Starring: Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, Milo O'Shea, Michael York, John McEnery, Natasha Parry, Pat Heywood, Robert Stephens

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty 'till this night." - Romeo.

Why watch this? There is not a more tragic love story than this crafted by the Bard himself.

Dad's Review: This is one of the best film adaptations of Shakespeare. A praised classic, it features the feud between two houses: Montagues and Capulets. Then the unthinkable happens, a boy and girl from each house fall in love. Violence erupts and two boys are killed. Can the two young lovers survive this ordeal and their families' part in it? They do have a loyal ally in Friar Laurence. We'll never forget Hussey as Juliet, and the poignant score called "Love Theme".

Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson, Sandy McMaster, Matt Gordon, Amanda Brugel, Joe Pinque

"Ma and I have decided that since we don't know what we like, we get to try everything." - Jack

Why watch this? This compelling true story will make you angry, proud, upset and inspired.

Dad's Review: The real monsters exist in the real world. This story focuses on a woman, Joy, who was kidnapped and kept in a locked building for 12 years. She endures rape and gives birth. She and her five-year-old her son live in "Room", enduring their captor, "Old Nick". Joy finally pulls off a miraculous escape. Brie Larson and Jason Tremblay are amazing as mother and son, surviving the horrible ordeal.

Starring: Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Greta Lind, Scott Benjaminson, Mary Ann Thomas, Charles S. Dutton, Lili Taylor

"I wish God would put your heart in some of my players bodies." - Coach Ara Pareseghian to the undersized Rudy

Why watch this? This is the ultimate film about an underdog - a determined welp who just won't quit.

Dad's Review: Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger has a dream to play football for Notre Dame. He's undersized and doesn't have the grades to get in. He goes to Holy Cross College, but eventually is accepted into Notre Dame. He "walks on" to the team, making the practice squad. His dream appears crushed. If you want to find inspiration, look no further - Rudy is your man.

Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), Director: Robert Wise, Rated Approved (Dad's guess PG)

Starring: Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jack Warden, Brad Dexter, Don Rickles, Nick Cravat, Joe Maross, Mary LaRoche, Eddie Foy III

"A fleet boat of the Navy, a submarine with her fighting power still intact! And you'd take her back to Pearl? I don't believe it!" - Cmdr. Richardson

Why watch this? This is a world-war-sized clash between to alpha males on a tiny sub.

Dad's Review: Commander Richardson persuades the Navy to give him command of a submarine. He gets the USS Nerka, along with its executive officer Jim Bledsoe, whom the men trust. Richardson drives the men hard and we learn his real objective is to sink a Japanese ship called "Bungo Pete". This film shines because of the conflict between the men in charge. It was wise to film this realistic, gritty war picture in black and white. Gable and Lancaster shine!

Starring: Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck, Joff Osterhage, Glenn Ford, Ben Johnson, Gilbert Roland, John Vernon, Ruth Roman, Jack Elam, Gene Evans, Paul Koslo, Slim Pickens

"Arkansas Toothpick... real sharp... sure wouldn't want to hurt that mustache." - Tell Sackett

Why watch this? This was the best TV Western prior to Lonesome Dove.

Dad's Review: The Sacketts, created by Western pulp writer Louis L'Amour, tamed the Wild West, shot the fastest, settled disputes with fist or gun and stood out as ideal American men. This made-for-TV movie did a fine job bringing Tell, Orin and Tyrel Sackett to life thanks to a solid script and a host of familiar Western supporting actors, who at the time, were out of work in Hollywood. As a L'Amour reader, I was more than happy to go along for this familiar ride.

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni, Lauren Carlos, Basil Harris, Mary Lynn Rajskub, David Leo

"Listen to me. You come to that launch site at 5:00... you take my hand, and I'll show you who can't time travel." - Kenneth

Why watch this? Two disenchanted people meet in the oddest of ways. Go with it. 

Dad's Review: Darius, a curious young reporter, head out on an assignment to interview a guy, Kenneth, who placed a classified newspaper ad seeking a companion for time travel. He's initially kinda strange, but the more she gets to know him, the less worries she is that he might be crazy. The film's strength is the quirky relationship between Plaza and Duplass. Their clumsy interactions are really compelling to watch. The ending has a nice twist, too.

Starring: Seth Rogan, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Alistair Abell, Iris Apatow, Sugar Lyn Beard, Michael Cera, Ian James Corlett, James Franco, Salma Hayek, Bill Hader

"As long as we're together, I'm ready to get baked and do anything." - Brenda, hotdog bun

Why watch this? This raunchy cartoon is not for children. But it's extremely comical.

Dad's Review: Speaking of food preparation, I am willing to bet that the creators of this animated film were 'baked' when they devised the script and screenplay. The premise is that supermarket foods are alive, and up to now, believe that when they are purchased and leave the store, they are going to heaven. When a bad of wieners learns the truth, which is that they are consumed, aka EATEN, all hell breaks loose - to hilarious effect. 

Starring: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Amy Brooks, Pamela Adlon, Jason Gould, Loren Dean

"What I really want to do with my life - what I want to do for a living - is I want to be with your daughter. I'm good at it." - Lloyd Dobler

Why watch this? The regular boy. The pristine brainy girl-so out of reach. Have courage, Lloyd.

Dad's Review: It's their senior year and Lloyd Dobler has always wanted to ask out the beautiful valedictorian, Diane Court. He asks her to the graduation party and she accepts! He learns she really doesn't have many friends, and is heading to England next hear. Her doting father wants her to date a more ambitious suitor. This IS the best 80's Teen RomCom. Don't miss it. 

Starring: Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott, Laura Crossley, John Lynch, Walter Sparrow, Irene Jacob

"My name is Mary Lennox. I was born in India. It was hot, and strange, and lonely in India. I didn't like it." - Mary

Why watch this? English stories love to neglect their youngsters. Here they find a new place.

Dad's Review: A young orphaned British girl, Mary, is returned to England to live on her Uncle Craven's estate. The snooty, yet inquisitive, girl finds a locked, overgrown garden. She enlists the help of a lad, Dickon, and they clean it up a bit. She also learns she has a cousin, Colin Craven, who is quite sickly. They sneak him out to explore the beautiful garden. It's magical. 

Starring: Lucas Black, Robert Duvall, Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty, Kathy Baker, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Jerry Ferrara

"You don't choose the game, it chooses you. And when it does, life and golf become forever connected." - Johnny Crawford

Why watch this? It's two lead actors, Duvall and Black, craft a genuine story about life, through golf's challenges.

Dad's Review: I relish the opportunity to latch onto a film about the wonderfully frustrating sport of golf. Unbelievably, there aren't many golf movies, but I recommend this one. When a young Pro golfer blows up at a Texas major event, he feels lost. While driving home, he happens upon a crusty old ex-golfer who agrees to help the young man "find his game" again. What he really finds is a lot more.

Starring: Alec Baldwin, John Lone, Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Ian McKellan, Tim Curry, Jonathan Winters, Sab Shimono, Andre Gregory

"You know what evil lurks in the hearts of men for you have seen that evil in your own heart. Every man pays a price for redemption. This is yours." - Tulku

Why watch this? Before Batman, there was The Shadow, a dark, mysterious vigilante.

Dad's Review: The Shadow was featured in a 1930 detective radio program called The Detective Story Hour. He was a brooding figure, featured in comics, TV shows and films for years. In 1994, this fine film hit theaters. It's a throwback to the pulp serials of old, but does so with flair and nice special-effects. I firmly believe the Shadow was a major influence on the Batman character. And remember... "The Shadow knows!"

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, Alec Baldwin, James Ray, Holland Taylor, William Windom, Cathryn Damon, Bill Erwin, Paul Gleason

"Yeah, you'll be happy. You just won't know it." - Davis McDonald

Why watch this? This was one of our favorite films as we neared the birth of our first child.

Dad's Review: This film is the slice of life most couples go through before they have a child. It begins just before Jake and Kristy's wedding. That alone can be a little scary, but they take the plunge and say, "I do". Then we follow the newlyweds through some typical marital ups and downs. Then Kristy gets pregnant. A major part of this film highlights Jake's fear, selfishness and immaturity. As the reality of fatherhood sinks in, both become overwhelmed.

Starring: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brien, Bill McKinney, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Sheree North

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." - John Bernard Books

Why watch this? This was Wayne's final film - a fitting, if prophetic, tribute to the great Western actor.

Dad's Review: Life imitates art as The Duke portrays an aged gunman who finds out that he is dying from cancer with only a short time to live. When the town finds out, they arrange a group of notorious gunfighters to square off against the legend. Three years after this film's release, Wayne would also die from cancer. He died the same day as my grandfather, Charley Straley. Same Day. Same Year. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Starring: Margaret Sullivan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Sara Haden, Felix Bressart, William Tracy

"Well I really wouldn't care to scratch your surface, Mr. Kralik, because I know exactly what I'd find. Instead of a heart, a hand-bag. Instead of a soul, a suitcase." – Klara Novak

Why watch this? This is a lovely holiday romance about pen pals who yearn to meet.

Dad's Review: In the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we don't want to see something right in front of us. It's safer to have romantic notions about a pen pal we've never met. Reality can shatter the dream. This tender comedy is a real under-rated holiday treasure. It was also the inspiration for the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan tearjerker You've Got Mail.

Starring: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, Sang Kang-ho, John Hurt, Octavia Spencer, Ewen Bremner, Alison Pill

"My friend, you suffer from the misplaced optimism of the doomed." - Mason

Why watch this? This is a creative, intense spin on a dystopian Earth in a cold future Ice Age.

Dad's Review: The premise is intriguing: a train travels on and on around the earth. It never stops. It's population's living conditions are determined by how far they are away from the engine. Those in the forward cars are the "elites". Those in the back are the poor and unwanted. This film is a fresh take on its genre. Thanks to it's superb character development, we feel a definite sense of connection to the weary back-enders, and their attempt to storm the engine.

Starring: Jessie Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Dustin Fitzsimons, Joseph Mazzello, Patrick Mapel

"You better lawyer up asshole, because I'm not coming back for 30%, I'm coming back for EVERYTHING." - Edwardo Severin

Why watch this? It's scary that there exists a new generation of narcissistic young men.

Dad's Review: Some very smart young Harvard students envisioned and developed what grew into Facebook. But like gold fever, when it became evident that millions would be made, the true and very ruthless nature of Mark Zuckerberg maneuvered to cut out his friend and partner Eduardo Saverin. Eisenberg, as an actor, can portray sheer power and cold indifference better than anyone. There is a blankness in those eyes. It's chilling.

Starring: Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, Ray Liotta, Margaret Colin, Tracey Walter, Dana Preu, Jack Gilpin, Charles Napier, John Waters

"Look, tomorrow you're gonna wake up, you're still gonna be Charlie Driggs... So why don't we enjoy it while we can. And then tomorrow, no more Lulu." - Lulu Hankel

Why watch this? Most of us live lives that are less than adventurous. We gotta cut loose!

Dad's Review: Yuppie Charles Driggs' life is uneventful... then he encounters Lulu. She's wild and sexy and takes things one minute at a time. She basically kidnaps Charles, takes him her high school reunion where they encounter her convict ex-husband Ray - who wants Lulu back at any cost!. Jeff Daniels plays the perfect uptight NYC banker and Melanie Griffith steals the show as the impulsive Lulu. It is the perfect oil and vinegar romance. 

Starring: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rock Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, Michael Winslow, Joan Rivers, John Hurt

"Yes, we're gonna have to go right to ludicrous speed." - Dark Helmet

Why watch this? Too many space films earned a spoof. Mel Brooks was happy to deliver.

Dad's Review: It's zany. It plays on every Star Wars scenario and catchphrase. It's bonkers. And yes, it most certainly is ludicrous! Parody mastermind Mel Brooks works with an all-star cast to pull off a very funny movie, despite campy scenery and garage-level special effects... perhaps that is part of the point. The plot is not really that important. Our space travelers jump from bad joke to pun to sight gag, and back again. Just strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.  

Starring: Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle, Nicol Williamson. D. B. Sweeney

"You sent me to hell. I'm here to return the favor." - Spawn

Why watch this? This anti-hero is darker and more twisted than usual, and it works.

Dad's Review: On his last mission, Marine Al Simmons is betrayed and burned to death. He arrives in Hell, where he makes a deal with the demon Malebolgia. He returns as Spawn, a being able to protect his body with living necroplasm armor. On his revenge quest, he goes up against a clown-faced demon called Violator. Simmons is permanently pissed-off. This stylistic, visceral film is exceedingly morose, yet visually stunning. It ain't your father's superhero movie.

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian D'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Elena Wohl, Lou Cariou

"They knew and they let it happen! It could've been you, it could've been me, it could've been any of us." - Mike Rezendes

Why watch this? This is the breaking story that many refused to believe.

Dad's Review: Child manipulation and molestation are horrible. There can be no tolerance of it. Catholic priests are revered like they are God. This power, in the hands of people who are around children a great deal, can only corrupt. It also attracts those that wish to molest our most innocent. When confronted, the Church covers it up. The pedophile priests are transferred to new parishes. It's so goddamn ugly and disgusting. That said, you need to see this film.

Starring: William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Peter Graves, Neville Brand

"The first week I was in this joint, somebody stole my Red Cross package, my blanket, and my left shoe. Well, since then I've wised up. This ain't no Salvation Army - this is everybody for himself, dog eat dog." – J.J. Sefton

Why watch this? A very good WWII prisoner of war film, with lots of cynical comedic moments.

Dad's Review: This dark comedy dances the fine line between a rip-roaring comedy, and the fact that it depicts life in a Nazi prison camp. It is a miserable place to be, and nobody can be trusted. The film was a smashing success upon its release and William Holden won the Best Actor Oscar that year for his role as the shifty, wise-cracking J. J. Sefton.  

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John CHo, Anton Yelchin, Ben Cross

"I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it." - Spock

Why watch this? Kudos to J. J. Abram on this reboot. Unlike Star Wars, he gets this one right.

Dad's Review: I was determined to be hyper-critical of this remake featuring the characters from the original Enterprise. And yes, there were some things I had to get over (like how everything is so modern and technologically superior). But as a whole, the young actors were faithful to the source, and a lot of fun to watch in their own right. There's even a little time-jumping. Just sit back, and enjoy beginning of their new journey.

Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Jupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels

"I used to wonder about that myself. Thought it was a bunch of mumbo jumbo. A magical power holding together good and evil, the dark side and the light. Crazy thing is... it's true. The Force, the Jedi. All of it. It's all true." - Han Solo

Why watch this? The big moment, by a mile, was the return of Han and Chewy. So... Damn... Awesome!

Dad's Review: Episode VII succeeds in setting up a new trilogy. We all knew at the time that most of the original cast members were still alive and kicking. Here we see all three. Luke, Han and Leia, together again. Well, that is not quite what happened, but it was teased that it was GOING to happen. The new kids (Rey, Finn, Poe) are compelling, too. The rest of the trilogy was a disappointment, but VII gave us a little new hope.

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Illeana Douglas, Kevin Dunn, Conor O'Farrell, Lusia Strus, Mary Kay Cook

"Whatever door you opened in my brain, I want you to shut it - now!" - Tom Witzky

Why watch this? A man teeters on the edge of madness when a ghost contacts him.

Dad's Review: Tom Witzky begins experiencing a series of frightening things after being hypnotized by his sister-in law, Lisa, at a small get together. In his dreams he sees a girl, Samantha, who starts to drive him crazy with visions and strange requests. She asks him to dig up the backyard. This is one very psychologically scary and supernatural flick. Tom becomes unsure of his own sanity, as the story races to its mind-blowing conclusion.

Starring: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock, Kasey Rogers, Marion Lorne, Jonathan Hale

"Your wife. My father. Criss-cross." - Bruno Anthony

Why watch this? I love this quirky little murder movie about a suave man with a devious plan

Dad's Review: Hitch must have brainstormed ideas for murder. This one details an inventive way to remove "motive" from the equation. Two strangers meet. One want his wife out of the way. One desires his father's demise. They can swap murders and get away scot-free. The problem: one person does not take the other serious. The idea is, well, pretty far-fetched. You'll squirm through this as one murder occurs, and an innocent man is suspected.

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