The summertime classic Jaws (1975) remains a potent and gripping film even with the advances in Hollywood’s special effects technology that have since come. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, as well as the great Robert Shaw, the thriller brilliantly borders on the “horror” genre without becoming too tacky.

Watch it before you go swimming this summer.

The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001) is probably one of the more overlooked and under-watched films which Joel and Ethan Coen have written and directed. The cast is first rate, including Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, and the late, great James Gandolfini.

Shot in black and white, the crime/drama noir makes for a solid summer evening watch.

Scent of a Woman (1992) is the type of film which took another viewing or two in order for me to really appreciate it. You might argue it is an Al Pacino “vehicle,” but either way it grows on you much like the character he portrays does. Indeed, Pacino won Best Actor for his role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, the a blind and feisty military veteran.

By the end, you will have no choice but to say “Hoo-ha!”

It is hard to believe that it has been one quarter of a century since Rain Man (1988) was released. Starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, and directed by the great Barry Levinson, this film has to be considered a bonafide classic, not merely due to its quality on a standalone basis, but because of how often it is referenced [e.g. Swingers (1996) The Hangover (2009)].

In my view, the ubiquity is well-deserved.

Watch it.

I periodically reference it and use clips from it in my blog. But to my surprise in all of the years I have been doing this series I have yet to officially recommend Heat (1995). So, let’s do that tonight.

It seems to be a popular one amongst traders, and understandably so–This is a top shelf crime thriller with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino each in his prime. The rest of the cast is terrific, including Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, and Jon Voight. And this is clearly writer/director Michael Mann’s seminal work.

On its face, the plot might not seem like anything special. But when you see the film unfold for yourself the quality will come through. Often imitated, never duplicated. Watch it (again).

Double feature tonight, of sorts.

First, on Memorial Day you can find the season two premier of the television show “Longmire” on A&E. The first season was a hidden gem, without a doubt. Click here for more information on it. You still have time to quickly get caught up!

Next, you will see a five-minute piece about one of the most famous shots in cinematic history, from my favorite all-time film Goodfellas (1990).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eof5LOliElc