Five Criminals. One Line Up. No Coincidence.

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite, Suzy Amis, Giancarlo Esposito, Dan Hedaya

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"After that, my guess is that you'll never hear from him again. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that... he's gone." - Roger "Verbal" Kint

Why watch this? The ending twist elevates this above-average heist film.

Plot Summary: Five criminals are arrested and thrown into jail. There, they hatch a revenge operation against the police, then get wrapped up into doing another job. When this drug pick-up goes awry, the gang starts to piece together a common enemy they have all betrayed. His name is Keyser Söze, a murderous mob legend, who many don't even believe exists. However, the five crooks are requested to a meeting with an associate of Mr. Söze's called Mr. Kobayashi. This kicks things into high-gear.

Dad's Preview: The suspects is a perfectly cast movie. A young del Toro entertains in his quirky role. Kevin Spacey steals the show as the gimpy, brow-beaten Verbal - he narrates most of the film's plot revelations (and there's a reason for that). This is a top-notch action film you need to see. Did I mention the film's twist-ending? It's mind-blowing!

PolyGram Filmed Ent., Bad Hat Harry Films, Blue Parrot Prod., Spelling Films Int'l;
Gramercy Pictures

The border is just another line to cross.

Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, Jon Bernthal, Maximiliano Hernández, Victor Garber, Daniel Kaluuya, Julio Cesar Cedillo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You should move to a small town, somewhere the rule of law still exists. You will not survive here. You are not a wolf, and this is a land of wolves now." - Alejandro

Why watch this? It will help you understand the brutal drug war border states faces every day.

Plot Summary: This intense film follows a female DEA officer who wants to make a difference. She is assigned to an experienced team working on a big drug bust. She quickly learns that things work very differently than the black and white world she's used to. She's also in way over her head.

Dad's Preview: Del Toro once again chews up every scene with his ability to portray the tough guy with a touch of heart. The scene where they infiltrate the drug tunnel at night using infrared goggles is heart-stopping! The driving, suspenseful soundtrack is beyond powerful, as is the stark desert backdrop. If you want an education on the real war on drugs, this is it.

Black Label Media, Thunder Road; Lionsgate

Never stop fighting till the fight is done

Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Robert De Niro, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!" – Jim Malone

Why watch this? A great, if romanticized, account of the Elliott Ness story.

Plot Summary: Federal Agent Eliot Ness arrives in Prohibition-era Chicago, determined to bring down the notoriously powerful and corrupt gangster Al Capone. Facing widespread corruption within the city's police force, Ness realizes that traditional methods are insufficient to tackle Capone's illegal empire. He assembles a small team of trustworthy lawmen who are unburdened by fear or bribes to confront the ruthless crime boss and his network of organized crime.

Dad's Preview: Elliott Ness and his deputies (called Untouchables) went after notorious gangster Al Capone in Chicago during the 1920's. This film by Brian De Palma is superb - Connery finally won an Oscar for his portrayal of beat cop, Jim Malone. Costner is steady as Ness, but Robert De Niro, who gained weight to play the part, steals the show as the brutal, tough Capone.

Art Linson; Paramount Pictures

When "Popeye" cuts loose, anything goes!

Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"All right, Popeye's here! Get your hands on your heads, get off the bar, and get on the wall!" - Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle

Why watch this? It remains a pinnacle film in its crime action genre.

Plot Summary: New York City narcotics detectives, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo are investigating a major heroin smuggling operation spanning from Marseille, France, to New York. Their relentless pursuit of French drug kingpin Alain Charnier, known as "Frog One," leads them through tense stakeouts, dangerous surveillance, and iconic car chases through the streets of New York.

Dad's Preview: It tells the story of NYPD detectives Popeye Doyle and Cloudy Russo. Base on a true story, this film is action-packed, but manages to elevate above the cops and robber films of that time period. Hackman's portrayal is brutal and unforgiving. He's not a heroic figure, but he gets his man. The film won 5 of 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Hackman).

Philip D'Antoni Productions, Schine-Moore Productions; 20th Century Fox

The Master of Suspense presents a 2000-mile chase across America!

Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Martin Landau, Leo G. Carroll, Edward Platt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed." - Roger Thornhill

Why watch this? Cary Grant is superb as a mistaken man forced to survive a nasty situation.

Plot Summary: Manhattan advertising executive Roger Thornhill is mistakenly identified as a government agent named George Kaplan by foreign spies. He is thrust into a dangerous world of intrigue, pursued across the country by the spies and the police who believe him to be a murderer. As he tries to unravel the mystery and clear his name, he encounters a beautiful, enigmatic woman whose allegiances are unclear.

Dad's Preview: I keep coming back to this Hitchcock classic. In the ultimate case of mistaken identity, Roger Thornhill, an ordinary advertising executive, finds himself pursued by murderous henchmen, dodging a crop-dusting bi-plane attack, and scaling the heights of Mt. Rushmore! It's tense and tightly written, with superb dialogue. This film works because of Cary Grant, who, at the time, was at the top of his game in Hollywood.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1964. When America was at war with itself.

Starring: Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Emery, Gailard Sartain, Michael Rooker

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Down here, things are different; here, they believe that some things are worth killing for." - Anderson

Why watch this? ... Gene Hackman's visit to the private social club.

Plot Summary: In 1964, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, two FBI agents with starkly different methods are dispatched to a small Mississippi town to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights workers. They face a community steeped in racial prejudice and a local law enforcement system that proves resistant to their inquiries, seemingly complicit in the unfolding events. As the agents delve deeper, they uncover a deeply entrenched network of racism and violence, forcing them to confront the town's secrets and the dangers inherent in challenging the status quo in the segregated South.

Dad's Preview: This film is great for two reasons. First, it tells the true story of three missing civil rights college students who went missing in Mississippi - a story that needs to be told. Second, it unleashes Gene Hackman on a bunch of Southern racists who think they are above the law because the local sheriff is in on their deplorable activity. This film is an exposé on the Klan and the deep bigoted hate of the Old South. The cast is superb. Look for a young Frances McDormand in a key role.

Frederick Zollo, Robert F. Colesberry; Orion Pictures

Every sin leaves a mark.

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.

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, who delivers maybe the best performance of his career to date. He's chilling. The fight scene in the bath house shower is unforgettable.

Focus Features, BBC Films, Astral Media, Corus Ent., Telefilm Canada,
Kudos Pictures, Serendipity Point Films, Scion Films; Pathé Distribution

No One Gets Away Clean

Starring: Don Cheadle, Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Erika Chistensen, Jacob Vargas, Miguel Ferrer, Tomas Milian, Amy Irving, Topher Grace, Albert Finney, James Brolin, Benjamin Bratt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"If there is a war on drugs, then many of our family members are the enemy. And I don't know how you wage war on your own family." – Robert Wakefield, U.S. Drug Tsar

Why watch this? It drives home that drugs are here, and the war is in our homes.

Plot Summary: This is a multi-narrative exploration of the illegal drug trade, from various perspectives including law enforcement, politicians, traffickers, and users. One storyline follows a judge appointed as the US drug czar, grappling with his new role while discovering his daughter's drug addiction. A second thread focuses on two DEA agents tracking drug distribution across the US-Mexico border, leading to the arrest of a major trafficker. The third narrative delves into the complex world of a jailed drug lord's wife who tries to navigate and maintain the family business.

Dad's Preview: This powerful film is a harsh blast of truth into the average suburban citizen's life, as it tells the story of drug use in the United States, and I am not talking pot. It covers all the related topics and gets down and dirty. There are unforgettable scenes that will make you flinch. It portrays its characters realistically - nobody is truly good or bad. Del Toro's performance really stands out as the Mexican cop working against the drug trade from the other side of the border. It is a parental must see.

Bedford Falls Prod., Laura Bickford Prod., Initial Ent. Group; USA Films

The strangest damned gang you ever heard of. They're young. They're in love. They rob banks.

Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Denver Pyle, Dub Taylor, Gene Wilder

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"This here's Miss Bonnie Parker. I'm Clyde Barrow. We rob banks." - Clyde Barrow

Why watch this? To many Southwestern poor folks, the Barrow gangsters were heroes. Texas lawmen saw it differently.

Plot Summary: During the Great Depression, a bored waitress named Bonnie Parker meets ex-con Clyde Barrow and they begin a crime spree across America. As they rob banks and evade law enforcement, their exploits become more violent. The film follows their love story and growing notoriety as they become infamous criminals.

Dad's Preview: This story chronicles real-life, Texas-born, bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who pillaged in the South during the Great Depression. It all but immortalized Dunaway and Beatty for their performances. This film introduced a more realistic type of film-making, breaking more grittier ground. The violence is sometimes hard-to-watch. The film's brutal ending is now considered one of cinema's most iconic moments.

Warner Bros. Pictures; Warner Bros.-Seven Arts

"As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster." -- Henry Hill, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1955.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Sivero, Tony Darrow, Mike Starr, Frank Vincent, Chuck Low

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You took your first pinch like a man, and you learned the two most important things in life. You listenin'? Never rat on your friends, and ALWAYS keep your mouth shut." - Jimmy "The Gent" Conway

Why watch this? A superb mobster film with great performances from the film's stars.

Plot Summary: This epic chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill, an Irish-Italian American who, from a young age, became involved with the Mafia in a working-class Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins working for local gangsters and climbs the ranks, eventually becoming a trusted associate, alongside Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. The film explores the allure and brutality of their lifestyle, showing how the trio navigate the world of organized crime through robberies, extortion and violence.

Dad's Preview: Another great Brooklyn mob film from Scorcese. This is a great education on mob wise guys, and their code as they conduct numerous illegal activities. There are three main characters: Jimmy (De Niro), a truck hijacker and gangster; Henry (Liotta) who fences for Jimmy, and Tommy (Pesci), the pint-sized, loose-cannon muscle who loves to pick fights and commit murder. This film is violent and does not at all glamorize the lifestyle, but it's well-done, with some great performances. And Pesci, man, he's that one guy you never want to cross paths with, 'cause he'll kill ya.

Irwin Winkler Productions; Warner Bros.

Get Ready For Rush Hour.

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper, Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton, Alan Ruck, Glenn Plummer, Richard Lineback, Beth Grant

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"A bomb is made to explode. That's its meaning. Its purpose. Your life is empty because you spend it trying to stop the bomb from becoming. And for who? For what? You know what a bomb is, Jack, that doesn't explode? It's a cheap gold watch, buddy." – Howard Payne

Why watch this? ... it's the high-speed action film to beat all others... and without CGI.

Plot Summary: Speed features LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven who finds himself in a deadly game with a vengeful bomber named Howard Payne. Payne rigs a city bus with an explosive device that will detonate if its speed drops below 50 miles per hour. Traven boards the speeding bus to try and disarm the bomb and save the passengers, with a passenger named Annie Porter forced to take the wheel after the driver is injured.

Dad's Preview: This action, and I mean ACTION, thriller broke open the careers of hunky Keanu Reeves and spit-fire Sandra Bullock. A city bus is rigged with a bomb. It has to stay above 55 mph or the bus will explode. Only hunky Jack Travern, and this team of explosive experts, can save the passengers and catch the bomber. This flick is fun and intense from its onset. Bullock is so damn cute as the passenger unwillingly forced to drive the huge city bus. Buckle your seat belts and hang on!

Mark Gordon Company; 20th Century Fox

A big city cop. A small country boy. They have nothing in common ...but a murder.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Jan Rubeš, Danny Glover, Josef Sommer, Alexander Godunov, Brent Jennings, Patti LuPone

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"No, no hospital... gunshot wound, they have to file a report. And if they file a report, they find me. And if they find me, they find the boy." – John Book

Why watch this? It is a brilliant film juxtaposing the peaceful Amish culture against urban violence.

Plot Summary: When a young Amish boy witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, a detective goes undercover in the boy's rural Amish community to protect him from the killers. The detective must navigate the unfamiliar world of the Amish while trying to identify and avoid the dangerous individuals responsible for the crime. The film explores the stark contrast between the detective's violent world and the peaceful, traditional Amish lifestyle

Dad's Preview: Using the Pennsylvania Amish community as the backdrop for a crime thriller was an incredible idea. This is one of Harrison Ford's best acting efforts as a tough Philly detective who is forced to hide a young Amish boy from corruption in his own police department. The film is both warm and pleasant, yet extremely intense at times. An incredible musical score enhances the idyllic countryside scenes. This received 8 Oscar nominations (winning Best Screenplay and Best Editing).

Edward S. Feldman Prod.; Paramount Pictures

A tough bounty hunter. A sensitive criminal.

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.

Dad's Preview: This is a superb buddy and/or 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 "The Duke". Suffice it to say this film is packed with FBI agents, the Mob, car chases, and train rides. That said, I really enjoy 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.

City Lights Films; Universal Pictures

An offer you can't refuse.

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. Okay? I want you to leave it all to me." - Don Corleone

Why watch this? This is ground-zero for the films about the Italian mobsters.

Plot Summary: The story follows the powerful Corleone crime family in the post-WWII era, led by the aging patriarch, Don Vito Corleone. His youngest son, Michael, initially seeks to avoid the family business and live a legitimate life after serving in the war. However, a series of challenging events and shifting alliances force Michael to confront his family's legacy and his own destiny within the criminal underworld.

Dad's Preview: The first two Godfather films are at the top of all most movie lists. I resisted for quite a while. I mean, the mob is being glamorized - the Corleone family are portrayed as the "good guys". But, it is a fact that this kind of mob conduct was a real thing, and I am all about historical films. It's a great, award-winning effort. Brando and Pacino are excellent; the supporting cast is outstanding (Duvall, Caan, Keaton). It deserves its place at the top. I do love it, too - bloody violence and horse heads included.

Alfran Productions; Paramount Pictures

Sicily 1912. Little Italy, New York 1915. Las Vegas 1958. Cuba 1959. Washington 1962.
Miami 1972. The rise and fall of the Corleone empire.

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, G. D. Spradlin, Richard Bright

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"My father taught me many things here - he taught me in this room. He taught me: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." – Michael Corleone

Why watch this? This film gives us Don's origin story, and Michael's bloody rise to power.

Plot Summary: There are two interwoven narratives: one follows Michael Corleone in the late 1950s as he expands his family's criminal enterprise, and the other depicts his father Vito's youth and rise to power in New York City in the early 20th century. The film explores the themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal within the context of organized crime and the Corleone family. Both Vito and Michael navigate a dangerous world where they are forced to make difficult decisions that impact their families and the people around them.

Dad's Preview: This sequel, in my opinion, out-paces the original. It covers more ground and gives us the history we need regarding Don Corleone's early days in the slums of New York City. Michael's reign is also fleshed out as head of the family. We gasp as he ruthlessly has his enemies killed. He wisely trusts no one, and will maintain the family's position of power. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Director and Supporting Actor (De Niro). I personally love the performance by John Cazale as Fredo, Michael's doomed older brother.

The Coppola Company; Paramount Pictures

Anyone is an enemy for a price.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Of course I'm afraid! You think I'm reluctant because I'm happy?" - Sam

Why watch this? This may be Frankenheimer's best film. It's smart, well-paced and full of intrigue.

Plot Summary: A group of international mercenaries are hired to steal a mysterious briefcase from heavily armed convoys and then navigate shifting loyalties to deliver it to its rightful owners. The team, comprising ex-military and intelligence operatives from various backgrounds, must work together, despite not entirely trusting each other, to complete the mission.

Dad's Preview: This is a superb action film from the master himself, John Frankenheimer. It features a group of secretive people with special skills, assembled to steal a mysterious case "from men intent on keeping it". The fewer questions the better. De Niro and Reno join a stellar cast as the story, wrought with deception and double-crosses, unfolds. De Niro is one tough hombre. Is it all about the contents of the case, or could it be something much larger?

United Artists, FGM Entertainment; MGM Dist. Co.

If these two can learn to stand each other... the bad guys don't stand a chance.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Lycia Naff

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You make it through tomorrow without killing anybody, especially me, or yourself, then I'll start trusting you." - Roger Murtaugh

Why watch this? ... it's Mel Gibson when he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year.

Plot Summary: Roger Murtaugh is a seasoned LAPD detective celebrating his 50th birthday. He's partnered with Martin Riggs, a younger, emotionally unstable detective with a death wish following his wife's recent passing. Their initial investigation into an apparent suicide leads them down a path of drug trafficking and former Special Forces mercenaries.

Dad's Preview: This awesome action film started the cop buddy genre, and is easily the best. It also catapulted Mel Gibson to the top of the A-list. For half the film, we think his character, Riggs, is literally insane. However, when things get dicey due to involvement with some really bad drug smugglers, Riggs and his special skillsets, come in real handy. Danny Glover, as Lt. Murtaugh, a good cop on the verge of retirement, is excellent as Riggs' grumpy police partner.

Silver Pictures; Warner Bros.

Detective Harry Callahan. He doesn't break murder cases. He smashes them.

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.

Dad's Preview: Before Dirty Harry, Eastwood was mostly known for his Spaghetti Westerns. This film boosted his journey to mega-stardom. Harry is the detective that gets the worse assignments. Why? Because he gets the dirty jobs done - his way. Here, he's tasked with stopping a killer called "Scorpio" (convincingly played by Andy Robinson). I was surprised to find him so likeable - the man does exude an irresistible charm.

The Malpaso Company; Warner Bros.

40 Stories Of Sheer Adventure!

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Gudunov, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, De'voreaux White, Paul Gleason, William Atherton

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #47 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Die Hard

"Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mister Cowboy?" - Hans Gruber

Why watch this? It's the action film by which all action films are compared.

Plot Summary: This crime story centers on New York City cop John McClane, who travels to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his estranged wife and their children. While attending his wife's company Christmas party at the Nakatomi high-rise, criminals take over the building and hold everyone hostage, except for McClane who escapes detection. He then must single-handedly fight the criminals to save the hostages, including his wife.

Dad's Preview: The real genius (beside loveable, compelling lead actors; interesting supporting characters; a creative, fresh plot; perfect pacing; breath-taking special effects) is the relationship between the hero, NYC cop John McClane, and the criminal mastermind, Hans Gruber. It drives everything and both are equally charismatic and complex. It's action film 101 - and Die Hard is teaching the class.

Gordon Company, Silver Pictures; 20th Century Fox

There Are No Clean Getaways

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.

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 certainly own the film, but the supporting actors and actresses also contribute, injecting tons of realism. Every time I watch this, it feels fresh, cutting-edge, and pertinent in its masterful simplicity.

Paramount Vantage, Scott Rudin Prod., Mike Zoss Prod.; Miramax Films

To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madman.

Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons, Charles Napier

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #13 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Silence of the Lambs

"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. You fly back to school now, little Starling." – Dr. Hannibal Lecter

Why watch this? ... it's a lethal combination of everything important to great filmmaking.

Plot Summary: FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the help of the imprisoned, cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to gain insight into the mind of another elusive murderer known as Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill has been abducting and murdering young women, removing their skin as part of his twisted scheme.

Dad's Preview: This film... damn! It's part psychological thriller, part pure horror-fest. Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lector, a brilliant forensic psychiatrist AND serial killer. Also excellent is the performance by Jodie Foster, the eager FBI trainee who interfaces with Lecter. This film is simply one of those movies that bumps past all others on its way to the top. It is a perfect film.  

Strong Heart Productions; Orion Pictures

a homespun murder story

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter Stormare

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #12 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Fargo

"Sir, you have no call to get snippy with me. I'm just doing my job here." - Marge Gunderson

Why watch this? Brutal violence. Quirky characters. As only the Coen brothers can.

Plot Summary: Desperate for money, a Minnesota car salesman hires two men to kidnap his wife, intending to extort a ransom from her wealthy father. The seemingly foolproof scheme quickly unravels as events take a violent turn, leading to multiple deaths. A pregnant police chief in Brainerd, Minnesota, launches a tenacious investigation to uncover the truth behind the escalating crimes.

Dad's Preview: It's hard to hit the 'sweet spot' where a film can be violent, yet occasionally humorous. This is Fargo's genius. It centers on a kidnapping plot gone wrong, and a series of brutal, cold-blooded murders. Yet, half the time, I am chuckling at the odd mannerisms of the overly-nice, Mid-Western yokels. McDormand shines as 7-month-pregnant Police Chief Marge Gunderson.

Working Title Films; Gramercy Pictures

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