MOST UNDERRATED FILMS

"The Verdict" 1982. Simply one of the best courtroom dramas on film, plus a high point for Paul Newman. Flawless.

"The Stunt Man" 1980. Peter O'Toole at his clever and impish best.

"3 Days of the Condor" 1975. As good as another terrific Robert Redford movie, "All the President's Men."

"Lone Star" 1996. Really strong story with amazing, seamless editing in this launch pad for Chris Cooper.

"Diner" 1982. Barry Levinson's late '50's Baltimore features an ensemble cast cast that showed why so many went on to stardom.

"Memento" 2000. Murder thriller told wardsback. Stunning. (There's actually a chronolgical version.)

"Thief" 1981. High energy James Caan caper flick. Amazing soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.

WORST MOVIES TO WIN THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE

"Gladiator" 2000. Shoulda been "Traffic."

"Oliver!" (1968), "Sound of Music" (1965) and "West Side Story" (1961) -- not everybody likes musicals.

Bottom of the Heap: "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952). Silly story poorly told. Acting is a stiff as a carp. The music numbers aren't any better. Maybe Jimmy Stewart never takes off his clown face from embarassment.

BAD RE-MAKES

"The Getaway" 1994. Why screw with a Steve McQueen classic?

"Psycho" 1998. Ridiculous. Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates. It's like copying Mt. Rushmore.

"The Thomas Crown Affair" 1999. Hands off Steve McQueen!

"King Kong" 2005. Peter Jackson's gotta buy a watch. Way too long.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" 2008. Worst performance by anyone named Keanu Reeves, which is sayin' somethin'.

MOOD/SEASONAL FLICKS

"The Last Picture Show" 1971. Larry McMurtry Texas tale burns a hole in your head. Great mid-winter matinee choice.

"The French Connection" 1971's Best Picture gets it done every time outa the box. Features what is still regarded as the best chase scene ever. Served best in the rawness of early spring.

"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" 1967. What, ya afraid of learnin' somethin'? Stellar cast breezes to John Hillerman's narration. On or before Feb. 14th.

"Young Frankenstein" 1974. Every scene has at least one gag. Even that dreadful dance number can't derail a real Halloween treat.

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" 1987. It's spun in our house every Thanksgiving eve. How many F-bombs can you count at the rental car counter?

MOVIES NEARLY DERAILED BY AWFUL ACTORS WHO ARE RELATIVES

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" 1967. Here's hoping star Katherine Hepburn's niece, Katherine Houghton, wasn't the cause of Spencer Tracy's death shortly after they finished shooting. Her performance is mind-numbingly bad.

"The Godfather Part III" 1990. Sophia Coppola has since redeemed herself from behind the camera. What was dad thinkin'? Not a good movie, anyway.

BAD ENDINGS TO OTHERWISE SOLID MOVIES

"An Officer and a Gentlemen" 1982. There's no stinkin' way Gere's character walks into that paper mill wearing dress whites to literally sweep Debra Winger off her feet. Pretty decent til then.

"Silence of the Lambs" 1991. Clarisse is really smart all movie long, til she somehow decides it's a good idea to go into that house with no backup knowing a very bad man is waiting for her. Hopkins sorta saves it, though, with a truly memorable line in the last scene.

"Postcards From the Edge" 1990. Much of the movie meanders, but then it just stops! Meryl Streep simply starts singing while the credits roll. Is THIS what's really goin' on in Carrie Fisher's head?

"Monty Python's Holy Grail" (1974) and "Blazing Saddles" 1974. Two iconic '70's comedies close in identically lazy fashion. Both are still worth watchin' anytime.