Seven Days in May

Taut thriller from 1964 directed by John Frankenheimerstars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas.

Rod Serling scripted this drama about an attempted military takeover of the U.S. Government.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058576/

Heaven Can Wait

1978 film directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry and wriitten by Beatty and Elaine May.

Football player dies prematurely and is sent back to Earth in another man's body. Remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan".

Likeable, sometimes funny movie with a tired premise, but this was one of the originals. Great cast includes Julie Christie, Charles Grodin, Jack Warden, and Buck Henry.

The Buck Henry influence is major.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077663/

A Bronx Tale

1993 drama directed by Robert DeNiro and written by Chaz Palminteri from his play.

Both star in this New York story of a boy's coming of age with two strong influences: his straight arrow loving father and a flamboyant criminal who rules the neighborhood.

Good feel for its 1960s setting and both actors know New York. Great cast supports them in a story that is poingant and heartfelt.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106489/

Gran Torino

Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood in 2008. He also stars.

Widower and Korean War vet is disgruntled by society in general and specifically about how ethnic his old neighborhood has become. After a teenager from next door tries to steal Eastwood's vintage '72 Gran Torino, the boy's family, especially his sister, wins Eastwood over to the extent that he befriends them.

At times comic, at times tragic, Gran Torino is a little heavy handed. But Eastwood and the entire supporting cast are fine and the film won me over just for its message and heart.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/