Movies you have to see before you DIE!!!!

A while back I was digging through my DVD's and to my shock my daughter and her friends had never heard of many of the films in my collection.  I was thinking the generation gap really had gotten wide until I realized they (and later I realized their parents as well) just had a limited exposure to movies.  Why?  Who can say (especially since with my daughter, the DVD's are RIGHT THERE) but, and this is just me talking, I do feel there are just some movies you HAVE to see in your life, even if it is just once.  So below is a list of films I think that at the least you should look into, if you haven't seen them already.  Sure most of these are several years old but at the same time they have elements that have added to the cinematic landscape (both positive and negatively) or in general have had at least some entertainment value.  So in no particular order here we go...

Many point to Monty Python and the Holy Grail as being the best Monty Python film.  Holy Grail has a ton of funny moments, but Life of Brian, to me, is a much, much funnier film as it pokes at some of the aspects of religions, fanatics, and other beliefs that we often never think about.  For those who have never heard of this film, Brian is a young man born at the same time as Jesus.  There are great scenes like what it must have been like for those in the back trying to hear the Sermon on the Mount ("Blessed are the Cheese Makers" LOL) as well as Brian mashing the toe of an old hermit who had taken a vow of silence for more than 20 years.  I don't want to spoil it for those who have never seen it but the ending is possibly one of the funniest moments I have ever witnessed and sticks with you long after the movie is finished.  Really this is a different but very enjoyable comedy. 

The first time I saw Night of the Hunter, I totally hated it.  However, for weeks afterwards it stuck with me and I even found myself quoting the film (something I never ever do).  This film is unique in that it has Robert Mitchum as an evil preacher, and believe it or not he does the role quite well.  After studying this film a bit I was kind of surprised to see so many aspects in films now taken from it.  I have never been able to look at the clichés' of "Love" and "Hate" tattoos on the hand the same way since and when I see it in films I tend to scream "You stole that from night of the hunter."  What is even stranger is I also spot shots stolen from this film in modern films still.  It's a strange sort of movie that seems to have carried over somehow.  Walk into it with an open mind and no expectations and I think you will like it. 

Also there was a remake of the film done by Lifetime channel that really missed the mark.  The preacher was a sniveling squat manipulator and no where near the smooth but forceful demeanor of Robert Mitchum in this version.  So don't be fooled, go with the original or you will regret it. 

Peter Weller stars as a Rock Star, Physicist, test pilot, brain surgeon, black belt who must save the world.  Not a stretch in the least.  While admittedly not the greatest film of all time it is good enough to warrant a look, it's quirky, odd, unusual and worthwhile.  Jeff Goldbum also stars as does John Lithgow long before his 3rd Rock from the Sun days.  For an added bonus you also have Clancy Brown (who now voices Mr. Crabs on Spongebob Squarepants) and even Billy Vera (watch Family Ties and that annoying song "what did you think" when Alex and Courtney Cox break up, yeah that guy singing).  Oh and Christopher Loydd as well (long before he was Dr. Brown in Back to the Future). 

Disney's first stab at Sci-Fi, live action films.  For that alone this movie is notable, but also it's not a terrible film.  Granted there are parts of it that make absolutely no sense at all (i.e. the journey into the Black Hole itself, you'll see).  But overall the film is interesting if you dismiss what we know about science now (i.e. How gravity effects anyone going into the Black Hole).  It isn't a "high-science" kind of Sci-Fi here, and also black holes were very misunderstood back then (not that we really understand them now, but still).  When you get down to it, the cast is kind of interesting as well, Anthony Perkins (Psycho), Earnest Borgnine (Airwolf), Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes) doing voice work along with the voice of Slim Pickens, ect, ect.  Maximillan (the robot enforcer on the ship) scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.  He is still kind of creepy now, very silent and sentinel like.  An entertaining film at the least. 

Disney's second attempt at live action films, yet ironically much of it was animated.  Tron was way ahead of it's time, and granted now it looks very dated but for it's time it broke a metric ton of ground in movie making.  I won't argue it is one of the greatest films ever, but it defiantly warrants a viewing by everyone.   After watching the film (and realizing it's context) you realize that this film opened the door to concepts we see all the time in modern film (i.e. The Matrix, Surrogates, Gamer to name a few) and really broke a great deal of ground in movies. Even though really the film isn't a GREAT film, Tron defiantly stands out. 

I partly put this film here to show I am not all about Sci-Fi and Horror movies, cause I'm not.  But also despite the fact this film won a ton of Academy Awards when it was released I think this film has been forgotten in the deluge of modern war films.  This film centers on the Normandy invasion of World War 2.  Unlike Saving Private Ryan which showed the battle as part of the opening of the film, nearly all of this film is just about the invasion.   Literally there is about 20 minutes of introduction and the rest is pure warfare.  One of the amazing aspects of this film is the scope of it, especially when you realize the film didn't have the luxuries of modern effects.  In other words everything in this film was practical and real.  There are long shots of the beaches that show hundreds of soldiers charging, simply put it is a HUGE film.  The roster of stars matches the scope as well, EVERYBODY is in this film: John Wayne, Sean Cannery, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda, Peter Lawford, Roddy McDowall,  Robert Mitchum, Eddie Albert, all the stars of the day are somewhere in here.  It's a long movie too, but not at all boring.   They say that Cleopatra was a much larger undertaking, but I do not see how.  This film, to me, is the ultimate war movie and is the bar by which all epic battles are measured.  It is just an amazing and complex film as it focuses on every aspect of the invasion, not just one battle on one beach.  Seriously, if you watch one WW2 movie, make it this one. 

It is amazing to me how many people have not ever seen Highlander, many have seen the later films and TV series while never ever knowing about the first film which in my mind is the best of anything ever done for the Highlander franchise.  Also I think so much can be garnered by the way this film is shot and edited, all the other Highlander movies and series just copy from this one.  The transitions between past and present (at least for the film) could be confusing if not handled well, but at no time does the viewer lose track of when they are and what is happening.  Add to that the beyond brilliant performance by Clancy Brown (yes, you will scar your children for life with the revelation that this is the voice of Mr. Crabs) as Kurgan (a role subsequent Highlander films and shows have tried to copy and failed miserably) and you have an amazing film that, on paper, reads like a crappy b-movie.   Sean Cannery lends some legitimacy to the film (although he did appear in the sequel which was horrible by any standard) and overall the film is one of those that hangs with you.  Ignore the crap that was done after this, they were trying to make money, just enjoy this film and you may understand and these Highlander nuts. 

Before Chris Nolen tacked the Dark Knight, he made this unusual but very memorable film about a man attempting to solve the murder of his wife but he had one small problem.  He had been attacked and suffered a brain trauma that prevented him from making any new memories.  Guy Pierce pulls of this character brilliantly and the way it is edited creates a story that actually twists at the end (or should I say at the beginning LOL).  If not edited in this manner the viewer would not understand the POV of the main character and his "disability" might get lost as it would be hard to understand.  Many people react badly to this film as it is edited to be almost in reverse, but that is the point.  You would never understand what it is like not to make new memories if the film was in regular order and thus the film would be meaningless.   I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for something different. 

Imagine you are an archeologist and suddenly you actually have the chance to go back in time, that is the premise behind Timeline.  For some reason that I have never been able to fathom this film never really caught on.  It is a cool film and attempts to ground the idea of time travel into a realistic idea.  No it isn't 100% plausible but it could happen.   The thing is that our characters get caught up in the history they are studying in the beginning of the film, which is a nice twist on the old adventure stories.   Also the battle at the end is a pretty well done one.  Add to this you get to see Gerard Butler before he got hugely famous and he honestly does a pretty decent job, even though his role almost foreshadows his acting prep for 300 I think LOL.  You'll get it when you watch it. 

DJ Qualls heads up this unusual take on High School angst and re-inventing one's self.  While not the most original film ever in concept (High School kid attempts to redefine himself by coming into a new school with a bad rep) the film has a ton of heart and manages to take the idea of changing one's reputation and starting over to a unique and fun place.   Lyle Lovett is actually excellent as the dad who just doesn't get it, and Eliza Duchku is not only easy on the eyes but also manages to have some really great moments in acting.   Not the grand prize winner at the film festival by a long shot but a cool film to sit back and laugh at.  

When I discovered how many of my daughter's friends had never ever seen the Princess Bride I was in utter shock.  This has to be one of the sweetest films ever, from Peter Falk and Fred Savage's portrayal of Grandfather and Grandson to the fairy tale story of Westley and Buttercup.  Even the friendship of Mandy Patinkin and Andre the Giant has a certain level of sweetness to it.  But on top of that the Princess Bride is loaded with laughs, action and pretty much anything you could ask for in a movie.  Really if you haven't seen this film slap yourself and get to it, it's well beyond time to enjoy a fairy tale the likes of which will never be seen again (and I don't mean that as hyperbole).

Both Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 top my "Must see at some point in your life" kind of movies.  Before you hear some false crap about these films Evil Dead 2 IS NOT A REMAKE OF THE FIRST ONE!!!!   People who think it is are not paying attention.  Evil Dead 2 was done by a different company and the first 5 minutes basically recaps the last one, but without many of the characters in the first one, the result is a bunch of confusion for morons.  Both these movies show Bruce Campbell at his best and Sam Raimi (Yes, the director of Spider-Man as well as producer of Hercules and Xena) in a raw and low budget glory.  If you are fortunate enough to get the DVD of Evil Dead with Bruce Campbell's commentary you must listen to it, it is by far one of the most entertaining and informative commentaries I have ever heard on any DVD giving secrets into exactly how this legendary film was made for next to nothing of a budget as well as why some parts of the movie seem so off the page (yes there was intoxicants involved).  

An insane German film that is very hard to describe.  Essentially it looks at what happens when a woman runs and is a few seconds difference each time.  Very MTV influenced and is a movie that movie junkies love.   Forget the why's as to what the heck keeps happening and starting this film over, I don't think there is a real answer, but enjoy it for the love story and the amazing amount of running by Lola, seriously it lives up to the title but not in a way that gets boring at all.  It's a wild ride, also I would recommend watching it with the German subtitles on rather than dubbed, which the voices chosen do not match up to the actors at all.  Plus it's just great when Lola screams "Shizer, shizer, shizer."

OK with a title like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes how can you take this film seriously, which is kind of the point.  This is one of those films that you wonder were they serious or was it just trying to be funny, WHO CARES!  It's a fun movie that twists so many movie cliché's on their heads it isn't funny, ok it is but that is beside the point.  Often called a cult classic (I hate that term) it is one of the zaniest comedies I have ever seen, generally you can find it on Halloween on those cheepo channels, but anyway you can watch this film.  The sequel is cool too but not near as good as the original.  

This film was remade not to long ago and what I really hated about the remake was how toned down it was.   I generally have a pretty strong stomach for violence and blood but this is one of the few films ever that disturbed me.  In fact the movie goes to such lengths that it appears the murders feel they went too far.  From this film was the initial outing by the creators of both the Friday the 13th (Shawn S Cunningham) series and Nightmare on Elm Street (Wes Craven) series and this is the only time those talents were together.  For that alone it is worth watching but also shows just how far a movie can go and this one goes somewhere that even the most violent films have yet to go to.  

Another Peter Weller film, but also a great one that takes the idea of corporate control to a ludicrous level.  The commercials for the newscasts are worth watching this movie alone, they are hilarious and really have a funny level of commentary about America.  Also the basic plot of the film is something that is kind of out on Pluto but also is very entertaining.  Some criticize the film for not taking the idea of people a property far enough but I fell in the context presented it worked.  Add to that Robocop is just plain cool on his own and you have something to enjoy.   

This film was labeled as the next Ghostbusters, well it's not.  Still it is a funny and cool film about weirdo aliens and a team of specialists who have to stop them using-Head and Shoulders?  Trust me it works in the film.  David Dochuvny is his first outing after X-Files and early appearances by Seann William Scott and Julian More and of course they are joined by Orlando Jones, make this movie fun to see just for the "Look where they were" factor.  Funny and unique the film delivers on many levels.  Well worth the hour and a half to watch to say the least.  

Before Saw and Hostel, there was Seven, the major difference with this film is rather than being a horror movie this is a crime drama, and a great one, about the seven deadly sins.  While the torture is mostly off camera, there are enough points to make even jaded movie goers jump.  There are many movies that promote a twist ending, but this one, even if you see it coming, delivers in a very dramatic and rewarding way.   One of the few Brad Pitt performances I have ever been able to stand and a masterful performance by Morgan Freeman, Seven is a cool film for those who have never seen it and does stand up well to multiple viewings.  

Flash-AHHHH-King of the impossible.   It's funny how much this film is quoted by those who have never seen it.  Sometimes this film is blamed for being too campy, which it's supposed to be.  It's fun and entertaining and if you walk into it with that mindset you will have a fun ride.  Alan Moore actually challenges anyone to find a more electric heroic moment as when Flash is driving the spaceship into the palace with Queen playing in the background.  Honestly I have to agree, it's just a cool scene that is worth the time to watch the film alone.   If that wasn't enough you have the absolutely gorgeous Ornella Muti as Princess Aura and an Young Timothy Dalton as Prince Barin.  

Speaking of Flash Gordon:

While not a movie, this is a very interesting and entertaining interpretation of the Flash Gordon story, one that is often forgotten when speaking about Flash.  Keep in mind it was made for children and often many of the animation bits are repeated (to save money) it does have a great 16-part story that runs through Flash Gordon's adventures and the world of Mongo and ultimately is very cool and exciting.   Personally it is my favorite interpretation of Flash and his comrades.  Again it was made for children in 1980, but even with the over explaining and simplistic dialogue it still manages to entertain and delivers a cool ultimate battle at the end in which all of Mongo rallies around Flash against Ming the Merciless.  After Ming's ultimate defeat the show struggles along still but never quite captures the spirit of adventure and fun the original mini-series had.  For those who know a bit about cartoons you will also recognize Ming from He-Man (Allan Oppenheimer a Skelator) and many other voices from old cartoons as well, but it is interesting to hear those same voices as different characters.  Look beyond the recycled footage and you may understand why Flash has endured for so long, this is close to the original comic strip as it gets.  

If you have ever sat and wondered why the heck anime exists, you need to watch Vampire Hunter D.  I hate Vampire tales and I love this movie.  Honestly, it would be near impossible to make this movie live action (maybe with CGI now, but even then I think it would lose some impact).  I would also recommend watching it in original Japanese as the translations were toned down a bit for American Television.   I have often maintained this movie needs to be re-dubbed to closer reflect the actual dialogue as it gives some interesting tidbits into D's character.   This film is based on a book (which has a long running series as well) from Japan, the books recently got translated into English.  The sequel (Bloodlust) is actually based on the third Vampire Hunter D book and is drastically toned down in the movie (which was made more American audiences).  I would recommend reading the books above anything, but the first film really rocks as well.  

I only mention this film in the sense that I think people need to re-watch the original after seeing the remake that was out a little while back.   Literally the flaws in the remake come to a glaring clarity when you watch the original.  While, as a series, Nightmare on Elm Street did get campy and odd and lost it's way, the first one was one of the best horror films ever.  It is near impossible to match the coolness of the opening shot of the girls jumping rope in slow motion and then panning to see our teenagers getting into their car at normal speed without any edit.  A shot that the remake didn't even attempt to do.  Also the remake really toned down some of the signature scenes which deserve a re-watching in and of themselves.  

Another film recently remade, actually it's hard to swing a cat and not hit a remake anymore.  But this is a departure for George Romero who is of course most famous for his zombie films.  While the new version has been labeled a zombie film it actually is more of a rage plague akin to 28 Days Later (NOT a zombie film).  When you watch the original you do see some elements borrowed by 28 Days Later but also the whole "rage plague" is different here, there is more of a loss of inhibition rather than just going nuts, of course some do go totally nuts while others sleep with their daughters, yeah it is drastically different.  But also the fear and horror in this film comes more from the way the government handles the already out of control situation rather than from the townspeople themselves, which makes this film a radical difference from the remake.   Hence why the masked men are on the cover.  

When this was released it was labeled "High Noon in outer space."  Not quite but it is a cool film about a mining colony and the selling of drugs to motivate the miners, often leading to psychotic behavior.  Sean Cannery plays a marshal who uncovers this fact and then uncovers the mine bosses are the ones behind the drug distribution.  The "high noon" part comes in when some enforcers are sent in to take out Sean Cannery in one of the most unusual but also cool gunfights ever.  Think Neil Armstrong with a shotgun.   A very cool, dramatic and fun film that takes the idea of a gritty future a step further.  

Trying to end on a high note is Bruce Campbell as Bruce Campbell.  In what has to be one of the original plots in the past 20 years, the B-Movie legend is invited to a town in which he thinks is a staged appearance for his birthday.  In reality the townspeople have inadvertently unleashed the Chinese god of war and protector of bean curd.   What ends up happening is probably one of Bruce Campbell's most hilarious performances since Evil Dead and one I think way outranks his portrayal of Elvis in Bubba-Ho-Tep.  Add in a little jingle that is infectious and you have a very entertaining film. 

So there you go, some fun, dramatic, and silly and scary movies for your enjoyment, if you haven't seen these get to Netflix, the video store, or whatever way you can to watch and enjoy them.  Seriously all of these should be watched at least once.