Movies, Movies, Movies - 50 More Worth Watching!

Here are 50 more movies worth watching. I've published  2 other posts; each with 100 Must-See Movies. Link & Link  There are poignant movies such as The Danish Girl, House of Gucci, Amadeus, Immortal Beloved - that were beautifully acted and captivating, but they're not historically accurate.

Belfast

It has some really fun moments. Hard to understand accents,

& I didn't like the black & white, but it did have many nice moments. 

Camp X-Ray

Not an award-winning movie, but it moved me; it moved me to research
 Guantanamo Bay detention camp, and how it remains a stain on American history.
 Kristen Stewart was excellent. 

Ransom

A thriller produced and directed by Ron Howard. 

The Way Way Back

Heartwarming. Great performance by Sam Rockwell. Starring Steve Carell.

My Cousin Vinny

A bit slow to start, with a fantastic ending. Marisa Tomei stole the show! 

Akeelah and the Bee

Very enjoyable & uplifting. Keke Palmer as a child played the starring role;
 which she got because of how smart she is. Loved it! 

Sleepers

A legal crime drama & box-office success produced by Barry Levinson. 
The title is a slang term for juveniles who serve sentences longer than 9 months.

Fruitvale Station

The film is a true story based on the killing of Oscar Grant by police
officer, Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale station in Oakland. 
Critically-acclaimed and Starring Michael B. Jordan.

Rabbit Proof Fence

An Australian drama loosely based on the true story by Molly Craig, about
her mother & two other aboriginal girls who escape from the Moore River

 Native Settlement, after being placed there. They escaped to return to their

 aboriginal families. A very compelling story that critics loved. 

Good Boys

A box-office success comedy, produced by Seth Rogan's company. 

Liar Liar 

A huge box-office success showcasing Jim Carrey's masterful comedic acting.
 He was nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy.  

The Godfather 

One of the greatest films ever made due to great acting, the phenomenal

 portrayal of Italian mafia life, and Italian culture & religion, with a brilliant score.

 Godfather 2 was also excellent; a progression from the "old country" in Italy

 to early days in the U.S., and onward with a captivating performance by Al Pacino.

The film is a Frances-Ford-Copula masterpiece with an acclaimed ensemble cast. 

Godfather 3 also had some phenomenal acting by Pacino. Perhaps not as 

good as the first two, but definitely great and worthwhile to watch.  

Easy A 

A fun romantic-comedy with a fantastic performance by Emma Stone.

The cast was very enjoyable in this box-office success film.

Munich

A Steven Spielberg movie, but not his best. It is still worth watching for

the interesting subject matter: the Israeli government's secret retaliation

against the Palestine Liberation Organization after the Munich massacre 

at the 1972 Summer Olympics; where Palestine terrorists killed 11 members

 of the Israeli Olympic team. It raises the question if revenge killing or

counter-terrorism makes sense or not. 

La La Land

An enjoyable musical romantic film starring Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone.

Just sit back and smile and enjoy this highly acclaimed movie. 

A Bronx Tale

I knew I was going to enjoy the movie from the moment it started.

 It was captivating through & through. It was Robert Dinero's directing

debut. Well done! Critics praised this drama about a young man torn

between the temptations of organized crime and the values of his

honest hard-working father, as well as racial tensions in the community.

 

Moonstruck

A bit corny & unrealistic, and yet thoroughly entertaining and uplifting! 

A Norman Jewison romantic comedy-drama about love, starring Cher;

who won an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

Juno

A box-office hit comedy-drama with highly positive reviews. Great actors. 

The Way We Were

A romance drama directed by Sydney Pollack. The

one-and-only Barbra Streisand steals the show! 

Licorice Pizza

I smiled a lot through this movie. It s a different kind of romantic comedy.

Very enjoyable. The big name actors are only in there for their names. The 

critics also loved it, and it earned 3 Academy Award nominations. 

The Aviator

A biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio plays

 Howard Hughes. The film is not to be missed; especially for the portrayal of

 Kathrine Hepburn by Cate Blanchett. An A-list supporting cast in this

 moving, box-office success and critically-acclaimed film.

 This is Where I Leave You

I disagreed with the critics, and enjoyed the plot and brilliant cast.

The comedy-drama film was a box-office success; starring Jason Bateman,

Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne, Kathryn Hahn, etc.

The American President

A most enjoyable romance film with a good plot; starring Annette Benning

and Michael Douglas playing the U.S. president. A wonderful Rob Reiner film. 

Frida

If you like biography movies, like I do, this one is interesting. This

is the true story of Frida Kahlo; the acclaimed Mexican artist, played

by Salma Hayek. She led an unusual life. 

The Last Emperor

An epic and captivating film. Except for a ridiculous part at

the end that was impossible to be true, this 1987 film tells the

story of Puyi, the final emperor of China. Winner of 9 Academy

Awards, and 4 Golden Globe's including 'Best Picture'. 

Capote

An all-around good "true story" film, but a must-see

stand-out performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman, 

 who played Truman Capote & won the 

Academy Award for Best Actor. 

My Week With Marilyn

I didn't think I would like this, but I was touched by

the scenes with Eddie Redmayne and Michelle Williams; 

who was nominated and won many accolades for playing 

Marilyn Monroe; who was filming The Prince & the Showgirl,

in London. The British actors were all very enjoyable. 

The English Patient

An epic, romance, and long film that was good, 

but perhaps not "9 Academy Awards good". The plot

was lacking, but a very well-made 'tear-jerker' movie. 

Paper Moon

This black & white movie is worth watching just for Tatum O'Neil's debut

 movie performance. She earned herself an Academy Award for it, & is the youngest person to win an Oscar. Director Peter Bogdanovich approached

 Tatum O'Neil, at age 8, to audition for the role even though she had no

 acting experience. She played along with her real-life father Ryan O'Neil. 

Million Dollar Baby

While I am totally against boxing or any "sport" that physically

harms anyone, this was a great movie that definitely shows

what can happen from such sports. Clint Eastwood had the

leading role, & also co- produced, directed, and did the score

for the film; a man who became so impressive in his old age.

 Hilary Swank was marvelous. A deeply moving film; winning

many accolades, positive reviews,  & a box-office success.

Race

Why this movie was not more popular and critically-acclaimed. 

I don't know. Very good movie that made many interesting

points about "race". It's a biographical sports drama about

African-American Jesse Owens who won a record-breaking

4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. A poignant

box-office success, with some moving performances.

Platoon

An American war-drama written and directed by Oliver Stone.

It sticks in my mind after the film because it gives an insight

into military that you don't usually get. There are war criminals, even in

 the U.S. military. The movie is based on Stone's war experience in the

 Vietnam war, where his platoon sergeant & squad leader argue over

 morality in the platoon & of the war itself. It was a box office success &

 was nominated for 7 Academy Awards. It won for Best Picture. 

Here Today

An comedy-drama written and produced by Billy Crystal, who

also stars in the movie, along with Tiffany Haddish. I liked

it much more than the reviews/critics. I found it emotional, 

funny, and a soul-stirring. 

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

A coming-of-age drama that had some emotional scenes. I

loved watching Leonardo DiCaprio at age 19. He won his

first nomination for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe

for his role playing an intellectually-impaired person. I also

loved the character Juliet Lewis played. 

The Sting

Paul Newman and Robert Redford (need I say more?) play

grifters. Along with great artwork, great music, it was a 

massive commercial & critical success. It was nominated for 

10 Academy Awards, and won "Best Movie" 

Jerry and Marge Go Large

A comedy-drama based on retirees; Jerry & Marge

Selbee, who played the lottery in a big way, in order to

help their town. I watched it because I love Brian Cranston

 and Annette Benning, but I most enjoyed learning

that it was based on a true story. 

Awakenings

A captivating film based on a true story. Don't miss this movie!

Robert DeNiro is amazing, and it earned him an Academy-Award

nomination. Robin Williams was also wonderful in his role; earning

him a Golden-Globe nomination. The movie was nominated for

'Best Movie" at the Academy Awards. 

Booksmart

Beanie Feldstein (sister of Jonah Hill) is hilarious, real, 

and a good actress, along with co-star: Kaitlyn Dever. 

A modern classic. 

Trumbo

A very interesting biographical drama about Hollywood

screenwriter; Dalton Trumbo. A new subject that I've

not seen in movie after movie, but I won't spoil it for you.

Bryan Cranston was superb as usual, & was nominated

for several awards including an Academy Award for this role.

 

October Sky

A biographical drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern.

Even though I personally don't believe in polluting Earth with

sending rockets to space, this was a splendid movie; full

of feeling, great performances, and based on a true story.

The Cider House Rules

A drama with some warm feelings and good performances,

especially Michael Caine. 

The Fisher King

An uplifting film with themes of giving, true friendship & helping

those in need, mainly the homeless or suffering individuals. All

four of the main characters gave wonderful performances, but

especially Robin Williams; who won a Golden Globe and was

nominated for an Academy Award for his role. 

BIG

A heart-warming fantasy film directed by Gary Marshall. This

is the movie that catapulted Tom Hanks to stardom. 

I, Tonya

I enjoy true stories, and how true this film is - is left up 

to the imagination. Margot Robbie was good, but

Allison Janney was unbelievable! Great acting that

one her all sorts of accolades. 

Flipped

I smiled a lot through this heartwarming movie of

substance, directed by Rob Reiner. 

The Fablemans

A semi-autographical, coming-of-age film about Steven Spielberg's

interest to become a film-maker. It's based on his family & youth. 

The only problem with it was that it ended; and so abruptly. 

The whole cast was fantastic. 

The Trial of the Chicago 7

An excellent courtroom movie that received many nominations for

accolades. It's a historical legal drama about a group of anti-Vietnam war

protesters charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines with the

intention of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The ensemble cast was highly entertaining; especially Sasha Baron Cohen. 

Elvis

Worth watching mainly for the excellent performances of Austin Butler

who played Elvis & Tom Hanks who played his manager; Colonel Tom Parker.

The movie may not be totally accurate, and was a bit all-over-the-place. 

Tick Tick Boom

A biographical, musical film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and

starring the magnificent, adorable Andrew Garfield; who won a

Golden Globe best actor for this performance & was nominated

for an Academy Award for the role. It had cameo appearances by  

many Broadway stars; which was quite unusual. 

Mudbound

A captivating drama that depicts two World War 11 veterans - one black

and one white - who return to rural Mississippi; each to address racism

and PTSD. Very positive critical response to this well-acted film.