Great Movies - My Favorites List

Former CIA operative Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) finds that someone is trying to kill him so he gets together his former team to find out who. Fun action movie starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Mary-Louise Parker.

I didn't go to see this movie in the theaters and I wish I had. It's truly a visually stunning movie to watch and would have been unbelievable in IMAX 3D. If you rent or buy the DVD, get it in BluRay for sure.

I tried not to get caught up in all the hype and hoopla about this movie when it came out because I figured it wouldn't live up to my expectations and in one respect that held true. I found the story to be somewhat lacking. It's the same old tired tail of the military (portrayed as pure evil) and big business (also pure evil) partnering to drive a more primitive indigenous species from their land in order to mine a rare mineral for monetary gain, except this time it's set on an planet far from Earth. Not what you'd call an original concept.

Even so, this movie stands on it's own. The special effects and CGI are truly amazing. You will be awed throughout the whole movie by the beauty of the alien world Pandora and all it's wondrous inhabitants. It's nothing like you have ever seen. The blending of computer generated images and live action is astonishing. You can't help but be drawn into the story, even though you know where it's going.

You'll want to add this one to your movie library for sure.

Obviously Boondock Saints II is the sequel to the original Boondock Saints movie which carries on the theme of the original, and it does it very well. If you haven't seen the first one, I recommend you watch it before you watch this one because a lot of the original story carries over. These are somewhat quirky action packed movies about vigilante justice that you will either love or hate. Personally, I fall into the former category so I recommend you see them. If you are a Saints fan like me, you will definitely want to add both of these DVD's to your collection and then anxiously await the next one.

This kids movie will appeal to the kid in everyone, young to old, this is a thoroughly enjoyable animated film. I had no idea of the storyline when I viewed this film and I'm not going to tell you about it, but I totally enjoyed it from beginning to end. I highly recommend it for the entire family. Well worth adding to your movie collection. I guarantee you will enjoy this one.

This drama tells the story of Will Hunting, a janitor at a college who turns out to be a mathematical genius who is torn between making use of his talent or hanging out with his lifelong buddies. His troubled past leads him to trouble and he's forced to see a therapist who he forges and uneasy relationship with. Outstanding performances by Matt Damon as Will, Ben Affleck as his best friend, Robin Williams as the therapist and Minnie Driver as Will's girlfriend. I really like this one. If you haven't seen it, get it.

I watched this movie the first time not even knowing it was an adaption of a Stephen King novel. I was surprised when I found out since I associated King primarily with horror stories and this is anything but, It's an absolutely wonderful tale and you'll enjoy the powerful performances by Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, Barry Pepper, Michael Jeter and David Morse. This one would be in my top 5 list.

Another one that I was surprised to find out was by Stephen King. Also another one that would make my top 5 list. This movie, set in the 1940s, is a story of an upstanding banker who gets framed and sent to Shawshank prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. It's an absolutely magnificent movie and if you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. It stars Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and you folks that have been around a while will recognize the venerable James Whitmore too.

As a fan of the space program since I was a kid, this one is one of my favorites not only because it's very well acted and stars none other than Tom Hanks in the leading role, but because it's a very good representation of what really happened during the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon mission.

Another great movie about the space program, this one begins with the monumental task of breaking the sound barrier and then chronicles the very origins of the U.S. space program with the recruitment of the original 7 Mercury astronauts. A great cast includes Ed Harris, Scott Glen, Dennis Quaid, Sam Sheppard, Fred Ward and Barbara Hershey.

Set in World War II during the invasion of Europe, this movie will give you a graphic view of what war is like. It tells of a group of soldiers on a mission to find and extract a single soldier whose 3 brothers were all killed in action. As they proceed on this mission you'll witness heroism, cowardice and the gritty reality of war and the emotions and values of the men that fought it. It's an emotional experience for the viewer as well and the final scene brings a tear to my eye every time. Definitely in my top 5 and maybe even number one.

The all-star cast includes Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Tom Sizemore, Giovanni Ribisi, Edward Burns, Paul Giamatti and even Ted Danson makes an appearance.

This tense spy thriller casts Robert Redford as CIA code researcher Joe Turner, who works in a small office reading books. He returns from picking up lunch to find that all of his co-workers have been murdered. Not trusting anyone, he runs and goes underground to try and find out what is happening. Turner is not a spy but he does have a codename, Condor, and he gives the true spies a real run for their money.

This movie was made in 1975 but the subject is very relevant today. You'll enjoy very strong performances by Redford and co-stars Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, John Houseman and Max von Sydow. Highly recommended.

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You'll ride a rollercoaster of emotions through this wonderful film that follows the life of one Glenn Holland, played by Richard Dreyfuss, an aspiring musician who's life takes an unexpected turn. If you're a sentimental person, this is a guaranteed tear-jerker but you'll be feeling good too so give this one a view. An unforgettable final scene. I highly recommend this one.

Kevin Costner seems to have a thing for baseball movies having been in at least 3 but in my opinion this one is the best. Costner plays an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice that tells him to build a baseball diamond in his corn field. Pure fantasy all the way but this inspiring, sentimental story is guaranteed to make you feel good. Wonderful performances by James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster will add to your enjoyment.

A great action thriller born of the old TV series of the same name, this movie takes you on a thrill ride from beginning to end. Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble who is convicted of killing his wife but is innocent of the crime. He escapes after the prison bus he is on crashes and is then hit by a train in one of the best train wreck scenes ever to be put on film.

Hot on his trail is U.S. Marshall Samuel Gerard, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who later reprized the role in the movie U.S. Marshalls. Both actors are brilliant in their respective roles and the viewer witnesses Kimble tracking the real killer while eluding capture and the dogged pursuit by Gerard and his team and the slow transition as he begins to believe that his quarry is actually innocent.

This is one that will truly keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the end.

This is an epic movie about the revolutionary war but don't expect any documentary style historical accuracy, that's not what it's about. This movie is pure entertainment. The battle scenes will show you the stark reality of that war and the horrors of war in general. It's a very emotional movie that will pull at your heartstrings. Sure, it's full of cliches and the main character seems to have almost super-hero capabilities but it's a great story nonetheless.

Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a war hero that wants nothing more than to live quietly and raise his children but the war brings the fighting to his doorstep and he can't help but be drawn into it. He must rise up and fight again for the principals that this country is about. And believe me, you will feel a surge of patriotism watching this movie and realize what they sacrificed for freedom and liberty.

A good performance by Heath Ledger as Benjamin's son also highlights this film.

I remember when this movie first came out, it was the hottest thing to hit the big screen and I loved it! Now it's called Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. Back in 1977, yes way back then, it was simply titled Star Wars because it was the first one made and the average moviegoer didn't even know it was an episode in a series. At the time, it was a giant leap forward in special affects and it brought science fiction into the mainstream. Even though it's one episode in a series of movies that are all great in their own right, the original was a ground breaker and I consider it the best one of the series. I have them all in my collection and get them out from time to time just for the entertainment factor. These movies are pure fun and adventure.

Taught cold war thriller about an undetectable Soviet submarine under the command of a rogue captain, played by Sean Connery. A dangerous cat and mouse game ensues with both Soviet and U.S. forces trying to find the sub. CIA analyst Jack Ryan, played by Alec Baldwin, thinks he knows what the sub's captain is thinking and sets out to prove it. High tension entertainment. Also stars Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, Sam Neill, Fred Thompson and there's even a brief appearance by Gates McFadden (Star Trek TNG fans will know her as Dr. Beverly Crusher)

This is a now a classic and maybe the greatest adventure film of all time but most of all, it's just pure fun. Set in the 1930s, Harrison Ford is perfect in the role of Dr. Indiana Jones, a celebrated archaeologist who gets hired by the government to find the treasured Ark of the Covenant, the vessel that holds the original Ten Commandments. He finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime but is helped along the way by his old friend Sallah, played by John Rhys Davis, and his old flame Marion, played by the wonderful Karen Allen. This is the original and I think the best of all the Indiana Jones movies.

This one might not make everyone's favorite list but for a Sci-Fi fan it's a good one. Good science fiction will make you open your mind to possibilities you normally wouldn't think of or believe and this one does just that. The cast includes Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt and David Morse.

Great underwater scenes are the hallmark of this Sci-Fi drama as the crew of an underwater drilling rig and a team of deep water divers descend on a sunken submarine. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio star.

This is an epic war movie for sure but it's more than just that. It's a character study of a man who's life was defined by war. General George S. Patton, nicknamed "Blood and Guts" by the men that served under him, was a true warrior that wouldn't let anything stand in the way of achieving victory and glory. George C. Scott was born to play this role and half way through the movie, you'll believe he IS Patton. You'll follow his exploits during WWII through spectacular battle scenes and gain insight into his real character throughout the whole movie. This is a must see for any war buff and definitely one to add to your movie collection.

This is another one that's just plain fun and a true classic. Film buffs will know this film starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis as one of the best WWII comedies ever made. You just can't help but enjoy this one. Co-stars include Dina Merrill, Arthur O'Connell, Marion Ross, Dick Sargent and Gavin MacLeod.

A stark look at American militarism, this movie will open your eyes a bit and give you a look at some of the politics, money and power involved in the military operations of our country. Pay close attention to what President Eisenhower says in his 1961 farewell address warning against the influence of the "military-industrial complex". Amazingly prophetic, he knew exactly the dangers involved in maintaining the military machine we have in place today. Every American should see this film.

Another one that every American should watch. This documentary about our nation's food supply will shake you down to your socks when you see what our food production has mutated into. The death of family farms and the industrialization of food production in this country by large corporate monopolies is having detrimental effects on our health and environment. Politics, government subsidies, corruption and the corporate mentality of increasing production and profit at any cost has resulted in the routine use of antibiotics, hormones and genetic manipulation which is giving us more but far less healthy food. You'll see why E-Coli outbreaks are becoming more commonplace today and you'll think twice about what you eat after seeing this one.

Two guys follow an acre of corn into and through the U.S. food supply. It's an eye opening documentary that will enlighten you as to how corn has been perverted by genetically modified seeds, the use of powerful herbicides and the so called "modern and efficient" farming methods used today. I was amazed at how corn is actually used and how we are eating it without even realizing it. Give this one a look.