Sometimes the only way to uphold justice...is to break the law.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman, Christian Slater, Nick Brimble

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"I've seen knights in armor panic at the first hint of battle. And I've seen the lowliest, unarmed squire pull a spear from his own body, to defend a dying horse. Nobility is not a birthright. It's defined by one's actions." - Robin of Locksley

Why watch this? It is Costner's turn at the Robin Hood legend.

Plot Summary: Returning to England from the Crusades, nobleman Robin of Locksley finds his father murdered and his estate seized by the tyrannical Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin, with the help of a Moorish companion whose life he saved during the Crusades, retreats to Sherwood Forest and forms a band of outlaws dedicated to fighting the Sheriff's oppression and protecting the common folk. Together, they steal from the wealthy to aid the poor.

Morgan Creek Productions; Warner Bros.

All you need is one killer track.

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Eiza González, Micah Howard, Lily James, Morgan Brown, Kevin Spacey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Sometimes all I want is to head West on 20 in a car I can't afford, with a plan I don't have, just me, my music, and the road." - Deborah

Why watch this? This fast-paced crime flick has a beating heart.

Plot Summary: Miles, called "Baby" is a getaway driver for a heist crew led by Doc. Baby just drives and he has a real knack for it. He also is aloof, always wearing sunglasses and listening to music on his earbuds (he suffers from tinnitus). Some members of the gang, namely Bats and Griff, don't like or trust the somber kid. What they all don't know is that he's got a new girlfriend and wants out of the robbery business.

TriStar Pictures/MRC/Big Talk Productions/
Working Title Films; Sony Pictures

After this week in paradise, they're going to need a vacation.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Anne Heche, David Schwimmer, Jaxqueline Obradors, Temuera Morrison, Danny Trejo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You know how a woman gets a man excited? She shows up. That's it. We're guys, we're easy. Of course, for that you can't charge six bucks an issue, now can you?" – Quinn Harris

Why watch this? It's refreshing to watch the reliable Ford and sexy newcomer Anne Heche.

Plot Summary: On a romantic vacation with her fiancé, a busy New York magazine editor is called away for an urgent work assignment in Tahiti. She hires a gruff, laid-back cargo pilot with whom she shares a mutual dislike to fly her to the neighboring island. A sudden storm forces them to crash-land on a deserted island, where they must survive the wilderness and each other's company while awaiting rescue.

Touchstone Pictures, Caravan Pictures,
Northern Lights Ent., Roger Birnbaum Prod.;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Stealing. Cheating. Killing. Who Said Romance is Dead?

Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We're gonna have a little Q&A, and at the risk of sounding redundant, please... make your answers genuine." - Vincenzo Coccotti

Why watch this? This violent cross-country chase combined a Tarantino script and Tony Scott's brutal action direction.

Plot Summary: Clarence Worley is a comic book enthusiast who falls in love with and marries Alabama Whitman, a call girl hired to spend the night with him. Their whirlwind romance takes a dangerous turn when Clarence confronts Alabama's former pimp, leading to violence and an accidental acquisition of a suitcase full of cocaine. The young lovers then embark on a chaotic cross-country journey to California, hoping to sell the drugs and start a new life, all while being pursued by mobsters seeking their stolen property.

Morgan Creek Prod., Davis Films; Warner Bros.

WE WILL ROCK YOU

Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, Laura Fraser, Alan Tudyk

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting. In what world could you possibly beat me?" – Adhemar

Why watch this? This is an olde tale of medieval jousting, infused with modern music and personalities.

Plot Summary: Upon his master's untimely death, a peasant squire with a passion for jousting seizes the opportunity to pursue his dreams by posing as a knight in 14th century Europe. Aided by his loyal friends and a struggling writer, who helps forge his noble lineage, he embarks on a journey to compete in tournaments across Europe. Along the way, he encounters romance and faces challenges that test his courage and the true meaning of honor, despite his humble origins.

Columbia Pics, Escape Artists, Finestkind
Prod.; Sony Pictures Releasing

Behind every great love is a love story.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"That's the thing you come to learn about Carl, his undying ability to destroy the things he loves." – Jack Driscoll

Why watch this? A worthy remake of the original 1933 classic.

Plot Summary: Filmmaker Carl Denham leads a voyage to the mysterious Skull Island to film a movie, taking along actress Ann Darrow and playwright Jack Driscoll. On the island, they encounter prehistoric creatures and the gigantic ape, Kong, who develops a bond with Ann. Driven by ambition, Denham captures Kong and brings him to New York City, where the ape escapes and searches for Ann amidst the urban chaos.

WingNut Films; Universal Pictures

Sometimes love is the most dangerous game of all.

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Rachel Ward, James Woods, Alex Karras, Richard Widmark, Jane Greer, Dorian Harewood

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"That idiot football player you were going to get - well, he has got me by the balls." – Ben Caxton

Why watch this? This is one the sexiest films - your eyeballs will fog up.

Plot Summary: An aging football player, Terry Brogan, is hired to find the runaway girlfriend of an old acquaintance, Jake Wise, a shady nightclub owner. When Terry finds her, he and the woman, Jessie, fall passionately in love, complicating his assignment. Their newfound love entangles them in a web of intrigue, including corruption and danger.

New Visions, Columbia-Delphi Prod.;
Columbia Pictures

A timeless story of strength, secrets, and two warriors who would never surrender.

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang, Chang Chen, Sihung Lung, Cheng Pei-pei, Wang Deming, Li Li, Hai Yan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"The things we touch have no permanence. My master would say: there is nothing we can hold onto in this world. Only by letting go can we truly possess what is real." - Li Mu Bai

Why watch this? The fight scenes are legendary, flowing like Cantonese ballet.

Plot Summary: Two skilled warriors, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, track a stolen legendary sword known as the Green Destiny. This quest leads them to a young woman, Jen Yu, who possesses incredible martial arts abilities and a mysterious past. Their pursuit of the sword becomes intertwined with Jen's journey of self-discovery and her pursuit of freedom, while also uncovering a connection to an old nemesis.

Columbia Pictures Film, Prod. Asia, Good
Machine Intl., Edko Films, Zoom Hunt Prod.;
Sony Pictures Classics

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.

Alfred Hitchcock; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

From the director of Terminator 2 and Titanic

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world, and in here is the dream." – Jake Sully

Why watch this? Visually, it's breath-taking, and so organically beautiful. It's a solid story, too.

Plot Summary: Set in the future on the moon Pandora, a paraplegic former Marine named Jake Sully joins a program where humans can inhabit genetically-engineered Na'vi bodies. These human/hybrid bodies, called Avatars, are used to explore the hazardous moon's environment. While living among the indigenous Na'vi people, Jake becomes deeply connected to their culture and, in particular, princess Neytiri. This connection leads him to question his mission and eventually side with the Na'vi in their struggle against military exploitation.

Dune Ent., Ingenious Film Partners,
Lightstorm Ent., 20th Century Fox

She's a girl from the big city. He's a reckless soldier of fortune. For a fabulous treasure,
they share an adventure no one could imagine... or survive.

Starring: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Alfonso Arau, Manuel Ojeda, Zack Norman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"What did you do, wake up this morning and say, 'Today, I'm going to ruin a man's life?'" - Jack Colton

Why watch this? It's a fun film that plays like a trashy romance novel.

Plot Summary: Joan Wilder is a shy romance novelist who must travel to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister. The ransom involves a treasure map sent to Joan by her sister's murdered husband. Lost in the Colombian jungle, Joan encounters Jack T. Colton, a rugged American bird smuggler. Jack helps Joan navigate the perilous jungle as they are pursued by a corrupt Colombian police colonel and the criminals who kidnapped Joan's sister.

El Corazon Producciones S.A.;
20th Century Fox

This summer a man will face his destiny. A hero will be revealed

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, Donna Murphy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." – Aunt May Parker

Why watch this? This is the best Spider-Man film EVER - Spidey vs. Doctor Octopus!

Plot Summary: Two years after becoming Spider-Man, Peter Parker struggles to balance his superhero responsibilities with his crumbling personal life, leading him to question his commitment to being a hero. Meanwhile, a brilliant scientist, Dr. Otto Octavius, suffers a devastating accident, transforming him into the villainous Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man must then confront this new threat, all while battling the potential loss of his relationship with Mary Jane.

Columbia Pictures, Marvel Ent., Laura
Ziskin Prod.; Sony Pictures Releasing

A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!

Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!" - Carl Denham

Why watch this? It is a classic. It's the first great giant monster film, and so fun to watch.

Plot Summary: Adventurous filmmaker Carl Denham embarks on an expedition to a remote, uncharted island with his film crew and actress Ann Darrow. Upon arrival, they discover the island is inhabited by prehistoric creatures and a colossal ape named Kong, worshipped by the local natives. The natives kidnap Ann and offer her as a sacrifice to Kong, who becomes infatuated with her. After pursuing Kong and Ann through the perilous island jungle, Denham manages to capture Kong and brings him back to New York City to exhibit him to the public.

Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack;
RKO Radio Pictures

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Directors: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley, rated PG

The Best Loved Bandit Of All Time!

Starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Una O'Connor, Patrick Knowles, Alan Hale, Ian Hunter

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'll organize revolt, exact a death for a death, and I'll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up free men, and strike a blow for Richard and England." - Robin Hood

Why watch this? Nobody draws a bow like Errol Flynn. Watch and be dazzled.

Plot Summary: In King Richard's absence, Prince John oppresses the Saxon people, so Robin Hood, a Saxon nobleman turned outlaw, leads a resistance movement from Sherwood Forest. He steals from the rich, gives to the poor, and defends the downtrodden against Prince John and his men, including Sir Guy of Gisbourne and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin also finds romance with the lovely Maid Marian, and together they work to foil the Prince's plans and ensure the return of the rightful king.

Hal B. Wallis, Henry Burke; Warner Bros. Pics

No place to run. No reason to hide.

Starring: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Benning, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter, Diego Luna

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Men are gonna get killed here today, Sue, and I'm gonna kill 'em." - Charley Waite

Why watch this? ... the respect-filled relationship between cowhands Costner and Duvall.

Plot Summary: Boss Spearman and his cattle crew, as free-grazers, are driving their herd across the vast prairies of the Old West. When they encounter a town ruled by a corrupt rancher and sheriff, their peaceful existence is threatened. Forced to defend their values and way of life, Boss and his second-in-command, Charley Waite, find themselves drawn into an inevitable confrontation.

Touchstone Pics, Cobalt Media Group, Beacon
Comm., Tig Prod.; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

An epic of epic epicness.

Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alison Pill, Kieran Culkin, Ellen Wong, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Um, I guess... if we're gonna date, you may have to defeat my seven evil exes." – Ramona Flowers

Why watch this? There is not a second in this film that I don't love.

Plot Summary: Scott Pilgrim, a slacker musician living in Toronto, finds his comfortable life disrupted when he falls for the mysterious and enigmatic Ramona Flowers. To win her heart, however, he must defeat her seven evil exes, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. This journey forces Scott to confront his own flaws, past relationships, and insecurities, ultimately pushing him toward self-discovery.

Marc Platt Prod., Big Talk Films, Closed on
Mondays Ent., Dentsu; Universal Pictures

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.

Mark Gordon Company; 20th Century Fox

The story of a man and a woman who lived happily ever after. Even though the courtship almost killed them.

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Faulk, Fred Savage

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”– Indigo Montoya

Why watch this? ... True 'tis a fairy tale, but it's laced with wisdom adults will enjoy.

Plot Summary: The story unfolds as a grandfather reads a fantastical tale to his sick grandson about a beautiful woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley. After Westley is believed lost at sea, Buttercup is unwillingly betrothed to the nefarious Prince Humperdinck. However, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws, but is relentlessly pursued by a mysterious man in black and Humperdinck himself, leading to a series of unexpected encounters and adventures.

Act III Communications, Buttercup Films;
20th Century Fox

The African Queen (1951), Director: John Huston, rated PG for some war violence

Bogart the King is back with the 'Queen!'

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel, Walter Gotell, Peter Stanwick

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" – Rose Sayer

Why watch this? It's a wonderful adventure film from the 50's with two Hollywood icons.

Plot Summary: Set during World War I, in German East Africa, Charlie Allnut, a rough-and-tumble Canadian riverboat captain, finds himself thrown together with a strait-laced British missionary named Rose Sayer. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey down a treacherous river on Charlie's dilapidated boat, the African Queen, facing natural dangers and German forces. Despite their vastly different personalities and frequent arguments, an unlikely bond develops as they navigate their perilous mission.

Horizon Pictures, Romulus Pictures;
United Artists

The strangest damned gang you ever heard of. They're young. They're in love. They rob banks.

Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Denver Pyle, Dub Taylor, Gene Wilder

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"This here's Miss Bonnie Parker. I'm Clyde Barrow. We rob banks." - Clyde Barrow

Why watch this? To many Southwestern poor folks, the Barrow gangsters were heroes. Texas lawmen saw it differently.

Plot Summary: During the Great Depression, a bored waitress named Bonnie Parker meets ex-con Clyde Barrow and they begin a crime spree across America. As they rob banks and evade law enforcement, their exploits become more violent. The film follows their love story and growing notoriety as they become infamous criminals.

Warner Bros. Pics; Warner Bros.-Seven Arts

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

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

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

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

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

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

Plot Summary: During the French and Indian War in 1757, three trappers must escort a British colonel's daughters through the dangerous American wilderness to the safety of Fort William Henry. Their journey is complicated by the betrayal of a treacherous Huron guide, leading to an intense struggle for survival against hostile enemy forces. As the group battles through the rugged frontier landscape, the eldest daughter, Cora, and the Mohican scout, Hawkeye, form a profound connection amidst the escalating conflict.

Michael Mann, Hunt Lowry; 20th Century Fox