Movies That You Should All Sit Down and Watch Because I Said So: Part Seven

Good day everyone and welcome to October. Today I bring you ten more movies that you must see because I am telling you to do so and I am awesome so you should listen to me. No I am not doing Halloween movies, maybe I will before the month is out, but I started this list a last month but I have been so busy with all the weddings I had to attend, all the miserable hours of overtime I have been doing at work and Mets playoff baseball (which is making this October the best in years). Instead of scary movies I bring to you mainly gangster and crime films, so read about them and then go and watch them all.

The Public Ememy (1931)- William A. Wellman; Warner Bros.

Today we begin with The Public Enemy a tale about a young street tough who wants to be big time. He takes advantage of prohibition to do so. James Cagney was one of 1930s Hollywood's quintessential prohibition era gangster (when he wasn't dancing) and this is the role that started it. It is as much of a tale of a family dynamic as it is a gangster flick. His family life slowly comes apart as he rises the ranks and in the light of his brothers return.

This film is a must watch because it and Little Caesar (which came out a few months before The Public Enemy) set the tone for a slew of gangster films for years to come and their influence can even be seen in today's movies though with a little less fast talking.   

Kansas City Confidential (1952)- Phil Karlson; Associated Players & Producers

Kansas City Confidential is one of the more obscure films I have discussed. I don't even know how I cam across it to be honest. I may have just been clicking around on Amazon found it, and ordered it. I watched it and fell in love with it. Its not a perfect film, but it is a great film-noir nonetheless. A man (John Payne) is framed for an armed robbery and sets out to find out who set him up and it leads to Mexico and a bunch of shady characters. If you can find this movie and you love Noir's this is a must watch. Just be careful if you buy it on DVD as the film is apparently public domain meaning there is no owner and any schmuck can try and make a buck off of it. I had a buddy buy a copy that was all out of whack, meanwhile my copy is crisp. So if you can't find a good copy give me a call. Then again since it is public domain It is on YouTube, so who needs me. 

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)- George Roy Hill; 20th Century Fox, Campanile Productions, Newman-Foreman Company

A wonderful story of friendship and train robbing and more importantly it marks the first time we got to see a film with Robert Redford and Paul Newman together and it is everything you would expect from the two acting juggernauts (as is the other picture they did together which you will read about next). Based off of true events of the infamous criminals Butch Cassidy and Harry Longaaugh aka The Sundance Kid as they run from the law eventually ending up in Bolivia. This version of their tale (does anyone know the real ending of these two was written by William Golden who would win an Academy Award for his efforts and brought to the screen by director George Roy Hill with the help of cinematographer Conrad L. Hall (no relation between them) who would also win an Oscar for his work which is incredible and in some cases breathtaking both of which are needed when trying to capture the American West and its innate beauty and the larger than life characters that roamed it.

If you like westerns this is a must watch. If you like great acting this is a must watch. If you love great film scores this is a must watch. I guess what I am saying is that no matter what you look for in a film this has it and is a must watch. So go watch. 

The Sting (1973)- George Roy Hill: Zanuck/Brown Productions, Universal

The Sting is the ultimate movie about a con (sorry Danny Ocean). Robert Redford and Paul Newman pair up again with director George Roy Hill (won academy award for best director, also this is quietly his third appearance in this series) again in this Best Picture winning film. Newman and Redford (who received a nomination for best supporting actor) team up after a mutual friend is killed to run the big con against the man and organization that was responsible. The movie is a fantastic ride and is powered not only by the huge names on camera and behind it but also with David S. Ward's academy award winning screenplay. Pair all of that with the catchy jingle they used as The Sting's theme (The Entertainer by Scott Joplin) and you have a fun movie for the whole damn family! The subtle stylistic choices made by Hill add a quality to the movie that I truly appreciate. From using the 1930's Universal logo to implementing old fashioned transitions between scenes makes you feel like you are acting a film from Hollywood's golden era and not just watching one that takes place in that time.

The Untouchables (1987)- Brian De Palma; Paramount Pictures

When Kevin Costner is playing the main character I never have high hopes for a movie. He is just not any good, but a great story, a beyond fantastic supporting cast, a perfect musical score , and brilliant cinematography save his less than stellar performance. Sean Connery fits perfectly as the Wiley old copper who finds the urge to aide Elliot Ness (Costner) against Al Capone (De Niro) and the corrupt system. Connery's character is well developed and well delivered by Connery, he sets the stage for the entire film. And De Niro's Capone is so brilliant it makes me wish he made a movie where he stared as the infamous gangster, but that was moons ago before he was old, but think how awesome that would have been?

But what I think stands out the most is Ennio Morricone's score. He is the master and proves it over and over again and this is no exception. I will watch a movie just for his scores, shit I listen to them in my car while on road trips. He is brilliant and can set a mood for a scene with his score and it amazes me.

Any with all that said you should just watch this movie for the Al Capone baseball scene: I love that scene, especially how it sounds in surround sound.

Goodfellas (1990)- Martin Scorsese; Warner Bros.

I love Martin Scorsese he is my favorite director so I will put his movies on this list every opportunity I get. Then put Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci in front of his camera doing some gangster shit you have the recipe for a fantastic film and that is what Goodfellas delivers. One of the best gangster movies of the last 30 years (damn 1990 was 25 years ago, ain't that some shit) and of all time.

De Niro, Liotta, and Pesci all grow up idolizing the gangster life and not before long they were immersed in it. They become close friends and it follows them through the ups and downs of the lifestyle including a huge heist and then their fall. I don't want to give away key plot points as per the usual because my goal is not to ruin the films I list but to make you go watch them, so if you are not a true 80s or 90s baby and have not seen this movie go do it now.  

Reservoir Dogs (1992)- Quentin Tarantino; Live Entertainment, Dog Eat Dog Productions Inc.

Before I start let me take a moment to welcome Quentin Tarantino's brilliant crazy ass to the show. This is surprisingly the first film of his on here. I am sure I will get to more films written and directed by him, so have no fear.

Anyway on to the film itself.

How do you make one of the greatest heist films of all time? Well, by not showing the actual heist of course. We hear about what happens but never see a single moment of the heist. We just see the beforehand and planning and the aftermath. The cast is powerful as every individual turns their character into a memorable one. Not a single one of the main characters is forgettable and each has their own memorable lines of dialogue. This is attributed to Tarantino's brilliance as a writer. He as an innate ability to develop unique characters rich in personality and he shows that in this film as well as his subsequent films.

While Tarantino's writing is clearly the stare of the film the actors must have credit for bringing these complex characters to life. Each character was perfectly cast and it is one of those films where you can't even picture any other actor in the roles. A must watch film for anyone, but especially aspiring screenwriters who want to learn how to develop characters that shine and can stand the test of time.  

Heat (1995)- Michael Mann; Warner Bros., Regency Enterprises, Forward Pass, Art Linson Productions, Monarchy Enterprises B.V.

The world was waiting for De Niro and Pacino to appear on screen together (they were both in The Godfather II, but never on screen at the same time) and the worlds dream came true with Heat. The chemistry between these two is wonderful and it warms any movie buffs heart to see them interact. The scene in the diner is perhaps the best on screen dialogue between them and it just makes you wonder what the possibilities would have been if these two great actors teamed up more often in their primes instead of doing awful films with 50 cent after they were over the hill.

This Michael Mann directed and written stands out to me not just because of the two stars on screen performance but it is a fantastic cat and mouse cop and robber tale that weaves in the struggles of a cop with his wife. My favorite quotable scene for instance is when Al Pacino is having an argument with his ex-wife and her new man. The whole damn scene is ridiculously hilarious just because Pacino starts out so even keel then loses it.

I recommend this film as I clearly do with ever movie I post on here. Just don't let Val Kilmer's deformed elbow distract you (I bet you wouldn't have noticed it until I just pointed it out. Sorry, its gross.)  

Ronin (1998)- John Frankenheimer; FGM Entertainment, United Artists

The first thing they teach you is whenever there is a doubt, there is no doubt. The second thing is not to remember whom is doing the teaching and third just may be no questions. No answers. That is the business we're in. You just accept it and move on. The fourth thing they teach you is to go watch Ronin.

This is Robert De Niro's (I must be in love with him today because this is the fourth film of his one here today) last great action thriller he is a sharp witted mercenary teamed up with Jean Reno and a few other miscreants as they track down a package. The chemistry between De Niro and Reno is superb and makes you wish they did more together. Oh yeah, and Sean Bean does NOT die as he does in most of his roles. Sorry for the spoiler, but if you know his career you know he dies a lot, so yeah. Still go watch Ronin because it is badass and quotable as shit. Don't be alarmed if after watching it you start shouting at people to "draw it again!" because I know I do. 

Batman Begins (2005)- Christopher Nolan; Warner Bros., Syncopy, DC Comics, Legendary Pictures, Patelex III Productions Limited

By far the most superior of the three Nolan directed Batman films. I know most of you will disagree with me and say that The Dark Knight was better. I will have to disagree. The story, Nolan's work behind the camera, and Bale's performance were all better in Batman Begins.

“But Dan Heath Ledger's joker was so fantastic!”

OK, it was a very powerful performance, but still does not make up for Bale's less than fantastic performance and the weaker screenplay in the Dark Knight. I love the Dark Knight, but for me the story and Bale's performance put Batman Begins above it. Liam Neeson does a fantastic job as the mentor and eventual antagonist . Nolan's and cinematographer Wally Pfister bring Nolan and David Goyer's screen to life starting one of the most successful trilogies (though The Dark Knight Rises left a lot to be desired and felt like a rushed ending to the series.)