5 Best Movies to Watch by Gene Hackman

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The film that catapulted Kevin Costner to fame, No Way Out, is based on a novel by Kenneth Fearing, "The Big Clock", and is also preceded by a film adaptation of it, around 40 years prior. Director Roger Donaldson found himself in charge of a film, haunted by the Cold War and spy thriller tropes, but already aligning itself with the late 80s erotic thriller. In a way, No Way Back is a symbol of this transitional period, but by retaining the classic noir vibe (deception, fleeing, yearning), it becomes a tribute to the past. In the film's own past, a love triangle is taking shape in a rather unconventional way: layered with all three of the aforementioned dispositions. Two men want the same women, but their relationship is further complicated by professional hierarchies and the quest to own the past they both shared with Susan. 

 

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Actor: Brad Pitt, Charles Walker, Chris D., David Armstrong, David Paymer, Dennis Burkley, Fred Thompson, Gene Hackman, George Dzundza, Howard Duff, Iman, Jason Bernard, John D'Aquino, Kevin Costner, Leo Geter, Leon Russom, Marshall Bell, Matthew Barry, Michael Shillo, Nicholas Worth, Peter Bell, Sean Young, Will Patton

Director: Roger Donaldson

Rating: R

At the peak of his fame in the 80s, Christopher Reeve was constantly seen as his onscreen character, Superman. Like him, Reeve could fly (planes). He was full of charm and stood for what was right. But in this revealing documentary, we learn the whole truth about Reeve; his troubled childhood, his initial struggles with commitment, his physical talents, his love for family, and—as many a superhero star will sympathize with—his deep yearning for a creative career outside of the comic book character who made him famous. Of course, a significant chunk of the documentary also deals with Reeve’s unfortunate paralysis. We witness, through home movies and narrated biographies, how he coped with the tragedy. Making the film even more special is the input of his three children, who look back at the time with generous honesty and vulnerability. This film is made for fans of the actor, but it’s also a great example of the power of advocacy (Reeve became a disability rights activist after the accident), love (his wife Dana is a superhero on her own), and legacy (his children run his foundation to this day).

Genre: Documentary, Drama

Actor: Alexandra Reeve Givens, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Gene Hackman, Glenn Close, Hillary Clinton, Jane Seymour, Jeff Daniels, John Houseman, John Kerry, Johnny Carson, Margot Kidder, Matthew Reeve, Richard Donner, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Reeve

Director: Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui

Rating: PG-13

The Birdcage could’ve gone wrong in so many ways. It could’ve mocked the minorities it centered in the film, or insensitively made light of heavy issues. But with Mike Nichols (The Graduate) and Elaine May (The Heartbreak Kid) at the helm, and with improv legend Robin Williams and theater staple Nathan Lane front and center, The Birdcage becomes a joyously messy romp, as well as a welcome reminder of how far we’ve gone in queer representation. The film is arranged like a play, as per May’s insistence, and so it brings the consistently breathless energy of the stage to the screen. And while it’s not as politically correct by 2020's standard, it’s still surprisingly subversive in how it combats homophobic conservative ideals and stays proud of its colorful cast.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Amy Powell, Andre Fuentes, Ann Cusack, Brian Reddy, Calista Flockhart, Christine Baranski, Dan Futterman, Dante Henderson, David Sage, Dianne Wiest, Don LaFontaine, Dorothy Constantine, Gene Hackman, Grant Heslov, Hank Azaria, James Hill, James Lally, Jay Leno, Jim Jansen, Jody Millard, Jordan Werner, Kenneth Stephens, Kevin Loreque, Kirby Mitchell, Lee Delano, Marjorie Lovett, Mary Major, Nathan Lane, Robin Williams, Ron Pitts, Scott Kaske, Stanley DeSantis, Sylvia Short, Thelma Gutiérrez, Tim Kelleher, Tom McGowan, Tony Gonzalez, Trina McGee

Director: Mike Nichols

Rating: R

Bearing pretty much every trademark you've come to expect from a sports drama, Hoosiers might not bring as many surprises to the formula but it still makes all its moves with a surplus of heart. Elevating the already entertaining basketball footage is Gene Hackman's uncommonly hotheaded coach and (Oscar-nominated) Dennis Hopper's town drunk—both of whom deepen this film's story of hometown pride into one of midlife redemption. Hickory, Indiana comes to life as a character in itself, where local sports are treated with as much reverence as politics and religion, which makes every basket feel that much more like a victory lap.

Genre: Drama, Family

Actor: Barbara Hershey, Chelcie Ross, David Neidorf, Dennis Hopper, Eric Gilliom, Fern Persons, Gene Hackman, Gloria Dorson, Michael O'Guinne, Michael Sassone, Robert Swan, Sheb Wooley

Director: David Anspaugh

In this ensemble cast directed by Wes Anderson, we see a very dysfunctional family with three very unique siblings who grow apart from each other due to their father, a charismatic and ever-absent grifter. However, when he announces his immanent death, the whole family is forced to confront each other, themselves and their childhoods as they gather in their patriarchal home together for the first time in years. An absolutely gorgeously filmed movie, the usage of color, pattern and 60's rock music alone makes it worth seeing, and the beautiful story just sweetens the deal.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Al Thompson, Alec Baldwin, Amir Raissi, Andrew Wilson, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Brian Smiar, Brian Tenenbaum, Danny Glover, Dipak Pallana, Don McKinnon, Donal Lardner Ward, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Eric Chase Anderson, Frank Wood, Gary Evans, Gene Hackman, Grant Rosenmeyer, Greg Goossen, Guido Venitucci, Gwyneth Paltrow, Irina Gorovaia, Jennifer Wachtell, Jonah Meyerson, Kalani Queypo, Keith Charles, Kumar Pallana, Larry Pine, Liam Craig, Luke Wilson, Max Faugno, Mel Cannon, Nova Landaeus-Skinnar, Owen Wilson, Pawel Wdowczak, Rex Robbins, Roger Shamas, Rony Clanton, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Sam Hoffman, Seymour Cassel, Sheelagh Tellerday, Sonam Wangmo, Stephen Dignan, Stephen Lea Sheppard, Tatiana Abbey, Tom Lacy, Wes Anderson, 吉恩·哈克曼

Director: Wes Anderson

Rating: R