A Hero Will Rise.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, Tomas Arana

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." - Maximus

Why watch this? It's an award-winning film featuring Russell Crowe at his manly best.

Plot Summary: Maximus is a respected Roman general who is betrayed and cast into slavery when the power-hungry Commodus seizes the throne. Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and fight for his life, but his determination to avenge his family and the former emperor fuels his rise through the ranks of the arena. His journey becomes intertwined with a quest for justice against the corrupt Commodus and the hope of restoring honor and freedom to Rome.

Dad's Preview: Not since the epic Spartacus (1960) has a film captured the life of a gladiator with such brutal elegance. Russell Crowe is excellent as Maximus, as are the other gladiators. That said, I must confess that I found Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus very tiring. And because of that, I enjoyed the film's ending immensely!

Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Ent.; DreamWorks Dist.

Stripped of everything - they lived and loved and fought as if there were no tomorrow...

Starring: John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Burgess Meredith, Patricia Neal, Brandon DeWilde, Dana Andrews

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Old Rock of Ages, we've got ourselves another war. A gut bustin', mother-lovin' Navy war." - Cmdr. Paul Eddington, after the attack on Pearl Harbor

Why watch this? One of the best films ever about the US Navy.

Plot Summary: During the immediate aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy Captain Rockwell "Rock" Torrey finds himself reassigned to a desk job following a controversial decision in battle. While adjusting to this new role, he begins a romance with nurse Maggie Haynes and attempts to reconnect with his estranged son, Jere, who is also serving in the Navy. As the war intensifies in the Pacific, Rock is given a chance at redemption when he is tasked with leading a crucial and dangerous mission against the Japanese forces.

Dad's Preview: This film is not a typical Wayne war movie. It focuses on the effect war has on the men and women embroiled within it. It paints a realistic picture of the lives of Navy personnel. Wayne's Rock Torrey can command a ship, but his marriage failed and his own son hates him. Kirk Douglas' Paul Eddington knows how to get things done, but he is hiding a violent temper beneath his easy-going persona. We also see the savagery of Naval sea battles, where ships fire huge shells at one another, causing incredible damage and mutilate the sailors on board.

Otto Preminger; Paramount Pictures

America was born in the streets

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly, Jim Broadbent, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"When you kill a king, you don't stab him in the dark. You kill him where the entire court can watch him die." - Amsterdam Vallon

Why watch this? Bill the Butcher - damn, what a character.

Plot Summary: In 1862, young Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points district of New York City, seeking revenge against Bill "the Butcher" Cutting, who murdered his father years ago. Amsterdam infiltrates Bill's powerful gang, navigating the volatile and corrupt streets ruled by rival factions and politicians like William "Boss" Tweed. Amidst this simmering tension and personal vendetta, the city itself teeters on the brink of erupting into the historic Civil War Draft Riots.

Dad's Preview: I'll put this Scorsese film up against all his others including the Godfather films and Goodfellas (1990). This has a story that is rich and so well performed. It takes place in 1863 New York City, in the slum of the Five Points. There two rival gangs, one Catholic, the other Protestant, have been at war for years. There are stellar performances from Day-Lewis, DiCaprio, and Diaz, but it's Scorsese rich story that stars in this historical gem.

Touchstone Pictures, Alberto Grimaldi Productions; Miramax Films

Every man dies, not every man really lives.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick MaGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Peter Hanly, Ian Bannen, James Cosmo, David O'Hara

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him, when I betrayed him." - Robert the Bruce

Why watch this? This is a powerful film about historical Scotland and its hero, William Wallace.

Plot Summary: This story features William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a rebellion against the tyrannical King Edward I of England. Wallace unites his people and fights for Scotland's independence, driven by personal tragedy and a desire for freedom. His bravery inspires a nation and leaves a lasting legacy in their struggle for freedom.

Dad's Preview: This is a great education. William Wallace leads the Scots striving for independence against King Edward I of England. It is an epic, bloody story full of battles, betrayals and death, yet you'll walk away inspired! The scenery and cinematography are beautiful, set in scenic Ireland. This was Gibson's second film to direct, and he garnered several Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture - well done, Mel.

Icon Productions, The Ladd Company; Paramount Pictures

The spectacular story of America's first astronauts.

Starring: Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Fred Ward, Sam Shepard, Lance Henriksen, Kim Stanley, Barbara Hershey, Veronica Cartwright, Pamela Reed

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It takes a special kind of man to volunteer for a suicide mission, especially when it's on national TV." – Chuck Yeager

Why watch this? It's an educational, and thoroughly engaging, film about the U.S. space program.

Plot Summary: Based on Tom Wolfe's book, the film chronicles the early days of the American space program, focusing on the lives of the first astronauts. It follows their selection and rigorous training as they strive to be the first Americans in space, juxtaposed with the exploits of legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager.

Dad's Preview: This flick started the careers of many young stars including Scott Glenn, Ed Harris and Dennis Quaid. It covers two parallel stories: the Mercury space program, and Chuck Yeager's attempts to break the sound barrier in a jet. This film takes us back to a time when it was OK to get a little excited about our air and space programs. You will be inspired to witness this little history lesson.

The Ladd Company; Warner Bros.

A Mighty Motion Picture Of Action And Adventure!

Starring: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Jose Ferrer, Claude Raines, Omar Sharif

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"He was a poet, a scholar and a mighty warrior. He was also the most shameless exhibitionist since Barnum & Bailey." – Jackson Bentley

Why watch this? An epic movie about a man who's life was, in itself, an epic.

Plot Summary: T. E. Lawrence is a British officer, who navigates the complex politics of the Middle East during World War I. Tasked with liaising between the Arabs and the British against the Ottoman Turks, Lawrence becomes increasingly drawn into the Arab cause for independence. He unites disparate Arab tribes, leading them in daring raids and victories against the Turks, but struggles with his identity and the conflicting loyalties between his British origins and his adopted Arab allies.

Dad's Preview: This sprawling, grand adventure covers the life of T. E. Lawrence, a British soldier advancing England's interests in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Though huge in scope, the film does mange to create complex, intimate characters. This classic film is top-ranked on just about every film list there is. It was nominated for ten Oscars, winning seven including Best Picture, Director, and Musical Score.

Horizon Pictures; Columbia Pictures

They had it all, they ran the show, and it was paradise...while it lasted.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L. Q. Jones, Dick Smothers

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Listen to me very carefully. There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, and the way that I do it. You understand?" - Ace Rothstein

Why watch this? The mob ran Vegas. Scorsese, De Niro and Pesci show us how.

Plot Summary: Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a mob-connected expert handicapper, is sent to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas during the 1970s. He faces challenges not only from law enforcement, but also from his increasingly violent friend Nicky Santoro and his troubled wife Ginger. Ultimately, as tensions escalate and relationships deteriorate, the mob's grip on the casino and the city begins to loosen, leading to significant consequences.

Dad's Preview: This is Sharon Stone's great, Oscar-winning performance and one of Scorsese's best films. It is the story of Las Vegas when it was run by the Chicago mobsters. The performances are vintage by De Niro (cool, in control) and Pesci (unpredictable, dangerous). I like this film more than Goodfellas (1990), because it's also a history lesson. Still, but both gangster tales are very close by comparison in quality.

Syalis D.A.; Universal Pictures

The Greatest Event in Motion Picture History

Starring: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De Carlo, John Derek, Vincent Price

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You gave me this staff to rule over scorpions and serpents, but God made it a rod to rule over kings. Hear His word, Rameses, and obey." - Moses

Why watch this? It is the epic film we all grew up with - massive and miraculous.

Plot Summary: This is the biblical story of Moses, who is raised as an Egyptian prince but discovers his Hebrew heritage. He dedicates himself to liberating his people from slavery under the Pharaoh, leading them out of Egypt through a series of divine interventions and miracles. Ultimately, Moses receives the Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, guiding his people towards their destiny in the promised land.

Dad's Preview: This was traditionally shown on TV for Easter. It is the great Jewish story, yet also beloved by most Christians. DeMille's last great masterpiece covers a lot of ground and spectacle. The special effects are incredible, garnering the only Academy Award win of its 7 nominations. Elmer Bernstein's orchestra delivers a powerful, emotional musical score. There are many great moments: Moses revealed to be a Jew, the Creeping Death, Moses breaking the tablets, and who will every forget the parting of the Red Sea - that scene may be the greatest feat ever created on film!

Motion Picture Associates; Paramount Pictures

The most magnificent picture ever!

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.

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. The film is about her and the many conflicts she endures. My Mom, though, only saw the handsome Clark Gable and all his confident charm. Many have called this a "racist" film - I disagree. Sure, 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).

Selznick International Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's Inc.

There were three men in her life. One to take her... one to love her... and one to kill her.

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.

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 it interesting. The film is large and epic, and Charles Bronson is wonderful as the "harmonica player". The Morricone soundtrack is top notch, even by his standards.

Euro Int'l Films, Rafran Cinematografica, Finanzia San Marco; Paramount 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

His Triumph Changed The World Forever.

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergman, Trevor Howard, John Gielgud, Martin Sheen, Daniel-Day Lewis, Roshan Seth

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Whenever I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in the end, they always fail. Think of it: always." – Mohandas Gandhi

Why watch this? This stunning epic still finds a way to intimately touch each heart that views it.

Plot Summary: This epic drama follows the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, the influential leader of India's nonviolent independence movement against British rule. The story showcases his journey from his time as a lawyer in South Africa to his eventual leadership of the movement in India, promoting his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. It highlights significant events in his personal and political life, depicting both his successes and the challenges he faced in uniting his country and achieving self-rule.

Dad's Preview:  It's hard to argue with 8 Academy Awards. This film is massive and unrelenting, as it follows the life of Mohandas Gandhi, and his non-violent protests against the British occupation of India. Ben Kingsley's performance is hypnotic - he transforms into the peaceful leader. The man Gandhi, was a miracle of a humanity on this Earth and we should all acknowledge his beliefs and way of thinking.

Goldcrest Films; Int'l Film Investors, National Film Development Corp of India
Indo-British Films; Columbia Pictures

She was heralded as unsinkable...

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, David Warner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The press knows the size of Titanic, now I want them to marvel at her speed, too. We must give them something new to print. And the maiden voyage of Titanic must make headlines!" – I. Bruce Ismay

Why watch this? A truly epic telling of the greatest maritime disaster.

Plot Summary: A young, upper-class lady, Rose DeWitt Bukater, feels trapped by her engagement to a wealthy but controlling man, Cal. Aboard the luxurious RMS Titanic, she meets Jack Dawson, a free-spirited artist traveling in third class. Despite their stark class differences and Rose's engagement, they fall deeply in love. However, their romance unfolds against the backdrop of the ship's fateful maiden voyage and the impending disaster that will forever change their lives.

Dad's Preview: I've always found sea disasters interesting to research. What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? The story of R.M.S. Titanic is an exercise in man's hubris. For god's sake they called her "Unsinkable", before she had sailed a single league. The film, its cinematography and effects are very well done. Even the fictional love story is engaging. As horrible as it was, the actual sinking, which takes quite a while, is remarkable to witness on the big screen, and I loved every minute of it. 

20th Century Fox, Lightstorm Entertainment; Paramount Pictures

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King.

Starring:  Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Cherie Lunghi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #38 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Excalibur

"You will be the land, and the land will be you. If you fail, the land will perish; as you thrive, the land will blossom." - Merlin

Why watch this? ... because it is the Arthurian legend in vivid, wonderful detail.

Plot Summary: Told here is the epic tale of King Arthur, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to the throne of a unified Britain. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Merlin, Arthur establishes the legendary Round Table and builds the realm of Camelot, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. However, the kingdom's glory is threatened by internal strife, including betrayal, forbidden love, and the insidious plots of Arthur's treacherous half-sister, the sorceress Morgana.

Dad's Preview: You've heard the stories... the wise King Arthur... the sword in the stone... the mysterious sorcerer Merlin... Sir Lancelot the brave. British director John Boorman masterfully wrought this film about those legends, and it is perfection to behold. Like a spell's dream, we witness each event in many instances through Merlin's eyes. It's hypnotic, heroic, tragic, and wonderfully allegorical. It really is a fable come to life.

Orion Pictures, Cinema '84; Warner Bros.

The list is life. The man was real. The story is true.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagallie, Embeth Davidtz, Mark Ivanir, Beatrice Macola

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #25 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Schindler's List

"They came with nothing. Nothing. And they flourished. For six centuries there has been a Jewish Krakow. Think about that. By this evening those six centuries are a rumor. They never happened. Today is history." – SS 2nd LT Amon Göth

Why watch this? ... to remember, and not let it happen again - EVER on this Earth.

Plot Summary: During World War II in German-occupied Poland, a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler arrives in Kraków seeking to make his fortune amidst the war's chaos. Initially driven by profit, he establishes a factory employing Jewish workers, seeing them as a source of cheap labor. As the Nazi regime intensifies its persecution of Jews, Schindler is confronted with the atrocities of the Holocaust and undergoes a profound moral transformation.

Dad's Preview: How do you tell a story so horrible it defies belief? As honestly as you can. Many films have referenced the Holocaust, using it as a backdrop. However, no film more directly confronts humanity's most devastating chapter than this dark, necessary effort. It recounts fascist Germany's creation of the Płaszów concentration camp during World War II. The Jews sent there endured total upheaval, horrible prison conditions and merciless torture by Nazi camp officials. It was horrific. Director Steven Spielberg, himself a Jew, had to commit this story to film, and his effort is a masterpiece on both inhuman depravity and the courageous human spirit.

Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures

An epic adventure and passionate romance unfold against the panorama of a frontier wilderness ravaged by war.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, Wes Studi, Maurice Roëves

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #21 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Last of the Mohicans

"When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know his seed is wiped out forever." - Magua

Why watch this? This classic American frontier story is a flawless work of art.

Plot Summary: Set during the French and Indian War, the story follows a frontiersman named Hawkeye, adopted son of a Mohican chief. When British Colonel Munro's daughters, Cora and Alice, find themselves in danger, Hawkeye and his Mohican brother Uncas must protect them amidst the brutal conflict. Their journey through the treacherous wilderness becomes intertwined with battles, alliances, and a burgeoning romance.

Dad's Preview: On rare occasions, a classic story will find the perfect director, screenwriter and cast. Mohicans has it all, plus an expansive, haunting soundtrack. The filmmakers wisely focused on historical details, which has a huge impact on the film's cohesiveness. Daniel Day-Lewis' stern charisma breathes new life into Hawkeye, the white adopted son of Chingachgook, the last of his tribe. Wes Studi also excels as the bitter Huron chief, Magua, a man hell bent on revenge. I was surprised how seamlessly the film's love story meshed with classic prose by James Fenimore Cooper.

20th Century Fox

A Tale of the Christ

Starring: Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell, Sam Jaffe

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #15 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Ben-Hur

"We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well, and live." - Quintus Arrius

Why watch this? It's epic scale is hard to comprehend in this CGI digital age.

Plot Summary: Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince, is living a peaceful life in 1st-century Jerusalem. When his boyhood friend, Messala, now a Roman tribune, returns to the city, their reunion is marred by escalating tensions arising from their differing views on Roman rule. A misunderstanding leads to Ben-Hur's betrayal by Messala, resulting in his enslavement and a long journey towards finding justice and redemption.

Dad's Preview: This is one of the few films that still impacts me spiritually. The tale centers on a Jewish man's quest to destroy the Roman who devastated his life and family. It is set in Judea at the time of Christ. Its massive scope rivals even tops the early silent film by the great Cecile B. DeMille in 1925. There were 15,000 extras employed during filming. The chariot race segment is still breath-taking.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's Inc.

The Biggest, Roughest, Toughest ...and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made!

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.

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.

C.V. Whitney Pictures; Warner Bros.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL.

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5a - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." - Boromir, about the ring Frodo has found

Why watch this? The first of Jackson's Tolkien film adaptations will lock you in for more.

Plot Summary: The fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as the Dark Lord Sauron seeks to regain the One Ring, a powerful object containing a part of his might. The Ring has fallen into the hands of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who learns from the wizard Gandalf that it must be destroyed. Frodo and eight companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring, embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be unmade in the fires of Mount Doom.

Dad's Preview: This IS the most wonderful fantasy trilogy ever made. In the first film, Middle Earth's diverse main characters are introduced, and the epic journey begins. It starts in the green shire, then traverses fields, quiet hamlets, dank forests, expansive plains, snowy mountains, and finally the dark, goblin-infested labyrinths of the Mines of Moria. It's epic and emotionally taxing, as the fragile Fellowship trudges onward on its quest to destroy the one thing that is evil manifested, which makes it a target of the burning eye of Sauron, the evil Lord who craves it the most.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH BEGINS!

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5b - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Two Towers

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" – King Théoden before the Battle of Helm's Deep

Why watch this? The second film perfectly stands on its own with attention to story and amazing battle sequences.

Plot Summary: The Fellowship is now scattered as the fight against Sauron and his allies intensifies. Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, while being trailed by the enigmatic creature Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli unite with a resurrected Gandalf to rally the forces of Rohan against Saruman's growing army and defend the stronghold of Helm's Deep. The hobbits Merry and Pippin find themselves in the ancient Fangorn Forest and encounter the tree-like Ents, whom they must convince to join the fight against the encroaching darkness.

Dad's Preview: The brave Fellowship has been torn asunder, their wise leader dragged into fiery darkness. Director Peter Jackson continued his beloved film adaptation of J. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with determination to get it right. The middle film adds richness to each Fellowship member, and brings new players (some heroic, some tragic) into focus. We also are introduced to a key antagonist, the sinister Golem, who desires the return of his ring. The massive battle at Helm's Deep is unforgettable. But the war is not over and we are left wanting a conclusion to this fantastical tale.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

THE EYE OF THE ENEMY IS MOVING.

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5c - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Return of the King

"We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time." - Gandalf the White

Why watch this? After two massive films, this delivers on all open plot threads and every moment is a treasure.

Plot Summary: The forces of good launch a final, desperate struggle against Sauron's overwhelming armies as Frodo and Sam undertake the harrowing final stages of their quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn embraces his destiny as the rightful king of Gondor and leads the forces of men in battle, while Frodo and Sam, guided by the treacherous Gollum, navigate the perilous lands of Mordor towards Mount Doom. As the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, each character faces their own trials of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in the hope of defeating the Dark Lord and restoring peace to the land.

Dad's Preview: As the principal characters inch ever closer to their fates, we feel the weight, Frodo's weight, and it is almost too much to bear. With Gimli, Legolas and Aragon lost inside the mountain pass, the army of man, led by Gandalf and King Théoden, must prevail in the final battle at the foot of towering Minas Tirith, the White City. All this is to buy time for two hobbits, Frodo and Sam, to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the ring. They encounter danger at every turn, the worst being the betrayal of Golem.This Oscar-winning final chapter is without question the finest fantasy film ever made.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Lt. John Dunbar is about to discover the frontier...within himself.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney Grant, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Jimmy Herman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #2 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Dances With Wolves

"I've never known a people so eager to laugh, so devoted to family, so dedicated to each other.  And, the only word that came to mind was harmony." - John Dunbar

Why watch this? This "Western" finally depicts Native Peoples with accuracy.

Plot Summary: This epic Western film, starring and directed by Kevin Costner, was adapted from Michael Blake's novel of the same name. It tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who requests duty on the American frontier and develops a profound connection with a tribe of Sioux Indians. The film explores themes of cultural exchange, prejudice, and the conflict between expanding American civilization and Indigenous ways of life.

Dad's Preview: For five years Costner established himself as a leading man in such films as Silverado (1985) and Bull Durham (1988). Dances changed all that, by proving that he was a also a serious filmmaker. This beautiful work of frontier art strips away many previous notions of the American West as portrayed on film. A lone Northern soldier heads West. There he encounters Native Americans, namely a Lakota Sioux tribe. He learns that all the rumors about these people are false, and he embraces the relationship. However, in America, it's never that simple. The scenery is breath-taking, all set to an incredible musical score. This Oscar-winner is a glorious epic to behold. 

Tig Productions, Majestic Films Int.; Orion Pictures