Great Movies

The phrase "great movies" is used often and has probably lost its punch. In reality, a "great movie" is in the eye of the movie beholder. One person is blown away by Sir Laurence Olivier in Hamlet while another person thinks that "Dumb and Dumber" is the greatest movie ever made. We all have our favorites for this category. I have chosen seven that I think will appeal to most people, and, for the most part, are not well known to the general public.

1) The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)

This 1970 romantic comedy is an absolute howl. This is early Barbra Streisand and George Segal playing the leads, Doris and Felix, with Robert Klein in a supporting role. She is an actress/model/prostitute living with an aspiring writer in New York City. He is trying to write the "Great American Novel" while she is trying to add to her movie career beyond the film "Cycle Sluts" that she has on her resume. They have living in different worlds and when they are thrown together by circumstances they start to become curious about each other. The more they discover and understand, the closer they get. The conversations Felix has about Doris's pay for play past are absolutely hilarious. "My God Doris, you're a sexual Disneyland." Buck Henry was one of the writers and Herbert Ross directs.

2) The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)

This 1955 war story actually recounts an actual raid by British Royal Marines on German ships in the port of Bordeaux in Occupied France during World War II. This action film stars Jose Ferrer, who also directs, and Trevor Howard. Also look for Anthony Newley in a supporting role. This movie is an excellent example of a great low budget film. It begins with a group of Marines being trained for a virtual "suicide mission" which entails being transported by submarine in the vicinity of Bordeaux harbor where they continue their mission in kayaks. Upon entering the harbor, they are tasked with trying to put all their limpet mines on enemy ships and then, somehow, make their escape. The first part of the film which has Trevor Howard trying to train this interesting group is actually quite humorous. Of course, later it becomes more suspenseful as the kayakers set off on the actual mission.

3) The Mummy (1932)

This horror classic is well known to some but I think it is overlooked by many because of its age. This is probably the first film I can remember that scared the living "you know what" out of me right at the beginning. If you haven't seen this film, I double dog dare you to watch it at night with the lights off. Boris Karloff, of course, plays the lead, Im-ho-tep, and Zita Johann co-stars as his 3700 year old love interest, Princess Anck-es-en-Amon. In this Karl Freund film, a British expedition discovers the tomb of Im-ho-tep and now the screaming begins. I won't go into anymore detail so that those folks who have not experienced this film can have the full monty.

4) The Warriors (1979)

One of my favorites, this is basically the Warriors against the rest of the gang world in New York City. The major gangs in the New York area send representatives to a meeting in the Bronx, where, Cyrus, the leader of the biggest gang speaks to them about joining together so they can virtually rule the city. The representatives from the Warriors leave their home territory, Coney Island, and make the trip to the Bronx to hear Cyrus make his pitch. Cyrus is assassinated at the event and the Warriors are accused by members of a rival gang of the murder. It is now a matter of survival for these 9 Warriors, led by Swan (Michael Beck), and a race to cross enemy territory as all the other gangs are looking for them. James Remar (Ajax) plays an uncomfortable second fiddle to Swan and tries to contend for leading this small band to safety. Along the way, Swan picks up Mercy (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) who helps when he is separated for a while from the others. Walter Hill directs this campy cult classic. Ya gotta love the gang names and their unique dress. From the Gramercy Riffs to the Lizzies (a Lesbian outfit), the Warriors are in deep doo-doo.

5) The King of Hearts (Le Roi de Coeur) (1966)

Another cult classic, this hilarious comedy stars Alan Bates as Scottish Private Charles Plumpick who is sent into a small French town to defuse a booby trap left by the retreating Germans near the end of WW I. He gets chased by some remaining Germans and inadvertantly takes refuge in the local insane asylum. These folks, who have been waiting for the "King of Hearts", now have their King. After the Germans leave, Private Plumpick leaves the asylum to find the bomb and he accidentally leaves the door to the asylum open (I hate when that happens). His new followers take over the town and start creating a comical celebration for the King's coronation while he is desperately trying to find the bomb and defuse it before it goes off. As this farce goes on, the question being begged is "Who is really insane?". With mainly a French cast, Genevieve Bujold is the most recognizable member of the supporting cast in this true gem which is directed by Philippe de Broca.

6) Bullitt (1968)

This is a well known movie to some but I want to make sure everybody has seen it at least once. This movie is vintage Steve McQueen as San Francisco Detective Frank Bullitt and he is supported by a tremendous cast, including Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland, Norman Fell, and Georg Stanford Brown. A Mafia informant, in seclusion and protected by Bullitt's men, is found and assassinated. Bullitt goes on a rampage to locate the internal leak and find the perpetrators. The one thing everyone remembers about this movie is the chase scene between Bullitt's souped up 1968 Mustang GT Fastback and a 1968 Charger. This chase still probably ranks at #1 when compared to other car chases. You can't beat a chase between two machines like this going up and down the streets of San Francisco (I'm sure it's a guy thing). You literally feel like you need to check and see if your seat belt is tight. Directed by Peter Yates, this movie is a great, tight, fast paced, production.

7) Dressed to Kill (1980)

This suspense thriller has Michael Caine as Dr. Robert Elliott in a much different role than most of his career. Angie Dickinson co-stars and supporting cast members are Nancy Allen and Dennis Franz. This dark, edgy, sexy, psychological murder mystery, directed by Brian de Palma, was ahead of its time, as it touches on the subject of transgender people. This is one of those movies where the suspense builds and you are on the edge of your seat as your mind races to try to put the pieces together for this clever puzzle. Good Luck!