One man lives in the neighborhood, another man owns it.
A devoted father battles the local crime boss for the life of his son.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra, Taral Hicks, Katrine Narducci, Clem Caserta, Joe Pesci

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"People don't love him, they fear him. There's a difference." - Lorenzo, talking about Sonny

Why watch this? This powerful film showcases De Niro's directing and acting talents.

Plot Summary: This story is about a young boy, Calogero, raised alone by his hard-working father, Lorenzo, a bus driver. On the streets, the boy becomes enamored with Sonny, a local mobster, who takes the kid under his wing. His father is not pleased. Things get dicey as the young man feel allegiance to both his father and Sonny. To make things worse, Calogero has falled for a young black girl - which doesn't go over well with the Italians.

Price Entertainment, Tribeca Prod.;
Savoy Pictures

12 years in the making

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater, Libby Villari, Marco Perella, Brad Hawkins

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You don't want the bumpers, life doesn't give you bumpers." - Dad to his son while bowling

Why watch this? This incredible unique film is a case study on humanity.

Plot Summary: This groundbreaking film follows the life of a young boy, Mason, from age 6 to 18. Shot over a 12-year period with the same cast, the film captures his experiences growing up in Texas with divorced parents and his sister. Through a series of ordinary yet impactful, moments, we witness the universal journey of childhood and adolescence.

IFC Productions, Detour Filmproduction,
Cinetic Media; IFC Films

From the Vivid Pages of Charles Dickens' Masterpiece!

Starring: John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Tony Wager, Jean Simmons, Bernard Miles, Francis L. Sullivan, Finlay Currie, Martitia Hunt, Alec Guinness, Ivor Barnard, Freda Jackson, Eileen Erskine, George Hayes

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Estella has been part of my existence ever since I first came here, the rough, common boy whose heart she wounded even then. She has been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever known. To the last hour of my life she cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil." - Pip

Why watch this? This film adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic novel is superb.

Plot Summary: An humble orphan, nicknamed Pip, has his life transformed after a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict and subsequent visits to the mysterious, wealthy, heartbroken Miss Havisham and her beautiful ward, Estella. With the help of an unknown benefactor, Pip moves to London to become a gentleman, allowing him to pursue his love for Estella while abandoning his simple roots.

Anthony Havelock-Allan, Ronald Neame, Cineguild;
General Film Distributors, Ltd.

Discomfort And Joy.

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa, Carrie Preston, Brady Hepner, Ian Dolley, Jim Kaplan, Michael Provost, Andrew Garman, Naheem Garcia, Stephen Thorne, Gillian Vigman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You know, Mr. Kountze, for most people, life is like a henhouse ladder: shitty and short. You were born lucky. Maybe someday, you entitled little degenerates will appreciate that. If you don't, I feel sorry for you and we will have failed to do our jobs." - Paul Hunham

Why watch this? Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy, and newcomer Dominic Sessa captivate in this gem.

Plot Summary: Set in 1970, a strict and unpopular history teacher at a New England boarding school is forced to supervise students who have nowhere to go during Christmas break. He is left stranded on campus with a brainy but troubled teenager and the grieving head cook. Together, these three unlikely companions form a makeshift family and share unexpected misadventures that help them heal from their pasts.
 

Dad's Preview: This New England dramedy begs me to watch it again. It's filled with perhaps the wittiest dialogue in the last few years. It introduces us to a slew of interesting characters, then effectively whisks many of them away to a ski vacation. We are left with the true holdovers: Mary, the school's cafeteria manager; Paul, a stubborn teacher living in a sort of self-imposed exile; and Angus, an intelligent, but inwardly angry young boarding school student. Let the in-depth exploration of these three incredibly interesting souls begin! There is a richness here, like an ordinary piece of cake that, when bitten into, blows your mind with its complex flavors. If it feels like a comedy and a drama, it is. It's also a holiday film about what holidays should center on - appreciating those in your orbit who, despite liking them or not, impact you in positive ways.

Miramax, Gran Via; Focus Features

Every family has its own language.

Starring: Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You know why God made farts smell? So deaf people could enjoy them too." - Frank Rossi

Why watch this? It's so unique, and necessary, to watch such a wonderful film!

Plot Summary: CODA follows Ruby, a high school senior who is the only hearing member of her deaf family. She helps her family run their struggling fishing business, acting as their interpreter and connecting them to the hearing world. When Ruby discovers her passion and talent for singing, she finds herself torn between her obligations to her family and her aspirations to pursue her dreams.

Vendôme Pictures, Pathé; Apple Original Films

It belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made - Roger Ebert

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Kôzô Hashida, Masayo Sakai, Kazumi Nozaki, Yoshio Matsuoka, Masahiro Kanetake, Kiyoshi Yanagawa

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Why do fireflies have to die so soon?" - Setsuko

Why watch this? War is hell on soldiers, but it's also hell on the civilians that live beneath falling bombs.

Plot Summary: During the final months of World War II in Japan, teenage Seita and his young sister Setsuko are orphaned after an American firebombing destroys their home and separates them from their parents. The two children must rely completely on one another for survival, struggling to find food and shelter in the war-torn countryside after a falling out with their unsympathetic aunt. Their story is a heartbreaking tale of the devastating impact of war on innocent civilians and the profound strength of their sibling bond amidst unimaginable hardship.

Studio Ghibli; Toho

Capture every moment.

Starring: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogan, Gabriel LaBelle, Judd Hirsch, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Bartlett, Sam Rechner, Chloe East

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"In this family, it's the scientists versus the artists. Sammy's on my team, he takes after me, except he's got real talent."– Mitzi Fabelman

Why watch this? How and why would a boy want to make movies? Here's one way...

Plot Summary: Based on Steven Spielberg's childhood, The Fabelmans follows Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker, as he navigates his coming-of-age in post-World War II America. He discovers a profound family secret, forcing him to confront difficult truths about his parents and those around him. Ultimately, Sammy explores how the power of film helps him understand his family and pursue his dream of becoming a storyteller.

Amblin Ent., Reliance Ent.; Universal Studios

Can anyone be truly good?

Starring: Alex Etelm, Lewis Owen McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Christopher Fulford, Pearce Quigley, Jane Hogarth

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"God doesn't rob banks, all right? God does not rob banks." – Damian Cunningham

Why watch this? Sometimes it's fun to watch British youngsters in a unique situation.

Plot Summary: Seven-year-old Damian finds a duffel bag stuffed with money that seemingly falls from the sky. He believes it's a gift from God and wants to use it for good, while his older brother Anthony desires to spend it on personal luxuries. The brothers face a moral dilemma and a race against time, as the money's value is about to change and its mysterious origins attract unwanted attention.

UK Film Council, BBC Films, Mission Pictures,
Inside Track 2, Ingenious Film Partners;
Pathé Distribution

Life is a Terrible Thing to Sleep Through.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Darlene Cates, Laura Harrington, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Kevin Tighe, John C. Reilly

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm not gonna let her be a joke." - Gilbert, speaking about his mother

Why watch this? This heart-rendering story is superb thanks to its incredible cast.

Plot Summary: Gilbert Grape is a young man burdened by the weight of caring for his morbidly obese mother and his intellectually disabled younger brother, Arnie, in their small, stagnant Iowa town. Gilbert struggles to balance his family responsibilities with his own desires for happiness and freedom, feeling trapped by his circumstances. His life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Becky, a free-spirited woman who challenges his perspective and offers him a glimpse of a different future.

Matalon Teper Ohisson; Paramount Pics

We accept the love we think we deserve.

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Joan Cusack, Paul Rudd

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love." - Samantha "Sam" Button

Why watch this? It is an interesting, relevant, coming-of-age story that most of use can relate to.

Plot Summary: The film follows un-extraordinary Charlie, a freshman high school student. He suffers from clinical depression and is therefore incredibly shy. He meets two seniors, Patrick (an extremely animated and rebellious gay boy) and his step-sister Samantha "Sam" (a quite, awkward and adorable girl who is in a steady relationship). Patrick and Sam decide it's a good idea to bring Charlie into their small group of social outcasts; sorta take him under their wings. The brainy Patrick quickly develops a crush on Sam, and he helps her study to improve her SAT score. Then normal high school stuff occurs and starts to un-repress Charlie's mental issues.

Mr. Mudd Productions; Summit Ent. thru
Lionsgate

Five strangers with nothing in common, except each other.

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"When you grow up, your heart dies." - Allison

Why watch this? So many 80's teen comedies were a waste of time. Not this one.

Plot Summary: Five high school students, representing different social cliques, are forced to spend a Saturday in detention together. Over the course of the day, their initial differences and stereotypes break down as they discover shared anxieties and vulnerabilities. Through heartfelt conversations and moments of connection, they come to realize they have more in common than they thought, challenging their preconceived notions of each other and themselves.

A&M Films, Channel Productions;
Universal Pictures

The director of "Splash," "Willow" and "Cocoon" brings you a comedy about life, love and the gentle art of raising children.

Starring: Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Jason Robarbs, Diane Wiest, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Mary Steenburgen, Joaquin Phoenix

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

“My whole life is have to." - Gil Buckman

Why watch this? ... it's great film about a normal family with its traumas, issues and events.

Plot Summary: The film follows the chaotic and often humorous lives of the Buckman family, showcasing the joys and tribulations across multiple generations as they navigate the complexities of raising children. The film explores various parenting styles and the challenges each family member faces, including career pressure, marital difficulties, and the struggle to understand and guide their children through different stages of life.

Imagine Entertainment; Universal Pictures

All they wanted was their chance to be men...and he gave it to them.

Starring: John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Brown, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Adolfo Martinez, Slim Pickens, Stephen Hudis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm thirty years older than you are. I had my back broke once, and my hip twice. And on my worst day I could beat the hell out of you." – Wil Anderson

Why watch this? Wayne has never been better, as a man desperate to drive his cattle to market.

Plot Summary: Wil Andersen, a rancher needing help for his cattle drive, is forced to hire on a group of inexperienced schoolboys after his regular crew leaves for the gold rush. He trains these youngsters, who learn about life and the responsibilities of being a cowboy during their arduous journey. Their challenging drive is complicated by the presence of a gang of rustlers who are after their herd.

Mark Rydell; Warner Bros.

The greatest adventure is just getting back home.

Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #35 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Up

"My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you." - Dug

Why watch this? I feel-good story that requires your imagination and suspension of belief.

Plot Summary: Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, embarks on a journey to the wilds of South America in his house, lifted by thousands of balloons, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He unintentionally takes along a stowaway and young Wilderness Explorer named Russell. The unlikely duo encounters adventure, strange creatures, and a surprising revelation about Carl's childhood hero on their journey towards Paradise Falls.
 

Dad's Preview: In a crowded stable of excellent Pixar-Disney films, this one stands out for me. Perhaps it's Carl, the grumpy old man looking to get away from a world that doesn't want him any more. Maybe it's Russell, the cheeky, plump young Boy Scout trying to earn his merit badges. It could be Dug, the delightful dog who is enabled "talk" thanks to a voice modulator. Combine these quirky characters with a high-flying, creative premise, and you have a winner in my book. It packs a punch, too - You'll be bawling before the opening credits have finished rolling.

Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures

Prepare to be spirited away.

Starring: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takeshi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi
English dub - Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, Lauren Holly, Michael Chiklis, David Ogden Stiers

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Three days of eating our food and her smell will go away. And if she doesn't work hard, roast her, boil her, do whatever you want. Now get back to work." - Haku

Why watch this? You need to experience this visual wonder conveyed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Plot Summary: During her family's move, a sullen 10-year-old girl named Chihiro wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits. Her parents are transformed into pigs after eating unattended food in an abandoned amusement park, leaving Chihiro trapped in this strange realm. To survive and find a way back, Chihiro must secure employment at a bathhouse for spirits, where she encounters various magical beings and faces numerous challenges.

Studio Ghibli; Toho

A celebration of youth, friendship, and the everlasting magic of the movies.

Starring: Phillippe Noiret, Salvatore Cascio, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano, Antonella Attili, Enzo Cannavale

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Whatever you end up doing, love it. The way you loved the projection booth when you were a young squirt." - Alfredo

Why watch this? This single film, more than any other, explains why I love movies.

Plot Summary: This story follows Salvatore, a celebrated film director, who returns to his Sicilian hometown for the funeral of his childhood mentor and friend, Alfredo. The film is told through a flashbacks, reflecting on Salvatore's youth and his bond with Alfredo, the projectionist at the local cinema. Through their shared love for movies and the lessons Alfredo imparts, Salvatore finds guidance and inspiration that shapes his path to becoming a filmmaker.

Les Films Ariane, RAI, TF1, Cristaldi Film,
Forum Picture; Titanus, Ariane Dist.

For some, it's the last real taste of innocence, and the first real taste of life.
But for everyone, it's the time that memories are made of.

Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Casey Siemaszko, Frances Lee McCain, Richard Dreyfuss

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Boy, you don't know nothing. Mighty Mouse is a cartoon. Superman's a real guy. There's no way a cartoon could beat up a real guy!" - Teddy

Why watch this? I was one of these kids, going on long adventures, playing in the woods, worrying my mom.

Plot Summary: Four young friends are on a journey through the Oregon wilderness in the summer of 1959, as they search for a missing boy. During their quest, they face various adventures and challenges, which test their bonds and force them to confront personal struggles. This journey becomes a coming-of-age experience, shaping their individual paths and deepening their understanding of friendship and loss.

Act III Productions; Columbia Pictures

Some people can never believe in themselves, until someone believes in them.

Starring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgard, Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser, Matt Mercier

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"If you ever disrespect my wife again, I will end you. I will f'ing end you. You got that, chief?" – Sean Maguire

Why watch this? ... it's layered and powerful - Williams, Damon, and an incredible script.

Plot Summary: Will Hunting is a gifted but troubled young man from South Boston who works as a janitor at MIT. After solving a challenging math problem left on a blackboard, Will's extraordinary intelligence is discovered by a professor. To avoid jail time for his reckless behavior, Will agrees to work with the professor and attend therapy sessions with an empathetic psychologist who helps him confront his past and unlock his potential.
 

Dad's Preview: This one of Robin Williams' greatest performances (he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor). It was this film, and its screenplay, that catapulted Affleck and Damon onto Hollywood's radar. However, the film is carried by the relationship between Damon, a boy genius, and Williams, a honest psychiatrist who searches for a way to reach a boy who specializes in out-witting those around him. When these two are on screen, you can cannot look away. You hang on every word.

Be Gentlemen; Miramax Films

He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary.

Starring: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, Kurtwood Smith, George Martin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world." – John Keating

Why watch this? It shows the wonder found in new, controversial ideas; and the lengths some people will go to suppress them.

Plot Summary: At a strict all-boys preparatory school in 1959, an unconventional English teacher uses poetry to inspire his students to embrace individuality and challenge societal expectations. He encourages them to "seize the day" and pursue their passions, leading to both inspiring self-discovery and direct confrontation with school officials used to doing things more conservatively.

Touchstone Pics, Silver Screen Partners IV;
Buena Vista Pictures Distributing

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.

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

Almost Famous (2000), Director: Cameron Crowe, rated PG-13 for language, sexual situations

Stillwater Runs Deep!

Starring: Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, Frances McDormand, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, Philip S. Hoffman, Zooey Deschanel

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #31 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Almost Famous

"Aw, man. You made friends with them. See, friendship is the booze they feed you. They want you to get drunk on feeling like you belong." - Lester Bangs

Why watch this? It's the swan song about rock and rock in my era, you know, the awesome 70's!

Plot Summary: William Miller, at 15-years-old, is an aspiring journalist who gets a dream assignment: to write a cover story for Rolling Stone magazine. He embarks on a tour leg with the up-and-coming rock band Stillwater, experiencing the highs and lows of life on the road. William navigates the world of rock and roll, forming relationships with the band members and a groupie named Penny Lane, all while trying to maintain his journalistic integrity.

DreamWorks Pics, Columbia Pics, Vinyl Films;
DreamWorks Dist. LLC