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Dad's top
20 Anti-Social Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable
Mention |
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Hell or High Water
(2016)
Blood always
follows money.
Director: David Mackenzie, rated R for violence, language
  Starring: Chris
Pine, Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster, Gil Birmingham, Marin
Ireland, Dale Dickey, William Sterchi, Buck Taylor, Kristin K.
Berg
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I am a Comanche. Do you
know what it means? It means 'Enemy to everyone'." - Bear
Why watch this?
This is one, brutally great Texas crime film.
Plot Summary:
After their mother's death, two brothers, a divorced father and
an ex-con, desperately resort to bank robberies to prevent the
foreclosure of their family ranch. Two Texas Rangers, one close
to retirement and his loyal partner, investigate the crimes and
pursue the brothers across West Texas. This creates a compelling
cat-and-mouse narrative exploring themes of desperation, family
loyalty, and societal injustice.
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Dad's Preview:
Texas, with its sparse, angry-poor landscapes, is such a great
setting for crimes bred out of poverty. Hell folks, this is
where I grew up. I recognized the signs to Coleman, Texas and I've walked
those small town streets. Chris Pine
and Ben Foster are stellar as two hard-scrapple brothers. There
is a desperation in their nature. However,
it is Jeff Bridges, as the seasoned Sheriff Hamilton, who
delivers another unforgettable, career-defining, performance. As
a bleak crime film, this sets a new standard. |
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CBS Films, Sidney
Kimmel Ent., OddLot Ent.,
Film 33, LBI Ent.;
Lionsgate
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#20 |
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Léon: The Professional (1994)
He moves without sound. Kills without emotion. Disappears
without trace.
Director: Luc Besson, rated R for violence,
language
Starring: Jean Reno,
Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Michael Badalucco,
Ellen Greene, Peter Appel, Adam Busch
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"The closer you get to
being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife,
for example,
is the last thing you learn."
- Léon
Why watch this?
The story is so honest and unique, and Natalie Portman - she's
amazing!
Plot Summary:
Léon is a solitary professional hitman living in New York City.
His life takes an unexpected turn when he reluctantly takes in
Mathilda, a twelve-year-old girl whose family was tragically
murdered by a corrupt DEA agent and this thugs. A unique and
unconventional bond forms between the two as Mathilda learns
Léon's trade, fueling her desire to seek revenge for her
family's deaths.
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Dad's Preview:
This is one of the rare films that dared to be bold and skirt the edge
of what many might think controversial. It's a beautiful story
about a friendship that forms in a dire, horrible situation.
Throw in an amazing, villainous performance by Gary Oldman, and
this film is becomes a crime classic. I first saw Jean Reno in
Ronin (1998), but fell in
love with him for his performance here. And what can be said
about then eleven-year-old Natalie Portman - she quite
confidently steals the film. |
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Gaumont, Les Films
du Dauphin;
Gaumont Buena Vista Int'l
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#19 |
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Sin City (2005)
Walk down the
right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.
Directors: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, rated R
language, violence, gore, sexuality, nudity
Starring: Jessica
Alba, Benicio del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey
Rourke, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Powers Boothe, Alexis Bledel,
Rutger Hauer, Michael Clarke Duncan
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I'm not going to waste one
minute wondering how I've gotten this lucky. She smells like
angels
ought to smell, the perfect woman... a Goddess. Goldie.
She says her name is Goldie." – Marv
Why watch this?
This engrossing film is really a work of art, albeit it's stylized violence.
Plot Summary:
This story follows a dark, crime-ridden metropolis where several
tough, interconnected characters seek their own form of justice
and redemption. Stories intertwine, focusing on a detective's
efforts to protect a young woman, a brute's quest for revenge
after the murder of his beloved, and a private investigator
caught in a conflict involving powerful forces.
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Dad's Preview:
Equally as unique as Frank Miller's graphic novel by the same
name, this homage-to-noir crime-fest is
visually stunning. Presenting in primarily black-and-white,
stark
colors are infused for effect - red, blue, yellow. There is brutal violence, so be
warned. It is also jam-packed with top-notch actors who bring to life
several quasi-related segments. My favorite character is
Mickey Rourke's, Marv, a stone-faced killer, who lives by his
warped moral
code and has a serious crush on blondes. |
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Dimension Films,
Troublemaker Studios;
Miramax Films
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#18 |
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The Warriors (1979)
These are the Armies of the Night. They are 100,000
strong. They outnumber the cops five to one.
Director: Walter Hill, rated R for language, gang
violence
Starring: Michael
Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, David Harris, David
P. Kelly, Brian Tyler, Tom McKitterick, Marcelino Sanchez, Terry
Michos
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"One gang could run this
city! One gang. Nothing would move without us allowing it to
happen. We could tax
the crime syndicates, the police, because
WE got the streets, suckers! Can you dig it?" - Cyrus
Why watch this? This is one bad-ass film.
Plot Summary: In New
York City, a charismatic gang leader attempts to unite the
city's myriad street gangs at a midnight summit. When this
leader is unexpectedly killed, a Coney Island gang called the
Warriors is wrongly blamed for his death. Now, targeted by every
other gang in the city and pursued by the police, the Warriors
must fight their way across enemy territory to reach the safety
of their home turf in Brooklyn.
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Dad's Preview:
As toxically masculine high school males, most teen boys loved this intense
movie about NYC street gangs (I was one of them). It combines non-stop action and a great rock soundtrack
(which I
played non-stop in my 1979 blue Camaro Z28's 8-track player). At
a secret gang pow-wow in uptown New York City, the rebellion
leader, Cyrus, is killed. The Coney Island Warriors, are framed for murder
and are being hunted. The tough cadre has to battle their way back
home to
Coney, if they can survive. There are great fight scenes. The
film's finale, back on the beach, as dawn
breaks, still hits hard.
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Lawrence Gordon
Productions;
Paramount Pictures
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#17 |
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
(1966)
For Three Men The
Civil War Wasn't Hell. It Was Practice!
Director: Sergio Leone, rated R for language and
violence
Starring:
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Al Mulock, Aldo
Giuffrè, Aldo Sambrell, Benito Stafanelli, Antonio Casale, Livio
Lorenzon, Rada Rassimov, John Bartha, José Terrón, Lorenzo
Robledo, Luigi Pistilli, Mario Brega
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"You see, in this
world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded
guns and those who dig. You dig." -
Blondie
Why watch this?
Director Sergio Leone, and Clint Eastwood, hit the jackpot with
this dirty, grimy Italian horse opera.
Plot Summary: During
the American Civil War, three men, a cool mercenary "The Good",
a greedy bandit "The Ugly", and a ruthless killer "The Bad", are
in a race to find a hidden treasure of Confederate gold. They
must navigate through the war-torn landscape, engaging in
complex alliances and betrayals as they seek the fortune. This
epic spaghetti western is renowned for its iconic characters,
captivating storyline, and legendary score.
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Dad's Preview:
Yes, I know, many feel this is the best Western ever. Not me. I
do like the film, but it's not even Leone's best effort, which
is
Once Upon a Time in the West (1966). It's not even
Leone's best Eastwood film - that would be
A Fistful of
Dollars (1964). That said, this Spaghetti Western has a
ton to offer. It has gun battles, seedy characters, even a
Civil War battle! Eastwood excels as himself, but the real
spotlight goes to the incredible Eli Wallach, a Polish Jew who
made a career playing slimy, Mexican bandits.
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Produzioni Europee
Associati, United Artists
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#16 |
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Eastern Promises
(2007)
Every
sin leaves a mark.
Director: David Cronenberg, rated R for language,
nudity, violence
Starring:
Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Vincent Cassel, Sinéad Cusack,
Jerzy Skolimowski, Donald Sumpter, Josepf Altin
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Forget any of this happened. Stay
away from people like me." -
Nikolai Luzhin
Why watch this? This
is a rock solid, A+ Russian gangster film - a tense crime
thriller.
Plot Summary: Anna,
a London midwife, discovers a diary belonging to a pregnant
teenage girl who dies in childbirth. Her efforts to translate
the Russian-language diary and find the baby's family embroil
her with a powerful Russian crime family that is involved in
human trafficking. Anna finds herself increasingly drawn into a
dangerous world of secrets, violence, and shifting loyalties as
she tries to protect the baby and uncover the truth.
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Dad's Preview:
This new masterpiece from David Cronenberg is smart, intense,
and really solidifies the director as one of the best in his
profession. It's a story about the ultra-dangerous underworld of
the Russian mafia, and how unwise it is for regular people to
encounter or cross them. Watts, as usual, is perfect, but Mortensen, as
"the driver" called Nikolai, delivers maybe the best performance
of his career to date. He's chilling.
The fight scene in the bath house shower is unforgettable. |
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Focus
Features, BBC Films, Astral Media,
Corus Ent., Telefilm
Canada,
Kudos Pics,
Serendipity Point Films, Scion Films; Pathé Dist.
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#15 |
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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
(1969)
You never
met a pair like Butch and The Kid.
Director: George Roy Hill, rated PG
Starring: Paul
Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Jeff
Corey, Henry Jones, George Furth, Cloris Leachman,
Richard Kiel
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"It's
your great ideas that got us into this mess.
I never want to
hear another one of your great ideas. Ever!" -
Sundance Kid
Why watch this?
It's really fun to see Newman and Redford having such a good
time.
Plot Summary: Two
notorious outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, rob banks
and trains in the late 1800s American West. Facing relentless
pursuit by a skilled posse, they flee with Sundance's
girlfriend, Etta Place, to Bolivia seeking a fresh start.
However, their attempts to escape their past lead to a series of
humorous and action-packed events as they continue their
criminal ways.
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Dad's Preview:
This film certainly stands out as different among
Westerns of its time. Newman and Redford portray the famous
real-life bank robbers, Butch and Sundance. The film's quip-filled dialog almost doesn't fit the
era, but I can let that slide, as it helps the
film flow. During the movie, we root for our anti-heroes to
escape the law, get across the Mexican border, and make it to Bolivia.
But even there, they still are wanted men. The lauded film won four Oscars,
a feat unusual for any Western. |
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Campanile
Prod., Newman-Foreman
Co.;
20th Century-Fox
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#14 |
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Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
There were three men in her life. One to take her... one
to love her... and one to kill her.
Director: Sergio Leone, rated PG-13 for Western
violence
Starring: Claudia
Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robarbs, Charles Bronson, Woody
Strode, Cabriele Ferzetti, Jack Elam
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"He's whittlin' on a piece
of wood. I've got a feeling when he stops whittlin'...
Somethin's gonna happen." - Cheyenne
Why watch this?
This Leone Western is as good as they get.
Plot Summary:
Jill McBain, a former prostitute turned landowner, arrives in
the frontier town of Flagstone only to find her new husband and
his children murdered. A ruthless assassin, Frank, working for
railroad baron Morton, is responsible for the murders and has
framed the bandit Cheyenne. A mysterious man, known only as
Harmonica, also arrives seeking revenge against Frank. Jill,
Cheyenne, and Harmonica form an uneasy alliance as they attempt
to hold onto the valuable land that Morton wants for his
railroad.
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Dad's Preview:
Sergio Leone directed many spaghetti Westerns, but this is by
far his magnum opus. There are many Western themes present, but
the line between good guys and bad guys is blurred enough to
really make the story very interesting. The film is large and epic, and
Charles Bronson is wonderful as the "harmonica player".
Then there's the steel-eyed killer, portrayed by the
great Henry Fonda, an actor who rarely played the
villain. The Ennio Morricone soundtrack is
top notch, even by his standards. |
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Euro Int'l Films,
Rafran Cinematografica,
Finanzia San Marco;
Paramount Pic
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Genres:
Action-Adv-West,
West-Classic,
West-Drama,
West-Empire,
West-Epic,
West-Outlaw,
West-Revenge,
West-Revisionist,
West-Spaghetti
Dad's Genres:
Anti-Social,
Slow-Burn,
Sweet-Revenge |
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#13 |
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No Country for Old Men (2007)
There Are No
Clean Getaways
Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen, rated R for language,
violence
Starring:
Tommy Lee
Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald,
Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Beth Grant
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#16 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of No Country
For Old Men
"If the rule you
followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?" -
Anton Chigurh
Why watch this?
This tour de force examines the dangers surrounding the Mexican
drug world.
Plot Summary:
While hunting in the West Texas desert, Llewelyn Moss stumbles
upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and finds a
briefcase containing millions of dollars, which he takes. His
decision sets in motion a violent chase with a ruthless and
enigmatic killer, Anton Chigurh, pursuing Moss and the money
across the landscape. Meanwhile, a jaded, tired Sheriff Ed Tom
Bell investigates the mounting casualties, grappling with the
escalating violence and the unsettling nature of the criminals
involved.
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Dad's Preview:
This Texas story's backdrop is the harsh scrub-brush lands near
the Mexican border, where life is cheap, especially when you are
entwined within the drug trade. The great performances by the
film's cast are almost too many to mention. Jones, Bardem and
Brolin, all certainly own a piece of this film, yet the supporting actors and
actresses also contribute, injecting tons of quirky realism. Every time I watch this, it feels fresh,
cutting-edge, and pertinent in its masterful simplicity. |
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Paramount Vantage,
Scott Rudin Prod.,
Mike Zoss Prod.; Miramax Films
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Genres:
Action-Crime,
Action-Thriller,
Crime-Cops,
Crime-Crooks,
Crime-Drama,
Crime-Thriller,
Crime-Thriller-NeoNoir,
Mystery-Thriller;
Neo-Western
Dad's Genres:
Anti-Social,
Lunatic-Fringe,
Slow-Burn,
Texas-Tales |
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#12 |
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Midnight Run
(1988)
A tough bounty
hunter. A sensitive criminal.
Director: Martin Brest, rated R for strong language.
Starring: Robert De
Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina,
Joe Pantoliano
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Well if you don't shut up,
pretty soon you're gonna suffer from fistaphobia." – Jack
Walsh to "The Duke"
Why watch this?
The exchanges between Grodin and De Niro are priceless.
Plot Summary:
Gruff bounty hunter, Jack Walsh, agrees to a seemingly easy job:
retrieve a mob accountant from New York and bring him back to
Los Angeles. However, the accountant, Jonathan "The Duke"
Mardukas, turns out to be a demanding and eccentric individual
with a fear of flying, forcing the two men on an arduous
cross-country journey by various modes of transportation. As
they travel, they are pursued relentlessly by the FBI, who want
The Duke to testify against his former boss, and by the mob, who
want to silence him permanently, all while facing off against a
rival bounty hunter.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a superb buddy and road movie. It
focuses on two
polar opposite characters: one is a tough bail bondsman, Jack; the
other, a meek, soft-spoken mob accountant known as Jonathan "The Duke"
Mardukus.
Suffice it to say this film is packed with FBI agents, the Mob,
chases, and rides in planes, trains and automobiles. That said, I
savored the small
scenes: scamming cash from Red's Bar, Jack's hurried visit to
his estranged wife and daughter, and the film's perfect ending.
What really impressed me was the humor, especially from
non-comedic actors De Niro and Grodin - they play so well off
each other. |
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City Lights Films;
Universal Pictures
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#11 |
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Prepare to be
blown out of the water.
Director: Gore Verbinski, rated PG-13 for undead violence, scary scenes
Starring: Johnny Depp,
Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce,
Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Zoe Saldana
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#49 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of Curse of the
Black Pearl
"You
best start believin' in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in
one!" - Capt. Barbossa
Why watch this?
It's piraty. It's spooky. It's Knightley. It's Deppy.
Plot Summary:
Blacksmith Will Turner and eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow
team up to rescue Elizabeth Swann, the daughter of Governor
Swann, after she is kidnapped by pirates of the Black Pearl.
This perilous journey involves commandeering a ship, recruiting
a motley crew, and confronting the treacherous Captain Barbossa,
a former ally of Jack, who stole his ship.
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Dad's Preview:
I like heroes. I also like them covered in dirt. They need a
murky past. Tattoos are good - and a quirky personality. This
film struck a gold mine by casting Johnny Depp (BTW, Hugh
Jackman was Disney's first choice) as Captain Jack Sparrow, and his
performance knocks the film out of the Disney theme park ride
that inspired it. The plot and special effects are superb in
this swashbuckling, supernatural, pirate adventure. "Yo ho!" |
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Walt Disney
Pics, Jerry Bruckheimer Films;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.
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#10 |
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Thelma & Louise (1991)
Somebody said
get a life... so they did.
Director: Ridley Scott, Rated R for language,
sexual situations
Starring: Susan
Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen,
Christopher McDonald, Brad Pitt
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You said you 'n' me was
gonna get out of town and for once just really let our hair
down.
Well, darlin', look out, 'cause my hair is comin' down!" -
Thelma
Why watch this? ...
it has Elsie's "Golden Stamp of Approval". Ladies, time to cut loose!
Plot Summary:
Two best friends, Thelma and Louise, decide to escape their
mundane lives for a weekend getaway. Their plans take an
unexpected turn when an act of self-defense leads them on the
run from the law. As they flee towards Mexico, the women
rediscover their strength and the unbreakable bond of their
friendship while navigating a series of perilous encounters.
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Dad's Preview:
My mom absolutely loved this flick. When I finally watched it, I
could see why. It was fiercely female, and very personal to her.
It follows two women who are
tired of "taking it" from men and the male-centric system. They set
out on a road adventure determined to live... for possibly the first time in their lives!
My Mom was the perfect wife and mother. All that got her was a lousy divorce,
and a broken heart. Sarandon and Davis are perfect for the lead
roles. |
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Pathé Ent., Percy Main Prod.,
Star Partners
III Ltd.;
MGM-Pathé Comm.
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#9 |
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The Searchers
(1956)
The Biggest,
Roughest, Toughest ...and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made!
Director: John Ford, rated Approved
Starring: John Wayne,
Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen, Olive
Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr.
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#8 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of The Searchers
"Seems like he never
learns there's such a thing as a critter that'll just keep comin'
on. So we'll find 'em in the end,
I promise you. We'll find 'em.
Just as sure as the turnin' of the earth."
– Ethan Edwards,
referring to the Indians who kidnapped Debbie
Why watch this?
Basically to watch the greatest Western ever made.
Plot Summary:
Confederate veteran Ethan Edwards has returned to his brother's
Texas homestead only to find it raided by Comanches, his family
massacred, and his niece Debbie abducted. Fueled by a complex
mix of hatred and a desire for vengeance, Ethan embarks on a
years-long search with Debbie's adopted brother, and half-breed,
Martin.
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Dad's Preview:
This is by far the most complex character in John Wayne's
long, storied career. Set in the stark, beautiful desert landscape of
Monument Valley, famous director John Ford masterfully delivers
this Western odyssey filled with danger, tragedy, and two lost
men - determined to rescue a kidnapped family relative, young
Debbie. After years of making
movies together, Ford knew
Wayne could create a compelling, conflicted character, and not just play
himself. Throw in our history's racism towards Native
Americans, and you've got a powerful film. The
final scene forever belongs to cinematic history. Wayne deserved
the Oscar for Best Actor, in my opinion.
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C.V. Whitney
Pictures; Warner Bros.
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#8 |
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X2: X-Men United
(2003)
The time has come for those who are different to stand
united
Director: Bryan Singer, rated PG-13 for sci-fi
violence
Starring: Patrick
Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen,
James Marsden, Rebecca Romjin-Stamos, Brian Cox, Allan Cumming,
Bruce Davison, Anna Panquin
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You are a god among
insects. Never let anyone tell you different." – Magneto
Why watch this?
It outdoes the original film with a better story and stronger
performances.
Plot Summary: When
an assassination attempt on the President of the United States
occurs, seemingly by a mutant, it ignites a new wave of
anti-mutant hysteria. The X-Men find themselves targeted by
Colonel William Stryker, a military scientist with a past
connection to Wolverine, who has discovered Professor Xavier’s
school and plans to use a modified Cerebro to launch a
devastating attack on the mutant population. Faced with an
existential threat, the X-Men are forced to form an uneasy
alliance with their old adversary, Magneto.
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Dad's Preview:
The original
X-Men (2000) was pretty darn good, but this film is better
and more fun. X2 finds the two opposing mutant factions (The X-Men
and Magneto's band of baddies) heading for a climactic final
battle. The cast members are more comfortable in their roles. The
concept regarding mutant acceptance into the world continues to be
explored, and we are introduced to the new "mutant cure". How
this plays out will change the X-Men forever. |
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Marvel Ent. Group,
The Donner's Co.,
Bad Hat Harry Prod.;
20th Century Fox
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#7 |
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Yojimbo
(1961)
Better if all
these men were dead. Think about it!
Director: Akira Kurosawa, Not rated (Dad's
guess: PG-13)
Starring:
Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yoko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Katō,
Takashi Shimura, Kamatari Fujiwara, Atsushi Watanabe
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I get paid for
killing. And this town is full of men who deserve to die." -
Yojimbo
Why watch this? This
Japanese samurai film is as good and any American
Western.
Plot Summary: This
tale features a wandering rōnin looking to sell his sword
to the highest bidder. By chance, he lands in a small town
locked in a vicious power struggle between two bickering bosses.
At first he plays both sides against each other, but finally
decides to rid the town of both. He is caught, however, and
beaten almost to death.
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Dad's Preview:
The stern Toshiro Mifune stars as this Kurosawa film's anti-hero, and he is
unforgettable. This classic
has action, humor, and biting satire regarding the Japanese
feudal system, where warring gangs invaded and terrorized
innocent villages. It's considered one of the
greatest Japanese films ever made, and has influenced American Western films,
none more than Sergio Leone's
A Fistfull of Dollars
(1964). |
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Kurosawa
Production; Toho
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#6 |
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Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Just One Man Can
Make A Difference.
Director: George Miller, rated R for
violence, language, rape
Starring: Mel
Gibson, Bruce Spence, Mike Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells,
Emil Minty, Kjell Nilsson, Virginia Hey, William Zappa
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"We've all lost someone we
love. But we do it my way! Fear is our ally. The gasoline will
be ours.
Then you shall have your revenge.” – Lord Humungus
Why watch this? A bigger budget helped
the second Max film cement its place in
post-apocalyptic film lore.
Plot Summary:
Following a global war and civilization's collapse, loner Max
scavenges the Australian wasteland for fuel and supplies. He
encounters a small community defending their oil refinery from a
ruthless biker gang led by deformed Lord Humungus. Max,
initially seeking only his own advantage, eventually agrees to
help the community transport their precious fuel in a desperate
bid for freedom and survival.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a mercilessly violent film set in a future where the
powerful enact their will upon those unable to defend
themselves. Good people are raped, tortured and murdered by
roving bands of brutal psychopaths; this is not
a place for the weak. Into this hell-scape rides Max, a
damaged ex-road cop who reluctantly helps those in need. It's a powerful film,
with Gibson at his brooding best. Director George Miller knows that
compelling villains make a film great, here we are graced with
the massive gang leader, called The Humongous, a man of
incredible strength; and his main henchman, the mohawked-maniac,
Wez. The vehicle stunts are
incredible. The road's open, see you in the wasteland... |
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Kennedy Miller
Productions; Roadshow
Film Dist., Warner Bros.
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#5 |
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Gone
with the Wind (1939)
The most
magnificent picture ever!
Director: Victory Fleming, rated G
Starring: Clark
Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Thomas
Mitchell, Hattie McDaniel, Ona Munson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I'm
going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be
hungry again. No, nor any of my folk.
If I have to lie, steal,
cheat or kill, as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry
again." - Scarlett O'Hara
Why watch this?
... the burning of Atlanta, which is a spectacle on screen to behold.
Plot Summary:
It follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a spoiled, rich plantation debutante.
Then the Civil War begins... As the South's eventual loss
becomes evident, Atlanta is burned. In the aftermath, Scarlett
finally returns to her devastated plantation home. With her
father dead, she has a fight on her hands to keep it. Luckily,
the noble scoundrel, Rhett Butler, gives her aid.
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Dad's Preview:
This is the great American story of the Old South. As I have watched this film through the years,
my affection for Scarlett has evolved. This is her journey from
brat to strong survivor... and how she becomes a strong
woman. The film is about her and
the many conflicts she endures. My Mom loved this historical
epic and swooned over the
handsome Clark Gable and his confident charm. Many have
called this a "racist" film - I disagree. Yes, it portrays a
racist South, yet also gave us an admirable black character in
Hattie McDaniel as the strong-willed servant, Mammy. She was the
first African American to win and Academy Award (for Best
Supporting Actress). |
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Selznick
International Pictures,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer;
Loew's Inc.
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#4 |
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Logan
(2017)
ONE LAST TIME.
Director: James Mangold, rated R for language,
super-hero violence
Starring: Hugh
Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook,
Stephen Merchant, Dafne Keen
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Nature made me a
freak. Man made me a weapon. And God made it last too long." -
Logan
Why watch this?
...it is a poignant finale for one of film's great super-hero personas.
Plot Summary:
In 2029, a worn-down Logan, aka Wolverine, cares for an ailing
Professor Charles Xavier in a secluded hideout near the Mexican
border. Their quiet existence is upended when a young mutant
girl, Laura, with powers akin to Logan's, seeks his protection
from pursuing dark forces. Reluctantly, Logan and Xavier embark
on a dangerous journey to escort Laura to a rumored safe haven.
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Dad's Preview:
Hugh Jackson did it the right way. He won the role of Marvel's
Wolverine and made it
his own. He respected the part, and never disappointed the fans.
This is a wonderfully violent send-off thanks to Jackson and
Patrick Stewart, reprising his role as Professor X. It started with them, and
should end with them. I'm sad to see him retire. I'll miss that
scowl. It was a great ride. Thank you, Hugh!
(Update - Hugh's back in the new
Deadpool
& Wolverine (2024).) |
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Marvel Ent.,
Kinberg Genre, Hutch Parker Prod.,
The Donners' Co.,
TSG Ent.;
20th Century Fox
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#3a |
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Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Here comes the
bride
Director: Quentin Tarantino, rated R for
violence/language
Starring: Uma
Thurman, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Julie Dreyfus,
Chiaki Kuriyama, Michael Parks, Vivica A. Fox, Michael
Madsen, Gordon Liu, Michael Bowen
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I can tell you, with no
ego, this is my finest sword. If, on your journey, should you
encounter God,
God will be cut." – Hattori Hanzo
Why watch this?
Uma Thurman is a tour de force!
Plot Summary:
A former assassin, left for dead on her wedding day, awakens
from a coma and embarks on a global quest for revenge. Seeking
to eliminate those who betrayed her, she confronts members of
the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad one by one. The first
volume culminates in a brutal showdown in Tokyo, where she faces
a prominent former colleague turned criminal underworld leader.
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Dad's Preview:
I was not a huge Tarantino fan until this blew me away. Yes, it romanticizes
murderous assassins. It is violent. Many of the main characters
are beautiful. Yet, it works and how. This is definitely a woman's story
filled with strong ladies, all just as deadly as their male
counterparts. The fight scenes are choreographed so perfectly.
The final battle at the House of Blue Leaves restaurant
alone is worth the price of admission! Uma is a force. And I was impressed by
Chiaki Kuriyama, as
deadly femme fatale GoGo Yubari. |
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A Band Apart;
Miramax Films
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#3b |
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Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)
Revenge is a
dish best served cold.
Director: Quentin Tarantino, rated R for violence/language
Starring: Uma
Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Gordon Liu, Michael Parks,
Bo Svenson, Larry Bishop, Clark Middleton
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"That woman deserves her
revenge, and we deserve to die… But then again, so does she.
So
I guess we'll just see... won't we?" – Budd
Why watch this?
... the bride's showdown with Elle in
Budd's double-wide. Keep an eye out.
Plot Summary:
Following her murderous spree in the first film, The Bride
continues her quest for revenge against the remaining members of
the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and their enigmatic leader,
Bill. Her journey involves confronting former colleagues,
recalling her intensive martial arts training under a strict
master, and facing unexpected twists related to her past with
Bill. Ultimately, The Bride seeks to complete her mission and
find a new beginning away from her violent past.
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Dad's Preview:
The conclusion to this tale of bloody revenge does keep pace
with
Kill Bill: Part I
(2003). We're shown the Bride enduring the tough training under the master, Pai Mai,
who previously trained that bastard, Bill.
It's this very training that helps her survive being buried alive.
She and Elle meet in glorious combat. Bill's motivations
are finally explained. The finale is perfect. Instead of
a big, elaborate showdown, it begins as an intimate, civil
discussion between two former lovers, guilty of simply looking out for their child...
but they're both be paid killers. It's
personal, and that makes it all the more engaging. |
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A Band Apart;
Miramax Films
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#2 |
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Star Wars (1977)
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Director: George Lucas, rated PG for sci-fi
violence
Starring:
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford,
Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny
Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#10a -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of Star Wars
"Hokey religions and
ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side,
kid." – Han Solo
Why watch this? This
is the film that started everything: Jedis. Wookies. Skywalkers.
Lucas. Ford. Industrial Light & Magic.
Plot Summary:
A young farm boy, Luke Skywalker, gets swept up in a galactic
rebellion after discovering a message from a captured princess.
With the help of a wise mentor, a roguish pilot, his furry
co-pilot, and two droids, Luke embarks on a mission to rescue
the princess and join the fight against the oppressive Galactic
Empire. This unlikely band of heroes must confront the Empire's
powerful new weapon, the Death Star.
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Dad's Preview:
The premise seemed childish to me, and at age 15, I was focused
on raunchy teen films, not kid movies. That all melted away when I
begrudgingly sat through
Star Wars with my much younger niece and nephew. The film's heart is young Luke Skywalker, a boy
from a farm who longs to escape his "boring" existence. He wants
to get out there and join the fight against the galaxy's evil
Empire. That young farm boy, literally, was me. Sure the aliens and space
battles are great sci-fi, but it's the characters, and how
relatable they are to everyday folks, that makes it such a great
film. It would blow up the box office, sell zillions of toys and
such, and bring in the needed cash for Lucas to make an even
better
Part 2. |
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Lucasfilm Ltd.;
20th Century Fox
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#1 |
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Dirty
Harry (1971)
Detective Harry Callahan. He doesn't break murder cases.
He smashes them.
Director: Don Siegel, rated R for violence, language
Starring: Clint
Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John
Vernon, John Larch, Woodrow Parfrey
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You've got to ask yourself
one question: Do I feel lucky?
Well, do ya... punk?" – Harry
Callahan
Why watch this?
... for
Eastwood's performance - a stoic man-of-action with an engaging charisma.
Plot Summary:
Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is a no-nonsense San Francisco
cop with unorthodox methods. He's assigned to track down a
deranged serial killer nicknamed "Scorpio" who is holding the
city ransom with a series of murders. Callahan must navigate
bureaucratic obstacles and legal limitations to bring the
psychopathic killer to justice, even if it means bending the
rules.
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Dad's Preview:
Before Dirty Harry, Eastwood was mostly known for his
Spaghetti Westerns. This film broadened his appeal and boosted his journey to mega-stardom. Harry
Callahan is the
detective that gets the worse assignments. Why? Because he gets the
dirty jobs done - his way. His theme song should be Dirty
Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. Anyway... he's tasked with stopping a
killer called the "Scorpio Killer" (convincingly played by Andy Robinson).
I was surprised to find Eastwood so likeable - the man does exude an
irresistible charm. |
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The
Malpaso Company; Warner Bros.
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