What are Steve's Oscars?
Here are the picks from 2014 and earlier! These are my picks of the best movies from each year. The top 5 are what I consider to be the best that I have seen that were released in the given year as meets the requirements of the IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase). BTW the IMDB has no affiliation with Steve's Oscars. The noteworthy list is an unlimited list of other movies that I have seen that were good from that year, just not in the top 5. Title links lead to the IMDBs entry for the films.
To see the movies ranked as my Favorites:
FAVORITE RANKING

STEVE'S OSCARS 2014 Whiplash . The Grand Budapest Hotel . Guardians Of The Galaxy . Captain America: The Winter Soldier . . Also Noteworthy: American Sniper Big Hero 6 Citizenfour An Honest Liar How To Train Your Dragon 2 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 The Imitation Game Unbroken X-Men: Days Of Future Past 2013 Despicable Me 2 . The Hunger Games: Catching Fire . Iron Man 3 . Man Of Steel . . 12 Years A Slave . . Also Noteworthy: Frozen Monsters University Red 2 Star Trek Into Darkness Warm Bodies 2012 The Hunger Games . The Avengers . The Dark Knight Rises . Argo . . Also Noteworthy: Beware Of Mr. Baker Brave The Cabin In The Woods The Man With The Iron Fists Wreck-It Ralph 2011 Limitless My pick for the best film from 2011. A rock bottom, desperate loser takes a pill from his drug dealing brother-in-law that turns out to be an experimental drug that makes him smarter. But what if there are horrible side effects? What is it worth to be smarter? Is it worth dying for? Is it worth killing for? Starring Bradley Cooper. With Robert De Niro. The clever film answers its questions in unexpected ways. It feels like a superhero movie but the superpower is an unlimited capacity of the human mind. Moneyball . Brad Pitt revolutionizes how baseball teams are put together. But the movie is much more than that. Applying 21st Century thought and values: focus on problem solving, concern for the bottom line, applying scientific methodology to focus only on relevant data, to discover essential elements, prioritize, and discard failed and traditional methods take tremendous courage and gutsy risk-taking. And I think that Moneyball says even more. It actually asks the question: Is there room for heroism in this bottom line approach? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel . Super 8 . A bunch of kids who fancy themselves amateur moviemakers, accidentally witness and film a train collision and its subsequent military coverup. Soon, members of the community begin to disappear in mysterious close encounters in this Speilberg/JJ Abrams sleeper. The Help . Also Noteworthy: Batman: Year One Captain America Drive Angry Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Kung Fu Panda 2 Rango 2010 The King's Speech The second son of the king of England is unexpectedly thrust into a position of leadership and must rise to the occasion. He must overcome his fears and become the hero that history requires. Particularly he must overcome his stutter with the help of a very unconventional tutor, to deliver the speech that will meet the 20th Century's greatest challenge. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World A sarcastic yet charming, post-modern quipster must defeat his new girlfriend's league of 7 evil ex-boyfriends in individual combat in this innovative, stylistic videogame-inspired alternate reality film. Despicable Me Universal Pictures hits the jackpot in this poignant animated feature. An evil villian focused on achieving world domination is distracted by 3 children and must reevaluate his priorities. Iron Man 2 . Also Noteworthy: Easy A How To Train Your Dragon Megamind Red Rush:Beyond The Lighted Stage Toy Story 3 True Grit 2009 Up A codger at the twilight of his life finally goes on the adventure he and his late wife had planned and yearned for all their lives. He unwittingly experiences things differently along the way in this brilliant Disney-Pixar film. I found the story personally enlightening. Whip It This is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a teenage girl who seeks to escape the narrow confines of her small town and break free from her mother's pageant-obsessed 50s style provincial attitude. Her defiance leads her to join a roller derby team. A real winner for Drew Barrymore in her directorial film debut and Ellen Page is great. (This is a much better vehicle than 2007s Juno). Also Noteworthy: Crank 2: High Voltage Drag Me To Hell Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince The Hurt Locker Monsters Vs Aliens The Princess And The Frog Sherlock Holmes Star Trek 2008 Slumdog Millionaire A fellah goes on a gameshow to win the hand of the love of his life. Ah, but that is the most understated summary of all as this unusually focused individual who grew up in the slums of India, braves indescribable hardships and brutal injustices in the pursuit of ultimate happiness. WALL-E A charming story about a dependable, uncomplaining robot left abandoned on an isolated Earth who is visited by cold robotic probe. When he falls in love with it, his dogged determination is put to the test. Iron Man . Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day Francis McDormand is a down-on-her-luck woman in the depression who poses as a personal assistant to finally afford a bite to eat. It turns out that the members of high society to whom she is masquerading have a few secrets of their own. Man On Wire A daredevil walks a wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center in this true life documentary and shows us an act of immense courage, planning and problem solving in the face of a seemingly impossible task, and at least a little bit of mischief. Also Noteworthy: The Dark Knight The Forbidden Kingdom Hancock Hellboy II The Incredible Hulk Iron Man Kung Fu Panda Speed Racer 2007 Sweeney Todd Johnny Depp is terrific as the demon barber of fleet street. The tale of a man whose life is torn apart by injustice and reborn as an insane monster, absorbed and obsessed with vengeance in this black comic/tragic/musical. Unlike other Tim Burton treatments, this one works well. Charlie Wilson's War Did one man end the cold war? Was our failure to follow through with this the cause of 911? Well, no. But the story here is great and the chemistry of Tom Hanks playing off Philip Seymour Hoffman is a pleasure to behold. The dialogue is wonderfully well-written here and I sure hope we haven't seen the last of this amazing pairing. This is a joy to watch. Shoot 'Em Up A stranger who witnesses an apparent attack on a scared, pregnant woman gets sucked into a violent whirlwind of battle and pursuit from an army of evil men. But did they underestimate him? Or as the comicbook-style villan Paul Giamati asks, "My god! Do we really suck or this guy really that good?" Clive Owen elevates this cartoon-violence action movie to A status with a performance worthy of Clint Eastwood (and Paul doesn't suck). Also Noteworthy: Grindhouse Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Hot Fuzz I Am Legend The King Of Kong Live Free Or Die Hard Ratatouille Surf's Up 2006 300 300 brave, fierce Spartans defend their country from the invading, mystical Persians. King Xerxes is a tyranical campaigning emperor that doesn't know what he's in for as the overwhelmed, desperate warriors make a stand as free men fighting for their honor, integrity and liberty. It's another visceral Frank Miller story that is incredible to watch.(Not released to most theaters until 2007). Outsourced An office lackey is sent to India when his company outsources their jobs. His chore is to get the service levels raised but alienation in the strange foreign land could overwhelm all efforts. This great film is an antidote to abysmal treatments of this subject such as Lost In Translation. Also Noteworthy: Crank Night At The Museum Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest United 93 X-Men: The Last Stand 2005 Sin City I was already a fan of this outstanding Frank Miller comic. Horribly brutal villany is met with equally brutal heroism in these congruent tales set in the ultra violent Basin City. A comic film noir feel is maintained with the black and white and partial color. Strong performances of the courageous characters leave a lasting impression. Especially Mickey Rourke's portrayal of Marv. This is easily Mickey Rourke's greatest performance ever! Batman Begins Here it is, Batman fans. Finally THE great Batman film. Even better than the first Tim Burton Batman film (that's saying a lot)! A great story! Combines parts of Batman Year One, Year Two and Dark Knight Returns all unified to tell a story with continuity and a THEME. Great acting, great action but mostly a great story gel together in this artful interpretation of the Batman origin. Cinderella Man A huge inspiration. Crowe plays a boxer during the Depression who finds the heart to fight for himself and his family when employment dries up. A great tearjerker! The World's Fastest Indian Anthony Hopkins masterfully portrays an old, eccentric New Zealand motorcycle enthusiast who manages to make his way to the Nevada Salt Flats for the time trials to break a world speed record. A great story of human achievement, perseverance and can-do spirit. Also Noteworthy: The Aristocrats Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire Sky High 2004 The Incredibles In a world hostile to heroism, a family of superheroes must strive to maintain normalcy. Million Dollar Baby Hilary Swank plays an underdog lady boxer who convinces Clint Eastwood, a crusty old gym owner to train her to be a champion. Is this just a female Rocky? No, it takes some unexpected turns that hit home and explore some deeper, heart-wrenching issues. Excellent acting. The Butterfly Effect When a guy discovers he has the ability to drastically change the present by altering decisions he made during tense moments in his past, he strives to create a liveable future with the woman he loves. Ashton Kutcher proves he can act. (Who knew?) The Terminal Tom Hanks learns to adapt and make a life for himself while being trapped by the wheels of beauracracy at an airport terminal due to a diplomatic messup when his country's government is overthrown. Also Noteworthy: The Chorus Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Hellboy House Of Flying Daggers Howl's Moving Castle In Good Company Man On Fire Mean Girls Saved! Spiderman 2 Shaun Of The Dead Trekkies 2 Van Helsing A Very Long Engagement Without a Paddle 2003 Identity This mystery/thriller with John Cusak went largely unnoticed in 2003. An unexpected rollercoaster ride of psychological twists and turns. Danny Deckchair Great sleeper! A cavalier fellah decides to strap balloons to a deckchair and take off to a better life. In the process (and without the preconcieved image that his friends and girlfriend expect him to be) he discovers who he really wants to be. Spinning Boris Democracy is about to fail in post-Soviet Russia. Who can save the day? No not Superman, more like super salesmen. Low-brow materialistic spin doctors of the US bourgeoisie keep the country from falling into chaos. Also Noteworthy: Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Hatley High Holes Kill Bill: Vol. 1 The Last Samurai Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World A Mighty Wind School Of Rock X-Men 2 2002 Death To Smoochy It's a black comedy, people! Great work by Robin Williams but the real standout is Ed Norton. The Ring Very scary horror movie. (Yes, I know people that didn't find it scary but I can't fathom why). Based on the Japanese Ringu, this American version is a little better. I was sooooo happy they avoided the obvious ending. Also Noteworthy: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets Lilo & Stitch Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers Minority Report Spider-Man 2001 Amelie aka Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain. This great story about a girl who decides to put to right all the wrongs in her world is magnificent! The best movie of 2001! A Beautiful Mind A Ron Howard movie. An intriguing story of spies, genius and psychosis. Russell Crowe proves he can act (yeah, I didn't want to like him either.) Not Another Teen Movie Raunchy spot-on parody of some of my favorite teen comedy classics. Also Noteworthy: American Pie 2 Das Experiment Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Joy Ride Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring The Mummy Returns Pootie Tang Rock Star Rush Hour 2 Thir13en Ghosts Tremors 3 2000 Chocolat This story of a lover of life's pleasures versus a provincial community is probably the best movie of 2000 but it's a tough call. What a great year for movies! O Brother, Where Art Thou? Perhaps the Coen Brothers best work. Homer's Odyssey disguised as a quirky comedy. Memento An intelligent, engrossing twist on the old amnesia theme. Best in Show Another Christopher Guest/Eugene Levy comedy. Hilarious character study posing as a dogshow documentary. Fred Willard is a riot! Snatch Guy Ritchie movie. Incredibly cool style. Lacks good guys but maintains a cartoony tone that keeps it from being too dark. Also Noteworthy: Almost Famous American Psycho Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Quills Road to El Dorado Scary Movie Shanghai Noon 1999 The Matrix Another great year for movies. Not only did The Matrix have the most innovative effects and influential style it also had a great story! Fight Club I know a lot of people "don't get" this film but it is remarkably good. It's just not what it appears to be. Office Space A cult hit, this movie is a scathing, intelligent satire of corporate beauracracy. Everyone who works in an office needs to see this. SLC Punk! A study of a young man's philosophical growth and intellectual discoveries. Much more than just a docudrama about punks. Being John Malkovich Irresistably weird. Dark and strange, it suffers from a miserable malevolence but compels you to watch with an inticingly unique style. Also Noteworthy: American Movie: The Making of Northwestern American Pie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Bringing Out the Dead Deep Blue Sea Detroit Rock City Fantasia 2000 Galaxy Quest Go House on Haunted Hill Iron Giant Lake Placid Mystery Men The Mummy South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut Toy Story 2 1998 The Truman Show A man lives his life as the star of a tv show but he doesn't know it! His entire world is a phony movie set, his friends all actors. A brilliant paranoid fantasy that borrows heavily from The Prisoner tv series. One of the best movies ever! Pleasantville Toby Maguire is a self-repressed young man that is transported, along with his loose sister, into the black & white world of a 50's tv show. Not just an imaginative gimmick, but an important, insightful statement. The Big Lebowski A hippy finds himself unravelling a kidnapping plot when he is mistaken for a millionaire in another wild ride from the Coen Brothers. Six-String Samurai A dark, mysterious guitar player wields a samurai sword and defends himself with kung fu from the dangers of a post-apocalyptic world on his quest to the mecca of Las Vegas. Still Crazy Old and weary, the remnants of the 70s greatest rock band must discovery if they still have what it takes to be on top. Also Noteworthy: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Free Enterprise John Carpenter's Vampires Mulan Pecker Pi Run Lola Run Rush Hour Rushmore 1997 Life Is Beautiful A heart-wrenching film about a Jew in a Nazi concentration camp who shields his child from the horrors by pretending it's all a game. Chasing Amy I've always been a Kevin Smith fan but this is probably his most intellectual movie. Very insightful thoughts on romance and relationships. Grosse Point Blank John Cusak shines in this comedy about a hit man that goes to his high school reunion. Also contains a buttload of great 80s songs. Also Noteworthy: As Good as It Gets Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life Conspiracy Theory Good Will Hunting Hercules Jackie Brown Men in Black Mr. Nice Guy The Postman Tomorrow Never Dies Trekkies 1996 Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie My favorite tv show is now a movie. Mike Nelson and the 'bots rip This Island Earth and I'm lovin' every minute of it. The Long Kiss Goodnight Geena Davis in an unlikely role, is a housewife with memory loss that discovers her unusal past. Samuel Jackson does a great job also. Romeo + Juliet A sort of modern day alternate universe treatment of Romeo and Juliet. The first 30 minutes is just an amazing jawdropper. Dripping with style, John Leguizamo does a great job (but I'm not that fond of Leo). Happy Gilmore Adam Sandler comedies are usually hit or miss but this one scores a direct hit as a ruff & tumble hockey player invades the button-down world of golf. Watch the hilarious fistfight between Adam and Bob Barker. Sling Blade Billy Bob Thorton performances are also hit or miss but he proves his acting ability as a mental patient who witnesses the daily injustices in a small town. Also Noteworthy: Escape from L.A. Fargo The Frighteners Mars Attacks! Star Trek: First Contact Tremors II: Aftershocks A Very Brady Sequel Waiting for Guffman 1995 Braveheart A great man's story of the struggle for independence and freedom in 13th century Scotland is amazingly inspirational and one of the greatest movies of all time!. Apollo 13 A great film by Ron Howard. Shows us what men of reason do when "everything that can go wrong does". Prophecy What if there really were angels and their personalities were congruent with the actions depicted in the bible? It's a horror movie with standout performances by Christopher Walken and Eric Stoltz! Seven Gruesome movie of cops investigating serial murders where the MO is the seven deadly sins. Oozes with style. (I refuse to put a number in the title just for fashion). The Quick And The Dead This great little Sam Raimi film is a western with exaggerated flourishes of cinematic flare. Excellent performances by Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe and Gary Sinise (even Leo DiCrapio turns in some decent work). Also Noteworthy: Billy Madison Billy's Holiday The Brady Bunch Movie Die Hard: With a Vengeance Rumble In The Bronx Tank Girl Toy Story Twelve Monkeys The Usual Suspects 1994 The Shawshank Redemption An innocent man keeps hope alive in a prison hell. Great story and excellent performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Clerks Kevin Smith's first and greatest effort. A convenience store clerk struggles with the decision to actualize his self-determination or allow random events to determine the course of his life. Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey A fantastic but true story of a man who invented a strange musical instrument. Excellent documentary. Crumb Must be the year for weird documentaries. Tim Burton examines the strange case of R. Crumb, the oddball sixties comic book artist that gave us Fritz the cat and the "keep on truckin" guy. Turns out he comes from an incredibly disturbed background. A bit difficult to watch but more fascinating than a trainwreck. Also Noteworthy: The Crow Ed Wood Endless Summer II Fear Of A Black Hat A Feast At Midnight Legend Of The Drunken Master The Mask The Professional Pulp Fiction Star Trek: Generations 1993 The Firm Tom Cruise is a newly graduated law student who takes a job with a big prestigious law firm. But the Firm begins to take an interest in all aspects of his life. Is it Big Brother or is this just a paranoid fantasy? Groundhog Day Bill Murray is forced to live the same day over and over again. Great philosophical comedy! Army Of Darkness Bruce Campbell plays one of my favorite heroes, Ash, who fights the denizons of the whoary underworld! Sam Raimi at his creative finest. Also Noteworthy: The Fugitive Jurassic Park The Nightmare Before Christmas Schindler's List So I Married An Axe Murderer 1992 A Few Good Men One of Rob Reiner's masterpieces examines soldiers' responsibilities for their actions in the line of duty, but is really about a man who develops integrity in the face of an imposing authority. Aladdin Disney scores a hit with this story of a street urchin who struggles to realize his dreams in an oppresive land. Also Noteworthy: Batman Returns Dead Alive Highway To Hell A League Of Their Own Memoirs Of An Invisible Man Reservoir Dogs Scent Of A Woman Wayne's World 1991 Beauty And The Beast Disney achieves greatness with this story of a young girl's desire to escape the mundane confines of her provincial town. Also Noteworthy: Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey The Commitments The Hard Way L.A. Story The Rocketeer Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1990 Back to the Future Part III This excellent trilogy concludes with this climatic film that ties up the loose ends and affirms the inspirational, freewill-affirming theme. Misery Rob Reiner brings to life this realistic Stephen King horror of a maniacal fan who must nurse back to health the writer who is the object of her obsession. Remarkably suspenseful and creepy. Flatliners A group of med students decide to find out what happens during near-death experiences. They get more than they bargained for. Also Noteworthy: Awakenings Die Hard 2 Edward Scissorhands Robocop 2 Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead Tremors Wild At Heart 1989 Dead Poets Society Exceptional masterpiece. A poetry teacher inspires boys at a stuffy boarding school to take control of their own lives. Say Anything... Outstanding performances in a great story of a brainy, ambitious girl who falls in love with the boy least likely to succeed in spite of her father's wishes. Terrific! Parenthood Ron Howard creates a touching comedy that forces us to confront (and ultimately embrace) the cringe-inducing drama in our lives. . Heathers A clever black comedy that examines outrageous and extreme peer pressure at a high school. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Excellent third installment of the series as Indy meets his father (Sean Connery) and the adventures are non-stop. They battle nazis and solve puzzles to aquire ancient artifacts. Also Noteworthy: Back to the Future Part II Batman The Big Picture Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Christmas Vacation Glory The Little Mermaid UHF Uncle Buck 1988 Working Girl A secretary's ambitions go beyond her station in life. The Lair of the White Worm A fun, quirky Ken Russell film involves Scottish lore and a cult of snake-worshippers. D.O.A. Dennis Quaid is a man who's been fatally poisoned. He only has 24 hours to find his killer and solve his own murder. Also Noteworthy: Beetle Juice Die Hard A Fish Called Wanda Hot Pursuit Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1987 The Princess Bride A Rob Reiner classic has Peter Falk reading a story to his sick grandchild. Highly quotable with clever dialogue from colorful characters. Still great after repeated viewings. The Untouchables Brian DePalma's best picture is more interesting and more heroic than the tv series. Kevin Costner and Sean Connery shine as g-men bent on putting away Al Capone. Fatal Attraction Michael Douglas cheats on his wife in a weak moment. But his illicit lover is Glenn Close, who turns out to be a psychotic maniac in this much-needed morality play. Some Kind Of Wonderful John Hughes continues his exploration of teen decisions, conflicts and romance. This time it's Eric Stoltz as the fellah from the wrong side of the tracks. The flipside of Pretty In Pink. Full Metal Jacket Stanley Kubrik's disertation on the "war is hell" theme brings a more lunatic bent to the Vietnam War genre. Although the combat sequence seems to be superfluous, the boot camp part is a real eye-opener with a stand-out performance by R. Lee Ermey. Also Noteworthy: Evil Dead II Hellraiser The Living Daylights The Lost Boys Mr. Nice Guy Planes, Trains & Automobiles Predator Raising Arizona RoboCop 1986 Pretty In Pink Molly Ringwald is a teenaged girl who gets dumped on by the "richies" until one of them falls in love with her. Class conflict, self-reliance and integrity are themes in this John Hughes classic. 52 Pick-Up Extreme bad guys blackmail an industrialist who's having an affair. When he refuses to meet their demands things get really bad. Great performances by Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret but a really outstanding job by underrated John Glover. Ferris Bueller's Day Off Part teen con-artist, part Dear Abby, Matthew Broderick plays hooky from school. In the process we learn to enjoy the great things in life, see the great sites in Chicago and Cameron learns how to stand on his own in another great John Hughes classic. Aliens If the first Alien movie was a great blend of horror and sci-fi this one is even better as a blend of horror, sci-fi and war movies. The marines go after the Giger-designed aliens and Sigourney is great as she is forced to defend those she loves. Also this is without a doubt, director James Cameron's best work. Blue Velvet Described as "Andy Hardy goes to hell", David Lynch paints a picture of incomprehensible terror and cruel insanity lurking below the deceptive surface of clean, polite small-town life. This is Lynch's most cohesive (and comprehensible) film. Also Noteworthy: Big Trouble In Little China Fire with Fire The Fly House Labyrinth Stand by Me Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Top Gun ¡Three Amigos! We The Living 1985 Back To The Future This extremely clever time travel story weaves time anomalies together like a majestic tapestry illustrating the fact that we all control our own destinies. The Breakfast Club This deeper-than-it-seems teen drama pulls together distinctive, clashing personalities and forces them to discover the common source of their life's problems. Brazil Terry Gilliam outdoes 1984 in this masterful tale of a bleak dystopian future in a freedomless bureaucratic world. Weird Science Two high school nerds use their computer to make a woman who helps them overcome their repressed personalities in this great John Hughes comedy. The Sure Thing John Cusack discovers real grown-up love that was in his reach all along when he strives for an easy one night stand in this intelligent sex comedy from Rob Reiner. Also Noteworthy: Fletch Pale Rider The Purple Rose Of Cairo Re-Animator Real Genius Witness Young Sherlock Holmes 1984 Amadeus The court composer Salieri hatches a scheme to destroy Mozart, who he envies for his musical genius and despises for his immature crudeness. Sixteen Candles Molly Ringwald copes with the hilarious insanity of her family, especially when they forget her sixteenth birthday. John Hughes' directorial debut. This Is Spinal Tap Rob Reiner hits the mark with this great mockumentary about a band of clueless metalheads. Outrageously funny. Body Double A troubled actor witnesses a murder while peeping on Melanie Griffith in this intriguing Brian DePalma ripoff...err uh tribute to Hitchcock. Also Noteworthy: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension The Company Of Wolves Ghost Busters Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom The Natural A Nightmare On Elm Street Star Trek III: The Search For Spock The Terminator Top Secret! 1983 The Right Stuff An amazing tale of real life heroism traces the origin of the space program in this exceptional naturalistic epic. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi The earth-shaking trilogy concludes when Luke strives to defeat the Emperor and Darth. Valley Girl A girl from the valley falls for a guy from Hollywood but her friends don't think he fits in, in this fable of romance and integrity set in the totally tubular 80s. Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life The world's funniest comedy troop takes on religion, science and philosophy when they consider the meaning of life. The brilliance includes "Every Sperm Is Sacred" and "The Crimson Permanent Assurance". The over-the-top gross-outs include "Mr. Cresote" and "Live Organ Transplants". Oh yes, and the fish are kinda creepy. A Christmas Story A depiction of life in the 40s around Christmas time from a kids-eye-view. So perfectly executed you feel you are Ralphie, forced to endure dressing in a bunny suit, confronting the school bully and constantly day dreaming of getting the drop on the bad guys with your new red-ryder bb gun while your mom chides "you'll shoot your eye out". Also Noteworthy: Educating Rita Risky Business Sudden Impact Vacation Videodrome Zelig 1982 Blade Runner Tension mounts when futuristic detective Harrison Ford tracks down desperate android Rutger Hauer who's searching for a way to stop his expiration. Film noir grittiness in a sci-fi setting. Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan The Star Trek movie we all wanted final hit the screen with a dramatic return of the perenial characters and an intricate story developed from an early episode. Ricardo Montalban turns in an excellent performance as Khan. Fast Times At Ridgemont High Virginity, teen pregnancy, drugs, bad minimum-wage jobs all rear their ugly heads in this outstanding teen comedy. Many great actors got their start in this film. The Thing John Carpenter excelled when he remade this classic sci-fi/horror film that drips with paranoia. Kurt Russell fights an alien that can disguise itself as anyone. Very tense! Also Noteworthy: Jekyll And Hyde... Together Again My Favorite Year Pink Floyd The Wall Poltergeist 1981 Raiders Of The Lost Ark Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones, a swashbuckling archealogist who fights nazis and solves puzzles to aquire important artifacts in this outstanding adventure film. Also Noteworthy: Blow Out Escape From New York Evil Dead Excalibur Heavy Metal History of the World: Part I The Road Warrior Stripes Time Bandits 1980 Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Wow! The special effects fly and the plot takes some unseen swerves in this awesome action-adventure sci-fi extravaganza. The battle scenes on the ice planet Hoth alone are worth more than the price of admission. The Shining Jack Nicholson goes insane as the caretaker of a mountain resort who's haunted by the evil presence there and set on a mission to slaughter his family. One of the scariest performances in cinematic history! The Blues Brothers John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are blues musicians trying to get the band back together and avoid the nazis, cops and good ole boys. Way over the top comedy, great music and great performances. Personally inspiring. Also Noteworthy: Airplane! Caddyshack Dressed To Kill The Elephant Man Friday The 13th Stir Crazy Used Cars 1979 Breaking Away High School grads come to terms with the changes suddenly thrust upon them as they realize they don't have any plans for the rest of their lives and don't into fit the preconcieved molds of their community and their families. Monty Python's Life of Brian Outstanding religious parody as the Monty Python troupe tells the story of an unlikely messiah mistaken for Christ. Amazingly funny! Being There Peter Sellers is outstanding as Chauncey Gardiner, a gardener who has the intellectual capacity of a moron but people think he's brilliant. Also Noteworthy: 1941 Alien Apocalypse Now The Jerk Kramer vs. Kramer Meatballs 1978 Animal House John Belushi and the gang terrorize Dean Wormer as the members of an out-of-control fraternity who are under "double secret probation". An anarchic over-the-top comedy classic! Also Noteworthy: Buddy Holly Damien: Omen II Dawn of the Dead Halloween Invasion of the Body Snatchers Superman 1977 Star Wars The grandaddy of all space adventures influenced an entire generation of geeks. Farmboy Luke Skywalker escapes the boredom of Tattoine and takes off to fight the evil empire. Also Noteworthy: Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Gauntlet High Anxiety The Rescuers Slap Shot Suspiria 1976 Rocky A rock bottom second-rate boxer from the slums gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the champ. Everyone seems to remember the sequels and the Stallone machismo but they forget this inspiring story that won a well-deserved (for once) Best Motion Picture Oscar. Superb. Watch it again! All the President's Men Reporters Woodward and Bernstein cover a third page story about a burglary that eventually unravels into a conspiracy that goes all the way to the presidency. Excellently crafted with high level of suspense. Family Plot Eddie Shoebridge has some money coming. But Eddie is dead. Or is he? Bruce Dern and Barbara Harris play a taxi driver and a phony psychic who get in over their head in this enjoyable Hitchcock romp. Also Noteworthy: Carrie The Enforcer Logan's Run Marathon Man Obsession The Omen The Pink Panther Strikes Again Silent Movie Silver Streak 1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail One of the funniest comedies ever! Monty Python takes on the King Arthur legend and, with razor sharp wit, satirizes politics, chastity, bravado, spam, the french, historians and coconuts. You must see this! Jaws Speilberg outdoes himself in this suspenseful tale of a maniac shark. Roy Scheider is great as the sheriff that narrowly keeps the town from falling apart. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Jack Nicholson is excellent as an outlaw doing time in a mental institute. He refuses to bend his will to the ego-crushing authority. Also Noteworthy: The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Death Race 2000 The Great Waldo Pepper The Return of the Pink Panther Rollerball Tommy 1974 Blazing Saddles Mel Brooks greatest work and one of the funniest comedies ever! The residents of Rock Ridge, a pioneer town in the old west, get a new sherrif. But he isn't as pale as they expected. Amazingly clever (the slapstick and crudeness hide an underlying complexity)and brilliant critique of American race relations. Young Frankenstein Mel Brooks is at it again with this hilarious parody of the classic Universal Frankenstein movies. Oozes with style and awesome performances from the entire cast. Sheer genius! Also Noteworthy: The Conversation Death Wish The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Phantom of the Paradise 1973 The Paper Chase Mr Hart has a true socratic experience. John Houseman is incredible as the dry super-serious Harvard law professor who teaches future legal minds to think for themselves. High Plains Drifter Mysterious Clint Eastwood western parallels the Eastern fable of Yojimbo. A town turns to a shadowy drifter to protect them from bandits headed their way. But maybe the bandits aren't the real bad guys. Jesus Christ Superstar Norman Jewison directed this Tim Rice/Andrew LLoyd Webber rock opera. Passionate performances, raw energy in power-charged rock numbers and innovative ideas fill this strange version of the story of Jesus told from the perspective of Judas. Serpico Al Pacino is excellent as a man of stone in a world of full of leeches when he plays an undercover cop who won't compromise his integrity. The Sting A clever engaging movie full of twists. Newman and Redford engineer a series of cons climaxing in the titular set-up. Also Noteworthy: American Graffiti Live and Let Die Magnum Force Papillon Sisters Sleeper Soylent Green Westworld 1972 Frenzy Hitchcock's tale of suspense is somewhat graphic and a bit lurid as an inspector pursues London's necktie strangler. The Ruling Class Peter O'Toole ranges from loony to creepy as an uppercrust British aristocrat who thinks he's Jesus Christ. Also Noteworthy: Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid To Ask The Godfather Jeremiah Johnson Joe Kidd Man Of La Mancha Silent Running Sleuth Tales From The Crypt 1971 A Clockwork Orange Alex and his droogs were out for a bit of the old ultraviolence in this outstanding surreal Stanley Kubrik treatment of an Anthony Burgess study of human behavior in a future society. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Charlie finds his golden ticket to meet the candyman who shows him a world of wonder where bad kids meet with bad ends. Outstanding, amazing, surreal, wacky, sometime blazingly chromatic, sometimes creepy and dark, always wonderful and weird. Fiddler On The Roof Norman Jewison directed this outstanding musical examining the plight of the Jews in Tsarist Russia. Amazingly well-crafted with wonderful performances. The Omega Man Charlton Heston is the last man alive on earth, a rugged survivalist/scientist, in a world full of anti-technology zombies. Great social commentary. Also Noteworthy: Bananas The Beguiled Dirty Harry Escape From The Planet Of The Apes The French Connection Harold And Maude Murphy's War Play Misty For Me Straw Dogs 1970 Kelly's Heroes My favorite war movie. Clint Eastwood is Kelly, an American soldier in WW2 who decides to capture the gold in a bank held by the Germans. An all-star cast including Telly Sevalas and an incredible Donald Sutherland as a freaked out hippy tank commander. This movie is like an old friend! Patton George C. Scott turns in a winning performance as the ego-maniacal general who battled Rommel and helped defeat the Germans in WW2. Sweeping epic with wonderful Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack. I can't say enough great things about Scott's fiery depiction of old Blood & Guts. Scrooge Terrific musical version of A Christmas Carol. Albert Finney brings to life the crotchety old Ebenezer and makes you first hate him, then understand him, then dance and delight with him as he changes his life around. Much better than the Alastar Sim classic. (Don't believe me? Give it a try!) Also Noteworthy: Beneath The Planet Of The Apes Catch-22 Little Big Man MASH Two Mules For Sister Sara 1969 Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid Some great acting in one of the best buddy pictures during a pretty lame year for movies. Paul Newman and Robert Redford would gel together even better for The Sting, four years later in 1973. Also Noteworthy: The Italian Job Paint Your Wagon Take The Money And Run Topaz 1968 Planet of the Apes 'A world where apes evolved from men?!' Excellent social commentary and exploration of philosophical issues disguized as oddball science fiction. Social satire about military dictatorship, science versus religion, cynicism, ignorance and cultural disintegration. Brilliant. Charly A heart-wrenching story of a retarded man who undergoes an experimental procedure and "awakens" from his intellectual slumber. Wonderful performance by Cliff Robertson. Amazing exploration of human psychological development. Hang 'Em High Intensely dramatic Clint Eastwood western is really an essay on the crucial necessity of consistency and deliberation in the administration of justice. Of special note is the gallows scene - a textbook example of the technique of suspense. The drama is so tense you can cut it with a knife. The Producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom decide to make a broadway flop and sell more than 100% of the shares. Of course the scheme backfires in this remarkable Mel Brooks comedy. Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are just a riot as the producers of Springtime For Hitler. Romeo And Juliet Olivia Hussey is sizzling in this magnificent version of Shakespeare's tale of the star-crossed lovers. Michael York is also excellent as Tybalt but the real surprise is relatively unknown John McEnery as a very clever wisecracking Mercutio. Also Noteworthy: 2001: A Space Odyssey Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Coogan's Bluff The Lion In Winter Night of the Living Dead Rosemary's Baby Yellow Submarine 1967 Cool Hand Luke 'Sometimes nothing is a pretty cool hand.' Paul Newman is the man who can't be held back, held down or just plain held, in this story of a non-comformist prisoner. Rugged individualism at it's best. The Graduate 'I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics.' This sums ups the world surrounding Benjamin as he graduates from college. In his perpetual cloud of alienation, naive Benjamin [Dustin Hoffman] gets seduced by Mrs. Robinson. By the time he finally finds his true desire it will take all the strength and integrity he can muster to fight the creepy, phony world that has dominated and oppressed his life. This is one of the best movies of all time. The Dirty Dozen Lee Marvin leads Charles Bronson, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas and the other military misfit/prisoners in a desperate mission across enemy lines. If they succeed, their sentences will be commuted. On the other hand they'll all probably die, in this great WW2 film. Cunning and clever military strategy comes from the anti-authoritarian personalities. Also Noteworthy: Bedazzled Fitzwilly The Jungle Book To Sir, With Love 1966 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Clint Eastwood and "The Ugly" Tuco go after a secret treasure and Lee Van Cleef tries to beat 'em to it. But really no one can trust anyone in this classic spaghetti western, the 3rd and best in the Sergio Leone trio of films. Leone's offbeat style and Ennio Moriccone's hauntingly odd music make all 3 films a must see. Also Noteworthy: The Endless Summer Fantastic Voyage Torn Curtain 1965 For A Few Dollars More The 2nd film in the "Man With No Name" trilogy (not technically really a trilogy), is an excellent tale with Clint and Lee Van Cleef as rival bounty hunters. Van Cleef achieves a smooth creepiness when he uses a music box as a "timer" for his quickdraw shootouts. (This film & The Good, The Bad And The Ugly were really his only memorable roles). The Sound Of Music Lush scenery, nice Julie Andrews musical numbers, an engrossing story about a nun who handles a tribe of hellions and can't face her growing attraction to the man of the house, all set in the time of the nazi takeover of Austria. What more could you ask for? Also Noteworthy: A Patch Of Blue Thunderball Von Ryan's Express 1964 Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb Peter Sellers plays 3 different characters in this classic of dark humor from the lens of Stanley Kubrik. Easier to laugh at now that the cold war is over. Slim Pickins is great as the cowboy bomber pilot: 'Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff'. George C. Scott as the overly-eager-to-fight general. This film created many stereotypical characters and memorable lines. 'There's no fighting in the war room!' '...the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids'! A Fistful Of Dollars Director Sergio Leone originates a new genre, "spaghetti western" with this stylistic film starring Clint Eastwood. A Mexican town in the old west is terrorized by 2 rival gangland families. Clint is a rugged loner, a tough drifter who plays the 2 families against each other. Terrific and tense, it sets the new standard right out of the gate. Also Noteworthy: 7 Faces of Dr. Lao Goldfinger A Hard Day's Night Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte Mary Poppins 1963 The Great Escape Based on a true story, this heroic tale of a remarkably well-organized massive break from a nazi prison camp is entertaining and inspiring. James Garner is great as the scrounger, Donald Pleasance as the counterfeiter, Charles Bronson as the digger. They all overcome adversity against overwhelming odds. Steve McQueen is outstanding as the ever-defiant yankee, defying the nazis with an unbreakable never-say-die determination. Also Noteworthy: The Birds From Russia With Love Jason And The Argonauts The Pink Panther The Wheeler Dealers 1962 Lawrence of Arabia An underrated oddball mapmaker in the British army is sent to be an observer of the Arab army. Peter O'Toole rises to the occasion to become a legendary miltary warrior. But is he a British conqueror or an Arab leader? Marvelous epic adventure! The Manchurian Candidate Eerie surreal tale. Neither horror nor war movie but enthralling psychodrama as Korean vets have been brainwashed and are being used for uber-McCarthyish ends. Wonderfully creepy and disturbing. To Kill A Mockingbird Gregory Peck is excellent as a methodical lawyer defending an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman in the 1930s South. The Miracle Worker Anne Bancroft tries to teach blind, def and dumb Helen Keller. But how can she reach the intellect of one with such limited means of communication and contact? Fascinating drama. Also Noteworthy: Birdman Of Alcatraz Dr. No The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance The Music Man What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? 1961 West Side Story A real risk-taking musical. Fighting is depicted in dance - and it works! - in this story of the Jets versus the Sharks, rival teen gangs of the 50s. Racial tension erupts as Puerto Rican juvenile delinquents and white hoodlums spar in spite of Tony's (member of the Jets) romance with Maria (sister of the leader of the Sharks). Yes it's a variation on Romeo & Juliet with dancing and singing but still remains relevant and serious. Surprisingly successful. A Raisin In The Sun Like Gone With The Wind, this is a depiction of a changing culture. Through the struggles of a black family in Chicago in the 50s, we see the evolving new mindsets that effect society and life within the family. Wonderful acting and a very insightful script make this an eye-opener. Also Noteworthy: 101 Dalmatians One, Two, Three Pit and the Pendulum 1960 Psycho Timid little Norman Bates, caretaker of the Bates Motel, wouldn't hurt a fly. His mother might though. She doesn't approve of the sultry girls who check in to the motel. A creepy classic by the master of suspense. A textbook of cinematic artistry. Anthony Perkins is outstanding. One of the best films ever. The Magnificent Seven The Seven Samurai is turned into a wonderful western. Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen are terrific as members of a team of "guns for hire" trying to protect a town from a parasitic band of thieves lead by Eli Wallach (the ugly guy from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly). Great suspense, sympatico performances and demonstrations of integrity and reliability. Spartacus Kirk Douglas is the epitome of defiance as a slave who leads a revolt against the Romans. Kubrik makes an epic and turns out a winner. See this instead of Gladiator! Also Noteworthy: Cash McCall Inherit The Wind Swiss Family Robinson Aquiring Perspective Now that I'm over halfway through forming this massive list (I suppose it's roughly half way. I just finished with the 50s, still need to post it and begin a "Bad" list.), I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to make some observations about what I've learned and give myself something to contradict later when I really know stuff! The biggest problem I have noticed since compiling the list is that the Top 5 movies from each year don't come anywhere near matching my original concept. I figured the top 5 films from each year would be all-time Great films. This wasn't the case. There are a lot of dissapointing years. On the other hand, there are a few years where the Great films overfill the Top 5 and spill over into the Noteworthy category. My intention with the Noteworty category was to recognize films that were not over-all Great films but had great characteristics. The actual list is a little more of a compromise with the Top 5 being pretty much all-time Great films with an occasional minor favorite thrown in. I feel so strongly about the stature of the Top 5 that if I couldn't find 5 that I could definitely call a "favorite", I left it a Top 4 (or 3 or 2 or even 1). Although, in some years, I've really stretched to find at least 1 Top movie! The Noteworthy category is unlimited in number but has a looser criteria of what a "great" characteristic is. In fact, it's more like a catalog of movies I found quite enjoyable from that year. In addition, if there are more than 5 "Great" films, they wound up in Noteworthies. This approach has led to a somewhat shifting scale, in spite of my resolve to maintain consistant standards. A glance at the Top 5 through the years easily shows the "lean" years when "Great" movies were scarce. 2002 should be ashamed of itself when Death To Smoochy and The Ring, movies that strectch the definition of greatness a bit much, invert the bottom of the Top 5 concept, lest there be no Steve Oscar for that year. Perhaps I haven't seen enough movies (though clearly I have) or maybe I haven't explored movies from the past (also obviously untrue) when I'm dissapointed to find the 60s littered with years of Top 2s and Top 1s. And as my compilation continues into the past I find the offerings getting leaner and leaner. Although I first jumped to find fault in my movie experience perhaps being too scant in the earlier years, I'm starting to see that this may be the pattern of movie history. In the 80s the VCR came to prominence which had a dramatic effect on the amount of media produced. The IMDB lists I've waded through became much smaller when I hit the 70s. There were much fewer Hollywood offerings, no more "direct to video" titles. The International titles were of much smaller number. When I hit the 60s all the funny porn titles dissapeared because hardcore porn was predominently a 70s phonemonen. There weren't any more parody titles like On Golden Blonde to amuse me but the exploitation films like Nude On The Moon and Bad Girls Go To Hell had started to appear. By the time I hit the 50s most of the Bad list was dominated by cheesy sci-fi and the overall number of films had dwindled even more. I anticipate the struggle to find a Great Film each year to grow more difficult. This realization has led me to question a premise that has been waning in me for several years now. In my quest to rate the great movies back throughout the years, I'm widening my perspective of history. This has lead me to question my view of the present when compared to the past. Forgive me for diverging into the realm of philosophy here but it is relevant. I hold a philosophical view of history that suggests that history is moved by the dominant philosophical tennants of the time. The dominant philosophy in a culture at any given time has an unshakeable influence on the values of that culture. As a result, one can view the changes that occur in history as a stream of changing ideas that come to fruition in the time continuum. This has lead me to view the past as rosier than the present. If I look at the dominant ideas in the late 1700s I embrace a more romantic view of that period than a lot of the nonsense coming from this century. Although the scope of film history has a much shorter reach, there is a lot to be said about the golden age of Hollywood, with Cecil B Demille, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo and the others presenting us with a more benevolent and meaningful world than today's Dude, Where's My Car. However, this project has lead me to suspect this is a false view. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a correct approach, I just think the conclusion is warped. I think the sampling of historical data is being limited to the greats whereas the greats from this century are being ignored (or at least being labelled as an exception - not representative of the times). Consequently, in my personal favorites I often held higher reverance for older great works. I am now revising that thinking and I believe, as of this writing, Braveheart has overtaken North By Northwest as my favorite film of all time. The values I see embodied in Amadeus, Dead Poets Society, and The Truman Show are even greater than those upheld by Spartacus and Cyrano de Bergerac. By the same token, I believe 1952's Red Planet Mars is far worse than 2003s From Justin To Kelly could ever dream of being. Not even close. 1959 North By Northwest An unsuspecting businessman, Roger Thornhill [Cary Grant] is mistaken for a secret agent, is kidnapped. He escapes captivity and several attemps on his life as he's chased across the country in this Hitchcock masterpiece. Mistaken identity and a man's struggle to control the forces doggedly attempting to crush him are the main themes presented brilliantly in this artistic tour-de-force. And as a side dish we are treated to a fiery sexual intensity between Grant and Eva Maria Saint that scorches the screen. One of the greatest movies ever! Ben-Hur A colossal epic in the tradition of the golden age. Charleton Heston is larger than life in this heroic bible-era presentation. Also Noteworthy: Journey To The Center Of The Earth The Mating Game The Mouse That Roared Operation Petticoat The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker Sleeping Beauty Some Like It Hot 1958 Bell, Book And Candle A marvelous Jimmy Stewart/Kim Novak comedy love story. Throw in some voluptuous sexual tension and a pinch of spooky witchcraft and you have a wonderful film. This made me fall in love with Kim Novak. Vertigo Wow! Yet another Jimmy Stewart/Kim Novak coupling this year. This one's a complicated Hitchcock thriller of mistaken indentities and confusing plots and schemes. More Tension. Touch Of Evil Orson Welles is barely recognizable as a corrupt cop in this strange film-noir tale based on the more suitably titled book Badge Of Evil. Set in a violent south of the border town, Charleton Heston plays an honest Mexican cop. ("He doesn't look Mexican to me" quote Orson.) The spooky look to the film enhances the plot twists and everybody looks pretty darn creepy. The Big Country Gregory Peck is a confident dandy who arrives in a wild west town to meet his feance. He is more than what he seems to the shallow people in the town, when he gets mixed up in their local feud. A great film that transcends it's genre and demonstrates how a truly confident man measures his worth by his own standards not in the impressions of others. Also Noteworthy: The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad The Old Man And The Sea St. Louis Blues 1957 12 Angry Men A tense courtroom drama turns abstract ideas into immediate in-your-face confrontations. Excellent screenplay and great acting. The Bridge on the River Kwai The desire to show human ingenuity as superior to brutal savagery. Engineering know-how and problem-solving versus dictatorial commands and tantrum-throwing. This contrast is the name of the game as Alec Guiness & William Holden are POWs in a Japanese prison camp. Also Noteworthy: Gunfight At The O.K. Corral Jailhouse Rock Old Yeller Peyton Place The Spirit Of St. Louis 1956 The Wrong Man Great little Hitchcock pressure cooker. Another mistaken identity senario with Henry Fonda turning in a great performance. Also Noteworthy: Forbidden Planet Invasion Of The Body Snatchers The King and I 1955 Picnic The residents of a small town are small-minded busy bodies who feel threatened when a misfit drifter comes to town. William Holden and Kim Novak shine in this indictment of small town hypocrisy and envy. Mister Roberts Jack Lemmon as a defiant hero? No, he's really the comic relief of course. It's Henry Fonda as the thorn in the paw of tyrannincal blowhard James Cagney. Entertaining lesson pits the individual against the ugly killjoy of authoritarian beauracracy. What more could you ask for? Also Noteworthy: Lady And The Tramp Rebel Without A Cause The Seven Year Itch To Catch A Thief The Trouble With Harry We're No Angels 1954 Rear Window Brilliant Hitchcock suspense study puts the audience in the place of an action photographer [Jimmy Stewart] who's confined to his studio apartment with a broken leg. As he witnesses odd events next door he begins to suspect his neighbor is a murderer. Just as the viewer is helpless to jump into the story, Stewart is frustated at his inability to get into the action. Superb film, one of the best films ever, proves that Hitchcock is history's finest director. The Caine Mutiny Humphrey Bogart breaks type as a ship captain gone mad. The crew is forced to mutiny and then methodically examine their actions in a court martial. Fred MacMurray is surprising as he also breaks type and Jose Ferrer is excellent as the defense attorney. Dial M For Murder Another outstanding Hitchcock offering of suspence as a tapestry of sexual tension and criminal intrigue is woven together. This time Ray Milland is in the driver seat with Grace Kelly in the passenger seat and Rober Cummings clinging to the undercarriage. On The Waterfront Marlon Brando is a powerhouse in Elia Kazan's comprehensive examination of whistleblowing. You can't even use that term without connotations of cowardliness or petty, sinister implications. The truth is quite the opposite. As Marlon shows us, it takes tremendous courage and the strength of conviction to stop what begins as graft, but ends as mob rule and ultimately enslavement. Also Noteworthy: 20000 Leagues Under The Sea Creature From The Black Lagoon Seven Brides For Seven Brothers The Seven Samurai 1953 Shane Alan Ladd has a reputation as a troublemaker but he really just wants to settle down in this terrific classic Western. Also Noteworthy: The Glenn Miller Story Houdini Peter Pan Roman Holiday 1952 High Noon Gary Cooper faces an ugly decision. His integrity is stretched to the limit as he must decide whether to turn tail and run or face almost certain death. A wonderful classic Western is really a tension-filled examination of human determination. Also Noteworthy: Carbine Williams Singin' In The Rain 1951 Strangers On A Train "Criss-cross". A professional tennis player, Guy Haynes, meets a kookie fellah who has a scheme to dispose of both their problems. To get rid of the ugly entanglements in their lives they will exchange murders. Neither will have a motive and will thus avoid capture. Guy dismisses the wacky nutjob ...until he actually carries it out. A real thought-provoking Hitchcock pressure-cooker with brilliant acting by Farley Granger. The African Queen A reluctant Humphrey Bogart finds himself piloting a little steamboat up the rivers of Africa with missionary, Katherine Hepburn on an insane mission. Amazing acting in this wonderful film that shows us the remarkable strengths of human endurance and perseverance. Also Noteworthy: Alice In Wonderland The Day The Earth Stood Still 1950 Cyrano de Bergerac Jose Ferrer is excellent as the swashbuckling braggert cavalier with an outrageously long nose. He has everything going for him but with a probiscus like that, how will he ever win the hand of the fair Roxanne? Also Noteworthy: Cheaper By The Dozen Cinderella Harvey Winchester '73 1949 The Fountainhead Gary Cooper excels as Ayn Rand's personification of integrity when he portays Howard Roark, an architect so proud he would rather see his artistic vision destroyed than compromised by parisitic second-handers. Also Noteworthy: 12 O'Clock High A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court The Inspector General It Happens Every Spring 1948 Rope Based on the Leopold & Lobe case (two upperclass college kids commit a murder just for the fun of it) this Hitchcock thriller shows us some amazing innovations. Made up of a series of indetectable eight minute cuts, the film appears to be all one long scene. The entire film is in one setting and is only concerned with the commiting, concealing and detection of the crime. Suspense is reduced to it's bare fundamentals while simultaneously the motive for the crime is reduced to it's philosphical fundamentals. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Suprisingly good Abbott & Costello comedy and Univeral Monster movie. Dracula revives Frankenstein and the Wolfman tries to thwart his plans for world domination and it all takes place within the parameters of a top rate Bud & Lou kneeslapper. Also Noteworthy: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House A Song Is Born 1947 The Ghost And Mrs. Muir This eerie ghost story is really a magnificent romance. A tale of loss, love and life, it shows us a mature vision of romantic love. The Lady From Shanghai Orson Welles is nobody's fool as an Irish seaman hired by an eccentric uppercrust lawyer. But one member of the party wants him to kill him in this entangled web of deception. Wonderfully engaging film-noir pot-boiler. Black Narcissus A convent of nuns find it difficult to deny pleasure and escape from the sensations of the real world when they set up shop in an exotic Himalayian village. The wonderful and sometimes confusing customs and people clash with the nuns resulting in unpredictable and calamitous events. Also Noteworthy: Miracle On 34th Street The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty 1946 Notorious Great little Hitchcock pressure cooker. With Ingrid Bergman as the daughter of a convicted nazi, who spies for the US, how can you go wrong? The Stranger Orson Welles' exciting paranoid tale of A nazi war criminal hiding out as a school teacher in a small American community. Welles is great as the sinister nazi and Edward G Robinson is terrific as the nazi hunter. Great Hitchcockian tale of adventure and espionage. A Matter Of Life And Death This unusual fantasy, also known as Stairway To Heaven, is a wonderful tale of an RAF officer (David Niven) who must fight a legal battle for his right to remain alive after a heavenly agent fails to take his soul at the proper moment. The well written tale unfolds as we remain uncertain whether the events are the product of Niven's injured brain or a desperate courtroom battle in the afterlife. My Darling Clementine Henry Fonda excels as Wyatt Earp in the tale of the gunfight at the OK corral. His portrayal as a calm, reasoning man without fear is inspirational. Also Noteworthy: Make Mine Music Song of the South 1945 Love Letters A woman marries a man who won her hand by his wonderous words in a romantic correspondence during the war. When we learn that another man wrote the letters for him, we discover a tale of mystery, memory loss and homicide. Much better than Hitchcock's amenisia tale, Spellbound, from the same year. Jennifer Jones is haunting and irresistible. Also Noteworthy: The Picture Of Dorian Gray Wonder Man 1944 Laura Terrific film noir mystery. Fascinating to watch, with twists and turns. A detective investigating a murder, falls in love with the deceased beauty. Also Noteworthy: Arsenic and Old Lace The Three Caballeros 1943 Shadow Of A Doubt A young girl suspects her dear Uncle Charlie is a killer in this suspenseful Hitchcock thriller. Joseph Cotten in another stand-out performance. Also Noteworthy: . 1942 Casablanca Everybody Comes to Rick's, especially if you're on the run from the nazis in Morocco and you bump into the love of your life who abandoned you in Paris and she pretends not to know you. For you whippersnappers who grew up with Star Wars and can't appreciate one of the greatest films ever because it's a monochrome film noir set in WW2, allow me to translate. Humphrey Bogart is Han Solo who runs into the fiesty Princess Leia in the Cantina. She's incognito and plans to meet Luke and escape under the noses of the Empire... Believe me, this is a great film! Saboteur Classic Hitchcock mistaken identity film. Robert Cummings is wrongly accused of arson at an airplane factory. He must find the real saboteur to clear his name. Terrific climax! Noi Vivi/Addio Kira! Does this qualify as We The Living? Originally produced in 1942 as a 2 film propoganda device for facist Italy without the author's knowledge, this is a wonderful adaptation of Ayn Rand's anti-totalitarian tale. Yes, that applies to Mussolini's Italy as well as its Soviet Russia setting, which explains why it was quickly censored there. See also 1986's We The Living. The Pride Of The Yankees Gary Cooper is wonderful as Lou Gehrig, a hard-working unassuming baseball player who plays 2130 consecutive games and considers himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth". Holiday Inn Bing Crosby opens an inn that's only open on holidays to showcase he & his friends' singing and dancing talents. In the process he discovers and persues the beautiful and talented Linda Mason. Ah but Fred Astaire invades to sweep her off her feet in this wonderful musical love triangle. Also Noteworthy: Bambi Yankee Doodle Dandy 1941 Citizen Kane News reporters try to find a unique angle for the obituary of giant newspaper mogul, Charle Foster Kane. They discover the life of an idealistic, headstrong man was eventually turned into a hollow shell as he died isolated and abandoned. Welles is outstanding as an actor as well as being the most innovative director! The Maltese Falcon Nevermind trying to keep track of the overly complicated plot. Just savor the fantastic performances with Bogart in a world where you can trust no one, Mary Astor as one of the untrustworthy. Then Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet as the definitely untrustworthy. It's wonderful to watch the characters spar in this tournament of intrigue. Also Noteworthy: Ball Of Fire Dumbo Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde Meet John Doe Hoppity Goes To Town The Wolf Man 1940 Foreign Correspondent An American newspaper reporter dreams of adventure when he asks for a foreign assignment but gets more than he bargained for when he becomes the European correspondent as World War II begins in this taut Hitchcock tale of cloak and dagger. Fantasia Disney invents the medium of music video in this collection of tales that strive to graphically illustrate classical masterpieces. Imaginary tales of fantasy are depicted amidst Stravinsky's orchestrations of the great composers. Also Noteworthy: Pinocchio Rebecca 1939 Gone With The Wind "Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a damn!" says Rhett and the South enters a brand new era in this allegory of a nation's tumultuous change. The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Cedric Hardwicke is Frollo, the embodiment of authority in 15th century Paris. Maureen O'Hara is Esmeralda, the gypsy girl, but it's Charles Laughton in the real stand-out performance in this great version of a Victor Hugo masterpiece. Ninotchka Greta Garbo is magnificent as an idealistic Soviet who is sent as an envoy to Paris and is wooed by an aristocrat. It's a light comedy with a wonderfully bright sensibility. (And it doubles as an indictment of Communism). Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Jimmy Stewart finds a way to defeat the powers of corruption and spinelessness in Congress in this heroic Frank Capra tale. The Wizard Of Oz Judy Garland learns that "there's no place like home" but the rest of us are treated to the dazzling and trippy fantasyland of Oz, where the tinman pines for a heart, the strawman figures out how to get a brain and the lion braves the journey to get courage. Oh yes, and the leader of Emerald City isn't really a bad man, just a bad wizard. Also Noteworthy: Gulliver's Travels Son Of Frankenstein 1938 You Can't Take It With You Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are getting married. But Jean's nutty family isn't conducive to Jimmy's stuffy family. Can they keep it all together? Also Noteworthy: Room Service 1937 The Life Of Emile Zola Alfred Dreyfus, a captain in the French army is wrongly accused of selling military secrets and is sent to Devil's Island. Thus begins The Dreyfus Affair, an ugly episode in post-revolutionary French history. Paul Muni plays a passionate, idealistic journalist who fights for justice and Dreyfus' release. Great acting, great story. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Disney makes history with what is widely regarded as the first full-length animated feature. Not only is the animation astounding, but the characters and story are quite good. Also Noteworthy: A Day At The Races 1936 Mr. Deeds Goes To Town Gary Cooper is an eccentric fun-loving regular guy from the small town of Mandrke Falls who inherits a fortune. His arrival in New York and immersion into High Society brings out the predators. Public Scrutiny eventually leads to a sanity hearing in this wonderful Frank Capra film. Things To Come Raymond Massey is a man of reason in a post-apocalyptic world (following the devasting "World War 2"), who represents a group of scientific men who wish to bring civilization back. But can society bear to have "progress" thrust upon them? Excellent adaptation of an uncharacteristically heroic H.G. Wells story. Also Noteworthy: . 1935 The 39 Steps A tourist in London who helps out a double agent is on the run when she turns up dead. It's out of the frying pan and into the fire in this wonderful early Hitchcock spy film. Bride of Frankenstein The monster survived the first film and is back on the move in this sequel to Frankenstein. The doctor has no choice when a new mad scientist kidnaps his wife and forces him to make a companion for the creature. More creepy atmosphere and more opportunity for Boris Karloff in this great film. Also Noteworthy: Mutiny On The Bounty A Night At The Opera 1934 It Happened One Night Clark Gable has to make a woman out of spoiled brat, Claudette Colbert in this great Frank Capra tale of a runaway debutante. Also Noteworthy: The Man Who Knew Too Much The Scarlet Pimpernel 1933 Duck Soup Groucho Marx is Rufus T. Firefly, the dictator of Freedonia. Margret DuMont:"Your excellency!" Groucho:"You're not so bad yourself!" The most clever dialogue ever in this rapid-fire Marx brothers comedy. Madcap anarchism doubles as government criticism as Chico and Harpo, hired as spys, fail to keep Groucho from capriciously declaring war on Sylvania. Wonderful craziness. A must-see! Also Noteworthy: King Kong 1932 Horse Feathers The Marx Brothers take a swipe at academia when Groucho becomes Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff, the president of a college. Great gags, quips and the funniest football game ever! Also Noteworthy: Grand Hotel 1931 M Peter Lorre is a crazed serial child-killer in Germany in the Fritz Lang masterpiece. Lorre's great acting and Lang's amazing shadowy atmosphere and the Hall Of The Mountain King all combine to make this a complete scarefest. Frankenstein This amazing visualization of the Frankenstein story is the standard of horror movies! The German expressionist sets of the castle, Boris Karloff's iconoclast characterization of the monster, the Telsa-inspired high voltage spark machines have never been outdone and are now the measuring sticks of a successful Halloween display. This film has become a part of American culture. See this one again! Incidently the outstanding electronic effects were done by uncredited Kenneth Strickfadden and John Foster. Mata Hari Greta Garbo is marvelous as the cunning, icy World War I spy, dancing in Paris and luring young Russian pilots to their doom. But what happens when the seductive ice queen falls in love? Will such a change melt her heart or will it lead to her downfall? Excellent performance. Also Noteworthy: Dracula Monkey Business 1930 Animal Crackers "Hurray for Captain Spaulding!" The Marx brothers excel in this funny & clever showcase of anarchy. Groucho is a big game hunter who's attending Margret Dumont's big bash to unveil a great painting, but Chico and Harpo are busy switching out the painting with a forgery. Great comedy bits in this early Marx Bros number. Also Noteworthy: . 1929 The Cocoanuts How do you start off the talkie era. How about a Marx Brothers comedy? Right out of the starting gate we get some incredibly clever banter that would have been completely lost in the silent era. Also Noteworthy: . 1928 The Man Who Laughs Conrad Viedt is incredible in this silent film based on a Victor Hugo novel about a man travelling with a sideshow, who's face has been hideously tranfigured so that he has a permanent grimacing smile. Spellbinding. Also Noteworthy: . 1927 Napoleon The astounding early bio of Napoleon's rise, told in this grandiose lenghthy silent. Culminates in a panaoramic three screen battle scene. A ground-breaking cinematic achievement. Metropolis Fritz Lang's silent masterpiece about a future society split in two with an underground slave class supporting the "higher" social level. A pathbreaking science-fiction spectacle. Also Noteworthy: Wings

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