A Nod to Ridley Scott

I'll have to admit. . .I felt bad about giving Ridley Scott's latest film, Body of Lies, a bad review. Scott is one of my favorite directors and it just doesn't seem right to leave it hanging like that. So here are my top 5 Ridley Scott films. . .They are all available on DVD and are all worth your time. These are Scott at his best. . .(in order of release date). . .

Alien (1979)
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You can have your Jasons, your Freddys and your Michaels. This is easily one of the scariest and most suspenseful movies ever made. Put it in the DVD player. Cut out all the lights -- make sure it is pitch black. Then turn on this terrific movie. One of the best movie taglines: "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream." Quick trivia: The other cast members did not know about the chest-bursting scene.


Blade Runner (1982)
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Considered by many to be the best science fiction film ever made. There is not a whole lot I can add here other than to encourage those of you who have not seen it to please do so -- right now. Harrison Ford. Sean Young. Rutger Hauer. Darryl Hannah. Quick Note: Watch the Director's Cut. It has the ending that Scott wanted and it comes closer to answering the question: "Was he or wasn't he?"

Gladiator (2000)
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Put the DVD in the player. Then, right before you press play, you say: "At my signal, unleash hell." This is a great movie. Terrific performances by Russell Crowe, Djimon Honsou and Joaquin Phoenix. It's vengeance. It's death. It's blood spray. It's dying with honor. You gotta love it.

Black Hawk Down (2001)
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This movie is all about what it means to not leave your buddy behind. Yes, Josh Hartnett is the weakest link in this otherwise stellar cast but you watch this movie for the performances by Eric Bana, Sam Shepard and Tom Sizemore. Once the shooting starts, it is intense until the smoke clears. As you may know, this is based on a true story. The documentary, which is also available on DVD, is even more harrowing.

American Gangster (2007)
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I know. . .I know. This movie didn't exactly blow up the critics' skirts but if you haven't seen it, you should and then you can judge for yourself. Denzel Washington is at the top of his game here and he's surrounded by a terrific supporting cast. Balancing out Denzel on the other side of the law is a terrific Russell Crowe. One of my favorite performances is turned in by Josh Brolin.

There you go. . .my top 5 favorite Ridley Scott films. Check them out. You will not be disappointed.