The Assassination of Richard Nixon 2004 R, 95 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Niels Mueller Cast: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Don Cheadle, Jack Thompson, Brad William Henke, Michael Wincott, Mykelti Williamson, April Grace, Jared Dorrance, Nick Searcy, Jenna Milton, Mariah Massa
Businessman Samuel Bicke (Sean Penn) believes that life in America is not fair. His solution: hijack a commercial airliner and crash it into the White House hoping to kill President Nixon–and make himself a martyr in the process. Based on history, this film involves the 1974 attempt by Samuel Byek to assassinate Nixon.
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Australia 2008 PG-13, 165 min. Genre: Adventure / Drama / Western
Director: Baz Luhrmann Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, David Gulpilil, Brandon Walters, David Ngoombujarra, Jacek Koman, Ben Mendelsohn, Bruce Spence, John Jarratt, Bill Hunter, Essie Davis, Barry Otto
During World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) sets out to meet her husband at the cattle station they own in the Australian outback. She is escorted on a three-day trek through the desert by a man nicknamed The Drover (Hugh Jackman) and puts up with his swaggering style. They arrive at the cattle station and find that Sarah's husband has been murdered, and the overseer Neil Fletcher (David Wenham) is suspected because he is in cahoots with King Carney (Bryan Brown) to achieve a beef monopoly. If Sarah can transport her cattle to Darwin, Fletcher and Carney's plot will be foiled. Sarah appeals to The Drover to help her on the cattle drive. Despite good moments and bad, they fall in love and do arrive in Darwin–just in time for the Japanese attack. Fletcher's son Nullah (Brandon Walters), who has magical powers, narrates most of the story. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
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Breaker Morant 1980 PG, 107 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Bruce Beresford Cast: Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, Rod Mullinar, Vincent Ball, Terence Donovan, Ray Meagher, Chris Haywood, Chris Haywood, Russell Kiefel, Lewis Fitz-Gerald
In this Australian film, which uses the 1901 Boer War as its setting, three officers are tried for the revenge execution of Boer prisoners and a German missionary. The film examines the moral responsibilities of military men who are simply following orders. Well worth seeing.
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Broken Arrow 1996 R, 110 min. Genre: Action / Adventure / Thriller
Director: John Woo Cast: John Travolta, Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Delroy Lindo, Bob Gunton, Frank Whaley, Howie Long, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Jack Thompson, Kurtwood Smith, Casey Biggs, Shaun Toub, Vyto Ruginis, Qusaun Elam, Joey Box
Vic Deakins (John Travolta) and Riley Hale (Christian Slater) are pilots on a "Stealth" bomber packed with nuclear weaponry. On a routine patrol, Deakins knocks out copilot Hale, crashes the plane, and takes off with the weapons. He then threatens to detonate them if the Pentagon doesn't give him money. The chase is on as a recovered Hale and park ranger Terry Carmichael (Samantha Mathis) set out to track down Deakins.
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The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith 1978 N/R, 120 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Fred Schepisi Cast: Tommy Lewis, Freddy Reynolds, Angela Punch McGregor, Ray Barrett, Steve Dodds, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, Peter Carroll, Ruth Cracknell, Don Crosby, Elizabeth Alexander, Peter Sumner, Tim Robertson, Ray Meagher, Ian Gilmour
Based on a true story that took place in the early 1900s, this plot centers on the plight of a half-White Aborigine, Jimmie (Tommy Lewis), who moves to the city when he grows up because he feels like an outcast in the Aborigine world. He gets a job working for a White family (Ruth Cracknell and Don Crosby), and while Jimmie is working for them, a serving girl, Gilda (Angela Punch McGregor), at the estate becomes pregnant. Jimmie marries her to protect her honor. Later, it turns out that Jimmie is not the father, and Jimmie is ostracized. Now, Jimmie employs extreme violence to exact revenge on the racism he lives with in Australia.
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December Boys 2007 PG-13, 105 min. Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Rod Hardy Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Christian Byers, James Fraser, Jack Thompson, Teresa Palmer, Sullivan Stapleton, Victoria Hill, Max Cullen, Kris McQuade, Ralph Cotterill, Frank Gallacher, Paul Blackwell, Judi Farr, Carmel Johnson
Australian orphans Spit (James Fraser), Sparks (Christian Byers), Misty (Lee Cormie), and Maps (Daniel Radcliffe) were all born in the same month of December. This year they spend the Christmas holidays with retired naval officer Bandy McAnsh (Jack Thompson) and his wife Skipper (Kris McQuade) at their seaside home. While there, they meet a younger couple, Fearless and Teresa (Sullivan Stapleton and Victoria Hill), who the boys believe are planning to adopt one of them. Now–amidst swimming, sneaking cigarettes, motorcycle riding, and playing on the beach–tensions and competition rise among the December Boys.
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The Earthling 1980 PG, 98 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Peter Collinson Cast: William Holden, Rick Schroder, Jack Thompson, Olivia Hamnett, Alwyn Kurts, Redmond Phillips, Tony Barry
Orphaned by the death of his parents (Jack Thompson and Olivia Hamnett) in a camping accident, Shawn Daley (Ricky Schroder) is rescued by a hermit, Patrick Foley (William Holden), who teaches him the art of survival in the Australian outback.
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Excess Baggage 1997 PG-13, 98 min. Genre: Action / Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Marco Brambilla Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Benicio Del Toro, Christopher Walken, Jack Thompson, Harry Connick Jr., Nicholas Turturro, Sally Kirkland, Michael Bowen, Leland Orser, Robert Wisden, Hiro Kanagawa, Demetri Goritsas, Brendan Beiser, Danielle Saklofsky, Jorge Vargas
Hoping to get attention from her wealthy father Alexander Hope (Jack Thompson), Emily (Alicia Silverstone) stages her own kidnapping by hiding in the trunk of her BMW. A few minutes later, the car is stolen by professional car thief Vincent Roche (Benicio Del Toro) and his partner Greg (Harry Connick Jr.). Life takes a turn when Alexander refuses to pay the ransom and sends his aide Raymond (Christopher Walken) to track her down. Meanwhile, an emotional Emily falls in love with Vincent and his lifestyle.
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Flesh & Blood 1985 R, 126 min. Genre: Action
Director: Paul Verhoeven Cast: Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Burlinson, Susan Tyrrell, Jack Thompson, Fernando Hilbeck, Ronald Lacey, Brion James, John Dennis Johnston, Simon Andreu, Bruno Kirby, Kitty Courbois
Disgruntled mercenaries seek revenge against a lord who forced them out of the city without their promised arms and loot in payment for services rendered.
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The Good German 2006 R, 105 min. Genre: Drama / Thriller / Mystery
Director: Steven Soderbergh Cast: George Clooney, Tobey Maguire, Cate Blanchett, Beau Bridges, Ravil Isaynov, Leland Orser, Tony Curran, Robin Weigert, Christian Oliver, Jack Thompson, John Roeder, Dave Power
During World War II, foreign correspondent Captain Jake Geismer (George Clooney) arrives in Berlin to cover the Potsdam Conference but, instead, finds himself involved in a murder mystery after running into his one-time German lover, Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett).
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The Letter 1982 TV, 96 min. Genre: Drama
Director: John Erman Cast: Lee Remick, Christopher Cazenove, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Ian McShane, Soon-Tek Oh, Ronald Pickup, Beulah Quo, Jack Thompson, Kieu Chinh, Sarah Marshall, James Hong, Molly Roden, Byron Chung, Peter Mintun, John Orchard
Somerset Maugham's story is told again. This time around, Lee Remick takes on the role of Leslie who is accused of murdering her lover. Leslie's story is told through flashbacks–first as a victim of rape, then as a victim of blackmail concerning an incriminating letter she wrote involving her deceased lover, and finally as a murder victim.
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Mad Dog Morgan 1976 R, 102 min. Genre: Western / Action
Director: Philippe Mora Cast: Dennis Hopper, Michael Pate, Jack Thompson, Frank Thring, David Gulpilil, Bill Hunter, John Hargreaves, Wallas Eaton, Martin Harris, Robin Ramsay, Graeme Blundell
In this true story about a 19th-century Australian bush outlaw, Dennis Hopper takes on the title role of an Irish immigrant who goes to Australia to find gold. Once in Australia, Morgan resorts to criminal activity, is caught, and put in jail for six years. After his release, Morgan teams up with an Aborigine, Billy (David Gulpilil), and, as Morgan tries to exact revenge on those who had wronged him, they gain fame as outlaws in New South Wales.
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The Man from Snowy River 1982 PG, 102 min. Genre: Western
Director: George Miller Cast: Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan, Tommy Dysart, Jack Thompson, Sigrid Thornton, Chris Haywood, Bruce Kerr, David Bradshaw, Tony Bonner
This family film involves two brothers, both played by Kirk Douglas, who have gone separate ways. One is wealthy; the other has spent his life looking for the wealth that has eluded him. Good action and scenery. Sequel: "Return to Snowy River."
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Man-Thing 2005 R, 106 min. Genre: Action / Horror
Director: Brett Leonard Cast: Matthew Le Nevez, Rachael Taylor, Jack Thompson, Rawiri Paratene, Alex O'Lachlan, Steve Bastoni, Robert Mammone, Patrick Thompson, William Zappa, John Batchelor, Ian Bliss, Brett Leonard
The new sheriff (Matthew Le Nevez) is immediately faced with a major problem. Oil company executive Frederic Schist (Jack Thompson) and his son (Patrick Thompson) are at odds with the local citizens because they believe that Schist's oil company has cheated them out of their land. Now, dead bodies are showing up in the swamp. Schist blames the deaths on a local, Rene (Steve Bastoni), while the citizens are convinced that a swamp monster, Man-Thing, is the culprit. With help from a school teacher (Rachael Taylor), the sheriff sets out to investigate what is really going on in the swamp.
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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence 1983 R, 124 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Nagisa Oshima Cast: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson, Johnny Okura, Alistair Browning, James Malcolm, Chris Broun, Yuya Uchida
As a New Zealand officer in a Japanese POW camp, Major Jack "Strafer" Celliers (David Bowie) becomes intrigued with the Asian culture, which leads to his comrades considering him a traitor.
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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil 1997 R, 154 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Kevin Spacey, John Cusack, Lady Chablis, Alison Eastwood, Irma P. Hall, Jude Law, Jack Thompson, Paul Hipp, Anne Haney, Kim Hunter
New York reporter John Kelso (John Cusack) comes to Savannah to work on a society piece for "Town and Country" magazine. He meets a variety of colorful characters and stays on to cover antiques dealer Jim Williams' (Kevin Spacey) trial for the murder of his gay lover.
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Original Sin 2001 R, 112 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Cristofer Cast: Antonio Banderas, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Jane, Allison Mackie, Jack Thompson, Gregory Itzin, Joan Pringle, Cordelia Richards, James Haven, Pedro Armendariz Jr.
Set around 1900, this story relates events that unfold when Julia (Angelina Jolie) answers an ad placed in a newspaper by wealthy Cuban Luis Vargas (Antonio Banderas) who is looking for a bride. Although Julia doesn't resemble the picture of herself originally sent to Luis, they marry. But wedded bliss doesn't last long; Julia takes off with Luis' cash reserves, and Luis follows in pursuit of his cash–but mostly looking for his true love, Julia.
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Ruby Cairo 1993 PG-13, 90 min. Genre: Mystery aka: Deception
Director: Graeme Clifford Cast: Andie MacDowell, Liam Neeson, Viggo Mortensen, Jack Thompson, Jeff Corey, Miriam Reed, Luis Cortes, Paco Mauri, Hark Bohm, Lucy Rodriguez, Sylvia Short, Francisco Mauri, Olympia Dukakis
Following the plane crash and death of her pilot husband (Viggo Mortensen), Bessie Faro (Andie MacDowell) discovers his baseball trading cards which, in turn, provide the trail for bank accounts around the world.
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South Pacific 2001 TV, 129 min. Genre: Musical / Drama / Comedy
Director: Richard Pearce Cast: Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr., Rade Serbedzija, Robert Pastorelli, Jack Thompson, Lori Tan Chinn, Ilene Graff, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Simon Burke, Justin Smith, Steve Bastoni, Kimberly Davies, Craig Ball, Damon Herriman, Peter Lamb
In this made-for-TV remake of the 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein film, Army nurse Nellie Forbush (Glenn Close) finds love on a South Pacific island during World War II. Nellie falls in love with French plantation owner Emile Beque (Rade Serbedzija) after first rejecting him because of his past. Meanwhile, Lt. Joseph Cable (Harry Connick Jr.) romances Liat (Natalie Jackson Mendoza), the daughter of Bloody Mary (Lori Tan Chinn), and they enter into a love affair amidst the Bali Ha'i tropical breezes.
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Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 2002 PG, 138 min. Genre: Action / Adventure
Director: George Lucas Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Pernilla August, Jack Thompson, Temuera Morrison, Rose Byrne, Daniel Logan, Anthony Daniels, Kenny(2) Baker, Jimmy Smits
As with previous entries, great special effects highlight this "Star Wars" feature film. It is now 10 years after "The Phantom Menace," and Queen Padme (Natalie Portman) is guarded by an adoring Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) takes off on an investigation of the planet Kamino. But, he is captured after discovering a plot to create an army of clones prepared to kill Padme and fight an intergalactic war. Will Obi-Wan Kenobi's distress call be answered in time?
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The Sum of Us 1994 N/R, 99 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Kevin Dowling Cast: Jack Thompson, Russell Crowe, John Polson, Deborah Kennedy, Joss Moroney, Mitch Mathews, Julie Herbert, Des James, Mick Campbell, Donny Muntz
Widower Harry Mitchell (Jack Thompson) lives with his adult gay son, Jeff (Russell Crowe). Although they accept each others' romantic dates, their attempts at friendship often scare off the romantic interests.
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Trouble in Paradise 1989 TV, 95 min. Genre: Adventure / Comedy
Director: Di Drew Cast: Raquel Welch, Jack Thompson, Nicholas Hammond, John Gregg, Anthony Wong, Ralph Cotterill, Adrian Brown, James Condon, Bogdan Koca, Charles Little
Socialite Rachel (Raquel Welch) and Australian Seaman Jake (Jack Thompson)–the only survivors of a plane crash–are marooned on a South Pacific island. As if they didn't have enough problems, they find that a gang of drug smugglers is using the island as a base and is not happy with the intrusion.
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Wind 1992 PG-13, 123 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Carroll Ballard Cast: Matthew Modine, Jennifer Grey, Cliff Robertson, Jack Thompson, Stellan Skarsgard, Rebecca Miller, Ned Vaughn, Peter Montgomery, Elmer Ahlwardt, James Rebhorn, Michael Higgins, Saylor Creswell
Winning the America's Cup is the biggest prize in yacht racing, and that's what this film is all about. Will Parker (Matthew Modine), sailing for owner Morgan Weld (Cliff Robertson), loses the Cup race and also loses his girlfriend, Kate (Jennifer Grey), to boot. Despondent, he tracks her down. Her new boyfriend (Stellan Skarsgard) designs innovative airplanes and Will talks him into designing a boat. That accomplished, Will is ready to regain the America's Cup. Excellent photography that captures the thrill of the racing, but otherwise the film drags somewhat.
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| 1. The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)
2. Australia (2008)
3. Breaker Morant (1980)
4. Broken Arrow (1996)
5. The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
6. December Boys (2007)
7. The Earthling (1980)
8. Excess Baggage (1997)
9. A Far Off Place (1993)
10. Flesh & Blood (1985)
11. The Good German (2006)
12. Last Dance (1996)
13. The Letter (1982)
14. Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
15. The Man from Snowy River (1982)
16. Man-Thing (2005)
17. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
18. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
19. Original Sin (2001)
20. Ruby Cairo (1993) aka: Deception
21. South Pacific (2001)
22. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
23. The Sum of Us (1994)
24. Trouble in Paradise (1989)
25. Wind (1992)
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