Phoenix, Arizona
where we meet bank teller, Marion Crane (Leigh)
and her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (Gavin). Marion
decides to take a great sum of cash from her
boss's client and friend. She drives until she
comes to an old rundown motel ran by loner,
Norman Bates (Perkins) and falls victim to
him. Soon, Marion's sister, Lila learns of
her disappearance and searches for her
with Sam. The answers lie in wait when
they meet Norman and his ill, mother.
This is one of Hitchcock's best that
changed taking showers forever,
Perkins and Leigh were terrific
in it and who can forget Bernard
Herrmann's score. - DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller and Max Von Sydow
star in William Friedkin's horror film based on the novel.
This takes place in Georgetown, Pennsylvania where we
meet young girl, Regan MacNeil (Blair) and her actress
mother, Chris (Burstyn). We also meet priests, Damien
Karras (Miller) who begins to lose his faith when his
mother becomes ill and Merrin (Von Sydow) who is
also an archaeologist. Soon, Regan becomes possessed
by a demonic spirit and Karras and Merrin try to save
her. This is a great film with a good cast and eerie score. - 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.Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia and Reginald
VelJohnson star in this action film. This takes place in L.A.
on Christmas Eve where New York cop, John McClane has
just arrived to visit his wife, Holly (Bedelia) and 2 kids.
Soon, a group of European terrorists led by Hans Gruber
(Rickman) take over a highrise where Holly works and
John tries to stop them. VelJohnson plays cop, Al Powell
who helps John via radio. This is one of the best action
films, Bruce is great as usual, Rickman is unforgettable
as Hans and Michael Kamen's score is excellent.
I recommend this if you like action or Bruce
fighting terrorists wearing a wife beater. - DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayDan AykroydSigourney WeaverThree parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson,
Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and Rick Moranis star
in Ivan Reitman's comedy. This tells of scientists,
Peter Venkman (Murray), Ray Stanz (Aykroyd)
and Egon Spengler (Ramis) who decide to go
into business as paranormal exterminators.
Weaver plays their first client, Dana Barrett
who has her apartment haunted, Potts plays
secretary, Janine Melnitz, Hudson plays Winston
Zeddemore who joins the team and Moranis
plays nerdy accountant, Louis Tully who lives
in the same apartment bulding as Dana.
I've loved this since I was a kid, the cast
is great, the effects are cool and who can
forget Elmer Bernstein's score. - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsKurt RussellLee Van CleefErnest BorgnineIn 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Adrienne
Barbeau, Isaac Hayes, Ernest Borgnine and Harry Dean
Stanton star in John Carpenter's action film. This takes
place in the future of 1997 where New York has become
a dark and desolate place. Soon, the President of the
U.S. (Pleasence) is kidnapped by a gang lead by the
Duke (Hayes) after his plane is hijacked. War
criminal, Snake Plissken (Russell) is then sent to
rescue him in the course of 24 hours. The late, Van
Cleef plays Bob Hauk who sends Snake on his
mission, the late, Borgnine plays Cabbie, Barbeau
plays Maggie and Stanton plays her beau, Brain.
This is one of Russell & Carpenter's best, Russell
is terrific as Snake and Carpenter & Alan Howarth's
score is excellent. - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsKurt RussellWilford BrimleyKeith DavidA research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley and Keith David star
in John Carpenter's sci-fi/horror remake of the
1951 classic, "The Thing From Another World."
This takes place in Antarctica where we meet
a team of scientists including helicopter pilot,
R.J. MacReady (Russell). They discover an
alien lifeform that's able to take form of it's
hosts or shapeshift. Soon, MacReady and the
others begin not knowing who to trust. Brimley
plays Blair and David plays Childs. This is one
of Carpenter's best, Russell & the cast are
great, Ennio Morricone's score is excellent
and Rob Bottin's make-up effects are
terrific as usual. - DirectorPenny MarshallStarsTom HanksElizabeth PerkinsRobert LoggiaAfter wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult.Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, David Moscow, Jared Rushton,
John Heard and Robert Loggia star in Penny Marshall's 1988
comedy-drama. Joshua Baskin (Moscow) is a young kid who
has a best friend, Billy Kopecki (Rushton) and wants to be
popular. One night at a carnival with his parents, he decides
to make a wish to be big. The next day, he gets his wish
and is adult Josh (Hanks). He runs away and eventually
gets a job finding romance with co-worker, Susan
(Perkins). Heard plays her obnoxious ex-boyfriend,
Paul and Loggia plays their boss, MacMillan. Soon,
Josh realizes he must get back to his family and
childhood. This is one of Hanks' Best, he and
Perkins have good chemistry and Howard
Shore's score is great. - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guiness
and Billy Dee Williams star in this sci-fi sequel.
This takes place a while after the original where
Luke Skywalker (Hamill), Han Solo (Ford) and
Leia Organa (Fisher) are on an Icy planet, Hoth
hiding from the Galactic Empire. Soon, Darth
Vader (David Prowse) finds where their located
and is determined to get Luke. Soon, Luke goes
to swampy planet, the degobah system to train
as a Jedi from Yoda while the others head to
Cloud City and meet Han's old pal, Lando
Calrissian (Williams). Soon, Luke comes to
help them and faces Vader. Not many sequels
are as good as the original, this one is and
Luke & Vader's duel is the highlight of the
film. - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Robert
MacNaughton and Drew Barrymore star in Steven
Spielberg's sci-fi film. This tells the story of young
boy Elliot (Thomas) who befriends a stranded alien
calling him, E.T. (Extra Terrestrial). Soon, a team
of scientists led by Keys (Coyote) try to find E.T.
and Elliot tries to help him get home before he dies.
Wallace plays Elliot's mom, Mary, MacNaughton
plays her other son, Michael and Barrymore plays
his little sister, Gertie. This is one of Spielberg's
best with a great cast and classic score by
Williams as usual. - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferSteven BauerIn 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia star in Brian De Palma's
drama remake of the 1932 film. This takes place in the
spring of 1980 in Miami, Florida and centers on Cuban
immigrant, Tony Montana (Pacino). Tony arrives with
his best friend Manny Rabira (Bauer) and get into
the drug business. Loggia plays dealer, Frank Lopez,
Pfeiffer plays his mistress, Elvira Hancock whom Tony
falls for and Mastrantonio plays Tony's sister, Gina
who finds love with Manny. Soon, Tony rises as
a drug dealer and then falls in too deep. This is
definitely one of Pacino's best with a great cast,
excellent score by Georgio Moroder and features
one of the most memorable quotes, "Say Hello
To My Little Friend!" - DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine and Scott Glenn
star in Jonathan Demme's thriller based on the novel.
Clarice Starling (Foster) is a rookie F.B.I. agent who gets
assigned by her boss, Jack Crawford (Glenn) to interview
sociopath, Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (Hopkins).
When a Senator's daughter becomes abducted by a
serial killer Jamie Gumb aka "Buffalo Bill" (Levine)
who skins his victims, Clarice tries to find her seeking
help from Lecter. This is a terrific film with a great
cast, great score by Howard Shore and Hopkins is
creepy as Hannibal. - DirectorMichael MannStarsWilliam PetersenKim GreistJoan AllenFormer FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a deranged serial killer dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" by the media.William Petersen, Dennis Farina, Brian Cox, Joan Allen
and Tom Noonan star in Michael Mann's thriller based
on the novel, "Red Dragon." This focuses on retired FBI
investigator, Will Graham (Petersen) who is asked to
help his friend & colleague, Jack Crawford (Farina) find
a serial killer nicknamed, "The Tooth Fairy." Will's method
is to think like the killer in order to catch him. Cox plays
psychiatrist sociopath, Hannibal Lecktor who briefly helps
Will find clues, Noonan plays the killer, Frances Dollarhyde
who is determined to transform into William Blake's Great
Red Dragon by killing and Allen plays his blind love interest,
Reba McClane who makes it difficult for him when he grows
close to her. This is a great underrated 80's film that's one
of Mann's best with a good cast and excellent score by
Michael Rubini & The Reds. - DirectorMichael MannStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroVal KilmerA group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.Al Pacino and Robert De Niro star in Michael Mann's
crime drama. This tells of L.A. vetearan cop, Vincent
Hanna (Pacino) and bank robber, Neil Macauly (De Niro)
who play a game of cat & mouse with each other while
their professions effect their personal lives. Soon, they
meet face to face and respect each other doing what
they do best. Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd,
Jon Voight, Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Williamson, Wes
Studi, Danny Trejo and Ted Levine co-star. This is a
terrific film that's not only one of Pacino & De Niro's
best, but Mann's as well and Elliot Goldenthal's score
is excellent. - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson
and Sally Field star in Robert Zemeckis' drama based on
the novel. This tells the story of slow-witted, Alabama
gardener, Forrest Gump (Hanks) reflecting on his
life experiences meeting different people and being
part of historical moments. Wright plays his friend
& love interest, Jenny Curran, Sinise plays his army
Lieutenant & friend, Dan Taylor, Williamson plays
his best friend, Bubba and Field plays his mother.
This is a great film that's definitely one of Tom's
best with a good cast and excellent score by
Alan Silvestri.