The Bucket List

Everyone should see this movie regardless of age, economic status, or religious belief. There are not many movies I feel this strongly about. Crash also comes to mind.

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are at the absolute top of their game here. Like their characters, they are a very unlikely acting duo. But this makes the whole concept, the whole movie, work much better.

Sean Hayes of Will & Grace fame, also does a great job playing the straight-man to Nicholson's character. Pun intended.

I also recommend watching the Extra Feature short about Writing a Bucket List. Then I suggest, while the laughter and tears this movie emotes are still fresh in your memory, you write your own Bucket List.

Even though you know from the beginning how this movie ends, I'm guessing you will still be touched by how well Rob Reiner pulls it off. Reiner is an absolute genius. Look at the diversity of movies he has done - This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men, and now this. Any one of these movies would make a career high for someone. But to all come from the same mind is evidence of solid brilliance.

Watch this movie with someone who will be part of your personal Bucket List.

As Good As It Gets

It may not get much better than this. Jack Nicholson (too many great roles to list here) won Best Actor for this role in 1998, and it still stands as one of his personal best. While I have been told by many that I resemble his character in this movie, it has no bearing on my high regard for the film. Enough said?

Helen Hunt (Twister, Castaway, and What Women Want) earned Best Actress honors for her role here. Can you name how many other stars have earned an Oscar for playing a Waitress? I thought so.

Even if this movie were just these two fine performances, it would be enough. But wait, there is more great, noteworthy, work to discuss.

Greg Kinnear (Sabrina, We Were Soldiers, and The Matador) was nominated for his supporting role but somehow did not win. Robin Williams did however that year? Was it perhaps because Kinnear's character is flagrantly, tragically, gay? Again, I vector off topic.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (A Few Good Men, Jerry Maquire, and What Dreams May Come) brings his now famous smirk into full power as Kinner's best friend and only defender.

And then there is the little dog, who really does carry this movie. Jill the Dog was wonderful. Why isn't there a category for Best Animal Performance?

This movie has almost everything. Big names. Great one-liners. Social taboos. Children. Animals. Characters you hate to love, and some you love to hate. Social commentary.

Does it really get much better than this? Why didn't it win Best Picture that year? Because Titanic did.

Watch it with someone who can't see how their OCD impacts others.