Being a middle aged bored movie buff, I find that there are less and less Good movies that I end up actually enjoying. We all have our likes or dislikes but to me, I only want a good story line that keeps my interest. I do not think that lots of special effects or big name actors makes a movie good and perhaps some of my hidden movie gems you might enjoy. Please note these are based solely on an interesting story line that made me want to watch them more then once:

1. A Love Song For Bobby Long..an underrated movie with John Travolta and Scarlett Johanson with little action but a great story.

2. American History X..this gem turned me into an Edward Norton fan. He is a white supremist that discovers both sides of racial attitudes.

3. Before The Devil Knows Your Dead..interesting movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke as 2 very opposite brothers plotting an accident that goes bad.

4. Bonneville..OK you can laugh because I actually enjoy some good “chick flicks” but this is a story of 3 middle aged women Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and an underrated actress Joan Allen on a road trip from Idaho to Calif to deliver ashes of Jessica Lange’s husband to his family.

5.Brian’s Song..the original version starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams about the life of NFL player Brian Piccolo who played for the Chicago Bears but developed cancer at age 26. Not just a football movie and guaranteed the wives or girlfriends will enjoy this one. Keep a box of kleenex handy.

6.By Dawn’s Early Light..this is an HBO movie with an underrated Powers Boothe in another great performance. He is an Air Force pilot and on what he thinks is a routine drill, ends up on a mission to bomb Moscow after the USA was attacked by a nuke.

7.Chiefs..a brilliant long made for TV movie with Charton Heston, Billy Dee Williams, and Keith Carradine about 3 generations of police chiefs in a small southern town. What starts out with a missing young boy will carry this plot over a 30 year period.

8. Cider House Rules..very underrated movie not many people I know have heard about much less seen. Great story with Toby Macguire growing up in a Maine orphanage during the depression and Michael Caine as the doctor that teaches Toby all about doctoring. Charlise Theron and Delroy Lindo are is supporting roles but this coming of age story is a great movie to see.

9. The Contender..another seldom heard of movie about current political corruption and ideals. Jeff Bridges is President and his VP recently died so he must select another VP but not necessarily the right one. He selects a woman ( Joan Allen ) when everyone thinks William Peterson is the right choice. Great supporting roles with Sam Elliott and Gary Oldman make this an excellent movie.

10. Day Reagan was Shot..I loved this movie because it clearly shows just how close President Reagan was to dying but mostly how inept our government is at being organized. Richard Crenna plays Reagan with the main role of Alexander Haig played by Richard Dreyfuss who completely takes over the movie. A must see to understand just how things really were the day Reagan was shot.

These are MY first 10 and I will submit another 10 GEMS in next post.