Al's Top Rated Films: 1996
These are my favorite movies of 1996. I'll continue to add more titles as I see more!
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- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.Phenomenal snow-filled crime drama/thriller from the Coen Brothers set in 1987, and follows a desperate Minneapolis-based executive car sales manager named Jerry Lundegaard who's in hot water for embezzled, and plots to have his wife kidnapped so he can collect the ransom money from his rich father-in-law, Wade Gustafson. He drives out to Fargo, North Dakota, to meet a couple of criminals that agree to work with him and do the job for $40,000 and a new Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. After they kidnap Jerry's wife and throw her in the trunk, they are are stopped by a state trooper near Brainerd, which completely screws up their plans, and ends in bloodshed. Brainerd police chief Marge Gunderson (who's pregnant) takes on the investigation, and inches closer to solving the mystery as a deadly series of events harnessed by greed comes crashing down on all parties involved. This is definitely my favorite film from the Coen Brothers. It has a gorgeous production design and feel, and has come to exemplify much of their signature style of directing and writing. It's no surprise they won the Oscar for best screenplay, and also nominated for best directing, cinematography, and best picture. Frances McDormand (also winning an Oscar), William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi all delivered superb lead performances. They're arguably the best of all their careers. Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell, Kristin Rudrüd, John Carroll Lynch, Larry Brandenburg, Steve Reevis, Gary Houston, Melissa Peterman, Bruce Bohne, Steve Park, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBobby FarrellyPeter FarrellyStarsWoody HarrelsonRandy QuaidBill MurrayA star bowler whose career was prematurely "cut off" hopes to ride a new prodigy to success and riches.Outstanding sports comedy from the Farrelly Brothers set in 1979, and follows a talented young bowler named Roy Munson who wins the Iowa state bowling championship and leaves home to go pro, which makes his proud father very happy. After some early success, his career is "cut short" after gambling with the wrong bowlers. The story flashes forward 17 years and finds Roy working as a washed-up bowling supplies salesman, and is about to be kicked out of his apartment since he can't make ends meet. One day when he's trying to peddle some merchandise to the local bowling alley, he meets an exceptional Amish bowler named Ishmael and gets the idea that he can be his coach and they can become business partners. He subsequently convinces him to enter a massive $1 million winner-take-all bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada. He ends up training Ishmael as they bet their way across the country, meeting shady betters, corrupt businessman, and a woman named Claudia who enters into their business agreement. It all leads up to Roy's confrontation with his past arch nemesis who's responsible for much of his heartache—pro bowler Ernie McCracken. Fantastic story, beautiful production design, excellent soundtrack, my favorite film from the Farrelly Brothers, and the greatest bowling movie of all time. Woody Harrelson delivers my all-time favorite lead performance in his entire filmography. I'd have to say the same about Randy Quaid and Bill Murray's exemplary performances. Their personalities fit the story and picture perfectly. Vanessa Angel, Lin Shaye, Rob Moran, Daniel Greene, William Jordan, Chris Elliott, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBilly Bob ThorntonStarsBilly Bob ThorntonDwight YoakamJ.T. WalshKarl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.Fantastic drama written, directed by, and starring Billy Bob Thornton. The story follows a troubled disabled man named Karl Childers whose parents physically and mentally abused him when he was young. He was released from a mental hospital after 20 years for brutally murdering his mother and her secret lover with a kaiser/sling blade. Now in his 30s, he starts working as a mechanic in his Arkansas hometown in an attempt to regain a life of normalcy. He ends up befriending a 12-year-old boy named Frank Wheatley, and becomes a much-needed role model in his life. After becoming so important to him and his mother, they invite Karl to stay in their home with them. However, tensions run high when Frank's mom's abusive and alcoholic boyfriend Doyle steps over the line with her and the young boy, which finds Karl stepping in to help while facing his past dark demons. Superb story all around. Billy Bob Thornton definitely earned his Oscar for best screenwriting, along with his Oscar nomination for best lead actor, which remains one of his most iconic performances of all time. Lucas Black also delivered an excellent starring role. Natalie Canerday, John Ritter, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Robert Duvall, Rick Dial, Christine Renee Ward, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones, Jim Jarmusch, and others have great supporting roles.
- DirectorAnjelica HustonStarsJennifer Jason LeighRon EldardGlenne HeadlyA mother and daughter find their lives adversely affected when a new man enters the picture. Will their family ever be what they expect?Fantastic and emotion-filled drama from Anjelica Huston set in 1950s South Carolina, and follows the struggles of a poor single mother named Anney Boatwright who's working to find happiness and a father for her young daughter Ruth Anne "Bone". Anney had Bone as a 16-years old unwed mother, which finds Bone branded as a bastard when the word “illegitimate” is stamped on her birth certificate. Anney's second husband Glen wins her heart, but as time moves on, he ends up secretly and brutally abusing Bone in the worst ways possible, while hiding his reckless behavior and impure thoughts from Anney and the rest of her family. All the while, Bone conceals these secrets from Anney to keep her happy. The boiling tension leads to harrowing conclusion. Fantastic story with very realistic dialogue and acting all around. Anjelica Huston's direction was on point, and is easily the best of the 3 films she's directed. Jennifer Jason Leigh (Anney) and Jena Malone (Bone) both deliver a couple of their all-time best lead performances. Ron Eldard, Michael Rooker, Diana Scarwid, Glenne Headly, Susan Traylor, Lyle Lovett, Dermot Mulroney, Christina Ricci, Diana Scarwid, Susan Traylor, Grace Zabriskie, Pat Hingle, Laura Dern, and others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorDennis DuganStarsAdam SandlerChristopher McDonaldJulie BowenAfter his grandmothers house is repossessed by the IRS, bad tempered hockey player takes his talents to golf to earn the big bucks and get his grandmothers house back.Hilarious sports comedy from Dennis Dugan that follows an aspiring Connecticut-based hockey player named Happy Gilmore who has a massively powerful slap shot. However, he really can't skate, and his "goon" like behavior keeps him off the ice. While he still harbors delusions of becoming a pro hockey player, his grandmother's house goes into foreclosure due to unpaid taxes. Since he has a wicked slap shot, he goes to the local golf driving range to make some dough by taking bets in a long-drive contest using his grandfather's old golf clubs. He's quickly noticed by a former pro golfer turned club trainer named Chubbs Peterson, who convinces Happy to join the PGA Tour to help him make the money to buy his grandma's house back. Many hilarious characters and situations present themselves on his way to the finish line. I'd have to say this is the best golf film since "Caddyshack" (1980). The casting is perfect and the story is lighthearted and outrageously entertaining throughout. Adam Sandler arguably delivers his best and most iconic lead performance. Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin) and Carl Weathers (Chubbs) also had fantastic starring roles. Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Allen Covert, Bob Barker, Richard Kiel, Kevin Nealon, Ben Stiller, Dennis Dugan, Robert Smigel, and others also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsMatthew McConaugheySandra BullockSamuel L. JacksonIn Canton, Mississippi, a fearless young lawyer and his assistant defend a black man accused of murdering two white men who raped his ten-year-old daughter, inciting violent retribution and revenge from the Ku Klux Klan.Powerful and excellently made crime drama from Joel Schumacher, based on John Grisham's best-selling 1989 novel of the same name. The story is set in 1984 Canton, Mississippi, and follows an ambitious and well-respected lawyer named Jake Brigance who defends a black man named Carl Lee Hailey after killing two white men for raping his 10-year-old daughter. Jake's main angle is to reason with a rigid all-white jury to gain sympathy for Hailey's motives to kill. Meanwhile, tensions reach a boiling point when the Ku Klux Klan gets involved and wants revenge, as they take matters into their own hands with ruthless intimidation and violence. Great story all around with excellent dialogue and fantastic cast of actors. Matthew McConaughey arguably delivers his all-time best lead performance. Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, and Kevin Spacey also delivered excellent starring roles. Oliver Platt, Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Cooper, Patrick McGoohan, Ashley Judd, Tonea Stewart, Charles S. Dutton, Tim Parati, RaéVen Kelly, Brenda Fricker, Kurtwood Smith, and many others also have excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobert De NiroKevin BaconBrad PittAfter a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized. Thirteen years later, an unexpected random encounter with a former guard gives them a chance for revenge.Excellent and gripping crime drama from Barry Levinson set in the working class neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, 1967. The story follows four best friends named Lorenzo "Shakes" Carcaterra, Tommy Marcano, Michael Sullivan, and John Reilly. Their parish priest Father "Bobby" Carillo does his best to teach the kids right from wrong and steer them in the right direction, but like most boys their age, they get into mischief. One day the boys decide to prank the street-side hotdog vendor, which gets way out of hand and finds the vendor chasing them down. The incident ends with the boys accidentally killing the man. From that point on, their lives are forever changed and seriously plagued after being sent to a juvenile prison where they face horrifying abuse from the ruthlessly violent and corrupt guards in charge. Once they are out of prison and all grown up, they are presented with a chance to take bittersweet revenge. Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Joe Perrino, Brad Renfro, Geoffrey Wigdor, and Jonathan Tucker all deliver excellent lead performances. Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Billy Crudup, and Ron Eldard also delivered great starring roles. Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Vittorio Gassman, Bruno Kirby, Eugene Byrd, Frank Medrano, Terry Kinney, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsPhilip Baker HallJohn C. ReillyGwyneth PaltrowProfessional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.Excellent crime drama from Paul Thomas Anderson that follows a veteran expert gambler named Sydney Brown who meets a troubled homeless man named John Finnegan in a Nevada diner. John's broke and down on his luck, and Sydney decides to teach him how to get rich and make a living as a professional gambler in Las Vegas. After about 2 years of successful bets, Sydney has now become sort of a father figure to John, and they have a good working relationship. But soon, John falls in love with a troubled cocktail waitress named Clementine, and the story takes an intense and thrilling turn as more secrets from John and Sydney's past are revealed through a crazed series of events. Excellent story, dialogue, production design/cinematography, and casting. This is definitely my favorite lead role from Philip Baker Hall. He definitely had the chops to hold the whole story together, and delivers his most ambitious role of his career. John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow also delivered some of their finest lead performances. Samuel L. Jackson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melora Walters, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsSean ConneryNicolas CageEd HarrisA mild-mannered chemist and an ex-con must lead the counterstrike when a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz against San Francisco.Excellent action-packed adventure/thriller, and easily my favorite film from Michael Bay. The story follows the FBI's top chemical weapons specialist Stanley Goodspeed and an infamous former British intelligence agent named John Patrick Mason, who are paired up with a team of Navy SEALs to take down the corrupt former Brigadier General Francis Hummel and a group of mercenaries who take 81 tourists hostage on the prison island of Alcatraz. Hummel's plan is to launch rockets filled with deadly VX poison nerve gas over San Francisco if the government doesn't meet their demands. Excellent story, awesome action, superb thrills, and a lot of great comedy really makes this one of my favorite films of its kind. Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris all deliver some of the best lead performances of their careers. They will always be favorites of mine. John Spencer, David Morse, William Forsythe, Michael Biehn, Vanessa Marcil, John C. McGinley, Gregory Sporleder, Tony Todd, Todd Louiso, Bokeem Woodbine, Philip Baker Hall, Danny Nucci, Claire Forlani
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsOssie DavisCharles S. DuttonAndre BraugherA disparate group of African-American men travel by bus to Washington, DC for the Million Man March.Excellent historical drama from Spike Lee that follows a group of African American with different backgrounds who board a Los Angeles bus on October 16, 1995 to attend the Million Man March at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., organized by black nationalist leader Louis Farrakhan. The trip is led by a veteran bus driver and trip organizer, and the group consists of a wise old man who likes to advise younger folks how to live, an aspiring movie maker that films their trip along the way, an aggressive and homophobic actor, a gay couple, a biracial police officer, a former gang member and murderer who's now a devout Muslim, a father and son tethered together in chains following a court order to do so, and so many other interesting characters who have many conflicting social views and arguments throughout their long trip to Washington. Very powerful story with fantastic dialogue and compelling messages throughout. An underrated Spike Lee joint all around with a perfect ensemble cast. Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, De'aundre Bonds, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gabriel Casseus, Hill Harper, Harry Lennix, Isaiah Washington, Steve White, Richard Belzer, Bernie Mac, and others have fantastic performances.
- DirectorGregory HoblitStarsRichard GereLaura LinneyEdward NortonAn altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.Excellent crime drama/mystery/thriller from Gregory Hoblit that follows a troubled 19-year-old altar boy named Aaron Stampler who’s charged with the brutal murder of Chicago's beloved archbishop after being seen fleeing the scene covered in blood. A cocky first-class defense attorney named Martin Vail immediately takes the case at no charge because he's interested in the case and loves high-profile cases that earns him a notorious brand of notability. Vail immediately concludes Stampler is innocent due to his innocent stutter, his likeliness to experience amnesia, and his overall believable story. However, things aren’t so clear after new evidence starts presenting itself, which lends a plot-twisting series of events that catches Vail completely off-guard. Excellent film with great dialogue, excellent thrills, and a mystery that pays off nicely in the end. The cast is excellent. Richard Gere and Edward Norton both deliver excellent lead performances and have great chemistry together. Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Andre Braugher, Terry O'Quinn, Maura Tierney, Steven Bauer, Stanley Anderson, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsEwan McGregorEwen BremnerJonny Lee MillerRenton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends.Excellent dark comedy/crime drama from Danny Boyle set in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the height of the heroin addiction crisis in 1989. The story follows a 26-year-old unemployed heroin addict named Mark Renton who lives with his parents and regularly binges on heroin and other drugs with his friends who all have a laundry list of their own problems. They commit crimes to raise money for their drugs that constantly puts them in harms way. After Mark nearly dies from an overdose, he decides to choose life over death and gets a job, his own apartment, and cleans up his life. However, his friends are still addicts, and he's plagued with peer pressure and a sense of commitment to help them, which involves more crime and drugs. Powerful and realistic story with excellent drama, thrills, and dark humor. Ewan McGregor arguably delivers his greatest lead performance of all time. Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, and Kevin McKidd also had excellent starring roles. Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, Shirley Henderson, James Cosmo, Eileen Nicholas, and several others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsWoody HarrelsonCourtney LoveEdward NortonThe story of controversial pornography publisher Larry Flynt, and how he became a defender of free speech.Excellent and controversial biography from Milos Forman on the life Hustler magazine pornography publisher Larry Flynt (1942–2021). The story starts in 1952 and follows 10-year-old Larry selling moonshine in Kentucky and laying the groundwork for his desired entrepreneurial lifestyle. 20 years later, he and his brother run the Hustler Go-Go club in Cincinnati, which is where the Hustler magazine was born. His self-indulgent personality and major success follows a variety of legal issues, moral dilemmas, and personal problems. Throughout his struggles, he eventually becomes a voice of free speech for the American entertainment industry. The story was great and Forman’s direction was on point throughout, as evidenced by his Oscar nomination. The casting was also excellent. Woody Harrelson delivered one of his best lead performances, and was also nominated for an Oscar. I must say that Courtney Love's starring role was the biggest surprise of the film, and she was fantastic. Edward Norton, Brett Harrelson, Donna Hanover, James Cromwell, Crispin Glover, Vincent Schiavelli, Burt Neuborne, James Carville, Richard Paul, Jim Grimshaw, James Smith, Mike Pniewski, Larry Flynt (as court judge), and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsSteve BuscemiCarol KaneMark Boone JuniorTommy is an unemployed mechanic who spends most of his time in a bar (Trees Lounge) in a small blue collar town. He seems to always be thinking, "If only X then I could stop drinking".Excellent comedy drama written by, directed by, and starring Steve Buscemi. The story follows a unemployed mechanic and alcoholic named Tommy (about mid-30s), who's stuck in a major rut after stealing $1500 from his former employer/friend and getting fired, then having that same boss steal away his girlfriend Theresa, which much of his life revolved around. He lives in a small apartment above the Trees Lounge dive bar, where he spends most of his time drinking away the days and conversing with eccentric characters. Tension comes into play when he becomes involved with Theresa's seductive 17-year-old niece, which leads up to a majorly dramatic gut-punch of an ending. Steve Buscemi delivered one of his best lead performances, and really showed his skills as a writer and director. Chloë Sevigny also had a great starring role. Carol Kane, Mark Boone Junior, Anthony LaPaglia, Elizabeth Bracco, Bronson Dudley, Steven Randazzo, Debi Mazar, Eszter Balint, Samuel L. Jackson, Daniel Baldwin, Mimi Rogers, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorCampbell ScottStanley TucciStarsTony ShalhoubStanley TucciMarc AnthonyNew Jersey, 1950s. Two brothers run an Italian restaurant. Business is not going well as a rival Italian restaurant is out-competing them. In a final effort to save the restaurant, the brothers plan to put on an evening of incredible food.Excellent drama directed by, written by, and starring Stanley Tucci (along with a couple other contributors). The story follows two brothers named Primo and Secondo who emigrated from Italy to New Jersey in 1950s, and follows their struggles in the restaurant business when their meager Italian restaurant doesn't get enough customers to pay the rent. Primo is respected as one of the best chefs in town, but the rival Pascal's Italian restaurant across the street is taking all their business. When they run out of money, Secondo looks to the owner of Pascal's for help, who would prefer the two brothers work for him. He decides to help the brothers with mysterious reservations, and claims he can help them host a business-changing event by getting famous Italian-American singer Louis Prima to visit the brothers' restaurant for a 'big night' of culinary delicacies in hopes of drumming up publicity. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub both delivered their best lead performances I've seen from them yet. Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Allison Janney, Isabella Rossellini, Marc Anthony, Pasquale Cajano, Campbell Scott, Liev Schreiber, and others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsHelen HuntBill PaxtonCary ElwesTwo storm chasers on the brink of divorce must work together to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the cross-hairs of extremely violent tornadoes.Excellent action-packed adventure/thriller from Jan de Bont. When it comes to films about tornadoes and storm chasers, this is easily my #1 favorite in the genre. The story follows a Oklahoma-based tornado-obsessed couple named Jo and Bill Harding who are both extremely dedicated to their work as storm crashers, and were once a passionately connected couple. However, marital struggles now find them in the process of a divorce. Bill and his new fiancé meet up with Jo in hopes of getting divorce papers signed and moving on with their days/lives. But as Bill meets the old crew and finds out they built a storm tracking device he invented named "Dorothy", he subsequently gets caught up back in the storm chasing life and thrills when the next tornado is about to touch down. Excellent story, action, and thrills (as evidenced by tts Oscar nominations for best sound and visual effects). The casting is excellent throughout. Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton deliver fantastic lead performances, and have excellent chemistry together. Jami Gertz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes, Lois Smith, Alan Ruck, Sean Whalen, Todd Field, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsWill SmithBill PullmanJeff GoldblumThe aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.Epic sci-fi thriller from Roland Emmerich set on July 2, 1996, and follows a mysterious breed of aliens who visit earth with plans to destroy the planet. After demolishing 7 major cities around the world, the U.S. government and president heads to the highly classified Area 51 research center to devise a plan to fight the aliens. Satellite technician expert David Levinson discovers a weakness in the alien spacecraft's force field, while the whole world comes together to organize a massive attack and save the world. Films like this can go all wrong if things aren’t done right; but the direction, set design, cinematography, dialogue, casting, and the aliens themselves really made this a winning thrill ride from start to finish. Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum all deliver excellent lead performances. Mary McDonnell, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Vivica A. Fox, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein, Adam Baldwin, Brent Spiner, James Duval, Lisa Jakub, and many others have excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorEriq La SalleStarsDon CheadleJames Earl JonesMichael BeachA dramatization of the life of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (Don Cheadle), with a lot of factual based occurrences. A reformed junkie returns from prison to clean up his act and devote the rest of his life to the young kids of Harlem. 1996 was the 25th anniversary of the first tournament named after him.Excellent sports biopic from Eriq La Salle on the life of legendary street basketball player Earl "The Goat" Manigault (1944–1998). Earl is cited as being the greatest basketball player to never play in the NBA. The story maps out his tough childhood in 1950s Harlem, where he gained enough credibility playing street and high school basketball to land himself in a good college, until he's expelled after not getting along with the basketball coach. After getting his girlfriend pregnant and losing his childhood mentor, he falls into a deep depression and heroin addiction, which results in an intense battle to recovery, sobriety, and redemption. Great story and dialogue throughout, and an excellent cast. This is a forgotten HBO original gem that many basketball fans would enjoy. Don Cheadle delivered an excellent lead performance. Monica Calhoun, Eriq La Salle, Colin Cheadle, Michael Ralph, Michael Beach, Loretta Devine, Forest Whitaker, James Earl Jones, Ronny Cox, and several others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJerry ZaksStarsMeryl StreepLeonardo DiCaprioDiane KeatonAfter seventeen years, a fiercely independent woman and her rebellious son return home and together they turn the family she left behind upside down.Powerful and underrated drama from Jerry Zaks that follows a troubled independent single mother named Lee with two sons. Her youngest son Charlie is curiously quiet, while her mischievous and angry 17-year-old son Hank struggles with issues from a disturbed childhood. Hank is sent to a mental institution after horrifically burning their house to the ground, and gets the chance to get out for a while when Lee's sister Bessie is diagnosed with Leukemia, with Lee taking the kids to stay with Bessie, their aunt Ruth, and their dying father, Marvin. Lee and Bessie have not spoken for 17 years, and it causes plenty of drama and turmoil as old painful memories are reopened. The story is great, and the performances from the entire cast were excellent. Diane Keaton's Oscar-nominated lead performance was spectacular. Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio also delivered commanding lead roles. Robert De Niro, Hume Cronyn, Gwen Verdon, Hal Scardino, Margo Martindale, Cynthia Nixon, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorHarold BeckerStarsAl PacinoJohn CusackBridget FondaThe accidental shooting of a boy in New York leads to an investigation by the Deputy Mayor, and unexpectedly far-reaching consequences.Underrated crime drama/mystery from Harold Becker set in New York City, and follows the aftermath of a deadly shootout between a NYPD detective and a mobster named Tino Zapatti who kill each other in a standoff, while a stray bullet also kills an 6-year-old boy in the process. Mayor John Pappas and his devoted deputy mayor Kevin Calhoun devise a plan to deal with the victims and the public outcry, while a conspiracy quickly presents itself with fraudulent paperwork, corrupt judges, and politicians. Kevin soon finds himself playing detective with a lawyer named Marybeth Cogan, and they both dangerously uncover a dreadful mystery covered in dirty politics. Great story all around with and excellent star-studded cast and great dialogue and acting throughout. Al Pacino and John Cusack both deliver a couple of their finest lead performances. Danny Aiello and Bridget Fonda also had great starring roles. Martin Landau, David Paymer, Anthony Franciosa, Lindsay Duncan, Luna Lauren Velez, Angel David, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsDenzel WashingtonMeg RyanLou Diamond PhillipsA U.S. Army officer, despondent about a deadly mistake he made, investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor.Underrated war drama/mystery from Edward Zwick that follows a 17-year U.S. Army veteran named Nat Serling who accidentally destroys one of his own tanks in combat during the Persian Gulf War in 1990. While he's disturbed by the events, the Army covers it up and assigns him to investigate the recommended Medal of Honor for Captain Karen Walden, who was killed in battle after her crew's helicopter was shot down with 1991. What seems to an open and shut case for the medal turns into a series of lies brought on by the surviving members of her crew that are trying to cover-up horrific details of the battle. As Nat faces his own inner battles, he's determined to find the real truth no matter the cost. Great story all around. Denzel Washington delivers one of his more underrated lead performances. Meg Ryan also had a great starring role. Matt Damon, Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Moriarty, Bronson Pinchot, Seth Gilliam, Regina Taylor, Scott Glenn, Sean Astin, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorGeoffrey JohnsonMike JudgeMike de SeveStarsMike JudgeBruce WillisDemi MooreOur intrepid adolescent heroes wake up to find their beloved television stolen, and embark on an epic journey across America to recover it, and, who knows, maybe even score.Hilarious comedy adventure from Mike Judge based on his original adult animated comedy TV series of the same name (1993–1997). Beavis and Butt-Head are a couple of Texas-based grunge-era metal-head best buds who wake up one day to find their TV has been stolen. While they are generally a couple of underachieving layabouts with zero ambition, TV is the most important thing in their lives. They hit the road to find it or find a replacement when they find a motel that offers a “TV with every room”. While trying to obtain the TV, they run into a criminal named Muddy Grimes who mistakes them for hired hitmen that he’s supposed to hire to kill his wife. Through a massive series of misunderstandings comical debacles, Beavis and Butt-Head end up traveling around the country in search of their favorite idiot box while dodging danger along the way. For fans of of the franchise, this film couldn’t be much (if any) better than it was. Great story, great comedy, and a great cast makes it a winner in every way. Mike Judge delivers a fantastic lead performance as Beavis and Butt-Head and handful of other characters. Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Cloris Leachman, and Robert Stack also had great starring roles. Eric Bogosian, Kristofor Brown, John Doman, Tim Guinee, Toby Huss, Sam Johnson, and several others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsJada Pinkett SmithQueen LatifahVivica A. FoxDesperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.Excellent crime drama/thriller from F. Gary Gray set in mid-1990s Los Angeles and follows a struggling woman named Francesca "Frankie" Sutton who’s unfairly fired from her job as a bank teller. She finds a job working as a janitor with her three best friends, Lida "Stony" Newsom, Cleopatra "Cleo" Sims, and Tisean "T.T." Williams. They are paid inadequate salaries and have a prick for a boss. When they’ve finally had enough if it, they decide to team up and rob banks. While their heists initially go down successfully, suspicion and mistrust between them increases tension and lands them in trouble with the skeptical Detective Strode of the LAPD. Great story, excellent casting, and a sweet hip-hop soundtrack makes this one a winner. Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise all deliver excellent lead performances. John C. McGinley, Blair Underwood, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Edmund L. Shaff, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Dr. Dre, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorCarroll BallardStarsJeff DanielsAnna PaquinDana DelanyA father and daughter decide to attempt to lead a flock of orphaned Canada Geese south by air.Excellent and inspirational family adventure (based on a true story) from Carroll Ballard, set in Ontario, Canada, 1986, and follows a troubled 13-year-old girl named Amy Alden who is sent to live with her estranged father with whom she has no relationship. She's immediately unhappy with her new surroundings until she finds a nest of goose eggs and soon becomes "mother" to them. The geese must fly south for the winter to survive, but without their mother, they have no way of learning the migratory routes going south, and could die without their help. Amy’s father is an eccentric sculptor and inventor, and decides to help build two extremely lightweight airplanes to fly alongside the geese to lead them to a bird sanctuary in North Carolina. Heart-warming and beautifully done adventure with gorgeous cinematography. Anna Paquin and Jeff Daniels both delivered excellent lead performances. Dana Delany, Terry Kinney, Holter Graham, Jeremy Ratchford, and others had very nice supporting roles. Great film for animal lovers!
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsTom CruiseJon VoightEmmanuelle BéartAn American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.Excellent action-packed thriller from Brian De Palma based on the popular 1966 and 1988 TV series of the same name. The story follows an extremely skilled American spy named Ethan Hunt headed up by his friend, mentor, and director of the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) organization, Jim Phelps. When he and his team are ambushed in their latest mission trying to recover a N.O.C. (Non-Official Cover) list of sensitive names that would put them all in danger, they're are almost all killed, which leaves Ethan as a major suspect of the C.I.A. who won't rest until he's eliminated. With the help of some allies, Ethan fights back by obtaining the N.O.C. list and holding all leveraging his power to stay alive. Great first flick in a long line of films in the franchise. Tom Cruise delivered an excellent lead performance. Jon Voight also had a great starring role. Emmanuelle Béart, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, and many others also had great supporting roles.