NOTE: In order to not waste page space by constantly posting separate archive lists from the 5 DVDs You Need To Own section of my main site, I will instead place DVDs from each list on this page as I archive them. Eventually this list will be so long that it will literally take a lifetime to read, and I fully expect people to die from old age by the time they get to the end(if they do). Sorry, but such is the way of The Force...
1 - BROADCAST NEWS(1987)
The Story: A comedy/drama about how the lives of three network people--
an anchorman, a producer and a reporter--intersect, both professionally andromantically.
an anchorman, a producer and a reporter--intersect, both professionally andromantically.
The Cast: William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Lois Chiles, Joan Cusack. With a special appearance by Jack Nicholson. Written & Directed by: James L. Brooks
Check This Out: At an important and respected news network in Wash-ington, Aaron(Brooks) and Jane(Hunter) are co-workers and best friends who are appalled to learn their bosses have hired unseasoned former sports reporter Tom(Hurt) to be the new anchorman. Worse yet, Tom is fairly uneducated and almost rock dumb. However, his major advantages are that he's charismatic and handsome--which helps land him big ratings and a fan base. This goes against everything Jane--a highly-driven, vast-ly intelligent woman--stands for. Until she starts to fall under Tom's spell and doesn't even realize yet. Toss into the mix uncharismatic Aaron's loathing for Tom's easy professional success and his secret crush on his best friend, and be prepared for one of the most easy-going yet bold, enjoyable films you're likely to see in a good while.
When Broadcast News first came out way back when, it did moderate business but quickly got overlooked by audiences, and it's a shame. It is in many ways a comedy classic, and balances its humor and more drama-tic, personal moments in exactly the right measure--thanks to director
James L. Brooks, who knows how to make a compelling movie. Every single performance by every single actor in the film is flat-out perfect, and the one-liners will have you holding your sides in laughter; especially the scene where Aaron finally gets his dream shot at anchoring the news, and it rapidly spirals into a nightmare. You'll feel bad for poor Aaron--the true underdog of the film--but I guarantee you will not be able to stop laughing. Sadly, Broadcast News is out of print, even on DVD...and trust me, your local Blockbuster won't have it, as they've stopped carrying any movie past a certain year that wasn't considered "big" when it came out. So snatch it up on Ebay now--before someone selling it there reads this
article and decides to jack up the price for a movie that's well worth it!
James L. Brooks, who knows how to make a compelling movie. Every single performance by every single actor in the film is flat-out perfect, and the one-liners will have you holding your sides in laughter; especially the scene where Aaron finally gets his dream shot at anchoring the news, and it rapidly spirals into a nightmare. You'll feel bad for poor Aaron--the true underdog of the film--but I guarantee you will not be able to stop laughing. Sadly, Broadcast News is out of print, even on DVD...and trust me, your local Blockbuster won't have it, as they've stopped carrying any movie past a certain year that wasn't considered "big" when it came out. So snatch it up on Ebay now--before someone selling it there reads this
article and decides to jack up the price for a movie that's well worth it!
2 - THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS(1988)
The Story: A piano-playing brotherly duo decides to spice up their lounge act by hiring a sultry singer who turns their lives upside down.
The Cast: Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Beau Bridges, Jennifer Tilly. Written & Directed by: Steve Kloves
Check This Out: The piano-playing duo of brothers Jack and Frank Baker(Jeff and Beau Bridges, respectively) have been working every hotel and cocktail lounge they know for 15 years. But their act has gotten stale, repetitive and frankly, they're getting fewer call-backs. To work in a new angle, older sibling/manager Frank decides to hire a singer in order to give their act some much-needed spice and sex appeal. Both are found when Susie Diamond(Pfeiffer)--a former professional escort--walks in their door and knocks their socks off with her singing. She's hired, and in just a short while after making a re-debut, the fabulous Baker boys' act takes off. Complications arrive though, because Jack happens to be a world-class womanizer who can't resist a challenge...and Susie provides it
amply. Soon enough, not only the act is in jeopardy...but the very friend-ship of the Baker brothers.
amply. Soon enough, not only the act is in jeopardy...but the very friend-ship of the Baker brothers.
The Fabulous Baker Boys is another great surprise of a movie which was largely overlooked when it came out. The real gem in this film is that both the Bridges brothers stroked all the piano keys themselves, and
Pfeiffer does her own very impressive vocals. She is genuinely sexy and sultry in this movie, and just one look at her crawling across Jeff Bridges' piano top as she sings "Makin' Whoopee" and you can see exactly why she was cast as Catwoman in Batman Returns. The acting is solid on all points, and the Bridges brothers bring their genuine love for each other(they had been dying to work together in film, and this was the first movie to feature them together) as well as, I'm sure, touches of genuine sibling rivalry, to this film. Even Jennifer Tilly, one of the amazingly annoying Tilly sisters, manages to be unoffensive here. Truly, a miracle for the ages.
Pfeiffer does her own very impressive vocals. She is genuinely sexy and sultry in this movie, and just one look at her crawling across Jeff Bridges' piano top as she sings "Makin' Whoopee" and you can see exactly why she was cast as Catwoman in Batman Returns. The acting is solid on all points, and the Bridges brothers bring their genuine love for each other(they had been dying to work together in film, and this was the first movie to feature them together) as well as, I'm sure, touches of genuine sibling rivalry, to this film. Even Jennifer Tilly, one of the amazingly annoying Tilly sisters, manages to be unoffensive here. Truly, a miracle for the ages.
The Fabulous Baker Boys, like Broadcast News, is unfortunately also out of print on DVD. And of course, Ballbuster Video doesn't carry it. Your best bet once again--and I swear, I am not shilling--will more than likely be on Ebay. Even if you're not a fan of jazz piano, this will still be a movie you'll be able to appreciatefor a long time to come.
3 - INTO THE NIGHT(1985)
The Story: Poor amnesiac Ed Okin can't catch a break: his job sucks, his wife's cheating on him, and to top it off, he can't sleep. But as bad as things are for Ed now...just wait until he meets Diana.
The Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dan Aykroyd, Vera Miles, John Landis, Jim Henson, David Cronenberg, Clu Gallagher, David Bowie. Written by: Ron Koslow Directed by: John Landis
Check This Out: Normally, I hate remakes! They tend to be overblown, overdone, sloppily written as compared to the original, and filled with inept and miscast actors who couldn't hold a candle to the people who origin-ated the roles. Not so with Into The Night, a masterful and cleverly done reinvigoration carried off by John Landis(An American Werewolf In Lon-don). The timing in this black comedy/adventure is sharp as the edge of a saber, and every single actor makes the best of it. There are moments of humor both subtle and flat-out gut busting, and it will stir your emotions on several levels--especially at the end in the hotel room scene(what, did you think I'd give it away? Never!)
This is one of the earliest films for both Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer, and also where Pfeiffer finished paying her Hollywood dues for legitimacy by doing her second complete nude scene(the first was in Scarface). It's both a pleasure and a bit sad to see some of the talent of yesteryear in this film, so many of whom have passed away in the inter-vening years. Yet the tears at the corner of your eye will soon be replaced by laughter at the quick-witted dialogue on display. Into The Night was re-released on DVD a few years back, so if you hunt carefully, you'll probably find it in your local Wal-Mart's $5 bin. If not, you already know where you can otherwise track it down(no, not Blockbuster!)...
4 - LOVE JONES(1997)
The Story: He's a slick poet with all the right words, and she's an aspiring photographer who thinks love is all played out. Naturally, they're right for each other.
The Cast: Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nichole Carson, Bill Bellamy. Written & Directed by: Theodore Witcher.
Check This Out: Given the way Hollywood usually panders to the lowest common denominator when it comes to the types of films usually released for a targeted "urban"(read: black) audience--the gangsta pic, the drug dealer pic, the gangsta/drug dealer-turned-rapper pic--there's a bit of a running joke my friends and I have about Love Jones: that it's actually a science fiction film, because it deals with intelligent, well-spoken black people, none of whom are criminals, and who all have decent jobs. For that reason alone, this film stands out as a classic. As for the story, it's a boy-meets-girl fable that anyone--white, black, asian, white gangsta with an almost-black tan-turned-asian rapper--can enjoy.
There's a club on Philly's south side that is well-renowned for its week-end poetry slams, and it is here that Nina Mosley(Long) meets Darius Lovehall(Tate); an unassuming guy who fumbles that rare first opportun-ity, and whom she initially disses. But Darius' persistence in the pursuit
pays off, and soon enough he and Nina are inseparable...until an unexpected visit from her ex-fiance stirs up possible regrets on her part and instigates an act of stupidity on Darius' which leads to mistrust between them both. Will Nina and Darius get back together, as it would seem fate would like them to? In any typical Hollywood movie, the answer would be yes--but Love Jones is anything but a typical film. It's filled with real people and real moments throughout, and even the fate of their romance--and I'm not telling how it ends, of course--is real. Writer/director Theodore Witcher's script is a force to be reckoned with, and this is a truly outstanding movie. And hey--it's the first one so far on this list which is actually in print and available for viewing at Blockbuster! But don't go rent it--buy it! You'll be glad you did.
pays off, and soon enough he and Nina are inseparable...until an unexpected visit from her ex-fiance stirs up possible regrets on her part and instigates an act of stupidity on Darius' which leads to mistrust between them both. Will Nina and Darius get back together, as it would seem fate would like them to? In any typical Hollywood movie, the answer would be yes--but Love Jones is anything but a typical film. It's filled with real people and real moments throughout, and even the fate of their romance--and I'm not telling how it ends, of course--is real. Writer/director Theodore Witcher's script is a force to be reckoned with, and this is a truly outstanding movie. And hey--it's the first one so far on this list which is actually in print and available for viewing at Blockbuster! But don't go rent it--buy it! You'll be glad you did.
5 - ULTRAVIOLET(2001)
The Story: Toss out all the myths you know about Vampires. It's all wrong; the truth is much more terrifying...
The Cast: Jack Davenport, Susannah Harker, Idris Elba, Philip Quast, Corin Redgrave. Written & Directed by: Joe Ahearne.
Check This Out: I don't think any of my "DVDs You Need To Own" lists will ever be complete without containing at least one excellent British stand-out, and Ultraviolet is definitely one of them. This little-known thriller/semi-detective story from England isn't even a cult favorite--it's so under the radar that it's sub-cult! Still, the cast(led by Jack Davenport, best known to American audiences as Commodore Norrington from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy) is superb in every way, from leading man on down to the day players. The story is as such: When the partner and best friend of London cop Michael Colefield(Davenport) goes missing the day of his wedding, he investigates and ends up entangled in a black-ops mission led by Vaughn Rice(Elba). Rice's team works for a shadowy government agency called CIB, which tracks and hunts down beings known as Code V--although this ultra-cool and nearly timeless series never for one second refers to them as vampires.
I generally can't stand stories which try to do a "modern" spin on the vampire mythos(the horrendous Underworld and its even worse sequel), because said stories usually try to jazz up the tech end at the expense of the coolest parts of vampire lore. Ultraviolet, however, is unique in my experience. Although crosses and holy water don't work in this universe--carbon bullets and ultraviolet light(hence the title) do--the majority of the myth is left intact. Code V's can't stand sunlight, can't be seen in mirrors (or heard over phone lines or even recorded on tape) and most import-antly, have an unquenchable thirst for human blood. They own property in this series, trade in stocks, are scientists and are highly intelligent... trying to devise a way to make certain we don't kill ourselves off, so that their food supply doesn't run out. There are six episodes on two discs, and each one is riveting. Like most series from across the pond, the acting here is amazing and the actors look like real people.
When Ultraviolet first came out(fittingly enough, at the dawn of the new millennium), it was a smash hit in England and to a lesser extent, over here on the Sci-Fi Channel. Fans begged the producers to make more, but the unfortunate thing about British tv is that there is less money to make ongoing series than over here. Ultimately, the six episodes in this package are all we have--or are ever likely to get. And being that this is a British show, it's not available in America. Unless you go to...no. No, I won't even say it. You know what to do. If you can track it down however, buy it at whatever price it's going for. I guarantee that anyone you show
it to will find it hypnotic, and they won't be able to look away. Neither will you. Ultraviolet is a ground-breaking show, and deserves to be one of the 5 DVDs You Need To Own.
it to will find it hypnotic, and they won't be able to look away. Neither will you. Ultraviolet is a ground-breaking show, and deserves to be one of the 5 DVDs You Need To Own.
6 - AN INNOCENT MAN(1989)
The Story: An ordinary man framed by crooked cops and sent to prison must find a way to clear his name.
The Cast: Tom Selleck, F. Murray Abraham, Laila Robins, David Rasche, Richard Young, Badja Djola. Written by: Larry Brothers. Directed by: Peter Yates.
Check This Out: Jimmy Rainwood(Selleck) is a master mechanic for American Airlines. He and his wife Kate(Robins) lead an ordinary, unass-uming life. That life is turned upside down when two crooked cops(Rasche, Young) looking to score drugs off of strong-armed dealers mix up their address and break down the Rainwoods' door one night, wound-ing Jimmy in the process. Knowing their careers are on the line, they plant a gun on the unconscious man and drugs in the house. Sentenced to years in prison, Jimmy has no choice but to learn how to survive behind bars. With the help of a lifer con(Abraham), Jim plans for the day when he'll finally get out...and can find a way to take down the men who put him in the slammer.
An Innocent Man came out the same year as Sylvester Stallone's Lockup, but Man is definitely the superior of the two. For one thing, it takes its subject matter completely seriously; it doesn't "Hollywood it up" and is a more realistic movie, especially when dealing with what a man is forced to do behind bars when confronted by such things as the possibilty of being gang-raped. The cast is solid all around, especially 80's staple character actor David Rasche(Sledge Hammer) as the lead bad cop, and Laila Robins(Planes, Trains and Automobiles) as the loving wife deter-mined to stand by her husband through thick and thin. Stallone's film stole the thunder, but Man deserves the accolades. It's an underappreci-ated gem, and definitely should be part of your DVD collection.
7 - DEEP COVER(1992)
The Story: A Cincinnati cop is recruited by the DEA to go deep undercov-er in Los Angeles to bring down a major drug ring. But where does the cop part of him end and the drug dealer begin?
The Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, Clarence Williams III, Vic-toria Dillard, Gregory Sierra, Charles Martin Smith. Written by: Michael Tolkin/Henry Bean. Directed by: Bill Duke.
Check This Out: Police officer Russell Stevens Jr.(Fishburne) has a thirst for justice, forged on the streets of Cleveland when his druggie father was shot in front of him as a child, in the midst of a liquor store holdup. Russell's profile, which is borderline criminal, exactly fits the needs of DEA agent Carver(Smith), who wants to take down a major drug ring in L.A. and earn brownie points back in Washington. Stevens could care less; his only viewpoint is that drug dealers need to be taken down by any means necessary. Given carte blanche by Carver to do what needs to be done, Stevens adopts a new persona as drug king wannabe John Hull and works the underworld system from the inside...but as he begins to form close relationships with several individuals on the wrong side, such as corrupt lawyer Jeff Goldblum and launderer Victoria Dillard(whom Fish-burne actually dated for a time in real life), is the system actually working him?
Deep Cover, the directing debut of Bill Duke, is a film somehow both simplistic and intricate at the same time. Convincing performances from the cast and a story which blurs the line between how much wrong can be done in the name of justice, elevates this story to the status of legend. There is an amazingly moving speech Charles Martin Smith delivers about what happens when a crack baby is born, and how drugs detrimen-tally affect its life forever. It's a speech which anyone even considering trying said drug should be forced to watch. And of course it's always great to see Clarence Williams III(The original Mod Squad) in anything he does. The chemistry between Fishburne and Goldblum is so fantastic that I can say with certainty that this is the movie 48 hours would have been, if that movie had never been filmed. Don't just rent Deep Cover...buy it.
8 - GOJIRA(1954)
The Story: Awakened by atomic testing off the sea of Japan, an ancient behemoth rises to bring terror to mankind.
The Cast: Momoko Kochi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura. Written by: Takeo Murata/Ishiro Honda. Directed by: Ishiro Honda.
Check This Out: Don't let the image to the right fool you. Put aside all preconceptions of what you think you know about Godzilla. The real story of Gojira is one of true fear, desperation, pathos, and a last desperate hope to save mankind. I won't go into too much detail here, but will recom-mend you to check out my archive review of Gojira's release on DVD. Suffice to say that this--the original, unexpurgated and non-bastardized version--is unlike any monster movie you have seen or will ever see. There's a reason Godzilla is called the King of the Monsters, and when you view this movie, you'll understand why.
9 - ROB ROY(1995)
The Story: Rob Roy was far more than just some dude a drink is named after. He's a Scottish legend who fought for justice in an age where there was none. This is the tale of how he fought his greatest personal battle.
The Cast: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, John Hurt, Eric Stoltz. Written by: Alan Sharp. Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones.
Check This Out: I'm not usually one for period pieces, but when this film first came out, my attention was caught by certain powerful scenes I saw on Siskel & Ebert's show. I went to see it in the theaters...more than once. I took a friend, and she loved it. I can say with confidence that if you watch it, you'll fall for its charms as well. The dialogue is written in the tra-dition of Shakespeare(but is intellectually accessible), and the cast deliv-ers it eagerly and earnestly. There are several dueling scenes, master-fully executed, and the music by Carter Burwell is stirring and ethereally beautiful. The central themes of love, loss, betrayal, revenge and the choice to steadfastly stick to one's own code of honor resonate across all time. Rob Roy is a rare film which elevates itself to classic without consci-ously attempting it. It's well worth the money you'll invest in it.
10 - THUMB WARS(1999)
The Story: The Star Wars universe is turned on its ear...or is that thumb?
The Cast: Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Black Helmet Man, Gabba the Butt. Written/Directed by: Steve Oedekerk.
Check This Out: One of the weirdest--yet funniest--parodies of Star Wars you're ever likely to see, Thumb Wars basically sets the tale in an alter-nate universe where thumbs are living, breathing digits which go about doing the same things humans do. Or, as the prologue sets up, "If there were thumbs in space and they got mad at each other, there would be Thumb Wars!"
The weirdness of the situation is easy enough to get around, and Oedekerk and company run with it: from the faux C-3P0's blatant effemin-acy, to Loke Groundrunner's whining to the revelation that Black Helmet Man isn't exactly Loke's father, the company of O Entertainment hits every nail right on the head. Example: After Loke's aunt and uncle are killed, Loke vows to head out with Oobedoob Benubi(the Obi-Wan char-acter) to find and defeat Black Helmet Man, to which the elder thumb replies, "Oh, big sacrifice--everyone you know is dead! Glad you could tear yourself away!"There are moments of comic genius within, and spots of dialogue which will have you laughing out loud. Thumb Wars is in gen-eral release, but is still somewhat hard to find in stores. You may have to track it down on Ebay, but you'll be glad you did.
11 – BOOMERANG(1992)
The Story: A playa gets his comeuppance when he falls for a woman who plays the game better than he does.
The Cast: Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, Halle Berry, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Grace Jones, Geoffrey Holder, Eartha Kitt.
Check This Out: The last good adult-oriented Eddie Murphy film came about as a type of apology for the brutal attitude smackdown he delivered to all women during his Raw comedy tour. Knowing that in spite of massive returns for the tour, his reputation as a misogynist pig had been increased, Murphy chose to make his next movie a rebuttal of a type, signifying that love is always better than lust.
Boomerang is a hilarious comedy, rife with deft performances and spot-on timing from all involved. It's one of Halle Berry's earliest films,
and a prime example of the brilliance which was to come in Monster's Ball. Years before Martin Lawrence lost his mind, he delivered some of the best lines here as one of Murphy's friends. The story has never rung more true: lust will get you short term satisfaction, but true love overcomes all obstacles--even pride--and lasts forever.
12 – DANGEROUS LIAISONS(1988)
The Story: A wager made between the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil brings sexual chaos to the aristocracy of 18th Century France.
The Cast: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves.
Check This Out: Brilliantly staged and lavishly produced with superb direction by Stephen Frears(The Snapper, High Fidelity), Dangerous Liaisons tells the story of two French aristocrats who were once lovers but now toy with the emotions and affairs of others for their own perverse amusement. Valmont(Malkovich) is a silver-tongued cad whom no woman can resist. Merteuil(Close) is a devious schemer who lives to exact revenge upon those whom she feels might have wronged her in even the most infinitesimal way. When she promises a night of unparalleled sexual pleasure to her former lover if he can produce written proof that he has seduced the chaste Madame de Tourvel(Pfeiffer), the fun begins for the audience!
Dangerous Liaisons, based upon a scandalous 18th Century novel by Choderlos de Laclos, was a smash hit play but only a moderate box office success. The film is brilliant in its own right however, and in spite of the flowery dialogue, its story is instantly accessible to anyone and everyone, thanks in no small part to Frears' direction and the excellent cast he has assembled(the only weak link in the chain being a young Keanu Reeves, whose delivery is flat and uninspiring no matter what century he plays in). Whether you're a fan of love stories or intrigue, Liaisons has plenty of both to spare.
13 – DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY(1993)
The Story: A moving and action-oriented biography of the man whose martial arts skills made him a legend and changed every aspect of the sport forever.
The Cast: Jason Scott Lee, Lauren Holly, Nancy Kwan, Robert Wagner. Written by: Edward Khmara, John Raffo and Rob Cohen. Directed by: Rob Cohen.
Check This Out: Based on the novel "Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew" by the late master's widow, Linda Lee Cadwell, Dragon tells the tale of how a young man gifted with heart, intelligence, resolve--and some major kick-butt martial arts skill--overcame prejudice and other disadvantages to re-write both cinematic and martial arts history. Jason Scott Lee is nothing short of brilliant in his earnest portrayal of Bruce Lee, and little-known historical references abound throughout the film. For instance, I'll bet you didn't know that Bruce Lee came up with the idea for the tv series Kung Fu, which was stolen from him and eventually came to star Cauca-sian actor David Carradine. There are solid re-enactments of key events in Lee's life, from his starring role as Kato on The Green Hornet(and the prejudice one network executive expressed because of it) to the making of his legendary film Enter the Dragon. But the greatest thing about Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is not in its reenactments; like Lee's life, it's the journey which makes the viewing worthwhile.
14 – KING OF NEW YORK(1990)
The Story: A recently paroled drug kingpin goes right back to business... but this time, with the intent of doing some good via evil deeds.
The Cast: Christopher Walken, Wesley Snipes, Larry Fishburne, David Caruso, Giancarlo Esposito, Theresa Randle, Victor Argo, Steve Buscemi. Written by: Nicholas St. John. Directed by: Abel Ferrera.
Check This Out: This is absolutely the type of film I normally stay away from...but from the instant I first viewed King of New York, I fell in love with its insane mix of sex, drugs, murder, mayhem and rap music! Frank White(Walken) is a drug lord determined to do some good for the city he loves, no matter what he has to do to accomplish his goals. He negotiates with Chinese drug lords to obtain funding for bankrupt hospitals; steals from other rivals to aid the poor...and of course murders anyone who gets in his way, whether cop or criminal. Starring a grip of actors before they became names(Snipes, Caruso, Fishburne, Randle) and darkly directed by Abel Ferrera(Bad Lieutenant), if you're looking for a purely visceral bloodrush, no other movie can deliver it quite like King of New York!
15 – LA FEMME NIKITA(1990)
The Story: A delinquent and heroin addict murders a cop; for penance, she must serve the French government as an assassin...or die.
The Cast: Anne Parillaud, Tcheky Karyo, Jean Reno, Jean-Hugues Anglade. Written/directed by: Luc Besson.
Check This Out: If you don't think you like foreign cinema, if you've never given it a try, if someone's pressuring you to watch it, watch La Femme Nikita first--and then you'll be willing to try anything and everything foreign cinema has to offer! This is the original, the champ, the best--the movie which spawned a slew of inferior imitators, including the Hong Kong Black Cat and the hideous American versions Point Of No Return and tv series La Femme Nikita(even the introductory screen for the bonus game "Separate Ways" on the Playstation 2 VG "Resident Evil 4" references the cover of the Nikita DVD!). I remember that a friend of mine had seen PONR, and had heard of Nikita but never seen it. Once I showed it to her, she got it; she understood why nothing else even comes close!
From the bloody opening sequence to the capture and training of Nikita--a young, wild waif who needs to learn how to be tamed--to the first assignment handed out on her birthday, wherein she must kill a diplomat and survive the retaliation of his bodyguards using nothing but her own wits(and kick-ass titanium bullets!) director Luc Besson(the now legendary The Professional, which introduced the world to the godsend which is Natalie Portman) guides us through the world of a desperate young woman whose only chance for true happiness is to somehow escape the clutches of the government she serves. If you have to choose any one video to get from all others on this list, this is the one! I have yet to meet one person who has viewed this film and hasn't been captivated by the brutal and sorrowful beauty that is La Femme Nikita.
Official Archives of LanceReviews...
The Best DVDs To Own
(Little-known classics which you need to put on your shelf!)
16 – BEING JOHN MALKOVICH(1999)
The Story: A portal on the 7½ floor of a business office opens up—literally —inside the mind of actor John Malkovich.
The Cast: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean and of course, John Malkovich. Written by: Charlie Kaufman. Directed by: Spike Jonze.
Check This Out: Don’t let the weirdness of the plotline above fool you—it gets weirder from here on out. However, this is one of the main reasons(aside from cast and direction) this story works. As a matter of fact, the weirder and more bizarre this film gets, the more sense it makes and the better it gets, leading to an ending which is both truly ironic and heart-breaking, while still completely satisfying. John Cusack is at his indie-king best in this film, and Cameron Diaz uglies herself up in order to play a typical, plain and unfulfilled housewife who has no idea what she wants to do with her life from one moment to the next. I’ll bet you can’t name the writer of 5 movies, even if they’re your favorite ones, but you know who all the directors are. It’s a credit to Charlie Kaufman(also writer of the lesser Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) that his name is on the lips of most people who view this movie, right along with Spike Jonze’s. And when Malkovich finds out that people have literally been seeing his life through his eyes via what amounts to a mind-timeshare plot by Cusack and Keener, his threat to take Cusack to court leads to one of the funniest comeback lines you’ll ever hear in a movie. Check it out at your video store now—before another person in your neighborhood reading this article beats you to it.
17 – COP LAND(1997)
The Story: A small-town sheriff stands up to big time corruption in a town full of crooked cops.
The Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Malik Yoba, Janeane Garofalo. Written and directed by: James Mangold.
Check This Out: Don’t let Stallone’s affiliation with this flick chase you away; this is the best performance he has ever given in a film, outside of the original Rocky. Sly’s character, Freddy Heflin, is a real person: at once likeable, pitiable, touching and a poor sap of a nice guy with a heart too big for the town he’s in. After the alleged death of a hero cop brings an investigation by Internal Affairs to Freddy’s town, a precinct full of corrupt cops(led by Harvey Keitel, naturally) might be exposed. De Niro, the investigator, tries to get Freddy to dig his head out of the sand and take a look around at what his inner self has been trying to tell him for so long: as long as good men stand by and do nothing, evil men will flourish. It’s a taut, well written story, and every actor gets their moment. On the humorous side, you’ll enjoy the scene where De Niro—one of the greatest actors ever—out-acts Stallone with the aid of a ham sandwich(Letterman teased De Niro about this when Cop Land originally came out, and if you look at the scene, yes—Bobby’s indeed using the sandwich as a prop to out-act Sly. No offense meant, of course). Get Cop Land. Now.
18 – CRACKER(1993-1996)
The Story: Forensic psychologist Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald’s life is a mess: he’s a chain-smoking, alcoholic gambling addict without a clue as to how to cope with the slow dissolution of his family unit which his vices are causing. However, Fitz has a gift: he is brilliant at his job, and when examining the aftermath of a crime, he can pick out psychological details of the perp that no one else can. The local cops can’t stand him—but they need him.
The Cast: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Barbara Flynn, Lorcan Cranitch, Ricky Tomlinson, Edward Peel. Created by: Jimmy McGovern. Writers/Directors: Various.
Check This Out: This isn’t the shit-tastic, short-lived American series which starred now-deceased Robert Pastorelli. This is the original British series in all its uncensored glory, baby! Don’t let anyone fool you: this series has inspired every single forensics styled show currently on-air, from the CSI series to Cold Case to Medium. Forget his role as Hagrid in Harry Potter; Coltrane is one hell of a serious dramatic actor, and watch-ing him cut loose in this show will gain him an infinite amount of Respect Points from you, guaranteed. The writing and acting is some of the best you’ll ever see anywhere, the actors look like real people instead of glammed-up Barbie dolls, and they even kill off a main character by the sixth episode! And trust me, even though I just told you that last part, you still won’t guess who it is until it happens. If ever there was a mystery/
forensics/cop series to own, this is the one.
forensics/cop series to own, this is the one.
19 – GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS(1992)
The Story: “Lie, cheat, steal—all in a day’s work” was the film’s original tag line. It’s Wall Street on a smaller scale, but no less a powder keg waiting to go off.
The Cast: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin, Jonathan Pryce. Written by: David Mamet. Directed by: James Foley.
Check This Out: At a dinky real estate office in Queens, the sales group is told they’re all fired, and have one week to get their jobs back. Go out and close their deals, or hit the bricks. And with that, they’re off and running. Pacino is the top man on the board(no surprise), so he has no worries—until a co-worker puts his best deal ever in jeopardy. The late Jack Lemmon gives a sterling performance as the old-timer of the group facing his last shot at the brass ring. And the opening speech by Baldwin has been used for motivational purposes at companies around the country—however, given the brutal nature of the speech, you have to wonder if Satan hasn’t been posing in several guises at some of these places. Ask anyone you know in real estate if they’ve ever heard of this film—I guar-antee you’ll never hear “no”. If you’ve ever been in sales or retail of any kind, you need to see this movie. It is the Office Space of its time, if that film were a straight-up drama. And once you do see it, you’ll understand what I mean when I tell you to be sure to Always Be Closing.
20 – THE PUPPET MASTERS(1994)
The Story: Aliens come to Earth and begin using human bodies as their hosts. Think you’ve seen this movie before? You have—and haven’t.
The Cast: Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, Julie Warner, Keith David, Richard Belzer, Yaphet Kotto. Written by: Ted Elliott. Directed by: Stuart Orme.
Check This Out: The original novel, “The Puppet Masters” by Robert A. Heinlein, was written years before “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” came out. That’s right, Heinlein was there first—but unfortunately, “Body Snatchers” got produced first. Puppet Masters is true to the vision, and is the superior film in many ways—from the government’s early detection and response to the alien threat, down to the humanism of the characters. And this is the first thing in which I can actually stand to watch Richard Belzer. Eric Thal is a credible actor, but what the hell ever happened to him? There are moments of sexuality and arousal which don’t detract from the story in the slightest, and when Sutherland is taken over and con-fronts Thal aboard an airborne chopper, it’s a cinematic treat, in spite of the sub-par green screen effect used. Sutherland flips a switch and delivers the line “automatic pilot” in the same tone as if he were telling Thal “I’m going to kick your ass now”. The Puppet Masters has several degrees of subtlety to it, and solid acting throughout. Put Body Snatchers out of your mind and feast your eyes on the original—you won’t be disappointed.
21 – THE CROW(1994)
The Story: When a rock musician and his girlfriend are murdered on the eve of their wedding, his spirit returns to exact revenge on the gang that killed them.
The Cast: Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Tony Todd, Bai Ling, Sofia Shinas. Directed by: Alex Proyas.
Check This Out: The Crow is an important film, both historically and culturally. It is important culturally because in the pantheon of comic book-to-film translations, it ranks as one of the absolute best for producing a solid, moving and convincing story. It is important historically because this is the last film acted in by Brandon Lee(son of the legendary Bruce Lee), because it's the film he died while working on.
Due to a tragic accident in the scene where Eric Draven(Lee) is shot when he stumbles upon the gang raping his fiancee, Lee was killed when a dummy bullet unlodged from its casing and struck point-blank into his abdomen. To complete filming, Proyas used a stunt double and CGI-pasted Lee's face onto his. The trick works, although perhaps sadly, the film was a rousing success at the box office due more to the real life tragedy than its story. The story itself however is powerful, visceral and darkly romantic...and definitely deserves to be taken on its own merit. While not possessing quite the martial arts skills of his dad or acting chops, Brandon Lee had a charisma which was enthralling. Go out...find The Crow...discover the magic.
22 – ED WOOD(1994)
The Story: A loving semi-biopic of the man officially voted The Worst DIrector In History.
The Cast: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Juliet Landau, Lisa Marie. Directed by: Tim Burton.
Check This Out: Due mainly to the hideous remake of Planet of the Apes (among other recent missteps), Tim Burton has fallen out of my favor in recent years. However, back when he knew what he was doing--and always feeling a bit of a misanthrope by Hollywood standards himself--he put together a loving homage to one of his idols, schlock director Ed Wood, a man who was absolutely convinced he was making masterpieces, even when the rest of the world told him it was all crap.
Ed Wood the movie focuses primarily on the point in time when Wood the director became friends with the legendary Bela Lugosi(Martin Landau), during the twilight of the latter man's existence, and this is where the primary strength of the movie comes from. Landau deservedly won an Oscar for his performance, though the movie itself failed almost as spec-tacularly as one of Wood's own productions. However, this is an under-ground classic, and if you come across it at your neighborhood retailer, it is definitely worth the small sum you'll pay to own it. It's chock full of great performances, and you can't help but root for Wood...definitely the Don Quixote of his time.
23 – FRIGHT NIGHT(1985)
The Story: A high schooler who lives for horror films becomes involved in a real life horror scenario when an actual vampire moves in next door.
The Cast: William Ragsdale, Roddy McDowall, Chris Sarandon, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark. Directed by: Tom Holland.
Check This Out: An absolute gem of a movie and a surprise box office hit when it came out, Fright Night isn't just a new take on the horror genre--it's a loving homage to all that makes the classic vampire legend great. Unlike more modern reimaginings of those creatures of the night, Fright Night keeps things basic: Vampire Jerry Dandridge(an outstanding Chris Sarandon) can be warded off by crosses, garlic, sunlight and wooden stakes. Yet like the classic Dracula, his own past love has been reincar-nated in the form of Charley Brewster's(Ragsdale) virgin girlfriend Amy(Bearse, who would go on to star in Married With Children and later come out of the closet). Roddy McDowall is magnificent as washed-up B-movie horror hero Peter Vincent, "The great vampire killer" and the cast is utter-ly believable in a movie which sometimes borders on--but never reaches--the level of high camp. Fright Night is a pure fun fest, and deserves to sit on your DVD shelf.
24 – LEON THE PROFESSIONAL(1994)
The Story: When a young girl's family is killed by corrupt cops, she is taken under the wing of a professional hitman...who trains her to seek revenge.
The Cast: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello. Directed by: Luc Besson.
Check This Out: The man who gave us the incomparable La Femme Nikita does it again! The story has become underground legend, of how Luc Besson was so taken with Jean Reno's performance as "Victor the Cleaner" in Nikita, that he decided to base an entire film on a Victor-like character and presented the script to Reno over dinner. Leon(originally just called The Professional during its U.S. release) is a runaway smorg-asboard of solid performances--the greatest of which might be the jaw-dropping one given by a then-13 year-old Natalie Portman in her debut!
Re-released on DVD as Leon The Professional, with extended scenes considered too raw for American audiences(Leon's and Mathilda's(Port-man) relationship takes on decidedly sexual undertones, the young girl also accompanies him on several of his hits), this DVD is worth it not only as an extended view into the lives of the main characters, but also for the bonus features, which include a ten year retrospective interview with most of the main cast and the backstory into how the film came about. Leon is the perfect companion piece to Nikita... now if only Besson would develop a film where these two anti-heroes meet.
25 –SOMEWHERE IN TIME(1980)
The Story: A successful playwright suffering from writers' block seeks refuge at a hotel and falls in love with a painting of a woman from nearly a century past. Realizing he has known her in a past life, he seeks a way to travel back in time to rekindle their love.
The Cast: Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer. Directed by: Jeannot Szwarc
Check This Out: I had the opportunity to meet Christopher Reeve years ago, well before his tragic horseriding accident. He was very forthcoming about the effect playing Superman had on his career, and was quite disappointed by the failure of Somewhere In Time to find an audience at the box office. Years later however, via its release on video, DVD and late-night runs on television, the film would become a cult classic and renowned as one of Reeve's most moving performances.
The pseudo-science behind writer Richard Collier's(Reeve) ability to travel back in time to meet actress Elise McKenna(Seymour) is utterly laughable, but this is the only part of the plot which falters. Christopher Plummer, as Elise's manager, is the villain of the piece and it's obvious he relishes the role. However it is the singularly convincing romance between Reeve and Seymour--who later became best friends--that holds the entirety of the film together. Add to this the superb score by John Barry which perfectly compliments the film, and you have a true, good old-fashioned romance. Somewhere In Time is more than a chick flick; it's a love story that can be appreciated by anyone who's longed for someone they couldn't have, and at the last, it's validation for Reeve's belief in the film itself. Buy it; you won't be sorry.
26 – DAWN OF THE DEAD(2004)
The Story: George Romero's classic gets the remake treatment with more blood, gore--and faster zombies.
The Cast: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Kelly, Lindy Booth, Inna Korobkina, Kevin Zegers. Directed by: Zack Snyder.
Check This Out: As regular visitors to this site are well aware, I am not a fan of remakes. They tend to be uninspired, unoriginal and vastly inferior to the more brilliant films which spawned them. Not so with Zack Snyder's update of the George Romero film which initiated the zombie craze, Dawn of the Dead.
Like the original, we focus on a cast of varied individuals holed up in a specific area--like the original, a deserted mall--who are trying to survive an unexplained outbreak of formerly normal humans who've died and returned from the dead, and are now intent on dining on the living. Making the experience all the more terrifying is that unlike the 1978 original, these zombies move and run just as fast as normal humans, making the fight to survive harder when being chased. The characters are totally believable, the situation is dire, and for the gore fans, there's definitely enough to go around. DVD extras include several "documentaries" and "found footage" taking place in that specific reality. The best of these is a mock round-the-clock news report, featuring the late Richard Biggs(Babylon 5). Dawn of the Dead is a treat for horror fans, and definitely worth adding to your collection.
27 – GALAXY QUEST(1999)
The Story: A group of actors from a long-gone science fiction series get their chance to be real heroes when aliens--who believe their show is real
--come to Earth looking for their help.
The Cast: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Alan Rickman, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Rockwell, Justin Long. Directed by: Dean Parisot.
Check This Out: Admittedly, Galaxy Quest works better if you're an avid--or even just a passing--fan of the original Star Trek. There are in-jokes aplenty, and quite a few gags the casual viewer might not get. However the comedy is broad and relatable enough that it works simply as sheer entertainment...and what an amusing piece of entertainment it is. One would never think that "serious" actors such as Rickman, Weaver...or even a comedian like Allen...would take to doing a picture like this. But the simple fact of the matter is that they loved the script because it's an excellent story. There are dozens of laugh out loud moments, great effects(courtesy of George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic) and quiet moments of great human characterization. Not only is the cast believable, but as outrageous as the situation is, they sell it completely. Galaxy Quest is one fun ride.
28 – LONESOME DOVE(1989)
The Story: Two former Texas Rangers and a group of friends go on one last adventure as they brave the harsh ride to Montana on a cattle drive. Sound boring? Not for one damn second.
The Cast: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Anjelica Huston, Diane Lane, Danny Glover, Rick Schroder, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D.B. Sweeney, Chris Cooper, Steve Buscemi. Directed by: Simon Wincer.
Check This Out: Outstanding. Brilliant. Magnificent. Inarguably one of the best westerns ever filmed, Lonesome Dove is a triumph of the genre of television miniseries. It cuts across generations, ethnic boundaries, and genres to craft a tale which will touch the heart of anyone watching it. The characters are among the most well-defined ever committed to celluloid, and the fact that it's based on the original novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry(the descendant of cowboys) adds believability to the situations in which they find themselves.
There is no way to convey in so short a space just how unique this miniseries is. Dozens of shows and films have tried to imitate it, and none have come close. It's a great adventure, it's a slice of humanity, and be warned: it's also one hell of a tearjerker. Characters you will grow to love and respect sometimes die in the most unexpected manners, because that's what life was like back in the Old West--hard and fast. But it's real, and that's what matters. Don't seek to rent it...OWN IT! I guarantee you will not be sorry.
29 – THE NAKED GUN(1988)
The Story: A bumbling cop tries to clear his friend's name during an investigation of a possibly corrupt prominent figure. Aiding him is a woman with "the type of legs you'd like to suck on for a day".
The Cast: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, George Kennedy, Ricardo Montalban. Directed by: David Zucker.
Check This Out: Almost every maker of parody comedy in the last decade and a half--from the creators of Scary Movie to Epic Movie to Meet The Spartans--owes a debt to Jerry and David Zucker, the men who gave us the unforgettable Airplane! and then saw fit to bestow upon us The Naked Gun.