Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Daniel Hillard is an actor who dubs the voices for children cartoons. However he loses his job when he disagrees with the studio about how they convey the characters. Things get worse when he throws his son a big and wild birthday party with animals from the zoo, and when his wife Miranda gets home she freaks out and she tells him she wants a divorce. But since he doesn't have a place to live and is unemployed the judge awards Miranda custody of the children. When Daniel finds out that she is looking to hire a housekeeper to cook and take care of the children, Daniel who is desperate dons a disguise with the help of his brother Frank who's a makeup artist and pretends to be Scottish nanny Mrs. Iphegenia Doubtfire. But juggling being two different alter egos proves to be more complicated, especially when Miranda starts to see one of her clients, a handsome man named Stu Dunmeyer. A touching and hysterically funny film; easily Robin Williams best film. Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Lawrence, Mara Wilson 7/10

The Contender (2000)

After the vice president suddenly dies, President Jackson Evans, who is nearing the end of his term wants to leave a legacy by appointing the first female into office. Enter Senator Laine Hanson, who just recently switched from Republican to Democratic. She gets his nomination, but her chances are threatened when a sex scandal she was involved in as a teenager from her college days surfaces. The committee chairman Shelley Runyon leaked the information to the press because he wants the Governor Jack Hathaway be the vice president. A fairly decent story, with a dynamic cast who is at the top of their game. Starring Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, William Petersen, Philip Baker Hall, Mariel Hemingway 8/10

Howard the Duck (1986)

Howard T. Duck lives in Duckworld, he is transported one night to Earth where he meets Beverly, a struggling singer in a punk rock band called "Cherry Bomb". Having no place to go, she offers for him to spend the night at her place. Beverly seeks the help of a man named Phil Blumburtt, whom Beverly hopes can help Howard return to his world. But being just a lab assistant he can't do much for him; so he calls on his colleagues Doctor Walter Jenning and Larry. They explain how Howard got to Earth; that they had been working on a dimensional-jumping device that happened to be aimed at Howard's universe and brought him to Earth when it was activated. Howard can be sent back to his world the same way, but the device malfunctions and unfortunately another life form from an alternate dimension arrives, a deadlier one. And it's up to Howard to save the world from it. A silly but fun film; Howard is an interesting and tough character that you can't help but sympathize with. Starring Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, Tim Robbins, Ed Gale, Paul Guilfoyle, Chip Zien 6/10

Arachnophobia (1990)

A group of scientists travel to the Amazon to discover new species of insects. While there a photographer named Jerry Manley, ill from fever suddenly dies. His body (along with the spider who bit him) are sent to his hometown of Canaima. Enter Ross Jennings, a family physician, who has moved to the town from San Francisco because he was told that the town doctor Metcalf was retiring and that he'll take over the care of his patients. However his plans turn sour when Metcalf changes his mind. The spider from Venezuela mates with a domestic house spider and makes a nest in Jennings's barn, where they produce hundreds of deadly offspring. Soon unexpected deaths occur and it's up to Jennings to find out why, but when he finds out that the spider is the culprit, he is scared to death because of his arachnophobia. A creepy yet fun comedy/horror film; John Goodman stands out as the exterminator Delbert McClintock. Not for the squeamish. Starring Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Harley Jane Kozak, Julian Sands, Brian McNamara 7/10

The Princess Bride (1987)

While a young grandson is sick in bed, his grandfather comes over for a visit and reads to him the fairy tale of Buttercup, The Princess Bride. Buttercup lives on a farm and falls in love with the Westley, the farm boy. When Westley leaves the farm to seek his fortune his ship is attacked at sea. Buttercup believing him dead, vows to never love again. However she is forced to marry Prince Humperdinck, the heir to the throne of the town of Florin. But before the wedding she is kidnapped by three outlaws; the Sicilian criminal Vizzini, the Spanish fencing wizard Inigo Montoya, and the strong and mighty Turkish wrestler Fezzik, until a masked man in black follows them to save her. Based on the 1973 fantasy novel written by William Goldman, this is a fun and delightful adventure film with love-able characters that'll steal your heart. Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal 8/10

Red Riding Hood (2011)

Valerie is a beautiful young woman living in a village called Daggerhorn. She is in love with Peter, who is a woodcutter but her parents have arranged for her to marry Henry, the son of a wealthy blacksmith despite the fact that Valerie does not love him. When Valerie's sister is killed by a wolf, the villagers go hunting to find it. They believe that they have killed it until a witch hunter by the name of Solomon interrupts their celebrating, telling them that if the wolf was killed it would've changed back to human form. As Solomon takes control of the village to find the real wolf, tensions rise as everyone is suspected. A dark and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing till the very end; the visual effects are good with impressive performances by Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie and Virginia Madsen. Starring Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Lukas Haas, Julie Christie 8/10