Starring: John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, William Hurt, Bob Hoskins, Robert Pastorelli, Jean Stapleton, Terri Garr, Wallace Langham

"You gotta learn to laugh, it's the way to true love." - Michael

Why watch this? It's a great spin on angels, and the miracles we all need.

Dad's Review: A news crew, starved for a story, travels to a local home where a supposed "angel" named Michael lives. They are sure it must be a hoax. However, there they find Michael, living with his mother, wings and all. His mother dies and Michael decides to travel with the news crew, performing a few miracles along the way. Travolta’s sweetness really shines through. I particularly love his battle with the bull. This film is creative, tender, and will melt your heart.

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe, Danielle Skraastad, Wai Chan

"I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so f***ing blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?" - Michael Clayton

Why watch this? This is another solid effort by Clooney. He's a master of understatement

Dad's Review: This story is such a rewarding slow burn. We meet Mr. Clayton and quickly learn that he is a corporate "fixer". His vast experience is valuable to legal firms when they need problems to "go away". When his good friend at the firm start acting strange and suddenly dies, Michael starts asking questions. The firm can't allow this. The last scene in this film is worth the price of admission.

Starring: Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Paul L. Smith, Paolo Bonacelli, Norbert Weisser

"I find loneliness is the physical pain which hurts all over. You can't isolate it in one part of your body." - Billy Hayes

Why watch this? For as painful as it is, it's a rewarding film to get through.

Dad's Review: A young American is caught smuggling drugs and sentenced to life in a Turkish prison. His situation is impossible and he is abused badly. The only way to survive is to escape.  This film as about the boundaries of what a person can physically and mentally endure. I really thought Brad Davis would become a major star after this, but it just did not happen.

Million Dollar Baby (2004), Director: Clint Eastwood, rated R for strong violence and language

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brian F. O'Byrne, Anthony Mackie

"Problem is, this the only thing I ever felt good doing. If I'm too old for this, then I got nothing. That enough truth to suit you?" - Maggie Fitzgerald

Why watch this? This boxing film gives Rocky a run for its money. It is that good.

Dad's Review: Such a great film. Directed by Eastwood. Narrated by Morgan Freeman. Starring them both, along with the amazing Hilary Swank; and it’s an inspirational story about women's boxing! This is just so easy to watch and enjoy. I really love how our lady boxer finally wins over her grumpy trainer. Then - that ending. Wow. Didn’t see that coming.

Starring: Alex Etelm, Lewis Owen McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Christopher Fulford, Pearce Quigley, Jane Hogarth

"God doesn't rob banks, all right? God does not rob banks." – Damian Cunningham

Why watch this? Sometimes it just fun to watch British youngsters in a unique situation.

Dad's Review: Two British children, Alex and Lewis, suddenly find themselves in possession of a bag of cash, and it's A LOT of cash. This funny, and touching, story goes through what happens next, who they tell, what they eventually do with the money. To add some flair, Alex often communes with dead Saints. Yea, kinda like The Sixth Sense, but not scary at all. This film is delightful on so many levels.  

Starring: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Graham Jarvis, Jerry Potter

"I thought you were good Paul...but you're not good. You're just another lying ol' dirty birdy." – Annie Wilkes

Why watch this? So that you will always be on the lookout for crazy fans.

Dad's Review: I cringe at films where someone is trapped in an impossible situation, especially when the captor is bat-shit crazy. This film introduced us to the incredible Kathy Bates. She is so demented, as she imprisons her favorite author, hog-ties him to the bed, and keeps him locked up. And, man, when she has had enough of his escape attempts, she gets serious by breaking out the trusty old sledgehammer…time to avert the eyes!

Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Mary Gibbs, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger

"Good morning, Roz, my succulent little garden snail. And who will we be scaring today?" - Mike Wazowski

Why watch this? Goodman and Crystal are wonderful as our two bestest beasties.

Dad's Review: Disney and Pixar. The entire concept of the film is mind-blowing. I mean, who thinks this stuff up? Here, monsters have access to children’s rooms by magic closet doors. In real life, the monsters are not mean, just regular Joe's doing their jobs. We meet Mike and Sully, and they are completely loveable. It’s so darn cute! You simply have no soul if you don’t instantly fall in love with this film.

Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, Simon Jones

"You always talk, you Americans. You talk and you talk and say 'let me tell you something' and 'I just wanna say this'. Well, you're dead now, so shut up!" - Grim Reaper

Why watch this? If you don't mind a little blood, I recommend the segment called Live Organ Donors.

Dad's Review: This film is a series of skits pertaining to life, and humanity's search for the "why". If you are easily offended, then you might want to skip this one. It pokes fun at everything... and everybody. It's absurdist satire at its most venomous. If you can get past that, it also happens to be extremely hilarious. Mature audiences ONLY! 

Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, Cate Blanchett

"If you destroy their history, you destroy their achievements and it's as if they never existed. That's what Hitler wants and that's exactly what we are fighting for." - Frank Stokes

Why watch this? A truly inspirational story about saving Europe's art during WWII.

Dad's Review: Not so much a war film, as a film set during wartime. A special group of US and British soldiers are put together to save famous art stockpiled by the Germans during the Second World War. A creative plot executed by an all-star cast of veteran actors. This film is a real hidden gem, and it's based on a true story.

Starring: James Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Jon Lovitz, Hart Bochner, Michael Caine, Courtney Cox, Bill McCutcheon, Rene Russo, Jay O. Sanders

"Well, you see Larry, one's destiny is a very complicated thing. Every incident in a person's life affects everything else that follows it." - Mike the Bartender

Why watch this? This is Jim Belushi's (John's younger brother) best film.

Dad's Review: How would your life change if you didn’t miss the ball. Instead you hit that homerun and won the big game? Larry Burrows gets to find out. This is a wonderful "what if" film that will tug on your heart-strings. My biggest regret was that I didn't take my football training more seriously. I could have loaded on more muscle, but I just didn't. Instead I was average, not a stand-out. Anyway, this film helps us see that sometimes the thing we wish for, is not the thing we needed.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Martin Mull, Ann Jillian, Christopher Lloyd, Jeffrey Tambor, Frederick Koehler, Graham Jarvis

"My brain is like oatmeal. I yelled at Kenny today for coloring outside the lines! Megan and I are starting to watch the same TV shows, and I'm liking them! I'm losing it." - Jack Butler

Why watch this? It's funny, tender and great to see the "shoe on the other foot".

Dad's Review: Jack gets laid off by Ford Motor Company. This forces his spouse, a long-time housewife, to re-enter the workforce at an advertising agency. That means Jack is has to stay home with the kids. He's not at all prepared for it. This hilarious film has a lot to teach about appreciating both roles as couples grapple with changes in their lives. This is Keaton at the height of his comedic film run. 

Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Gia Carides, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, Joey Fatone

"There are three things that every Greek woman must do in life: marry Greek boys, make Greek babies, and feed everyone." - Toula Portokalos

Why watch this? This is a wonderful, hilarious case study in being Greek.

Dad's Review: I love shows that give us insights into different ethic cultures. Here we get that, and also a lot of the insanity around weddings. This comedy will have you laughing and crying the whole way through. I really loved Michael Constantine, as Toula’s father, who sprays everything with Windex. Hahah! Kills me every time! Bring on the bunt cake!

Starring: Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith, Austin Pendleton, Bruce McGill

"We agreed to get married as soon as you won your first case. Meanwhile, TEN YEARS LATER, my niece, the daughter of my sister is getting married. My biological clock is TICKING LIKE THIS and the way this case is going, I ain't never getting married." - Mona Lisa Vito

Why watch this? It's very funny, and I love Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) as the judge.

Dad's Review: I have sort of a love-hate relationship with Joe Pesci. When he's a tough mobster, I love him. When he does comedy, not so much. He ruined the Lethal Weapon sequels. Here, in this hilarious comedy, I love him again. Go figure. The real star of the show is Oscar winner Marisa Tomei - she kills it. The premise is about a cocky Italian New York attorney trying to win his nephew's robbery case in the deep South. Time to let the cultures clash!

Starring: Terence Hill, Henry Fonda, Jean Martin, R. G. Armstrong, Leo Gordon, Geoffrey Lewis, Steve Kanaly, Karl Braun

"You shine like the door of a whorehouse. A blind man could spot you ten miles off." – Jack Beauregard

Why watch this? The scene in the bar where Nobody is given shot after shot.

Dad's Review: This Italian Western did not feature Clint Eastwood. The plot revolves around an aging gunfighter trying to retire, and a young gunfighter, Nobody, who insists that his hero go out in a "blaze of glory". This has some of the best gun-skill tricks on film, all played in a very whimsical way; the film itself is almost a comedy. Regardless, it's fun to watch, especially due to a memorable soundtrack, and the steady hand of the graceful Henry Fonda. There are two sequels, too.  

Starring: Annabeth Gish, Julia Roberts, Lili Taylor, Vincent D'Onofrio, William R. Moses, Adam Storke, Conchata Ferrell, Matt Damon

"What the hell do you think Leona really puts in that pizza?" - Jojo

Why watch this? It's sweet and bittersweet, and yes, Ms. Roberts is adorable.

Dad's Review: This film follows the lives and romances of three young women who work at a popular pizza shop in New England. Each of the girls have different issues. One is not sure about her upcoming marriage, one is in love with a married man, and one can’t let herself love a guy outside her "class". A perfect date-night film with very interesting plot lines. This film was Julia Roberts' big breakthrough. 

Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, E. G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, John Randolph, William Hickey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

"WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell." – Clark Griswold

Why watch this? To see Chevy lose this mind after receiving his Jelly of the Month club.

Dad's Review: After European Vacation (1985), I feared this would flop, however, this film is perhaps the funniest of them all. "The holidays" is great fodder for a comedy anyway, but the Griswalds take it to a new level. Every scene is hilarious. When the family is chasing the squirrel, destroying the house, oh man, I can’t stop laughing.

Starring: Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, Gina Hecht, Pat Corley, Nita Talbot, Bobby Di Cicco, Basil Hoffman

"Pimps is an ugly word. We could call ourselves love brokers." – Bill Blazejowski

Why watch this? I know the subject is prostitution, but it's such a sweet film.

Dad's Review: This film was my introduction to Michael Keaton, and honestly, he had to grow on me. It works because his over-the-top zaniness plays well against Winkler’s wimpy push-over character. Here, two schmucks start a prostitution ring, to protect some friendly prostitutes from their abusive pimps. Naturally, since they work the late shift at a local morgue, it is the perfect place to set up business operations and conduct the new venture. Let the hilarity ensue!

Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Ed Ivory

"Well, well, well. What have we here? Sandy Claws, huh? Ooo, I'm really scared! So you're the one everybody's talking about?" – Oogie Boogie Man

Why watch this? The animation is superb, and the songs are really catchy.

Dad's Review: Leave it to me to fall in love with a kid’s film this unorthodox. I does fit me to love a creepy journey through the minds of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. What a concept! Let's merge Halloween into Christmas, and have our hero be a well-meaning skeleton. What?! It’s magical and humorously wonderful. This is for the "warped of mind", like me.

Starring: Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith, Bruce Willis, Dylan Walsh, Josef Sommer, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks

"Don't expect much from yourself in the beginning. I couldn't do everything at first, either." – Sully

Why watch this? You can't change a grumpy old man, so stop trying.

Dad's Review: Every town has that old guy who mumbles around and can be quite unpleasant. Yet, he's a good guy who, in lieu of all the grousing, you can count on. Maybe Sully wanted to get away, travel, but that just didn't ever happen. Paul Newman, and a great supporting cast, give this little film the weight it needs to be a classic.  

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Michael Berryman, Scatman Crothers, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Sydney Lassick, Will Sampson, Brad Dourif

"They was giving me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot! The next woman takes me on is gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars!" - McMurphy

Why watch this? To remind you do everything possible to avoid a mental institute.

Dad's Review: An ensemble cast, all destined to become super-stars, grace the screen in this story of abuse in a mental hospital. Nicholson, as only he can, plays an incarcerated "grifter" who just wants to bring a little fun to the inmates. The infamous Nurse Ratched does all she can to stop him and maintain order, often exposing the depths of her cruelty. Special kudos to Will Sampson as "Chief".

Starring: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd Omen, Irving Hellman, Monte Landis, Damon Martin

"I wouldn't sell my bike for all the money in the world. Not for a hundred million, trillion, billion dollars!" - Pee-wee Herman

Why watch this? It's childish and silly and mindlessly fun - sometimes I just need that.

Dad's Review: Somehow I stumbled across the children's show Pee-wee’s Playhouse on TV. I instantly loved it, and I was in my late 20’s! Then this film hit screens. It is kinda like "you either get it, or you don’t". It’s goofy and innocent, but there is an underlying comedic sophistication. We can all learn this from Pee-wee: Just be a nice, fun person to everyone you meet. And, eventually, everyone will like you. Just be yourself. 

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Joan Cusack, Paul Rudd

"You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love." - Samantha "Sam" Button

Why watch this? An interesting, current, coming of age story.

Dad's Review: I've watched this film once. I just can feel it when movie grabs me. It has to be fresh, original, creative and from the heart. Those traits are here in spades. When I watch it again, I'll probably be posting an update here. I do know it's about the over-blown concept of being "cool". Why can kids just be who they are? Oh yea, because parents train their kids to not allow that.

Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Ciarán Hinds, Simon Callow

"Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God, give me courage to show you you are not alone!" - Christine

Why watch this? Such a powerful film about Scotland and William Wallace.

Dad's Review: I like a lot of musicals, but this one, as it has for many people, touched me very deeply. This film is so passionate, beautiful, haunting and tragic. The phantom, the epitome of angry loneliness, alone in his opera, hoarding his betrayal, plotting his revenge. Then he sees Christine, an angelic vision. Perhaps, she can restore his lost faith and twisted heart. Every song is so powerful.   

Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Claudia Black, Rhiana Griffith

"All you people are so scared of me. Most days I'd take that as a compliment. But it ain't me you gotta worry about now." - Riddick

Why watch this? This is one heck of a sci-fi film. Strong female characters, flying monsters and Vin Deisel.

Dad's Review: A very thematically dark thriller, where a space junket becomes stranded on a remote desert planet. Their cargo includes a violent criminal named Riddick. As the danger grows, so does the need for Riddick’s unique skills. This film is fast-paced, with well-realized characters. I do particularly love the "monsters rishing from the dark" theme, too.  

Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker, Carol Bruce

"You got a free cab, you got a free room, and someone who'll listen to your boring stories. I mean, didn't you notice on the plane when you started talking, eventually I started reading the vomit bag?" - Neal

Why watch this? Martin's angry rants and Candy's long-winded lies are precious!

Dad's Review: Another great comedy starring two superb comedic actors. It’s Thanksgiving and everybody is trying to get home. Our two travelers encounter all kinds of trouble, so they decided to work together to help each other out. Well, they mix like oil and water. One is a short-tempered snob, the other is an overly-friendly oaf who talks too much. Martin and Candy are a pleasure to watch.  

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