Banquo Sells Out: Some Good Movies You Maybe Have Already Seen, But If Not, You Should Go See Them Right Now

This week, I thought I'd abandon my usual political musings in favor of something a little more, well, accessible. I will be listing a few fantastic movies (in no particular order) that you may have opinions about that are contrary to mine. If you disagree with anything I say, please post a response. I'm a very reasonable person.

Fantastic Movie #1: The Searchers
The Searchers is, beyond a doubt, the greatest western movie of all time. John Wayne delivers an astounding performance as Ethan, a civil war veteran obsessed with the task of finding his niece, Debbie, who has been kidnapped by Comanche Indians. Part of what makes this movie so great is its backdrop: director John Ford wisely to shoot this movie, set on the plains of North Texas, in Utah's beautiful Monument Valley. As a lover of westerns and a fan of John Wayne, I would recommend this movie to anyone with similar inclinations.

The movie's poster

Fantastic Movie #2: The Departed
"I'm tired from f*****g your wife." says Lieutanant Dingam, played by the unflinchingly vicious Mark Wahlberg. A character played by Alec Baldwin is not amused. "How's your mother?" he retorts.

"Good." Dingam says. "She's tired from f*****g my father."

Need I say more?

I might as well. The Departed is a Scorcese-directed remake of the Asian classic Internal Affairs. Leo DiCaprio plays a detective planted in side a mob led by Frank Costello, who is portrayed chillingly by Jack Nicholson. Meanwhile, Costello's agent Collin Sulivan (Matt Damon) serves as his mole in the Massachusets State Police. Both men discover the existence of one another, and set off after each other with deadly results. Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen have fantastic minor roles, but Mark Wahlberg (in a Oscar-nominated role) really steals the show as Dingam, the foul-mouthed detective.

To sum it up: it's a f*****g good movie.

Mark "f*****g" Wahlberg

Fantastic Movie #3: Saving Private Ryan
Who here likes watching violent movies? Movies with blood, gore, human innards: the works. Meanwhile, who enjoys movies with a sensitive message? A message of peace, love: the usual crap. Believe it or not, Saving Private Ryan, the WWII Spielberg directed film whose portrayal of Omaha Beach is perhaps the bloodiest 10 minutes in movie history, contains more sensitivity than three romantic comedies piled up on each other.

The movie begins with Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad of rangers (including Ed Burns, Tom Sizemore, and Vin Diesel) arriving under great duress at Omaha Beach. Almost immediatly after the beach is secured, the squad is ordered to march behind enemy lines to kidnap Private Ryan (Matt Damon), a 101st Airbone serviceman whose three brothers have just died. The squads emotional journey includes sniper fire, Germans hiding in a bunker, and a whole lot of death. I won't spoil the ending, but you should probably keep a box of tissues in arms reach, just in case.

A disclaimer: I am not a film snob, nor do I pretend to be one. If you disagree with my movie choices and have something to say about it, then fine. Please post a comment. Additionally, if you think I've overlooked any movies, please list some of your own below.

Be warned, Nazis: Tom Hanks is coming to kill you.

-Banquo