Anyone remembering those old movie serials will realize the roots of this adventure, one of Spielberg's most fun. The pace starts fast, then allows you to catch your breath, then it starts up again, just like the old cliffhangers used to. This tall tale involves an archeaology professor, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, who searches the world for lost and valuable artifacts but seems to keep running into Nazis instead. Raiders has him on the quest of the "Ark of the Covenant", which housed the ten commandments and supposedly was a war weapon in ancient times. Throw in old flame Karen Allen, after a terrific drinking contest in Tibet, and Egyptian comrade John Rhys-Davies, and you have a motley crue of world-saving Nazi fighters. Classic adventure, 30’s style told in 80’s technical terms, with great special effects and mind-blowing revelations.

Best Picture (AA, GG)

The Woodman scored big with Annie Hall: Oscars for Picture, Director, Screenplay, and a Best Actress for then girlfriend Diane Keaton (sister of Michael, great-niece of Buster). Keaton created a character for the ages, a daffy but lovable nerd, just the right woman for Woody. There are some memorably funny Allen scenes of visual humor (spider killers), and intellectual humor, when someone they're arguing about in a film line (Marshall McLuhan) steps out to back up their argument with strangers in front of them. Others in the film include Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, Colleen Dewhurst, Carol Kane, former gf Janet Margolin (she was in Woody's first films). One of the more likeable romantic comedies ever filmed. 4 Oscars

It’s said one reason George C. Scott refused his Oscar for this biopic is because he hated "Blood and Guts" George Patton so much. It’s apparent from this war epic that Gen. Patton was sort of a misguided hero, yet an army moving, battle winning leader of men nonetheless. Scott was never better, and this movie spared no expense in recreating his famous drive through Europe, often moving his army 100 miles in 2 days. Maybe a little heartless, and down a star for excessive patriotic propagandizing, this film is still excellently crafted, one of the best on World War II. 7 Oscars

Billy Wilder was such a great director, can you think of another film that begins with the main character floating dead in a pool, narrating his own demise? Film noir elements blend with a silver screen story of aged star Norma Desmond, well past her prime as an actress, brilliantly portrayed by Gloria Swanson. William Holden is a screenwriting gigolo who ends up with Desmond, to write her autobiography.

Her devoted butler, played by legendary director Eric von Stroheim, adds the perfect cinema connection to Desmond's life, as he obviously respects her legendary stardom. Here he makes what could be a mundane character part into that of unforgettable imagery. Holden's character is just the opportunist that one suspects populates tinseltown, especially among its not quite so successful. Of course, the story funs full circle until we find out how he came to be floating in the pool. Hollywood’s self-criticism was never handled better, a bona-fide black & white classic.

This comedic farce came out of nowhere using special effects to combine a world of ghosts, biblical demons, spirits, "autonomous free-form vaporous apparitions", all sorts of nasty stuff from "Tobin's Spirit Guide", especially world destroyer Gozar, who may be gaining entrance through hot cellist Sigourney Weavers apartment. When Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd get fired from a university psychic research job, they form a team of scientific ghost exorcists, and take off with a popular tv ad, "Who ya gonna call?", and investigate all the psychic activity in New York. A howlfest if you don't take it too seriously, and who could, with dialogue like this?:

Harold Ramis: I'm into molds, spores, and fungi...

Rick Moranis is terrific as a nerdy neighbor accountant who becomes "The Keymaster", Annie Potts as the Ghostbuster's receptionist, Harold Ramis (who co-wrote) as a GB founder.

Quote: I've worked in the private sector, they expect results. (Akroyd)

Nichols' breakthrough film (for popularity) is a deft blend of sophisticated suburban comedy and seduction humor. Dustin Hoffman was made a star by this, and is perfectly nerdy as a recent college grad Ben Braddock, disillusioned with his career prospects. Anne Bancroft is polished and sexy as a jaded married friend of his parents who thinks Ben is physically good for her, but won’t be good enough for her own collegiate daughter, Katherine Ross. Murray Hamilton as her dad gets some very funny scenes. The novel by Charles Webb was reportedly autobiographical, causing a lot of finger pointing in his family circle. Look for Buck Henry in a tiny scene-stealing part, and terrific use of Simon and Garfunkel songs, "Mrs. Robinson" written for this movie, "The Sound of Silence" being reused for alienation. One of the great romantic comedies.
Quote: You're not one of them outside agitators are you? Cause I won't stand for that. (Normal Fell)

AFI and Time Mag Top 100

A nearly perfect musical comedy, the musical numbers are excellent and the comedy in between is hilarious as well. The story revolves around two romantically-linked movie stars, one being Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood, who are forced to make the transition from silent films to talkies, and the problem is Jean Hagen (Oscar nominee), as Lena Lamont, her voice is like spinal torture. When they decide to join the parade of musical films, they hire Debbie Reynolds (who got the part by winning "Miss Long Beach"! At first Kelly refused to work with her) to dub over the vocals for Lamont. Kelly's partner Donald O'Conner has some of the best dance moments, a solo called "Make Em Laugh", which he later says he improvised, and a complex duet with Kelly called "Moses Supposes". O'Conner won a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Gene Kelly provides most of the choreography, and the Broadway Melody sequence that last over 15 minutes is his best stuff. It also introduced Cyd Charisse in her first part, one that makes eyes pop, as well as Kelly's "Gotta Dance" character arriving in the big city. This now accepted classic wasn't even nominate for Best Picture!
Quote: I ain't people - I am a shining star in the cinema firmament.
Quote2: If we have brought a little ray of sunshine into your ordinary humdrum lives, then it ain't all been for nothing. (both Jean Hagen as Lena)

A poetic and mythical masterpiece from China, an epic about a stolen sword. Chow Yung-Fat is perfect as the martial arts master who has the sword stolen, and dimunitive Ziyi Zhang (the world's most popular actress) is the likely suspect, only she remains an elusive quarry. Many magical moments and acrobatic martial arts make this a visual treat, as Ang Lee got directorial help for the martial arts. Yo-Yo Ma provided a beautiful soundtrack score, which won an Oscar. 4 Oscars

This was a 19-yr project overall for director Attenborough, and the result was a near perfect biopic of the late Mahatma Gandhi, a.k.a. Mohandas K. Gandhi, who began as a minority rights lawyer and later inspired the movement for Indian independence through non-violent means. The casting had to be perfect, and Ben Kingsley was, getting a well-deserved Oscar. This is a monumental epic, worthy of its subject. Two million people showed up for the filming of the funeral scene! They had to eliminate all shots showing Levis and Nikes... and had promised 'free lunch' for all participants! 8 Oscars

Jaw-dropping special effects make this story of aliens visiting earth an awe-inspiring science fiction classic, perhaps Spielberg's finest directing achievement. The story begins with some typical UFO sightings, but after some abductions and increasing worldwide events it's apparent that someone is contacting us from elsewhere. Richard Dreyfuss is one main character who's drawn to a mysterious Wyoming rock monument, Melinda Dillon's toddler left to play with the pretty lights, and a conclave of scientists, who have picked up some intelligent radio signals, led by French director Francois Truffaut are all pulled to this particular area. There are thousands online, including Air Force personnel, who testify that the incident is true, and the information was released to Spielberg to make this movie of the event to cushion the shock to the public! One of a handful of truly great sf films.

West Side Story shows a tremendous improvement in widescreen dvd, you can finally see all the dancers just like in the theaters! The general premise sounds scary: retell Romeo and Juliet in a modern urban setting with dancing New York street gangs, in this case the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, whom I'll have to admit were much sharper dressers. George Chakiris leads the latter, in an Oscar-winning, charm oozing role; he was also the best dancer, as was his girlfriend Rita Moreno, also an Oscar winner. Not faring as well were lead Natalie Woods, and once again we have to hear Marnie Nixon's voice doing the singing, who also sang for Deborah Kerr in The King and I, and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady; nor male lead Richard Beymer but the rest of the film overcomes their overacting, the soapy parts keep this from being a perfect 10. The highlights are the unique jazz classical score by Leonard Bernstein, and the modern dance choreography of Jerome Robbins, let go midway during production for going way over budget (but it shows!), who shared director's credit and also the Oscar for directing with Robert Wise (Sound of Music), who does the more boring, lame exposition stuff. 10 Oscars

Best Picture (BAA)
AFI and Time Top 100
Scorsese’s epic tribute to the gangster film tells the true story of Irish criminal Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), based on his memoirs. Robert De Niro is excellent as usual as , and Joe Pesci won an Oscar for his over the top take as the homicidal partner with a trigger finger. Lorraine Bracco had a star-making role as Liotta’s wife, and got an Oscar nomination for supporting actress. Look for the long tracking shot that follows Jimmy and friends down into the night club. This is a long and rich film that maintains a good pace until it starts increasing in speed, and then we’re all pounding along to Harry Nilsson’s "Jump into the Fire" as Hill goes on a coke binge, which is a pretty good description of this lifestyle. Only One Oscar

For me, this is the most rewarding Ron Howard film, both heartwarming and very funny. Based on the structure of Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters, which they admired for weaving together several separate stories of one big family, this does the same with four related families and all their children. Steve Martin turns in his most accessible performance as the main character, Mary Steenburgen is his wife, Jason Robards his father, wayward ne'er do well son Tom Hulce turns up (with his kid named "Cool"), and brother-in-law Rick Moranis plays a father obsessed with his gifted daughter's intellectual superiority. Diane Wiest is another sister, divorced, whose rebellious daughter Martha Plimpton, refuses to stop seeing daredevil racer Keanu Reeves. Howard makes all these stories work together (and the large ensemble), and the kids are all perfect, the birthday party is one you'll never forget. The terrific Randy Newman song, "I Love to See You Smile" was inspired by Steenburgen.
Quote: You're not really a real person; you're an amalgam of all the ushers my dad paid to watch me over the years.

This is a beautifully filmed and finely crafted romance, set in early 60's Hong Kong. The story is a simple one, as two cordial neighbors discover that their often absent spouses may be seeing each other, so they become friends. Tony Leung won a Cannes award for Best Actor, Maggie Cheung should have. Ironically, the two would later play lovers and assassins in Zhang Yimou's Hero, in quite different parts. This is a slow moving but visually sumptuous feast, as each shot is saturated with deep, rich colors reminiscent of Vittorio Storaro's work for Bertolucci and Coppola. The Criterion dvd comes with over a half hour of deleted scenes, also well worth watching. Wong later filmed a sequel, 2046, which was the number on a hotel room in this film.

A monument to a culture and a three-day concert, featuring some vision-boggling split-screen editing that maintains your interest in between the rock and folk (yikes!) performances (there must be two dozen at least). The new director's cut is nearly four hours long. Believe it or not, Santana played here free and without a recording contract (Carlos was just 19)! They are a highlight, so is Jimi Hendrix, in a bittersweet performance after a rain delay to a waterlogged and sparse crowd; his feedback-laden, instrumental "Star-Spangled Banner" is a paeon to both the Vietnam war and electronic rock. Mind-altering is optional. 8* due to mediocre sound (and some folk music!), but still one of the best and most ambitious documentaries ever filmed.