DVD PIX - The best 5 movies for every year since 1970 - An RHcomix compilation

Our main criteria for assembling a best picture list on a yearly basis boils down to: if there were only 5 movies you could watch out of a list of eligible movies for one particular year which films would they be?...In other words, if you were stuck on an island and there are only 5 movies from 1977 you could bring with you what movies would they be? There are some years where that can be a tough pick.

You might notice that there are times when our 5 best movie picks don’t match the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences’ choices at all: the Oscar’s picks. When that happens, it usually means that the Academy’s picks really didn’t do anything for us. In our list below it happened for the following years: 1983, 1987, 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2006.

Terms of Endearment won the Best Picture Oscar for 1983 but we felt Scarface was a stronger and much more memorable flick. The Last Emperor took the Best Picture Oscar in 1987 but Wings of Desire inspired us a whole lot more. Braveheart won in 1995 but, Martin Scorsese’s Casino really did hit the jackpot. A Beautiful Mind won the Oscar in 2001 but we felt Black Hawk Down had a little more torque. In 2002, we felt About Schmidt was a lot stronger and much more powerful than Chicago’s song and dance shtick. Finally, in 2006, the re-invention of agent 007 in Casino Royale was a much more fun crackerjack suspenser than the remake of the Hong Kong thriller Internal Affairs: The Departed.

Below is our comparative list of the Academy’s Best Picture picks and our own RHcomix list of winners, runner-ups and those movies that did deserve the Best Picture honor.

Top ten lists or top five lists in the entertainment field aren’t meant to be all that scientific. Those lists are subjective and can make interesting and fun conversations that can also inspire debate! For what it is worth, here is our Best Picture list. Enjoy!

 

Year

Best Picture Oscar Winner

RHcomix Best Picture Pick

Why

1970
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patton

 Oscar nominees
 Airport
Five Easy Pieces
Love Story
M*A*S*H

Five Easy Pieces

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Patton
Kelly’s Heroes
M*A*S*H
Get Carter






 Jack Nicholson in a flawless performance as a musician who can’t find his groove; the tale of an ‘uneasy rider’ in search of himself. This pic contains the oft-quoted and hilarious chicken salad sandwich scene. Five Easy Pieces bridged the gap between the cinema of the sixties and the seventies’ ‘new auteur’ cinema. Hot on the heels of Easy Rider, Jack gives us a rich, deep and touching portrayal of an eternal drifter unable to cope with life and its demands: hard labor conditions on an oil rig and being smothered by his ditzy girlfriend played by Karen Black. Great dialogue and bristling with poignant themes, the narrative is driven by a steady flow of memorable character vignettes. Sharp script by Adrien Joyce and candid direction by Bob Rafelson.

Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles et al (Kelly’s Heroes) plan and execute a gold robbery from a German bank during WW2. The action segments save the day and Sutherland steals the show as an anachronistic hippie private. 'Woof! Woof!'

George C. Scott commands the screen as a dynamic and flamboyant General George Patton during WW2. Sharp script co-written by Francis Ford Coppola and directed in a gung-ho grandiose style by Franklin Schaffner.

Black comedy focusing on an American medical unit surviving and fighting the absurdities of life during the Korean War. Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould play two cynical and witty surgeons exchanging biting dialogue from a stinging screenplay by Ring Lardner Jr. Robert Altman's first major hit showcasing his style of episodic storytelling featuring over a dozen characters. Spawned a hit TV series M*A*S*H.

Michael Caine is a cold and purpose-filled hitman who investigates the brutal death of his brother in a British blue collar town. Caine is stern and solid as the avenger and there's plenty of violence and action for fans of the genre. Get Carter charges like a fiery locomotive.


1971
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French
Connection

 Oscar nominees
 A Clockwork Orange
Fiddler On The Roof
The Last Picture Show
Nicholas & Alexandra

Dirty Harry

RHcomix runner-ups
 Diamonds Are Forever
The French Connection
Straw Dogs
A Clockwork Orange

















 Inspired by tales of the serial killer named Zodiac who haunted the San Francisco area between the late sixties and mid-seventies comes a classic detective story scripted by R.M. and Julian Fink and directed by Hollywood veteran Don Siegel. The title role was originally offered to Frank Sinatra who eventually dropped out due to the violence quotient in the story; Steve McQueen and Paul Newman also passed and Clint Eastwood took the part he will always be remembered by. Detective Harry Calahan is more concerned with the plight of the innocent victims than the bureaucratic red tape of justice. Set in a time when criminals seemingly had more rights than their victims, Dirty Harry was the perfect blunt instrument and symbol of a vengeful justice. In retrospect, Dirty Harry is as timely now as it was in 1971. Here, detective Dirty Harry chases a serial killer named Scorpio who is holding the city of San Francisco hostage. Cynical, violent, ingenious and thrilling, director Don Siegel has crafted a true action film classic. Tight and crafty editing, a great score by Lalo Schiffrin and Clint using intensity and economy in a role that has become an action movie standard. We love you Harry. 'Do you feel lucky, punk?'
 
Sean Connery returns as James Bond after a one-picture hiatus in 1969. Diamonds Are Forever is crafty, fast-paced and contains all the obligatory action scenes, babes, gadgets, one-liners and exotic locales that are a staple in the 007 series. Arch-villain Blofeld who murdered 007’s wife in the previous film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service returns with a scheme to hold the world ransom with satellite-based laser guns. Bond chases down Blofeld however, for more obvious personal reasons. A fun adventure yarn with Jill St. John onboard as the luscious Bond babe.
 
The French Connection is an original and suspenseful crime drama about NYC detective Popeye Doyle tracking down heroine smugglers. Gene Hackman exudes loads of grit as detective Doyle and his performance alone nearly steals the picture. Director William Friedkin captures the tough street atmosphere of NYC which in itself is its own living, breathing character. Roy Scheider who does a fine job as Doyle's partner appeared two years later in an unofficial follow-up titled: The Seven-Ups.
 
Mild-mannered math professor (Dustin Hoffman) and his seductive wife (Susan George) are bullied by a bunch of psychotic hoodlums while trying to live an idyllic existence in an isolated English village. Straw Dogs is a tense yarn about peaceful citizens pushed beyond their boiling point. A thought-provoking psychological thriller directed by Sam Peckinpah.
 
Stanley Kubrick’s controversial satire about the violent escapades of a handful of hooligans in a near-future society. Malcolm McDowell plays the incorrigible alpha hoodlum who, by slight miracle, just might be reformed. A Clockwork Orange was deemed too shocking for some but it is certainly original, quirky, artistic and pointedly cynical in its depiction of a civilization skidding out of control.


1972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Godfather

 Oscar nominees
 Cabaret
Deliverance
The Emigrants
Sounder


 

The Godfather

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Deliverance
The Candidate
The King of Marvin Gardens
The Getaway

 








 The Godfather is one of the best American movies of all time. This romanticized drama about the lives of an Italian-American gangster family crackles with brilliant dialogue, masterful characterizations, stunning cinematography and a memorable original score by Nino Rota. Marlon Brando gives us a powerful, insightful and truly unforgettable performance as Don Vito Corleone the Mafioso patriarch who only wants the best for his family while leading a lucrative criminal empire. Al Pacino plays Michael, the reluctant Don who becomes a central figure in the family business and James Caan commands the screen in his scenes as Sonny; the eldest of the Corleone siblings who's a hot-headed enforcer. A cinematic gem.
 
Four Atlanta businessmen go on a weekend canoeing trip and wind up running for their lives after encountering two brutish mountain men in the virgin hills of Georgia. Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox play the nervy protoganists with natural ease. Deliverance is flawlessly directed by John Boorman; it unfolds like an unrehearsed docudrama; realistic, terrifying and definitely unforgettable. It also contains the endearing yet haunting duelling banjos segment.
 
Sharp political satire featuring Robert Redford as a well-meaning candidate running for Senate who realizes he might just win the campaign. If so, what does one do next? The Candidate is directed with conviction by Michael Ritchie; the proceedings look and feel very real. A candid observation on the election process and all of its players.
 
Jack Nicholson plays a night-time radio host who tries to re-connect and maybe score big financially with his kooky brother played by Bruce Dern. The King of Marvin Gardens is a psychological drama that boils slowly and steadily to a haunting finale. Strong performances by all and splendid cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs. Must be viewed in digitally re-mastered widescreen version. Directed by Bob Rafelson from Five Easy Pieces fame.
 
Career criminal (Steve McQueen) and wife (Ali McGraw) flee across the south-western States after a bank robbery goes sour. The Getaway is a suspenseful chase flick featuring some exciting action segments from director Sam Peckinpah. Much of the narrative rides on the strength of McQueen's cool charisma. Episode with our protagonists trapped in a dumpster is nearly chilling.


1973

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sting

 Oscar nominees
 American Graffitti
Cries And Whispers
The Exorcist
A Touch Of Class

American Graffitti

 RHcomix runner-ups
 The Sting
The Last Detail
Mean Streets
Scarecrow











 American Graffiti follows the lives of a dozen teenagers during a high school graduation weekend and the choices they must face all told within a 24 hour framework, while rock and roll hits from the late fifties-early sixties plaster the audio score. It is a memorable and truly original movie experience from writer-director George Lucas as it covers American car culture, the birth of rock and roll, crusing teens, radio phenomena Wolfman Jack, illegal drag racing, leather jacket clans, roller blade diners and teenage fantasies. It spawned the hit TV series Happy Days which created the iconic character The Fonz. American Graffiti contains funny dialogue, original characters and great observations on a more ‘innocent’ time in America. Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Charlie Martin Smith, Candy Clark and Harrison Ford play the major roles.
 
Director George Roy Hill re-teams his famous Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid duo Paul Newman and Robert Redford as small-time con artists who set-up a lucrative ‘sting’ against gangster Robert Shaw during the 1930s. Great Scott Joplin ragtime score, sharp dialogue and fun characterizations from the entire cast. The Sting contains plenty of memorable moments. 'The name’s Lonnigan! You’re gonna remember that name!'
 
Two career sailors must transport a rookie sailor to the brig for scooping $40 out of an illicit cookie jar. Jack Nicholson shines as Buddowsky one of the escort sailors and Randy Quaid as the innocent prisoner also hits all the right notes. The Last Detail is a very funny and touching comedy-drama from director Hal Ashby. A classic character pic. 'There’s more where that came from!'
 
Director Martin Scorsese’s affectionate tribute to gangsterdom in NYC’s Little Italy as seen thru the lives of a half a dozen characters. A stylish and energetic tale, Mean Streets features Harvey Keitel and Robert DeNiro in principal roles as small-time hoods surviving in the Big Apple. A definite pre-cursor to Scorsese’s other gangster classic Goodfellas. Amy Robinson as Keitel’s epileptic girlfriend also shines. The billiard club fight scene is a standout!
 
Quirky road tale of two drifters (Gene Hackman and Al Pacino) who grudgingly streak across Americana searching for a better life. Hackman is a tough ex-con who wishes to start his own car wash business and Pacino an ex-sailor who hopes to reunite with the wife he has abandoned during her pregnancy. Scarecrow is a psychological drama that contains some memorable and powerful vignettes with commanding performances from both leading actors.


1974
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Godfather Part 2

 Oscar nominees
 Chinatown
The Conversation
Lenny
The Towering Inferno

The Godfather Part 2

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Lenny
Chinatown
The Longest Yard
Thunderbolt And Lightfoot











 Director Francis Ford Coppola and novelist Mario Puzo give us a brilliant continuation of the Corleone gangster family saga. The first Godfather movie is still the best of the three in the series but who would’ve known that a sequel to such a great film could be almost just as good. This one cuts back and forth through time as we see the rise to power of the young Vito Corleone played by Robert DeNiro and the struggles of Michael Corleone played by Al Pacino to legitimize the family business. John Cazale returns as Fredo, so does Talia Shire as Connie, Robert DuVall as the family lawyer Hagen and Diane Keaton as Micheal's wife Kate. Top notch. The Godfather Part 2 is an American movie classic.
 
Private Eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) investigates a complex mystery in 1930s Los Angeles that involves a femme fatale (Faye Dunaway), water distribution, orange groves and incest. Jack’s Gittes is in the style of Sam Spade-Phillip Marlowe detectives and the tone set by director John Huston is truly reminiscent of the 1940s cinema of yore, only now its themes are definitely more contemporary. Suspenseful, dynamic, smartly written and original. Followed by a sequel in 1990 directed by Jack Nicholson called The Two Jakes. 'Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown!'
 
NFL star quarterback (Burt Reynolds) does jail time for dumping his girlfriend’s sports car in a river and several other misdemeanors. Prison warden (Eddie Albert) organizes annual football game between jail guards and inmates and our star quarterback is forced to put together a competing team. Reynolds’ easy, laidback, Southern country boy charm allows him to coast and float thru the narrative with unequalled appeal as the star quarterback Paul Crew. Eddie Albert is also perfectly cold and cunning as a manipulative prison warden. The Longest Yard is fun, funny, brutal at times and one of the all-time great sports movies.
 
Bio of controversial standup comic Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman) is harsh, stunning and powerful. Sharp direction by Bob Fosse and black and white cinematography by Bruce Surtees is top notch. Likely not for all tastes due to some of the offensive content but definitely original. Hoffman is brilliant in the title role.
 
Clint Eastwood plays a thief who teams up with a drifter (Jeff Bridges) and searches for hidden loot from a previous robbery. Eastwood’s former partners (George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis) also want their share of the bounty after serving time in the can. Simple crime tale benefits from powerful characterizations and dynamic direction from Michael Cimino. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is an under-rated Clint Eastwood action vehicle with Jeff Bridges nearly stealing the show as the goofy sidekick.


1975
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Flew Over The
Cuckoo's Nest

 Oscar nominees
 Barry Lyndon
 Dog Day Afternoon
Jaws
Nashville

One Flew Over The
Cuckoo's Nest

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Dog Day Afternoon
Jaws
Nashville
Three Days Of The Condor









 The casting and direction are perfect in this telling of a buoyant misfit who simply can’t abide by the strict rules of an insane asylum; or, for that matter, the strict conditions of life. The movie is replete with symbolism, metaphors and tales of hope for the human spirit. A great part and Oscar-winning role for Jack Nicholson as Randall P. MacMurphy. Louise Fletcher as the cold and dauntless nurse Ratched is also excellent. The movie brims with pathos, humor and drama. A triumphant interpretation of Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 'You fooled ‘em, Chief!...'
 
Once the world’s biggest box-office hit, Jaws is still a whole lot of fun as a trio of desperate men, sheriff (Roy Scheider), ochtylmologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled sea captain (Robert Shaw) hunt down a monster shark off the coast of Martha’s Vineyards. Based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, directed by wunderkind Steven Spielberg and brilliantly scored by John Williams, Jaws is a truly memorable horror movie classic. ‘We need a bigger boat…’
 
A CIA decoder’s office colleagues are slaughtered by assassins and he must now run for his life and find out why he was also a target. Three Days Of The Condor is a suspenseful spy tale directed by Sidney Pollack with Robert Redford as the intellectual on the run and Faye Dunaway as his reluctant, improvised partner. Cliff Robertson is also effectively creepy as a CIA director with shady motives.
 
A Brooklyn bank robbery inadvertently goes sour and ends up involving all of New York City. Al Pacino and John Cazale play the inexperienced bank robbers and Charles Durning plays the cop who tries to diffuse the crisis now involving hostages. Dog Day Afternoon has top performances by all involved and sharp direction by Sidney Lumet. 'Attica! Attica! Attica!'
 
Innovative presentation of life in Music City seen thru the interactions of over two dozen characters during a political convention revolving around the celebration of America’s bicentennial anniversary. Robert Altman’s unique directing style is original and maybe too outlandish for some. Best described as a collection of random character vignettes, Nashville must be absorbed rather than watched. Symbolical, spontaneous and sometimes searing, Nashville is likely the zenith of Altman’s impressive career.


1976
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocky

 Oscar nominees
 All The President's Men
Bound For Glory
Network
Taxi Driver

Network

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Rocky
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Taxi Driver














 Director Sydney Lumet’s interpretation of writer Paddy Chayefski’s no-holds-barred satire about a newscaster who decides to tell it like it is in the era of pre-reality TV. It simply couldn’t be more timely. In fact, watching the movie now makes it look all the more prophetic. Great performance by Peter Finch as the newscaster Howard Beale who would like to blow his brains out on live television. He is turned into a star by a ruthless TV producer (Faye Dunaway) and ends up inciting the home crowd into opening their windows and yelling: ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore!’ Network is a biting and truthful examination on the state of modern media.
 
Philly palooka Rocky Balboa is given the chance of a lifetime as a two-bit boxer with a whole lotta heart to fight the World Heavyweight champ in a U.S. bicentennial exhibition match. Simple but very effective character picture with an engaging performance by Sylvester Stallone as the title character. The score by Bill Conti is powerful and truly memorable and the climactic bout and its buildup really do pack a strong punch. Stallone created a classic iconic American movie character. 'Cut me Mick! Cut me Mick!'
 
Peaceful farmer Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) hunts down the Union soldiers who have murdered his family near the end of the Civil war. Call it: Dirty Harry on horseback. The Outlaw Josey Wales has plenty of action segments and beautiful scenery plus several classic one-liners; ‘Dyin’ ain’t much of a livin’, boy!’ For western fans and Clint fans it does get better with repeated viewings. Actor Chief Dan George as a tag-along Indian Chief is absolutely priceless.
 
The Pink Panther Strikes Again is the best of the Pink Panther series. Lieutenant Dreyfuss (Herbert Lom) is released from a sanitarium and tailors a personal mission to kill Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) with the help of international assassins. Some great sight gags, over the top destruction skits, mangled French one-liners, engaging opening animation, Lesley Anne Down as a Russian female assassin and Lom and Sellers at the top of their game in the main roles. A must for fans of the Pink Panther series. 'Does your dug bite?' and of course: 'What kind of bomb was it?...The exploding kind.'
 
Thematical character pic with Robert DeNiro as a Vietnam vet who drives a taxi thru the hell-scapes of New York City. DeNiro’s portrayal of a loner who might be losing his marbles is brilliant as is Bernard Hermann’s score and Martin Scorsese’s direction. Dark, violent and cynical, Taxi Driver is a psychological thriller definitely not for all tastes. However, it is original and captivating and it contains the now famous improvised segment; ‘Are you talking to me?’


1977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Hall

 Oscar nominees
 The Goodbye Girl
Julia
Star Wars
The Turning Point

Annie Hall

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Slap Shot
Saturday Night Fever
Star Wars
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind





 

 




 Woody Allen’s take on love and relationships, living in New York versus L.A., fame, comedians, spiders the size of Buicks, and much more. Annie Hall flows with a steady stream of quotable dialogue, zany interpretations on countless and amusing subjects and also, it manages to be bittersweet and touching. Diane Keaton nearly steals the show in the title role. ‘La-dee-da, la-dee-da, la-dee-da.’ And of course, Woody quoting Groucho Marx: ‘I would never want to be in a club that would have me as a member’.
 
Paul Newman is the coach of an American bush-league hockey team that starts to get notoriety when it turns its focus to violence on the rink. Satirical and oftenly hilarious, Slap Shot is replete with colorful dialogue and memorable characters.  The humor sparkles both on and off the rink. Director George Roy Hill 'The Sting' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'  loves his characters and Nancy Dowd's script is so bitingly truthful. 'Who owns the team?'
 
John Travolta in a perfect role as Tony Manero a paint shop salesman whose sole objective is to dance it off at a NYC disco on Saturday nights. Saturday Night Fever has a catchy Bee Gees score, fabulous dance choreography and a timeless portrait of what the seventies all boiled down to. Dynamic direction by John Badham. 'Don’t touch my hair!'
 
Spaceship dogfights, laser-sword duels, speaking robots, alien creatures, a fortress-like planet, a black-cloaked villain, a princess in distress, a cocky pilot and a disillusioned orphaned farm boy who might be an eventual Jedi Knight. Woo!...The first in a popular billion-dollar grossing series of sci-fi adventure movies, Star Wars, directed and created by George Lucas is all a 13-year-old boy could want from a movie experience. It must be viewed in widescreen with the best audio system available. A whole lot of fun for kids at heart!
 
A city worker (Richard Dreyfuss) thinks he maybe going nuts after encountering an alien spacecraft on a lonely highway stretch at night. It evolves into an all-encompassing enigma that leads to the ultimate revelatory climax. Dazzling special effects, memorable score by John Williams and captivating storytelling by director Steven Spielberg. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was re-edited several times and is available in 4 versions: the original release version running at 135 minutes; the Special Edition at 132 minutes, the Collector’s Edition at 137 minutes and a newly released and remastered Director's Cut.  Choose your version. They all work fine.


1978
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Deer Hunter

 Oscar nominees
 Coming Home
Heaven Can Wait
Midnight Express
An Unmarried Woman

Invasion of the
Body Snatchers

 RHcomix runner-ups
 The Deer Hunter
Grease
Straight Time
Fingers










 A terrific remake of the 1956 sci-fi classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers now directed by Philip Kaufman. Great cast, taut direction and a creepy score. Its gloomy atmosphere holds up to its terrifying finale. The pacing is perfect and it still packs a wallop. For those who aren’t familiar, it is the story of an alien race that has insinuated itself into a terrestrial plant life and its purpose is to use the human race as hosts for its populace. The 1956 version was initially a metaphor for Senator McCarthy’s ‘Red Scare’. This 1978 version maybe had something to do with the isolationism of the seventies’ ME generation, Watergate and the Vietnam war fallout. Metaphors and symbolism aside, it’s a chilling ride. ‘They can be fooled: show no emotion’. Includes a cameo from actor Kevin McCarthy who was in the 1956 original; this time he appears as a crazed, disillusioned citizen. Also, director of the original, Don Siegel appears as a taxi driver in the last act.
 
Powerful and shocking tale of several Pennsylvania steel town buddies who serve in the Vietnam war and those who do live to tell about it. The Deer Hunter focuses on its characters’ social lives before, during and after their years of service. Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep make up some of the great cast. Director Michael Cimino’s 3-hour running time however can make the film a somewhat taxing experience. The Russian roulette scene in a Viet Kong POW camp is the movie’s strongest and most unforgettable segment.
 
Energetic and fun musical based on the long-running Broadway hit play Grease. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sing and dance in this high school tale of summer romance during the 50s. Lively and engaging rock and roll score, delightful performances, sharp choreography and generally a pic that gets better with repeated viewings. Hardcore fans know this movie by heart!
 
Ex-con (Dustin Hoffman) tries to go straight but his condescending parole officer (M. Emmet Walsh) somewhat forces him to get back into a life of crime. Straight Time isn’t all that innovative but the performances from the entire cast are top-notch. Hoffman began directing the pic but later handed the job over to Ulu Grosbard.
 
Concert pianist wannabe (Harvey Keitel) has to pay the rent by collecting debts owed to his gangster father (Michael V. Gazzo). Fingers is a somewhat roughshod low-budget crude character pic that is elevated by the quality of its actors’ performances. A fine showcase for fans of Keitel.


1979
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kramer Vs. Kramer

 Oscar nominees
 All That Jazz
Apocalypse Now
Breaking Away
Norma Rae

Apocalypse Now

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Escape From Alcatraz
Alien
Being There
All That Jazz








 Apocalypse Now is simply in a league of its own; the cinematography of Vittorio Storaro is stunning (similar to a Salvador Dali mind trip) and how can you beat this classic line: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like victory.” Francis Ford Coppola’s take of Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness is set during the Vietnam war. Special agent Willard (Martin Sheen) travels upriver in Cambodia to find and arrest a renegade Colonel Kurtz played by Marlon Brando. As a spectacle, imagine The African Queen on steroids. It is stark and harrowing at times but it is always mesmerizing. You can also check out the 3 ½ hour REDUX version which contains an extra 50 minutes of footage. Both versions are compelling from beginning to end.
 
Clint Eastwood plays a convict who may or not have escaped the ultimate prison fortress of Alcatraz Island. Escape From Alcatraz is a suspenseful yarn directed by Don Siegel and features a perfect part for Clint. Patrick McGoohan is also in top form as a cold-hearted and cruel prison warden.
 
Jaws in space it is as an intergalactic crew fights off a grotesque killer-monster running amok within their spaceship. Modern variation of The Thing is scary, suspenseful, populated with believable characters and is technically well-crafted. A classic in the sci-fi horror genre. Directed by Ridley Scott, Alien features Sigourney Weaver’s breakthrough role as a resourceful, struggling heroine. The original monster is based on spooky illustrations by artist H.R. Giger.
 
A simple-minded gardener accidentally becomes a media sensation in director Hal Ashby’s clever multiple-themed satire. Peter Sellers’ interpretation of the childlike Chance the gardener is another performance that has re-defined his acting career. Being There is deliberately paced and Sellers has created another original and memorable character.
 
Roy Scheider sparkles as a Bob Fosse-like dance choreographer who juggles the demands of his career, family and flexible love life. Many of the dance numbers in All That Jazz are lively and dynamic and Scheider gives the best performance of his career as an artist heading for burn-out city. The George Benson On Broadway number is a standout.


1980
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary People

 Oscar nominees
 Coal Miner's Daughter
Elephant Man
Raging Bull
Tess

Raging Bull

 RHcomix runner-ups
 The Shining
The Empire Strikes Back
Coal Miner's Daughter
The Long Good Friday








 Robert DeNiro put on more than 60 pounds for his role as middleweight boxer Jake Lamotta. In the fight scenes he weighs around 150 and when Jake does his stint as a standup comic in the post-boxing years he weighed around 220. DeNiro truly changes his physique in this movie and no other actor ever went thru that kind of transformation before. Raging Bull is very impressive. Not just a great boxing picture but a fascinating portrait of an unappealing louse. Director Martin Scorsese truly masters the medium here. Great black and white photography, wonderful period detail and remarkable performances by the entire cast. Must be viewed in remastered widescreen edition.
 
Evil Lord Darth Vader informs us that Jedi Knight wannabe Luke Skywalker is his son! Awesome special effects and great action montages amidst a space age soap opera. The Empire Strikes Back is still the best flick in the Star Wars franchise. Yoda is now on board!
 
The Shining is the ultimate ‘cabin fever’ flick. Yes, the book was better but Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of Stephen King’s horror novel is still one of the top psychological thrillers on film. Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic who minds the well-being of the Overlook Hotel with his family and slowly but surely goes nuts! The build-up is tense, the photography is handsome and 25 years later this tale of isolation and madness is still terrifying. For maximum effect, watch the widescreen DVD without commercial interruption. 'Redrum, redrum, redrum...'
 
Country singer Loretta Lynn’s (Sissy Spacek) rise from a Coal Miner’s Daughter to a country music superstar. Spacek is truly wonderful in this role as she morphs from a 13-year-old Loretta to her latter Diva years and Tommy Lee Jones also shines as Lynn’s faltering yet earnest husband. Beautifully directed by Michael Apted.
 
Gritty, gutsy British gangster drama sees Bob Hoskins as the head of a criminal clan and Helen Mirren as a scheming mistress in The Long Good Friday. Brimming with sharp characterizations and concrete crunching action segments.


1981
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chariots Of Fire

 Oscar nominees
 Atlantic City
On Golden Pond
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Reds

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Outland
Thief
True Confessions
Escape From New York









 Amusement park entertainment at its best. Brimming with inventive and fun action sequences, an infectious score by John Williams, a dry, wry archeologist cowboy hero (Harrison Ford), and insurmountable stunts, also populated with likeable and fun secondary characters; no other film stirred the imagination as much as Raiders of the Lost Ark did in 1981. Produced by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders is a grandiose tribute to the action serials of the 30s and 40s. It re-invented the action-adventure movie genre. A very fun ride as archaeologist Indiana Jones tries to find the Ark of the Covenant (a religious artifact) that wields mysterious powers before the Nazis can claim it. Buckle your seatbelt and press Play.
 
A sheriff (Sean Connery) on a Jupiter moon mining colony must confront a corrupted corporate chief (Peter Boyle) who doesn’t mind some innocent bloodshed if performance drugs help his miners accomplish more work. Outland is a western tale set in space with Connery’s charisma solidly carrying the picture with the help of a sharp production design. A good sci-fi action flick for Connery fans.
 
Thief is a stylish crime drama with James Caan as a career criminal who wishes to bow out after one last lucrative gig. Simple and effective crime tale written and directed by Michael Mann featuring a strong gritty role for Caan as a tired, weather-beaten tough guy. Also contains a powerful score by Tangerine Dream.
 
A detective (Robert Duvall) investigates a brutal murder and along the way has to deal with a powerful Catholic monsignor (Robert DeNiro) who happens to be his brother and who might have some insight on who is the murderer(s). True Confessions is a multi-layered mystery drama and character pic. It is deliberately paced and does contain 2 very fine performances from its lead actors.
 
Escape From New York is a sci-fi actionner with Kurt Russell as tough guy Snake Plissken who has to infiltrate Manhattan which is now a top security prison and rescue the U.S. President whose plane has crashed on the island. Dark, cynical adventure is stylish and Russell as a futuristic Dirty Harry is just plain fun and cool. An imaginative tale from director John Carpenter.


1982
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gandhi

 Oscar nominees
 E.T. - The Extraterrestrial
Missing
Tootsie
The Verdict

The Verdict

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Blade Runner
The Road Warrior
The Thing
Tootsie










 Paul Newman plays a down-and-out alcoholic lawyer who has one last chance at redeeming himself in defense of a client in a medical negligence suit. The Verdict is a brilliant character study and one of the best courtroom tales ever. Newman gives one of the best performances of his career as lawyer Frank Galvin and director Sydney Lumet hits all the right notes in this powerful drama which is paced with subtle nuances and punctuated by many emotionally moving moments.
 
Innovative sci-fi actionner has a former cop (Harrison Ford) chase down renegade servant humanoid robots in 21st century Los Angeles. The production design steals the show as does Rutger Hauer’s interpretation of one of the smarter rebel robots. Considered by many fans as a sci-fi classic, Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott, is now available in several versions. Hardcore fans lean towards the director’s cut as the definitive version of the film (chief reason being the removal of Ford’s deadpan narration). The must have version is the recently released remastered Final Cut. Blade Runner can definitely be regarded as the first existentialist-sci-fi thriller. Contains many memorable action segments but the atmosphere and flashy rain-soaked ambience of a futuristic Los Angeles do reign supreme.
 
Scientists at an Antarctic research centre stumble across an alien life-form that can mutate into any type of living organism. Director John Carpenter’s update of the 50s sci-fi horror classic The Thing benefits from the use of innovative special effects that bring out the gross-out factor by several notches. Consistently suspenseful, The Thing also contains top performances from its all-male cast including Kurt Russell and Wilford Brimley.
 
Sequel to Mad Max, The Road Warrior finds the title character (Mel Gibson) searching for petroleum and food in a post-Apocalyptic Australian outback that is populated by pockets of gangs, hoodlums and other desperate survivors. Sci-fi actionner has some far-out car chase sequences and an engaging and imaginative production design from director George Miller’s team. Definitely the best of the Mad Max trilogy.
 
Out of work actor (Dustin Hoffman) pretends to be a woman in order to get a prime role in a daily television soap opera. He later sees how demanding it is to be not only a woman but a female actor as well. Hilarious at times, director Sydney Pollack’s socio-comedy is also very touching. Great performances from the entire cast and the Tootsie script is laced with razor sharp dialogue.


1983
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terms Of Endearment

 Oscar nominees
 The Big Chill
The Dresser
The Right Stuff
Tender Mercies

Scarface

 RHcomix runner-ups
 The King Of Comedy
Koyanisquatsi
Never Say Never Again
Sudden Impact










 Al Pacino’s brilliant interpretation of a Cuban cocaine dealer who climbs to the top of his trade in Miami and then must desperately crawl out of a personal and professional downward spiral. No other cinematic character was more memorable than Tony Montana that year and in retrospect, nearly 25 years later; it still remains an impressive, commanding, and over-the-top performance from Pacino. The language is foul and the violence is brutal but Scarface is a fascinating portrait of a charming and crude criminal punk. How many other movies that year contained the classic line: “Say hello to my little friend…” and many other classic one-liners courtesy of writer Oliver Stone.
 
Go ahead, make my day…Dirty Harry goes into film noir territory as he tracks down a serial killer who might be settling an old score. Sudden Impact is the fourth entry in the Dirty Harry series and the first directed by Clint Eastwood. It is a tightly edited cop thriller that just doesn’t waste time and goes straight for the good parts. Enough action to satisfy fans of the genre and Clint doing the part he was born to play!
 
Koyanisquatsi is a thought-provoking, visually stunning documentary on the state of our planet. The imagery is awesome (outstanding stop-motion photography) and the Philip Glass score is original and haunting. You can’t walk away with indifference after viewing this film. It is somewhat ahead of its time in regards to its ecological message. Think green.
 
A very welcome return for Sean Connery as James Bond in Never Say Never Again.. It is actually a remake of Thunderball done outside of the consent from producer Ian Broccoli and not based on a novel by Ian Fleming. But, Connery’s dry charisma does carry the picture. Plenty of fun action segments and pre-retirement age humor in regards to Bond who’s now in his fifties and does indeed manage to do his duty and save the world!
 
A two-bit wannabe standup comedian (Robert DeNiro) kidnaps a night show host (Jerry Lewis) in order to be able to do his skit live on national television. The King Of Comedy is an interesting, off-beat and thought-provoking black comedy from director Martin Scorsese that comments on the obsession of fame in America. Funny and somewhat ahead of its time in the pre-reality-tv era. Excellent performances from DeNiro, Lewis and the supporting cast. An overlooked gem.


1984
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amadeus

 Oscar nominees
 The Killing Fields
A Passage To India
Places In The Heart
A Soldier's Story

Beverly Hills Cop

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Once Upon A Time In America
Broadway Danny Rose
The Terminator
Indiana Jones And
The Temple Of Doom






 Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), a wisecracking Detroit detective goes to Beverly Hills to investigate the brutal death of a buddy. Sharp, fast-paced action comedy crackles with colorful, humorous dialogue and a great song score. Eddie Murphy is in top form in the role he was born to play! The first one is the best of the Beverly Hills Cop trilogy.
 
Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America is the compelling saga of Jewish childhood pals who grow into gangsterdom in New York City throughout several decades. Robert DeNiro, James Woods and Joe Pesci make up some of the cast. The cinematography is downright stunning. Of note: only watch the 229-minute director’s cut. There exists several truncated versions of this movie and they end up throwing the logic and continuity out the window. Long (maybe overlong by 15 minutes) but engrossing and compelling nonetheless.
 
A killer cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) from the future stalks a young woman (Linda Hamilton) who will give birth to a leader of humans against a deadly robot force. Low budget sci-fi actionner The Terminator from writer-director James Cameron delivers the goods (loads of action) but the best is yet to come in the following sequel!
 
Small-time showbiz manager (Woody Allen) tries to bring two-bit Italian singer (Nick Apollo Forte) to the big time. Plenty of neurotic gags from the Allen camp in Broadway Danny Rose stitched with a continuity of original comical episodes and a few outrageous plot twists making it a funny and memorable ride. Danny Rose in his office painfully listening to several wannabe acts is a killer!
 
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) now searches for a gem prior to the Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure and stumbles upon a devilish cult in East India that sacrifices kids…or so, it seems. Nevertheless, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an amusement park pic that focuses mainly on the scary rides. And that’s just fine with us. Lots of action, thrills and other stuff and it delivers on what is expected in the Indy series. Somewhat darker than its predecessor but the action level is upped a notch!


1985
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out Of Africa

 Oscar nominees
 The Color Purple
Kiss Of The Spider Woman
Prizzi's Honor
Witness

Witness

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Pale Rider
Prizzi's Honor
Fletch
Rocky 4






 Harrison Ford plays a big city cop who investigates a murder and unwittingly ends up on the lam; hiding out in an Amish village. Part detective story/part love tale, Witness is a good character picture for Ford and an original suspenser directed by Peter Weir. Kelly McGillis as the Amish girl who falls for Ford is just darn stunning. Smart, suspenseful and touching.

Clint Eastwood is a gun-slinging preacher who rides into a gold mining town on a pale horse and takes it upon himself to save the little folk from being ruled by a gang of greedy shysters. Western morality tale with shades of Shane and High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider gives us splendid Rockies scenery and the obligatory multiple shooter gunfights. A mystical western for fans of Clint.
 
Jack Nicholson plays a none-too-bright hitman in a gangster family and Kathleen Turner is the hitwoman he ends up falling in love with. Directed by John Huston, Prizzi’s Honor is a witty black comedy. Nicholson as the dim-witted goombah is fun to watch.

A perfect role for Chevy Chase as Fletch a wise-cracking investigative reporter who stumbles upon a far-reaching drug smuggling ring in the Los Angeles area. Funny, often hilarious at times and directed by Micheal Ritchie in a vein similar to Beverly Hills Cop, Fletch does get better with repeated viewings. Based on the popular novel series by Gregory McDonald, Fletch has a complex and well constructed mystery plot and as a comedy it contains many memorable, laugh-out-loud quotes: ‘It’s all ball-bearings now!’ and; ‘Send the bill to the Underhills!’
 
Rocky now has to fight a Russian-killer-robot-style-boxer in Rocky 4. It’s over-the-top and no-holds-barred but what else can you expects from the third sequel in the Rocky series. It’s loud, it’s fun and it’s a powerful upper cut!


1986
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platoon

 Oscar nominees
 Children Of A Lesser God
Hannah And Her Sisters
The Mission
A Room With A View

The Color Of Money

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Aliens
Platoon
Children Of A Lesser God
Heartbreak Ridge









 25 years after The Hustler (1961), which was a lot grittier and darker, now comes The Color of Money a sequel directed by Martin Scorsese. Tom Cruise plays a young and cocky billiard whiz who re-ignites former pool shark Fast Eddie Felson’s (Paul Newman) passion for 9-ball. Newman is the coach and Cruise is the protégé as they hustle their way to the top billiard tournament in Atlantic City. Newman won the Best Actor Oscar for his second turn as Fast Eddie Felson and although rightly earned, it WAS a well-deserved career award. Cruise is also in top form as Vince, the gifted billiard player and the supporting cast is also top-notch. Fun characters and flashy camerawork. "Money won is twice as sweet as money earned".
 
Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is urged to investigate a distress signal on a mining colony planet and lo and behold, not one but multiple alien monsters have feasted on the colony’s residents. Director James Cameron continues the Alien series by quantifying the action segments, gore and special effects and it delivers triple-fold. Imaginitive production design truly creating a world of its own. Exciting, scary and actionful. This first sequel is as good and maybe even better than the original.  Aliens rocks!
 
Powerful tale of a teacher (William Hurt) at a school for the deaf who takes interest in a deaf janitor (Marlee Matlin) who lives in a bubble of her own. Sensitive direction from Randa Haines and strong performances from the lead actors. A simple and effective tale, Children of a Lesser God is based on a play by Mark Medoff.
 
A fine showcase for Clint Eastwood as a gravel-spitting marine Sergeant who has to whip a bunch of army recruits into a respectable fighter platoon. Clint is great as the sandpaper-voiced military lifer and although predictable, Heartbreak Ridge is a sure pleaser for the Sergeant Bilko testosterone crowd and fans of Clint.  
 
Director Oliver Stone’s personal tale about his adventure during the Vietnam war with Charlie Sheen playing Stone as a bushy-tailed wide-eyed private who witnesses the horrors of war first-hand. Harsh and seemingly factual at times, Platoon works on multiple levels as a strong anti-war film. In certain scenes it becomes obvious this is Stone’s ode to Apocalypse Now but it does pack a punch as its own tale. Powerful at times and always involving.


1987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Emperor

 Oscar nominees
 Broadcast News
Fatal Attraction
Hope And Glory
Moonstruck

Wings Of Desire

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Lethal Weapon
The Untouchables
Wall Street
Predator












 German director Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire is a meditative fantasy about two angels who walk amongst the Berlin populace and one angel’s desire for the love of a beautiful trapeze artist who’s battling solitude while performing in a two-bit traveling circus. Mystical, poetical and dreamlike black and white cinematography creates a wondrous atmosphere. Bruno Ganz as the angel who longs for love and mortality is excellent. Deliberately paced and contemplative, there’s no other movie like it. A true original.
 
Lethal Weapon is the kick in the pants that cop movies or the buddy movie had a desperate need for. Mel Gibson IS the lethal weapon; a rogue cop who is likely inspired by the legendary Harry Callahan. Danny Glover is the career cop who is counting the minutes to retirement and who now has to endure a pairing with Gibson's Riggs' who undergoes sudden psychotic mood swings while cracking down on a tough and cruel drug smuggling ring. For an action film it has perfect pacing, a healthy dose of action footage, obligatory buddy bickering and bonding and also suspense and tension to spare. The sequel was just as good and may be even better!
 
Director Brian DePalma’s The Untouchables is an outstanding gangster drama. Based on the hit TV series of the 50s it features Kevin Costner as federal agent Elliott Ness who is desperately trying to bust crime kingpin Al Capone (Robert DeNiro) on any possible charge. Sean Connery, in an Oscar-winning role plays the Irish cop Malone who does his bit in nabbing the Chicago gangster. Sharp script by David Mamet and a powerful score by Ennio Morricone. Great pacing from beginning to end. As Malone would say: ‘That’s the Chicago way!’
 
Perfect Oscar-winning role for Michael Douglas as a Wall Street power broker who doesn’t play by the rules and Charlie Sheen as the newbie broker who wants to climb the corporate ladder very quickly. Wall Street by director Oliver Stone plays as a contemporary morality tale and it is told with plenty of zest and contains strong characterizations by the leading cast. It hasn’t aged one bit. Douglas won the Oscar for his portrayal of Gordon Gecko.
 
A creature from outer space stalks innocent victims in the jungles of South America and Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team of Marines inadvertently must face it. Predator is a fun sci-fi thriller that contains lots of action, great cinematography and only Ah-nold can face that evil alien from space. A good actionner for Mr. Universe!


1988
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rain Man

 Oscar nominees
 The Accidental Tourist
Dangerous Liaisons
Mississippi Burning
Working Girl

Rain Man

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Die Hard
The Vanishing
Midnight Run
Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser







 'K-Mart sucks' and, 'this is not my underwear'. Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of the autistic Rain Man Raymond Babbitt is truly remarkable. A touching, moving and thought-provoking character study picture with Tom Cruise as a cocky self-centered expensive auto dealer who learns he has a brother (Hoffman) who has inherited his father’s fortune. An original and remarkable performance from Hoffman as the autistic brother. 'Yah. That's 247 toothpicks!'
 
NYC hard-as-nails cop John McLane (Bruce Willis) visits his wife while on Yuletide holiday and intercepts a terrorist plot led by Alan Rickman (in a wonderfully creepy performance) as the evil-doers hold a Los Angeles skyscraper and its Christmas convention party for ransom. Die Hard is a rock-em-sock-em, violent, yet fun action suspenser with a perfect part for Willis as the intrepid cop. 'Yippee kay-yay motherf*cker!...'
 
A man struggles to discover what happened to his girlfriend who disappeared at a vacation rest stop in Europe. Dutch-French film The Vanishing from director Georges Sluzier is engrossing and suspenseful all the way through. Subtle and clever storytelling builds up to an ending that is quite a shocker. An original thriller with a smooth and creepy performance from Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu. Absolutely avoid the 1993 remake and stick with this version.
 
Bounty hunter and ex-cop (Robert DeNiro) has to bring bail-jumper (Charles Grodin) an embezzling accountant from NY to LA in record time while the Mob is on a mission to terminate the reluctant tag-along. Fun action-comedy flick with sharp dialogue and wonderful byplay from DeNiro and Grodin. Midnight Run is in the same league as Beverly Hills Cop from director Martin Brest.
 
A revealing look at the life of bebop jazz pioneer pianist Thelonious Monk from film footage assembled from the late sixties. Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser presents a stirring portrait of the legendary musician. Music has simply never been the same. A fascinating portrait of a modern musical genius. Produced by Clint Eastwood and directed by Charlotte Zwerin.


1989
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving Miss Daisy

 Oscar nominees
 Born On The Fourth Of July
Dead Poets Society
Field Of Dreams
My Left Foot

Crimes And Misdemeanors

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Lethal Weapon 2
Do The Right Thing
My Left Foot
The Fabulous Baker Boys





 Crimes and Misdemeanors is arguably Woody Allen’s best work. Martin Laudau is outstanding as a physician who desperately wishes to put an end to an adulterous relationship and has to deal with the horrible mess it leads him to. A quirky mix of tragedy and comedy, it is bitingly funny at times and painfully harsh in other moments. Angelica Huston, Alan Alda and Mia Farrow are also on board. Sharp dialogue and great direction by Woody Allen.
 
Lethal Weapon cop Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is back with partner Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), this time knocking heads with a South African diplomat and his goons whom are running a lucrative drug-smuggling ring. Fast-paced and action filled, the first sequel in this series is as good, and at times even better than the original. Lethal Weapon 2 is a fun ride!
 
Two brothers’ twin-piano nightclub act changes direction when a sexy singer (Michelle Pfeiffer) integrates their show. Real-life brothers Jeff and Beau Bridges play The Fabulous Baker Boys with conviction and Pfeiffer can really steam up the top of a piano with her sensual vocal renditions of various jazz standards.
 
Do The Right Thing is a potent account of tense events revolving around a white-owned pizza parlor in a Brooklyn black community. Spike Lee directs the proceedings with a relaxed, leisurely style and the cast, including: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Rosie Perez all give their best. The relative calm swells up to a stormy finale.
 
Daniel Day Lewis is remarkable as a feisty Irish artist-writer born with cerebral palsy who struggles despite himself to get thru life on a daily basis. Energetically directed by Jim Sheridan, My Left Foot is a powerful slice of life!


1990
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dances With Wolves

 Oscar nominees
 Awakenings
Ghost
The Godfather Part 3
Goodfellas

Goodfellas

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Awakenings
The Godfather Part 3
Dances With Wolves
Misery







 Goodfellas is simply one of the best movies of all time! Director Martin Scorsese hits all the right notes in this tale of Henry Hill, a kid who grew up to be a gangster and ended up in the Witness Protection program. Remarkable characterizations, great editing, marvelous selection of music, sharp dialogue and it rings so true it almost feels like an A & E docudrama. Joe Pesci is scary and commanding as a hot-headed gangster. Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro and the entire cast are in top form. A true gangster movie classic. “You think I’m funny?”
 
Gangster Micheal Corleone now wants to go legit and bury the past criminal activities of his family, but, there are several competitors who wish to fill the void. Worthy sequel to the successful Godfather series, Al Pacino shines as an introspective Don, struggling to make peace with himself and his family. Writer Mario Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola once again bring us that mix of family saga and scenes of violent retribution. The Godfather, Part 3 bookends the trilogy well.
 
Robert DeNiro is a patient in the chronic ward of a Bronx Hospital who wakes out of a 30-year coma and Robin Williams is the doctor who discovers that certain pills might offer a cure. Awakenings by director Penny Marshall is taken from a novel based on the true life experiences of doctor Oliver Sacks. A moving and powerful tale.
 
Successful paperback writer (James Caan) wipes out on a snow-laden mountaintop road in Colorado and unwittingly ends up in the care of a psychopathic fan (Kathy Bates) who lives in an isolated cabin. Misery is a suspenseful tale based on a Stephen King novel and directed by Rob Reiner. Strong performances from Caan and Bates and beautiful cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld.
 
Peaceful Civil war soldier (Kevin Costner) stumbles into Indian Sioux tribe territory and is eventually adopted as one of their own. Stunning cinematography (largely filmed in South Dakota), Dances with Wolves is a beautiful tale directed by Costner and ended up making the Western genre popular again.


1991
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Silence Of The Lambs

 Oscar nominees
 Beauty And The Beast
Bugsy
JFK
The Prince Of Tides

Terminator 2

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Cape Fear
JFK
Bartin Fink
Bugsy










 One of the best action movies of all time. Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in the role he will be remembered for. This time, the indestructible cyborg (Arnie) returns from the future to save a teenaged boy (Eddie Furlong), who is destined to be the leader of a revolution against a fleet of domineering robots, from being terminated by another killer cyborg (Robert Patrick) dispatched to eliminate the kid. Director James Cameron literally goes for broke! 90 million bucks to produce this sci-fi action baby which pioneered new morphing special effects. Terminator 2 has loads of non-stop action to satisfy fans of the genre. It rocks!
 
Remake of Cape Fear directed by Martin Scorsese features Robert DeNiro’s impressive stint as the ultimate psycho creep Max Cady. Evil nutcase convict (DeNiro) returns to haunt the family of the lawyer who failed to keep him out of jail. Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis as the lawyer, his wife and daughter are also in tip top acting form as members of a modern, dysfunctional family. Over-the-top at times and the climactic finale might be too strong for some but Cape Fear is a very intense, thought-provoking psychological thriller. Simply improves with repeated viewings.
 
Barton Fink by the Coen brothers is one of their best. A dark and comical look at a screenplay writer tackling ‘writer’s block’ in Hollywood during the early forties. Funny and simultaneously haunting. John Turturro is perfect as the star Broadway play author who is now commissioned to write a wrestling pic for Wallace Beery and is constantly interrupted by his hotel neighbor, a creepy traveling salesman (John Goodman). It does contain quite a gripping tale twist in the last act.
 
Texas D.A. Jimmy Garrison (Kevin Costner) investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding the assassination of president JFK and discovers the multiple layers of players and information that are cloaking the truth. Outstanding editing by Pietro Scalia and great cinematography by Joe Hutshing that mixes real black and white footage with new scenes shot by director Oliver Stone. Gary Oldman is outstanding as Harvey 'I'm just a patsy!' Oswald.
 
Gangster Bugsy Siegel (Warren Beatty) has a vision that evolves into Las Vegas. Well-crafted gangster pic by director Barry Levinson contains many strong supporting roles (Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, Elliott Gould as other criminals) and Beatty as Bugsy likely gives one of the best performances of his career.


1992
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unforgiven

 Oscar nominees
 The Crying Game
A Few Good Men
Howards End
Scent Of A Woman

Glengarry Glenn Ross

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Scent Of A Woman
Unforgiven
A Few Good Men
Falling Down





 The best ensemble cast in many years. David Mamet’s Pulitzer prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross has a unique sound and rhythmic flow all its own. Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey and Jack Lemmon in arguably the best performance of his career, all shine as they chew on and spit out Mamet’s venal and crude poetry. It’s one hell of a tough day at the office: “A-B-C. Always Be Closing.”
 
A retired, blind army Colonel (Al Pacino) wants to paint the town red one last time while assisted by a young and naïve weekend caretaker (Chris O’Donnell). Pacino deservedly won the Best Actor Oscar for this one. Scent Of A Woman is a remake of the 1974 Italian film Profumo Di Donna. 'Hoo-ah!'
 
Mild-mannered pig farmer (Clint Eastwood) who was once a cold-blooded killer takes on a challenging hit half-heartedly and chiefly for financial reasons in order to avenge the brutal beatings of several prostitutes. Western morality tale is beautifully shot by cinematographer Jack Green and Clint directs Unforgiven with economy and passion. Gene Hackman is brilliant as a corrupt sheriff.
 
Hotshot Navy lawyer (Tom Cruise) investigates the murder of an American Marine at Guantanamo Bay and faces resistance from a hard-nosed General (Jack Nicholson) who prefers to keep things quiet. Powerful courtroom finale and Nicholson steals the show in director Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men. Film contains the now famous one-liner: ‘You can’t handle the truth!’
 
A disenfranchised white collar working stiff (Michael Douglas) blows a gasket during an LA morning traffic jam and ends up going on a vigilante-style journey of spontaneous retribution all across the city. A cop on his last day of work (Robert Duvall) ends up chasing him down. An original and quite effective part for Douglas, Falling Down is riveting and absolutely cynical in its point of view. A thought-provoking character pic.


1993


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schindler's List

 Oscar nominees
 The Fugitive
In The Name Of The Father
The Piano
The Remains Of The Day

Schindler's List

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Carlito's Way
In The Line Of Fire
The Fugitive
A Perfect World








 Steven Spielberg’s compelling narrative about German profiteer Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saves the lives of over 1,000 Jews during WW2 is meticulous in its execution. Great storytelling, stunning black & white cinematography and fantastic performances all around. Schindler’s List nearly unfolds like a dynamic documentary. Neeson as Schindler and Ralph Fiennes as a Nazi monster are outstanding.
 
Al Pacino is a Puerto Rican hood who completes a jail term and wishes to re-start his life by operating a car rental business in the Caribbean. However, his old NYC criminal cronies think otherwise. Director Brian DePalma re-teams with Pacino ten years after Scarface and once again, Pacino creates an original character with a whole new accent and attitude. Carlito’s Way is a dynamic crime tale which also contains a great performance from an unrecognizable Sean Penn as a slimy, corrupt lawyer.
 
John Malkovich plays a psychopathic nutcase who plans to assassinate the U.S president and Clint Eastwood is the Secret Service agent who stands in the way. In The Line Of Fire is a riveting, suspenseful thriller from director Wolfgang Petersen. Eastwood is in top form as a jazz pianist loner who stills feel guilty about having failed to protect JFK in 1962 and Malkovich simply oozes evil as the cold and calculating killer.
 
A doctor (Harrison Ford) is on the lam shortly after being sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife. Ford struggles to prove his innocence while a wily U.S. Marshal (Tommy Lee Jones) is hot on his trail. The Fugitive is a sharp, fast-paced chase thriller which has lots of action and stunt segments but it’s the clash between the two leads’ strong personalities that really drive the narrative. Jones won a supporting actor Oscar and re-appeared as the same character in the sequel U.S. Marshals.
 
An escaped convict (Kevin Costner) kidnaps a young boy and flees across the Texan landscape circa 1963. A die hard ranger (Clint Eastwood) soon closes in on the fleeing convict. Intriguing and involving character pic focuses on the relationship between the convict and his young hostage. Costner is arresting in a surprisingly powerful performance as the morally conscious criminal on the lam. A Perfect World is an engrossing glimpse at an imperfect world; coolly directed by Clint Eastwood.


1994
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forrest Gump

 Oscar nominees
 Four Weddings And A Funeral
Pulp Fiction
Quiz Show
The Shawshank Redemption

Pulp Fiction

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Forrest Gump
Nobody's Fool
Once Were Warriors
The Shawshank Redemption










 Pulp Fiction is writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s dynamic concoction about honor and redemption in the world of LA lowlifes. It contains several interlocking stories that are told in non-sequential order and features knock-out performances by the entire cast: John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson as a pair of hitmen who swap notes on metaphysical matters, while collecting cash from a faulty business deal; Bruce Willis as a conman-boxer paid to drop a fight; Uma Thurman as a bored junkie moll of a gangster who strives to win a 1950s-style dancing contest, etc. The storytelling is energetic and imaginative, filled with fun and memorable dialogue and a great soundtrack. Influenced by exploitation movies of the seventies it literally has re-invented and updated the genre to a whole new style. Christopher Walken as a military lifer likely has the year's funniest monologue in regards to the travels of a gold watch thru some dark passages. And, the conversation about European burgers is a classic: 'Royale with cheese.'
 
Paul Newman plays a small town construction contractor who reluctantly bonds with the son he has abandoned some 20 years prior. Newman’s effortless charm walks him thru this great role. A heart-warming character pic from director Robert Benton. Nobody’s Fool also contains strong performances from its supporting cast including Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis.
 
Dysfunctional Maori family on the verge of a breakdown as the mother tries to hold the family together while her husband loses himself in booze abuse and weightlifting. Strong directorial debut for Lee Tamahori and great performances by the entire cast. Once Were Warriors is an emotionally powerful rollercoaster ride.
 
An original and touching tale about a Southern simpleton Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) who floats thru life and unwittingly witnesses many key events between the mid-fifties to the mid-seventies. From the Elvis phenomena to the JFK presidency, the Vietnam War and the fall of Nixon, Forrest Gump is magically digitized within existing footage of those eras. Hanks, in an Oscar-winning role, creates a truly memorable movie character. Director Robert Zemeckis presents a winning, whimsical story about the trials and tribulations of the human spirit.
 
Blamed for a double-murder, meek banker (Tim Robbins) strikes a friendship with a prison lifer (Morgan Freeman) and together, they struggle thru the hardships of daily routine in the slammer. Based on a story by Stephen King, director Frank Darabont shapes The Shawshank Redemption into a powerful tale of friendship, loyalty and earnest values.  


1995
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braveheart

 Oscar nominees
 Apollo 13
Babe
Il Postino
Sense And Sensibility

Casino

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Heat
Toy Story
Die Hard With A Vengeance
Leaving Las Vegas










 Flashy, dynamic and energetic tale of how a bunch of Kansas City wise guys got to run the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas during the seventies. Martin Scorsese’s gangster saga followup to Goodfellas, Casino contains strong performances by Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, James Woods and Sharon Stone (in a career-defining role). Stylish, dramatic and crudely violent at times but always compelling and surprisingly informative.
 
Knockout crime flick Heat features Al Pacino as a workaholic LA cop who relentlessly pursues a career thief (Robert DeNiro) and his crew. Part character study/part crime thriller it works brilliantly on both levels. Pacino, DeNiro and Micheal Mann’s direction are all top notch. It truly gets better with repeated viewings!
 
Pixar’s Toy Story is absolutely fun stuff. A pioneering animation movie which is definitely one the best in its genre. Here, a bunch of toys lead by a cowboy doll (voiced by Tom Hanks), greet a newcomer with a load of apprehension. An astronaut space hero toy doll (voiced by Tim Allen) threatens the structure of the existing social ladder amongst the other toys in the group. It has metaphors and underlying themes for the adult viewers but essentially it is a fun ride for kids (at heart). An original and wonderful movie experience for the whole family.
 
NYC tough-as-nails no-nonsense cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is called upon to defend the Big Apple from crazy terrorist (Jeremy Irons) and his cohorts as they hold the city hostage by randomly blowing up several strategic targets. Amidst the pandemonium, McClane acquires an unlikely partner (Samuel L. Jackson) as a disgruntled Harlem shop owner. The Die Hard series goes Raiders Of The Lost Ark in this third outing as McClane is plunged into one crisis after another in NYC. Director John McTierman from the first Die Hard returns and jam packs this suspenser with enough action to satisfy fans of the genre. Die Hard With A Vengeance is a fun thrill ride.
 
Layed-off screenwriter (Nicolas Cage) moves to Las Vegas with the intention of drinking himself into oblivion. An unlikely romance later develops between him and a prostitute (Elizabeth Shue) who does strive for a better life. Strong character study with powerful performances from Cage and Shue. Director Mike Figgis presents a touching and unexpectedly moving love story between two lost souls. Cage and Shue shine in two of the year’s best acting gigs in Leaving Las Vegas.


1996
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The English Patient

 Oscar nominees
 Fargo
Jerry Maguire
Secrets And Lies
Shine

Shine

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Fargo
Bound
Microcosmos
Jerry Maguire






 Geoffrey Rush is excellent in his Oscar-winning performance as David Helfgott a virtuoso pianist whose over-bearing father pushes him to the breaking point. Great score (mostly Rachmaninoff) and performances by the entire cast. Shine manages to bounce between tones of triumph and tragedy as Helfgott strives to become a top-notch concert pianist. Shine is based on the true life story of pianist Helfgott.
 
William H. Macy and Frances McDormand as, respectively, a loser wannabe con-man and a pregnant Minnesotan cop are the year’s most original characters in this sharp black comedy. Auto dealer Macy sets up the kidnapping of his wife in order to get a pile of cash from his father in-law but the plan inadvertently goes bonkers. Fargo is a comedy, character pic and violent crime drama all at once; a truly original flick from the Coen brothers.
 
Kooky gangster’s moll (Jennifer Tilly) realizes she might have amorous feelings for a female concierge (Gina Gershon). Things get complicated when the duo try to steal a briefcase with two million bucks from the moll’s gangster husband (Joe Pantoliano). Stylish production design, energetic pace and sharp performances in the Wachowki brothers’ first film. Bound is a fun, fresh and offbeat crime tale.
 
A dung beetle struggles to push a ball of excrement up an incline on the soil. Yep, that’s one fascinating segment amongst so many in Microcosmos a documentary done with innovative and creative macro-photography amongst the blades of grass, flowers and water beads in the fascinating universe of insects! A truly enlightening perspective on the lives of the tiny bugs and critters that strive in our own backyards.
 
Top sports agent (Tom Cruise) goes thru an identity crisis that costs him his job. Enter cocky football player (Cuba Gooding) who needs representation and Cruise does everything he can to get his client a lucrative contract. Gooding and Cruise are dynamic and Renee Zellwegger sparkles as a single mom brimming with hope. Writer-Director Cameron Crowe scores a winner with Jerry Maguire.


1997
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanic

 Oscar nominees
 L.A. Confidential
As Good As It Gets
Good Will Hunting
The Full Monty

The Big Lebowski

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Donnie Brasco
Jackie Brown
Titanic
Face/Off








 Bowling has never been more fun. Silly concoction by the Coen Brothers gets better with repeated viewings. Many amusing character vignettes and an inventive production design. Jeff Bridges as The Dude, a self-styled LA hippie slacker, gives one of the year’s most memorable performances. Steve Buscemi and John Goodman are also excellent as The Dude’s bowling buddies. A dynamic comedy about mistaken identities, bowling, white Russians, soft porn, neo-Nazis, female emancipation and a pseudo-kidnapping gone haywire. The Big Lebowski is in the Fargo vein but is a whole lot nuttier.
 
Al Pacino plays a sadsack bottom-of-the-food-chain mobster who unknowingly makes friends with an FBI agent (Johnny Depp) who is on a lengthy information gathering mission. Great performances and an original take on NYC mobsters. Inspired by a true story, Donnie Brasco is intriguing, touching and powerful.
 
Airline stewardess (Pam Grier) traffics hot cash for bad dude criminal (Samuel Jackson). When she’s nabbed by the FBI she smartly executes a grand scheme to keep the cops, her boss and everyone else at bay in order to avoid jail time. Quentin Tarantino adapted Jackie Brown from Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch. The pacing is relaxed, maybe too relaxed for some, but the dialogue and characterizations are top notch and are the real focus of the story. Robert Forster is perfect as the bail bondsman who falls for Jackie.
 
Over-the-top, no-holds-barred actionner by director John Woo with a cop (John Travolta) who has to switch identities with a slimy terrorist (Nicolas Cage) in order to get vital information from the criminal’s brother. Face/Off is a technically dazzling suspenser with several surprising plot twists and it benefits greatly from its stars’ fun and grandiose performances. Ludicrous at times but never boring!
 
World’s biggest box-office hit sees romantic epic between an aristocrat (Kate Winslet) and a stowaway (Leonardo Dicaprio) during the maiden voyage of the legendary ship Titanic. Director James Cameron also scripted the retelling of the tragic sea journey. The cinematography and production design are outstanding and the performances by the two leads are strong and poignant. An engrossing, suspenseful and heart wrenching tale.


1998
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shakespeare In Love

 Oscar nominees
 Elizabeth
Life Is Beautiful
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line

Saving Private Ryan

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Affliction
A Civil Action
Bulworth
Life Is Beautiful





 One of the best war movies of all time. Filled with harsh, crude battle footage and also with glimpses of humanity amid the absolute hell of war. Army Captain Tom Hanks’ mission to lead a crew into France and find and rescue a Private who is the last survivor of four brothers who have perished in service and send that soldier home is a powerful movie experience. The cinematography and battle sequences in Saving Private Ryan are absolutely stunning.
 
Nick Nolte is the sheriff of a small New England town who tries to overcome his personal demons, prevent his dysfunctional family from falling into further despair all the while trying to figure out if the death of a hunter was really accidental. Winter setting and downtrodden tone for character pic stands out due to its top performances including James Coburn’s Oscar-winning role as Nolte’s alcoholic father. Affliction is a dark and absorbing tale.
 
A smug city lawyer (John Travolta) chances everything on a case against a couple of industrial firms that have severely polluted a river in a small New England town which has been responsible for the deaths of several children. Smartly written story and well-acted by all involved including a sly performance by Robert Duvall as the defense lawyer. A Civil Action is a touching David vs. Goliath tale of justice.
 
Warren Beatty play a California Senator running for re-election and decides to do the unexpected and tell it like it is. Blunt and witty observation on the political process with Beatty as lead actor, director and co-writer truly giving one of the best products of his career. Bulworth hits the bullseye.
 
Italian funny man Roberto Begnini stars in and directs this whimsical tale about an idealistic father who uses humor to shield his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. Life is Beautiful is original, touching and profound.


1999
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Beauty

 Oscar nominees
 The Cider House Rules
The Green Mile
The Insider
The Sixth Sense

The Insider

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Toy Story 2
Three Kings
American Beauty
The Hurricane





 Al Pacino plays a tireless 60 Minutes TV producer who chases the story of a disillusioned scientist (Russell Crowe as Jeffrey Wigand) who has just been fired by a major tobacco company. Based on a true story, The Insider unfolds like a detective drama in a thrilling, dynamic way. Great performances and top-notch direction by Micheal Mann.
 
Sequel to pioneering Pixar animation classic Toy Story, this one is just as good if not even better. Toy Story 2 features the same characters (Woody and Buzz Lightyear), voiced by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen this time trying to prevent a collector from placing Woody in permanent storage. Fun action segments and lots of laughs all done with dynamic innovative animation.
 
A handful of U.S. renegade soldiers try to pull off a heist of Kuwaiti gold during the resolution of the Persian Gulf war but, reluctantly end up helping out a group of innocent civilians targeted by Saddam Hussein’s army. Smart, exciting tale written and directed by David O. Russell and featuring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg in principal roles. Three Kings is an anti-war film with a lot of heart and pizzazz.
 
Disillusion in middle class America featuring a dysfunctional family with dad going thru a major mid-life crisis. The performances elevate the material. Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening play the principal roles in first time director Sam Mendes’ American Beauty. Might not be for all tastes, but the dialogue and class A acting save the day.
 
Denzel Washington gives a towering performance as legendary boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter who was wrongly imprisoned during the height of his career. Strong and memorable role for Washington in this tale of justice and hope.


2000
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gladiator

 Oscar nominees
 Chocolat
Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon
Erin Brokovich
Traffic

Space Cowboys

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Thirteen Days
Pollock
Election
Snatch








 Grumpy Old Men go to the Moon! Clint Eastwood stars in and directs this funny adventure about a group of old astronauts who are the only candidates vital and available for the repair of an ancient decrepit Russian satellite that will soon fall to Earth. Space Cowboys is about as subtle as an 18-wheeler rig ripping down a highway but it does hit all of its targets.
 
Engrossing interpretation of the events surrounding the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962. Thirteen Days features Bruce Greenwood as JFK and Kevin Costner as the President’s top advisor. Gripping drama sees the President dealing with the conflicting objectives of his military commanders as the threat of a nuclear showdown between the U.S. and Russia gets frighteningly closer. Sturdy direction by Roger Donaldson, intelligent screenplay by David Self and top performances by the entire cast.
 
Famous American artist Jackson Pollock’s rise from newbie impressionist painter in Greenwich Village to his latter years struggling with his addiction to the bottle and the misery it brings to those around him. Ed Harris directs and stars as Pollock and truly conveys the soul of a troubled and original artist. Bleak at times but informative in its portrait of a painter who was at peace only during the painting process.
 
Events surrounding a high school student president election turn the life of a career teacher upside down. Matthew Broderick is the teacher whose life unravels and Reese Witherspoon plays the over-achieving teen who strives to become president of the student body. Election is engrossing and surprisingly hilarious. Sharp direction and witty script by Alexander Payne; co-written by Jim Taylor. Excellent performances by Broderick and Witherspoon.
 
Zany concoction from writer-director Guy Ritchie sees Brad Pitt as an incomprehensible but comical gypsy bare-knuckle fighter, Dennis Farina as a gangster with a short fuse involved in a diamond heist and an assortment of other oddball characters whose paths cross in a series of surprising episodes. Snatch is an energetic, nutty and inventive tale.


2001
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Beautiful Mind

 Oscar nominees
 Gosford Park
In The Bedroom
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Moulin Rouge

Black Hawk Down

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Sexy Beast
The Score
Spy Game
Blow






 Brilliant dramatization of the ill-fated U.S. military mission to remove a brutal dictator from power in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. The mission was supposed to last 20 minutes and it horrifyingly led to the deaths of 18 U.S. soldiers and over 1,000 Somalians. The battle scenes are harsh and crude and done with extreme realism. Director Ridley Scott and his team pull off a pretty impressive war movie. Black Hawk Down is definitely not for the squeamish.
 
A rabid pit bull of a conman (Ben Kingsley) wishes to recruit an old crime mate (Ray Winstone) who insists he’s now retired, in order to complete a specialized crew for the needs of a challenging robbery. Kingsley’s commanding performance truly has to be seen to be believed. Stylish, violent gangster yarn contains top acting chops from the entire cast. Sexy Beast is an original stab at the crime flick genre.
 
Career thief (Robert DeNiro) is coaxed into pulling off one last lucrative score by gig meister (Marlon Brando). A cocky partner (Ed Norton) integrates the game plan and the supposedly simple score gets complicated by multiple notches. The Score is a suspenseful crime drama that benefits from the performances of its strong cast. Nothing flashy in director Frank Oz’s presentation; just a good old fashioned tense heist yarn.
 
A veteran CIA operative (Robert Redford) recruits and trains a talented and idealistic rookie (Brad Pitt). When the rookie is captured and imprisoned in China while on a personal mission, the only one willing to stand up for him is his weary and resourceful coach. Good parts for both Redford and Pitt who work well together here. Spy Game is a flashy and effective espionnage suspenser from director Tony Scott.
 
Johnny Depp portrays a hippie kid who becomes America’s leading cocaine dealer. Ray Liotta turns in a bittersweet performance as Depp’s father and Penelope Cruz, the dealer’s eventual trophy wife. Blow is a captivating saga of the rise and fall and again rise and fall of a Cinderella man drug dealer. Depp plays him with a one-note feel (maybe purposely) but the supporting cast provides the necessary dynamics.


2002
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago

 Oscar nominees
 Gangs Of New York
The Hours
The Lord Of The Rings:
The Two Towers
The Pianist

About Schmidt

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Insomnia
One Hour Photo
Bowling For Columbine
Die Another Day





 Fantastic performance by Jack Nicholson as a retired insurance actuary who questions the decisions he has made throughout his life. Funny, poignant and moving observation of a character summing up the worthiness of his existence. Jack’s toned-down performance might be the best work of his career. The supporting cast, which includes Kathy Bates as the kooky free-spirited mother of Schmidt’s future son-in-law is also great. The movie alternates with ease between hilarious and sad moments. About Schmidt is an uplifting slice-of-life picture.
 
Strong performances in Insomnia with Al Pacino as an LAPD detective playing a cat-and-mouse game with suspected killer Robin Williams in a small Alaskan town. A welcome change of pace for Williams playing an evil nutcase. A suspenseful, intelligent cop thriller.
 
Robin Williams in one of his best roles as a lonely photo mart clerk whose obsession with a cute, near-perfect Americana family goes a little too far. Part character study, part suspense-thriller, One Hour Photo is thoughtful, original and brimming with creepiness.
 
Michael Moore’s documentary on America’s obsession with guns is shocking, powerful and highly entertaining. The tragic events at Columbine High School serve as the backdrop. Bowling For Columbine’s anti-gun message surely hits its target.
 
Final 007 flick with Pierce Brosnan as James Bond sees him confront a wealthy industrialist who plans on dominating the world with laser guns in orbit. The prelude sees Bond becoming a captive in a North Korean prison after being betrayed in a flawed diamond deal. Halle Berry joins forces with 007 as a resourceful and fit American spy. Die Another Day is an action galore nearly to the point of overkill but it is a fun ride from start to finish.


2003

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord Of The Rings:
Return Of The King

 Oscar nominees
 Lost In Translation
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
Master And Commander:
The Far Side Of The World

Kill Bill Vol. 1

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Mystic River
The Cooler
The Good Thief
The Barbarian Invasions











 Writer-Director Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 bristles with kinetic zany energy as it tells the first part of the ultimate sword-chop-socky revenge story. It borrows freely from Hong Kong cinema, Bruce Lee martial arts movies, spaghetti westerns and so many other genres and all done in Tarantino’s own dynamic inimitable way. Uma Thurman gives a top-notch performance as the vengeful dame and, like Pulp Fiction, you just don’t know what surprise the following scene will bring. It’s fun, it rocks and it stands on its own (even if you don’t see Kill Bill Vol. 2.).
 
Moving story of a college professor dying of cancer and re-evaluating his life as he is frequently visited by his ex-lovers and wealthy son who uses his wits to help his father pass away peacefully and comfortably. Touching, funny and filled with poignant observations on life, love, education, capitalism, sexuality, friendship, broken promises, etc. Nearly voyeuristic in its execution, the direction and acting make it all the more real. The Barbarian Invasions is an intelligent and powerful film.
 
Monumental sad sack (William H. Macy) spreads his oozing bad luck in a Las Vegas casino and that’s his job! One day, a beautiful waitress falls in love with him and his losing streak fades away much to the dismay of the casino’s manager (Alec Baldwin). The Cooler has great characterizations by the entire cast and an engaging story with a few surprising twists in the last act.
 
A murder in a Boston working class neighborhood shakes up the lives of three former boyhood pals. The murder unexpectedly reconnects them and awakens a series of old wounds from their past. Director Clint Eastwood uses a minimalist presentation style creating powerful set pieces which are focused on the actors’ strong performances. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins shine as two of the three pals coping with the murder at hand. Mystic River is adapted from Dennis Lehane’s novel.
 
Nick Nolte plays an incorrigible career thief with a heart of gold who perpetually wears a saddened, drooping mug (a role that fits him like a glove), and now needs to badly kick his heroin habit and score one big hit in order to stave off his creditors. The Good Thief is a remake of the 1955 French film Bob Le Flambeur. It takes place in Paris and features a perfect supporting cast; including Tchéky Karyo as a French cop trying to stay several steps ahead of Bob the conniving thief. Beautiful cinematography by Chris Menges and jazzy direction by Neil Jordan. The relaxed narrative style likely works best if you’re a fan of Nolte.


2004
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Million Dollar Baby

 Oscar nominees
 The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Ray
Sideways

Kill Bill Vol. 2

 RHcomix runner-ups
 The Aviator
Fahrenheit 911
The Incredibles
Million Dollar Baby













 Quentin Tarantino’s sequel to Kill Bill Vol. 1 sees hit-woman The Bride (Uma Thurman) completing her mission of vengeance against the attackers who have left her for dead. The pace is now slower as the Bride’s journey becomes somewhat mystical. Nearly superior to the first film as characterizations are fleshed out and motives are made clear. David Carradine is perfectly cast as the master hit man Bill. Still contains a hodge-podge of movie references and influences in segments that are all photographed and edited in a flashy visual style. Kill Bill Vol. 2 stands on its own as a fun, poetic, chop-socky western action flick even if you haven’t seen Vol. 1.
 
Micheal Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 911 is a shocking examination of George Dubya Bush’s administration and its ‘quest’ for retribution against the terrorists behind the 911 tragedy. Its message is definitely one-sided but Moore certainly knows how to back up and package his argument. All facts presented in Fahrenheit 911 are also verifiable on Moore’s own website.
 
The Incredibles is another outstanding animation fest brought to you by Pixar. This time, a family of ‘retired’ superheroes is unwittingly brought back into service. Technically dazzling and filled with inspiring action segments, The Incredibles is a splendid animation marvel. Fun for kids, it also contains many subtle jokes for the adult audience.
 
Hillary Swank plays a woman who finds meaning in her life by becoming a boxer and Clint Eastwood is the trainer who reluctantly shows her the ropes. More of a character study pic than a traditional boxing movie, Million Dollar Baby benefits from strong performances from the entire cast. Paul Haggis’ script also contains several unexpected sharp turns. Eastwood’s direction is economical and leisurely and his performance as a grizzled, has-been trainer is one of the most relaxed acting gigs of his career. Swank is also in tip-top form as the wannabe boxer. Morgan Freeman as Clint’s sidekick nearly steals every scene he’s in. Surprisingly engaging and thought-provoking, Million Dollar Baby packs a powerful upside punch.
 
The Aviator is a fascinating bio epic about Howard Hughes’ rise from oil drill-bit billionaire to flamboyant Hollywood film-maker to world-famous, innovative, pioneering aviator and airline owner. Director Martin Scorsese recreates Hughes’ incredible career journey from the 1920s to the 1940s with grandiose fashion. The cinematography and production design are extraordinary and Leonardo Dicaprio gives a poignant and brave performance as the enigmatic Hughes. The supporting cast also includes top performances from Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, Alec Baldwin as a PanAm exec and Alan Alda as a corrupt senator.


2005
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crash

 Oscar nominees
 Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night, And Good Luck
Munich

Munich

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Sin City
A History Of Violence
Good Night, And Good Luck
The Three Burials Of
Melquiades Estrada










 Steven Spielberg’s sharp re-telling of the revenge plot against Palestinian terrorists who killed 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The methodical preparation and execution of the Israeli assassins’ plan is tense, thrilling and boldly harsh. The movie wrestles with the moral dilemma of vengeance, without clearly favoring the avengers and shows us the ills of a decades old ethnic/political conflict and how it affects more than a dozen characters on both sides of the fence. A gripping psychological espionage thriller.
 
The story of CBS newscaster Edward Murrow who stared down the face of McCarthyism for the benefit of all America during the late fifties in Good Night, and Good Luck is a great story and similar to JFK, director George Clooney mixes real footage of (Senator McCarthy) with new black and white dramatizations with the cast of David Strathairn (brilliant as Murrow) and George Clooney and Jeff Daniels filling in the other significant roles as CBS staffers. It is an important tale that simply couldn’t be timelier.
 
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada stars Tommy Lee Jones who also directs this south-west opus about a wrongfully murdered Mexican ranch helper who just doesn’t seem to get a proper burial. A modern western tale about honor and respect in a land where those idioms just seem to be eternally challenged. Leisurely-paced but always insightful. Tommy Lee Jones’ weather-beaten face really does evoke ‘40 miles of bad country road’.
 
Robert Rodriguez interprets several stories from Frank Miller’s graphic novels in this innovative presentation mixing live action and digitized backgrounds. The look of Sin City is ground-breaking. Its dark, violent, mysoginistic tales are definitely not for every taste. However, grindhouse film noir has never been better. It is all style and atmosphere and greatly succeeds on those terms. Mickey Rourke gives the most original performance of his career as an indestructible hitman who has a heart of gold. Also stars Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Benicio Del Toro, Brittany Murphy and Jessica Alba.
 
Director David Cronenberg is likely at his most accessible level in A History Of Violence. It is a simple tale of vengeance involving the proprietor of a small town diner who might have had a dark and shady past. Its structure, look and feel is somewhat a reminder of B-movie action flicks of the seventies. Director Cronenberg frames every shot in a compelling and powerful way. Ed Harris and William Hurt are excellent as the gangsters out to settle a score and so is Viggo Mortensen as the affable diner owner who isn’t as innocent as he looks. Simple and straight to the bone.


2006


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Departed

 Oscar nominees
 Babel
The Queen
Letters From Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine

Casino Royale

 RHcomix runner-ups
 Rocky Balboa
Notes On A Scandal
Pan's Labyrinth
The Lives Of Others








 Ian Fleming’s first novel about British spy James Bond serves as a reboot for the 007 film franchise. Daniel Craig gives an impressive performance as the new blond Bond. The narrative contains a great blend of espionage and intrigue, engrossing character development as Bond earns his 007 title and, as expected, some exciting action sequences. Here, Bond must stop Le Chiffre, a financier to international terrorists. Casino Royale is one of the best James Bond movies in the series!
 
59-year-old Sly Stallone returns as the Italian Stallion in Rocky Balboa. Here, former boxing champ Balboa feels he’s got one more good fight left in him. 'There's some things left in the basement'. It’s a winning return to the Philly palooka’s character roots that includes many touching moments and obviously, one more inevitable climactic bout. Definitely the best in the Rocky series since the original.
 
Young, impressionable high school teacher (Cate Blanchett) makes a grave error that can flush her career and family life down the drain. However, hard-fisted veteran teacher (Judi Dench) proposes a solution to get her out of her mess. When secrets and hidden motives from both character’s lives are revealed, all hell breaks loose. Notes On A Scandal contains two powerhouse performances from its leading ladies. A kick-ass psychological drama from director Richard Eyre.
 
A young girl flees the horrors of the Spanish civil war circa 1944 by entering a fantasy world populated by fairies and monsters. Startling images, top-notch sound effects and captivating storyline in writer-director Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth an enchanting and also haunting fantasy yarn. Likely too graphic and intense for kids but a great fairy tale for adults replete with symbolism and mature themes.
 
A successful writer and his actress-girlfriend are unknowingly under surveillance by the Secret Police in East Germany several years before the tear down of the Berlin Wall. Tense psychological thriller from writer-director Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck is smart, sexy and strong. A surprising twist in the last act really packs a powerful punch. Top performances by the entire cast. The Lives Of Others is a potent and timeless tale.