Movies are rated from 1 to 5 stars (1 star being terrible, 5 being outstanding)."Top Pick!" indicates a movie that I think is very good and will have a lot of popular appeal.

Movie links go to Amazon.com. If the film you are interested in is out-of-print, I recommend ordering a used copy via Amazon.com. I've had very good luck obtaining hard-to-find and obscure films this way.

Top Pick! This is a somewhat lengthy but extremely worthwhile film about real-life criminal Robert Stroud, imprisoned in Alcatraz for murder. He starts out angry and brooding, but softens as he develops an interest in birds. Eventually he becomes a well-respected authority on them.

John Frankenheimer (who often worked with Lancaster) directed this outstanding film, and Lancaster got yet another Oscar nomination for his performance. This inspirational film shows how anyone, no matter how dismal their circumstances, can elevate themselves and achieve greatness—and perhaps some measure of atonement. Highly recommended for everyone. VHS | DVD

Top Pick! This Oscar-winning film explores military life in 1941 Hawaii. Lancaster plays a fair-minded but tough sergeant who has an illicit affair with unhappy military wife Deborah Kerr. Their steamy love scene on a Hawaii beach is probably one of the most famous scenes in movie history. Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed both won Oscars for their roles, and Montgomery Clift stands out as a stubborn bugler.

This movie features several storylines and has many main stars. Based on a popular novel, it was substantially cleaned up for the screen, but it still contains some mature themes and violence. Otherwise, it's a good film for just about anyone. VHS | DVD

Local Hero *****

Top Pick! This is probably one of my all-time favorite movies, ever. Materialistic Peter Reigert is sent to a small Scottish town in order to negotiate a land deal for his rich but eccentric boss (Lancaster). Reigert starts out as shallow and uptight, but soon learns to appreciate the good life in this small, eccentric town.

Lancaster has a vital supporting role, and is delightful as an astonomy-obsessed business tycoon. He's also dealing with an unstable "therapist" who doesn't know when to let go. There are a series of very funny scenes between Lancaster and the therapist that should not be missed! It's amazing to think that Lancaster was approaching 70 when he made this film!

Highly recommended—this quiet, charming film will get under your skin and stay there. Absolutely wonderful. VHS | DVD

Arthur Miller wrote this engrossing tale starring Edward G. Robinson as a middle-aged businessman who is forced to face his own frailties and fatal mistakes. Lancaster plays his idealistic son.

While Lancaster has a prominent role, this is mostly Robinson's film—he is the main focus of the story and as usual, his performance is outstanding. This is a serious drama that carries you along and is definitely worth seeing. VHS | DVD

Pushing 70 and still looking fit, Lancaster earned yet another Oscar nomination for his role as deluded two-bit hood Lou. Lou spends all his time talking big talk about his grand gangster days, while in reality he's never really done much to brag about. Susan Sarandon stars as his young neighbor who ends up needing his help and protection. Lou amazes himself by actually daring to do some things that he'd only falsely bragged about in the past.

This is a quiet and subtle film directed by Louis Malle, and got Oscar nominations in all 5 major categories. Lancaster is understated and brilliant as Lou. There are some brief scenes with violence and nudity, but in general is not an overly violent or sexually explicit film. Highly recommended. VHS | DVD

Top Pick! John Huston directed this powerful film that explores racism and family loyalties in the Old West. Beautiful Audrey Hepburn plays Lancaster's adopted sister who has a "questionable" racial heritage. There is a lot going on in this movie on so many levels and I consider it a must-see. Lancaster is great as the stoic and devoted eldest brother who tries to conceal his romantic love for his adopted sister.

Lillian Gish stars as the family matriarch and in my opinion this is one of her finest roles. There are some intense themes in this movie so it's not for the very young, but otherwise, it is highly recommended. VHS | DVD

Based on the William Inge play, this film is touching, poignant and sometimes painful to see. Shirley Booth is absolutely amazing as slovenly housewife Lola. She rambles on about the past and seems woefully depressed but is unwilling to admit it to herself. Lancaster (wearing some old-age makeup) plays her weary husband who has more than a few skeletons in his closet.

This is another classic that every film buff should see. The story is more about Shirley Booth's character than anyone else, and that's the way it should be. Contains no overtly objectionable material (but deals subtly with adult themes). Highly recommended. VHS | DVD

Top Pick! [Complete Review Pending]

Lancaster won an Oscar for his role as a smooth-talking preacher in this fantastic film. VHS | DVD

Lancaster plays aging Mexican deputy Bob Valdez in this action-filled '70s Western. When Valdez tries to help the widow of an innocent black man who was wrongfully killed, he encounters callousness and racism from the wealthy land owner who is morally responsible for the man's death.

Valdez starts a calm but bloody one-man campaign to seek justice after he is personally attacked by the evil land owner. Lancaster is wonderful as a low-key, quiet and humble Valdez who can be frighteningly formidable when pushed too far. The line, "Tell them Valdez is coming" takes on special significance to his adversaries.

This movie is from an era in the '70s where ultra-gritty and violent movies were in fashion. While this isn't as violent as many other films, it can get intense at times and therefore is not suitable for young children or sensitive viewers. VHS | DVD

Another unusual and hilarious performance by Lancaster. A must-see for any Lancaster fan. Adapted from the Tennessee Williams play, this movie stars Anna Magnani as a fiery Sicilian widow with a wicked temper. Not surprisingly, Magnani won an Oscar for this role.

Lancaster is absolutely priceless as a somewhat dim-witted truck driver who tries to court Magnani. He's earthy and bumbling and isn't above arriving at her house drunk as a skunk! But his heart is in the right place and he eventually wins her over.

A fun comedy departure for Lancaster. He portrays a harried officer of a frontier fort who finds his life fraught with exasperation and frustration from all sides.He has to battle annoying temperance activists (including the beautiful Lee Remick), Irish Teamsters and quirky Indians and is having a tough time dealing with them all. This movie isn't always "politically correct", but all the humor is done a good-natured, light-hearted way and I got a kick out of it.

Lancaster shows he has an excellent comic sense and the rest of the cast (which include Jim Hutton, Brian Kieth, Donald Sutherland and Martin Landau) are equally funny in their roles. A great movie for the whole family. VHS | DVD