Godfather, The (1972): Coppola’s Crime Epos–Great Movie Beginnings

We don’t hear The Godfather talk for three minutes. We don’t see his face for nearly three minutes!

Reservoir Dogs (1992) Tarantino’s Debut–First Diner Scene–Great Movie Openings  

The diner-setting the first scene of Tarantino’s influential directing debut feature (he also acts in small part).

Mission: Impossible III (2006): JJ Abrams’ Actioner, Starring Tom Cruise and Philip Seymour Hoffman–Strong Opening Scenes

In the opening scene of Mission Impossible III, Tom Cruise is handcuffed to a chair.

Instigators, The: Matt Damon and Casey Affleck Reunite in Liman’s Heist Actioner

I think just 43 years into this friendship, it’s just the joy of doing what we love, but being able to do it together–Matt Damon

Film Theory: Personal Favorites

There are some films that you feel invested in, protective of them. Movies that become so piercingly close to you that they alienate you from people who don’t like them, or don’t respond the way you do.