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

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

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

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

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

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

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

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

A Missing Girl. A Brutal Murder. An Unsolved Mystery.

Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Ingvar Hirdwall, Björn Granath, Lena Endre, Ewa Fröling, Sven-Bertil Taube

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Shut up about the victimization! He almost killed you. He raped and murdered and he enjoyed it. He had the same chances as us to choose what he wanted to be. He was no victim." – Lisbeth Salander

Why watch this? This is one intense film - and Noomi Rapace - dag yo, what a force!

Plot Summary: After facing a libel conviction, journalist Mikael Blomkvist takes on a case for industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve the decades-old disappearance of his niece, Harriet. Unbeknownst to Blomkvist, skilled computer hacker Lisbeth Salander conducts a background check on him, ultimately getting drawn into the investigation herself. Together, they delve into the dark secrets of the Vanger family's past, discovering disturbing connections to other grotesque murders.

Dad's Preview: This is the original Swedish film version, and it is the best of the film trilogy. It follows an investigation into a family disappearance, and weaves a complicated web regarding the truth. A journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, and freelance hacker, Lisbeth Salander, team-up to solve the mystery. Salander herself is a compelling part of the film, as she sports numerous body tattoos, a Mohawk, and black leather clothing. Despite her goth-punk appearance, this intelligent young lady excels at crime investigation. Noomi Rapace absolutely kills the part of Lisbeth, and her character is more interesting than the film's plot itself.

Yellow Bird, ZDF Enterprises, Sveriges Television, Filmpool Stockholm-Mälardalen; Nordisk Film

She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees.

Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Dawn Didawick, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, Tracey Walter, Peter Coyote

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Ya know why everyone thinks that all lawyers are backstabbing, bloodsucking scumbags? 'Cause they are!" - Erin Brockovich

Why watch this? This is Julia Roberts at the peak of her career. She is a force.

Plot Summary: This is the true story of a tenacious single mother who, after convincing her lawyer to hire her, stumbles upon suspicious medical records hidden within real estate files. Despite lacking formal legal training, she investigates and uncovers a massive corporate cover-up involving the poisoning of a town's water supply by a large utilities company. Driven by a fierce sense of justice and empathy for the affected residents, Erin takes on the powerful corporation in a landmark class-action lawsuit.

Dad's Preview: This film serves notice that women carry the heavier load. They have to work harder, just to get on level footing. Roberts plays a legal researcher who figures out that a big corporation is poisoning the local water, its employees and the community around them. She does all the research and, man, does she makes them pay. It is a wonderful thing to see. Hats off to Albert Finney who offers a nice balance to Robert's brutal determination. This film is also based on a true story about the real Erin Brockovich.

Columbia Pictures, Jersey Films; Universal Pictures

It's about life. It's about love. It's about us.

Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Adolph Caesar, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"A girl child ain't safe in a family of mens, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight in my own house! I loves Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll kill him dead 'fo I let him beat me." - Sofia

Why watch this? This incredible saga shows that courage can be silent and strength is enduring.

Plot Summary: The film follows timid Celie, an African-American woman in early 1900's rural Georgia, as she endures difficult circumstances, including domestic violence and bigotry. Separated from her beloved sister Nettie, Celie finds strength and hope through various relationships, particularly with the strong-willed singer Shug Avery and her own growing self-reliance. The story spans forty years, depicting Celie's journey from oppression to finding her voice.

Dad's Preview: This film is a journey wrought with pain, cruelty and oppression. This inspiring film was our introduction to the amazing Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and the indomitable Oprah Winfrey. Spielberg, though he took a lot of crap for it, again, hits the cinematic mark. If you don't see only black and white, check out this valuable American story.

Amblin Entertainment, The Guber-Peters Company; Warner Bros.

Save the Date

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, Ellie Kemper, Jill Clayburgh, Wendy McLendon

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"This is such a stone-cold pack of weirdos, and I am so proud!" - Lillian

Why watch this? ... the bridal shop scene after spicy Mexican food. OMG!

Plot Summary: Annie's BFF is getting married. Though marriage has eluded Annie, she's happy for her friend and eager to meet the bridesmaids. One in particular, Helen, a rich, snobby trophy wife, seems determined to oust Annie as maid-of-honor. As the pre-wedding plans enfold, poor Annie seems to cause more harm than good.

Dad's Preview:  Every time I watch this comedy, I realize how damn good it really is. My heart smiles seeing these ladies act opposite one another. Scene after scene plays out all the classic tropes pertaining to wedding disasters - from the female perspective. Wiig is such a comedic force, and McCarthy devours every scene she's in. These two may be the funniest two humans on the planet.

Apatow Productions, Relativity Media; Universal Pictures

Somebody said get a life... so they did.

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.

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 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.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Pathé Ent., Percy Main Prod., Star Partners III Ltd.;
MGM-Pathé Communications

The story of a woman fighting for her children, for her land, for the greatest dream there is...the future.

Starring: Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, John Malkovich, Danny Glover

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You took a no-account piece of land and a bunch of people that didn't know what they were doin' and you farmed that land better than anybody could - colored or white. You're the one that brought in the first bale of cotton this year. Don't you ever forget that." - Edna Spalding

Why watch this? ... two reasons, 1) it's about Texas country folk, and 2) Elsie loved it.

Plot Summary: In Depression-era Texas, a newly widowed woman, Edna Spalding, struggles to save her family's farm from foreclosure. Facing immense hardship, she takes the advice of a Black handyman, Moze, and decides to plant cotton, a crop she knows nothing about. To make ends meet and keep her children, Edna also reluctantly takes in a blind boarder, Mr. Will.

Dad's Preview: My mom, Elsie, lived through the Great Depression on a dirt farm in Texas. People today have no concept of a hard life. Oscar-winner Sally Field carries the story as a mother forced to take charge of her farm after the death of her husband. Amid all the hardships to run a 40-acre cotton farm, she enlists help from a kind black man, Mose. A tornado hits the small town, then the Klan attacks her farm and try to murder Mose. You will stand up and cheer at the courage and determination inside this little lady a she fights to defend and protect her own.

Delphi II Productions; Tri-Star Pictures

Blame it on the moon.

Starring: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, John Mahoney

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"When you love them they drive you crazy because they know they can." - Rose

Why watch this? There is genius in stories about the most unlikeliest of romances.

Plot Summary: Loretta Castorini, a widowed Italian-American bookkeeper, accepts a marriage proposal from her well-meaning but unremarkable boyfriend. However, before the wedding, her fiancé asks her to reconcile with his estranged younger brother. This task leads Loretta to a passionate and unexpected encounter that challenges her ideas about love and commitment, while also revealing the tangled romances within her family.

Dad's Preview: Cher, in my early limited opinion, was not much of an actress. With this quirky film, she more than won me over. There is so much emotion within it: the joys and pains of New York Italian families, the ever-present complications of love, the forbidden passions that won't be denied. Olivia Dukakis' Academy Awarding-winning performance is a real treat, too. This is essentially the Italian fairy tale about amore!

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Star Partners II Ltd.; MGM/UA Communications Co.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE MAD

Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die historic on the Fury Road!" - Nux

Why watch this? I never saw this greatness coming, but there's no question - it's great!

Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, Max is captured and enslaved by the tyrannical Immortan Joe. Simultaneously, Imperator Furiosa, one of Joe's lieutenants, defies him by absconding with five women, leading to a relentless pursuit across the desert. Max eventually becomes involved with Furiosa's escape, forging an uneasy alliance as they battle Joe and his forces in a desperate struggle for freedom and a better life.

Dad's Preview: Instant classic. As a huge fan of the 80's Mel Gibson Mad Max films, I really thought the franchise was over, and I was OK with that. Then comes this tour de force, again from the talents of director George Miller. It blows you away with each action sequence. Tom Hardy amply fills Mr. Gibson's steady shoes. That said, it is Charlize Theron who steals the film as Furiosa. She is one bad-ass survivor. This epic is visually stunning. Let's hope this is the first film in another trilogy for Max and company.

Village Roadshow Pictures, RapPac-Dune Ent., Kennedy Miller Mitchell; Warner Bros.

Based on the inspirational best seller.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffman, Michiel Huisman, Thomas Sadoski, Keen McRae, W. Earl Brown, Kevin Rankin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"My mother used to say something that drove me nuts, 'There's a sunrise and a sunset every day, and you can choose to be there for it. You can put yourself in the way of beauty." - Cheryl Strayed

Why watch this? The hike, the miles - it's about the journey to forgive oneself.

Plot Summary: Cheryl Strayed went on a 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. Driven by a desire to cope with the death of her mother, the dissolution of her marriage, and a history of self-destructive behavior, she embarks on the arduous journey despite lacking experience.

Dad's Preview: Breath-taking scenery is the backdrop for Cheryl's journey. She is herself wild, self-destructive, used up, tired. So, to shake her demons, or die trying, she sets off on her quest, woefully unprepared, yet, determined. Witherspoon's portrays Cheryl is angry, raw and vulnerable. We sense this is her last chance to fix things. Laura Dern gives an free-spirited performance as Cheryl's late mom, Bobbie. Cheryl's physical journey parallels her mental one. I must admit, this might be a journey I need to take.

Pacific Standard, River Road Ent., TSG Ent.; Fox Searchlight 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.

Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Joe Morton, Earl Boen

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It is in your nature to destroy yourselves." The T-800 Terminator

Why watch this? Cameron delivers an incredible sequel using ground-breaking effects, a buffed-up Linda Hamilton, and a flipped narrative.

Plot Summary: The future leader of humanity, John Connor, faces a new threat when a more advanced Terminator model is sent back in time to eliminate him as a child. To counter this, a reprogrammed, older model Terminator is also sent back, this time, to protect John.

Dad's Preview: This sequel is bigger and bolder than the original. Still desperate to win the battle, the future's machines send another Terminator - this one more lethal and advanced than the original. Humankind sends back a T-800 Terminator (similar to the original film's cyborg), only it has been re-programmed to protect Sarah and John at all costs. This has all the cool ass elements of the original film, yet it's characters are more fully explored, and it's message is more poignant. Teenager Edward Furlong shines as a young John Connor.

Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Prod., Lightstorm Ent., Le Studio Canal+;
Tri-Star Pictures

Here comes the bride

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.

Dad's Preview: I was not a huge Tarantino fan until this. Yes, it romanticizes murderous assassins. It is violent. Too many of the characters are beautiful. Yet, it works. 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!  I was impressed by Chiaki Kuriyama as femme fatale GoGo Yubari.

A Band Apart; Miramax Films

The bride is back for the final cut

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.

Dad's Preview: The conclusion to this tale of bloody revenge does keep pace with Part I. We're shown the Bride enduring the tough training under the master, Pai Mai. It's this very training that helps her survive being buried alive. Bill's motivations are explained. I really love the finale. Instead of a big, elaborate showdown, it begins as an intimate, civil discussion between two former lovers looking out for their child. They just happen to both be paid killers. It's personal, and that makes it all the more engaging.

A Band Apart; Miramax Films

One Taste Is All It Takes

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Carrie-Anne Moss, Peter Stormare, John Wood

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"And these are for your husband. Unrefined cacao nips from Guatemala, to awaken the passions." - Vianne

Why watch this? A wonderful confectionary treat about moral repression and gentle rebellion.

Plot Summary: The tale follows Vianne Rocher, a single mother, who arrives in a traditional French village with her daughter and opens a chocolate shop. Her unconventional approach and delicious chocolates challenge the rigid customs and beliefs of the town, particularly those of the mayor. This leads to a conflict between those who embrace the new and those who resist change, with the chocolate shop becoming a focal point of the town's social and moral divisions.

Dad's Preview: Juliette Binoche is such a special actress. She masters the ability to be strong, yet warm. She plays an angelic lady who comes into town and starts fixing things, and people, who are a bit broken: the battered wife, a strained mother-daughter relationship, the overtly stern mayor. Like a fine chocolatier, she finds the right flavors, mixes in a little spice and viola! - some folks begin to see things in a new light. This film will make your heart smile and nose smell chocolate.

David Brown, Kit Golden, Leslie Holleran; Miramax Films

Brace yourself for Melvin.

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Shirley Knight, Yeardley Smith, Lupe Ontiveros, Jill the Dog

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"When you first entered the restaurant, I thought you were handsome... and then, of course, you spoke." - Carol

Why watch this? The transformation of Nicholson's character is unbelievable.

Plot Summary: Meet Melvin Udall, a misanthropic romantic novelist with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. His life is disrupted when he's forced to care for his gay neighbor Simon's dog after Simon is brutally beaten and hospitalized. Melvin also develops an unexpected connection with Carol, a kind waitress at his usual diner who is struggling with her son's illness.

Dad's Preview: How the hell does Jack Nicholson do it? He takes a character, who is an completely unlikable, neurotic chauvinist; and by the movie's end... you love him! This film centers on the acting chops of Nicholson and Hunt who won both Academy and Golden Globe awards for Best Actor/Actress. Greg Kinnear also stands out as a gay artist having a bad run of luck. It's a pleasure to watch these pros make movie magic with a really superb script.

TriStar Pictures, Gracie Films; Sony Pictures Releasing

A mighty motion picture experience... touch it... sense it... feel it... you can't forget it!

Starring: Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Joy, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine, Kathleen Comegys, John Bliss

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The rooms a wreck but she folded her napkin!" - Ann Sullivan

Why watch this? The clash of two indomitable wills is more than worth the price of admission.

Plot Summary: This is the true story of Helen Keller, a young girl who is blind, deaf, and mute and experiences significant frustration and behavioral challenges due to her inability to communicate. Her desperate parents hire Annie Sullivan, a former student from the Perkins School for the Blind who also experienced visual impairment, to tutor their daughter. A battle of wills ensues as Annie, through persistence, tough love, and sheer stubbornness, strives to teach Helen language and connect her to the world around her.

Dad's Preview: This is an unforgettable and painful journey through the incredible education of Helen Keller, who lost her hearing and sight in infancy. Her desperate family hires Ann Sullivan to teach her. Ann instantly surmises that Helen's family has done nothing but spoil her. This cinematic feat (please stick it out) is transformative. You will see two great performances that both won Academy Awards. It may also help you better deal with a spoiled child.

Playfilm Productions; United Artists

Alien (1979), Director: Ridley Scott, rated R for sci-fi gore, violence, language

In space no one can hear you scream.

Starring: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #24a - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Alien

"Wait a minute. If we let it in, the ship could be infected." - WO Ellen Ripley

Why watch this? It introduced cinema sci-fi to a xenomorph and Sigourney Weaver.

Plot Summary: The crew of a commercial space tug, Nostromo, is awakened from cryosleep to investigate a distress signal from a nearby planetoid. They discover a derelict spaceship and a lower chamber filled with strange eggs. When one of the eggs is disturbed, a deadly extraterrestrial creature comes aboard the Nostromo and proves to be quite lethal.

Dad's Preview: In the wake of Star Wars (1977), this film gave audiences a very different sort of alien encounter. Director Ridley Scott went to great lengths to create a futuristic space setting anchored in realism. The creature they encounter is what you might call a "worse case scenario" - deadly, unmerciful and all but indestructible. Sigourney Weaver, in her first starring role, steals every scene as a strong, confident, capable leader in a crisis. There are lots of scary moments as the crew tries to find the alien, only to realize that it is hunting them.

Brandywine Productions; 20th Century Fox

Aliens (1986), Director: James Cameron, rated R for sci-fi gore, violence, language

THIS TIME ITS WAR

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Carrie Henn, Lance Henricksen, Bill Baxton, Jenette Goldstein

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #24b - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Aliens

"We better get back 'cause it will be night soon and they mostly come at night... mostly." - Newt

Why watch this? The Alien sequel brings the action and a lot more aliens to deal with.

Plot Summary: After surviving the alien attack, Ellen Ripley is rescued from deep space after 57 years in stasis. She reluctantly agrees to return to the planet where the creatures were first encountered when contact is lost with a terra-forming colony established there. Ripley and a group of Colonial Marines face an overwhelming threat as they attempt to rescue the colonists and battle, not one, but many aliens.

Dad's Preview: James Cameron took over as director and blew the lid off the franchise with this thrill-packed sci-fi mega-hit. Again, at its center is the very capable Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), but this time she's an observer on a mission accompanied by a unit of bad-ass space Marines. Their objective - find some missing colonists on the planet where Ripley and her crew first encountered the original xenomorph - Ripley and the marines have no idea what they are walking into. Fortunately, it's wonderful chaos for film audiences!

Brandywine Productions; 20th Century Fox

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

A Story Of An Extraordinary Journey.

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

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

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

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

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

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

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

Bountiful Film Partners, FilmDallas Pictures; Island Pictures

You can erase someone from your mind. Getting them out of your heart is another story.

Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Jane Adams, David Cross, Deirdre O'Connell, Thomas Jay Ryan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #7 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

"Meet me in Montauk..." – Clementine

Why watch this? It's the polar opposite of a RomCom, and the greatest movie about real love I have ever seen.

Plot Summary: Joel discovers his former girlfriend, Clementine, has had their relationship erased from her memory following a breakup. Out of despair, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure to erase Clementine from his own mind. However, as his memories are systematically removed, Joel begins to realize the importance of those experiences, even the painful ones. He attempts to resist the erasure process and hold onto the memories of Clementine, leading to a surreal and fragmented journey through his subconscious.

Dad's Preview: Perhaps the thing about romantic films (that turns me off) is that they usually end up sugar-coated, and frankly, unrealistic. This incredibly unique cinematic triumph bends reality to intelligently show us the ups and downs of a romantic relationship; the vulnerability of the human psyche; and the faint possibility that sometimes an imperfect love is still worth everything. This master class in filmmaking forever changed the way I view movies - I used to want to be entertained, now I search for films that impart meaning.

Anonymous Content, This is that; Focus Features

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