Films You Must See
THE GODFATHER
One of the most brutal and moving chronicles of American life ever designed within the limits of popular entertainment. Follow a powerful New York crime family, the Corleone's, from 1945 to 1955. This is a story of a war hero who wants nothing to do with the family business. But because of an assassination attempt on his father's life he has to do things that he swore he never would. We follow Michael's ascension of becoming the Godfather. Along the way we get to see an Italian-American mob family in their everyday lives, like never before.
THE GODFATHER PART II
This film continues the saga of two generations of the Corleone family. This film is a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather, presenting two parallel dramas. The main storyline, continues where the 1st film left off. Centering on Michael Corleone, the new Don of the Corleone crime family, trying to hold his business ventures together from 1958 to 1959. The other is a series of flashbacks following his father, Vito Corleone, from his childhood in Sicily in 1901, where his entire family was murdered at the orders of a Don in Sicily, to his founding of the Corleone family in New York City. This film is the best in the series in my opinion.
Casablanca
Bogart and Bergman along with tons of great actors make this one of my all time favorite pictures. It is set during World War II and focuses on a nightclub owner, whose loyalties are put to the test when his old love interest reappears to seek his help in escaping from the Nazis. He must choose between his love for a woman he spent a spectacular time with years ago, before disappearing, and helping her husband escape.
The Hustler
This story stars Paul Newman,a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a cocky demeanor. His cockiness causes him to challenge the legendary "Minnesota Fats" to a game of pool. After barely losing to the champ, the now broke and defeated hustler must face an uphill battle to regain his confidence and his game. It isn't until he hits rock bottom that he agrees to join up with a ruthless and cutthroat manager. His new manager Bert agrees to take him on the road to learn the ropes. But Felson soon realizes that making it to the top could cost him everything.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
In this heartfelt comedy set during the Great Depression, Longfellow Deeds inherits 20 million dollars from his late uncle. Martin Semple, his uncle's scheming attorney takes him to New York city where he attempts to swindle him out of his money. In the process a reporter, "Babe" Bennett, plays the damsel in distress to get close to Deeds to get her story. In the meantime Deeds falls in love with babe until he finds out who she really is. After arriving home a poor farmer breaks into his house and threatens to kill him fr not helping the poor. Because of this Deeds decides that he will give his fortune away to the poor, in 10 acre fully equipped increments. After hearing this Semple and one of Deed's only other relatives tries to have him commited.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
After a crooked Senator dies his corrupt political boss decides to appoint a wholesome and naive Junior Senator to fill the vacancy.
Scarlet Street
This is a dark story of a lonely and desperate man that finds what he thinks is love and happiness for the first time in his life. Only to find out that he has been manipulated.
Treasure Of The Sierra Madre
Three ill-fated prospectors who set out across the Mexican desert in search of gold but instead find mistrust, betrayal, and death. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a superior morality play and one of the best movie treatments of the corrosiveness of greed.
Lawrence of Arabia
A dramatic portrayal of the famed British officer's experiences in Arabia during World War I. This is one of Peter O'Toole's most memorable roles.
The Sound of Music
Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young nun in the making leaves the convent to become a governess for Captain Von Trapp's seven unruly children. She uses all of her wit to break down the Captain's strict guidelines on how his children and employees are to act. From ripping down the curtains and making play clothes for the children to putting on a play for their father; she eventually breaks through his defenses and they fall in love with each other. But when the Nazi's decide that the Captain must join their regime they must attempt a daring escape.
The Four Feathers
A group of young army officers preparing to go to war for the 1st time are shocked when one of their own, the general's son, resigns his commission. Branded as a coward by his fiancee and his friends he must go and prove his loyalty and bravery.
Legends of the Fall
The film centers on the Ludlow family of Montana spanning from before World War I through the Prohibition era.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Follow Indiana Jones around the world as he sets out for adventure and glory. In this 1st film, Jones is hired to find the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to be handed down from God himself. Unfortunately, the Nazi's are also after the Ark. Indy, and his friends have to get to the Ark before the Nazi's do if they want to save the World.
The Shawshank Redemption
A banker named Andy is convicted of murder, even though he proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at Shawshank State Prison where another lifer, "Red" , picks him as the new recruit most likely to crack and commit suicide. The realities of prison life add up quickly as Andy battles through. Eventually becoming the accountant for the corrupt warden and his sadistic guards. In exchange, he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates. Andy uses this to his advantage and tries to get even with the warden in a standoff of intellectual traits.
12 Angry Men
This is a nerve bending drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A dissenting juror in a murder trial, Henry Fonda, slowly starts making the other jurors rethink the case of a Hispanic man that is on trial for killing his father. This movie was well ahead of its time as it came out in 1957. It brings to light the misconceptions and ignorance of human kind when it comes to prejudging someone for their status in life or the color of their skin.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
An innocent hobbit of The Shire journeys with eight companions to the fires of Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring and the dark lord Sauron forever.
Saving Private Ryan
A realistic re-creation of WWII's D-day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy, and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6, 1944, approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling, unforgettable 24-minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall, learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week, requests that the surviving brother, Pvt. James Ryan, be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment, and he chooses a translator, Cpl. Upham, skilled in language but not in combat, to join his squad of right-hand man Sgt. Horvath, plus privates Mellish, Medic Wade, cynical Reiben from Brooklyn, Italian-American Caparzo, and religious Southerner Jackson, an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa, the close-knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village, some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose, and the incident is based on a true occurrence in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D-Day: June 6, 1944.
Braveheart
Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace. Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers. Wallace gathers a group of amateur warriors that is stronger than any English army.
The Wizard of Oz
In this charming film based on the popular L. Frank Baum stories, Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a tornado's path and somehow end up in the land of Oz. Here she meets some memorable friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.
Star Wars A New Hope
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, young Luke Skywalker assembles a rag tag group to rescue Princess Leia from the dreaded Darth Vader. This is the movie that started it all.