Movies That You Forgot About

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is a 1966 epic spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. Set during the American Civil War, the film follows a mysterious gunslinger, the "Man with No Name" (Eastwood), a "bad" bounty hunter named Angel Eyes (Van Cleef), and a Mexican outlaw named Tuco (Wallach) as they search for a buried Confederate treasure. Along the way, they must outwit and outgun each other in a series of thrilling showdowns in order to get to the loot first. In the end, only one of the three will walk away with the fortune.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is a crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. It tells the story of Henry Hill, a Brooklyn-born gangster who rises up the ranks of the powerful mob organization, the Lucchese crime family. Through his life of crime, money and power, he experiences the highs and lows of living the mob life. Along the way, he deals with all sorts of criminal activity, ranging from drug trafficking and armed robbery to murder. In the end, Henry's life of crime catches up with him as he is arrested and sentenced to prison, leading to his eventual downfall. The film is based on the true story of Henry Hill and is considered one of the greatest films ever made.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a 1995 crime thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. The story follows two detectives, William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders that appear to be inspired by the seven deadly sins. As the investigation progresses, the detectives come to realize that the murderer, John Doe (Kevin Spacey), has a much deeper and darker plan for them. In the end, Somerset and Mills must confront the horrifying consequences of their pursuit of justice. Se7en is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of morality, justice, and the human condition.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French-American action thriller directed by Luc Besson. The film follows a professional hitman, Léon (Jean Reno), who befriends a young girl, Mathilda (Natalie Portman), who has been targeted by a corrupt DEA agent after her entire family is murdered. Mathilda, who is seeking revenge against the agent, persuades Léon to teach her the skills of a hitman and they form an unlikely bond. Along their journey, they must evade the police and a vengeful mob boss in order to survive. The film features a powerful and emotional story of loyalty, love, and redemption.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a science fiction horror film written by Dan O'Bannon and directed by Ridley Scott in 1979. The story follows the crew of the commercial towing spaceship Nostromo, which is on a return trip to Earth when they are diverted by a mysterious signal from a planetoid in a nearby solar system. Upon arrival, they discover a derelict alien spaceship and a mysterious egg-like object. After a crew member is attacked by an alien creature, the crew fights to survive against the relentless Alien as it stalks and kills them one by one. As the tension escalates, the survivors must find a way to destroy the Alien before it eliminates them all. The film is noted for its set design, cinematography and its groundbreaking usage of special effects.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir mystery film directed by Bryan Singer, known for its twist ending. It follows the lives of five criminals, Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), Fred Fenster (Benicio Del Toro), Roger "Verbal" Kint (Kevin Spacey), Michael McManus (Stephen Baldwin), and Todd Hockney (Kevin Pollak), who are brought together by criminal mastermind Keyser Söze. After a mysterious explosion on a boat, the five criminals are interrogated by US Customs Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri), where they tell him a convoluted story about Söze. Kujan finds inconsistencies in their stories, and then the five criminals are released. The film follows their individual struggles as they try to stay one step ahead of the authorities and figure out the truth behind Söze's identity. In the end, it is revealed that Verbal Kint is, in fact, Söze himself. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won a number of awards, including an Academy Award for Kevin Spacey for Best Supporting Actor.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows two rival magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), as they compete to create the ultimate stage illusion. As their rivalry intensifies, their obsession to uncover each other's secrets eventually leads them to the brink of destruction. With the help of a mysterious girl, the two battle it out in a series of dangerous stunts and illusions, in order to prove who is the better magician. With a stellar cast, including Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie, The Prestige is a gripping story that keeps viewers entranced until the very end.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated, historically haunted Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. While there, Jack's sanity slowly unravels as he is haunted by the ghosts of the hotel's past and is ultimately driven to violence by the malevolent and supernatural forces that inhabit the hotel. His wife Wendy and son Danny must battle Jack's descent into madness and the terrifying supernatural forces that seem intent on their destruction.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science-fiction horror film directed by James Cameron and released in 1986. It is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien and follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she returns to the planet where her crew first encountered the hostile Alien creature, this time accompanied by a unit of space marines. After their ship crash lands on the planet, they find the colonists have been wiped out and they must battle against the creature and its hive. With the help of an android, Bishop (Lance Henriksen), Ripley and the marines must find a way to survive while destroying the hive and eliminating the threat of the Aliens.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 crime/drama film directed by Michael Mann. The movie follows a professional thief, Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), and his criminal crew as they attempt to pull off a major heist. On the other side of the law is Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), a dedicated cop who is determined to stop the criminals from completing their mission. As the two sides clash in an intense and deadly game of cat and mouse, they are forced to examine the very nature of their lives and their chosen paths in life. With an all-star cast including Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, and Natalie Portman, Heat is a thrilling and excellent crime drama that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds, Martin Stringer
Rated R

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, loosely based on the Upton Sinclair novel Oil! The plot follows a silver miner-turned-oilman (Daniel Day-Lewis) on a ruthless quest for wealth during Southern California's oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He clashes with a local pastor (Paul Dano), whose stature in the community is on the rise, and ultimately, the oilman must confront his own personal demons. The film also stars Ciarán Hinds, Dillon Freasier, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Colleen Foy. The film received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Day-Lewis, and won two, for Best Cinematography and Best Actor.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 American neo-Western crime thriller film directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows a hunter, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who finds the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and takes a suitcase full of money. He then becomes the target of a relentless sociopathic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), and an aging sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones). The film is set in 1980, in the desolate terrain of West Texas and follows the escalating violence between the three men as they eventually come into conflict with each other. The film is a psychological drama, as it explores themes of fate, morality and justice. It is also a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed, as each character's actions have far-reaching, often unexpected, results. In the end, the film serves as a meditation on mortality and the passing of time.

From David Lean, starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa
Rated PG

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle. The film tells the story of a British Commonwealth prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, and the British and Commonwealth soldiers who are ordered to build a bridge over the River Kwai to help the Japanese army. Colonel Nicholson, the highly decorated British officer in command, insists on completing the bridge as a sign of British pride, despite the protests of his subordinate, Major Shears. Meanwhile, two escapees from the camp, an American and a British soldier, team up to destroy the bridge. In the end, Nicholson and the bridge are both destroyed, but the heroism and determination of the British soldiers is celebrated. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama film based on the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician and economist John Forbes Nash Jr. The film follows John's struggles with paranoid schizophrenia and his eventual recovery. The movie begins with Nash as a young student at Princeton in 1947, where he meets his future wife, Alicia. As he develops his groundbreaking theories in mathematics and game theory, Nash's paranoia and delusions increase, eventually leading him to be institutionalized. With the help of his devoted wife and a sympathetic doctor, Nash slowly recovers and is eventually able to return to his academic work. After a long road of recovery, Nash is eventually able to win the Nobel Prize for economics and become celebrated for his groundbreaking work.

From John Sturges, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson
Rated Approved

The Great Escape is a classic World War II film directed by John Sturges, based on the book of the same name by Paul Brickhill. The film follows a group of Allied prisoners of war held in a German camp, who plot an elaborate escape. Led by the charismatic “Big X” (Richard Attenborough), the prisoners dig a tunnel and a plan is hatched to lead them to freedom. However, their efforts are quickly discovered by the Nazis and a tense game of cat and mouse follows. As the prisoners attempt to evade recapture, they must rely on ingenuity, wit, and luck to survive. Ultimately, only three of the men succeed in escaping, while the rest are either recaptured or killed. The film is a thrilling and inspiring story of courage, determination, and friendship.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. In the film, a gigantic great white shark arrives in a summer resort town, wreaking havoc with bloody attacks on swimmers, until a local sheriff teams up with a marine biologist and an old seafarer to hunt the monster down. The film stars Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint, Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper, Murray Hamilton as Mayor Larry Vaughn, and Lorraine Gary as Brody's wife, Ellen. Jaws was an unprecedented box office success and became the highest-grossing film of all time until the release of Star Wars in 1977. It was followed by three sequels and inspired other films, novels, and video games.

From Rob Reiner, starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell
Rated R

Stand By Me is a coming-of-age adventure movie directed by Rob Reiner and based on a novella by Stephen King. It follows a group of four boys in a small Oregon town in the summer of 1959. After learning about the death of a missing local boy, the group decide to embark on a two-day journey to find his body. Along the way, they face the challenges of growing up, including the fear of bullies, leaving home for the first time, and learning what true friendship means. Despite the challenges, the boys find strength and courage in each other, and ultimately discover the importance of friendship and loyalty.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Alison Crosbie, Philip King
Rated R

In the Name of the Father is a 1993 drama directed by Jim Sheridan that tells the true story of Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis), an Irishman falsely accused of an IRA bombing in London. His father Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite) and a group of other Irishmen are also arrested and accused of the same crime. Through a series of events, Gerry finds himself alone in a British prison without any help from the Irish government. With the help of an idealistic lawyer (Emma Thompson), Gerry and his father must fight to prove their innocence and clear their names. With the help of the lawyer, Gerry discovers the truth about the bombing and reveals the real culprits. In the process, Gerry and his father learn the power of their own strength and the bond of family. In the end, they are exonerated and released from prison.

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David
Rated R

Platoon is a 1986 Oliver Stone directed war film about the Vietnam War. It follows a young American soldier, Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), who is sent to fight in the war. On the battlefield, he experiences the horror of war and sees how it affects the lives of his fellow soldiers. As the war continues, Chris is forced to choose between two sergeants, Barnes (Tom Berenger) and Elias (Willem Dafoe), and their different styles of leadership. He must also confront his own inner struggle between his own morality and the orders of his superiors. In the end, Chris finds himself in the midst of a battle that he will never forget. Platoon is an intense and graphic depiction of the horrors of war that still resonates with audiences today.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a 2003 American crime-drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, and Laura Linney. The film follows three childhood friends who, as adults, are reunited when one of them is found murdered on the banks of the Mystic River in their Boston-area neighborhood. Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn) searches for his daughter’s killer, while his lifelong friend Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins) is implicated in the crime. Meanwhile, another friend, Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), is the detective investigating the case. As the three men struggle to uncover the truth about the murder, secrets from their past come to light and threaten to tear apart the tightknit community. Mystic River explores themes of grief, guilt, loyalty, and redemption as the characters grapple with the dark secrets of their shared history. The film is a powerful example of Eastwood's signature style, blending taut suspense, nuanced characterizations, and emotional depth.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo
Rated R

Blood In, Blood Out is an epic crime drama set in East Los Angeles, directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo, and others. It tells the story of three Mexican-American cousins—Miklo, Paco, and Cruz—who become involved in a cycle of violence and retribution as they pursue their dreams of power and success. As their lives become increasingly intertwined with the criminal underworld, their loyalty and relationships are tested as they struggle to stay alive. The film follows the cousins’ transformation from innocent youth to hardened criminals, and the consequences of their choices. Ultimately, they must decide which path they will take—blood in or blood out.

From Lee Tamahori, starring Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga
Rated R

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand film directed by Lee Tamahori, based on the novel of the same name by Alan Duff. It tells the story of the Heke family, a Maori family living in urban Auckland, New Zealand. The family is led by the violent, alcoholic patriarch, Jake, who has a strained relationship with his wife, Beth. As the family struggles to cope with Jake's destructive behavior, Beth begins to find solace in her newfound Christian faith and guidance from her friend and mentor, Grace. But when Jake's violence escalates and the children start to go down a similar destructive path, Beth must decide whether to remain in the marriage and continue the cycle of violence or seek a better life for her and her family. The film explores themes of family, love, loyalty, and cultural identity, and was met with critical acclaim.

From Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin
Rated R

American Gangster is a 2007 American biographical crime film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. The film stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a gangster from Harlem, who becomes one of the most powerful crime figures in the United States by smuggling heroin into the country on American service planes from Vietnam during the Vietnam War and controlling most of the drugs in Harlem. Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, an outcast cop in the New Jersey state police department who serves as Lucas' unlikely ally and pursues him for years. The film tells the story of Lucas' rise to power in the 1970s and his confrontation with Roberts. It also features a strong supporting cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Ruby Dee. American Gangster was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Dee, and grossed over $264 million worldwide against a budget of $100 million.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers
Rated PG

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 war drama directed by Steven Spielberg, based on J.G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. The film follows the story of Jamie "Jim" Graham (Christian Bale), a young English boy living in Shanghai during World War II, who is separated from his parents and forced to survive on his own. Jim joins forces with American military forces, and eventually a Japanese Zero fighter pilot (Nakamura), and learns about the harsh realities of war. Along the way, he forms an unlikely friendship with his Japanese captors and is able to maintain his own sense of dignity and hope in the midst of the chaos and destruction. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the tragedy and triumph of war, and the importance of maintaining hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

From John Boorman, starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R

Deliverance is a 1972 American thriller film directed by John Boorman and based on the 1970 novel of the same name by James Dickey. The film tells the story of four Atlanta suburbanites who travel to rural Georgia to canoe on a river, only to encounter a group of hillbilly locals who terrorize them. The film stars Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox. The four men, Lewis (Voight), Ed (Reynolds), Bobby (Beatty), and Drew (Cox), embark on a canoeing trip down the Cahulawassee River in northern Georgia, hoping to experience the outdoors one last time before the area is flooded by the construction of a dam. After a run-in with a pair of local mountain men, the group's vacation quickly becomes a desperate fight for survival as they are subjected to countless acts of violence and terror. In the end, the men manage to fight off and escape their attackers, but are forever changed by the experience.