griggs's - 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die List

Feature follows the exploits of the laconic Taisto, a newly-unemployed Lapland miner who sets off in a Cadillac convertible for a fresh start in Helsinki. Joined in his odyssey by meter maid Irmeli and her young son, Taitso's plans take a series of unexpected turns...

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Klaus Barbie, also known as the 'butcher of Lyon' was implicated in 4,000 deaths and the deportation of 7,000 Jews from occupied France, before he inexplicably vanished.

This Oscar winning documentary, from visionary director Marcel Ophuls, traces the 40-year hunt for Barbie, initiated by the same governments that would later hide him and protect his family.
Employed by the American government as an informant, Barbie was smuggled out of Europe via an underground railway with Vatican ties — known as 'the rat line'. He found refuge in South America where his particular talents' were employed by governments in Bolivia and Peru. Until his trial in 1987, authorities harboured Barbie at the same time as denouncing his crimes.
This spellbinding documentary features interviews with both supporters and opponents of Barbie's trial, from his defence attorney to journalists, to old friends and former US Counter Intelligence agents. The film spans 70 years, three continents and 120 hours of interview footage.
Hotel Terminus exposes a complex web of deceit, collaboration and political deviance nearly as unforgettable as the crimes themselves. 'It's a fine, serious work by a film maker unlike any other' - New York Times

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Those screw-loose Airplane! creators have done it again! Leslie Nielsen stars as Police Squad's own granite-jawed, rock-brained cop Frank Drebin, who bumbles across a mind-control scheme to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. Priscilla Presley, O.J.

Simpson, a stuffed beaver, two baseball teams and an odd assortment of others join the wacko goings-on and blow the laugh-o-meter to smithereens.

The game of conquest is underway. Anything goes when a predatory, wealthy widow (Glenn Close) challenges a notorious rake (John Malkovich) to seduce a beautiful young newlywed (Michelle Pfeiffer). But this time, a cardinal rule will be broken: two players will fall in love - with tragic results.

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Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) has just discovered he has an autistic brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and is now taking him on the ride of his life.

Or is it the other way around? From his refusal to drive on major highways, to his obsession with watching popular TV game-shows, Raymond first pushes hot-headed Charlie to the limits of his patience... and then pulls him completely out of his self-centred world. But what begins as a reluctant and unsentimental journey for the Babbitt brothers becomes a remarkable story which connects these two vastly different people in this poignant and powerful look at the unlimited potential of the human spirit.

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With smoldering sensuality and biting humor, the surprising relationship between the three title subjects is revealed in sex, lies, and videotape, the most-talked about erotic comedy of the decade.

James Spader (TV's "Blacklist", Crash) ran away with the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his brilliantly understated and seductive performance as Graham, a long-lost college friend who drifts back into town and into the lives of John, a self-involved philanderer, his angelic wife Ann, and her saucy sister Cynthia. One by one, each is drawn into the very "personal project" Graham is working on, leaving the relationships between them forever transformed. A monumental debut effort from first-time feature director Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich), this comic original includes riveting performances from Peter Gallagher (American Beauty), Andie MacDowell (Michael) and Laura San Giacomo (TV's "Just Shoot Me").

A literal landmark in modern Actioa-Cinema, Woo unfolds his story about the bond between a moral assassin and an amoral policeman with incredible skill and precision, whilst still managing to overwhelm his audience with some of the most incredible action-sequences ever committed to film.

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Based on the story of Christy Brown, this highly acclaimed film depicts his struggle for a normal life. Born with cerebral palsy into a poor, working-class Irish family, Christy was able only to control movement in his left foot and to speak in guttural sounds.

With the help of his strong-willed and dedicated family and his own sheer courage and determination, Christy not only learns to grapple with life's simple physical tasks and complex psychological pains, but he also develops into a brilliant painter, poet and author.

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"If you build it, he will come!' With these words, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe.

Supported by his wife Annie (Amy Madigan), Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true. Along the way he meets reclusive activist Terence Mann (James Earl Jones), the mysterious "Doc" Graham (Burt Lancaster) and even the legendary "Shoeless Joe" Jackson (Ray Liotta).

This powerful portrait of urban racial tension sparked controversy everywhere it played while earning popular and critical praise. The hottest day of the year and an explosive day in the life of Bedford - Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The community will never be the same again.

Gotham City, not the safest of places to live, but that is about to change with the emergence of a new super hero, who intends to inspire fear into the hearts of the evil, and hope into the hearts of the honest citizens of that city! Who is Batman?

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After its 1989 release and subsequent screening on public television, 'Tongues Untied' polarised critics with its unapologetic portrayal of black gay experience in America.

Part documentary, part performance, it was described as the film we have been waiting for by critic Cary Alan Johnson and vilified as a misuse of public funds by right-wing presidential hopeful Pat Buchanan. Such divided opinions were testament to the films lasting impact as a powerful depiction of the ongoing black liberation movement, twinned with devastation of the AIDS crisis. 30 years on, the poetry of Marlon Riggs himself, as well as performances from Essex Hemphill and Brian Freeman, comprise a unique record of a critical historical moment with fierce intelligence, virtuosic rhythm and courageous hope that still stuns today.

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Sex always gets in the way of friendships between men and woman. At least, that's what Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) believes. So when Harry meets Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and a deep friendship blossoms between them, Harry's determined not to let his attraction destroy it.

But when a night of weakness ends in panic, can the pair admit they just might be the perfect match for each other?

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In 1989, Michael Moore triumphantly burst upon the American moviemaking scene with Roger & Me, a hilarious, penetrating forerunner of the independent film movement. Moore doggedly and hilariously tried to do what every working stiff dreams of: talk to the man at the top.

His efforts to meet General Motors Chairman Roger Smith and persuade him to visit Flint, Michigan, frame a film that uses humour to devastating effect. Roger & Me champions people over profits and slyly lampoons corporate America as it shows how the Flint folks cope with economic setbacks.

The Cook serves up gourmet masterpieces in a beautiful restaurant. The thief holds his tyrannical court in the restaurant, terrorising all around him. His wife has a dangerous and illicit passion. Her lover is having the riskiest affair of his life.