Brent's Movie Page

Don't die before seeing these

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
   Enjoyed by: anyone teenage or older
   Totally unbelievable plot does not deter this film's power. "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
2. High Noon (1952)
   Enjoyed by: anyone teenage or older
   "When are you going to grow up?" "I'm getting tired of that kind of talk." "Then grow up!"
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
   Enjoyed by: thoughtful/sentimental folks, teenage or older
   "I'm not going without you, Mac. I wouldn't leave you this way."
   No soundtrack will ever make better use of a saw.
4. Casablanca (1942)
   Enjoyed by: anyone teenage or older, probably more gals
   Exceptional entertainment; the peak of Hollywood filmmaking
   "Major Strasser has been shot--round up the usual suspects."
5. Das Boot (1981)
   Enjoyed by: teenage or older, probably more guys
   "The merciful God has left a shovelful of sand to keep us up."
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
   Enjoyed by: everyone
   "You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."
7. The General (1927)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   Top notch silent comedy; describes a real event.
8. It's a wonderful Life (1946)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   Maybe schmuky, but really good schmuk.
9. The Princess Bride (1987)
   Enjoyed by: everyone
   "I want my father back, you son of bitch."
10. No Country for Old Men (2007)
    Enjoyed by: people who like thoughtful and dark stories
    "It starts when you begin to overlook bad manners. Anytime you quit hearin' 'sir' and 'ma'am' the end is pretty much in sight."

Recommended

1. Groundhog Day (1993)
   Enjoyed by: Anyone teen-aged or older
   "Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."
2. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
   Enjoyed by: Thoughtful moviegoers
   
3. City of God (2002)
   Enjoyed by: mature
   Maybe this should be on my must see list. The story of a limbo that some favela youth live in: a state between living and being already dead, but not quite either. If you have the DVD, do not miss the extra feature short, "News from a Private War."
4. Memento (2000)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen.
5. Rocky (1976)
   Enjoyed by: anyone teen-aged or older
   Don't bother with anything after the first one.
6. The Insider (1999)
   Enjoyed by: anyone teen-aged or older
   Gripping filmation of tobacco exec Jeffrey Wigand's decision to expose his industry's naughty secrets; his subsequent, devastating fight against invisible corporate hands; and how "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman and Wigand's lost struggle was salvaged by a triumph of investigative reporting during CBS's crisis of journalistic integrity.
7. Breaking Away (1979)
   Enjoyed by: post-teens/seasoned
   Very good. Another rocky, but with more humor and family.
8. Shine (1996)
   Enjoyed by: Anyone including mature children
9. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
   Enjoyed by: seasoned.
10. Cinema Paradiso (1989)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned. Touching story, full of thoughtful sentiment and depth. Wonderful closing scene: after so many years of suppressed passion, the father figures gift to his boy.
11. 7 up/14 up/21 up/28 up/35 up/42 up (1963, 70, ...)
    Enjoyed by: post-teens/seasoned
    Totally unique and revealing documentary about the human being. Periodic, 7-year interviews of a group going through life reveals how people are different, how they are the same, how they develop.
12. The Bicycle Thief (1949)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    (emotionally devastating)
13. Terminator 2 (1991)
    Enjoyed by: everyone, especially teens or older
    "They'll live."
14. Twin Falls Idaho (1999)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen "I hear the train coming"
15. Star Wars (1977)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
16. Forrest Gump (1994)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
17. Galaxy Quest (1999)
    Enjoyed by: anyone. Hilarious wit, and superficially touching moments.
18. The Lives of Others
    Enjoyed by: mature
19. Turtles Can Fly (2005)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
20. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
21. Maria Full of Grace (2004)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Tense, suspenseful, eye opening story of Columbian mules.
22. Apollo 13 (1995)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Thrilling story of human triumph.
23. Boys Don't Cry (1999) / documentary of same story
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    If you like tragedies.
24. After Dark My Sweet (1990)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Boxer in the desert. Strange and enjoyably compelling. I was so accustomed to films whose off-center characters are caricatures of their off centerness, that it took me nearly the entire viewing to realize the depth and reality of this film. See it.
25. Cries and Whispers (1972)
    Enjoyed by: everybody
    I haven't actually seen this film, but figured I'd just randomly throw it in here anyway.
26. Z (1963)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    "Similarity to actual persons or events is entirely intentional" Entirely entertaining; for those compelled to learn about and/or consider the reality it describes, it achieves greatness.
27. Black Hawk down (2001) Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Thrilling telling of insanity that errupts rapidly after botched military operation in Somalia. Simultaneously entertaining, educational regarding the job of U.S. soldiers and educational regarding happenings in our world that some people don't want to face
28. Munich (2005)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Disturbingly conveys the destructive force of violence and death.
29. The Gods Must be Crazy (1980)
    Enjoyed by: anyone
30. Sometimes in April (2005) Enjoyed by: mature
    
31. Falling Down (1993)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    A lot of people didn't like this, thinking it missed as a thriller. But I think it hit the mark as an obersvation of a man left behind and crushed by social change.
32. All About Eve (1950)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    (affecting story for those who consider and identify with the real emotions of the characters)
33. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Delightful; succeeds as both drama and comedy, with a clever script as well. It was joyful, sad, funny, suspenseful.
34. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    A bit sentimental, but effectively so. "Aw, cut the mush!" Profoundly sad and also hopeful...as the title implies it reflects the glimmer of hope that can sustain life in the face of a bitter reality.
35. On Golden Pond (1981)
    Enjoyed by: adults, maybe teens.
    Cliched characters and plot achieve greatness.
36. L.A. Story (1991)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
37. The Sixth Sense (1999)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Entertaining experience.
38. Jacob's Ladder
    Enjoyed by: post-teen Even better for seasoned viewers, succeeds as a psychological horror film and also has depth and meaning.
39. Junebug (2005)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned, and me in particular
    A touching look at midwestern life and those who orbit around it. What could be, for those who lift into orbit from their cultural origins?
40. The Incredibles (2004)
    Enjoyed by: everyone. Fun and insightful. And subtly, a commentary on modern culture's hesitance to acknowledge superiority (& inferiority).
41. Psycho (1960)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Interesting thriller
42. There's Something about Mary (1998)
    
43. Umberto D(1952)
    Enjoyed by: mature adults.
    Aging man with no one but his dog flag, facing the crisis that is his life.
44. Dances with Wolves 1990
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Accomplishes portraying a worthy story in American history while still being entertaining. "Dances With Wolves! I am Wind In His Hair. Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?"
45. Paper Moon (1973)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    "I want my $200"
46. L.A. Confidential (1997)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
47. Traffic/Traffik (2000)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
48. A Christmas Story (1983)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
49. Dead Again
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
50. E.T. (1982)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    What a ride. The Indiana Jones of kids films.
51. Ghostbusters (1984)
    Enjoyed by: anyone. Great fun!
52. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
53. Men in Black
    Enjoyed by: anyone
    Clever, slick entertainment
    
54. Toy Story (1995) / Toy Story 2 (1999)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
55. Men with Guns (1997)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned. Borders on achieving greatness, but comes up a little short. Both relevant and entertaining.
56. Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) Involving story of characters who realize their unprestigous places in life, realize their losses and sadness, and who continue to revel in life itself. The film itsself understands how to enjoy the quirky, flawed lives we have. ))<>((
57. blazing saddles (1974)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
58. Die Hard (1988)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
59. Network (1976)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
60. wild strawberries (1957)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    In frightful surrealism, we watch an old man explore his past, sharing his uncertainty where it will lead.
61. The seventh seal (1957)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    Story of knight, losing but simultaneously still having hope in God. Thoroughly enjoyable-I never thought I'd love Death so.
62. Cider House Rules (1999)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
63. Chinatown 1974
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
64. The Cooler (2003)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    If I say that this is the story of a man with such an auro of bad luck, whose life is lived in the shadow of such repeated and predictable failure, that he is employed by casinos to stand near high-rollers who are on winning streaks; then it sounds like an an interesting premise. But this film succeeds in many more dimensions: every character is a story commanding consideration and reaping emotional rewards.
65. To Live (1994)
    Enjoyed by: mature. A family's story, dealing with the messy imperfections of real life while at the same time, a like story of a generation's life in China. With every phase of civil revolution, a little bit of the family and community dies.
66. Unforgiven (1992)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
67. Robocop
    Enjoyed by: post-teen. Hollywood slipped up and somehow a thrilling action movie with depth got created. "Stay out of trouble."
68. Grand Illusion 1937 117m
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Starts slow, but depiction of deceptive connections amongst classes is wonderful.
69. House of Games
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
70. Silence of the Lambs (1991)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
71. schindler's list 1993
    Enjoyed by: mature.
72. This is spinal tap (???)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Mocking musicians has never been so thoroughly enjoyable. If you get the DVD, don't bother with the extra takes...they continue to get worse the more you view. If you haven't seen the DVD, get the DVD if only for the opening menu.
73. Dark City (1998) Enjoyed by: me & Roger Ebert. The jury's still out on Aurora
    Sad and creative; effectively draws emotion in a bizarre sci-fi setting.
74. The Battle of Algiers (1966)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Ebert mentioned this film hitting a "level of bitter reality." Indeed. When confronted by journalists over their distaste for torture during interrogation, Colonel Mathieu responds, "Should we remain in Algeria? If you answer 'yes,' then you must accept all the necessary consequences."
75. The Best of Youth
76. Tsotsi (2006)
77. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
78. Z
79. brokeback mountain
80. syriana ()
    oil industry
81. The Right Stuff (???)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Fun and somewhat historicly educational. But for some reason it, though epic in scope, this film is shy about revealing any notion of the space program and its times outside the astronaut's themselves. All other characters who could have contributed to the story are clown-like caricatures, leaving the story hallow.
82. Edward Scissorhands ()
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
83. Ghosts of Rwanda: frontline (2004)
    Enjoyed by:
    Exceptionally stirring; more enthralling than one would expect for a documentary. Hard to find, but it's available on Netflix.
84. Nueve reinas / Nine Queens (2000)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Mamet-like mystery/suspense film.
85. Apolcalypse Now ()
    Enjoyed by:
    
86. The Blue Kite ()
    Enjoyed by: mature & thoughtful
    Like a multimedia family album, this film shows real lives in China during the random grasps and clutchings by political powers during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. It is touching, sadly entertaining, and an important lesson.

Worth Seeing

1. Quinceañera (2005)
   Enjoyed by: seasoned
   Shows fantastic depth and breadth of the human experience as a young girl discovers the pains and joys of adulthood.
2. Second Hand Lions (2003)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   Delightfully fun. The only shame is that it doesn't deliver the depth that it feels like it could and should have. If you have the dvd extra scenes, don't miss the scene that elaborates on the traveling salespeople.
3. The Karate Kid (1984)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   Sort of "Rocky for kids."
4. A Perfect World (1993)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen.
5. wallace and grommet: the curse of the were-rabbit (2005)
   
6. wallace and grommet: the wrong trousers (1993)
   
7. wallace and grommet: a close shave (1995)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   
8. Million Dollar Baby (2005)
   Enjoyed by: mature audiences.
9. The English Patient (1996)
   Enjoyed by: seasoned
   It seems I like Saul Zauntz's productions
10. the pianist (2002)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Somber depiction of holocaust, and the remarkable story of a survivor--not remarkable in his bravery or actions, but simply because at the end of the storm he was still alive.
11. The Devil's Advocate
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    Depicts a young professional being tempted by unlimited career success and self importance...I enjoyed the rich visual allusions. Beware: my high-tech career/experiences probably lend me more interest in this subject than most people.
12. the treasure of the sierra madre (1948) Enjoyed by: seasoned
    This is not a an action thriller, but a character thriller. "I don't have to show you any stinking badges!"
13. They Shoot Horses Don't They (1969)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned viewers--depicts depravity of human struggle
    Reality TV hasn't changed since before the television
14. Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb...(1964)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Funny and worth watching, perhaps a bit too aloof. Sophistocated, clever and mature slapstick--Anyone who enjoyed 'Airplane' MUST see this. If I were a fan of slapstick, this'd be much higher on my list.
15. Harakiri (aka Seppuku) (1962)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    A samurai tries to bring humanity to Japanese social structure, but fails in the face of powerful forces.
16. We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Despite tendencies of reaching for lowball sentiment, this film still achieves greatness in exposing some viewpoints, emotions, and truths.
17. Mask 1985
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
18. midnight cowboy 1969 BP
    Enjoyed by: mature.
19. vertigo (1958) Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Hitchcock. Action/suspense thriller. What more can I say--they are one and the same.
20. Cool Runnings (1993)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Uplifting and comically enjoyable account of jamaican bobsled team.
21. Aguirre, the wrath of God (?)
    Enjoyed by: Mature teens or older.
    Truly on their own.
22. The Thin Man (?)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Fun and savvy
23. Outbreak (1995)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Smarter than average, more human than average, more relevant than average and more suspenseful than average thriller.
24. Scent of a woman
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    An entertaining performance by Pacino. Invigorating, but his redemption is facile.
25. Friendly Persuasion (1962)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    http://decentfilms.com/reviews/friendlypersuasion.html (I doubt I can improve upon the above review, but if I must try...) Teens can enjoy this, but even greater enjoyment is available to those who can contemplate the deeper issues it attempts to explore of compromise and principles. Nevertheless, most of the enjoyment comes from light-hearted fun.
26. rabbit-proof fence (2003)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Documentary describes recent (!) Australian policy of taking mixed-race, half-aboriginal children to be raised by the state. Austounding true story follows the horrific yet adventurous path of one set of such children. Will leave you asking in awe, "How can this be true?" A must see.
27. osama (2003)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Pulls no punches in describing the world of Afgani women. Film leads audience to imagine and understand the inevitable, bleak future. This is a must-see film for those unfamiliar with conditions, particularly for women, under Taliban rule.
28. Holes (2003)
    Enjoyed by: anyone/kids
    Works as an enjoyable movie, but also as a kids' movie without being disrespectfully dumb. Kids' movies can have depth within limitations, and this one does.
29. Babettes Feast (Babettes gæstebud) (1987)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    I suspect I didn't appreciate all the facets of this story that a more experienced viewer might. Particularly each of the characters probably had insights which I may have missed, but even the main character's story was touching enough.
30. Trouble in Paradise 1932
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Smartly romantic/risque story; Hollywood spent all of the 40s trying to reproduce it.
31. Crash (2004)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    A sampling of races and race-afflicted situations in L.A. Sometimes contrived, sometimes insightful. People are individuals, but why did it snow?
32. The Official Story (1985)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    A story depicting one facet of "the missing" from Argentina & Chile.
33. The Company of Men (1997)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    I don't know whether to recommend this movie, or even whether it's enjoyable. It's extremely uncomfortable. Nobody dies, but unlike any other movie, I felt like I was looking at bald-faced evil eye to eye, and I have to confess I flinched.
34. Cinderella Man (2005)
    Enjoyed by: all
    I could compare this to Rocky, and I will: it's like Rocky. But instead of just needing to prove his dignity and self worth, the hero is struggling to provide for a family during the depression.
35. House of sand and fog (2003)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    A successful modern tragedy, drawing profound power and sadness by observing true human characters in the real world, without contriving an over-simplified conflict.
36. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor walk the gamut of brutal family reconciliation and redemption.
37. Blood Simple (1984)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    A sleezy bar owner (the target of sleezy deliberately ambiguous) hires a PI to kill his cheating wife, but things take a bad turn, and everybody devolves into twists and turns as they act on misinformation and misunderstandings.
38. Au Revoir, Les Enfants (1987)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Not a lot happens in the plot of this movie, but it is powerful nonetheless. It builds a setting typical for teen-aged boys, it shows how suddenly things can change irreperably...not exceptional in the world of movies, but this film exists in the world of real life.
39. A Year of the Quiet Sun (1984)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Contemplate real people in hard circumstances: post-wwii poland
40. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Equally redeeming & disturbing
41. Changing Lanes (2002)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    True-to-life suspense thriller succeeds (vigorously) by avoiding caricaturized main characters and their actions/abilities. Absolutely suspenseful and involving while we watch their human reactions build into extraordinary proportions with profound consequences. We are drawn in because, unlike a contrived film where the profound consequences are nothing short of the fate of the galaxy, the consequences here are truly life-threateningly and believable.
42. Going my way (1944)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Endearing story of younger priest helping older through rite of passage.
43. The Four Hundred Blows (1959)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    The entire experience of this film seems to be contemplating the state of its hero. We've learned his past. What will be his future? Are human beings simple enough that one determines the other?
44. The Last Emperor (1987)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Interesting, truthful story of last puppet emperor who struggled in numerous ways with his own condition was enlightening in many ways, for humanitarian and historical themes.
45. It Happened One Night (1934)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Endearing personalities fall for each other reluctantly in an endearing story.
46. The Professional (1994)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
47. On the Waterfront 1954
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
48. Chicken Run (???)
    Enjoyed by: anyone, especially those who have seen "the great escape" and "Stalag 17"
49. Children of Paradise 1945
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    love lost story--equals or bests Gone with the Wind
50. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
51. Murderball
52. We Were Soldiers
53. Downfall (2004) Audience: thoughtful Observes Hitler's inner circle during the 3rd Reich's downfall
54. Walkabout (1971)
    Audience: thoughtful nobody is saved
55. Paris, Texas
56. Blue
57. White
58. Red
59. All About My Mother (1999)
60. The Blue Planet: Seas of Life: Seasonal Seas / Coral Seas Documentary
61. The Blue Planet: Seas of Life: Tidal Seas / Coasts Documentary
62. The Life of Birds: Disc 1 Documentary
63. Y To Mama Tambien Audience: mature Mexican boys & an older woman's rites of passage going to a secret beach
64. thank you for smoking
65. Bowling for Columbine ()
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Not objective, but contained more objective insights than I expected. 2/5 of it is fuel for thought. But I have to confess that I am sometimes repulsed by Moore's leanings toward sensationalism before insight; I couldn't help but wonder how the injured and disabled kids will eventually feel about being manipulated and used by Moore.
66. titanic (1997)
    
67. Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    
68. Alice Doesn't Live here Anymore (1974)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    
69. Sideways (2004?)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    All characters are real; interesting look at a moment in lives
70. The Longest Day (1962)
    Enjoyed by: mature audiences
    
71. Bonnie and Clyde ()
    Enjoyed by: mature.
72. In America ()
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Personal story of Irish immigrants, struggling as a family. Mateo.
73. Miracle (???)
    Enjoyed by:
    U.S. Olympic Hockey team & (mostly) coach
74. The Elephant Man (???)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Beautifully choreographed melodrama.
75. Pulp Fiction (1994)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Stylish, violent and...uh...stylish. Not necessarily more thoughtful than anything else, but you can feel the joy and creativity of scripting the darned thing.
76. All the King's Men (1949)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    An examination of the effects and necessity of moral tradeoffs in politics. Some tradeoff appears necessary, but where does the line between tradeoff and moral corruption lie?
77. Amores Perros (2000)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    
78. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    
79. the last king of scotland (2006)
    
80. who killed the electric car? (2006)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Some interesting info--not afraid to let the audience do some thinking. If you prefer the movie to do the thinking for you, I recommend watching some Michael Moore or listening to Rush Limbaugh instead (depending on what type of canned opinion you prefer).
81. The End of the Spear (2006)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    
82. Beyond the Gates of Splendor (2005)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    
83. Paths of Glory (1957) Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Describes the military trial of French soldiers, and the dangers of an unsupervised judicial system
84. nowhere in africa (2001) Enjoyed by: mature Refugees of Nazi germany start over in Africa
85. The Magnificent Seven(1960)
    Enjoyed by:
    Seemed to lack focus in it's message. Can't go too far wrong with James Coburn though. Thank God that town had an old man.
86. Serpico (1973)
    Enjoyed by:
    Seemed like some adherence to depiciting 70s cinema values distracted from the the story, but if you can identify with the compelling tension and difficulty of how trying to just do his job destroyed all aspects of this man's life, then you will get a big payoff from the story.
87. Spirited Away (2002)
    Enjoyed by: Children, but can be enjoyed by adults too
    There was lots of creativity to be enjoyed in this animated film.
88. Mephisto (1981)
    Enjoyed by: adults who enjoy character studies
    Most films depict corruption of the soul as a black or white decision, and have no insight. This film is more subtle and accurate, and thoughtfully shows how personal corruption is something that grows from weakness or naivety.
89. children of heaven (1999)
    Enjoyed by: children/family
    An Iranian boy loses his sister's shoes and struggles to deal with the aftermath.
90. The Fog of War ()
    Enjoyed by:
    
91. Shoah ()
    Enjoyed by: mature & thoughtful
    Documentary. This is many disks and is very long. No entertainment value--educational with stories you will never forget.
92. Whale Rider (2002)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Touches on the generational confrontations amidst the forced cultural changes of Maori people. I felt that it came within touching greatness but came up just shy of its potential.
93. Gandhi (1982)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    and because of their immense concern over their national pride above all else.
94. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    For the record Kristi had a strong dislike for this film. It surely had some irritating lapses, particularly on the part of Butterfield (how I do like the name, though) and the reality of the shootouts. But the film is not about those things, so I can cut it some slack for not getting them right. The important thing is how the two heros test each other, find an understanding of each other, and redeem themselves.

Seen

1. Tombstone (1993br> Enjoyed by: anyone
   Not as deep as 2007's 3:10 to Yuma, but by avoiding depth it also survives solely based on it's sense of style, which is a success. The characters are outrageous and fun.
2. The Station Agent ()
   Enjoyed by: mature
   
3. Hollywood Shuffle ()
   Enjoyed by:
   Enjoyable film. Tough call between "worth seeing" and "seen"
4. Spider Man 2 (2004)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen. Again, I enjoyed it more than I expected--it was a real story
5. The Matrix (1999)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen. Huge holes in plot premise don't matter. "There is no spoon."
6. Caché (2005)
   Enjoyed by:
   Disturbing story of a man racked with guilt stremming from a childhood action the ruined the life of another person. Disturbing for what it portrays and also because of the characters' contrived behavior unlike that of real homo sapiens. At least, in this case, the contrivances are not to wrap up a sloppy script, but to add complexity and intrigue.
7. Heist (2001)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen
   Maybe worth seeing if you've seen all Mamet's other films. Gene Hackman as a con.
8. Circle of Deceit (1981) Enjoyed by: post-teen
   As I write this, I honestly don't remember anything about this film. So it seems appropriate to just stick it in the "seen" category.
9. Nosferatu
   Enjoyed by: seasoned
   Cinematography is ripe with legenedary images and script is rich with symbolic gestures and meanings. Enjoyable entertainment. The only thing preventing it from greatness is that it lacked developing characters or emotions that I could identify with.
10. Crazy in Alabama
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Probably not the best film, but I liked it.
11. life is beautiful (1997)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Emotional string-puller. Effecting, but left me wondering if this movie thinks of the holocaust mainly as a vehicle for making movies.
12. Broken Arrow (1957)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Jimmy Stewart stands between the whites and the Apaches. You might imagine how compelling and tense the story is--with a few music swells and other glitter it would outshine many modern films.
13. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Powerful images and message, but slightly lacking depth & insight.
14. Andrei Rublev 1966
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    Pretty good, very long & bleak
15. From Here to Eternity 1953
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    I'm always weak for tragedies, especially ones with real human beings for characters.
16. Talk to Her (2002) Enjoyed by: thoughtul and mature The love two men, flaws and all, have for their women: matador & a ballerina each of whom lives a comatose life prematurely truncated.
17. The Grapes of Wrath 1940
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Perhaps I particularly enjoyed this having just read _The Jungle_ so that I especially sympathized with the characters. Significant revelations in American history, the only catch is that I wish it worked just a little better developing characters so the audience really felt the gravity of the characters' ordeals. Especially ineffective at depiciting the toughness and weathered nature of the Fonda character--perhaps Fonda is a little too subtle and deep for the role.
18. The Caine Mutiny 1954
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    The only thing separating this from the cesspool of unredeeming phychological thrillers is a thought-provoking speech at the end.
19. The Game
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Mindlessly entertaining, sort of a smart horror film
20. Mean Streets ()
    Enjoyed by:
    
21. Double Indemnity 1944 BP ebert m
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
22. Nashville (1975)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Are we really so engrossed in ourselves that we don't even notice the heads we walk upon? I think the only moment of concern from one character about another occured most of the way through the film when--I don't know anybody's names--the black guy gets upset at the red-headed white woman's lack of dignity.
23. Sweet Smell of Success 1957
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    Ironically titled. The plot is richly excessive beyond realism, but all the better for pointing out the real smell of success.
    
    (but on another day...)
    
    sweet smell of success 1957
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    The emotional outrage is captivating, but that's about it. No insight into characters.
24. Meet John Doe (1941)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Women reporter fabricates sensationalist story of man writing to paper reporting he will kill himself due to depravity of society. A nobody is hired to act as John Doe when newspaper decides to keep the profitable story rolling, but faces moral crisis over his redeeming but faked identity.
25. The Simpsons Movie (2007)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Want a 1.5-hour Simpsons episode? You got it!
26. Philadelphia Story
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Story of finding real love amidst confusion
27. The Lady Vanishes
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Entertaining, a bit screwball.
28. East of Eden (1955)
29. Kramer vs. Kramer 1979
    Enjoyed by: mature.
30. Delicatessen 1991
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Certainly entertaining...uh...fairy tale. Wacky and fun.
31. Amélie 2001
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Harmless, happy-story.
32. State and Main
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Enjoyable about people and situations in film
33. my man godfrey 1936 Amusing story, but not more than surface-deep
34. Great Expectations 1946
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Atmospheric transfer of book to film. Spooky brilliant cinematography, but ultimately a love story. Perfect for Halloween viewing.
35. The Bad and the Beautiful
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Thoughtful examination of the qualities of a seemingly bad man in hollywood.
36. Notorious 1946
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Well done story of love triumphing. Familiar story, but quality makes all of it enjoyable.
37. The Big Sleep 1946
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Well-done thriller/romance.
38. 8 1/2 (1963)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned. Lots and lots going on, but nothing for me to emotionally identify with. Others may find this equally powerful and stimulating.
39. goodfellas 1990
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
40. seven samurai 1954
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
41. Patton (1970)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
42. The Straight Story (1999)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
43. sunset blvd. 1950
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Drama/psych. thriller & tragedy. Everyone but the audience loses in this story of all fatally flawed characters.
44. My Darling Clementine 1946
    Enjoyed by:
    Clantons excellent as villains in story of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday,...
45. best years of our lives 1946
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Story of returning wwii vets returning to and dealing with the real world.
46. The Big Parade (1925) Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Big brother of "All quiet on the western front." First film story that I know of to view war from a human perspective.
47. And Then There Were None 1945
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    entertaining suspense mystery.
48. All the President's Men (1976)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
49. Don't Cry It's Only Thunder (1982)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen. American soldier struggles against consciense and other factors in helping Vietnamese orphans.
50. Being There
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
51. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
52. The Shining (1980)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Phsychologically horrifying.
53. The Great Escape (1963)
54. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
55. Tora Tora Tora (???)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned.
    Worthwhile.
56. Touch of Evil (1958)
57. The Wild Bunch (1969)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen Group of outlaws reaches their destined sunset in life.
58. Alien (1979)/Aliens (1986) (aliens better than alien??)
59. The Constant Gardner (2005)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Story of African drug testing and those involved in it. I really should rate this higher, but I can't pinpoint why it did not move me. Perhaps the successful love tragedy detracts from the also-tragedy occuring, which is the essence of its setting. A cross between "The Insider" and "City of God."
60. rain man 1988
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
61. Manchurian Candidate, The (2004)
    Enjoyed by: people who like action mixed with substance. Pretty good physchological journey. Could have attempted to say more about its villain instead of opting for a plot device.
62. American History X (1998)
63. rashomon 1950
    Enjoyed by: post-teen/japanese.
    Differing accounts of a murder from several people with varying involvement. Get's you thinking but I didn't identify with the characters (japanese).
64. Maborosi
65. Shane (1953)
66. key largo 1948?
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    mindless but harmless drama/thriller
67. citizen kane 1941
68. Romeo and Juliet 1968 (zeffirelli)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    emotional theater piece
69. Anna Karenina 1935
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Well-done soap opera.
70. Ikiru 1952
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    Meditation on what, in life, produces happiness and meaning. Then goes into extra credit to examine Japanese class system.
71. Doctor Zhivago 1965
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Soap opera drama. How'd all that ice get in the house?! Entertaining, but it fell apart at the seams towards the end. For some, the journey may be the important part, but neverthelss they're left in the middle of nowhere at the end.
72. Beauty and the Beast 1946
    Enjoyed by: anyone
    Story hinges on ability to sympathize with beast, but I didn't connect.
73. Adam's Rib 1949
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    For anyone stuck in a pre-60's ideology of the sexes, this film may seem sophisticated. For anyone else, it's trivial if not banal.
74. Sabrina
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    The strength and weakness of this film is that it exactly meets expectations of an Audry Hepburn romantic comedy.
75. some like it hot 1959
    Entertaining and clever, but no emotional connection
76. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
    
77. The China Syndrome (1979)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Good, but the simplistic, 70's activist view of the world limits its thematic insights.
78. Mercury Rising
79. JFK (1991)
80. North by Northwest 1959
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Another entertaining Hitchcock.
81. Rebecca 1940
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    A good movie, but not salient among good movies.
82. Quiz Show
83. The Spanish Prisoner
84. Platoon (1986)
85. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
86. Metropolis 1927 Enjoyable fairy-tale-like story, but viewers might find the story a difficult fit between child-like simplicity and more mature dark elements.
87. 12 Angry Men (1957)
88. Wall Street (1987)
    Enjoyed by: mature.
    Similar to "Devil's Advocate," but less gripping
89. Only Angels have Wings
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Decent drama, but don't look for any revealing insights beyond the level of a 16-year-old
90. Anatomy of a Murder
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
91. The Third Man (1949)
92. M (1931)
93. Raging Bull (1980)
94. Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
95. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
96. Fargo (1996)
97. Amadeus (1984) C26
98. Run Lola Run (1998)
    Enjoyed by: anyone
99. Being John Malkovich (1999)
100. African Queen (1951)
101. Sling Blade (1996)
102. The Deer Hunter 1978 BP
     Enjoyed by: mature
103. The Godfather 1972 BP ebert
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
104. The Lady Eve 1941
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     A decent romantic comedy, if slightly dumb.
105. roman holiday 1953 3.5 BP
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
106. a night to remember Historically significant & entertaining
107. fabulous baker boys
108. Almost Famous (2000)
109. Jaws 1975
     Enjoyed by: anyone.
     Entertaining, but thematically vacant.
110. The Graduate 1967 bp
111. scent of green papaya
112. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
113. The French Connection (1971) Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Semi-thoughtful thriller. 2nd cousin removed of 3 days of the Condor.
114. potemkin 1925 Historically captivating, but by modern standards, emotional contrivances and exploitation are hard to overlook, and story lacks immediate bite
115. love in the afternoon
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     Relationship/romantic comedy.
116. Frankenstein 1931
     Enjoyed by: anyone.
     Mixed tragedy--parts work but parts don't
117. Bride of Frankenstein 1935
     Enjoyed by: anyone.
     Succeeds more than Frankenstein.
118. Of Mice and Men (1939)
     Enjoyed by: mature viewers
     "Yeah, Lennie. There'll be rabbits." If you're going to see it on film, try the 1992 version. Fun to see a young Burgess Meredith before he was Rocky's coach.
119. Rear Window 1954
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     Charming suspense/mystery.
120. the searchers 1956
     Enjoyed by: seasoned.
     John Wayne thriller addressing racial predjudice in historical southwest.
121. Red River 1948 133m
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     Top John Wayne thriller.
122. Intermezzo 1936-1
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     Realistic love triangle story.
123. Laura 1944
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     I can't remember if this was a Hitchcock or not, but it's worthy of one. Lots of twists and cleverness.
124. You Can't Take It With You (1938)
     Enjoyed by: children through late teens.
     More that other Capra films, this one left me hungry for just one insightful moment. Many people make the mistake of not counting "fun" as a virtue, but Capra discounts responsibility and good-willed productivity. Of course, the Big Banker eventually learns that he is less of a human being than his fellow man. In a better film, the Little Man would have also learned something about responsibility and sacrifice--that power carries with it the burden of others' welfare.
125. Guess Who's Comming for Dinner 1967
     Enjoyed by: anyone
     Story follows Hepburn and Tracy as their daughter plans to marry a husband of another race. A bit simplistic, but accomplishes wit and some sentiment along the way.
126. Ran 1985
     Enjoyed by: mature
     I'm concerned with my own expertise because I didn't seem to enjoy this film as much as any critics whom I repspect. Well, perhaps one needs to be yet older and more mature to appreciate the feelings involved in an aged leader at the end of his throne and the tragic consequences of what naiveties he still possesses.
127. King Kong 1933
     Enjoyed by: anyone
     The predecessor of it all: imagine a world where story, theme and acting exist merely as a forum for dazzling special effects. Well, perhaps there is more of a trace of theme than its ancestors.
128. A Christmas Carol 1951
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Unabashedly pulls emotional strings, but pretty effectively does so.
129. hoop dreams
130. Spider Man (2002)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen. Not great, but I enjoyed it more than I expected
131. La Dolce Vita (1960) (PAL DVD ONLY) Enjoyed by: seasoned
     Depicts a man who, by achieving the excessively extravagant desires unavailable to most people, never gains sufficient vision to free himself from the naive valuation of such superficiality.
132. The Sound of Music 1965
     Enjoyed by: post-teen.
     Dancing, Music, Romance, Germans and Austrians. Nothing could be more feminine.
133. City Lights 1931
     Enjoyed by: anyone.
     Simple but somewhat effective story...Chaplin falls for blind girl and gives what means most for him--what he doesn't have himself-- to help her.
134. Chushingura 1962
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Pretty entertaining, ingtriguing dilemna and story of its resolution for the samurai of a executed lord.
135. The Sorrow and the Pity (1972) Examines French shame of losing to and then collaborating with Germany
136. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) George Clooney movie: the fall of Mcarthy as seen from the newsroom
137. Lord of War
138. The War Room
139. Dear Frankie
140. Born into Brothels
141. Rhapsody in August
142. my fair lady
143. bound
144. Battleship Potemkin (1925)
     Enjoyed by: film buffs
     Contains many stirring images, but modern audiences may have difficulty with the flow of action, and have trouble connecting with the film taken as a whole.
145. Catch 22 (???)
     Enjoyed by: seasoned
     A cockeyed view, picturing the obsceneties of life & it's insanities mixed with war & it's insanities. They don't mix well, making the results...interesting.
146. A Clockwork Orange ()
     Enjoyed by: seasoned
     Surreal tale of human beings and distortion. Too impersonal to be affecting for me.
147. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
     Enjoyed by: mature
     
148. For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
     Enjoyed by: seasoned
     The minor characters are not caricatures. Gary Cooper & Ingrid Bergman play the protagonists/love interest; "Pablo" and his girlfriend Pilar provide conflict among the communist rebels.
149. Wings of Desire (1988)
     Enjoyed by: mature
     Slow, but also runs a gamut of emotions. An angel returns to Earth, in love with a circus performer and still full of life.
150. The Conversation (1974)
     Enjoyed by: seasoned
     Sort of a psychological thriller as we see dementia overtake a man who works in intelligence, who allows himself to commit the mistake of identifying with and considering the fates of those who he observes.
151. 84 Charing Cross Rd. (1987)
     Enjoyed by: mature
     Explores real emotions, contemplating the passing of events and lives of strangers who are as close as anyone, sharing the experiences that comprise human life.
152. running on empty (1988)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen/seasoned
     Enjoyable story of couple who had gone too far in zeal for activist protesting. We go through their experiences as they grow and realize the cost to themselves and their loved ones.
153. Looking for Mister Goodbar(?)
     Enjoyed by: mature
     A meditation on the effects of oppressive social/family structure
154. Little Big Man (?)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Mid-1800's history lesson told with tongue-in-cheek
155. a beautiful mind (2001)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Entertaining
156. Prizzi's Honor (1985)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Entertaining
157. Koyaanisqatsi (1983)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Supremely innovating and haunting, but every scene extendes beyond its welcome in length and repition. Nevertheless, for anyone who sits throghh this film, the images painted in your conscience will remain with you forever and are rewarding. A great many critics including Ebert, who normally look past vast flaws in other films to see their virtues, for some reason looked past this film's great cinemagraphic achievements and blasted it for its liberal/environmental theme. Defensive? I don't know. Judged purely for its cinema, this easily rivals 3 Women.
158. Powaqqatsi (1988)
     Enjoyed by: mature
     
159. Stalag 17 (1953)
     Enjoyed by:
     Kind of a romantic comedy of war movies. Most of it seemed unmoving, but the end finally had a slight payoff.
     
160. Grizzly Man (2005)
     Enjoyed by: seasoned
     Real-life tragic and honest examination of a man with flawed needs.
161. The constant Gardener (2005)
     Enjoyed by:
     The film had a fine love story and depicted a political, humanitarian and moral crisis turned tragic; however, it played like a suspense thriller...I kept thinking it was going to pull the rug out from under me, so I never bought into the story. All of which is too bad because at the end it turned out to be a fine and compelling straightforward story, and I had never identified with it.
162. Odd Man Out (1947)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     IRA terrorists and the short lives they end up with. Suspenseful and somewhat touching, but merely a high-level view of the people and what they have to look forward to.
163. The Gold Rush (1925)
     Enjoyed by: post-teen
     Better than the average Chaplin, but I still got tired of seeing his antics sliding back and forth in the cabin.
164. The Fast Runner ()
     Enjoyed by:
     
165. Fresh (1994)
     Enjoyed by: Script critics
     Although the script was Mamet-like in its sharp weave, I could not get around the acting and identify with the characters (strangely, I don't have this problem with Mamet while many do). It seemed brilliantly clever for the sake of being brilliantly clever.
166. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
     Enjoyed by: 70s appreciators
     Fully subscribing to 70s artsy values. This film shows 6 people who are always about to eat but never do, amidst Bishop gardeners, crooked politicos, etc. etc. But there isn't a plot; there isn't anything: the film is merely an experience. I prefer not paying for most of my idle experiences.
167. Yojimbo (1961)
     Enjoyed by: teens
     Samurai takes both sides of villains in vallainous village, and puppeteers their destruction of each other. Similar to High Plains Drifter, but probably an ounce better.

Not worth it

1. Ripley's Game (2003)
   
2. The Talented Mr. Ripley (???)
   Enjoyed by: not me
   Ripley is a fictional character who has, through a sequence of fabricated events, turned himself into an emotionless, empty soul. There are a series of films and novels about him, but I have not yet figured out why I should care.
3. Mary Poppins (1964)
   Enjoyed by: kids
   I wish I liked musicals so I could give a fair review. Most people would probably enjoy this film, but I enjoyed the nap.
4. Fitzcarraldo (1982)
   Enjoyed by: Mature teens or older.
   He moved a mountain, achieving nothing.
5. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
   Enjoyed by:
   Such a wonderful musical. I enjoyed these facets: .
6. Tremors (1990)
   Enjoyed by: anyone
   Dumb fun. Breaks the trend of dumb fun being banal.
7. Love Affair (1939)/An Affair to Remember (1957)
   Enjoyed by: post-teen
   Unavailable lovers agree to meet in 6 months on Empire State building in a pact to "have decided." But she has an accident and melodrama ensues.
8. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
   Enjoyed by: mature
   "Pick that up. Bring it here."
9. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Enjoyed by: seasoned
   Psychological drama. Older woman and man host and warp the minds of younger couple who, it turns out, are not so worldy and bold as they might have thought.
10. high plains drifter (1973) Enjoyed by: post-teen
    A town, with no shred of goodness, hires the man with no name to protect them from a demon of their own creation. He delivers what they deserve, and reveals himself to be not what they intended. valuelessness
11. The Bank Dick 1940
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    WC Fields wanders through a yarn of fantastic events with comic, drunken calm indifference to the hubub.
12. The Negotiator (1998)
    Enjoyed by: teens
    Samuel Jackson & Kevin spacey and a few new ideas for a cliched plotline
13. once upon a time in america (1984)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    It eventually all fits together, but somewhere through the middle everyone watching ceased caring. The life story of four New York gangsters.
14. once upon a time in mexico (2003)
    Enjoyed by: teen.
    From Roger Ebert: "Banderas is as impassive as Eastwood, Hayek steams with passion, and Johnny Depp steams with something". Sometimes amusing, like having bad gas. Everything about this movie was fine, except it was incoherent and nonsensical...bring your eyeballs and leave your brain at home.
15. How Green Was My Valley 1941
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Moving, generation-spanning story of social change spanning in scottish village
16. Menace II Society (?)
    Enjoyed by: don't care.
    See "Bastards of the Party" instead.
17. The Court Jester (?)
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Witty, with zero emotional gravity.
18. the producers 1968 3.5
    
19. Secrets and Lies (1996)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    This film does for the adopted what The Right Stuff did for paraplegics.
20. the corporation 2003 Enjoyed by: left-minded youth
    Publicly owned corporations are organizations that seek profit at any cost. They exist this way because their owners--the investors-- have no liability for damages done by the corporations. The reason for this arrangement is to encourage individuals to place their saved resources in the hands of those who will attempt to generate production with it. Countries and economies in the modern world compete and defend themselves through production. I have just shared with you a deeper insight than this documentary every managed, and it spent over 2 hours examining the roots of corporations' evils. Over 2 hours interviewing people who cannot see more than surface deep is not fun, but I learned something valuable: don't make documentaries with nothing but superficial people.
21. Father of the Bride 1950
    Enjoyed by: anyone
    Story follows a father through the course of his daughter's wedding. Film hopes a sentimental audience won't help but swoon from the subject matter alone. Spencer Tracy strains to hold this one up, but it fizzles. See "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967) instead.
    
22. The New World (2005)
    Enjoyed by: Mature.
    Educational, but perhaps reached too far. Given that the story is already a love story within a love story within a racial conflict, the show of cinematography seemed more of a distraction than an addition to the film. Plus the characters kept planting voices in my head and the orchestra seemed to have billed per note.
23. Jezebel 1939
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Soap opera redemption story, but redemption comes so abruptly you may miss what happened or suffer whiplash
24. triumph of the will (1935) Enjoyed by: students of history Nazi propoganda film chartered during 1934 campaigning
25. Gone with the wind 1939
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    The film's characters were a perfect foil for my experience watching it. Initial, seemingly unlimited optimism slowly dimmed from episode upon episode of nowhere-leading emotional exertion until, frankly, I didn't give a damn.
26. singin' in the rain 1952
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Music & dance, occasionally funny.
27. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
    a human story, trampelled by a gala presentation of new effects (techniques introduced in Matrix). Unfortunately, interest in the effects will soon wane--it did for me after about 10 minutes.
28. Henry V
    Historically significant; a few rousing moments, but under-entertaining
29. strike 1925
    Difficult watch for audiences today; historically interesting (both Russian history and cinema), but story doesn't captivate
30. taxi driver 1976 2.0 bp ebert cf120 C50 ?
31. The Green Mile (1999)
32. Dressed to Kill (1980)
33. Shrek (2001)
    Enjoyed by: anyone
34. Braveheart (1995)
35. Blade Runner (1982)
36. an ideal husband
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Tried so hard to be witty, it spent it's entire length doing nothing else. It was witty a few times.
37. dark victory
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Good, but has been followed-up by subsequent stories that hit the mark better. (i.e. Mask, 1985)
38. Fawlty Towers (TV)
39. spellbound 1945
40. Se7en (1995)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    As is common in its genre, this psycho-thriller doesn't have much point once the 2 hours are over; however it has some original intelligence unlike most of its banal counterparts.
41. Saboteur (1942)
42. Alexander Nevsky 1938 Not for the general audience today.
43. irma la douce
    Enjoyed by: girls.
    Sort of immature romantic comedy.
44. The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
45. Duck Soup 1933
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Lots of gags...enjoyed zany last 1/3rd.
46. a funny thing happened
    Enjoyed by: post-teen.
    Lots of gags; not my ball of wax.
47. Black Narcissus 1946
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Nuns struggle against hardships and personal demons while the audience soaks in the cinematrography.
48. high anxiety (1978)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    Some funny gags for Hitchcock fans, but not special.
49. chaplin's essanay comedies #1
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Silent parade of sight gags.
50. chaplin: the collection #1
    Enjoyed by: anyone.
    Silent parade of sight gags.
51. Oldboy
52. spider man 3 (2007)
    Enjoyed by: kids
    I had to use Bugzilla to track the villains. Irreperably diluted themes
53. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
    Had a lot of potential before it felt compelled to follow the path of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I thought it would have been much better with more drama and not just a bunch of cheap, pointless special effects filler.
54. Pirates of the Carribean: at world's end Enjoyed by: kids
    Decent but too long for kids; too innane for adults
55. march of the penguins
56. Moulin Rouge (1952)
57. Mansfield Park
58. nowhere in africa
59. Brazil (1985)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    The whole thing is sort of an inside story. Watching this movie is like detective work...there's some kind of payoff in figuring out what all the disparate things come from, but in general they don't all fit together into a greater theme. I'm not sure why I would recommend this or to whom.
60. Say Anything (???)
    Enjoyed by: early teens
    Better than other teen movies, but it's still a teen movie.
61. Jalsaghar/the music room (1958)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    It was late and I couldn't get past the 1st half, which was slow.
62. 3 Women (1977)
    Enjoyed by: those more mature than I
    Creepy enough on its own accord, when viewed in the context of an outsider trying to filter 70's cultural creepiness, it all got mixed up and I wound up spending a lot of time looking around my room at the furniture.
63. Lord of the Rings (2003-2004)
    Enjoyed by: teen
    Tough one...having not read the books, the story depicted in the films (ugh, my dog just farted really badly!) had no appreciable depth. I'd put this one below star wars...both are clearly stories at a child's level, but the greater film knows it's place and includes some adult humor whereas this film doesn't include much for mature viewers.
64. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Enjoyed by: seasoned
    A look at what happens to simple-minded gung-ho young man when he returns, crippled, from war. Though believable, I wish it had not been as simple-minded as its main character. Childish minds do not see beyond the surface of glory and heroism rhetoric, and both this film and the main character never seem to contemplate beyond this level. At first, going to fight is seen as heroic and honorable but later these emotions are replaced with a sense of betrayal and having been taken advantage of. But how can either the film or the main character make any evaluation without ever considering or even referencing the war's reason?
65. The Apartment (1960)
    Enjoyed by: ?
    Seen but not remembered
66. Out of Africa (1985)
    Enjoyed by: mature
    Dramatic love story. Though a tragedy, I wasn't too enamorate.
    Robert Redford, Merry Streep
67. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
    Enjoyed by:
    A bit touching in places, but ultimately it's sentiment is cheaper than it could have been.
68. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Enjoyed by:
    I never realized how much every single aspect of life in the west was so profound. Still, I guess it was worth something to have the image of the train baron ultimately arriving at nothing but a dirty puddle to realize his dreams of the sea. What did it all mean? I don't think anything.
69. Seance on a wet afternoon (1964)
    Enjoyed by: post-teen
    
70. Modern Times ()
    Enjoyed by:
    
71. The Color Purple (1985)
    Enjoyed by: sentimental folk
    This film had good points and bad points, but I just couldn't excuse it's cliched directing. Perfect in its poetic superficiality, it tells the story of a great many Profoundly Dramatic Moments amdist the life of a slave girl separated from the sister who she truly loved.
72. Inside Man (2006)
    Enjoyed by: teens
    Denzel Washington negotiates bank heist with hostages. After all the smoke cleared from the exaggerated drama, there was nothing there!
73. The Great Ecstasy of the Sculptor Steiner (???)
    Enjoyed by: sports personality enthusiasts
    Interesting look at the results in a sport where one individual is so far above all other competitors that he is ignored and largely cast aside.
74. Physics: The Elegant Universe and Beyond (2005)
    Enjoyed by: nobody
    String theory documentary lives in a strange place trying to describe in laymans terms a subject that loses all interest when reduced to layman's terms.
75. Yellow Submarine ()
    Enjoyed by: dunno
    Good for catalyzing some bizarre dreams. Maybe the right combination of drugs would help it seem like it means something.

Bad

1. How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck (???)
   Enjoyed by: let me know if you figure it out
   
2. levity (2003)
   Enjoyed by: I don't care
   Very profound. Very Cliche. Very banal.
3. King Kong (2005)
   Enjoyed by: Apparent Roger Ebert
   Big special effects, little else.
4. School of Rock ()
   
5. The Departed (2006)
   Enjoyed by: teens

   This movie is what you get if your cross Serpico, Three Days of the Condor and The Godfather, and then give it a labotomy. It's too bad about the labotomy, because there were some good parts in the beginning.

   If the objective of a good movie is to put guns & superficial violence on the screen, then this film is a success. But if it's the other way around, & guns/violence are a means of contributing entertainment to a good movie, then I have objections.

6. Bananas (1971)
   I'm sure a lot of people like Woody Allen, but I will never watch another of his films.
7. Kill Bill vol 1 (2003)
   Enjoyed by: teens
   What can I say, I like substance over visual candy. It feels like Quentin Tarantino had a good time making this movie, but I was bored watching it.
8. Ned Kelly (2003)
   Enjoyed by: ?
   Ned Kelly was a real-life tragedy probably worthy of your knowledge. Viewing this movie is another real-life tragedy, but worthless.
9. Gladiator (2000)
   Enjoyed by: teens
   Reminded me of The Outlaw Josey Wales. But it sucked.
10. Stolen Jools (aka Slippery Pearls) (1931)
    Enjoyed by: film bufs
    Whatever. Fame for fame's sake. At least it was only 20 minutes.
11. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
    Enjoyed by: ?
    How could so many resources be spent creating something so stupid?
12. Iron Man (2008)
    Enjoyed by:
    The Stupid Man's Robocop. The entire soundtrack is a single riff that plays for the entire duration--over, and over, and over, and over.... The rest goes downhill from there. There is a scene where a Afghan military group captures the most sophistocated weapons available in the world, and they use their windfall to attack unarmed refugees in an isolated area. The news media reports that there is hope for the refugees because they pose no strategic value, wealth or other interests to world powers. Would it really have been too hard to have the bad guys do something less insultingly stupid?
13. The Missing (2003)
    Enjoyed by: maybe teens who haven't seen too many films
    Fantastic in its badness. This is why teens--who lack judgement, have not yet developed any depth in their sense of values, and who do not have a full enough awareness of the world to appreciate utter crap for what it is--should not be left in charge of significant financial resources. When teens control market forces, movies like this happen.
14. Heavy Metal (1981)
    Enjoyed by: masturbatory teen geeks
    A bunch of short flicks that someone tried to tie together with a weak excuse. This is anime-type crap at its best or at its worst, depending on whether you like good or bad. For those who like this type of crap, this is the crap you like.
15. Assault on precinct 13 (1976)
    Enjoyed by: teens
    
16. Borat (2006)
    Enjoyed by: lots of people other than me
    Better than "Eight Crazy Nights"
17. Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
    Enjoyed by: teens
    Attempts to target the moronic male teen group with old & obvious "crude is funny" junk. Also uses plagiarized elements from the oldest hollywood cliches to form a not-quite-complete sentimental story. Rather than flunking it for alienating any possible audience, I'm giving it an F for effort.
18. Iron Will
    Enjoyed by: sentimental people who have never seen another film before.
    I have the flu so I'll be brief: I think a seventh-grader produced this film. How do full-grown adults decide to sink resources into this?

Awful

1. Face/off
   Enjoyed by: Brainless gawkers.
   This movie contains a few special effects and nothing else.
2. Broken Arrow (1996)
   Enjoyed by: theater chairs
   This is a must-see film for teen-aged morons. If I arrived home and found, side by side on the carpet, a John Woo dvd and diarrhea from my dog, I would immediately jump into action and scoop up the John Woo dvd into the garbage.
3. Paycheck (2003)
   Enjoyed by: I don't care (sorry!)
   In a generous mood, I almost listed this film in the "bad" category, but then I felt doing so would be unfair to the bad films. Nevertheless, I saw it over my wife's shoulder (without sound) while she watched it on an airplane. That armed me with enough careful observation to properly critique the film: guns & childish plot.
4. Shallow Hal (2001)
   Seen but not heard on an airplane. That was enough.
5. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
   Enjoyed by: sleepy people
   Sleepy. Hollow.

http://www.prairienet.org/ejahiel/
http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue9804/jaffe.htm
http://crazy4cinema.com/Review/review.html
critics:  roger ebert
http://www.nicksflickpicks.com/agmovies.html
http://www.cinepad.com/awards/awards_1-50.htm
http://www.openix.com/~danb/usedfilms.htm (doesn't match my taste)