Heat (1995)

Neil McCauley is a bank robber who believes in never doing a job that you can't walk away from in thirty seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. He and his buddies decide to hit one more bank so they can all retire and go their separate ways. Vincent Hanna is an L.A.P.D. detective who becomes obsessed with catching McCauley, so much so that he his personal life is falling apart; hardly ever spending time with his third wife and step-daughter. Neil meets a young woman named Eady, but lies to her about what he really does. Even so, he doesn't know if he can walk away from her. An intense and provocative crime drama; DeNiro and Pacino are absolutely dynamic. Starring Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Diane Venora, Ashley Judd, Amy Brenneman, Mykelti Williamson, Natalie Portman 8/10

Matilda (1996)

Matilda Wormwood is an incredibly smart girl, ever since she was a child she was able to fend for herself because her family is wrapped up in their own lives and don't appreciate her. She discovers she has an amazing gift of moving objects with her mind when she concentrates hard enough. She attends school and becomes best friends with a girl named Lavender, and has the most wonderful teacher; a sweet and caring woman named Miss Honey. But unfortunately Agatha Trenchbull, her principal is a cruel and mean woman who punishes her students by locking them in the chokey, an iron maiden like device with nails and jagged edges. Matilda and Miss Honey become good friends and Matilda tells her about her power. When Matilda's father, a crooked used car dealer sells Miss Trunchbull a lemon, she begins to hate the child more and more. To make things even more complicated, Matilda discovers two cops who are scoping out their house. From Roald Dahl's children's novel, this is a wonderful fantasy film; Mara Wilson is simply enchanting. Starring Danny Devito, Mara Wilson, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris, Brian Levinson, Tracey Walter, Paul Reubens 8/10

The Great Outdoors (1988)

Chet Ripley and his family go on a vacation to a beautiful lake resort in Pechoggin, Wisconsin. But when his brother-in-law Roman Craig; an annoying, loudmouth investment broker, his wife and twin daughters drive out to surprise Chet and the gang, it is hardly what Chet had in mind. Especially when the kids don't want to do the activities Chet had planned, but instantly agree when Roman suggests something better to do. Chet's older son becomes smitten with a young waitress, and the family become under siege when a huge bear attacks their cabin, the same one that supposedly attacked Chet years before. A fun and underrated adventurous comedy. Starring John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Annette Bening, Stephanie Faracy, Chris Young, Ian Giatti, Rebecca Gordon, Hilary Gordon, Lucy Deakins 7/10

Stripes (1981)

John Winger is a cab driver who ends up losing his job, his apartment and his girlfriend dumps him. So when he and his friend Russell finally get fed up with their lives, they decide to join the army. But it's not easy, especially when John doesn't get along with the tough and strict Sergeant Hulka. Also while in boot camp, John and Russell meet and fall for two attractive young Military police officers when they get arrested one night for fighting in a strip club. After graduation, the boys take the recreational vehicle and have a good time with their girlfriends while their buddies are captured by Russian troops and taken to Czechoslovakia. So it's up to John, Russell, Stella and Louise to go there and rescue them. My favorite military spoof, Bill Murray is hilarious in this crazy comedy that can't be missed! Starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, P.J. Soles, John Candy, Sean Young, John Larroquette, Judge Reinhold 7/10

The Fugitive (1993)

Set in Chicago, Doctor Richard Kimble, a successful and greatly respected vascular surgeon is falsely accused of attacking and murdering his wife. He tells the police that when he came home after an emergency operation call he found a one-armed man in his house and that he fought with this man. But there isn't any evidence to back up his story, so Richard is convicted and sentenced to execution. He is transported by bus with other convicts to another prison but while on the way there, one of the prisoners fakes a seizure and as the prisoners try to take control, the driver is shot and the bus turns over, landing right on train tracks. Although injured, Richard saves one of the guards that has been stabbed and just narrowly escapes when the oncoming train crashes into the bus. Enter U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard, who takes over the search of hunting down Richard who's become a fugitive despite being innocent. With some help from his fellow colleagues, Richard is determined to find the one-armed man who killed his wife. A suspenseful and incredibly exciting film; Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones are both fantastic. Starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, Joe Pantaliano, Jeroen Krabbe 8/10