Glory (1989)

     One of the greatest films of all time and by far my favorite.  This film has very few flaws and is exiting from start to end.   The story takes place during the Civil War and tells the story of the 54th black regiment led by Colonel Robert Shaw played by Matthew Broderick.  This film has a all star cast including Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and Cary Elwes.  The directing and cinematography is visually stunning.  The musical score adds to the film and truly makes it an epic.  This is an older film but easily available for rent.

Night at the Roxbury (1998)

     Many people will disagree with this film being A+ material, but I found it to be hilarious from the opening scene to the credits.  The film is based on a Saturday Night Live skit starring Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan.  This film is about two brothers who like to frequent night clubs in Los Angeles and have their own aspirations to become night club owners.  This film also has a killer soundtrack that features dance hits from the 1990s.  If you want a good hearted comedy then this would be an excellent rental. 

Dead Poets Society (1989)

     This film is one of the most moving pieces of work I have ever seen.  I first saw this film in high school during my freshman year and it had a very profound effect on me.  I could not stop thinking about this film.  This movie stars Robin Williams in his best film ever.  I have never seen him in a better film although Insomnia comes close.  He plays an unconventional high school teacher in a prep school.  He inspires his students to get more out of life through reading poetry.  This movie is close to flawless with superb acting, casting and directing.  This film will do what films are supposed too, to reach and inspire the viewer.  Get this film on video, you will be glad you did.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

     I read the Lord of the Rings series when I was in eighth grade and had forgotten the magic of these books until I saw Fellowship of the Ring in theatres.  These movie is flawless.  The cinematography is spectacular, this film was filmed in wondrous New Zealand.  Director Peter Jackson has done everything right in this film and this will definitely boost his career.  The story follows nine individuals on a quest to destroy a ring that belongs to an evil entity known as Saran.  The fellowship consists of four hobbits played fantastically by Elijah Wood and Sean Austin, Gandalf the wizard played by Sir Ian McClellan, a dwarf, two men and a Elf archer played by Orlando Bloom.  The acting was superb and the actors brought their characters to life.  Christopher Lee plays an evil wizard and is one of the highlights of this film.  Lee is on a role hitting it big in Star Wars and LOTR.  It is a shame this film did not win an Oscar for best picture since it deserved it.  Catch this film on the four disc DVD it will be worth the money.

     I am putting this film under 2003 because that is when I saw it, although it came out in 2002.  This film is nearly flawless, during this film I could not believe that I was watching a movie that not only had a plot but was visually stunning.  The film continues where the last one left off and does not waste time updating the audience of what took place in the first film.  We follow Frodo and Sam on their continuing journey as they travel with a  new companion named Gollum.  We also see two major battles take place in the end of this film.  I thought that this movie was by far better than the first which is hard to say.  I recommend watching this film before it leaves theatres.  Look for the final installment Lord of the Rings: Return of the King hitting theatres December 2003.

      Halleluiah!! This film is absolutely flawless and breathtaking.  Peter Jackson has finished his trilogy with a bang.  This movie is definitely a fitting end to the three part series and what an end.  We continue on the journey towards Mordor and the end of Sauron.  Not only are the action sequences and battle scenes outstanding but there is still more character development that goes on and gives us more of an inside on all of the characters.  The character that definitely comes into his own in this film and shines is Sam Gamgee played by Sean Austin, he is in essence the true hero in this epic tale.  The cinematography and camera moments keep the audience entranced in the story.  If there is any justice in the world, Return of the King should get best picture and best director Oscars. 

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

     This movie was absolutely AWESOME!!!  I have been waiting for this film for a year now and been following the progress of it since last year.  This movie definitely lives up to the ride at Disneyland.  I might mention that Pirates of the Caribbean has been my favorite ride since I was a kid and I was not thrilled about the idea of making a movie of this ride, especially after the Country Bears bombed so badly in the box office.  A great thing about this movie is that it incorporates a lot of the ride into the movie which adds to the flavor.  The director of this film is Gore Verbinski who also directed The Ring.  The movie stars Kiera Knightly (Bend it Like Beckham), Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), and Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands).  Johnny Depp steals the show from all of the other actors and deserves an Oscar nomination.  Another actor who does an excellent job is Geoffrey Rush who plays the captain of a cursed crew who are searching for a last piece of gold to end their curse.  I definitely recommend this movie and I am glad I did not use the word swashbuckling to describe it.