Maverick (1994)

Maverick (1994)

[8] This comedic western from director Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon, The Goonies) succeeds largely on the charm of stars Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner, as well as a clever script by William Goldman (The Ghost and the Darkness,…
Conspiracy Theory (1997)

Conspiracy Theory (1997)

[7] Superstars Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts co-star in this psychological thriller from director Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon, Superman) and writer Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River). Gibson plays a deeply paranoid and broken New York taxi driver who peddles…
Assassins (1995)

Assassins (1995)

[7] Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas play rival assassins stealing each others' contracts. When Stallone discovers the mysterious contractor has hired Banderas to take him out, he teams with a hacker and would-be target (Julianne Moore) to gain the upper…
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

[7] The sequel is more of the same, but that's not always a bad thing. There's enough talent in front of and behind the cameras in the Lethal Weapon movies to warrant at least one or two entertaining sequels. The…
Superman II (1981)

Superman II (1981)

1981 Theatrical Version [7] 2006 Richard Donner Cut [7] Three space criminals clad in shiny black suits come to Earth and force Superman into a confrontation, just as he's decided to give up his powers for a normal relationship with Lois…
The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies (1985)

[8] A group of kids who call themselves the Goonies rally together for one last adventure before they're all forced by a real estate meanie to move away from their Pacific northwest coastal community. They find a map and follow…
Scrooged (1988)

Scrooged (1988)

[5] I thought I'd get a lot more from a dark comedy directed by Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon) and starring Bill Murray, but Scrooged is neither dark nor funny enough to leave much of a lasting impression. Murray plays…
Ladyhawke (1985)

Ladyhawke (1985)

[7] Two lovers are bewitched by a jealous Bishop -- the man (Rutger Hauer) is transformed into a wolf by night, the woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a hawk by day. They only see each other in human form for a…
Lethal Weapon (1987)

Lethal Weapon (1987)

[9] Mel Gibson and Danny Glover star in the definitive ‘buddy cop’ movie, written with humor and heart by Shane Black (The Long Kiss Goodnight, The Nice Guys) and directed with cinematic flare by Richard Donner (Superman, The Goonies). Glover plays…
Superman: The Movie (1978)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

[9]

This was the first blockbuster superhero movie (for better and for worse) and I doubt there will ever be a better film adaptation for the Man of Steel. Under Richard Donner’s (The Omen, Lethal Weapon) direction and good taste, Superman is a winning blend of action, drama, charm, and yes, camp. The first forty minutes are emotionally powerful, more than any other comic book adaptation I’ve ever seen. I get choked up every time I watch this movie, whether it’s seeing Marlon Brando (as Jor-El) say goodbye to his son before sending him away from their doomed home world, watching the Kent family deal with the death of Jonathan Kent, or the gorgeous wheat field scene where Clark tells Ma Kent it’s time for him to go.