I have to admit to my bias, as I was a humble lad of 14 when the 1980 Olympic hockey team upset the Russians, and it was one of the most vivid memories of my sports-watching life. So when Disney made this movie in 2004, I wanted to like it going in. That being said, it is one heckuva movie -- great story, great acting, and great hockey action. Kurt Russell does a remarkable portrayal of Herb Brooks (up to and including the accent), and the cast of players are phenomenal, both as actors and as players. Watch the Eruzione goal against the Russians, and think of how close the action is to the real thing.  It's almost eerie. Finally, I double dog dare you not to cry at the ending. "Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!" I watched this on an airplane once and the entire cabin applauded when we (yes, I still say "we") beat the Russians. Now *that's* a movie.

Unbelievably well-done movie. From the opening battle scene to the many gladiator fighting scenes, this movie grabbed you from the get-go and kept you entertained throughout. Russell Crowe was fantastic as Maximus, the General who became a slave who became a gladiator (who writes this stuff?). Great quotes from the beginning "At my signal, Unleash Hell," and "What we do in life ... echoes through eternity" get the testosterone going, and the battle scenes are really well done. Throw in an excellent soundtrack, and you've got yourself one helluva movie.

The Godfather Series

Goodfellas

Sticking with our 'wise guys' theme for a moment, this one from director Martin Scorsese is also a classic. Ray Liotta delivers a great performance as Henry Hill, teaming up nicely with Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and many other fabulous actors in an instant classic. Pesci is just incredible in this. "I amuse you how?" And when you watch it again after the Sopranos, it's fun noticing that Michael Imperioli is Spider before he became Chrisopher Moltisanti. Scorsese uses violence, drama, and music all brilliantly intertwined to create a great movie that is enjoyable again and again.

From a pure cinematic standpoint, this might be the finest movie ever made. I think it gets overlooked because it is considered a "fright" film by some people, but it has everything. It changed the swimming habits of an entire generation. Unbelievable performances by too many actors to mention, and perhaps the finest directorial performance of Steven Spielberg's career (sorry Schindler's List). I have this movie on DVD, but it's one of those that I have to watch every time I come across it while channel surfing. Because I'm only listing favorites here, I won't bring up the sequels. 2 was ok, but Jaws 4, the Revenge? Mario van Peebles, "It's a shark, mon!" Puh-leeze. Talk about milking a franchise.

In my humble opinion, the best sports movie of all time. Most sports movies are so cheesy, as the underdog defeats the big, bad, mean guys in the end, but this one is actually based on a true story. Anyone that can watch this movie and not be inspired should check with their cardiologist. Gene Hackman delivers a powerful performance as Coach Norman Dale, who takes over a small 1A high school in Indiana, and leads the team to the state championship (and in Indiana, there's no such thing as divisions, they play the big schools). Tell me you don't get inspired as Jimmy Chitwood hits the winning shot in one of the best closing sequences ever put on film. Some of the basketball scenes were a little suspect, but overall it was just fantastic.

Robert Redford directed this very smart and well-done movie about the quiz-show scandals of the 1950s.  It's very well-written, interesting, and features some fantastic acting performances.  Rob Morrow is great as the lead congressional investigator in the case, but Ralph Fiennes (pronounce that name how you will) is simply incredible as Charles Van Doren.  You don't know whether to cheer for the guy, feel sorry for him, or throw stuff at the screen.  There is one scene in particular, where Charles Van Doren finally tells his father (played by the extremely well-cast Paul Scofield) the awful truth, that is the highlight of the film for me ("Your name is my name!")  Great stuff!

Kevin Costner takes a turn as crime-fighter Elliott Ness in Prohibition-Era Chicago in this intelligent drama, taking on Al Capone, brilliantly played by Robert DeNiro. Sean Connery gives one of the finest performances of his career as the good cop in a sea of police corruption, helping Ness. But DeNiro is so damn good in this, you almost root for Capone -- until you see some of the evil stuff he does. Andy Garcia, in his big-picture debut, is also great as "George Stone." Brilliant cinematography, great music, and a compelling story combine to make this a thrilling ride.

Just an incredibly moving and powerful film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou about conflict diamonds and how they find their way out of Africa.  DiCaprio delivers, I think, the finest performance of his career, and that's saying something. Just his accent alone is enough to win me over. Not the nicest character, but he turns out well in the end. Throw in some great writing, a powerful soundtrack, and some of the best damn cinematography I've seen in a while, and you've got yourself one heckuva film.

Great performance by Denzel Washington as a New Orleans ATF agent investigating a terrorist bombing. Using some newfangled secret government technology, Denzel and his buddies try to solve the case, but you have to see this one to believe it.  Very high production value, and a great story, although some of the technical stuff is pretty laughable.  If you can check any science knowledge you gained after the 4th grade at the door, it's an enjoyable ride.

Staying with our Denzel theme for a second, this was an under-rated movie from 1998 with a great cast, and an equally great story line.  Denzel plays a Philadelphia cop battling more than he knows (although he figures it out in the end). John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, and even a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini join him on the force, but will they be enough to deal with Azazel? Just a tremendous flick.

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