Power Rankings: Top Five Steven Spielberg Films

With the recent release of the BFG, today's Top Five list goes to , Mr. Steven Spielberg!  One of the greatest directors of our generation.  I feel like that is a pretty accurate statement.  He has made some classic films, that are adored by fans and critics alike.  Made movie moments, that will be in the fore front of our mind for years to come.  He personally made me scared to go into the ocean, with Jaws.

 Now whether you love him or hate him, you can't deny what he has done as a film maker.  This will be a really hard list to make.  Don't worry '1941' will not be on it! LOL  I hope to however to capture some of this mans best work and make a great Top Five.

Movies I Need to See: The BFG, Amistad, Schindler's List, 
The Color Purple, Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Honorable Mentions: Lincoln, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Hook, E.T.,  War of the Worlds, , The Adventures of Tin Tin, and Jurassic Park

5.

Catch Me if You Can

One of the many collaborations Spielberg had with Tom Hanks.  A movie with great Dicaprio and Hanks performances, that I feel is a very underrated film.  A movie with such star power in front and behind the camera, it only managed two Oscar nominations (Christopher Walken and John Williams) A cat and mouse film executed to perfection.  

4.

Saving Private Ryan

The most heart pounding opening sequence you could of ever wished for.  Saving Private Ryan is another well acted and well directed film.  This movie should of walked out with the Best Picture Oscar!  At least Spielberg walked out with Best Director.  Tom Hanks, leads an all star cast (Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Matt Damon) just to name a few.  Arguably, one of the best war films of all time!

3.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Spielberg directs one of the greatest adventure movies of all time!  Get use to hearing greatest of all time when it comes to Spielberg.  Casting Harrison Ford was a risking move that payed off for Spielberg and Ford himself.  The question here was if Ford was only going to be remembered as Han Solo. Well guess what,  this character is even better.  Indiana Jones, is one of my favorite movie characters of all time and this movie is one of my favorites.  Raiders of the Lost Ark is a work of art, from the action, to the script, even to the amazing score.  Film making rarely gets better then this!

2.

Jaws

When I was younger, this film scared the crap out of me.  I hated swimming in the ocean and still till this day am very weary of it.  To me that makes a great film experience, how it sticks with you.  I recently watched it again and enjoyed it just as much.  Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw are crazy film characters that have become larger than life.  Dreyfuss is a truly entertaining actor and his character is the same.  The music is so iconic as well.

1.

Minority Report

Minority Report is not only my favorite Spielberg film, it's arguably one of my favorite films of all time, too. This gritty, crime film has one of the best Tom Cruise performances of all time too.  I love the concept that Spielberg creates, it's very unique and innovative. When you first watch it, you are taking on an amazing ride that keeps you guessing from beginning till end.  Another one of Spielberg films that got mostly over looked at the Oscars (Best Sound Editing), but will forever live on in my film library and the amazing filmography of Mr. Steve Spielberg!  

Spielberg's Films Oscar Nominations and Win:

• Bridge Of Spies
• Lincoln
• War Horse
• Munich
• Minority Report
• Saving Private Ryan
• Schindler's List
• The Color Purple
• E.T.
• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Catch Me If You Can
• The Adventures of Tin Tin
• War of the Worlds
• Jaws
• Amistad
• Jurassic Park
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park
• Hook
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
• Empire of the Sun
• A.I.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• 1941

Thank You for reading!  For all your Top Five check back with almostsideways.com

Adam

Actors Whose Films Gross the Most Money

I don't know about most of you, but the actor in movies has a lot to do with my choices in going to the cinema.  As I researched this topic, I was shocked by who is in the Top 50 and even more about the Top 10.  

I do have favorite actors that I always enjoy seeing.  My personal favorite actors are: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Harrison Ford, and Joaquin Phoenix.  Just to name a view of them.

I will be putting the actor, how much money the films make, the number of films. and the highest grossed film.  All money totals are in million dollars amounts.  So lets get to this list:

          Actor:               $ Amount:    Films:      Highest Film:
50. Anna Hathaway     $2,263.7        23    The Dark Knight Rises

49. Sigourney Weaver   $2,276.4      46            Avatar
48. Steve Carrel           $2,291.6        22        Despicable Me 2
47. Leonardo Dicaprio  $2,334.7      24             Titanic 
46. Sandra Bullock      $2,336.2      34              Gravity
45. Antonio Banderas   $2,374.1     42              Shrek 2
44. Dustin Hoffman      $2,378.6     41              Meet the Fockers
43. Rupert Grint            $2,390.5    13      Harry Potters Deathly                                                                              Hollows Part 2
42. Mark Wahlberg       $2,395.4     35          Transformers 4
41. John Travolta          $2,398.8     44              Grease
40. Nicholas Cage         $2,407.0     56      National Treasure 2

39. Adam Sandler       $2,412.5        30            Big Daddy
38. Elizabeth Banks    $2,443.0        34       Catching Fire
37. Ralph Fiennes       $2,446.5        32      Harry Potter Deathly 
                                                                    Hollows Part 2
36. Jonah Hill              $2,448.9        26         The Lego Movie
35. Daniel Radcliffe    $2,449.2       13      Harry Potter D.H. Part 2
34. Woody Harrelson  $2,456.3       47        Catching Fire
33. Don Cheadle          $2,471.8       32      Avengers: Age of Ultron
32. Bradley Cooper     $2,487.4       23       American Sniper
31. Tommy Lee Jones   $2,494.7     43       Men in  Black
30. Scarlett Johansson  $2,536.3      34       The Avengers

29. Jim Carrey                $2,545.2      27           The Grinch
28. Owen Wilson           $2,545.8      36         Night at the Museum
27. Brad Pitt                   $2,610.1      38         World War Z
26. Julia Roberts            $2,641.7      39          Ocean's 11
25. Emma Watson         $2,681.8      14      Harry Potter D.H. Part 2
24. Matt Damon            $2,722.7      37      The Bourne Ultimatum
23. Helena Bonham Carter  $2,739.6   33   Harry Potter D.H. Part 2
22. Cate Blanchett     $2,786.5       36     LOTR: Return of the King 
21. Stanley Tucci          $2,797.1       48           Catching Fire
20. Ben Stiller               $2,798.2       36        Meet the Fockers

19. Will Smith                $2,814.3      22             Independence Day
18. Orlando Bloom         $2,815.8     17   LOTR: Return of the King
17. Robert DeNiro          $2,909.8     74         Meet the Fockers
16. Liam Neeson            $2,937.1      61        The Phantom Menace
15. Gary Oldman            $3,029.8      36       The Dark Knight
14. Cameron Diaz           $3,031.7      34       Shrek 2
13. Ian McKellen            $3,135.2     31  LOTR: Return of the King 
12. Stellan Skarsgard      $3,168.5    42           The Avengers
11. Bruce Willis              $3,186.4    58          Sixth Sense

Now for the Top Ten...

10. Johnny Deep             $3,229.0    43        Dead Man's Chest

I'm not surprised about him being in the top ten but I figured he would be a little higher.  He was on a roll for a while but with recent flops to his name, he might be slowing down.  He however has another Pirates movie on the way so he could move up a couple spots sooner rather than later.

9. Michael Caine          $3,262.0       56        The Dark Knight

One of three people, that I'm truly surprise to be on this list.  But he has over fifty movies to his name, as well as several big Christopher Nolan movies to his name.  The Dark Knight killed the box office when it was released and he was a stand out in that film....right?

8. Robin Williams         $3,279.9        49        Night at the Museum

I'm surprised that Night at the Museum was his highest grossed movie.  It's sad that he will slowly move down this list from this point on.  But he was a great actor, with a very good talent of making us laugh!

7. Tom Cruise                $3,392.2        35           War of the Worlds

Surprised that it's not one of the Mission Impossible sequels.  He is totally a movie star!  War of the Worlds is a pretty good movie.  I guess I never realized how well it did at the box office.

6. Robert Downey Jr.     $.3,536.3     53             The Avengers

He will be in the top five by the summer next year with out a doubt.  Though the number one spot will not be to out of reach for him.  He has Captain America: Civil War and the Avengers 3 Part One and Two coming out in the next couple years.

5. Eddie Murphy     $3,810.4     38                    Shrek 2

Here's a man that was a huge star and now has completely fallen from the stature he one had.  I'm still surprise he is this high on the list.  But his early work made bank, when he was on his game.

4. Harrison Ford     $3.935.1               40               Star Wars

One of my favorite movies stars ever and favorite movie characters too.  By the end of this year his movies will gross the most of any actor so far.  Star Wars has proven to be an very marketable and continue to be the iconic film franchise.  Han Solo is who we all wanted to be when we grow up.  He is also the only one he shot too!

3. Tom Hanks        $4,264.2          42              Toy Story 2

A surprising name to be on this list.  It's weird to see him this high because you don't really think of him as a guy who is a blockbuster star.  But sometimes the mold will be broken and stars will surpise you.  He was in awesome movies like,: Apollo 13, Forrest Gump, Toy Story, and Saving Private Ryan.  Woody from Toy Story is totally the Luke Skywalker of the series just not as cool as Buss Lightyear (Han Solo)

2. Morgan Freeman      $4,311.8       58           The Dark Knight

 He always seems to be in huge movies as some wise character.  I really enjoy a lot of his roles when he is not phoning it in.  He will always be Red to me.  The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite films of all time.  

1. Samuel L. Jackson   $4,587.0    66               The Avengers

At first I was kinda surprise by this cause he seems to be in a lot of supporting minor roles.  But if you look at his filmography, you will quickly find out he is in a ton of huge franchises. I.E.-Jurassic Park, The Avengers, Star Wars, Die Hard, and XXX.  As well as Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained.  

Well thats the list.  It was really interesting to see the actors and where they place with all the others.  Weird not to see guys like Al Pacino and Chris Pratt crack the top 50 yet.  

So I might do Top 25 directors total grosses soon as well.  So keep on the look out for that  

  

2014 Golden Globes Preview and Predictions

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association loves star power, foreign actors, new TV shows, and musicals. Check out how that is reflected in my yearly Golden Globe predictions. Nominations are announced December 12^th, and the ceremony is on January 12^th. I am nowhere near as good at this as the Oscars, which is why I sort of mock the awards with my “HFPA Dream Lineup” prediction every year, but it makes for fun conversation and something to pay attention to in preparation for the real awards show.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Anna Gunn – Breaking Bad

2. Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Sofia Vergara – Modern Family

4. Kate Mara – House of Cards
5. Holly Hunter – Top of the Lake

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Jon Voight – Ray Donovan

 

2. Mandy Patinkin – Homeland

3. Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones

4. Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad

5. Corey Stoll – House of Cards

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Elisabeth Moss – Top of the Lake

 

2. Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Helen Mirren – Phil Spector

4. Laura Linney – The Big C Hereafter
5. Carrie Underwood – The Sound of Music

BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Michael Douglas – Behind the Candelabra

2. Al Pacino – Phil Spector

3. Matt Damon – Behind the Candelabra

4. Larry David – Clear History
5. Christopher Plummer – Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight

BEST MINISERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

1. Behind the Candelabra

2. Phil Spector

3. American Horror Story: Coven

4. Top of the Lake
5. The Bible

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Lena Dunham – Girls

2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

3. Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation

4. Zooey Deschanel – New Girl
5. Mindy Kaling – The Mindy Project

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Michael J. Fox – The Michael J. Fox Show

2. Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

3. Robin Williams – The Crazy Ones

4. Andy Samberg – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
5. Jason Bateman – Arrested Development

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Girls

 

2. Modern Family

3. The Michael J. Fox Show

4. Arrested Development
5. The Big Bang Theory

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Claire Danes – Homeland

2. Kerry Washington – Scandal

3. Vera Farmiga – Bates Motel

4. Robin Wright – House of Cards
5. Taylor Schilling – Orange is the New Black

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Kevin Spacey – House of Cards

2. Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad

3. Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom

4. Damian Lewis – Homeland
5. Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. House of Cards

 

2. Breaking Bad

3. Homeland

4. Game of Thrones
5. The Newsroom

BEST ANIMATED FILM

1. Frozen

 

2. The Wind Rises

3. Monsters University

4. Despicable Me 2
5. Epic

Explanation: Animation at the Golden Globes is a bit different than the Oscars. They like the blockbusters, so the smaller or foreign animated films do not stand as much of a chance.

BEST FOREIGN FILM

1. The Hunt

 

2. Blue Is the Warmest Color

3. The Grandmaster

4. The Past
5. Wadjda

Explanation: Normally, if there is an American movie in another language, such as Letters from Iwo Jima or In the Land of Milk and Honey then those films will at least be nominated. Here, I went with the most known and widely released of the foreign films of 2013.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

1. “So You Know What It’s Like” – Short Term 12

 

2. “Young and Beautiful” – The Great Gatsby

3. “Let It Go” – Frozen

4. “Go Where the Love Is” – The Way, Way Back
5. “Best Song Ever” – The Is Us

Explanation: This is where the Golden Globes can get pretty shameless with their star invites. Here, they would invite the likes of Demi Lovato and One Direction. Sounds like a win for the HFPA.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

1. Steven Price – Gravity

 

2. Arcade Fire – Her

3. Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Hans Zimmer – 12 Years a Slave
5. Steve Jablonsky – Lone Survivor

Explanation: The original scores at the Golden Globes are certainly more random than the other awards. They always nominate a film that gets no other recognition. That film could be Lone Survivor. They will also jump at the opportunity to invite Grammy-winning band Arcade Fire to the mix.

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

1. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine­

2. John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave

3. Eric Singer – American Hustle

4. Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street
5. Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, July Delpy – Before Midnight

Explanation: I hate predicting this category, but I love the idea of it. A screenplay is a screenplay. I don’t care if it is an original thought, an expansion of a short film, based on a play, or whatever. The HFPA loves Woody Allen. They also love Boardwalk Empire, so this will give them a chance at inviting Terence Winter during a weaker period in his show. The others seem like the preordained nominees and near-locks. I can see the Coens sneaking in there too.

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

1. Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

 

2. Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

3. Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

4. David O. Russell – American Hustle
5. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: Scorsese has won four Golden Globes, the last being for Hugo a couple years ago. He could add another trophy to his collection. Woody Allen films, especially his dramas, are beloved by the HFPA. The others are the obvious contenders. This seems like a category that John Wells could show up in for August: Osage County, since they really like the talkative movies, especially based on plays. Keep an eye on him. The Globes is where that film could shine.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Way, Way Back

Ron Howard – Rush

Peter Jackson – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

2. Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

3. Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

4. Lupita Nyongo – 12 Years a Slave
5. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: This seems like a fairly easy category to predict. Oprah would bring an audience bigger than anyone could imagine. Roberts was even nominated for doing nothing in Charlie Wilson’s War. Jennifer Lawrence…clearly. The other two are just great roles that will get in. Hawkins seems like a future regular at the Globes.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon or Her

Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Reese Witherspoon – Mud

Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. James Gandolfini – Enough Said

 

2. Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

3. Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave
5. Harrison Ford – 42

Explanation: Harrison Ford would be the Michael Douglas in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps-type nomination, reigniting a dormant career. Gandolfini’s death will only heighten his chances to get one last award from the organization that worshipped him and his show The Sopranos. Hanks is always here. I love this category. Watch out for comedy supporting guys. The Globes nominate the best performances, regardless of whether they make them cry or not.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

George Clooney – Gravity

Bradley Cooper – American Hustle
James Franco – Spring Breakers

Mel Gibson – Machete Kills

Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

 

2. Sandra Bullock – The Heat

3. Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

4. Melissa McCarthy – The Heat
5. Greta Gerwig – Frances Ha

Explanation: Meryl Streep made a movie, so she is in. The Heat seems like the typical trash that the Globes will flip over. Watson and Gerwig are the ones that actually deserve the votes. There are quite a few contenders for this category. This could be one of the random categories that get six nominees.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Jennifer Aniston – We’re the Millers

Sandra Bullock – The Heat

Julia Louise-Dreyfus – Enough Said

Helen Mirren – Red 2

Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

 

2. Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

3. Oscar Isaac – Inside Llewyn Davis

4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Don Jon
5. Joaquin Phoenix – Her

Explanation: These all seem like locks, unless there is some category change like Hanks for Saving Mr. Banks or if The Wolf of Wall Street goes drama. It is still strange to think that it has been campaigning as a comedy. Perhaps someone like Bruce Dern could sneak in, but Nebraska does not seem like a GG-type movie.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Johnny Depp – The Lone Ranger

Robert De Niro – Last Vegas

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

Michael Douglas – Last Vegas

James Franco – Oz the Great and Powerful

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Inside Llewyn Davis

 

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Her
5. Black Nativity

Explanation: The Globes love their musicals, no matter if they are good or not. Here, they can express that love by nominating a couple. Her is a bit of a strange inclusion here, but there is a bit of randomness at the Globes sometimes. Inside Llewyn Davis seems like a clear frontrunner, but if Walter Mitty or Wall Street kill the box office, look for one of them to take the trophy.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: The Heat

Last Vegas

Red 2

This Is the End

The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Sandra Bullock – Gravity

 

2. Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

3. Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Amy Adams – American Hustle
5. Judi Dench – Philomena

Explanation: Bullock won for her last nomination, which was also a double nom, and Gravity’s box office seems like all she will need to get another. Blanchett is her biggest threat. The other three are just normal nominees that will not take home the trophy. I am still not even sure if Adams is leading or not. I can see Kate Winslet maybe making it into the lineup, or one of the foreign actresses from Blue is the Warmest Color. Maybe Berenice Bejo has a shot. I am confident in these five, though.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Nicole Kidman – Stoker

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Kate Winslet – Labor Day

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

 

2. Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

3. Robert Redford – All Is Lost

4. Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips
5. Hugh Jackman – Prisoners

Explanation: This is going to be the most interesting nomination announcement of the group. It seems like McConaughey would be a lock, but I thought the same thing about him in Magic Mike. Ejiofor will get nominated. The rest are less certain. How much did they like Captain Phillips? Greengrass has not had a great track record with the Globes. I like the randomness of Jackman getting in. I am just not sure here. There is so much star power.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Christian Bale – American Hustle

Tom Cruise – Oblivion

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Great Gatsby

Ryan Gosling – The Place Beyond the Pines

Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips

Chris Hemsworth – Rush

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. 12 Years a Slave

 

2. American Hustle

3. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

4. Gravity
5. Blue Jasmine

Explanation: The Butler seems like the weird one in the group, but Weinstein got the movie to blow up the box office, so its chances are great to secure a nom. Blue Jasmine is the stuff the HFPA dreams of. It could perform here as well as Allen’s Match Point. The rest of these are likely good box office films that are going to get mentioned no matter which show it is. They will be the frontrunners at the beginning of awards season.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: 

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Saving Mr. Banks

There they are. What do you like most about the Globes? Any TV stuff I overlooked? What are your predictions for this year’s awards? Let me know below.

Power Rankings: The Films of Robert Redford

Ever since I saw Quiz Show, my first Robert Redford movie, I have been a fan. Every one of the films that he so carefully chooses to direct has a sense of urgency and painstaking attention to detail. He also lets his actors do their thing. His movies are more realistic than most directors, almost in a Norman Jewison type of way (another one of my favorites). He is not a showy director. He has no real recognizable style or look, which makes his consistent greatness even more astonishing. Within the last few weeks, I have finally completed his directorial filmography, so I thought it would be a good time to rank/rate his films. Plus, today is his birthday. Check it out!

9. The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) **1/2

This is the only one of his films that doesn’t completely work. It is lighter than it should have been. It is essentially a Promised Land-type movie, but without the underlying serious tone throughout the movie. The technical aspects are great, as is the inspirational final act, but overall it falls just short. His sophomore slump did not last long, though. He clearly learned from this misstep, seeing how his peak came with his next three films.

8. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) ***

This is exactly the type of movie that makes Redford as great as he is. Under lesser hands, this would have been a corny and sappy sports movie. With the beauty of his direction and the subtlety of the performances, the film becomes a Field of Dreams-level fantasy films with a great emotional impact. It is a beautiful little movie that got an unfair poor reception when it came out.

7. The Company You Keep (2013) ***

This is a totally solid, richly detailed journalism thriller. There are a few points where the film loses its way, but that is the case in every movie of this kind outside of All the President’s Men. It is smart thriller, as well as a very realistic one. The film may not be the deepest or most significant of Redford’s works, but it is an entertaining and intelligent film with one of the most impressive casts assembled in years.

6. Lions for Lambs (2007) ***

I do not know of a single person who appreciated this movie as much as I do, but I really think this is a brilliant movie. Sure, the film had high expectations, but I never understood why everyone was so disappointed. The overly talky style is all that the film promised, and it delivered some of the deepest conversations I have had the pleasure of experiencing in a movie. Redford clearly saw something in the young Andrew Garfield, making his screen debut with arguably his most memorable performance playing opposite Redford himself. The other two sections are not quite as good, but they have their moments. The film is essentially in real time, which only heightens the urgency. This is tense stuff. It is too bad that no one else saw that.

5. Ordinary People (1980) ***1/2, #5 of 1980

 

Robert Redford’s critical favorite is one of the more interesting Oscar Best Picture winners. It was Redford’s directorial debut. It is also a domestic family drama, not exactly the most Oscar-friendly material. The way the film has gained its reputation is through its expert storytelling. Every one of the characters is completely fleshed-out and authentic. The movie has a deep and impactful final act. There really are not too many movies out there quite like this. It is a case of a talented actor who was clearly paying close attention to his directors and using the best parts of each of them in his mini-masterpiece debut.

4. The Horse Whisperer (1998) ***1/2

This is certainly Redford’s most surprising movie. It is here where I realized that he may be the best working director at pulling greatness out of younger actors. Scarlett Johansson gives her best work ever in this film. The movie is a big, long, gorgeous western of sorts that has a very strong emotional impact as well as eloquent style. It is his most family-friendly movie, and arguably his most widely appealing. Each time I revisit this movie, I just sit there in awe of the landscapes and in the raw beauty and emotional resonance of a film by a director fully in his element.

3. The Conspirator (2011) ***1/2

I get it: there have been countless films made about Lincoln and his death. However, this has got to be one of the most intriguing takes on the period that I have come across. The film is certainly a political movie, but it is also a To Kill a Mockingbird- type courageous courtroom drama. It has a dynamite cast and a razor sharp script. The artistic and technical aspects of the film are as good as any Redford has done. The film plays like a thriller, but it actually has a very human drama at its core. It is a blistering experience and probably the most haunting film of Redford’s canon.

2. Quiz Show (1994) ****, #5 of 1994

This is undoubtedly the best script that Redford has had the pleasure of working with. The film is one of those films in the category of The Truman Show where it has a plot clearly made for the movies, but underneath it all there is a message about celebrity and the deception of the entertainment fields. The movie flies by in one of the most low-key thrillers in the past couple decades. It is probably Redford’s most impressive direction and best film, but there is one movie that holds a special place in my heart…

1. A River Runs Through It (1992) ****, #2 of 1992, #79 on Top 100

This is Robert Redford’s masterwork. It is one of the most nostalgic movies ever made. It is one of the most beautiful and unique movies made about teenagers. It has a few shots that will be forever engrained in my head. The score is fantastic. The performances are subtle and true. The direction is the most assured and professional that Redford ever accomplished. There is nothing like this movie anywhere. It is inspiring, sensitive, richly detailed, and always deep and cautiously devastating. It is one of the best films of the 90s and the main reason why Redford is one of my favorite directors.

 

Thoughts? Comments? Anyone else a big fan of his directions? Is he the best actor-turned-director? Who else is excited for his next film, A Walk in the Woods, written by Michael Arndt? Sounds like a winner to me! Hit me up in the comments.