That's a tough one. For me, it's like asking, who's your favorite: your wife, your mother, your kids, your mother-in-law . . . well, maybe we'll just stop with the kids.

Recently (last two years or so) :

Road to Perdition (which I think is/was the best movie so far this year, IMHO)
Sixth Sense
Billy Elliot (which I found extremely entertaining)
Both Harry Potter Movies (but I'm a HP fan, so . . .)
Saving Private Ryan (reminded me of my dad - he was in the 101st)

Of the older 'classics' that I will force myself to watch, over and over . . .

(Especially around this time of the year) White Christmas - it has campy humour, good songs, middle school conflict and a happy ending!
Rio Bravo (I really like westerns - and Walter Brennan should have won the best supporting Oscar here - maybe he did - also great song, 'My Pony, My Rifle and Me')
The Searchers (John Wayne at his MEANEST - did I mention I like westerns?)
Witness for the Prosecution (I also like court-room dramas)
Twelve Angry Men (One of my favorites!). I read that they shot most of it to look crowded, hot and uncomfortable. Good job too.

I'm sure there are dozens of other films, but I'm drawing a blank! It's 15 minutes before lunch and my mind is elsewhere!

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Moore : That's a tough one. For The Searchers (John Wayne at his MEANEST - did I mention I like westerns?)
-->>>

I think Wayne was his meanest in RED RIVER.

You might be right there. But I liked THE SEARCHERS better than RR!

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Moore : Road to Perdition (which I think is/was the best movie so far this year, IMHO)

-->>>

I could not agree more. If Paul Newman does not get Best Supporting Actor from the Academy, it would be a HUGE injustice. IMHO it was his best work ever.

I liked all aspects of this movie: the music (I love the soundtrack!), the lighting, the camera work, all of the actors' work, the DP (Conrad Hall). I guess since it was (IMHO) a slow spring/summer for decent movies, this one just slammed me against the wall. I even like the website (www.roadtoperdition.com ). It has the complete soundtrack listed (though you can't 'save' it, it's there for listening pleasure!

I thought Hanks turned in a great performance (as well as Newman) and Tyler Hoechlein (sp? - the son) did a great job too.

This is great board to post to, as most people are very tolerant of varying opinions, but most "movie boards" blather on about obscure indies, etc. I think some of that work is good too, but they are less tolerant of more main-stream cinema.

I know I'll run a bit of a risk stating this, but I think Hanks is one of the best actors out there today (which could be an unpopular opinion), but it's mine none-the-less! I hope this movie (without yet seeing any of the other Oscar potentials) wins many awards!

No doubt that Hanks is one of the top actors at it today. There was a great article in American Cinematographer that talked with Conard Hall about the movie. A great read if you have not seen it.

Edward Norton is another cat who is off the charts. He has been delivering since he hit the scene.

I like EN also. I think the first time I saw him (at least the first time I remember him) was with Richard Gere in a movie that escapes me. Was it PRIMAL FEAR? I can't remember.

I read the book also. It was about a teenage boy who was on trial for the murder of a priest/preacher and Gere was the lawyer who gets him off (found innocent!).

I thought he was really good in that. He was also good in American X and that 'heist' movie with DeNiro - that name escapes me also.

One of my favorite shows to watch is INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO. I've seen Hanks on that (as well as many others). I would like to see Edward Norton interviewed (if he hasn't been already).

I think my favorite interview on that show was Ron Howard (another personal favorite).

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Moore : One of my favorite shows to watch is INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO. I've seen Hanks on that (as well as many others). I would like to see Edward Norton interviewed (if he hasn't been already).
-->>>

Who carries this program, I have not heard of it.

It's carried on BRAVO and there lineup is

60 min. ¥ 11/23/02 7:00 PM
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford lends insight into his life and craft in a candid interview with host James Lipton.

60 min. ¥ 11/24/02 11:00 AM
Robert De Niro
Acting, says Robert De Niro, is Ònot about neuroses or playing on your neuroses. It's about character.Ó

60 min. ¥ 11/24/02 8:00 PM
Pierce Brosnan
Clips from ÒGoldenEyeÓ and ÒThe Thomas Crown AffairÓ complement an interview with Pierce Brosnan, who discusses playing James Bond and his work on TV's ÒRemington SteeleÓ (ÒI kind of just played myself,Ó he says of the Steele role). Also: Brosnan reflects on his childhood in Ireland and England. James Lipton hosts.

60 min. ¥ 11/30/02 7:00 PM
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep talks about her career, including a pivotal performance in drama class at Vassar; and helping write her lines for the courtroom scene in "Kramer vs. Kramer." Also: her films "Sophie's Choice," "Out of Africa," "Dancing at Lughnasa."

60 min. ¥ 12/1/02 11:00 AM
Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid, star of ÒGreat Balls of FireÓ and ÒThe Right Stuff,Ó discusses his life and craft in an interview with host James Lipton.

60 min. ¥ 12/1/02 8:00 PM
Richard Gere
Richard Gere, star of ÒAn Officer and a GentlemanÓ and ÒPretty Woman,Ó discusses his ascent to silver-screen stardom with host James Lipton.

60 min. ¥ 12/1/02 11:00 PM
Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant, star of ÒNotting HillÓ and ÒFour Weddings and a Funeral,Ó sheds light on his life, craft and career in an interview with host James Lipton.

Some of the shows repeat so check you local listings.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I've seen the Quaid, Ford and Gere shows, but not the others. Thanks for the info.

I've watched many actors on this show and have a pre-conceived notion on each one before seeing them. Then as I am watching, I usually find out that I'm way off base in my opinions . . . most of the time!

OK, in no order......

12 Angry men
The Italian Job
In the heat of the night
Dr Strangelove
A lion in winter
Zulu
El Cid
The Searchers
10 Rillington Place
The Elephant Man
Schindlers List
Gregory's Girl

A few have been listed by others.

I tried to list my favorite films recently and it was impossible to stop..the list just kept growing and growing.

Lately, though...I've been in a "study mode"...watching or re-watching movies that I've loved. Here are a few:

Some Girls
Very stylized...nice symbolism used...and overall rather poetic.

Local Hero
Low key...but loaded with dry humor. Also makes you reflect on what's important in life.

Harold and Maude
If you've never seen this film, you need to drop whatever you're doing and go rent it.

Barry Lyndon
One of the very first movies filmed with all natural lighting, if I remember correctly. Kubrick wanted the lighting to appear as it would have during that period, so I believe they had to come up with some new technology at that time to pull it off. I love the "rambling" nature of the film...and have had a crush on Marisa Berenson ever since I first saw it.

This list could go on and on, too. Guess I've been watching more than I realized.

Thanks to the gentleman who posted IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. I forgot that one, as well TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and the original CAPE FEAR!

Uzumaki
Spirited Away (Japanese Anime)
Count of Monte Cristo (most recent adaptation)

I like these movies because they're engaging because the story lines are told well. Except for Uzumaki there are very few special effects.

Uzumaki - Interesting and very odd story line, kinda like a creepy japanese twilight zone, looks low budget but keeps you engaged.

Spirited Away - Lovely animation, watch it in a movie house and you'll really appreciate the artistry. The story line keeps you engaged ... a bit long but not too long. One reviewer called it "like a Japanese Alice in Wonderland but not"

I really enjoyed the latest adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo beautiful imagery and one of the best adapted story lines - the great thing is that there is almost no "action" in the whole movie it moves along at a "slow" pace but engages you with all the emotional imagery. I thought it was just great, a "real" movie which I haven't experienced in a long time.

Agreed on SPIRITED AWAY. A real shame that it wasn't promoted well by Disney but that's par for the course. Disney just let MONONOKE HIME die in North America as well.

I thought COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO was passable. It moved along well and it had some high points, such as when he returns as the count to impress everyone with his riches. However, the sword fighting was a real let down and his confrontation with his friend pretty stale.

Just saw two more last night that need to go on the list:

The Last Picture Show
Summer of 42