Ilyn Pyke
Jun 15th, 2002, 03:23:55 AM
This thread is of everything not regarding SW for obvious reasons. Here is my list of favorite movies with a brief synopsis.
Long Riders - '80
Director Walter Hill.
A realistic and gritty depiction of the Jesse James/Younger gang. The Minnesota Raid sequence is too incredible to be missed. One of the greatest westerns ever made. Stars Stacy Keach, David Carradine, Keith Carradine, and others.
Scarface - '83
Director Brian De Palma.
A powerful story of a cuban refugee's rise to the top of Miami's cocaine underworld. Marvelous depiction of the underworld in all of it's gratuitous glory. Stars Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, etc.
Once Upon a Time in America - '84
Director Sergio Leone.
Turn of the century tale, set in New York, of Jewish delinquents, following their lives to adulthood as they become powerful gangsters. IMHO, it is the most underrated mob flick ever and was produced by the legendary italian director Sergio Leone. (The father of spaghetti westerns.) How unfortunate! Stars Robert De Niro, James Woods, etc.
River's Edge - '87
Director Tim Hunter.
A dark and disturbing tale involving aimless teens in Oregon and a murder. Based on a true story. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper truly stand-out. Also stars Keanu Reeves.
Name of the Rose - '86
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud.
A murder mystery set in a european monastary during the 13th or 14th century. This movie can not be missed for it's amazing sets, realistic depiction of medievel monastic life, and the plight of human condition in a grim age. Based on Umberto Eco's novel. Stars Sean Connery, Christine Slater. Also Ron Pearlman as a misfit hunchback whom speaks in metaphor and holds many secrets.
Platoon - '86
Director Oliver Stone.
A tale of a young grunt's volunteer tour of duty in the Vietnam War. A powerful movie in which Sheen's character is placed in a moral and physical war between two platoon sergeants. A power struggle that divides the platoon. Pitting the compassionate Elias whom has earned many of the soldier's respect. Against the cold, brutal Barnes whom is feared by them. Tom Berrenger is absolutely riveting in this movie. Also stars Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, etc.
Wallstreet - '87
Director Oliver Stone.
A faustian-like tale of the market and corporate corruption with an underlying moral message. Michael Douglas shines as the greedy Gordon Gecko. Stars Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, etc.
Princess Bride - '87
Director Rob Reiner.
A very charming tale of a princess and her knight in shining armor. Mandy Patinkin is a riot as the revenge driven swordsman Inigo Montoya. Stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, etc.
Unforgiven - '92
Director Clint Eastwood.
One of the best western's ever produced. A hired gun comes out of retirement to aid a madame and her girls from the brutality of a sheriff and his men. Powerful performances by Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, and Gene Hackman. IMHO, Hackman's greatest performance yet as the cruel sheriff Little Bill Daggett.
The Usual Suspects - '95
Director Bryan Singer.
Who can ever forget Keyser Soze? Great crime movie with more twists in it than a pretzel. Very original with brilliant delivery! Stars Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, etc.
Goodfellas - '90
Director Martin Scorsese.
Rising gangsters in New York. Joe Pesci is marvelous as the violent, psychotic mobster, Tommy Devito. Also stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, etc.
Heat - '95
Director Michael Mann.
A great robber caper involving a criminal mastermind and the unconventional detective pursuing him. Robert De Niro's MacAuley is very engrossing. Very intense movie. Also stars Val Kilmer, Al Pacino, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, etc.
Fellowship of the Ring - '01
Director Peter Jackson.
One word... Tolkien. This movie brought out more praise than criticism. A tremendous task of producing an film epic on Tolkien's famous work. One of the greatest pieces of twentieth century literature containing a staggering depth of vision and imagination. One of the most important fictional works of the last century inspiring an unfathomable legion of others in various mediums. IMHO, Jackson's film captures the mythic essence and beauty of the book and is the best movie ever produced yet in this unfortunately bleak cinematography genre. Stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, etc.
Long Riders - '80
Director Walter Hill.
A realistic and gritty depiction of the Jesse James/Younger gang. The Minnesota Raid sequence is too incredible to be missed. One of the greatest westerns ever made. Stars Stacy Keach, David Carradine, Keith Carradine, and others.
Scarface - '83
Director Brian De Palma.
A powerful story of a cuban refugee's rise to the top of Miami's cocaine underworld. Marvelous depiction of the underworld in all of it's gratuitous glory. Stars Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, etc.
Once Upon a Time in America - '84
Director Sergio Leone.
Turn of the century tale, set in New York, of Jewish delinquents, following their lives to adulthood as they become powerful gangsters. IMHO, it is the most underrated mob flick ever and was produced by the legendary italian director Sergio Leone. (The father of spaghetti westerns.) How unfortunate! Stars Robert De Niro, James Woods, etc.
River's Edge - '87
Director Tim Hunter.
A dark and disturbing tale involving aimless teens in Oregon and a murder. Based on a true story. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper truly stand-out. Also stars Keanu Reeves.
Name of the Rose - '86
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud.
A murder mystery set in a european monastary during the 13th or 14th century. This movie can not be missed for it's amazing sets, realistic depiction of medievel monastic life, and the plight of human condition in a grim age. Based on Umberto Eco's novel. Stars Sean Connery, Christine Slater. Also Ron Pearlman as a misfit hunchback whom speaks in metaphor and holds many secrets.
Platoon - '86
Director Oliver Stone.
A tale of a young grunt's volunteer tour of duty in the Vietnam War. A powerful movie in which Sheen's character is placed in a moral and physical war between two platoon sergeants. A power struggle that divides the platoon. Pitting the compassionate Elias whom has earned many of the soldier's respect. Against the cold, brutal Barnes whom is feared by them. Tom Berrenger is absolutely riveting in this movie. Also stars Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, etc.
Wallstreet - '87
Director Oliver Stone.
A faustian-like tale of the market and corporate corruption with an underlying moral message. Michael Douglas shines as the greedy Gordon Gecko. Stars Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, etc.
Princess Bride - '87
Director Rob Reiner.
A very charming tale of a princess and her knight in shining armor. Mandy Patinkin is a riot as the revenge driven swordsman Inigo Montoya. Stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, etc.
Unforgiven - '92
Director Clint Eastwood.
One of the best western's ever produced. A hired gun comes out of retirement to aid a madame and her girls from the brutality of a sheriff and his men. Powerful performances by Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, and Gene Hackman. IMHO, Hackman's greatest performance yet as the cruel sheriff Little Bill Daggett.
The Usual Suspects - '95
Director Bryan Singer.
Who can ever forget Keyser Soze? Great crime movie with more twists in it than a pretzel. Very original with brilliant delivery! Stars Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, etc.
Goodfellas - '90
Director Martin Scorsese.
Rising gangsters in New York. Joe Pesci is marvelous as the violent, psychotic mobster, Tommy Devito. Also stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, etc.
Heat - '95
Director Michael Mann.
A great robber caper involving a criminal mastermind and the unconventional detective pursuing him. Robert De Niro's MacAuley is very engrossing. Very intense movie. Also stars Val Kilmer, Al Pacino, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, etc.
Fellowship of the Ring - '01
Director Peter Jackson.
One word... Tolkien. This movie brought out more praise than criticism. A tremendous task of producing an film epic on Tolkien's famous work. One of the greatest pieces of twentieth century literature containing a staggering depth of vision and imagination. One of the most important fictional works of the last century inspiring an unfathomable legion of others in various mediums. IMHO, Jackson's film captures the mythic essence and beauty of the book and is the best movie ever produced yet in this unfortunately bleak cinematography genre. Stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, etc.