The Killing (1956)

There's little to fault in Stanley Kubrick's classic robbery tale. The acting is first-rate with Marie Windsor, as Mrs. Peaty, a sarcastic stand-out. The story just pops off the screen - and at less than 90 minutes, there's literally no filler. I love the winding time line ("earlier that day" etc.), which has been liberally utilized by Quentin Tarantino (Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs). This film was made right before Kubrick's WWI marvel, Paths of Glory, and his genius is apparent in both. No wasted words or actions. Love that last line!

A

A Simple Plan (1998)

My pick for top film of 1998 plays one of the classic mind games with its characters: what would you do if you found a bunch of cash? You could leave it...you could turn it over to the police….you could keep it…

Films that deal with fantastic circumstances usually leave me cold because of the incredibly ridiculous ways in which the characters behave. Granted, a bag full of money is a fantastic occurrence—but the behavior of those in this film never seemed anything but inevitable.

After I saw Twister, I wouldn’t have believed I’d say this, but I’m becoming a Bill Paxton fan. Tom Hanks is extolled by the film community and the public alike as America’s “everyman,” but I think Paxton is more the real deal. His talent is deceptively subtle; He never seems to be portraying a made-up guy. For example, he feels really married here. See what I mean? Hard to put a finger on, but extremely real.

A+

The Gunfighter (1950)

I have been known to say loudly and often that I don't like westerns and I don't like war movies. Oh, I'll watch them out of duty, as I want to have a well-rounded knowledge of film, but they're never high on my list.

Well, "The Gunfighter" slapped my mouth shut. Never again can I make the anti-western blanket statement. Gregory Peck is quietly effective as Jimmy Ringo, the reigning quick-draw. It's a great film about the trappings of celebrity and how hard it is to pick up a left-behind life.

This is one you gotta see.

A