Kill the Irishman (2011)

Did this movie escape your radar? If so, it is well worth the watch.  The long list of big names makes this story increasingly interesting as it unfolds.

Ray Stevenson is the constant in this equation.  The common thread, and a very good one. Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, Finnula Flanagan, and many others play a mix of Cleveland organized crime figures in the late 1970s.

Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Davi, Steve Schirripa, and Paul Sorvino among others play their New York connected Italian competition.  All do a super job.  This is a great all-star cast.

With a great mix of archival news footage this story unfolds as it happens.

Watch this with anyone who has lived in or been to Cleveland.

Deja Vu (2006)

Time travel is solid fantasy and sci-fi stock, but it is used brilliantly here in a crime drama. In fact, it is done so well, you almost don't realize its being done. There are no flashy time machine scenes, and few, if any, special effects. This is as much psycho-thriller as anything else. And it is very well done.

Denzel Washington does a great job playing the smart, funny, caring cop he plays so well in other movies. He is surrounded by a great supporting cast as well. Almost too many to mention, but here are a few you will surely recognize: Val Kilmer, James Caviezel, Adam Goldberg, and others.

If you have not seen this movie yet, I recommend it. The story keeps you thinking.

Watch this one with someone who will talk about it with you while the story is unfolding.

The Missing

This movie is first and foremost a story of redemption and forgiveness. This is not your typical blockbuster directed by Ron Howard. It is dark and haunting, but it is complete. There is nothing missing. It shows the complete range of movies Howard is capable of bringing to the screen.

Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black series, Lonesome Dove series, and Al Gore's roommate at Harvard) leaves his family to "go injun" in this story set in 1885 New Mexico. His medicine woman daughter, Cate Blanchet (LOTR series, Aviator, and the next Indiana Jones movie) runs a ranch with her daughters. Daddy and daughter can't stand each other who turning their back on what the other considers important.

But, when girls are being kidnaped by thugs, and one of the girls is a granddaughter of Tommy Lee Jones, Daddy and Daughter unit, begrudging unit to get all the girls back. Jones is true to his Cherokee roots and goes after the bad guys. If you think you know what happens, think again.

Sounds sort of stock, but if you'd like to see a new twist on a western theme; and a bit dark at that, I recommend this one. Watch it with someone who does not jump too far when scary things happen.