Starring: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Freddie Jones, Michael Elphick, Hannah Gordon

"If only I could find her, so she could see me with such lovely friends here now; perhaps she could love me as I am. I've tried so hard to be good." John Merrick, speaking of his mother

Why watch this? To witness this kind, intelligent man rise above his tormentors.

Dad's Review: This is the true story of John Merrick, who was severely deformed and lived in the 1800's in England. He is discovered by Dr. Treves who rescues him from his sadistic keeper and discovers his intelligence. This film shows us how horrible people with disabilities were treated at that time. It was a wise choice to present the film in black and white. It's quite beautiful and sets the mood of the period. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars, but failed to win a single one (which was truly a crime).

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau, Larry Hankin, Bruce M. Fischer, Frank Ronzio, Fred Stuthman

"Alcatraz was built to keep all the rotten eggs in one basket, and I was specially chosen to make sure that the stink from the basket does not escape." - The Warden

Why watch this? It's another superb prison film about Alcatraz.

Dad's Review: This superb historical film, loosely based on a real-life escape attempt in 1962 where three men escaped from the California island prison. This shows, in detail, all the planning and creative acquisition of materials required to pull of the daring jailbreak. It may not be 100% historically accurate, but it's interesting and suspenseful. To this day, the real-life escapees have never been found.

Starring: Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Diane Venora, Cliff De Young, Mason Adams, Jerry Orbach, Joe Grifasi, Martha Gehman

"Nobody cares about making movies about people anymore. All they care about is special effects."– Ellen

Why watch this? A unique spin on the classic frame job, and a nifty way to get out of it.

Dad's Review: This creative film is about a plan to fake a politician's death using Hollywood special effects (FX) guru, Rollie Tyler. However, there is a double-cross, and the F/X expert becomes the scapegoat for the actual murder. It's a lot of fun watching Rollie, who escapes the police, outwit his pursuers using the tricks of his special effect trade. Brian Dennehy is great as the police officer who wants to get at the truth.

Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Ray Walston, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz

"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." – Spicoli

Why watch this? As a teen I loved this crude flick. As an adult, I appreciate it even more.

Dad's Review: This could have been just another irreverent, nudity-filled 80's high school comedy (which it is), but it's also much better than that. It IS very funny to watch these teenagers come of age, struggle to date each other and, along the way, learn their painful lessons. This film introduced the world to Sean Penn as the ultimate stoner, Spicoli.

Starring: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer, Stuart Pankin, Ellen Latzen, Fred Gwynne, Ellen Foley, Meg Mundy

"Well, what am I supposed to do? You won't answer my calls, you change your number. I mean, I'm not gonna be ignored, Dan!" – Alex Forrest

Why watch this? If you are a married man, this film will keep you married.

Dad's Review: Boy, this film scared the crap out of me. This is the worse-case scenario for men who cheat on their wives. I could not believe that innocent and plain Glenn Close could transform into Alex, a foxy seductress. After a brief affair, she is jilted. She then turns into an obsessive, insane stalker. Michael Douglas is also awesome as the cheater, who, after the initial mistake, just wants it to end and go away. Alex, however, will not be denied, with disastrous results. Just remember, don't order the rabbit stew.

Starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Maria Aitken, Patricia Hayes, Tom Georgeson, Geoffrey Palmer

"To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people. I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs!" - Wanda, speaking to Otto

Why watch this? This very smart comedy gave us that little taste of Python we were needing.

Dad's Review: The film revolves around a diamond heist and a cast of oddly wonderful characters who stumble their way through the entire ordeal. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for this portrayal of Otto, a mean-spirited weapon's expert who hates English people. Jamie Lee Curtis is likewise wonderful as the sexy, intelligent Wanda.

Starring: Al Hedison, Patricia Owens, Vincent Price, Herbert Marshall, Kathleen Freeman, Betty Lou Gerson, Charles Herbert

"Help me! Please, help meeeeeee! No! Go away! No! Please! Help me! Please, go away! Go away! No! No! No! No!" – Andre Delambre

Why watch this? It's singularly terrifying premise will have you questioning the dangers of unchecked science.

Dad's Review: A gifted scientist is creates a transportation machine. After successful tests with inanimate objects and a live guinea pig, he creates a larger version and tests it on himself. This turns out to be a bad idea. Of all the '50's horror films, this one sticks with you, be it the first moment his wife removes his black head-cover, to the final confrontation at the garden's spider-web. It's truly a moment in cinema that will haunt you forever.

Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel, Leslie Carlson, George Chuvalo, Michael Copeman, David Cronenberg

"Am I becoming a 185 pound fly? No, I'm becoming something that's never existed before. I'm becoming... Brundle-Fly. Don't you think that's worth a Nobel Prize or two?" - Seth Brudle

Why watch this? When a scientists pushes the limits too far, things go wrong - very wrong!

Dad's Review: This startling remake is often ingenious, sometimes hard to watch, extremely gross, and thoroughly engrossing. A brilliant scientist has created a revolutionary transportation device. When he transports himself, a fly is accidentally caught within the machine, thus mixing the DNA from both. He initially appears normal, but slowly starts to change. We can do nothing but cringe. This film really drew me to Jeff Goldblum, who plays the part perfectly.

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Chris Penn, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Laughlin, Frances Lee McCain

"I just don't know that I believe in everything you believe in. But I believe in you." - Ariel, to her father, the town preacher

Why watch this? It's so much deeper than a teen Rom-Com about dancing. It's about change.

Dad's Review: A city kid, Ren, moves into a rural, religiously conservative, small town. There is a ban on rock and roll, and dancing. The town hellcat is the preacher's daughter, Ariel. Ren decides to organize a senior dance, which sends the town and its preacher, into a frenzy. All actors excel here, but it's John Lithgow, as the stern pastor, who really captures our hearts. He's resistant to change, afraid for his daughter's soul, and unsure about how to handle things - he's wonderfully human.

Starring: Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford, Edward Fox, Franco Nero, Barbara Bach, Carl Weathers, Richard Kiel, Alan Badel, Michael Byrne

"It's being treated on a need-to-know basis. And you don't need to know" - Jensen

Why watch this? A young Harrison Ford holds his own alongside Robert Shaw in this great WWII thriller!

Dad's Review: This is one of many fictitious films made with World War II as the backdrop. A small team is sent out to blow up a bridge critical to the Nazi war plans. The team is comprised to British agents and a gruff American commander. They are dropped behind enemy lines where they have instructions to meet up with a loyal informant. It's a fairly simple action flick, with some interesting twists. Ford and Shaw carry the film, Edward Fox delights as the British demolition expert. Carl Weathers also shines as a tough Army sergeant forced onto the mission.

Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitríona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Tracy Letts, Remo Girone

"There's a point at 7,000 RPM... where everything fades. The machine becomes weightless. Just disappears. And all that's left is a body moving through space and time." - Carroll Shelby

Why watch this? It is a splendid movie that's, historically, very interesting.

Dad's Review: This illustates a tenet that many of us have known for years: To be successful, you can't cheat. You have to find the expert, give that person the funding and turn 'em loose. It plays out here as two car companies compete in the race for speed. Christian Bale continues to impress - he's certainly one of the great male actors of his generation.

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Ilona Massey, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Maria Ouspenskaya

"I only want to die. That's why I'm here. If I ever find peace, I'll find it here." - Lawrence Talbot

Why watch this? Are you kidding me? Two great Universal monsters in one film? I am all IN!

Dad's Review:  I discovered Universal horror films at age ten. I gasped at the undead Frankenstein monster! I hid my eyes from the snarling Wolf Man! I could not wait to see this beastly battle! I was not disappointed. The tragic Larry Talbot, revived by grave robbers, seeks help by venturing to Castle Frankenstein. When he finds that the doctor died long ago, he explores the castle and finds the monster, still alive yet frozen, but almost thawed!

Starring: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, Fred Williamson, Salma Hayek

"Has anybody here read a real book about vampires, or are we just remembering what a movie said? I mean a real book." - Jacob Fuller

Why watch this? It starts out as a robbery/kidnapping, then, boom, we land in a nest of Latino vampires.

Dad's Review: This film has really grown on me through the years. Director Rodriguez definitely has a lot of fun in the genre. This little coven of Mexican vampires are particularly nasty as they waylay unsuspecting travelers in their roadside bar. When two bank robbers and a kidnapped family stop in, it's all-out war. This was an early film for Clooney and helped create a edgier image for him. It's action-packed and bloody. I really wanted more Salma Hayek as the queen vampire.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng

"One day, men will look back and say that I gave birth to the Twentieth Century." – Sir William Gull

Why watch this? It's an interesting take on the Ripper, plus a very paranoid Johnny Depp.

Dad's Review: This film is set in the deplorable city slums of 1888 London. Prostitutes are being murdered in the most gruesome of ways. A young inspector, Abberline, is called in to investigate. He befriends Mary Kelly, who may help him find the brutal killer now called "The Ripper". I love grimmy period films. Incidentally, the real-life Jack the Ripper was never caught. This film is eerie, suspenseful, and truly frightening.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney, Carole Cooke, Roy Jenson

"I'm warning you: You mess around and I'll put the cuffs on you. You talk dirty - I gag you. You run - I'll shoot ya. My name is Shockley and we've got a plane to catch. Let's go." - Ben Shockley

Why watch this? This was one of Eastwood's strongest action films of the 70's.

Dad's Review: I've always loved this film about a man assigned to bring in a hooker who is a state's witness. (This could easily have been a Dirty Harry sequel.) The problem is the corrupt police department is hell bent on killing them, en route, before she can testify. The strength of the film is the interaction between Eastwood and the sassy Sondra Locke. She never ceases to amaze me. The finale is amazing as they drive a bus through blocks and blocks of blazing bullets, right up to City Hall.

Starring: John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Clarence Williams III, James Woods

"We don't like our personnel being arrested by outside people, without our knowing about it. There are three ways of doing things: the right way, the wrong way, and the Army way. See that in doing it your way, Mr. Brenner, you don't forget about the Army way." – Col. Fowler

Why watch this? An excellent adaptation from the book of the same name.

Dad's Review: This intense military crime drama focuses on the murder of a general's daughter. As Warrant Officer Paul Brenner and Capt. Elizabeth Campbell, from Psy-Ops, investigate, they learn more than they bargained for regarding the daughter's conduct and lifestyle. The film's pacing is perfect, as the plot starts to involve more and more high ranking military officials, and multiple cover-ups. The surprise ending is superb.

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Stanley Lawrence, Vincent Schiavelli, Rick Aviles

"He's stuck, that's what it is. He's in between worlds. You know it happens sometimes that the spirit gets yanked out so fast that the essence still feels it has work to do here." - Oda Mae, speaking of Sam's current state

Why watch this? This is Rom-Com Ground Zero. Get out the clay, let's make some pottery.

Dad's Review: This is the perfect date-night movie. A woman, Molly, pines for her murdered husband, Sam, who comes back as a ghost. He wants to connect with Molly, but knows he must find his murderer. Sam encounters a feisty lady, Oda Mae, who has some mystic powers. Unlike anyone, she can hear Sam. The soul of the film is the sweet relationship between Sam and Molly, as we see in many flashbacks. However, it's Whoopi's outlandish comic relief that steals every scene. There are some scary scenes, too.

Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Ingvar Hirdwall, Björn Granath, Lena Endre, Ewa Fröling, Sven-Bertil Taube

"Shut up about the victimization! He almost killed you. He raped and murdered and he enjoyed it. He had the same chances as us to choose what he wanted to be. He was no victim." – Lisbeth Salander

Why watch this? This is one intense film - and Noomi Rapace - damn, what a force!

Dad's Review: This is the original Swedish version. It is the best of a film trilogy. It follows an investigation of a family disappearance, and weaves a complicated web regarding the truth. A journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, and freelance hacker, Lisbeth Salander team-up to solve the mystery. Salander herself is a compelling part of the film, as she sports numerous body tattoos, a Mohawk, and black leather clothing. Despite her goth-punk appearance, she excels at crime investigation. Noomi Rapace absolutely kills the part of Lisbeth, and her character is as interesting than the film's plot itself.

Starring: Akira Yamauchi, Toshie Kimura, Hiroyuki Kawase, Keiko Mari, Toshio Shiba, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Toshie Kimura

"The atomic and hydrogen bombs cast their fallout into the sea. Poison gas and sludge got dumped into the ocean. Even sewage. I bet Godzilla would be mad if he saw this." - Ken Yano, second grade

Why watch this? This G-film has some of the best fight scenes of any in the franchise.

Dad's Review: This is a Godzilla film that I treasured as a young lad. After several "team-up" films, it was refreshing to have my favorite behemoth square off solo against a new, deadly foe. Hedorah was created from Earth's pollution. Its main diet is toxic smoke spewed from Japan's many factories. This cautionary tale illustrates the dangers of polluting our world. As a bonus, we learn that Godzilla can fly... What? This famous (more like infamous) moment is so campy, I know... but hey, I unapologetically love it... piano wires and all.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, Nonso Anozie, James Badge Dale

"A job at the end of the world. A salaried killer for a big petroleum company. I don't know why I did half the things I've done, but I know this is where I belong, surrounded by my own. Ex-cons, fugitives, drifters, a**holes. Men unfit for mankind." - Ottway

Why watch this? It's bleak, cold, and hungry wolves are tracking crash survivors... but they have Liam Neeson.

Dad's Review: I was unprepared for how good this film is. Neeson portrays Ottway, a man whose job is to hunt and kill massive Arctic wolves who harass and attack oilfield workers. On a flight back home, his plane crashes into the forest a few hundred miles from anything. Several men survive, but they are now being hunted. This is a race for survival as they try to make it back to civilization.

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton, Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Roy E. Glenn Sr.

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that your son feels for my daughter that I didn't feel for Christina. Old? Yes. Burnt out? Certainly. But I can tell you the memories are still there – clear, intact, indestructible." - Matt Drayton

Why watch this? Racism is our history. This film attempts, successfully, to deal with it.

Dad's Review: This is one brave film from the '60's that took on the controversial topic of interracial marriage, and it does so head-on. A young couple is determined to marry; Joanna, a white girl, and John, a black man. They have planned a dinner with both sets of parents to make their announcement and clear the air on some issues. It turns into quite a memorable evening as the stubborn parents squabble over their differences. Tracy, once again, is incredible.

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor, Ken Jeong, Sasha Barrese

"The bachelor party -- The whole night -- Things got outta control, and, uh… we lost Doug." - Phil

Why watch this? Anyway you slice it, this is one smart, funny film about quite a bachelor party.

Dad's Review: This is what happens when you have your bachelor party the day before the wedding. In this film, if it can go wrong, it does, when our five best friends take on Vegas after unknowingly digesting "roofies". There's a kidnapping, a baby, a tiger, a missing tooth, Mike Tyson, an Asian mobster. Somehow, they need to retrace the foggy night, and remember enough, to find the missing groom.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers, Allen Covert, Bob Barker, Richard Kiel, Dennis Dugan

"Golf requires goofy pants and a fat ass. You should talk to my neighbor the accountant, probably a great golfer, huge ass." - Happy

Why watch this? A very hilarious comedy about a hockey kid taking up golf.

Dad's Review: It took me a while to warm up to Adam Sandler, because I just didn't think he was that funny. This film finally sold me on him. This romp is one funny scene after another. It's a comedy, an underdog story and, heck, it is even a darn good sports movie! Carl Weathers is excellent as his coach. The movie's surprise cameo is legendary game show host Bob Barker!

Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, Glenn Shadix, Patrick Labyorteaux

"If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being. You'd be a game-show host." - Veronica Sawyer

Why watch this? This was my first "dark" comedy. Once I "got it", it opened a new world for me.

Dad's Review: This nasty flick features a clique of bitchy high school girls, all named Heather, except one, Veronica. Veronica is not happy and misses her old friends. This gets her crossways with the group's leader, Heather Chandler. Satirically, the movie visits such teen taboos as sex, suicide, revenge and murder, and it's all quite hilarious. Considered a failure upon release, it is now a cult classic. There is even a Heathers musical.

Starring: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracy Arnold, Mary Demas, Anne Bartoletti, Elizabeth Kaden, Ted Kaden

"You strangle one, stab another, and one you cut up, and one you don't, then the police don't know what to do. They think you're four different people. What makes their job so much easier, is pattern. What they call a modus operandi. That's Latin. Bet you didn't know any Latin, did you?" - Henry

Why watch this? WARNING - this film is tough to watch and terrifying. Not for the squeamish.

Dad's Review: This is the shocking story of real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, who was convicted of 11 murders. This film is deeply disturbing. The gut-punch is the family that Henry and Otis murder. They just pick a random house in a suburb, break in, and sadistically kill everyone inside. No motive. No reason. Just that family's unlucky night. There is no way to be safe from such brutality. This is the definition of real evil!

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Saïd Taghmaoui, Zuleikha Robinson, Louise Lombard, Adam Alexi-Malle, Silas Carson

"Mister... you can say anything you want about me. I'm gonna have to ask you not to talk about my horse that way." - Frank T. Hopkins

Why watch this? It is a great story about an amazing horse, set in the vast Arabian desert.

Dad's Review: My awesome brother kept hawking this film, and I finally listened. Of course, he was right on the money. It's a wonderful cross-country race, on horseback, over the brutal Ad-Dahana desert in the late 1800's. It's loosely based on a true story about the toughness of a paint pony. The cinematography is epic as the race courses through the desert. Mortensen is engaging as our soft-spoken, Western-loner protagonist.

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