Must-see movies: Films everyone should see

Source: The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.迷你倉最平Dec. 25--It all started with a lively newsroom debate.Burg reporter Brent Wells was horrified to discover that one of our coworkers, who shall remain nameless, had never seen the 1976 newsroom classic "All The President's Men."The conversation evolved from there, as those of us who were in the office started rattling off other movies we consider essential viewing.There surely was a Burg cover story in there, I thought.So, over the past month, we've been soliciting recommendations from our fellow reporters about other films you should absolutely see (at this point, "All The President's Men" is a given, so go watch that first).As you'll see, the responses ran the gamut from 1980s John Hughes classics (Save Ferris!) to much more serious Oscar fare (think "To Kill A Mockingbird," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Good Night, and Good Luck.").So settle in this holiday season and pop in one or several of the following films. You won't be disappointed.Is your pick missing from this list? If so, shoot me an email at cgillis@newsadvance.com or find The Burg on Facebook, and we'll try to do a follow-up at some point in the new year.Justin Faulconer, courts reporter? "The Company Men" (2010)Every American not living under a rock since the Great Recession should see "The Company Men" -- a jewel of a film starring Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner and Chris Cooper. The economy is knotted in every aspect of our lives and our jobs define us.This introspective film looks at capitalism in the wake of the 2008 crisis through the fictional GX, a Fortune 500 company clawing for self-preservation at the expense of many of its employees through corporate downsizing. The layoffs are swift. The effects are endless. Dignity is lost. Former executives despair in a shrinking job market, sell Porsches and drop country club golfing membership to make ends meet.The performances are so riveting that the viewer, no matter of economic or social status, has a stake in their struggle. This is one of the most human movies you will watch in post-recession America and, depending on your values, you may not like what you see. But one thing is for sure: the viewer won't have to work too hard to find reasons to keep watching.? "Good Night, and Good Luck." (2005)What newsman offers to buy ads to run a controversial story he feels the American people need desperately to hear? Edward R. Murrow, that's who. And the story: the highly questionable tactics of Joseph McCarthy, "the junior Senator from Wisconsin," in spreading fear in the persecution of suspected communists. Murrow feels that is a story worth telling and is willing to dip into his own pockets to make sure it gets air time as the CBS executives -- eager to protect their bottom line -- dread the fallout.Director George Clooney weaves a masterpiece, shot in black and white, that is as much a lesson on the power and influence of television in the 20th century as it is a history lesson on the historic Murrow-McCarthy showdown. Played to perfection by David Strathairn, Murrow is determined to expose McCarthy -- appropriately played by himself in archival footage -- as an unjust politician while at the same time pressing journalism as a fight for the truth and not fodder for advertisement.Every American should see this film because we all have TV sets in our living rooms and a duty to hold our elected officials accountable. This 90-minute film, which does not waste a single moment in quality, issues a challenge to the viewer that is certainly worth answering the call to. And every reporter worth his or her salt should watch it and, if this one had his way, it would be championed in colleges as the Holy Grail of journalism movies, second only to "All The President's Men."Eleanor Kennedy, business reporter? "Mean Girls" (2004)If you think "Mean Girls" is a silly high school movie that only teenage girls and boys who want to ogle pre-meltdown Lindsay Lohan will enjoy, you are wrong. It is unequivocally one of the top 10 movies of all time.From the brilliant mind of Tina Fey, the movie is laugh-out-loud funny and has the rare quality of only getting funnier every time you watch it. The actors are top notch -- Rachel McAdams gets a chance to show her range in a role different from her usual rom com heroines; Lindsay Lohan actually was good at acting before all the scandals (see also: "The Parent Trap"); and it's an opportunity to see first-hand the talent that's led to Lizzy Caplan's gig as the female lead in one of this season's biggest critical hits ("Masters of Sex" on Showtime).Perhaps, most importantly, if you haven't seen Mean Girls, I'm certain you are missing out on an extensive number of references casually dropped into conversation. Don't you want to know why things are fetch, or who this Glen Coco guy is that everyone is so excited about?Watch it.? "Love Actually" (2003)A sorority sister of mine once asked what movie I thought was viewed more often in the sorority house, "Mean Girls" or "Love Actually." It's a tough question, because although "Mean Girls" would generally be played at least once, sometimes twice, a month by one member or another (often by me), "Love Actually" ran almost nonstop once we returned from Thanksgiving break and were forced to choose between studying for finals or falling in love with Colin Firth's eyes or Hugh Jackman's smile.That may make "Love Actually" sound like the quintessential chick flick, but I promise it's not. Men love it too. It's got everything you could ask for in a movie: humor, tragedy, romance, scantily clad women (and men), etc. Although it's best viewed at Christmastime with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, it's also the perfect pick-me-up any time of the year that you need to be reminded that love, actually, is all around us.Jackie Kinder, copy editor/designer? "White Christmas" (1954)An absolute classic -- even in its heyday, 1954 -- this toe-tapping sing-along is a heartwarming story with endearingly predictable plot twists and over-the-top slapstick humor. And no matter how sticky the plot gets, you just know it will all work out in the end. That's the kicker in older movies; if you just wait it out, everybody will be happy eventually. It's comforting in that way, and it's hilarious to boot.Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye's facial expressions are on point, and the duo's chemistry is unmistakable. With catchy tunes and impressive moves (and the infamous "Sisters" drag scene -- priceless!!), this film better make it on a list somewhere of best-ofs. And for a movie peaking at two hours, there's plenty of room during a few of Vera Ellen's awkward song-and-dance numbers to hit the bathroom.? "Dazed and Confused" (1993)A coming of age story set in a psychedelic era that you just can't help but be fascinated by, "Dazed and Confused" is one of the better stoner movies of the '90s.The A-list soundtrack, first and foremost, will have every rock 'n' roll bone in your body twitching in no time. And speaking of stacked decks, the cast -- most of whom we now see as absurdly famous movie stars (ahem, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Milla Jovovich, whaaaat??) -- will evoke a combination of "aw, aren't they so young and cute" to "oh dear, if they only knew what their future held."The plot line, which is not one its most shining attributes, is right up the alley of the audience it was created for -- those with short attention spans requiring little thought and lots of laughter. I'll never hate on that, though, because it's one of my favorite movies to put on while creating or cooking or habberdashing.The main characters are truly lovable -- especially Wiley Wiggins as the knows-too-much-about-life-already little brother to a main character -- and some of their antics are truly relatable. It somehow evokes memories of a high school you never attended.I think it's important everyone my age sees this, so we can better understand a culture we are so very fascinated with, yet perhaps don't see much of the downside to. The bullying, the insecurities, the forced expectation of growing up too fast -- and good grief! Those horrible overalls! It wasn't all sunshine and stoners. I find it not only a cultural eye-opener but also a movie that will entertain you while not overstimulating those brain cells.Ben Cates, sports reporter? "The Natural" (1984)Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs, a past-his-prime rookie who shocks the baseball world with his preternatural talents. A superb supporting cast, which includes Wilford Brimley, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Richard Farnsworth and Michael Madsen, is made even better by the appearance of Robert Duvall, who in the role of the hounding sports writer Max Mercy, is at home among the ball players, gamblers and swindlers, while all the time attempting to uncover Hobbs' mysterious past. He's never better than when he tells an ailing Hobbs, "Whether you're a goat or a hero tomorrow, you're going to make me a great story.""The Natural" is a film about dreams gone wrong and rising above decisions that haunt one for a lifetime.? "The Tree of Life" (2011)Terrence Malick's philosophic and visual masterpiece tells the story of a family struggling with grief in 1950s Waco, Texas. Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt star as a couple with vastly different outlooks on reality. Pitt represents the more gruff, Darwinian "kill or be killed" perspective, while Chastain is his opposite, teaching her children humility and grace. Like Malick's other work, the story is mainly told through poignant voice-overs that border on the poetic. The director also shows characters dealing with love and loss, while also facing existential quandaries. He weaves the story with a 15-minute "Creation" scene (grand and astounding in its scope, without dialogue or CGI technology) that forces the viewer to confront his or her own existence.? "Babel" (2006)Alejandro Gonz嫮ez I鼁rritu directs this ambitious film, which centers on the actions of a Moroccan farmer who buys a rifle for his sons to protect themselves in the desert. A chain of events unfold when one of the sons shoots at a tour bus winding through the desert.Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, both looking haggard and past their prime, star as travelers seeking to escape some haunted memory, but who end up caught in the midst of an international crisis. I鼁rritu's film focuses on four families from Morocco, the United States, Japan and Mexico; it's the third film in a four-part series (including "21 Grams" and "Biutiful") that shows how one person's mistakes can affect others.Parker Michels-Boyce, photographer? "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)Possibly one of the most-quoted movies of all time, right up there with "Airplane." It's a fast-paced, quirky comedy with a nice coming-of-age story wrapped in. And the synth-saturated 80's soundtrack is just icing on this classic cinema cake.Matt Busse, multimedia editor? "12 Angry Men" (1957)Some of the best classic acting you'll see, nearly all of it happening in a single room. Orson Welles directs, Henry Fonda stars. A masterpiece.? "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)It's number one on IMDB's Top 250 for a reason (above "The Godfather," even). A beautiful movie based on a brilliant story. Keeping your dignity and your power even when the odds are stacked greatly against you is the key here.? "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)Jack Nicholson's best work, in my opinion, but even his acting is surpassed by Louise Fletcher's portrayal of the domineering Nurse Ratched.Chris Lang, sports reporter? "Almost Famous" (2000)Two of my life's passions are music and journalism, and Cameron Crowe's 2000 film ties the two together beautifully. The acting is awesome. Patrick Fugit plays the precocious William Miller with a sense of wide-eyed charm that you'd expect from any 16-year-old who gets to spend a few weeks with a rock band. I just think it's a fabulous story about expectations, relationships and education. Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Lester Bangs warns young William to not become friends with the band, Stillwater. Yet William can't help himself. You don't know until you go through it personally.What I really appreciate is how the movie portrays the journalism business. There's the reality that William expected going in -- that he was going to get his interviews, enjoy a few days on the road, then write a puff piece that would jump start his career. Instead, he found a different reality, subjects that thought they could manipulate William because he was so young and uncooperative band members that neither respected nor trusted him. It all culminates in a battle with leery editors inside the Rolling Stone offices that nearly derailed William's career before it began.It's a must-see for anyone who has interest in either side of the story, for sure.Jill Nance, photographer? "Searching for Sugar Man" (2012)I am a sucker for a good documentary. The one I have recommended more than any other as of late is "Searching for Sugar Man," about a forgotten Detroit rocker from the 1970's. It is a story filled with mystery, rediscovery and the goodness of the human spirit. Half of the fun is the wild journey the documentary takes you on, and the less you know about the story beforehand the better. You won't regret it.Brent Wells, Burg reporter? "Heat" (1995)Although they costarred in "The Godfather, Part II," writer/director Michael Mann's heady three-hour tale of a Los Ang迷你倉les detective's hunt for a master thief is the first to pair legends Al Pacino and Robert De Niro together onscreen.Enough said? I think so, because it actually is the only movie where you can see the two veteran actors opposite each other and performing at the top of their game. The duo's 2008 box office bomb, "Righteous Kill," doesn't hold a candle to Mann's mid-'90s crime drama.The filmmaker's menacing stories are unlike anyone else's; they're pulp fiction with a high-buff, modernist veneer. In "Heat," he transforms the streets of L.A. into a landscape of pure dread. Essentially, Mann replaces the primordial wood of one of his earlier features, "The Last of the Mohicans," with the steel-and-concrete wilderness of contemporary Southern California.The narrative chronicles a hunter and his prey, the former being Vincent Hanna (Pacino), an obsessive robbery homicide detective. The man in his sights is Neil McCauley (De Niro), a robbery specialist whose gang has started taking down big scores in the area. What's obvious from the outset is that the contest is one of powerful equals. They both are disciplined professionals, willing to sacrifice everything for their work.In one beautifully directed scene, Hanna offers to buy his startled adversary a cup of coffee and, while sitting across from one another in a restaurant, they acknowledge -- in that singular nonverbal Morse code of the warrior kind of way -- that they are the same, outsiders bound to each other by the bonds of crime and punishment. Everything else disappears. Life is simple. Well, not exactly. But it's magnetic.? "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)A proper Christmas really isn't complete without it.As the unsinkable Clark Griswold in this campy, late-'80s classic, Chevy Chase survives a holiday season that would test the patience of even the most forgiving soul. His dreams of Yuletide cheer soon give way to the realities of malfunctioning light bulbs and a mammoth tree that's too big for the living room. Never mind; Clark's spirits are hovering somewhere between the mistletoe and the moon.After the turkey explodes, and his Aunt Bethany's Persian cat discovers electricity, Clark doesn't skip a beat, presiding over a veritable flurry of foolishness that both celebrates and debunks visions of sugarplums.Even if there are those who might tell you otherwise, it's a must-see, a decked-out domestic caper that eventually snowballs with the arrival of Randy Quaid, who's ridiculously brilliant in the role of redneck cousin Eddie.? "Wall Street" (1987)Before Charlie Sheen was "winning," he was portraying second-tier broker Bud Fox with aplomb. During the height of the '80s bull market, he's busy working the phones, soliciting new clients, offering second-hand advice, buying and selling and dreaming.Gordon Gekko, played by a fast-talking Michael Douglas, is his hero. He paces relentlessly behind the desk in his skyscraper office, lighting cigarettes, stabbing them out, checking stock prices on a bank of archaic computers, and barking buy and sell orders into a speaker phone. In his personal life, he has everything he could possibly want -- a wife, family, estate, pool, limousine, jet, priceless art -- and they are all just additional entries on the scoreboard. He likes to win.You wouldn't have characters like the one Leonardo DiCaprio is bringing to life in the upcoming "The Wolf of Wall Street" (see review on page 10) if Gordon Gekko hadn't stormed theaters with the unforgettable line, "Greed is good."Director Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" is a radical critique of the capitalist trading mentality, and one that still resonates, especially given the financial community's current vulnerability. The film is an attack on materialism, the type so ferocious that ethics are simply irrelevant, and the laws are sort of like the referee in pro wrestling -- part of the show.Sound familiar? It stands the test of time, and that's the definition of quality cinema.Mark Bailey, digital content manager? "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961)The incredible cast includes Spencer Tracey, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Maximillian Schell, Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift and an impossibly young William Shatner.This powerful courtroom drama, set in post-WWII Germany, deals with the crimes of the Nazis and the intricate issue of culpability by those charged with enforcing the laws of a corrupt government.Spencer Tracey is the chief judge struggling to understand the war crimes of the Nazis in WWII and how good people let it happen in their names. It is quite long, but Spencer Tracey's final speech summarizing the verdict is as relevant today as it was then, and should be required viewing for all citizens of a free society.? "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962)Lawyer and widower Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) fights bigotry and prejudice in the south during the Depression, while raising his two children.One of those rare great movies that is arguably better than the great book, by Harper Lee, from which it was made. Peck's performance stands out among a host of great performances, for its subtlety and great strength. The book won a Pulitzer Prize and the movie won three Oscars, including Best Actor for Peck, Best Art Direction and Best Writing for Horton Foote.? "In Cold Blood" (1967)Based on the ground-breaking novel by Truman Capote, this fictionalized account of real-life murders in 1950s Kansas is a subtle indictment of the criminal justice system and capital punishment. "In Cold Blood" is the great-grandfather of all crime dramas and procedurals that came after it.Casey Gillis, Burg editor? "The Usual Suspects" (1995)This may be a predictable choice -- and, after nearly 20 years, its epic ending is practically common knowledge -- but "The Usual Suspects" never gets old. It's a crime drama/mystery with caper elements thrown in, featuring a breakout performance by Kevin Spacey and a loaded cast that includes the likes of a pre-Gus Fring Giancarlo Esposito, Benicio del Toro (it's the first film I ever saw him in), Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollack and Gabriel Byrne. And it's practically the only good thing Stephen Baldwin has ever done.I used to love showing the movie to people who'd never seen it before, just to witness their reaction to that ending. "The Usual Suspects" certainly didn't invent the 11th hour twist, but I kinda feel like it revived it. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled ...? "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011)Because there just aren't enough romantic comedies on this list, and this is one that can appeal to everyone.Most of the story focuses on Steve Carell's Cal, a loveable loser set adrift after his wife (Julianne Moore) announces she wants a divorce. Enter Ryan Gosling's Jacob, who mentors Cal in the ways of womanizing just as he meets his own match, played by the always charming Emma Stone.There's a third act fight scene involving Carell, Gosling, Kevin Bacon and an enraged neighborhood father that makes me fall out of my seat laughing every time I see it.It's a sweet, funny movie that always puts a smile on my face.? "Enough Said" (2013)There was something about this one -- the newest to appear on our list -- that got to and stayed with me long after seeing it. The film is especially a must for fans of the late James Gandolfini and shows what I imagine is a side of him much closer to who he was in real life. Soft spoken, sweet, with a mischievous sense of humor. As a "Sopranos" fan, it was refreshing to see him play such a normal guy. But it also made me sad about what could've been had he been able to continue on with the second act of his career.Thomas Fraser, city editor? "Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" (2005)A poignant and creative morality tale of life on the Texas-Mexico border, as told through the eyes of migrants, cattlemen and border guards. Starring Tommy Lee Jones in one of his most underrated roles, the movie touches upon issues of home, humanity, revenge, friendship, consumerism, marriage and love.? "The Right Stuff" (1983)A right-gripping yarn about the real-life heroes of the space race, this adaptation of the Tom Wolfe book mixes humor, politics, action and suspense to tell the story of the historic race for the stars.? "Antonia's Line" (1995)This Dutch masterpiece won an Oscar for best foreign film. A sweeping yet simple and beautiful movie about the return of a mother and daughter to their home village after World War II and subsequent decades, it is a powerful commentary on topics ranging from religion, sexuality, civility and decency to child-rearing, growing old and small-town life.Tonia Rutherford, Burg book critic? "Warrior" (2011)In an effort to better understand the world my brother was entering when he began mixed martial arts training, I started watching movies that had anything to do with the sport. Although the outcome of some of the fights depicted in "Warrior" seem unlikely, the movie features an outstanding performance by one of my favorite actors, Tom Hardy.An estranged family is thrust back together when struggling teacher Brendan (Joel Edgerton) and younger brother Tommy (Hardy) compete against each other in an MMA tournament with a $5 million purse. Both have a rocky relationship with their recovering alcoholic father (Nick Nolte), who is working to redeem himself of the hellish childhood he put his sons through.Traditionally, I would classify essential viewing as something that is universal and epic in nature. I wouldn't necessarily say "Warrior" falls in that category, but after discovering it last year I am on a mission to make more people see this underrated movie. One thing I've learned about MMA is the extreme resilience of its fighters."Warrior" deserves a place on the list of great fight movies for its accurate depiction of men who refuse to back off even when life keeps beating them down.Christa Desrets, Amherst/Nelson editor? "Spirited Away" (2001)If you've never seen a movie by legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, you're in for a treat.This animated fantasy film, written and directed by Miyazaki and produced by the talented team at Studio Ghibli, tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, who witnesses her parents transform into pigs and is then unwittingly swept into a magical spirit world. At only 10 years old, Chihiro is left to find a way to regain her family and escape back to the human world.Eloquently animated, the film features a strong female heroine who takes on her new duties working at a mysterious bathhouse with a compassion that surprises those around her. More importantly, it's a beautiful story that might just get you hooked on the dazzling pictures that Miyazaki has been mastering for decades, until his retirement earlier this year.It's probably one of Miyazaki's most-well known films in the U.S., with the English adaptation dubbed by Walt Disney, and those who enjoy it should check out the rest of his library.Alex Rohr, Bedford County reporter? "Dogma" (1999)The satire, written and directed by Kevin Smith, is a chase/crusade by the last descendant of Christ, two "prophets," the 13th apostle (Chris Rock) and a muse (Salma Hayek) to stop two renegade angels from using a little-known Catholic loophole to re-enter heaven. Their re-entry would erase existence.The story is replete with commentary and question of religion and how it has been manipulated through time. Where some see blasphemy, I see a critique on man, not God.One speech by Rock as Rufus, the 13th apostle, adjusted my thinking at least a few degrees after I watched as a teenager on Comedy Central: "Life should be malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limits growth. ... I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier."Katrina Koerting, Campbell County reporter? "The Princess Bride" (1987)I fell in love with "The Princess Bride" instantly, watching the 1987 classic every day for two weeks straight. I can now recite a majority of the lines by heart, just like my mom did when my parents first introduced the film to me years ago.It has everything one could ask for in a movie: adventure, humor, romance and loveable characters. You can't help but root for Buttercup and Westley throughout the movie, as they travel through the fire swamp and go up against an evil prince.Even though I've seen this movie more times than I can count, I still find it extremely entertaining and put it on whenever I need to brighten my mood and have a good laugh.Ray Reed, political reporter? "A Few Good Men" (1992)I can't believe it's not on this list already, with Jack Nicholson's "You can't handle the truth" line, backed up by blazing eyes, facial display of contempt, etc. Tom Cruise had a few Oscar-quality scenes too, such as when he decides to turn around and really confront Nicholson's Jessup in the courtroom. Several characters also show military-career attitudes.Sam O'Keefe, photographer? "Super Size Me"Making healthy dietary choices is important to me, and a lot of it started because I watched Morgan Spurlock's documentary "Super Size Me." Eating McDonald's three times a day for a month with little to no exercise shows how dangerous it can be to eat a diet high in fat, sodium and sugar.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The News & Advance (Lynchburg, Va.) Visit The News & Advance (Lynchburg, Va.) at .newsadvance.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage