Billy Elliot (2000)

Young Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) secretly wants to learn ballet while his father, a striking coalminer, pays for his boxing lessons. Billy begins to take lessons on the sly. But when it’s discovered Billy is a natural talent, his father must come to turns with his boy’s dream. Caught between his disintegrating family and the memories of his mother, torn between his father’s wishes and his own, Billy comes of age with amazing results.

Set in Northern England, Billy Elliot sets the world of an 11 year old boy in the middle of the 1980’s strike creating a beautiful juxtaposition. The grittiness of the miner’s fight and Billy’s own gentle spirit compete making for compelling and symbolic film-making.  Director Stephen Daldry (The Reader) subtly crafts hope and hopelessness in every frame.

Jamie Bell leads an outstanding cast. His scenes are so powerful. As Billy, Bell is a genuine, innocent, but strong and his dancing is incredible. Supporting him is an equally strong cast including Julie Walters. But they all pale in comparison to Bell’s performance.

As I see it, Billy Elliot is an underrated masterpiece that succeeds as every element is spot-on. Writing, casting, cinematography, score—it’s all right on the mark and Jamie Bell is simply extraordinary.

Real Genius (1985)

15 year old Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) has been recuited to join Prof. Hathaway’s (William Atherton) science team. Alongside fellow super genius and senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), Mitch is working on an advanced laser project and unknowingly creating a lethal military weapon. Besides adjusting to campus life, Mitch is also adjusting to mentor’s—Knight’s—odd behavior. When the duo discovers the truth behind the project Mitch and Chris team up for a bit of revenge.

Real Genius is totally 80s! It’s a bit corny, but between Kilmer’s comedic timing and the sharp dialogue, this one is funny.. The misfit cast is key. Knight is a genius turned stud who no longer studies. In contrast is Mitch, who does nothing but. Prof Hathaway is an egolomaniac. Add John Gries as Laslo who lives in the closet and Jordan—a never sleeping crazy girl and you’re made.

Immensely quotable, the dialogue never misses. Kilmer’s delivery is brilliant. Behind the cast and dialogue is frame after frame of craziness that demands rewatching—love the progression of recorders. Throw in some Tears for Fears and you’ve got everything you need right here.

As I see it, Real Genius is madly underrated. If you haven’t seen it, go now. "It’s a moral imperative."

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Arthur Spiderwick (David Stratharin) spent many years secreting away the hidden world around us. 80 years later, Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore)discovers his great-great uncle’s journal. Opening this field guide of nature’s fantasy world exposes Jared and his siblings, Simon and Mallory to adventure and danger.

With ogres, goblins, griffins and faeries to rival those of any children’s story, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a film to see thanks to great story-telling and solid special effects.

The cast including Mary Louise Parker, Joan Plowright, Nick Nolte, and Martin Short and Seth Rogen in voice roles supply endless possibilites. Freddie Highmore carries the core of this film as twin brothers Jared—the more sullen, angry—and Simon—the bookish, well-adjusted one. Highmore is exceptional, leaving his English accent behind to bring two multi-facted characters to life.

With a story reminiscent of Bridge to Terebithia, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a smart balance of lessons and entertainment. The dark overtones are hardled nicely and the sweetness is never cloying. The film isn’t dumbed down, nor does it feel like mass-produced garbage. As I see it, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a safe family choice and a magical one to boot.

Neverwas (2005)

Psychiatrist Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) takes a job at Millwood Mental Hospital in order to learn more about the place that failed his author father (Nick Nolte). Schizophrenic Gabriel Fisher (Ian McKellen) is certain that Zachary is there to rescue him for the dungeon and return him to his kingdom in Neverwas. Returning to Millwood has a great effect on Zach. But does Gabriel hold the key to his father’s secrets or is he losing all grip on reality?

Fantasy and reality blend in this magical atmospheric drama. Sir Ian McKellen is riveting as the multi-facted protagonist. Eckhart manages the evolution of lost child to redeemed man beautifully. Supporting actors William Hurt, Alan Cumming, Vera Farmiga, Brittany Murphy, and Jessica Lang provide a myriad of characters that serve to further highlight the human pathos herein.

As I see it, Neverwas is an understated gem that deserves a look.  Equal parts Bridge to Terebithia and J.R.R. Tolkein, Neverwas is a fantastical journey inside reality.

The Court Jester (1956)

Socially inept Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye) assumes the role of Giacomo, the "King of Jesters, Jester of Kings" to help the rightful king of England regain his thrown.

Yes, The Court Jester is deceptively simple. However, with Danny Kaye at the helm of this classic, also starring Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, and Glynis Johns, the film is perfection. The film features Kaye's trademark tongue-twisting dialogue, musical numbers, and top-notch humor.

The success of this classic film is due whole in part to the exceptional Danny Kaye. He is mesmerizing onscreen. From his `vessel with the pestle has the pellet with the poison, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true' to his tender songs, Kaye shines. Basil Rathbone is perfectly evil in a spoof of his own Sir Guy of Gisbourne (see Errol Flynn's Robin Hood). Angela Lansbury is striking as the king's daughter.

The film is a success on every level. The script is fun and witty, the casting is pitch-perfect. Visually, The Court Jester is a real treat despite the age. Costuming and choreography remain beautifully rendered. The underlying humor that's quite smart. They slapstick never ends, but the sharp eye and ear will catch the subtle jabs and spoofs.

As I see it, The Court Jester is genuine slapstick as its finest. The film is unquestionably quotable, entertaining, and undeniably, Danny Kaye's best work. Get it, got it, good.

Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

It seems nothing can hold Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood). The convict has successfully escaped from every cell known to criminals. This impressive resume of escapes has earned Morris a ticket to Alcatraz Penitentiary. In a last fit of desperation, prison officials deem Morris as having 'superior intelligence' and believe Alcatraz just the place. Built to crush the souls of hardened men, Alcatraz looms large. Many men have tried to escape; none have succeeded, but that won't stop Morris from trying.

Based on a true story, Escape from Alcatraz contains one of Eastwood's finely nuanced performances. Teaming with director Don Siegel, Eastwood brings an intelligent and powerful character to the screen. The opening moments are powerful. You see Morris being shipped in, reviewed by a doctor, and thrown into a cell--all in silence. Siegel allows the bleakness to take hold. The viewer immediately senses Morris pulling his will, shoring it, as not to allowing this harsh reality to break him.

Patrick McGoohan stars as the Warden. Standing in stark contrast is Morris is Warden {we never know him by any other name}, ruthless and sadistic. He is the breaker of souls. It is at his command that prisoners here are destroyed. The chemistry between McGoohan (who died earlier this year) and Eastwood is riveting.

Escape from Alcatraz is claustrophobic, bleak, and every bit an overlooked classic. After viewing this, you will see how it has influenced some of the best prison films of modern cinema, i.e. The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Discover the original, Escape from Alcatraz and you'll be surprised at the blatant imitation.

The film is tautly paced. The methodical Morris calmly plotting his escape and maintaining his humanity as Warden is driven to desperate measures in his attempt to break Morris. Siegel uses the boredom of rote prison existence to build a tension-filled showdown between the two powerhouses.

Throughout the film, Siegel uses a yellow flower to symbolize the human spirit {in my humble opinion}. The contrast of this pale flower against a sea of drab blues, browns, and blacks speaks volumes.

Escape from Alcatraz is a finely crafted masterpiece with riveting performances, gritty authenticity and remarkable cinematography. Dirty Harry might be the 'one' Clint Eastwood and Don Siegel will be most remembered for, but Escape from Alcatraz showcases the masters at work. Gripping to the end, Escape from Alcatraz is a definitive must-see.

The Saint (1997)

As a young orphaned boy, Simon Templar, honed his skills as a thief, con-man and thrill seeker. Assuming the names of obscure saint, Simon (Val Kilmer) eludes his pursuers and sells his skills to the highest of bidders. But when Russian politician, Ivan Tretiak (Rade Serbedzija) hires him to steal the formula for cold fusion, he never bet on falling in love with Emma Russell (Elizabeth Shue). Dr. Russell, the trusting Oxford scientist, has unlocked the process and is determined to bring light and heat to all of Russian for humanity's sake. Simon must then choose between the money and the girl.

In a whole filled with James Bond and Ethan Hunt, Simon Templar is practically unheard of. This 1997 movie from director Phillip Noyce (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games) isn't even a blip on the radar. That doesn't keep The Saint from being a memorable thrill-ride.

Val Kilmer is remarkable as the many faces of Simon Templar. He plays each role with developed, believable nuances that entertain and amaze. Elizabeth Shue is beautiful and plays the faint-proned doctor well. Their chemistry together is excellent.

The film's pacing is solid containing the keys elements of the genre. Car chase, narrow escapes, mystery, intrigue, and humor. Noyce throws in a bit of random for good measure. There is nothing deep here--good and evil are clearly defined-- except in Simon's case. He is the gorgeous enigma everyone wants a piece of.

The dialogue {and soundtrack} is perfect. The settings throughout Russia have an authentic Cold War feel as does the skill set of Simon Templar. The Saint never gets to clever or scientific. Instead, the audience gets a believable rogue to root for.

Sexy cool, The Saint is an entertaining thriller that demands a viewing by any fan of the genre.

Side bar: I've never understood why Val Kilmer gets no respect. Since his days of Top Gun, Kilmer has been a solid actor, but has never seemed to crack the leading role, I think, he deserves. Whether its as Doc Holiday in Tombstone, Gay Perry in Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang or Jim Morrison in The Doors, Kilmer has proven himself a versatile, albeit somewhat odd, actor.