The Godfather II - #3 of the Top 25 Movies of All Time

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, Diane Keaton
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
Rating: R

Watch the original trailer here http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi696162841/

Topping the The Godfather One was too much to hope for, but I think Coppola did it. While they never actually share a scene, this movie treats the viewer to two of the greatest actors of all time in DeNiro and Pacino. 


Robert DeNiro plays the early version of Vito Corleone, also known as 'The Godfather', shown in flashbacks. As the movie begins, it is seven years after the first one ended and Michael (Al Pacino) is fighting the latest enemies of the Corleone family, including the snake-like Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) and a few congressmen holding hearings to investigate mobsters, but really just looking for kick-backs. Besides Michael's business woes and constant threat of jail, his grip on his family weakens: his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) loathes him; his beloved mother passes away; and he is betrayed by someone close to him.

The #3 of the Top 25 Movies of All Time really goes to great lengths to tell its story, clocking in at 3 hours and 20 minutes, buts its story, dialog and acting are so good, time flys. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning six including Best Picture and Best Supporting Male Actor for Robert DeNiro.


" I make him an offer he don' refuse. Don' worry."

The Godfather - #2 of The Top 25 Movies of All Time

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
Rating: R


Watch the original trailer here http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3228698393/



Godfather One and Godfather Two are listed in just about everyone's Top 25 Movies of All Time, including mine. Marlon Brando plays Vito Corleone, aka “The Godfather”, who is head of one of the most powerful mafia families in America. He is a fair but ruthless leader who runs most of his business by doing favors and expecting favors in return. When the Corleone family finds itself drawn into a war with the other mafia families over their refusal to participate in the lucrative but dangerous drug trade, Don Vito gets shot. The attempt on his life does not succeed and while he is in the hospital, control of the family passes to his eldest son Sonny (James Caan). Sonny is bad tempered, and his actions help escalate the war. 

Michael (Al Pacino) is the youngest son. He has remained outside the family business, and his father had dreams of him holding some legitimate position of power, perhaps a Senator. When Don Vito is shot, however, Michael returns home to do what he can to help the family through the crisis. He protects his father against the  assassins trying to finish what they have started. Michael then begins to show promise in this violent world. He takes out his Family's revenge against those trying to kill his father, shooting them during a meeting at a restaurant. Ultimately, Michael finds himself with all the responsibility.

I Know it's not possible for a film to be flawless, but this movie sure comes close. The story really hooks you in, progressing at a perfect pace, flowing gently between moments of calculated violence. The movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 3, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Marlon Brando.

“Someday, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. But, until that day, accept this justice as a gift”

The Shawshank Redemption - #1 of the Top 25 Movies of All Time

Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Director: Frank Darabont
Genre: Drama
Rating: R

Watch the original trailer here http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi882809625/

Most people don't know that this film is based on Stephen King's short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption". Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, is sent to Shawshank Jail for murdering his spouse and her lover. Of course, he claims he is innocent. While incarcerated, he befriends Red (Morgan Freeman)  and they learn lots of things from each other about life and survival. Andy knows that he can't stay locked up forever, so over a few years he plans for his escape.


While this is an excellent film, I am not sure why it is rated as #1 of the Top 25 Movies of All Time. That being said, everything from the dialogue, the characters to the story itself are superbly done. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Actor (Morgan Freeman).


Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are both excellent actors. In case you like either of the them, you owe it to yourself to see this film.


“On the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook.”