Movie

Year

Comment

All the President's Men

1976

The Watergate saga that shocked this Nation as told through the reporters eyes. Outstanding film Robert Redford starred in and produced.   [M]

An Affair to Remember

1957

The classic romance with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr that should be seen before Sleepless in Seattle.   [M]

Arsenic and Old Lace

1941

Two little ole ladies as you can never imagine them, and Cary Grant in a comedy.

Barbarians at the Gate

1992

Story about the business excesses of the 1980s, and the destructive and perennial quest of unbridled greed in daily business.

Batman

1989

Classic good versus evil in the modern city. I believe Kim screams 37 times. Nicholson is great as the Joker.

Becket

1964

Two powerful performances about friendship, love, and duty.

Bugsy Malone *

1976

Thirteen year old Jody Foster & Scott Baio in a gangster musical where all the parts are played by kids using marshmallows as bullets.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

1969

The role that granted fame for Robert Redford. He and Paul Newman provide distinguished and humorous performances.

Casablanca

1942

The timeless classic tale of love and sacrifice in a crazy world. Bogart's best.

Best Years of Our Lives

1946

War has no winners, and this classic recounts the story of three returning veterans who wanted stability and found change.   [M]

Charade

1963

Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in a mystery thriller with wit, humor and suspense. A must.

Cheaper by the Dozen *

1950

Comedy drama about a large family and based on the true life of an early husband and wife business management team. A must see.     [M]

Circle of Iron

1979

A Kung Fu fantasy film that is better than most and raises important questions about life.

Citizen Kane

1941

See the 1988 version. Generally agreed to be the best movie ever made.

Coma

1978

Medical thriller about a doctor who uncovers a plot and no one believes her. I did.

Criminal Justice

1990

MCTV: A many-sided view of the courtroom. Legal truth always goes through the eyes & mind of the observer.

Educating Rita

1983

Charming comedy about a professor and a student and what each learns about life.

Family Plot

1976

Alfred Hitchcock's last film contains kidnapping, robbery, arson, & murder but without the modern view of violence. Most people don't know that Hitchcock consider all of his films funny, but this one has some great funny lines.[M]

Gallipoli

1981

Only those who serve in war come to understand how insidious it is, and that is why we must learn to live together. James Webb recommended this one.

Gigi *

1958

Won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. A cosmopolitan musical.     [M]

Good Will Hunting

1997

A rebellious young genius confronts friends, a professor, and a psychiatrist in an engaging way. One of the most reviewed of all movies.

Gorillas in the Mist

1988

Unforgettable adventure and tragic true story about the naturalist Dian Fossey in the African mountains.

Gregory's Girl *

1982

Young love, but in Scotland, and lots of young actors. Touching and funny.

Harlan County, USA

1977

A true and shameful story about the miner's strike in Kentucky that needs to be told and learned.

Havana

1990

The critics "hated" Redford here, but it's one of his best later efforts.

Hero

1992

Dustin Hoffman does the right thing, but it backfires and someone else gets the credit--even in the end. Will make you think about your values. [M]

Heros

1977

Henry Winkler and Sally Field in an memorable comedy about dreams.

High Noon

1952

This is the classic western about bravery, honor, and loyalty. It is used frequently in teaching those topics.

Honeymoon in Vegas

1992

Nicholas Cage gambles his wife, loses, and then joins a flying Elvis team to get her back.

Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade

1989

I like the dad and son parts. "Nothing like an honest difference of opinion."

Jeremiah Johnson

1972

This time Redford learns about nature's world, the hard and often humorous way.

Journey of Natty Gann *

1985

A youngster travels across America with a trusted friend. You'll like this one.

Jurassic Park

1993

A blockbuster thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Great dinosaur animation.

King of Hearts

1967

College cult movie, but a good one about a soldier who visits an unusual town in France. You won't forget it.

Legal Eagles

1986

A comedy/mystery staring Redford and Debora Winger. There are two endings.

Les Miserables

1978

MTV: The most recent of 4 versions is great. Read the book, then hunt for this in your TV guide. A must.

Little Women *

1933/1949

But don't see the 1978 MTV flop. Louisa May Alcott's famous and unforgettable tale about family life in early America.   [M]

Man Without a Face *

1993

Mel Gibson as a recluse teacher and the boy who desperately needs a teacher. Poignant and touching.

Maverick

1994

Mel Gibson as a charming gambler; Jody Foster as a mystery, and James Gardner as.....? Funny.

Message in a Bottle

1999

Based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks,.this improbable romance staring Paul Newman, Robin Wright Penn and Kevin Costner is entertaining, but the critics did not like it.   [M]   [O]   [R]

Murder on the Orient Express

1974

A host of famous stars in a classic who-done-it mystery aboard a train.

Murphy's Romance

1985

Divorced Sally Field falls for an older hesitant pharmacist in a small western town.

My Fair Lady *

1964

The original Educating Rita. See them both at the same time, or just see this one.

Mystic Pizza *

1988

Most critics hated this too, but the romantic travails of teen girls are perennial. Comedy. [R]

National Velvet *

1944

Two kids (Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney) train a horse in this all time favorite.

Network

1976

TV news at its best, and worst. Fine, fine performances by several stars, and funny when not sadly true.

Norma Rae

1979

Sally Field's first Oscar. A factory worker who stands up to management and wins, naturally.

Now and Then

1995

The critics didn't like this story about one eventful summer in the life of four teen girls, who are and stay friends. The critics got it wrong. It's a must buy.     [M]

October Sky *

1999

Recounts the true story of four boys who investigated home made rockets in 1957 at the time of Sputnik, and their problems with parents, school, etc. You'll like it.     [M]     [R].

Oklahoma *

1955

The early West: romance, dance, music, and what's as high as an elephant's eye?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

1975

This one swept the Oscars, and champions the human spirit against all odds.

One True Thing

1998

Our knowledge about our parents is wrong. If you don't mind strong language, the acting by Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger and William Hurt is superb.

Pale Rider

1985

Clint Eastwood as a preacher who supports a group of miners against greed and power. Touching.

Peggy Sue Got Married

1986

Charming romantic comedy set in the 1950s and the 1980s. Funny.

Pinocchio *

1940

Disney's masterpiece, and the most useful animation version of good versus evil. Just what is a conscience anyway?

Rain Man

1988

Family love is often difficult, especially when self-interest is involved, but this is one great movie.   [R]

Rainmaker, The

1997

If you like underdog movies and sensational courtroom trials, then this is one for you. Famous stars act in minor roles. [M

Ring of Fire

1988

Like travel-adventure documentaries? This is one of the very best about the south sea islands.

Roger & Me

1989

One of the funniest non-fiction documentaries ever made; about the author's attempt to meet the chairman of General Motors.

Roots

1977

The miniseries that started it all. Worth seeing every few years to gain perspective. Solid performances by many stars.

Sabrina

1954/1995

A mousy girl loves her rich neighbor, but being the chauffeur's daughter has limitations until she goes to Paris and grows up. Humorous.   [1954 R / M]   [1995 M]

Sense and Sensibility

1995

Based on Jane Austen's novel about 18th-century England, this romance story is filled with great acting, and calls forth alternating laughter and tears. Emma Thompson deserved the Oscar.     [R]

Shogun

1980

MTV: One of the most successful miniseries about the first meeting between east and west. Great acting.

Singin in the Rain *

1952

Everyone's (almost) favorite musical. If you like humor, great dance, and music, try this one.

Sleepless in Seattle

1993

One of several recent blockbuster hits. Take chocolate and tissues. PS: The kid is the hero.

Sneakers

1992

Robert Redford as a high tech computer hacker who plots against an evil former friend.

Sound of Music *

1965

Romantic, sentimental, and wonderful scenery. Can you still name all the children?

Sounder *

1972

Moving and compassionate story of sharecroppers during the depression. Four stars.

Stalin

1992

An accurate story about a brutal autocratic leader and the tragic failure of a people (the followers).

Star Wars *

1977

This is the movie that changed the cinema, and redefined special effects. Funny scenes.

Surrender

1987

Critics hated this funny comedy starring Sally Field and Michael Caine; you may see what they missed.

Tex *

1982

Solid performance by Matt Dillon about brothers growing up in the Southwest.

That's
Entertainment *

1974

Aptly named, this movie contains scenes from some of MGM's greatest musicals.

The Grapes of Wrath

1940

John Steinbeck's masterpiece about a family's escape from poverty, and their struggles to better themselves. Great story with great performances.     [M]

The Hot Rock

1972

George Segal and Redford give superb performances as bungling crooks. Lots of subtle humor.

The Music Man *

1962

Iowa in 1912 looks great from the late `90s, and the songs will move your feet.

The Other Sister

1999

A warm and touching story about a mildly retarded girl and how she and her family adjust to her quest for independence.     [M]

The Right Stuff *

1983

The story, based on fact, about the space program and the people who made it a success.

The Sandlot *

1993

These are the kids in your neighborhood who love baseball more than anything. Lots of humor.     [M]     [R].

The Sting

1973

Redford and Newman again, playing two con men out for "civilized" revenge. Won seven Academy Awards.

The Story of Jazz

1994

Only for jazz lovers, or the curious.

The Toy That Saved Christmas *

1996

This very funny 30 minute video features animated vegetables, a marvelous moral theme, and a collection of memorable songs unlike anything you have ever heard or seen     [R].

The Voyager Odyssey *

1990

The true trip from Earth to Jupiter is exquisite, and breathtaking.

The Way We Were

1973

Barbara Streisand & Redford's story about love and personal growth in early Hollywood.

The Wrong Trousers *

1993

Nick Park's 30 minute animated Wallace and Gromit classic is a very funny adventure that took Nick and six others two years to create.    [A]     [R]     [U].

Thief of Baghdad *

1940

This version is preferred to the 1924, 1961, and 1978 versions. The early & one of the most popular screen fantasies.

3 Days of the Condor

1975

Robert Redford as an innocent CIA book reader everyone is trying to destroy. Great suspense and 4 other very good actors.

Three Fugitives

1989

Nick Nolte as you have never seen him, and Martin Short at his best, but the little girl.... Very funny.

12 : 01

1993

You won't find this movie in the video stores, but if it's on TV, do not miss it. Humor within suspense. Nominated for an Oscar.

Waking Ned Devine

1998

This is funny. A small Irish town (population 52) finds itself with a lottery winner, and two old gents seek to find out who won.

Where Eagles Dare

1969

Good war mystery movie with lots of action and thrilling scenery.

Witness

1986

A young Amish boy is protected by Harrison Ford who almost falls in love.

Working Girl

1988

Harrison Ford & Melanie Griffith as an ambitious secretary. Humorous.