(DML Top 20 Lists - Crime Thriller Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Point Break (1991), Director: Kathryn Bigelow, rated R for nudity, language, violence

100% Pure Adrenaline.

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, James Le Gros, Anthony Kiedis, Chris Pedersen

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I know Johnny. I know you want me so bad it's like acid in your mouth. But, not this time." - Bodhi

Why watch this? ... non-stop action with criminal surfers. Awesome, dude!

Plot Summary: FBI agent Johnny Utah goes undercover to investigate a string of bank robberies committed by a gang known as the "Ex-Presidents". Utah suspects the robbers are surfers and infiltrates the surfing community, immersing himself in their adrenaline-fueled lifestyle. He forms a complicated relationship with Bodhi, the enigmatic leader of a group of surfers he believes are responsible for the robberies.

Dad's Preview: If this is on, I'm watching it. There are so many great moments. An undercover cop, Johnny Reno, is assigned to find out who has been robbing local banks. He infiltrates a group of thrill-seeking surfers, led by zen guru, Bohdi. It is great film-making as the plots and subplots wraps themselves up and back again. The action sequences are dangerous and thrilling. The best moments are between Swayze and Reeves as they form a fragile friendship.

Johnny Utah Prod., Largo Ent.;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #20 Top

The Rock (1996), Director: Michael Bay, rated R for violence, language

Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.

Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe, John Spencer, David Morse, John C. McGinley, Tony Todd

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I was trained by the best. British intelligence. But in retrospect, I would rather have been a poet. Or a farmer." - John Mason

Why watch this? This is as good an action flick as you'll ever see.

Plot Summary: A rogue general seizes control of Alcatraz Island and threatens San Francisco with deadly chemical weapons unless his demands for military reparations are met. To prevent catastrophe, the FBI sends a chemical weapons expert and a former Alcatraz inmate, with intimate knowledge of the prison, to infiltrate the island. The unlikely duo must navigate the dangerous fortress and confront the general's forces to disarm the threat before it's too late.

Dad's Preview: Nick Cage starred in a number of mid-90's action flicks. This Michael Bay offering is one of the best for three reasons. 1 – Ed Harris as the disgruntled Army colonel causing all the ruckus, 2 – A superb plot about holding hostages at the abandoned Alcatraz prison. And 3 – Sir Sean Connery – who, despite is age, kicks ass and takes names. There are lots of explosions, car chases and close calls. It's a thrilling ride until the explosive (and I mean KA-BOOM!) ending.

Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry
Bruckheimer Films; Buena Vista Distribution

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #19 Top

Rear Window (1954), Director: Alfred Hitchcock, rated PG

In deadly danger...because they saw too much!

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr, Judith Evelyn, Frank Cady, Georgine Darcy, Ross Bagdasarian

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"People do a lot of things in private they couldn't possibly explain in public." Lt. Doyle

Why watch this? Nobody did it like Hitchcock. This one drips constant suspense.

Plot Summary: Confined to his apartment with a broken leg, a photographer named L.B. Jeffries spends his days observing his neighbors through his rear window. His casual pastime takes a dark turn when he becomes convinced that one of his neighbors, a traveling salesman named Lars Thorwald, has murdered his wife. Despite skepticism from his girlfriend Lisa and his nurse Stella, Jeffries enlists their help in a perilous amateur investigation.

Dad's Preview: When does a little harmless voyeurism become too much, and potentially get a person in trouble? I always thought that this film's protagonist has a little hobby that's a bit sick, yet everyman Jimmy Stewart makes it seen normal. Well, it's not and Hitchcock had something else in mind - there is going to be a price to pay for peeping. This is superb story-telling by the real master of manipulating the audience to build tension and suspense. Stewart is always compelling, and the alluring Grace Kelly captivates.

Patron Incorporated; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #18 Top

Michael Clayton (2007), Director: Tony Gilroy, rated R for language

The Truth Can Be Adjusted

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe, Danielle Skraastad, Wai Chan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so f'ing blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?" - Michael Clayton

Why watch this? This is another solid effort by Clooney. He's a master of understatement.

Plot Summary: Michael Clayton works as a "fixer" at a prestigious New York law firm, essentially cleaning up the messes made by the firm and its wealthy clients. He's called in when one of the firm's senior partners, Arthur Edens, has a breakdown during a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit against an agricultural conglomerate called U-North. As Clayton tries to manage the fallout from Edens' erratic behavior, he uncovers corruption and potential criminal wrongdoing surrounding the lawsuit, putting his own life at risk.

Dad's Preview: This story is such a rewarding, intelligent slow burn. We meet Mr. Clayton and quickly learn that he is a corporate "fixer". His vast experience and connections are invaluable to legal firms when they need problems to "just go away". When his good friend at the firm starts acting strange (he grows a conscious) and quite unexpectedly succumbs, Michael realizes that he's probably next. This is the point that I really began to see George Clooney's genius. He makes acting look so easy. I also love the erratic performance by Tom Wilkinson. The last scene in this film is worth the price of admission alone.

Samuels Media, Castle Rock Ent., Mirage Ent.,
Section Eight Prod.; Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #17 Top

Lethal Weapon (1987), Director: Richard Donner, rated R for violence, language

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.

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #16a Top

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003), Director: Quentin Tarantino, rated R for violence/language

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #16b Top

Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), Director: Quentin Tarantino, rated R for violence/language

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #15 Top

The French Connection (1971), Director: William Friedkin, rated R for violence, language

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: This is the gritty crime drama about NYPD detectives Popeye Doyle and Cloudy Russo. Based on a true story, this film is action-packed, but manages to elevate itself above the standard "cops and robbers" 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 five of eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Hackman).

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #14 Top

The Night of the Hunter (1955), Director: Charles Laughton, rated Approved

The scenes... the story... The stars... BUT ABOVE ALL - THE SUSPENSE!

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, Shelly Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Peter Graves, Don Beddoe, Gloria Castillo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Not that you mind the killings! There's plenty of killings in your book, Lord..." - Rev. Harry Powell, praying to God

Why watch this? Unique. Nightmarish. Visually Stunning. Ahead of its time. That's why.

Plot Summary: During the Great Depression, the imprisoned, self-proclaimed preacher finds out that his cellmate robbed a bank, taking $10,000, then hiding at his house in West Virginia. When the cellmate is executed, Powell thanks The Lord for this opportunity to woo the vulnerable wife, and get the two children, John-age 9 and Pearl-age 4, to confess where the loot is stashed.

Dad's Preview: This film is based on Davis Grubb's original novel of the same name. The film's director, the world famous British actor Charles Laughton (Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), Witness for the Prosecution (1957)), breaths an entirely new interpretation into this nightmarish, adult fairytale about the serially homicidal "Preacher" Harry Powell. The incredible genius of this black-and-white film is that director Laughton chose to intertwine German expressionism with noir naturalism to create a work of art that is both stylish and creepy in its economies of simplicity. The film, much of it from the children's perspective, centers on duality: shadow and light, love and hate (on Powell's knuckles), good and evil. At the box office, it was a flop, which crushed its director. The actors all deliver excellent performances, but it is Robert Mitchum, as the hymn-singing, slow-strolling pastor, who both captivates and terrifies. To close, it's unique that a film stays with me. It has to be memorable and unique. This influential film really stands firm, even after all these years. It, and I can state this with full confidence, is a perfect film.

Paul Gregory Productions; United Artists

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #13 Top

North By Northwest (1959), Directors: Alfred Hitchcock, rated Approved

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.

Alfred Hitchcock; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #12 Top

Dead Calm (1989), Director: Phillip Noyce, rated PG-13 for violence, rape

A couple alone at sea. When a stranger called for help, they made a fatal mistake... they answered.

Starring: Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman, Billy Zane

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Please don't shout. That's always been one of my problems. I can never tell people's real motives until it's too late." - Hughie Warriner

Why watch this? A tense sea tale about rescuing the wrong survivor.

Plot Summary: A young couple, John and Rae. after a life tragedy, seek solace on a yacht. John, after all, is an Austrailian Navy captain, so it should be smooth sailing. Their isolation is shattered when they rescue a lone survivor from a sinking ship, only to discover his chilling secret. The encounter sets off a terrifying ordeal at sea where they both must fight for survival.

Dad's Preview: This taut thriller features some extraordinary ocean-based cinematography. This is a three-actor film is essentially a game of cat and mouse as ordinary people become the prey of a madman. Sam Neill is excellent, and I can't say enough about Billy Zane, as the charming, yet psychotic, kidnapper. That said, I walked away enamored with newcomer Nicole Kidman. She can emote sheer terror one minute, then feminine strength the next. Her performance is impressive.

Kennedy Miller; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #11 Top

The Untouchables (1987), Director: Brian De Palma, rated R for language, police violence

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: Based on actual events, Elliott Ness and his deputies (called the 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 gangster Alphonse "Al" Capone.

Art Linson; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #10 Top

Sicario (2015), Director: Denis Villeneuve, rated R for language, intense violence

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. His experienced CIA assassin completely juxtaposes against Emily Blunt's role as FBI Border Agent Kate Macer. 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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #9 Top

The Third Man (1949, U.S. release was in 1950), Director: Carol Reed, rated Approved for intense situations/deaths

Hunted by men...Sought by WOMEN!

Starring: Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Orson Welles, Paul Hörbiger, Ernst Deutsch, Erich Ponto, Siegfried Breuer, Hedwig Bleibtreu, Bernard Lee, Wilfrid Hyde-White

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"If you want to sell your services, I'm not willing to be the price. I loved him. You loved him. What good have we done him? Love. Look at yourself. They have a name for faces like that." – Anna Schmidt

Why watch this? The cinematography alone... and its impact on the noir, seedy films that followed.

Plot Summary: Pulp fiction writer Holly Martins travels to post-war Vienna at the invitation of his old friend, Harry Lime, only to discover upon arrival that Lime has died under mysterious circumstances. Martins becomes obsessed with investigating his friend's purported death and uncovers a conspiracy involving a dangerous black market ring, all while navigating the shadowy streets and sectors of occupied Vienna. As he delves deeper into the investigation, Martins finds himself entangled with Lime's enigmatic lover, Anna, secrets about his friend's life.

Dad's Preview: Orson Welles is a figure who, like him or not, left his imprint on cinema. This film noir masterpiece, though directed by Carol Reed, simply oozes Welles' filmmaking techniques. It's the slanting camera angles, the use of shadows, the shine of water on concrete, music that seems out of place. All this genius is crammed into each frame; there are countless examples here. It is film art 101. If "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", then filmmakers have been flattering this dark, moody, classic mystery for decades.

London Films; Selznick Releasing Org.

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #8 Top

The Dark Knight (2008), Director: Christopher Nolan, rated PG-13 for intense violence, scary scenes

Why So Serious?

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #20 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Dark Knight

"Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn." – Alfred

Why watch this? This Nolan effort set a new, grittier standard for comic book films.

Plot Summary: Following the events of Batman Begins (2005), the emergence of a criminal mastermind known as the Joker throws Gotham City into a state of chaos and anarchy. Batman, along with Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, try to combat the escalating threat, but the Joker's unpredictable nature challenges their methods and forces Batman to confront his own beliefs. The film explores the fine line between hero and vigilante as Batman faces his most personal and challenging struggle yet.

Dad's Preview: This iconic masterpiece has so much: great action sequences, compelling characters, twists and turns, heroes and villains. Bale continues perfection in the dual role of millionaire Bruce Wayne and the crusading Batman. Then there's Heath Ledger's Joker - his defining career performance. The actor received the Best Actor award after his death at the young age of 28. If this is not the best super-hero film ever made, it's in the top three.

Legendary Pictures, Syncopy;
Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #7 Top

Ronin (1998), Director: John Frankenheimer; rated R for language, violence

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.

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #6 Top

Speed (1994), Director: Jan de Bont, Rated R for language, violence

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #5 Top

Witness (1985), Director: Peter Weir, rated R for language, police violence

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 Pics

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #4 Top

No Country for Old Men (2007), Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen, rated R for language, violence

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

Genres Action-Crime, Action-Thriller, Crime-Cops, Crime-Crooks, Crime-Drama, Crime-Thriller, Crime-Thriller-NeoNoir, Mystery-Thriller; Neo-Western, Western-Drama

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #3 Top

Die Hard (1988), Director: John McTiernan, rated R for language, violence

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #2 Top

The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Director: Jonathan Demme, rated R for violence, gore, language

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: A young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, must interview an incarcerated, manipulative cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, to gain insight into capturing another active serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill". With the help of Lecter's psychological profiles and cryptic clues, Starling works against time to uncover the identity of the killer and save his latest victim. As she delves deeper into the case and the mind of Lecter, she also confronts the psychological challenges of a male-dominated field and her own personal past traumas.

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

Top 20 Crime Thriller Films #1 Top

Fargo (1996), Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, rated R for strong violence, language, sexuality

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, who never loses her cool as she apprehends murderous criminals.

Working Title Films; Gramercy Pictures