9½ Weeks is a cinematic masterpiece of unbridled romance, sex, and feelings only to be undone by a complicated series of basic human needs. That's why Zalman King was the high priest of erotic filmmaking. Kim Basinger has never acted this well in her entire career while Mickey Rourke is mesmerizing. Simply put, it's the number one erotic picture ever made.

The king of high school pictures, Lean on Me is a heartwarming tale that's based on a true story about how Joe Clark created a storm of controversy by using unconventional methods of discipline at Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey, during the 80's. Thanks to Morgan Freeman's stirring performance, it's scene-by-scene brilliant in a moving way that captures the essence of the human spirit.

"To survive a war, you gotta become war." So it goes in Rambo: First Blood Part II. Sylvester Stallone has never been more thrilling as he is in this film. It's the role that made him a worldwide icon. My favorite line of the movie is on the definition of expendable: "It's like someone invites you to a party and you don't show up. It doesn't really matter."

If you want to see the best haunted house movie made, then make it Burnt Offerings. Karen Black is the show while Oliver Reed is magnificent. The final ten minutes is the very definition of the phrase: "The suspense is killing me." Because of the shocking ending, you'll go, "Damn," and then watch the movie all over again.

Mandingo is extremely raw and honest when it comes to slavery in the United States during the 19th century, making Roots look like a puppy. On why he took on the project, director Richard Fleischer said, "The whole slavery story has been lied about, covered up, and romanticized so much I thought it really had to stop...the only way to stop was to be brutal as I could possibly be."

Sorcerer is a unique motion picture from William Friedkin that's shot on location in the Dominican Republic. This isn't about the plot per se but an adventure for four men who are down on their luck and will do anything to turn their fortunes around even if it means life and death. Among the finest and most unforgettable scenes in cinema history is the bridge crossing, twice at that, which took three months to film.

Salvador is another great, albeit unknown, Oliver Stone picture with a fantastic James Woods performance. No person in his right mind would go to a war-torn country if he had another choice, but that's what Richard Boyle did during the early 80's by traveling to El Salvador on the cusp of a civil war, resulting in a mass murder of the populace. Today, El Salvador has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

In the vein of And Then There Were None, Predator is the one of the best sci-fi horror pictures of all time and is a hell of a ride. This is about muscles, guns, and blowing up things. Arnold Schwarzenegger is unforgettable as Major Dutch. So are his lines: "Get to da choppa!!!" and "If it bleeds, we can kill it."

Can anything be more exciting than Cobra? It's maybe the most aesthetic neo-noir picture made. Sylvester Stallone has outdone himself this time by creating one of the coolest characters in movie history through Marion Cobretti, the pride of the Zombie Squad. He takes on an army of killers, saving the best for last with the Night Slasher in an epic fight at the foundry.

Under the Cherry Moon is a playful follow-up to the massive success of Purple Rain. By far, the best artistic decision is turning it into a black-and-white picture. After that, Prince takes care of the rest. Too cool for words, he's fun to watch. What sets him apart from others is unpredictability. Kristin Scott Thomas makes a stunning debut, and the chemistry between her and Prince is electrifying.

If the wunderkind said, "My name is Orson Welles. I invented the word 'genius' and defined it," I would've believed him. One of the fastest-paced pictures, The Lady from Shanghai is that good and twisting. The most famous scene is the Hall of Mirrors which is something to behold. There's nothing like it. Once again, that's the genius of Orson Welles.

Alive is a true story of human courage and the will to survive. It's the last ten minutes, from the trek to the helicopter rescue, that makes the film transcendental. In short, there's nothing like it. There are many other powerful scenes. As good as the cast is, Ethan Hawke gives a special performance as Nando Parrado.

Shot on location in Houston, Texas, Jason's Lyric is a unique, powerful Southern Gothic picture with strong performances. The love story may be ordinary, but it's sexually charged and gets better as time goes on because of the compelling thread between two brothers which leads to a shocking ending. Not to miss is the wonderful acting job by Bokeem Woodbine.

There are few films that are as exciting and inspiring as Point Break. I bet if anyone watched the movie just once, he may have entertained some thoughts about changing his entire lifestyle. Bodhi perfectly describes the truth-seeking experience: "Pure adrenaline, right?!? The ultimate rush. Other guys snort for it, jab a vein for it...all you gotta do is jump." Sounds pretty simple, eh? Patrick Swayze did the skydiving stunts and is thus captivating. It's easy to see it in Johnny Utah's eyes when he saw what Bodhi could do.

Dark, brooding, combative, sexy, and absolutely talented, Oliver Reed, once upon a time, was the rage of British cinema. The most underrated Hammer Horror picture ever made, Paranoiac is a wonderful treat for fans and newcomers alike. Oliver Reed is drop-dead gorgeous in black and white, and it's hard to take eyes off him.

The back of the DVD cover for Papillon reads: "Not just a great escape. It was the greatest." Well, it should've been: "Not just a great Steve McQueen performance. It was the greatest." The film's strengths lie in Franklin Schaffner's direction and Dalton Trumbo's screenplay, both of them being the best in business.

Among John Carpenter's top three films of all time, The Thing is a bona fide horror classic that improves on the original in every way possible. The plot is terrific which is alike to Alien. But this time, everybody dies because it's for the sake of saving the world from the unstoppable monster. The movie is pure terror all the way to the end.

All too real, Music Box is a powerful drama about a daughter realizing the truth of who his father is, a former Nazi commandant whose brutal murders of Jews went unpunished. The lies he tells her are chilling, and she had been in denial for so long because she was thinking about how well he treated her all her life.

William Friedkin sure knows how to make exciting movies. There are many compelling elements in To Live and Die in L.A., and the biggest of them all is William Petersen's supercharged performance. Of course, Michael Mann saw so much talent that he had to have him again for Manhunter. Then, there's the young Willem Dafoe in a brilliant, chilling role as Eric Masters.

"Listen, man. I've raced with my legs broke, heart bruised, eyes popping out of my head like they're on springs. This is going to go away just like anything else." The be-all and end-all of auto racing pictures, Days of Thunder is 100% speed, fun, cool, exciting, stylish, thrilling, macho, and rewatchable. Tom Cruise and Michael Rooker play larger-than-life characters: Cole Trickle and Rowdy Burns.

"I'm workin' on my first million, and you're still workin' on eight seconds." Junior Bonner beautifully captures the rodeo cowboy lifestyle for the posterity to get a glimpse of what it was like back then. Looking almost finished, Steve McQueen is at his best, never having to say a lot of words. He lets the action speak for him and is therefore larger than life.

A metaphor for the mistakes made in the Vietnam War, Southern Comfort is a finely directed Kafka-esque picture by Walter Hill. What a great cast. The performances are terrific with a bunch of memorable characters and an unbelievable ending. Andrew Laszlo's cinematography of the Louisiana Bayou is the clincher to create a Deliverance-like atmosphere.

"We weren't a family. We were a corporation with a kid." That's the main theme of Intersection. Flashbacks are used to pinpoint what went wrong. The best part is character development. Richard Gere is terrific while Sharon Stone gives the best performance of her career. Showing shades of American Gigolo, the style is impeccable throughout with fantastic cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond.

If Gene Hackman was a bad dude in Unforgiven, he's an even meaner and more sadistic motherfucker in The Hunting Party. His character's message is pretty simple: nobody fucks with him or steals anything from him. It doesn't matter if he views his wife as mere possession. Do Brandt wrong, and he'll come at you with single-minded intensity. Yet it's Oliver Reed who steals the show.

Rob Roy is one of the best swashbuckling films made. The writing, the acting, and the stabs at primitiveness are uniformly excellent. Then, there's the larger-than-life Rob Roy against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. The sword battle at the end is perfectly choreographed and is thus the best ever. Tim Roth is unbelievable, garnering an Oscar nomination.

Malice is a solid, unpredictable thriller with one of the most Mamet-esque twists ever. The acting clinches the prize in making the film work by selling the story that's penned by the great Aaron Sorkin along with Scott Frank. So, kudos to all of three three lead thespians: Bill Pullman, Nicole Kidman, and Alec Baldwin who's handsome and most definitely at his physical peak in 1993.

The ending is poignant when Casper asked: "Jesus Christ, what happened?" Shocking, edgy, raw, and real, Kids is still a highly relevant picture. The situation depicted may be extreme, but there's a point being made. I love how the characters come to a full circle, beginning with Telly infecting Jennie with AIDS and ending with Casper getting the virus by raping Jennie.

Black Christmas is regarded as one of the earliest slasher films made and was influential in the making of Halloween and Friday the 13th, outshining both of them in the suspense department. The acting is quite good and keeps the tension taut throughout. The last fifteen minutes of the detectives trying to trace the calls is terrifying. Oh, how the weird obscene phone calls that would never stop. They're so bizarre that the feeling of suspense is doubly heightened.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger met James Cameron at a restaurant, he wanted to audition for the role of Kyle Reese. But the director took a look at him and said, "My God! You're the Terminator!" But Arnold replied, "No, no, no...I want to play Kyle." Highly insistent, Cameron went, "Absolutely not! You are it. A machine!" Of course, I'm making up the exchange of dialogue, but you get the idea of the magnitude.

"I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you." Because of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing is a timeless movie with memorable moments, fantastic music, and a killer intro, notwithstanding the strange mix of 50's/60's and 80's looks.

This is British history at its finest with some of the best acting and most terrific battle scenes ever. Because of the thousands of extras and warlike atmosphere, it's reminiscent of Braveheart minus a love story. The British production deservingly won an Oscar for Best Costume Design with approximately 4,000 costumes, 16,000 historical props, and thousands of wigs which were ordered from all over Europe.

Michael Douglas is chilling as Gordon Gekko and steals every scene. The most famous line of Wall Street is: "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good." It's also full of Gekkoisms such as "The most valuable commodity I know of is information," "Ever wonder why fund managers can't beat the S&P 500? 'Cause they're sheep, and sheep get slaughtered," and "I don't throw darts at a board. I bet on sure things. Read Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Every battle is won before it's ever fought."

The title may look strange to you, but it has an enormous reputation as landmark picture in black cinema history. Hence, the tagline reads: "This is the movie the Man doesn't want you to see. Rated X by an all-white jury!" Not the first black film made, it's, along with Shaft, credited with the creation of the Blaxploitation genre and is about racism, alienation, misery, persecution, police brutality, escape, and survival.

China Moon is an outstanding stylish neo-noir of who's fooling who in the tradition of Body Heat and Double Indemnity. Instead of William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, it's Ed Harris and Madeleine Stowe stirring things up. As a bonus treat, Benicio del Toro takes the place of Mickey Rourke. Charles Dance is also excellent as the sinister philandering husband. The results are terrific with an absorbing plot and plenty of twists.

Way better than The Truman Show, EDtv is a "joyous celebration of boobery." A favorite is the catchy book title My Brother Pissed on Me, which was penned by Ed's brother, and Bill Maher questioned him if it did literally happen. Showing high replayability value, it does have a lot to say about the media and people's infatuation for celebrities with no talent.

The Monster Squad is one of the all-time great children's films with a delicious mix of horror and comedy. Fascinating is how well it bridges the gap, giving something for everybody: horror fans, comedy fans, children, and adults. The best part is putting together the five most famous movie monsters from Universal Studios in one film: Count Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Frankenstein's Monster, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

It's a powerfully inspiring movie about Francis of Assissi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. He founded a Christian religious order called Franciscan and was canonized as a saint for his devotion to God by expressing his love for all of God's creation, caring for the poor and sick including those with leprosy, and preaching sermons to animals.

Following the same tradition of Como agua para chocolate, the cinematography is top-notch and should've won the Oscar. Many scenes of California's Napa Valley are gorgeous. At first, Keanu Reeves and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón don't show any chemistry, but the time passes, the more evident they're meant to be together. The appearances of Giancarlo Giannini and Anthony Quinn make this one special.

"A team is not a team if you don't give a damn about each other." Because of the training montage of the South Korea national karate team, Best of the Best is a tremendous rush. Standouts include Eric Roberts, Chris Penn, Simon Rhee, and James Earl Jones. The ultimate match is what the film is about.

Two of the greatest scenes in cinema history are the first-ever music video that was originally choreographed by the King himself and Elvis forcefully kissing Judy Tyler which prompted her to say, "How dare you think such cheap tactics would work with me!" that was met with "That ain't tactics, honey. It's just the beast in me."

Rocky II is a phenomenal boxing movie. Apollo Creed is a great champion. Rocky Balboa was in the match of his career with him, and he showed heart by winning it. The training montage is a can't-beat when Rocky ran up the steps with the children at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Cousins is one of the greatest romantic and also funniest movies made, being the main precursor of Hugh Grant's British classic Four Weddings and a Funeral. Electrifying is the chemistry between Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini. And the rest of the cast is impeccable, giving the film a lively pace.

The Great Gatsby is an underrated film that stays faithful to the novel but brings much more meaning. Although the message seems ambitious, it's effective and subtle and comes across more clearly than the other medium. However, the principal characters are vapid and not worth caring just exactly like in the book.

In comparison with other children's films, nothing beats The Goonies. Unparalleled are the acting, dialogue, sense of humor, premise, fantasy, creativity, comedy, and action-adventure. Of the child stars, Corey Feldman does an exceptional job. As for the rest of everybody else, they're natural. The Goonies has it all that you can possibly want in a children's film.

What makes John Carpenter's films special is the way he sets up the atmosphere and lets the plot to unfold as the tension climbs while allowing me to be part of the show by feeling for the characters and what they're experiencing. The story is so good that it feels possible. I love the high level of intelligence that's supplied by the characters who are students of the physics graduate program run by a professor with an interest in the paranormal.

Blood In, Blood Out is everything that Once Upon a Time in America is not. It has a turning point that makes everything crystal clear which pays off in dividends. I love the authenticity in the portrayal of the Chicanos. At first, I was worried about being inundated by the flaunting of their nationality, culture, and mannerisms. But it didn't happen that way. Across the board, the performances are outstanding.

The plot is both simple and amazing. It's basic to the core of human element: men falling head over heels for women and doing everything recklessly in the blind because of sex. Stupid, silly mistakes are made. That's exactly what the lead character did, costing lives in the process.

"Hill country liquor, tidewater cooking, and North Carolina women." Ruby Gentry has all: story, writing, acting, lust, passion, intrigue, and revenge. This is Jennifer Jones at her sexiest, and countering this firecracker is the eternally handsome Charlton Heston. When they're together, the chemistry is electrifying. Any time Ruby is with the doctor or Jim Gentry, it's obvious that neither is in her league. But Boake Tackman...oh, boy.

Mostly shot on location at Songimvelo Game Reserve in South Africa, the myriad trials and tribulations of the two hunters go through to kill the two lions stalking railroad workers mirror what people face in real life. There's no display of superhero behaviors or anything that can be considered as extraordinary. On the other hand, Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas are both superb.

A realistic portrayal of what life is like for the inner city youth and, more importantly, how they think, it's Poetic Justice meets Straight Out of Brooklyn. Ultimately, Leslie Harris makes a statement: "A film Hollywood dared not do." Ariyan Johnson is powerful and unforgettable as Chantel. It's easy to see why the critics hate her character, but that's the whole point.

Leap of Faith is an appropriate title for an Elmer Gantry-like film because it's all about placing all of one's faith on a pile of bullshit, hence its tagline "Real miracles, sensibly priced." Steve Martin's performance is fantastic. What a convincing con man he plays as Jonas Nightengale.

Year of the Dragon is a violent, hard-hitting, and full-of-attitude picture with a gripping story. Mickey Rourke and John Lone are fantastic. The former's character seems to be haunted by what happened in Vietnam and how the war was totally unwinnable, not wanting a repeat of it in Chinatown. An explosive scene occurs in the picture when Stanley White was ambushed in his own house. Similarly, the restaurant scene is quite good.

Although George Hamilton is sensational for playing a dual role of Zorro and his gay brother, it's Ron Leibman who steals the show. Alcalde reaches the zenith of his insanity when he attempts to solve the riddle out of Zorro's colorful costumes, resulting in a salad mix. Then, he does this finger pointing to his taxmaster, making him to sit down. One scene when Ron was walking like he's ssssaaaa and ssssswwwingg yoouurrr hipssss still cracks me up.

Before there were Waterworld and The Postman, there was Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, an enjoyable fanfare in all aspects. The in/exterior sets are beautifully done to give it an Old English feel. Ditto for the costumes. Buoyed by the wonderful cinematography and the well-written language, it's cool to see the archers readying to shoot the flaming arrows during the siege of the families' homeground in Sherwood Forest.

This one shows everybody why Eric Roberts is among the finest American actors. The Big Chill for homosexuals, It's My Party is a wonderfully directed picture by Randal Kleiser with one of the best collection of performances by an ensemble cast. It presents a perfect case of why there's nothing wrong with suicide so one can die with dignity.

Once upon a time, Tom Hanks was a gifted comedian. The 'Burbs is a hysterically funny, campy picture. The story is fun to follow, and the mystery story is what keeps the momentum going. Some of the scenes take the film to another level, adding more to the wacky, zany fun. Great acting is rendered by the cast, most especially from Rick Ducommun and Bruce Dern.

Bronco Billy is one of the true greats. It's a Western film with a quirky romantic story. This is Clint Eastwood at his best. He makes a lot of personal statements about life. The cast is great, even down to Sondra Locke. What works is the chemistry among everybody.

Combine Texas, sins of the past, and evil James Caan, and you'll find a terrific yarn in Flesh and Bone. Dennis Quaid makes the story work by portraying an emotionally damaged character. When James Caan shows up, watch out. He and Dennis Quaid take the film to another level by making it more eerily haunting. Gwyneth Paltrow is brilliant as well.

Chalk Mr. Wonderful as one of the best movies featuring Matt Dillon. He's spectacularly good. Annabella Sciorra, who lights up the room in every scene she appears in, matches her co-star minute for minute. They're excellent when together, and they're excellent when not together.

Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, and brilliant story. After sloshing around in the world of alcohol and therefore wasting his talent for years, Richard Burton makes the greatest comeback of all time by appearing in Equus as psychiatrist Martin Dysart by giving a fiery but focused performance. His riveting soliloquies are the stuff of greats. On the other hand, Peter Firth is unforgettable. It's a singular peformance.

This is Chariots of Fire stuff. The subject is unique: competitive sailing. Epic doesn't come to my mind for most films, but Wind should be labeled so. Putting the sailboats against the backdrop of hundreds of spectators and the ocean makes them look larger than life, and there are the competitors who work furiously to operate these machines. It's truly a spectacle.

Not Without My Daughter is a scary movie. So, I must ask Betty Mahmoody: "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?" However, I can understand her position which was between a rock and a hard place. But it's a very bad decision she made from the outset, no matter what. Anyway, the acting is top-notch and holds up well. All the thespians play their parts to perfection. It's almost like being there.

Single White Female is the quintessential picture of the dreadful feeling about the prospect of rooming with strangers. Jennifer Jason Leigh, who's an underrated actress, and Bridget Fonda turn in the performances of their careers. So, what a surprise neither was nominated for an Oscar.

Treat Williams was definitely robbed of an Oscar nomination for being a tour de force in Prince of the City. It's one of the best movies Sidney Lumet has ever directed, being an improved and more complex version of Serpico about police corruption, hence the Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Losing none of the power, The Abyss is an underwater picture that's Close Encounters of the Third Kind meets The Day the Earth Stood Still. When I saw Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Titanic back then, I knew where the groundbreaking work in special effects and underwater photography came from, and that's The Abyss, hence the Oscar win for Best Visual Effects.

Move over, Julia Roberts...Richard Gere shows what a high-priced escort is and, more importantly, how to do it well with class. American Gigolo is a fantastic neo-noir with lots of style. The Armani clothes that Gere wears, he introduces the brand in a big way. Lauren Hutton does an admirable job of keeping up with Richard Gere who's simply unbeatable.

If you can't get enough of Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, then make Lord Jim your next fix. He can act and is assuredly capable of leading an epic. Freddie Young did the cinematography for Lawrence of Arabia and does it again for Lord Jim which is incredible. Because of Joseph Conrad's writing, parts of the film are reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.

Nancy Drew... Detective and the following three sequels are charming whodunnit mystery pictures with great lines. Bonita Granville and Frankie Thomas are excellent together and deserve Oscar nominations. It's difficult to beat their chemistry. A lot of the action they generate is just pure old-fashioned fun.

Memphis Belle is excellent which depicts the job that bomber crews went through during World War II. It's a dramatic show because their lives were at stake to serve their country. There's no glamorization at work; it's just a set of straightforward facts of how the job was done. I like the star-studded cast, and there's a nice deal of teamwork. The final hour is very exciting.

The Swimmer is a strange, disturbing movie, but Burt Lancaster is a dream. In fact, he said it was the best work he had ever done in his career and called it Death of a Salesman in swimming trunks. Once again, it's a strange, disturbing movie because the story is so frustrating that I want more details about Neddy to know what happened to him in the past. The ending is haunting to watch.

Shot on location in New Mexico, Roger Donaldson crafts a taut neo-noir entitled White Sands which has plenty of tension. He also keeps the story appealling enough to follow while generating uniformly excellent performances out of the all-star cast. Willem Dafoe shines along with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and they steal some of the scenes when together.

I Spit on Your Grave is a catchy title and sounds even better than Day of the Woman. It's among the most unusual pictures made and is the feminist Death Wish version of Deliverance. Camille Keaton did what no respected female actress will do. She gives a brave, courageous effort to play the role of a woman who had been raped by four men, not all at once but in four separate occasions.

Although a loose remake with many coincidences, Satan Met a Lady is better and more well-acted than the 1931 version of The Maltese Falcon. Warren William's performance is the most impressive of the show, and Marie Wilson is a lot of fun as the ditzy secretary. Once upon a time, Bette Davis was beautiful and could match Warren William line for line in every scene. But Warren is just so good and has a way with words with fluidity.

Before Schindler's List hit the silver screens, there was Triumph of the Spirit. Calling it a Holocaust boxing picture would be a serious mistake because that's not what the movie is about. It's survival during the Holocaust, period. Based on Jewish Greek boxer Salamo Arouch's account, he had to go through over 200 fights to survive; the loser of each match was sent to the gas chamber.

The very first film to be released on DVD in the United States, Twister is purely on-the-edge-of-your-seat entertainment and is famous for one scene: the flying cow. It's cool to see that which does happen for real. So are the scenes when tornadoes are happening and trucks are riding alongside them.