The Swimmer

Frank Perry directed this 1968 film starring Burt Lancaster.

Lancaster shines in this drama of a man who decides to swim home from swimming pool to swimming pool in and around Westport, Connecticut. Each new pool reveals more about his past.

Fascinating character study has much to say about the self deceptions and facades we use to get through life.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063663/

After Hours

A Scorsese comedy?

Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Teri Garr, and Cheech and Chong star in this black comedy from 1985.

Bored office guy ventures out late one night to date a woman he meets in a coffee shop. On his way to Greenwich Village, he loses all the cash he has on him. His date goes miserably and all he wants to do is get to his uptown home.

Seemingly disparate characters and events all tie together to prevent him from reaching his goal.

Somewhat far fetched and long at times, this is still a very creative and interesting film that explores that different world that is teeming with crazy characters while the rest of us a tucked away safely in bed.

Strange, dark, and funny.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088680/

Amadeus

1984 Milos Forman tour de force starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce.

Adaptation of Peter Shaffer's play about Mozart and Salieri who, jealous of the composer's popularity and talent, was suspected of poisoning Mozart.

The acting is superb, the music incredible ( come on, it's Mozart) but what's fascinating is how this film works on so many different levels: from a bio pic standpoint, a look at the nature of creativity, an exploration of faith, and more.

An amzing film about an amazing talent.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879/

The Big Lebowski

The Dude abides.

The Coen Brothers do it again in this totally whacked out comedy from 1998 that stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and John Tuturro.

Stoner/bowler The Dude is caught up in a case of mistaken identity and a miserable attempt at kidnapping. And to top it all off, thugs urinate on his rug. As with most (if not all) Coen Brothers' films, this is about a crime that goes wrong. But the details don't really matter...the characters make their movies and this one is chock full of off the wall types.

Fun and fantastic.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland star in this rousing action adventure film from 1936...another collaboration between Flynn and director Michael Curtiz.

Based upon Tennyson's poem, this is a tale of courage, honor, and revenge during the Crimean War.

Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred.

Superb action scenes with a dashing hero.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/

Rio Bravo

John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson star in this 1959 western from Howard Hawks.

A western classic.

Lawman and his deputies, including a drunk and an old man, try to hold a murderer in their town's jail 'til a U.S. Marshal arrives while the killer's brother makes life difficult for them.

Strangely cohesive mix of action, suspense, and humor. Everyone in the cast does a fine job...especially Dean Martin.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053221/

Raising Arizona

Ok, is this one of the funniest movies ever?

Coen Brothers film from 1987 stars Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Frances McDormand, Trey Wilson, John Goodman.

Loser and his police officer wife use twisted logic to justify stealing one baby out of a set of quintuplets ("They have more than they can handle..."). The police are after them, so is a bounty hunter (Tex Cobb).

Movie is twisted and wicked funny with great cast, acting, camera work. Wonderful scenes abound, from life in prison to a hunt for Huggies during a convenience store robbery.

A must see.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093822/