My Top 1000 Movies Feature Length Narrative US/UK Films of All Time (Updated for 2023, now top 2,500 movies)
In 1912 the first US feature film to be shown in its entirety was H. A. Spanuth's five-reel production of Oliver Twist. One hundred years later feature length narrative films are still here to stay. Here are the top 2,500+ feature length narrative films from the US and/or UK from 1912-2011. (Now including films from 2013-2023)
-Chris R.
-Chris R.
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- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Profound American saga. The lines of dialogue have been forever embedded into the American culture and film discourse. Never before has a film brought us so close to the characters and lifestyles of a crime family. Unforgettable performances, shocking violence with twists and turns along the brilliant storyline, rich look and much more make this a legendary film.
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenDorothy ComingoreFollowing the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance: 'Rosebud.'(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The foundation for most modern film techniques. The most innovative and groundbreaking film ever made. A whirlwind of time lapses, flashbacks and flash-forwards all fall tightly into place like a finished puzzle. Orson Welles does it all and more. And who could forget Gregg Toland's completely unique gorgeous black and white cinematography.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsWilliam HoldenGloria SwansonErich von StroheimA screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Easily the greatest Hollywood film about Hollywood ever made. A very powerfully disturbing performance by Swanson. Billy Wilder's direction is nothing short of genius. Striking music score also one of the most influential of all time. An amazingly sharp and witty script that is the very peak of noirish film making.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Doesn't skip a beat from Part 1. Seamlessly expands the epic saga into a much larger scope. So much more is learned and expanded about the remaining characters. Conflicting situations are intensified and pushed beyond their pressure points along with very intriguing developments make this arguably the best sequel of all time.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Like a fine bottle of perfectly aged wine, its complexities are seemingly endless and ageless. A surrounding conflict at its most intense fast paced exhilaration amidst the smoke, colorful characters, intrigue, shadows and euphonious music lies one of the greatest romances of all time. Most likely the best dialogue ever in a film.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Emotional, powerful and shocking scenes throughout. Fiennes plays one of the greatest villains of all time.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) An American classic that works perfectly as a comedy and a dramatic story. A great broad range of characters. A great commentary on mental institutions.
- DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) This is the epitome of the Hollywood epic. The most memorable female lead ever. Astonishingly gorgeous Technicolor. Grandly produced, impeccably directed. Among all the war conflicts, beautiful scenery and costumes the great love story is the real draw to this Civil War romance.
- DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsBette DavisAnne BaxterGeorge SandersA seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingénue insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star and her circle of theater friends.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) One of the greatest scripts ever and the best film with a female majority cast.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.(***** Stars, A+ Grade)Absolutely insane situations, witty dialogue and the gimp. Defined the 90s film at the peak of the indie movement. Quentin Tarantino became a household name.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Neo-noir done with great skill and craft. Fascinating character piece done with depth and intrigue.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) An epic film treasure that is powerful and charging on all cylinders. The best looking film of the 20th century also applies narrative techniques to its greatest use. Rousing music score with meticulous direction by Lean along with moving performances paints a harsh and vast landscape of the desert. Doesn't get much better than this.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) One of the most influential performances by any actor, Brando emerges as one of the greatest method actors ever.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) A non-stop exciting romp from beginning to end! Never lets up yet doesn't get tiring for a second. A really fun movie that only gets more exhilarating as it goes along. Incredible chase sequences, action scenes make this the greatest action/adventure film ever made.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The ultimate 'what if' fantasy that became a Christmas tradition. A provocative and poignant theme. Shows how each and every individual's existence is meaningful. Cleverly shows you how one single person can make such a big difference. Perhaps Jimmy Stewart's best performance.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) As a musical or fantasy, it can’t get much better than this. Songs will be remembers from generation to generation. Astonishing imagery with probably the most brilliant use of color. The memorable character can't be forgotten how well each actor held up to the role. A historical technical triumph.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsHenry FondaLee J. CobbMartin BalsamThe jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Simple, yet extremely thought provoking about the prejudices of the American jury system. A great character stage play with wonderful performances all around.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The most exciting movie ever made. Ground shattering technical triumph. Shook the foundation of the sci-fi genre with a 9.8 on the Richter scale. Perhaps the greatest music score of all time. Perhaps the greatest modern mythology of our time. Literally created an entire universe with bizarre creatures and fantastic epic events. Rip-roaring from beginning to end.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Still to this day it has perhaps the greatest twist of all time. What no other director would dare to put on screen Hitchcock does with surprising bluntness. He pushes the envelope beyond what horror has only hinted at before. Totally legitimized the genre. Unforgettable shocking famous shower scene.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Grand conclusion to the greatest trilogy of all time. More battle scenes to fill all 3 movies. Cinematography, editing, sound, sets, costumes all uniquely crafted. Peter Jackson took a monumental risk adapting this mythology to the big screen and it paid off big time.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Fascinating sports/bio pic that’s a great study for aesthetic violence. One of the greatest and devoted lead performances. An absolutely riveting portrayal of a boxer consumed with anger, pride and fear. Beautifully shot in black and white. Scorsese's best film.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartGrace KellyWendell CoreyA wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and, despite the skepticism of his fashion-model girlfriend, becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Hitchcock does so much with so little space. Its not an easy task to keep the audience's attention just from the point of view of one tiny apartment room for the entire film.
- 19641h 35mPG8.4 (519K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Brilliant satire with perhaps the greatest comic performance ever.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Most exciting war scene ever! Shows the insanity of war. Amazing cinematography.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsClark GableClaudette ColbertWalter ConnollyA rogue reporter trailing a runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops along the way.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Cleverly written comedy that inspired many subsequent movies of its kind but never equaled.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Greatest POW movie ever made could also be said the same for any war adventure. Fantastic strong performances all around. Extremely intriguing and provocative conflicts. An absolutely draw dropping end that is perhaps the greatest of all time. Jolly good show!
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsLaurence OlivierJoan FontaineGeorge SandersA self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Richly dark atmospheric tale. Top notch production and one of Hitchcock's best.
- DirectorRobert MulliganStarsGregory PeckJohn MegnaFrank OvertonAtticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama, defends a Black man against an undeserved rape charge, and tries to educate his young children against prejudice.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) An unforgettable social commentary about the injustices during the time before the civil rights movement. Arguably the greatest heroic main character.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Hysterical, highly entertaining and extremely quotable. Set the tone for violent crime films of the 90's. Pesci is amazing.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsFred MacMurrayBarbara StanwyckEdward G. RobinsonA Los Angeles insurance representative lets an alluring housewife seduce him into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, an insurance investigator.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Great lines are spitted out at rapid pace just enough for you to soak in the amazing dialogue. The definition of film noir.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsVivien LeighMarlon BrandoKim HunterDisturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) One of the greatest acted films of all time. Worthy adaptation of the classic play.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsF. Murray AbrahamTom HulceElizabeth BerridgeThe life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart's talent and claimed to have murdered him.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Beautiful costume (somewhat-historical) drama that is also funny, thoughtful and tragic.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsGeorge O'BrienJanet GaynorMargaret LivingstonA sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Romantic groundbreaking sound film with many sweet moments. Mesmerizing visual design for its time.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsHenry FondaJane DarwellJohn CarradineAn Oklahoma family, driven off their farm by the poverty and hopelessness of the Dust Bowl, joins the westward migration to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) No remake can possibly improve upon this adaptation of Steinbeck’s classic novel. A brilliantly directed film.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsMarilyn MonroeTony CurtisJack LemmonAfter two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Marilyn Monroe is an amazing screen presence. Funny subtle sexual innuendos cleverly done. Great opening scene.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) First part of the epic fantasy trilogy is a true imagining of the book. A technically sound film from every aspect. Fantastic special effects and memorable film score. One of the great conceived worlds put on film. McKellan adds a great presence to his role.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartJean ArthurClaude RainsA naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his character.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) An absolute must for political students. Stewart's final speech at the end of the film transcends the medium.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Script was pure poetry. Powerfully and effectively shuffles back and forth between loss and hope like no film ever has done before. Engrossing from beginning to end with a surprising twist. Shows the enduring nature of the human spirit. Aria scene is one of the best of all time.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJodie FosterCybill ShepherdA mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) My favorite line of all time. DeNiro establishes himself as one of the great American Actors.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartWalter HustonTim HoltTwo down-on-their-luck Americans searching for work in 1920s Mexico convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Scene after scene brings about a new twist or turn. The best film about greed.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) A ballet of visual poetry. Amazing imagination and a great hidden villain. Groundbreaking special effects.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsGary CooperGrace KellyThomas MitchellA town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at "high noon" when the gang leader, an outlaw he "sent up" years ago, arrives on the noon train.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Real time film that builds up tension like no other film. Great editing and direction. Gary Cooper plays one of the greatest heroic characters ever.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinVirginia CherrillFlorence LeeWith the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Charlie Chaplin's signature film. Has more heart than any other comedy ever made and easily the funniest boxing scene of all time.
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenAlida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Memorable zither score. Harry Lime is one of the greatest supporting characters ever. Borgias quote is one of my favorites. One of the great film noirs.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Among my favorite romantic films ever made. Great sympathetic lead role by Lemmon.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Could be the most intelligent witty script ever. Extremely quotable with an array of quirky characters with an absolutely hilarious scene with Christopher Walken. A totally unconventional comedy that is brimming with inventive ideas and techniques. The quintessential Woody Allen film.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Probably the most memorable villain of all time with such a small amount of screen time. Great ending.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsCillian MurphyEmily BluntMatt DamonThe story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantEva Marie SaintJames MasonA New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Grant and Hitchcock make a classic combination. Great editing and the famous airplane crop dusting scene. The quintessential mistaken identity thriller.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardJack OakieDictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Legendary sequel that expanded the mythology with a surprising dark turn.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonGeorge SegalA bitter, aging couple, with the help of alcohol, use their young houseguests to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other over the course of a distressing night.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The greatest Hollywood husband wife sideshow emotional boxing match of all time.
- DirectorLewis MilestoneStarsLew AyresLouis WolheimJohn WrayA German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Poignant anti-war film with strong emotions, decades ahead of its time.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Hollywood musical that deserves its due credit. Has only grown in notoriety over time. An ingenious spin on the end of the silent era. Impeccable choreography and surprisingly hilarious. All songs are great and who could forget the legendary dance sequence.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartMary AstorGladys GeorgeSan Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Established film noir as a genre. Classic detective character matches his wits with great conniving villains.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Some of the sequels were memorable, but this is clearly the best one. Probably the most inspiring and uplifting underdog sports stories.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartKim NovakBarbara Bel GeddesA former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) A prime example of Hitchcock’s genius as a master craftsman. A very haunting movie experience. Arguably the best mystery film of all time that goes deep into the human psyche. As the story gets deeper and deeper the more it draws you in. Its the type of story that keeps you guessing right up until the shocking conclusion.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.
- DirectorClyde BruckmanBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonMarion MackGlen CavenderAfter being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Every scene has a different comedic twist that keeps you guessing what will happen. Buster Keaton the stone faced actor perfects his craft.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsMyrna LoyDana AndrewsFredric MarchThree World War II veterans, two of them traumatized or disabled, return home to the American midwest to discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Classic post war film with a very special moving supporting performance.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) You’ll never swim the same again… even in the tub. Decision to reveal the monster until more than halfway through pays off extremely effectively.
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneClaire TrevorAndy DevineA group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo and learn something about each other in the process.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Thrilling modern western that introduced the Wayne/Ford duo. Great characterization piece.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMalcolm McDowellPatrick MageeMichael BatesIn the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Great adaptation of a classic book and my second favorite rendition of Singin’ in the Rain.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsCary GrantKatharine HepburnJames StewartWhen a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) One of the most quick witted comedies of the Hollywood Golden Age. Legendary talent in top form.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsGregory PeckAudrey HepburnEddie AlbertA bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMatt DamonTom SizemoreFollowing the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Best war scene ever. So far probably the best combination of sound and sound editing ever. Really puts you inside the action.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordRobert ShawTwo grifters team up to pull off the ultimate con.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Star studded cast with every aspect of production at a top notch level.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardHenry BergmanThe Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Chaplin’s final appearance as ‘The Tramp’ fittingly ends. Funny commentary about our age.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Best race scene and one of my favorite music scores. Absolutely gorgeous cinematography.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantIngrid BergmanClaude RainsThe daughter of a convicted German spy is asked by American agents to gather information on a ring of German scientists in South America. How far will she have to go to ingratiate herself with them?
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The second installment not only doesn't disappoint but starts right where it left off with an incredible beginning. Amazing visual effects and creature creations. The first real success at a computer generated character. Thrilling final battle sequence.
- DirectorStuart RosenbergStarsPaul NewmanGeorge KennedyStrother MartinA laid-back Southern man is sentenced to two years in a rural prison, but refuses to conform.
- DirectorMichael CurtizWilliam KeighleyStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandBasil RathboneWhen Prince John and the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence in 1190s England, a Saxon lord fights back as the outlaw leader of a resistance movement.
- DirectorMichael CiminoStarsRobert De NiroChristopher WalkenJohn CazaleAn in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Half great war film, half great ‘coming home’ film. Infamous Russian Roulette scene.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartKatharine HepburnRobert MorleyIn WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary to undertake a trip up a treacherous river and use his boat to attack a German gunship.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Bogey and Katherine Hepburn form a classic unorthodox relationship in this great adventure film. Bogey's best performance.
- DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireJoe KeatonA film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meagre skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.
- DirectorCurtis HansonStarsKevin SpaceyRussell CroweGuy PearceAs corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Arguably the slickest of the neo-noir films. Filled to the brim with solid performances.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Great soundtrack and revolutionary directing. Mike Nichols brings a totally fresh new style perfectly suited for the subject matter. Hilariously awkward situations and the sexual frankness keeps in faith with the new wave movement of the 1960's. Best first date scene ever.
- DirectorOtto PremingerRouben MamoulianStarsGene TierneyDana AndrewsClifton WebbA police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsBurt LancasterMontgomery CliftDeborah KerrAt a U.S. Army base in 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his commanding officer's wife and top aide begin a tentative affair.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Very appropriate ‘D-day’ film. Lancaster beach make-out scene, is a Hollywood trademark.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) A film that embraces a new spin on visitors from another planet. A heart as big as a film can possibly contain. A wonderfully touching story of the most unlikely friendships ever conceived. Spielberg really knows how to tug at the emotional strings of the audience. Fantastic music score.
- DirectorW.S. Van DykeStarsWilliam PowellMyrna LoyMaureen O'SullivanFormer detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.
- DirectorAlan J. PakulaStarsDustin HoffmanRobert RedfordJack Warden"The Washington Post" reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that leads to President Richard Nixon's resignation.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Highly involving compelling political mystery film. Highly intellectual film.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMack SwainTom MurrayA prospector goes to the Klondike during the 1890s gold rush in hopes of making his fortune, and is smitten with a girl he sees in a dance hall.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Hilarious set gags and situations still hold up just as well today as it did then. Famous dancing dinner roll scene.
- DirectorMichael PowellEmeric PressburgerStarsAnton WalbrookMarius GoringMoira ShearerA young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsTyrone PowerMarlene DietrichCharles LaughtonA veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodGene HackmanMorgan FreemanRetired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner Ned Logan and a young man, The "Schofield Kid."
- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsJulie AndrewsDick Van DykeDavid TomlinsonIn turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.
- DirectorMerian C. CooperErnest B. SchoedsackStarsFay WrayRobert ArmstrongBruce CabotA film crew goes to a tropical island for a location shoot, where they capture a colossal ape who takes a shine to their blonde starlet, and bring him back to New York City.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) The MONSTER of all monster movies. Groundbreaking special effects and effective to this day.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.(****+ Stars, A Grade) One of the greatest villains of all time. Edited and directed with precision. Intriguing unorthodox ending.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.
- DirectorOtto PremingerStarsJames StewartLee RemickBen GazzaraAn upstate Michigan lawyer defends a soldier who claims he killed an innkeeper due to temporary insanity after the victim raped his wife. What is the truth, and will he win his case?
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsTeresa WrightJoseph CottenMacdonald CareyA teenage girl, overjoyed when her favorite uncle comes to visit the family in their quiet California town, slowly begins to suspect that he is in fact the "Merry Widow" killer sought by the authorities.
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsGroucho MarxHarpo MarxChico MarxRufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Nobody is better at sight gags than the Marx brothers. Goofiness and satire make a hilarious mix.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) Funny and sharply written buddy western with great chemistry. The best of its kind.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsKevin SpaceyAnnette BeningThora BirchA sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.(***** Stars, A+ Grade) A psychological study of what lies behind the white picket fence.