Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The average cost of a gallon of gas (in the US) when this movie was made was about 36 cents. Here we are 35 years later and the topic is just as valid, just as plausible, and germane as ever. Amazing how a good story told well holds up.

Based on a James Grady novel of similar name, this Sidney Pollack film made some very interesting connections long before they became popular conspiracy theory fodder and then open policy.

Robert Redford, not quite yet 40 when this was done, is his usual great. Unspoken acting are some of his best traits, but he also delivers a line perfectly. A young Faye Dunaway is caught up in the excitement and delivers an interesting portrayal of an atypical New Yorker. I not saying anything, I just saying.

Other faces you may recognize include Cliff Robertson, John Houseman, and Max von Sydow. Add a cool jazz soundtrack by Dave Grusin, and you've got a great retro look into the 1970s.

Watch this movie with someone who likes to read books.

Holy Rollers (2010)

Here is another very interesting movie that peeks inside a world most of us know little or nothing about. How does one go from being a student on track to be a Rabbi to being one of New York's top Ecstasy smugglers? Watch and find out.

There are funny bits and sexy bits. No kidding. There are absurd twists and very interesting characters. Jesse Eisenberg does a very good job of skating the edge between innocence and business savvy. Justin Bartha is over-the-top good as the out-of-control neighbor and mentor.

Ari Gaynor is smoking hot as the gangster moll here. And why not, she got her start as a recurring character on Sopranos.

All that said, this is not a compelling story and as with most drug-related gangster movies we all kinda know how it will end. We just don't know when or to what extent. In this case it's a satisfying end with characters one cares about.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks money is NOT the root of all evil.

An Education (2009)

This is a very interesting coming-of-age story all young women should watch. The acting by all is first rate. But the best part of this movie, to me, is the soundtrack.

Carey Mulligan was amazing and well deserved her Oscar nom here. We'll hear from her again no doubt. Peter Sarsgaard is equal parts charming and creepy. Alfred Molina is perfect as the father. The rest of the cast is perfect.

Among other things this is an enjoyable, if not regrettable, look back at some 1960's mentality. How far have we come? That's up to you.

If you are a young woman heading to college, or if you have one in your household, I highly recommend watching this movie. It is rated PG-13 so there is not much to worry about. If you are a Daddy of the aforementioned daughters, you should watch too.

Watch this with someone who has a dream of going to Paris.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Some lists have this work in the top 5 movies of all time. It's certainly in my top 10 favorites.

Morgan Freeman is brilliant as usual. His unique voice serves well as narrator and character.

Tim Robbins is a man of few words but portrays one of the best characters of his career. Happy Birthday today Mr. Robbins.

They are surrounded by a great cast of diverse thieves, murderers and thugs. Then there are the inmates (nyuk nyuk). One of my favorites is James Whitmore as the prison librarian.

One of the things I find myself doing every time I watch this great movie is asking myself what I'd do in those circumstances, from beginning to end. If you are a frequent reader you know I like redemption movies, and this is on the top of that list.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks that planning ahead means putting out tomorrow's clothes, tonight.

Gladiator (2000)

Yes, it's been 10 years since we were introduced to a classic Roman tragedy. If you skipped it back then, or since because it was too gory or violent, I recommend you watch it with the remote in hand. This movie is about way more than fights to the death. For those of us who have seen it many times, it might be time to see it again for new reasons. If you have not seen it because you were too young at the time - see this one for the pure entertainment values.

Russell Crowe has come a long way since then. Regardless of what you think about his work after this movie, it is good to see how wonderful this performance really is. He earned his Oscar.

Joaquin Phoenix gets my vote here for creepiest film villain, maybe ever. If you have see this movie before, one new reason to see this movie is to focus on Phoenix. Talk about nailing a character.

Richard Harris died just a couple years after this movie was made, but not before he created one of films best-loved wizards, Albus Dumbledore. Yup, same guy. His Caesar Marcus is brilliant and too short on the screen.

Connie Nielsen plays the much-tormented soul caught between love and survival - Lucilla. Her Danish ancestors are no doubt very proud.

Need more reasons to see it, or see it again? Watch for the goofs. The guy in the stable scene wearing blue jeans and a cell phone on his hip who can't walk backwards out of camera view fast enough is still in the movie on DVD. The list of geographic and historic boo-boos is long. Enjoy.

If however you just like to watch one of the top 100 movies made so far, enjoy. If you rent the DVD I highly recommend the "Treasure Chest" from the Special Features.

Watch this movie with someone who needs to learn to make the very best from every situation.

All That Jazz (1979)

So, you think you know dance? If for no other reason, watch this movie to see how many dance moves you can spot that are now referred to a Michael Jackson signature moves. MJ didn't moon walk until 1983, for an example.

This autobiographical movie was written and directed by Bob Fosse. If you don't know who Bob Fosse was, you don't know jack about dance. Fosse won an Oscar for directing Cabaret, in which he was also choreographer and dancer. He followed that project up with a stage-shot bio-pic of legendary comic Lenny Bruce. For this he also was nominated for Best Director. Both these projects are referred to in the movie and are central to the storyline.

This movie was nominated for 9 Oscar's but won only 4. Not too shabby. Roy Scheider was nominated for his central role here, and does a monumental job. The honor that year went to somebody named DiNiro in some boxing movie. Oh - good competition.

This movie documents the self-destruction of one of entertainment's brightest stars. And it's all told from his point of view with Broadway flair.

Watch this movie but remember, it is now 30 years old and production standards are different today.

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Audrey Tautou continues her brilliant career. In the slow-moving but lushly photographed bio-pic, she plays the iconic Gabrielle Chanel. The film covers her life from early childhood when she is dropped, by her father, at an orphanage, until she opens her successful hat shop in Paris.

Alessandro Nivola plays the rich Englishman who is Coco's first real love. Benoît Poelvoorde plays her benefactor and friend. The relationships are complex but traditional.

This is richly romantic story with sadly tragic twists and turns. It is as educational as it is entertaining.

Watch this movie with someone who likes period pieces and subtitles.