Case in point? This solid little late ’80s thriller from a time when actors like Woods and Brian Dennehy could be cast as leads. Sure James Woods is a douche now, but his current personal ravings have no effect on his past performances and films. (I’m shaking my finger at you, In the Heart of the Sea.) Best Seller (1987) It’s a beautifully-shot film too with glorious open ocean scenery that today would most likely be accomplished mostly via CG. Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins make for fiery and fierce adversaries before parting ways to lead followers towards the promised possibility of life or death. Seafaring adventure, mutiny, and topless women have rarely come together as well as they do in director Roger Donaldson’s ( No Way Out) take on the popular tale. Every performance here is comedic perfection too from Julie Hagerty to the guy playing the pilot pictured above. The trio of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker had a good run as masters of the cinematic spoof film, and while I’ll still argue that Top Secret! is their crowning achievement there’s no denying the comedic brilliance and enduring popularity of Airplane! It’s an effortless barrage of eminently quotable lines and gags guaranteed to bring multiple smiles to your face as it pokes fun at disaster films with both wit and buffoonery. Its dark tone isn’t for everyone, understandably, but if you’re a fan I recommend the adaptation of Adams’ The Plague Dogs too. I first saw this as a kid – thanks mom and dad! – and have watched it a few times since, and its raw power and beauty remain intact even as an adult. It creates a living, breathing mythology of its own that leaves you fully invested in the life and death struggle of a warren of rabbits. Richard Adams’ beautiful, world-building novel comes to life with all of the wonder, vitality, and carnage intact. They really don’t make animated films like this anymore. There’s a wicked sense of humor running through it as well that should appeal to fans of Korea’s peculiar fondness for wild tone changes. Jang Joon-hwan’s long overdue follow-up to Save the Green Planet is a fast-moving, creatively violent mix of dark deeds and beautifully choreographed fights and stunts. South Korean cinema features no shortage of brilliant and brutal action thrillers, but while everyone knows about the likes of I Saw the Devil and Memories of Murder there are more than a few gems that have slipped through the cracks. Pick of the Month – Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013) Sure there’s plenty of filler and seemingly thousands of titles that can’t possibly be real, but I’m here to recommend some good movies to watch this month on Hulu. It’s even home to hundreds of Criterion titles. I’m here to tell you that there’s a cinematic streaming goldmine available on Hulu that includes recent hits, older classics, domestic releases, and foreign imports.