Every secret dies somewhere.

Starring: Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black, Gerald McRaney, Bill Cobbs, Scott Cooper, Lori Beth Spikes, Chandler Riggs

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"I didn't want forgiveness. No. I needed to hold on to what I did, to be sick from it every day of my life." - Felix Bush

Why watch this? There is a richness to this story about a mysterious Tennessee hermit.

Plot Summary: Set in 1930's Tennessee, Felix Bush, a reclusive hermit, after decades of self-imposed isolation and surrounded by rumors of a dark past, decides to throw his own funeral party while he's still alive. With the help of a local funeral director and his young apprentice, Felix plans an event where people are invited to share stories and beliefs about him.

Dad's Preview: You have to love the South and their many secrets. Duvall's under-stated performance, as a reclusive hermit, is incredible and we hang on his every word. When the questions about his life are answered, you will feel wiser for it. Bill Murray makes a nice supporting appearance as a wise-cracking, money-grubbing funeral home owner.

K5 Int'l, Zanuck Independent, David Gundlach Prod., Lara Enterprises, TVN,
Butcher's Run Films; Sony Pictures Classics

The secret of life? The secret's in the sauce.

Starring: Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Cicely Tyson, Chris O'Donnell, Stan Shaw

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"A heart can be broken, but it will keep beating just the same." - Allison

Why watch this? There is a richness to this film. Here it is from great characters.

Plot Summary: A frustrated housewife befriends an elderly woman in a nursing home who shares captivating stories of two independent women, Idgie and Ruth, who ran a café in 1920s Alabama. Through these stories, the housewife finds inspiration to confront her own dissatisfaction and embrace a more fulfilling life.

Dad's Preview: In the early '90s, this film was such a breath of freshness in a film world dominated with masculinity, and I mean toxic masculinity. The story spans two generations of women fighting the battles common those days in a male dominated America, especially in the South. It's courageous, inspiring, and a must-see for any lady, young or old. But men need to watch it, too. It's good to be reminded that we're just one generation from a time when it was almost expected that men treat women badly. Men, me included, still need to do better.

Avnet/Kerner Productions, Electric Shadow Productions, Act III; Universal Pictures

Love is the greatest adventure of all.

Starring: Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw, Nicol Williamson, Denholm Elliott, Ronnie Barker, Kenneth Haigh, Ian Holm, Richard Harris

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I've hardly lost a battle, and I don't know what I've won. 'The day is ours, Robin,' you used to say, and then it was tomorrow. But where did the day go?" - Robin Hood

Why watch this? It's a bittersweet story of what happened to Robin Hood and Maid Marian.

Plot Summary: The story picks up the classic Robin Hood legend years after Robin's peak, finding him and Little John returning to England disillusioned from the Crusades. They discover that Maid Marian has become an abbess, and their reunion unfolds as they navigate their changed circumstances and rekindle their complicated relationship. Robin is forced to confront his aging and a changed world, leading to a final conflict with his old adversary, the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Dad's Preview: This is how you make a romantic movie, and it is such a remarkable endeavor. Robin Hood has returned from the Crusades, now a man in his 50's. He finds Marian is a nun in a convent. We learn the fates of all the wonderful Sherwood characters. Oh my, how they have aged. Marian is bitter about all the years lost between her and Robin. The ending is right out of Romeo and Juliet (1968). For those of us in the "autumn" of our lives, this story reminds us that life is short, and we are now creating the "good old days".

Rastar; Columbia Pictures

Love. Pain. Glory.

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry, Wass Stevens, Judah Friedlander

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I'm the one who was supposed to make everything okay for everybody. It just didn't work out like that. And I left. I left you. You never did anything wrong." - Randy "The Ram" Robinson

Why watch this? Rourke really gives the performance of his career. Give it a chance.

Plot Summary: An aging professional wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson, faces the decline of his career and mounting health problems. He struggles to maintain his connection to the wrestling world while simultaneously attempting to mend his broken relationship with his estranged daughter and build a new one with a compassionate stripper.

Dad's Preview: This film has grown on me with each viewing. It is Mickey Rourke's film start to finish and he excels. He portrays a professional wrestler nearing the end of his career. His life carries tons of baggage: a broken, highly-medicated body; an estranged daughter; and no semblance of normalcy. You can't help but feel pity for this man. Yet, he's still trying... trying to reach out and be a good friend to people... Trying to reconnect with his daughter. It's all he can do, and a joy to watch him do it.  

Wild Bunch, Protozoa Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures

It's an almighty laugh!

Starring: George Burns, John Denver, Teri Garr, Donald Pleasence, Ralph Bellamy, Paul Sorvino, Carl Reiner, Bernard Hughes, William Daniels

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The last miracle I did was the 1969 Mets. Before that, I think you have to go back to the Red Sea." – God

Why watch this? It's nice to see a rendition of God that is not fiery or political.

Plot Summary: Jerry Landers is an unassuming supermarket manager, who receives a surprising summons from God himself. God, appearing as a kindly older man, chooses Jerry to be his messenger to spread a simple message to the world: that things can work if people try harder and be kinder to each other. Despite facing skepticism from the media, religious authorities, and even his own family, Jerry endeavors to fulfill his divine assignment.

Dad's Preview: Maybe the sweetest movie ever about our creator. It's a simple premise: God appears to a regular guy - a supermarket manager named Jerry. God tells him to spread the Word, and Jerry does. It doesn't take long before all around him, chiefly religious experts, begin to get angry over his proclamations. This all lands the innocent Jerry in a courtroom where he has to prove that he's not lying (and that God exists). I was so impressed with singer John Denver as Jerry. His performance is so very honest and genuine. The courtroom scene is simply divine.

Jerry Weintraub; Warner Bros.

A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.

tarring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton, Dan Flannery, Everett McGill, Bill McCallum, Jane Galloway Heitz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The worst part of being old is remembering when you was young." - Alvin Straight

Why watch this? Sometimes, when you can't do what you used to, you do what you can.

Plot Summary: 73-year-old Alvin Straight learns that his estranged brother, Lyle, is gravely ill after suffering a stroke. Determined to reconcile before it's too late, Alvin, who is unable to drive due to poor eyesight and physical limitations, embarks on a journey from Iowa to Wisconsin on his riding lawnmower.

Dad's Preview: A kind old gentleman, Alvin, starts to realize that he's only got so much time left on earth. He decides to go see his estranged brother driving on his John Deere riding lawnmower. It's slow going, but this back-road trek is filled with a lot of inspiration, and beautiful American heartland scenery. Richard Farnsworth was a life-long character actor who starred in many films. This is a poignant swan song for his great acting career.

Asymmetrical Prod., Canal+, FilmFour, Ciby 2000, Le Studio Canal+;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Based On One Hell Of A True Story

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Cauffiel, Joe Howard, Chris Williams, Paul Rodriguez, Christopher Lawford, Annie Whittle, Chris Bruno, Tim Shadbolt, Diane Ladd, Saginaw Grant

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Cheerio, my friend. If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you're gone." – Burt Munro, to young Tom

Why watch this? Think you are too old to try something big and important? This film may inspire you to act.

Plot Summary: Set in the 1960s, a determined and eccentric New Zealander named Burt Munro dedicates his life to meticulously modifying his 1920 Indian motorcycle with the dream of testing its limits at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Despite facing financial hardships, advanced age, and numerous setbacks, Burt embarks on an inspiring journey to America, encountering an array of memorable individuals who are touched by his unwavering spirit.

Dad's Preview: For as exciting as the film's racing segments are, this is more about Burt Munro's moments: His kind interactions with his neighbor's curious son, Tom; His peculiar habit of peeing on a lemon tree; His easy-going demeanor when his age prompts resistance to his plan; His intimate encounter with a woman living along in the desert; His non-judgment towards a helpful transvestite motel clerk. These create a pleasant world, made more wonderful by a witty old Kiwi-man whose positive personality wins the hearts of those around him. But can his antiquated bike really compete with the modern speedsters? 

OLC/Rights Ent., Tanlay Prod., New Zealand Film Prod Fund, New Zealand Film Comm.,
3 Dogs And A Pony, 2929 Ent., Cameo FJ Ent.; Magnolia Pictures

The McCann brothers have finally met their match.

Starring: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment, Nicky Katt, Kyra Sedgwick, Josh Lucas, Michael O'Neill, Deirdre O'Connell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Now, boys, you're fixin' to let those teenage hormones get you into a world of trouble." - Garth

Why watch this? The scene in the diner after Huck's heart attack defines Duvall's character in 3 minutes!

Plot Summary: A shy, introverted boy named Walter is sent by his unreliable mother to spend a summer on a Texas farm with his two eccentric, great-uncles. Rumors abound about the uncles' mysterious past and a hidden fortune, which his mother hopes Walter will help them discover. Despite their gruff exteriors and unusual lifestyle, Walter gradually connects with his great-uncles as they share tales of adventure and life lessons, profoundly impacting his coming-of-age journey.

Dad's Preview: Robert Duvall and Michael Caine are two well-armed, old coots who live on a farm. They hate visitors and run them off. When a squeaky-voiced teen relative comes to live with them, they grumble. There is a rumor that these codgers have a fortune hidden on the premises, and the relatives want it!. This film is a sweet, wonderful story about the education to be gained from the wisdom of old folks. There's even a lesson or two on how to become a man.

Digital Domain; New Line Cinema

One of the Great Films of Our Time!

Starring: Takashi Shimura, Shinichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka, Minoru Chiaki, Bokuzen Hhidari, Miki Odagiri, Kamatari Fujiwara, Nobuo Nakamura

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"How beautiful! Truly beautiful. A sunset. I don't think I've really looked at one in 30 years." – Kanji Watanabe

Why watch this? It's a story of a man's life lived, but not necessarily enjoyed. Then he learns of his incurable cancer...

Plot Summary: An aging, bureaucratic civil servant discovers he has terminal stomach cancer and faces a reckoning with his largely unfulfilled life. This realization prompts him to seek meaning and purpose in his final months. Despite initial missteps and a struggle with his family and the rigid bureaucracy, he ultimately dedicates himself to a single, impactful project.

Dad's Preview: Legendary film director Kurosawa is best known for epic films featuring lengthy battles and action-filled samurai duels. This film is a stark departure. It follows a nearly invisible man, Takashi, who has dutifully worked for 30 years. His wife is dead; his son only wants his inheritance. When he learns of his cancer, it shocks him into action. This film moves slowly, but it will grab you if you give it a chance. Then you will experience its richness, and eventually, its painful lesson that death is approaching us all, and we can only choose the best way to prepare for it. 

Toho

Worn To Perfection.

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

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"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.

Plot Summary: Donald "Sully" Sullivan is a sixty-year-old, often irresponsible, man who divides his time between a local bar and occasional construction jobs in the small New York town of North Bath. When his estranged son Peter returns to town with his own son and a failing marriage, Sully is faced with assuming the roles of both father and grandfather, challenging his lifelong habits of self-indulgence and dodging responsibilities. The story unfolds amidst Sully's quirky relationships with other town residents, as he navigates petty feuds and flirts with his contractor-nemesis's wife

Dad's Preview: 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 never happened, and he's a little bitter. Paul Newman, and a great supporting cast, give this little, small town film the weight it needs to be a classic.

Arlene Donovan, Scott Rudin; Paramount Pictures

If you see only one movie this year...you ought to get out more often.

Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy, O. J. Simpson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"It's true what they say: Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano. Sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." – Frank Drebin

Why watch this? To laugh... A lot. It's non-stop.

Plot Summary: Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad investigates the attempted murder of his partner, Nordberg. This investigation leads him to uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Los Angeles. Frank must work to thwart the assassination attempt, find out who shot Nordberg, and manage his romantic entanglement with Jane Spencer, the assistant to the suspicious businessman Vincent Ludwig.

Dad's Preview: I thought the silly Airplane! (1980) was entertaining with its puns and goofy skits and sight gags. It also starred straight-faced Leslie Nielsen. Why Naked Gun impacted me so differently I cannot guess, but I love this film. It is a spin-off from a failed TV show that was cancelled after 8 episodes! Nielsen plays dead-pan police Lt. Frank Drebin. He bumbles his way through every scene with hilarious skill (or lack of). Every gag and funny line feels new. You'll find it hard to stop laughing. I DO recommend the two sequels - they are almost as funny as the original.

Paramount Pictures

The biggest jerk in the World gets amongst the wildest girls, gags and goin's on...

Starring: Rodney Daingerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Keith Gordon, Robert Downey Jr., Paxton Whitehead, Sam Kinison, M. Emmet Walsh

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"The football team at my high school, they were tough. After they sacked the quarterback, they went after his family." – Thornton Melon

Why watch this? Rodney Dangerfield - this guy is a National Treasure of Comedy.

Plot Summary: Thornton Melon, a successful businessman, decides to enroll in college alongside his son, Jason, to encourage him to continue his education. Once there, Thornton becomes popular on campus, but struggles with the academic demands of college life, relying on others to help him with his coursework. When the suspicious dean suspects Thornton of academic fraud, Thornton must prove he can succeed on his own.

Dad's Preview: This film really surprised me because the premise is so far-fetched. Yes, somehow, it works. Rodney is dependably wonderful as a crude yet loveable, father, who tries too hard to help his son in college. His one-liners are stellar, just like his live comedy routines. Look for a very young Robert Downey Jr. I will conclude by stating that you will forever remember the term, "The Triple Lindy".

Paper Clip Productions; Orion Pictures

It's a hell of a thing, killing a man

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Jaimz Woolvett, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have." - William Munny

Why watch this? This is Eastwood's masterpiece, a testament to a lifetime in the film business.

Plot Summary: Set in the late 1800s, this Western follows William Munny, a retired, once-feared gunslinger turned struggling hog farmer. When news of a bounty for the killing of two cowboys who disfigured a prostitute reaches him, Munny, needing money for his children, reluctantly takes on the job. He teams up with his old partner Ned Logan and a young, aspiring gunfighter known as the Schofield Kid to confront the harsh realities of violence and the changing West, blurring the lines between hero and villain.

Dad's Preview: This gem is the culmination two key factors: Eastwood's vast experience and clout in directing, and a tonal shift in Westerns to be more realistic. An aging widower (and ex-gunman) has no choice but to perform one last dirty job to get badly needed money to support his kids. However, when pushed too hard, his old ways resurface. Eastwood and Freeman are superb, but Gene Hackman's performance, as the notorious sheriff Little Bill, steals every scene. It's brutal and real and worth your time.

Malpaso Productions; Warner Bros.

The African Queen (1951), Director: John Huston, rated PG for some war violence

Bogart the King is back with the 'Queen!'

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel, Walter Gotell, Peter Stanwick

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" – Rose Sayer

Why watch this? It's a wonderful adventure film from the 50's with two Hollywood icons.

Plot Summary: Set during World War I, in German East Africa, Charlie Allnut, a rough-and-tumble Canadian riverboat captain, finds himself thrown together with a strait-laced British missionary named Rose Sayer. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey down a treacherous river on Charlie's dilapidated boat, the African Queen, facing natural dangers and German forces. Despite their vastly different personalities and frequent arguments, an unlikely bond develops as they navigate their perilous mission.

Dad's Preview: I've always been a lover of unlikely romances. Here we have the uptight, religious spinster, Rose, and the rough, solitary chug boat captain, Charlie. Thrown together by circumstances beyond their control, they are forced to brave a mighty Ulonga-Bora river, which is full of obstacles to bring our two lead actors closer together. Casting Bogart and Hepburn was pure genius. This is definitely one of my top 10 romantic films.

Horizon Pictures, Romulus Pictures; United Artists

Life is a state of mind.

Starring: Peter Sellers, Shirley McLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart,  Richard Basehart, Than Wyenn, David Clennon

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden." - Chauncey The Gardener

Why watch this? It's a creative story about powerful men who see simplicity as wisdom... which it is.

Plot Summary: A simple gardener, Chance, is forced to leave the only home he has ever known after his employer's death. Having only ever see the world through television and gardening, his quaint observations are misinterpreted as profound wisdom by those he encounters in the outside world. Through a series of miscommunications and societal projections, he finds himself becoming an influential figure in Washington politics. Chance even gets the ear of the U.S. President.

Dad's Preview: This tale skirts the borderline between what is and what people want to believe. Nominated for two Academy Awards, I feel this film is its generation's Forrest Gump (1994). As a film pre-viewer, I ask that you be patient, and let this slow-burn film develop. Your reward will be a thought-provoking film ending, and perhaps a little added wisdom.

Lorimar Productions; United Artists

Frank Galvin Has One Last Chance At A Big Case.

Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea, Lindsay Crouse, Edward Binns, Julie Bovasso

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"All I wanted in this case is an even shake. You rushed me into court in five days... my star witness disappears, I can't get a continuance, and I don't give a damn. I'm going up there and I'm going to try it. Let the jury decide." – Frank Galvin

Why watch this? Paul Newman is spectacular in this tense, courtroom drama.

Plot Summary: Has-been lawyer Frank Galvin, facing the end of his career, receives an opportunity to handle a seemingly straightforward medical malpractice suit. Initially inclined to settle, he decides to take the case to trial against a powerful hospital and the Archdiocese of Boston, seeking justice and a chance at personal redemption.

Dad's Preview: Newman portrays a worn-down, broken, alcoholic lawyer who only takes on a medical malpractice case, just to make a quick buck. All is going fine until he starts really diving into the facts of the case. He uncovers a lot more than he, or the judge, ever expected him to find. It all culminates in one of the best courtroom showdowns on film. I really believe that this is Newman's greatest performance. He perfectly portrays a man broken, at the end of his rope, but finally resolved to take a stand and see that justice is achieved. It was nominated for five Oscars, but came away empty-handed.

The Zanuck/Brown Company; 20th Century Fox

The strangest trio ever to track a killer.

Starring: John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glenn Campbell, Robert Duvall, Jeremy Slate, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, John Fieldler

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #41 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of True Grit

"They say he has grit. I wanted a man with grit." - Mattie Ross

Why watch this? For his role as Rooster Cogburn, the Academy finally delivered Best Actor to John Wayne.

Plot Summary: A determined teenager, Mattie Ross, hires a gruff, one-eyed U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn to track down Tom Chaney, the outlaw responsible for her father's murder. They are joined by a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf, also pursuing Chaney for a separate crime. Despite the Marshal's initial reluctance to allow Mattie on their dangerous journey into Indian Territory, her tenacity and courage earn her a place alongside the two lawmen

Dad's Preview: Wayne was in movies all his life, mostly Westerns. He finally won the Best Actor statuette for his role as the cantankerous, one-eyed, bounty hunter Rooster Cogburn. In the film, young Mattie Ross sets to avenging the death of her father. She hires Cogburn because he "has grit". A Texas Ranger joins in and they head into Indian Territory to find the wanted man. This wonderful film, at Wayne's high point, is engrossing, fun, and at times more violent than Wayne's previous oaters. There are many iconic film moments.

Hal B. Wallis; Paramount Pictures

From the imagination of director Tim Burton. An adventure as big as life itself.

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, Danny DeVito

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #37 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Big Fish

"A man tells so many stories, that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal." Will Bloom

Why watch this? It is a visually stunning, creative tale about a wounded son and his eccentric father.

Plot Summary: Will returns home to visit his dying father, Edward Bloom, a man known for his incredible, larger-than-life stories. Frustrated by his father's constant tall tales, Will attempts to uncover the truth behind them, seeking to reconcile the imaginative narratives with the real life his father lived. Through flashbacks and Will's investigation, much is gleaned about the relationship between fact and fiction, the nature of legacy, and a son's journey to understanding his father.

Dad's Preview: Father-Son relationships can be strained. This fantastical, allegorical film deals with this topic. A young man feels he doesn't really know his father. His Dad was an eccentric man who always told wild, farcical stories about his lifey. The Son, now about to be a father himself, is exhausted for the truth. There is a lovely, whimsical quality at play in this true work of cinematic art, and it is thoroughly enjoyable... and Ewan McGregor wins you over.

Columbia Pictures, Jinks-Cohen Co., The Zanuck Co.; Sony Pictures Releasing

A Story Of An Extraordinary Journey.

Starring: Geraldine Page, John Heard, Carlin Glynn, Richard Bradford, Rebecca De Mornay, Kevin Cooney

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

DML Top 50 #36 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Trip to Bountiful

"I guess when you've lived longer than your house and your family, then you've lived long enough." - Mrs. Carrie Watts

Why watch this? ... this Texas tale captures our hearts as a woman longs see her home place.

Plot Summary: Carrie Watts is an elderly woman trapped in a cramped Houston apartment with her over-protective son and bossy daughter-in-law. Longing for the simpler times and peace of her childhood home in Bountiful, Texas, Carrie sets out on a journey despite her family's objections and attempts to stop her.

Dad's Preview: My sister looked sternly at me and said, "You need to watch this movie". "Why?" I asked? "You'll see..." she replied. I could not believe it... Geraldine Page's performance literally is my mother, Elsie. Mrs. Watts is an elderly Texas woman living with her only son and his uppity wife in Houston. Times are hard so they're living on Mrs. Watts' social security checks. She begs them to take her back to her hometown, Bountiful, just one more time. When they won't help her, she sneaks out and catches a bus in that direction. This heartbreaking film is about aging, regret and longing for home. They say you can never go back, but that doesn't mean you still don't miss it. Geraldine Page won the Oscar for Best Actress.

Bountiful Film Partners, FilmDallas Pictures; Island Pictures

The greatest adventure is just getting back home.

Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #35 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Up

"My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you." - Dug

Why watch this? I feel-good story that requires your imagination and suspension of belief.

Plot Summary: Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, embarks on a journey to the wilds of South America in his house, lifted by thousands of balloons, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He unintentionally takes along a stowaway and young Wilderness Explorer named Russell. The unlikely duo encounters adventure, strange creatures, and a surprising revelation about Carl's childhood hero on their journey towards Paradise Falls.

Dad's Preview: In a crowded stable of excellent Pixar-Disney films, this one stands out for me. Perhaps it's Carl, the grumpy old man looking to get away from a world that doesn't want him. Maybe it's Russell, the plump young scout trying to earn his merit badges. It could be Dug, the delightful dog able to "talk" using a voice modulator. Combine these quirky characters with a high-flying, creative premise and you have a winner in my book. It packs a punch, too - You'll be bawling before the opening credits are over.

Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

An Epic Film as Big as The West

Starring: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D. B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, Anjelica Huston, Chris Cooper, Barry Corbin, William Sanderson, Steve Buscemi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #4 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Lonesome Dove

"By god, it ain't dyin' I'm talkin' about, it's livin!" - Gus McCrae to Captain Woodrow Call

Why watch this? An American masterpiece that perfectly balances Western myth and Western realism.

Plot Summary: Two aging former Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, now running a small cattle company near the Texas-Mexico border. Dissatisfied with their routine life, they embark on an ambitious cattle drive to establish a new ranch in the Montana territory, a land described as a cattleman's paradise.

Dad's Preview: This epic saga is unforgettable, with its wonderful characters, converging story lines and brutally honest plot points. Capt. Call is a hard, determined leader. He's kept in step by his more laid-back partner, Gus, whose warm smile reminds me of my grandfather, Charley Straley. Charley was a lifelong Texas rancher... humble, hard-working, intelligent, apolitical. He loved to joke, smoke his pipe and partake in an occasional sip o' whiskey down at the barn's tackroom. He and Gus would have been good buddies, for sure.

Motown Productions; CBS