Al's Top Rated Films: 1997

Outstanding crime drama from Quentin Tarantino that follows a middle-aged black woman named Jackie Brown who makes very little income as a flight attendant for a small Mexican airline, but also affords her the opportunity to smuggle money into the United States for a big time Los Angeles gun dealer named Ordell Robbie. When she gets caught smuggling $30,000 in cash and some cocaine by some special agents for the ATF, she faces huge consequences unless she agrees to go undercover to help them catch Ordell. With the help of her kind and caring bail bondsman Max Cherry, she devises a carefully laid out plan to ingeniously play the ATF agents and Ordell against each other while she plans to get skip town with $500,000 of Ordell's cash. While crime dramas come in many shapes and forms, this one is unique for being such an inventive modern take on a classic 1970s Blaxploitation flick. Not only is it my favorite Quentin Tarantino, but it's arguably my favorite crime drama of all time. Also notable is the outstanding soundtrack/score throughout the picture. The funk, R&B, soul, and other styles really makes this picture move along fluidly, and gives the film a distinct feel. The cast is phenomenal. Pam Grier delivers her all-time best lead performance, and one of the most badass female characters of all time. I'd also have to say Samuel L. Jackson delivered his all-time best lead performances, as well as the underrated Robert Forster and Bridget Fonda. Robert De Niro and Michael Keaton also had excellent starring roles. Chris Tucker, Michael Bowen, LisaGay Hamilton, Tom Lister Jr., Hattie Winston, and others also had great supporting roles.

Incredible drama directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Excellent story about a working-class Boston man with an attitude problem who discovers has a gift for mathematics while working as a janitor at a prestigious college. After getting arrested for fighting, he gets help from a professor and psychologist to succeed as he studies mathematics, as he struggles to find direction in his life, relationships, and future. It's no surprise it won 2 Oscars for Best Writing, and for Robin Williams' performance as Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, and Minnie Driver all deliver my favorite roles of their careers, making it an instant classic for me. Casey Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, and Cole Hauser all had great roles among a superb supporting cast.

Epic drama about the tragic sinking of the Titanic on Apr 14–15, 1912, and the events leading up the legendary disaster. The story also incorporates an excellent (fictional) love story between a poor 20-year-old self-employed artist and wanderer (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the rich upper-class noblewoman (Kate Winslet). They both deliver some the best performances of their young careers. Excellent direction and writing from James Cameron; beautiful imagery, cinematography, and superb representation of the colossal Titanic ship. It's no surprise this film won a whopping 11 Oscars (including Best Picture, and Best Director), and was nominated for 3 others. Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, Bill Paxton, Bernard Hill, David Warner, and Victor Garber all had great roles among the star-studded supporting cast.

Fantastic legal/courtroom drama from Francis Ford Coppola and John Grisham set in 1996 Memphis, and follows an idealistic and determined young man named Rudy Baylor who just graduated law school and accepts a job working for a corrupt business owner he tends bar for, J. Lyman "Bruiser" Stone. While he knows Stone isn't the most honest man, he's learned that's the way the law business works, he desperately needs the money (and a place to live), and is happy to be working his own cases under Stone's name. Rudy's big case is taking down a fraudulent insurance company who refused care to a young man dying of leukemia. Another is a woman who is regularly and brutally beaten with and aluminum baseball bat by her abusive husband. Rudy cares deeply about the cases he works and the clients he represents, which is unlike so many corrupt career lawyers he works with in his arena. This is definitely my favorite adaptation of John Grisham's work, and is superbly crafted at every angle. The cast is also a big reason I loved the film. Matt Damon delivers one of his all-time best lead performances. Danny DeVito and Jon Voight also delivered a couple of their best and most memorable starring roles, along with Claire Danes. Mary Kay Place, Danny Glover (uncredited, but a good size role), Teresa Wright, Virginia Madsen, Mickey Rourke, Dean Stockwell, Andrew Shue, Johnny Whitworth, Red West, Roy Scheider, and others delivered excellent supporting roles.

Extremely powerful historical drama based on a true story of the tragedy that struck Rosewood, Florida in the winter of 1923. Life has been manageable for years with whites and blacks occupying neighboring areas of Rosewood and Sumner, until a white woman cheats on her husband is brutally beaten by the man, then claims that a black man did it. That riles up all the racist white folks in town as they start killing black men one by one who are presumed to be involved. In a matter of days; the hate, anger and killing reaches a boiling point as the racist lynch mob continues to wipe out the entire existence of the homes and lives of black folks in Rosewood. It's a sad but important piece of history that needs to be seen. Fantastic story and acting all around. Ving Rhames, Jon Voight, Don Cheadle, Michael Rooker, Esther Rolle, Elise Neal, Bruce McGill, Catherine Kellner, and several others had excellent supporting roles.

Excellent comedy drama about two comic-book creators named Holden and Banky who have been best friends for 20 years, and are enjoying their moderate success with their "Bluntman and Chronic" comics. When they're invited by their gay friend to go out to a gay bar for some fun, Holden meets a girl named Alyssa and soon falls in love with her. Even though she's a lesbian, she also falls in love with Holden, claiming she's the only man she ever loved. But when secrets about her promiscuous past comes out, Holden takes drastic and desperate steps to put his mind at ease about the newfound information. Critically speaking, I'd say this is Kevin Smith's best film. Nice mix of comedy with some heavy drama and social issues being tackled. Smith's dialogue and writing is unique and excellent as usual. Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, and Jason Lee all deliver excellent lead performances. Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith (Silent Bob), and Dwight Ewell had very nice supporting roles.

Hilarious comedy drama about a obsessive-compulsive, germaphobic, and bigoted man who finds his routine life invaded when his recently mugged gay neighbor asks him for help, and the only waitress that he can tolerate has to leave her job to take care of her son. The story finds the 3 of them traveling to Baltimore to help out his gay neighbor, as he and the waitress discover and odd spark of romance through the oddest of interactions. Jack Nicholson has had a lot of great roles in his career, and this is one of his best most challenging and complex performances. He was superb. Helen Hunt brings great chemistry to the mix, also delivering one of her best roles too. Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Shirley Knight, and others had great roles among the supporting cast.

Fantastic action-packed crime thriller from John Woo that follows FBI Special Agent Sean Archer after a ruthless terrorist named Castor Troy tries to assassinate him. The bullet goes straight through his chest and kills his young son who he was holding. 6 years later, Archer is still completely devastated by his loss, and has made it his mission to take Troy down and avenge his family. His chance comes when Troy and his brother plant a bomb in a mysterious location in Los Angeles after finally catch Troy, who is now in a coma following the chase. They soon conclude that Archer must undergo a dangerous experimental face transplant procedure to become Troy, and must find out where the bomb has been planted in Los Angeles by talking to Troy's brother in prison. However, Troy unexpectedly wakes up from his coma with no face, and forces the doctors to surgically place Archer's face onto his, which sets of a crazed series of action-packed events as they try to take each other down. The story was excellent, the action was awesome, and the cast was pretty much perfect. John Travolta and Nicolas Cage both delivered arguably their best lead performances ever. Joan Allen also had an excellent starring role. Alessandro Nivola, Gina Gershon, Dominique Swain, Nick Cassavetes, Harve Presnell, Colm Feore, John Carroll Lynch, and many others also had a great supporting roles.

Fantastic remake of the original 1957 classic from Sidney Lumet. It's a simple story about an 18-year old Puerto Rican boy from the slums with an abused and troubled upbringing who is on trial for murder, and could be sentenced to death if found guilty. After the jury hears the case, they retire to deliberate and reach a verdict, which isn't as clear cut as most initially believe. Generally I wouldn't be too excited for a remake of one of my favorite films, but I actually loved this adaptation, and I can see why some people say they like it even more than the original. I know every line in the original film, and Reginald Rose did a great job updating his own 1957 screenplay to include more racial tension and updated themes. The cast was excellent all around. Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Courtney B. Vance, Ossie Davis, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Dorian Harewood, James Gandolfini, Tony Danza, Hume Cronyn, Mykelti Williamson, Edward James Olmos, and William Petersen all have excellent lead performances. Mary McDonnell was also very nice as the Judge.

Excellent drama from Paul Thomas Anderson set in 1977, about a renowned adult film producer who spots a young 17-year-old busboy in a restaurant, and makes him a huge star as "Dirk Diggler" as the producer finds inspiration to elevate his craft in the pornography business. Very nice look at the destruction the porn industry can have on young minds. While Mark Wahlberg and Burt Reynolds have made it known they don't like their roles and wish they never made the movie, I'd have to say it's one of the best performances from both actor. Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, Nina Hartley, and many others had great supporting roles.

Powerful historical biography from Steven Spielberg that is set in 1839, and follows the revolt of 44 Mende prisoners who were illegally sold into slavery in Cuba. After taking over the ship, their tribal leader Cinque leads the mutiny until they cross the border into the United States, and are eventually captured and imprisoned as slaves once again. With the help of some abolitionists who take on their case, they are able to get a seemingly fair trial to prove they should be free men, as politicians in America worry about a civil war breaking out as a result of the case's verdict. Intense drama with excellent storytelling and acting all around. Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, and Anthony Hopkins all delivered excellent lead performances. Nigel Hawthorne, Pete Postlethwaite, Stellan Skarsgård, Morgan Freeman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Razaaq Adoti, Anna Paquin, and many others had excellent supporting roles.

Excellent sci-fi mystery/drama from Robert Zemeckis that follows a scientist named Dr. Ellie Arroway, who has aspired to be an astronomer since she fell in love with the solar system as a child. He vast experience lands her a position with SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute), and finds her following and interpreting radio transmissions that could be from another world. One day they make an incredible discovery that concludes "we are not alone" in this universe. After deconstructing mysterious audio, video, and imagery, they find that these extraterrestrials have sent blueprints to build a futuristic and mysterious machine that the government hopes will be some sort of time traveling invention. Sci-fi isn't one of my favorite genres, but this is one of the best sci-fi films I've seen. Jodie Foster delivered a fantastic lead performance. Matthew McConaughey and Tom Skerritt also had great starring roles. William Fichtner, James Woods, Angela Bassett, John Hurt, Jena Malone, David Morse, Geoffrey Blake, Max Martini, Rob Lowe, and others also had great supporting roles.

Powerful drama from Kasi Lemmons set in 1962 Louisiana, and follows the life of a 10-year-old girl named Eve. Her father is the well-respected town doctor and a deceitful womanizer. When she witnesses him cheating on her mom with another woman, it sets off a chain of events and town gossip, as well as inner family turmoil with her older sister, Cisely. Excellent drama with great acting and writing, and a big plot-twist at the end. Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson, Meagan Good, Lynn Whitfield, and Debbi Morgan all delivered excellent lead performances. Roger Guenveur Smith, Lisa Nicole Carson, Diahann Carroll, Jake Smollett, Victoria Rowell, and many others had great supporting roles.

Excellent and mysterious crime drama set in 1950's Los Angeles about three different policemen who have very different methods and styles as they investigate a string of murders they have close ties to. Very nicely shot, written, and directed throughout with interesting and well-developed characters. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Guy Pearce, and Danny DeVito all deliver excellent lead performances. David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, and several others have nice roles among a solid supporting cast.

Excellent and fascinating biopic that follows one of the most controversial, unconventional, and infamous fight promoters in sports history, Don King. The story follows his early troubled life which lands him in prison after killing a man in a fistfight over $600. With a good defense and a drive to educate himself in prison, he ends up entering the world of boxing as a fight promoter after meeting Muhammad Ali in 1971. He ends up pulling off a miraculous boxing event and concert in Africa starring Ali and current heavyweight champ, George Foreman, which solidifies his position in boxing. As he gains more fame, money, and power; he ends up earning a reputation for conning his fighters out of money and their overall well-being. Fantastic story and I'd say Ving Rhames delivered his best lead performance ever as Don King. Vondie Curtis-Hall, Jeremy Piven, and Darius McCrary also had great starring roles. Keith David, Loretta Devine, Gabriel Casseus, Brent Jennings, Lahmard J. Tate, Jarrod Bunch, and many others had great supporting roles.

Excellent biopic from Joseph Sargent on the life of South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. The story starts in 1964 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment for opposing South Africa's apartheid laws, along with several others from the African National Congress. From that point on, he became a symbol for the struggle to end the discrimination and segregation against blacks in South Africa. After failing to work with Mandela and reach an agreement to end the apartheid, the shrewd and bigoted President P. W. Botha resigned in 1989, making way for the F. W. de Klerk to become president, which led to substantial negotiations with Mandela, his release from prison, and his rise to being a political figure, and eventually the president of South Africa. Sidney Poitier's Emmy nominated performance stands has one of his best lead roles of his later career. Michael Caine's Emmy nominated performance was also one of the strongest of his career. Tina Lifford, Gerry Maritz, Ian Roberts, Ben Kruger, and many others has excellent supporting roles.

Powerful historical drama from Joseph Sargent set in 1932 Macon County, Alabama, and follows a follows a dedicated nurse named Eunice Evers who was chosen to assist in a study of 412 African-American men infected with Syphilis, who were initially treated for the disease when the program started. It was known as the infamous "Tuskegee Study", which later turned into a research project to determine if blacks reacted similar to whites to the overall effects of the disease; which meant these men were guinea pigs for research, and were left to die without any treatment. Miss Evers recounts her sorrowful story of the grueling 40-year research project in a court of law for US Senate investigation of the project. The film won 5 Emmy's, and Alfre Woodard's lead performance was plenty worthy of a lead actress win. She was excellent throughout. Laurence Fishburne and Joe Morton also delivered great lead performances. Craig Sheffer, Obba Babatundé, Von Coulter, Thom Gossom Jr., Ossie Davis, and many others had excellent supporting roles.

Excellent drama from Ang Lee set in 1973 Connecticut in the small suburb of New Canaan during Thanksgiving. The story follows the troubled Hood and Carver families who collide in several distressing ways. It starts with Ben Hood having an affair Janey Carver (the wife), which blows up in agonizing ways when his wife Elena puts the pieces together. Meanwhile, Wendy Hood is an angry and controlling 14-year-old girl who has casual sex with the Carver boys, while her brother deals with how own insecurities after coming home from private school. It all leads up to one final blow that has both families closely examining the adversity in their lives. Great story all around with great acting from the entire cast. Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, and Christina Ricci all delivered fantastic lead performances. Sigourney Weaver, Henry Czerny, Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood, and Adam Hann-Byrd also had great starring roles. David Krumholtz, Jamey Sheridan, Kate Burton, Michael Cumpsty, Katie Holmes, Allison Janney, and many others also had great supporting roles.

Excellent crime drama biopic about FBI undercover agent Joe Pistone, how he infiltrated the New York mafia, and digs himself deeper into mob life as he forms a friendship with Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero; putting his real life, job, and future at risk. Al Pacino and Johnny Depp both deliver great lead performances. Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Anne Heche, Rocco Sisto, and others have very nice supporting roles.

Great thriller about a remarkable young undefeated Florida lawyer who's been recruited by a prestigious New York City law firm. It's seemingly the best opportunity he's ever been given, until he and his wife start experiencing frightening and unexplainable things as he buries himself deeper in conflict with each mysterious case. Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino both have great lead performances. Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey, Connie Nielsen, Craig T. Nelson, Tamara Tunie, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Debra Monk, and several others had nice supporting roles.

Excellent sci-fi drama from Andrew Niccol that's set in a future society where technology tells the us the life expectancy, diseases, and other health conditions your baby will encounter throughout it's life; in a time when it is common practice to alter DNA to create a perfect child. Vincent is one of the last "natural" babies to be born, and his genetics say he'll die at around the age of 30 from heart problems. Throughout his life, he has been obsessed with space travel and everything to do with the sky and the solar system. But with his genetic predisposition, he is discriminated against his entire life for being inferior, and ultimately decides to assume the identity of a genetically superior man named Jerome Morrow in order to cheat his way into the Gattaca space program, and achieve his lifelong goal of space travel. Excellent story with great a great cast of characters and great acting. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law all deliver excellent lead performances. Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, Alan Arkin, Gore Vidal, Xander Berkeley, Elias Koteas, Jayne Brook, Blair Underwood, and others also had great supportign roles.

Excellent crime drama/thriller from Clint Eastwood set in Washington, D.C., and follows an old career burglar named Luther Whitney who breaks into the mansion of billionaire Walter Sullivan to steal millions in cash and jewelry. When he's almost ready to go, he finds Sullivan's wife getting home in a drunken haze with the current President of the United States, Alan Richmond. He hides inside the bedroom vault, and is able to watch their every move through a one-way mirror. What he witnesses is a horrific crime involving them both and the secret service. Whitney patiently waits for them to cleanup the crime scene, but is able to recover a key piece of evidence they accidentally leave behind. Once the secret service and police get involved and learn of Whitney's identity, it puts his life in grave danger, along with that of his estranged daughter, Kate. Great story all around with plenty of great thrills and great acting from an excellent star-studded cast. Clint Eastwood delivers an excellent later day lead performance. Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, and Laura Linney also have great starring roles. Scott Glenn, Dennis Haysbert, Judy Davis, E.G. Marshall, Melora Hardin, Penny Johnson Jerald, Richard Jenkins, Mark Margolis, and others also had very nice supporting roles.

As the writer and the star of this series of films, Austin Powers must be Mike Myers' most iconic role to date. They are essentially James Bond inspired parodies done to perfection. Great story set in the 1960s about a shag-happy secret agent who will stop at nothing to stop his evil nemesis, Dr. Evil. When Dr. Evil cryonically freezes himself to rule in the future, Austin does the same, and they both wake up 30 years in the 90s, and it's up to Austin and agent Kensington to take him down. Mike Myers delivers hilarious performances as Austin Powers and Dr. Evil. Elizabeth Hurley, Seth Green, Will Ferrell, Robert Wagner, Fabiana Udenio, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Mindy Sterling, and others had great roles among an excellent supporting cast.

Excellent drama from Jim Abrahams that follows a mother named Lori Reimuller who's husband Dave, daughter, and two sons could be happier and more content until her youngest son Robbie starts having seizures that results in an epilepsy diagnosis. While the doctors are unsuccessfully treating him with historically trusted drugs, they are quick to recommend a life threatening surgery as the "logical" next step. Horrifyingly frustrated with the situation, Lori hits the library and learns about an alternative diet that has had great success with epilepsy patients, without using any drugs. When they try to remove Robbie from the hospital to get him this alternative treatment, the hospital fights them every step of the way, and threatens to take custody away from them. Fascinating and touching story all around. I was interested to find that comedy genius Jim Abrahams directed this film since his own son struggles with epilepsy. Meryl Streep, Fred Ward, and Seth Adkins all deliver excellent lead performances. Allison Janney, Margo Martindale, Oni Faida Lampley, Mairon Bennett, Michael Yarmush, Leo Burmester, Tom Butler, and others had great supporting roles.

Underrated comedy drama that follows middle-aged couple Wes and Nancy, who are both highly intellectual academic professors with a boring married life; and reluctantly decide to host Nancy's musician ex-boyfriend Matt and his sexy and outspoken computer scientist girlfriend Kim at their house while he's in town giving a lecture at Harvard. Soon after they arrive, Wes learns he's missing a $50 bill, and Nancy finds a $50 buried in the bottom of Kim's cosmetic case while she's away, which they suspect she stole. That kicks off a series of mistrust, suspicion, and sexual tension through the house, as Matt tries to rekindle his romance with Nancy, and Wes becomes obsessed with Kim's sexual advances and games. David Strathairn (Wes), Bonnie Bedelia (Nancy), Saul Rubinek (Matt), and Caroleen Feeney (Kim) all delivered excellent and complex lead performances. They all shared great chemistry. Julie Harris also had a great smaller role.

Great crime drama about a couple who takes a road trip to California when their Jeep breaks down and they get stranded stranded in the middle of the desert. When his wife gets picked up by a trucker to phone for help at a local diner, she mysteriously vanishes, and nobody claims to have ever seen her. Very nice story and acting throughout. One of Kurt Russell's more underrated performances. Kathleen Quinlan, J.T. Walsh, M.C. Gainey, Jack Noseworthy, and Rex Linn all had great roles among the supporting cast.

Excellent drama from Christopher Reeve that follows a young man returning to his childhood home to live out his final months after being diagnosed with AIDS. His parents never quite fully accepted his life as a homosexual, which brings tensions to their finals days together. He ends up greatly reconciling his relationship with his mother over the coming days, which sheds new light on how distant his father is to him, his mother, and the rest of the family. It's a great story of acceptance and healing. Glenn Close and Robert Sean Leonard both delivered excellent and very touching lead performances. David Strathairn, Bridget Fonda, and Whoopi Goldberg all had very nice supporting roles.

Hilarious comedy about two best friends who went to high school together, and have gone through everything together in the 10 years since their school years ended. When they learn their 10-year reunion is coming up, they realize they haven't done much of anything with their lives. So they make up fake success stories and take the road trip to the reunion to dazzle everyone, with many comical mishaps and interactions along the way. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow both delivered excellent lead performances. They make a great duo. Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell, Mia Cottet, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Elaine Hendrix, Vincent Ventresca, and several others had great supporting roles. Also one of the all-time best 80s pop-rock soundtracks.

Hilarious and fascinating autobiography of the ground-breaking and outrageous radio DJ Howard Stern; starting with his early beginnings in the 1970s, to reaching super-stardom as an engaging personality as an author, on TV, and now movies. I can't say I've listened to Howard Stern much on the radio, but I became an instant fan of his with this hilarious comedy. He was excellent throughout. Robin Quivers, Paul Giamatti, Fred Norris, Gary Dell'Abate, and many others had very nice roles among a solid supporting cast.

Excellent Irish crime comedy drama from Paddy Breathnach that follows a troubled ex-con named Git Hynes who gets released from jail, and quickly gets himself into hot water with a major crime boss Tom French, and is forced to partner up with an eccentric and ruthless bookie named Bunny Kelly to complete a dangerous job for French. While they immediately don't trust each other and things comically go wrong from the start, the two end up gaining respect for each other becoming friends of a crazed action-packed series of events that has them both desperately wanting to part ways with French. Very nice story overall, with dialogue and character development being the key ingredient in the film. Peter McDonald and Brendan Gleeson both delivered excellent and complex lead performances. Tony Doyle, David Wilmot, Michael McElhatton, Johnny Murphy, Antoine Byrne, and others al,so had great supporting roles.

Powerful drama/thriller about a high-school teacher who was nearly killed when he was stabbed 9 times by a student after giving him a failing grade. 15 months later, he goes to teach at a predominantly Latino school in Los Angeles, and refuses to be a victim in a system where the administration is afraid of take action against violent students. Samuel L. Jackson gave an excellent moving lead performance. John Heard, Kelly Rowan, and Clifton Collins Jr. all had very nice roles among a solid supporting cast.

Solid crime drama about a suburban New Jersey town that's occupied by several New York City police officers who want a safe place to live, when the local sheriff suspects and starts investigating possible corruption among the cops and other criminals. Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro have nice lead performances. Peter Berg, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, and others have very nice supporting roles.