Tag: the-empire-strikes-back

  • Best Movies to Watch on New Year’s Day

    (L to R) Maurice Compte and Gerard Butler in 'Den of Thieves'. Photo: STXfilms.
    (L to R) Maurice Compte and Gerard Butler in ‘Den of Thieves’. Photo: STXfilms.

    2025 is almost over and another new year is upon us.

    And there is no  better way to spend New Year’s Day than by watching some movies!

    10038289

    Moviefone has compiled a list of some of the most popular movies ever made, including some released just this year, for you to choose from while you are relaxing on the first day of the new year.

    Let’s begin and Happy 2026!

    Related Article: 35 Best Christmas Movies to Watch this Holiday Season!


    30. ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘ (2023)

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers—and brothers—Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi.

    JZwIlBY5UsUk76M7CSeaO5

    29. ‘The Beekeeper‘ (2024)

    In ‘The Beekeeper’, one man’s (Jason Statham) brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers”.

    n2Wi6ba9PqZ5yhXCHXagz3

    28. ‘Jurassic Park‘ (1993)

    A wealthy entrepreneur (Richard Attenborough) secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts (Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum) and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious investors. However, the park is anything but amusing as the security systems go off-line and the dinosaurs escape.

    7910

    27. ‘Bullitt‘ (1968)

    Senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) is aiming to take down mob boss Pete Ross with the help of testimony from the criminal’s hothead brother Johnny, who is in protective custody in San Francisco under the watch of police lieutenant Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen). When a pair of mob hitmen enter the scene, Bullitt follows their trail through a maze of complications and double-crosses. This thriller includes one of the most famous car chases ever filmed.

    11937

    26. ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ (2019)

    After the devastating events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

    P4hIwBTPRnwELWrG1VOML2

    25. ‘Road House‘ (2024)

    Jake Gyllenhaal stars in 'Roadhouse.' Photo: Laura Radford © Amazon Content Services LLC.
    Jake Gyllenhaal stars in ‘Roadhouse.’ Photo: Laura Radford © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    Ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.

    6ddXUDKT3kkttS13wVeW77

    24. ‘Up‘ (2009)

    Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.

    PEhsygAz2kNQS3UqwXK522

    23. ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ (2023)

    John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

    f9HakKt6vPZWClZUV638w3

    22. ‘Aliens‘ (1986)

    When Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) lifepod is found by a salvage crew over 50 years later, she finds that terra-formers are on the very planet they found the alien species. When the company sends a family of colonists out to investigate her story—all contact is lost with the planet and colonists. They enlist Ripley and the colonial marines to return and search for answers.

    3700

    21. ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ (2009)

    In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl (Mélanie Laurent), who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.

    36184

    20. ‘F1‘ (2025)

    Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ 'F1', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ ‘F1’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Racing legend Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.

    CyMVLBZ0nDc1R50XgbSKa4

    19. ‘Black Panther‘ (2018)

    King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother (Angela Bassett), his princess-kid sister (Letitia Wright), members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent (Martin Freeman), to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

    20083572

    18. ‘Bridesmaids‘ (2011)

    Annie’s (Kristen Wiig) life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.

    10035125

    17. ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day‘ (1991)

    Nearly 10 years have passed since Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) was targeted for termination by a cyborg from the future. Now her son, John (Edward Furlong), the future leader of the resistance, is the target for a newer, more deadly terminator (Robert Patrick). Once again, the resistance has managed to send a protector (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back to attempt to save John and his mother Sarah.

    4833

    16. ‘Den of Thieves‘ (2018)

    A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.

    r6BOZOw7NEOioTkFTZbh53

    15. ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid‘ (1969)

    (L to R) Robert Redford and Paul Newman in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Robert Redford and Paul Newman in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    In late 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) is the affable, clever and talkative leader of the outlaw Hole in the Wall Gang. His closest companion is the laconic dead-shot Sundance Kid (Robert Redford). As the west rapidly becomes civilized, the law finally catches up to Butch, Sundance and their gang. Chased doggedly by a special posse, the two decide to make their way to South America in hopes of evading their pursuers once and for all.

    4974

    14. ‘Ghostbusters‘ (1984)

    After losing their academic posts at a prestigious university, a team of parapsychologists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) goes into business as proton-pack-toting “ghostbusters” who exterminate ghouls, hobgoblins and supernatural pests of all stripes. An ad campaign pays off when a knockout cellist (Sigourney Weaver) hires the squad to purge her swanky digs of demons that appear to be living in her refrigerator.

    7626

    13. ‘Avatar‘ (2009)

    In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine (Sam Worthington) is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

    26982

    12. ‘Oppenheimer‘ (2023)

    The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

    1tOJVQRXmFcGn2lZ7Th6l7

    11. ‘Any Given Sunday‘ (1999)

    A star quarterback (Dennis Quaid) gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer (Jamie Foxx) is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the ageing coach (Al Pacino) to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president (Cameron Diaz) adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.

    6966

    10. ‘Sinners‘ (2025)

    Michael B. Jordan as Smoke and Stack in Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Sinners,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Michael B. Jordan as Smoke and Stack in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Sinners,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

    CKADSUBv2bw7WoJvzJ6pa4

    9. ‘Top Gun‘ (1986)

    For Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and his friend and co-pilot Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete’s dreams of becoming an ace pilot.

    6941

    8. ‘Batman‘ (1989)

    Batman (Michael Keaton) must face his most ruthless nemesis when a deformed madman calling himself “The Joker” (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham’s criminal underworld.

    2470

    7. ‘The Empire Strikes Back‘ (1980)

    The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda (Frank Oz). But Darth Vader (voice of James Earl Jones) is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), cocky Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew ), and droids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

    7513

    6. ‘Apocalypse Now‘ (1979)

    At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, “does not exist, nor will it ever exist.” His goal is to locate – and eliminate – a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.

    2853

    5. ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood‘ (2019)

    Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.' Photo: Sony Pictures.
    Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha).

    NUuaLCQAamVNuURlc9OMa2

    4. ‘Back to the Future‘ (1985)

    Eighties teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents’ first meeting and attracting his mother’s romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents’ romance and, with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), return to 1985.

    13014

    3. ‘The Godfather‘ (1972)

    In the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)  barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino) steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.

    5180

    2. ‘Barbie‘ (2023)

    Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

    4OzXLSHaYzgwPmGZqkJNI5

    1. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘ (2024)

    (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    Marvel Studios‘ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up now streaming on Disney+ and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

    FW15JuJGFTtwqnkn4XqPf5 cL1zznFd

     

  • Best Harrison Ford Movies

    Harrison Ford present 'Captain America: Brave New World' at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
    Harrison Ford present ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    Harrison Ford is one of the most beloved movie stars in cinematic history!

    The actor has portrayed such popular characters as Han Solo (‘Star Wars‘), Indiana Jones (‘Raiders of the Lost Ark‘), Rick Deckard (‘Blade Runner‘), Jack Ryan (‘Patriot Games‘), Dr. Richard Kimble (‘The Fugitive‘), and even the President of the United States (‘Air Force One‘).

    Now, Ford is playing the President once again in Marvel’s ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘, which opens in theaters on February 14th and sees the actor taking over the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross from the late William Hurt, opposite Anthony Mackie in the title role.

    In honor of Ford’s new film, Moviefone is counting down the 30 best movies of Harrison Ford’s illustrious career, including his latest!

    Let’s begin!


    30. ‘Cowboys & Aliens‘ (2011)

    (L to R) Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in 'Cowboys & Aliens.' Photo: Universal Pictures / Timothy White.
    (L to R) Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in ‘Cowboys & Aliens.’ Photo: Universal Pictures / Timothy White.

    A stranger (Daniel Craig) stumbles into the desert town of Absolution with no memory of his past and a futuristic shackle around his wrist. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella (Olivia Wilde) and the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Ford), he finds himself leading an unlikely posse of cowboys, outlaws, and Apache warriors against a common enemy from beyond this world in an epic showdown for survival.

    30528

    29. ‘Regarding Henry‘ (1991)

    Respected lawyer, Henry Turner (Ford) survives a convenience-store shooting only to find he has lost his memory, and has serious speech and mobility issues. After also losing his job—where he no longer ‘fits in’—his loving wife (Annette Bening) and daughter (Mikki Allen) give him all their love and support.

    1029095

    28. ‘The Devil’s Own‘ (1997)

    Frankie McGuire (Brad Pitt), one of the IRA’s deadliest assassins, draws an American family into the crossfire of terrorism. But when he is sent to the U.S. to buy weapons, Frankie is housed with the family of Tom O’Meara (Ford), a New York cop who knows nothing about Frankie’s real identity. Their surprising friendship, and Tom’s growing suspicions, forces Frankie to choose between the promise of peace or a lifetime of murder.

    3737

    27. ‘The Expendables 3‘ (2014)

    Barney (Sylvester Stallone), Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables — but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.

    62257

    26. ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny‘ (2023)

    Finding himself in a new era, approaching retirement, Indy (Ford) wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival (Mads Mikkelsen), Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

    PJpnUFWr6IUm179ciHgZl5

    25. ‘Presumed Innocent‘ (1990)

    (L to R) Bonnie Bedelia and Harrison Ford in 'Presumed Innocent'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Bonnie Bedelia and Harrison Ford in ‘Presumed Innocent’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Rusty Sabich (Ford) is a deputy prosecutor engaged in an obsessive affair with a coworker (Greta Scacchi) who is murdered. Soon after, he’s accused of the crime. And his fight to clear his name becomes a whirlpool of lies and hidden passions.

    1027855

    24. ‘American Graffiti‘ (1973)

    A couple of high school graduates (Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard) spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college.

    9959

    23. ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues‘ (2013)

    With the 70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to take New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm.

    10083158

    22. ‘The Conversation‘ (1974)

    Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client’s brusque aide to tail a young couple. Tracking the pair through San Francisco’s Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple is in danger.

    589

    21. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ (2015)

    Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo (Ford) and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and his army of Stormtroopers.

    10118651

    20. ‘Frantic‘ (1988)

    (L to R) John Mahoney and Harrison Ford in 'Frantic'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) John Mahoney and Harrison Ford in ‘Frantic’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    The wife (Betty Buckley) of an American doctor (Ford) suddenly vanishes in Paris and, to find her, he navigates a puzzling web of language, locale, laissez-faire cops, triplicate-form filling bureaucrats and a defiant, mysterious waif (Emmanuelle Seigner) who knows more than she tells.

    15260

    19. ‘Apocalypse Now‘ (2001)

    At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, “does not exist, nor will it ever exist.” His goal is to locate – and eliminate – a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.

    2853

    18. ‘Return of the Jedi‘ (1983)

    Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo (Ford) from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion once and for all with a second dreaded Death Star.

    20004360

    17. ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘ (1984)

    After arriving in India, Indiana Jones (Ford) is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees – and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.

    6804

    16. ‘Blade Runner 2049‘ (2017)

    Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

    20078309

    15. ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘ (2025)

    Red Hulk/President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) in Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World'. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.
    Red Hulk/President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World’. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

    After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

    38PIIqJ72BWyVUfWZQqug4 3VtIQid9

    14. ‘Patriot Games‘ (1992)

    When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan (Ford) interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets Jack and his family as revenge.

    15883

    13. ‘Working Girl‘ (1988)

    Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is an ambitious secretary with a unique approach for climbing the ladder to success. When her classy, but villainous boss (Sigourney Weaver) breaks a leg skiing, Tess takes over her office, her apartment and even her wardrobe. She creates a deal with a handsome investment banker (Ford) that will either take her to the top, or finish her off for good.

    5637

    12. ‘What Lies Beneath‘ (2000)

    When Claire Spencer (Michelle Pfeiffer) starts hearing ghostly voices and seeing spooky images, she wonders if an otherworldly spirit is trying to contact her. All the while, her husband (Ford) tries to reassure her by telling her it’s all in her head. But as Claire investigates, she discovers that the man she loves might know more than he’s letting on.

    7674

    11. ‘42‘ (2013)

    The powerful story of Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), the legendary baseball player who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he joined the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film follows the innovative Dodgers’ general manager Branch Rickey (Ford), the MLB executive who first signed Robinson to the minors and then helped to bring him up to the show.

    10061719

    10. ‘Air Force One‘ (1997)

    (L to R) Harrison Ford, Liesel Matthews and Wendy Crewson in 'Air Force One'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (L to R) Harrison Ford, Liesel Matthews and Wendy Crewson in ‘Air Force One’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Russian terrorists (Gary Oldman) conspire to hijack the aircraft with the president (Ford) and his family on board. The commander in chief finds himself facing an impossible predicament: give in to the terrorists and sacrifice his family, or risk everything to uphold his principles – and the integrity of the nation.

    4298

    9. ‘The Mosquito Coast‘ (1986)

    Allie Fox (Ford), an American inventor exhausted by the perceived danger and degradation of modern society, decides to escape with his wife (Helen Mirren) and children to Belize. In the jungle, he tries with mad determination to create a utopian community with disastrous results.

    1023748

    8. ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade‘ (1989)

    In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones (Ford) to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery). He sets out to rescue his father by following clues in the old man’s notebook, which his father had mailed to him before he went missing. Indy arrives in Venice, where he enlists the help of a beautiful academic, Dr. Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody), along with Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliot) and Sallah (John Rhys-Davies). Together they must stop the Nazis from recovering the power of eternal life and taking over the world!

    2401

    7. ‘Star Wars‘ (1977)

    Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and dashing captain Han Solo (Ford) team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

    20067741

    6. ‘Witness‘ (1985)

    A sheltered Amish child (Lukas Haas) is the sole witness of a brutal murder in a restroom at a Philadelphia train station, and he must be protected. The assignment falls to a taciturn detective (Ford) who goes undercover in a Pennsylvania Dutch community. On the farm, he slowly assimilates despite his urban grit and forges a romantic bond with the child’s beautiful mother (Kelly McGillis).

    28341

    5. ‘Clear and Present Danger‘ (1994)

    Harrison Ford in 'Clear and Present Danger'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Harrison Ford in ‘Clear and Present Danger’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    CIA Analyst Jack Ryan (Ford) is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel.

    1062

    4. ‘Blade Runner‘ (1982)

    In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Ford) is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

    20001523

    3. ‘The Fugitive‘ (1993)

    Wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife (Sela Ward) and sentenced to death, Richard Kimble (Ford) escapes from the law in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name.

    8303

    2. ‘The Empire Strikes Back‘ (1980)

    The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda (Frank Oz). But Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), cocky Han Solo (Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and droids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

    7513

    1. ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark‘ (1981)

    Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    When Dr. Indiana Jones (Ford) – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.

    3348

     

  • Legendary Actor James Earl Jones Dies Aged 93

    James Earl Jones in 'Coming to America.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    James Earl Jones in ‘Coming to America.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Legendary actor James Earl Jones passes away at 93
    • He was best known for his role as the voice of Darth Vader
    • Jones is one of the few actors who have won the EGOT

    Distinguished actor James Earl Jones passed away this Monday in his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93. Jones is known for roles such as the voice of Darth Vador in ‘Star Wars’, Terence Mann in ‘Field of Dreams,’ and the voice of Mufasa in ‘The Lion King.’

    Jones had a prominent career both on the big screen and on stage, and is known as one of the few actors to have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). During his 60-year career, Jones has about 200 credits, including ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Field of Dreams,’ ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘The Sandlot’ and more.

    A Look Back At His Work

    James Earl Jones as Darth Vader in 'Star Wars'. Photo: Lucasfilm.
    James Earl Jones as Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’. Photo: Lucasfilm.

    James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, MS. Overcoming his stutter as a child, Jones made his Broadway debut in the play ‘The Egghead’ in 1957. Soon, he became one of the best-known Shakespearean actors of the time, acting in plays such as Othello, King Lear, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ and more.

    He made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Dr. Lovestreange or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ as young Lt. Lothar Sogg. In 1970, Jones played the lead role of Jack Johnson in ‘The Great White Hope’, which will earn him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He was the second African-American male performer to be nominated for the award.

    Jones went on to make his mark as the voice of Darth Vader in the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy in 1977. A voice so iconic and commanding, with quotes like “No, I am your father.”, “I find your lack of faith disturbing” is forever ingrained in pop culture

    Stars Remembering James Earl Jones

    (L to R) James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner and Amy Madigan in 'Field of Dreams.' Photo:
    (L to R) James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner and Amy Madigan in ‘Field of Dreams.’ Photo:
    Universal Pictures.

    During his long career, Jones worked with an extensive list of actors, directors, and producers, who paid tribute to to him:

    Mark Hamill wrote “RIP dad” next to a heartbreak emoji on his X account, as well as the below statement to The Associated Press:

    “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to ‘Star Wars’ were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed.”

    Actor LeVar Burton also wrote on X:

    James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.

    — LeVar Burton (@levarburton) September 9, 2024

    Disney CEO Bob Iger released the following in a statement:

    “From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history. A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences.”

    Actress Octavia Spencer posted her sentiment on Instagram:

    “Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever. His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends and countless fans in all the galaxies, far, far away.”

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Octavia Spencer (@octaviaspencer)

    Jones was married to Cecilia Hart, who passed in 2016. He is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones.

    James Earl Jones as the voice of Mufasa in 'The Lion King'. Photo: Disney.
    James Earl Jones as the voice of Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’. Photo: Disney.

    James Earl Jones Movies:

    Buy James Earl Jones Movies On Amazon

    gikMgQxb
  • 15 Classic Action Movies That Only Get Better With Age

    15 Classic Action Movies That Only Get Better With Age

  • ‘Star Wars’ Producer Gary Kurtz Dies at 78

    ‘Star Wars’ Producer Gary Kurtz Dies at 78

    Lucasfilm

    Gary Kurtz, a longtime Hollywood producer who helped shepherd the first two films in the “Star Wars” universe, has died. He was 78.

    Kurtz’s family confirmed the producer’s death in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, telling the trade that he passed away in North London, England on Sunday, after a battle with cancer. The entire statement said:

    “Gary was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague, and mentor, whose work and talent spanned filmmaking, photography, music, and cinema history. He was a Marine, a world traveller, an outdoorsman, and a kind, compassionate human being. His life’s work was to share the wonder of audio visual storytelling through the art of film. Well-known for his work as the producer of American GraffitiStar WarsThe Empire Strikes Back, and The Dark Crystal, Gary was passionate about telling stories that shared the humanity of characters in entertaining ways for audiences around the world. Gary was a magnificent man, who will be hugely missed. His whole family thanks you for your loving thoughts.”

    Kurtz was an indelible part of moviemaking in the 1970s and 1980s, producing iconic films including “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “American Graffiti” in collaboration with George Lucas. He was nominated for two Oscars for Best Picture (for “Star Wars” and “American Graffiti,” the latter of which he co-produced with Francis Ford Coppola), and also worked as a second unit director on several films, including “Empire.”

    In a statement, Lucasfilm hailed Kurtz as “a man of immense talent and intelligence, [who] will be missed greatly by Lucasfilm, and we’ll remember his many contributions to ‘Star Wars’ and film.”

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter, StarWars.com]

  • Han Solo’s Iconic Jacket is For Sale… But It’ll Cost You

    Han Solo’s Iconic Jacket is For Sale… But It’ll Cost You

    20th Century Fox/Lucasfilm

    How much would you pay for Han Solo’s jacket?

    Well, unless you’ve got $1.3 million to spare,  it ain’t enough.

    The jacket worn by our favorite space smuggler in “The Empire Strikes Back” is on the auction block and that’s how much it’s expected to sell for, according to UK-based auction house Prop Store.

    Per the official listing, it’s “the only significant Han Solo costume piece from the original trilogy ever to come to public auction.”

    It was designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer John Mollo.  According to Mollo,  Lucas instructed him to avoid making the costumes appear “spacey.”

    The jacket appears to be navy blue in the film but is actually blue-grey.

    It has “only minor instances of loose threading and minimal wear as a result of production use” and is in “excellent” condition.

    In reaction to Harrison Ford’s impressive “Star Wars” stash, Mark Hamill pledged to sell his red capri pants, which, hey, we don’t remember seeing Luke wear those!

    [Via Slashfilm]

  • 19 Movies You Probably Memorized Because They Were on Cable

    19 Movies You Probably Memorized Because They Were on Cable

  • Summer Movie List: 19 Great ’80s Movies You Should Binge This Summer

    Summer Movie List: 19 Great ’80s Movies You Should Binge This Summer

  • 17 Things You Never Knew About ‘Return of the Jedi’

    It’s been a mind-boggling 35 years since “Return of the Jedi” hit theaters and capped off the original Star Wars trilogy.

    At the time, fans feared it might be the last they ever saw of Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest of the gang. That didn’t turn out to be the case, but this movie still holds a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fanatics the world over. And to celebrate this milestone, here are 16 interesting facts you might not know about this epic threequel.
    1. George Lucas created several fake shooting scripts to guard against leaked spoilers. One of these scripts revealed Lando to be the person Yoda alluded to in “The Empire Strikes Back” when he said, “No, there is another.”

    2. Speaking of Yoda, the aged Jedi Master wasn’t originally meant to be included in the film. Lucas added the Luke/Yoda reunion after speaking with a child psychologist and being told that younger viewers needed hard confirmation that Darth Vader is Luke’s father in order to accept the twist.
    3. Lucas clashed with writer Lawrence Kasdan over how to end “Return of the Jedi.” The two considered scrapping the entire Endor sequence and instead setting the climax on Had Abbadon, a planet Lucas envisioned as the capital world of the Empire. The Special Edition re-release instead features a brief glimpse of Coruscant, a world that would become well-established in the Prequels.

    4. Another option considered was to set the climactic battle on Kashyyk, teaming Chewbacca with his fellow Wookiees instead of Ewoks.5. The costume designers tried — and failed — to design Ewok masks that featured blinking eyes. Lucas later digitally added blinking eyes for the 2011 Blu-ray release.
    6. The word “Ewok” is never actually spoken in the film. Also not spoken in the film? Palpatine. The big bad is never referred to by his actual name, just “The Emperor.”7. Originally, Luke’s lightsaber blade was colored blue in the film, and appeared that way in early footage and on the “Revenge of the Jedi” teaser poster. Lucas changed the color to green in order to make it clearer that Luke had built a new saber and not recovered the one he lost in Cloud City.8. Lando’s co-pilot, Nien Nunb, isn’t speaking alien gibberish, but an actual Kenyan dialect known as Haya. His lines were dubbed by a Kenyan student named Kipsang Rotich.9. “Return of the Jedi” is the only Star Wars movie in which Darth Vader appears but doesn’t Force-choke another character.

    10. There actually was a scene of Vader choking an Imperial officer outside Palpatine’s throne room, but Lucas deemed it unnecessary.
    11. When filming his Endor scenes at the Redwood National Forest in California, Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew had to be escorted by crew members so locals wouldn’t mistake him for Bigfoot.

    12. Death Star administrator Moff Jerjerrod originally had a more significant role in the story. An earlier draft depicted Jerjerrod as Palpatine’s right-hand man, helping his master scheme to turn Luke against Vader and eventually being killed by Vader in retaliation.
    13. Han Solo’s fate at the end of “Empire Strikes Back” was left ambiguous in case Harrison Ford elected not to return for the sequel. Ford also campaigned for Lucas to kill off his character in “Return of the Jedi,” though he wound up having to wait until 2015’s “Force Awakens” to get his wish.
    14. Four different actors were required to bring Vader to life in this sequel. David Prowse and Bob Anderson both wore the suit at different points, while James Earl Jones provided Vader’s voice and Sebastian Shaw portrayed the unmasked Anakin Skywalker. And that’s not even counting Hayden Christensen‘s cameo in the Blu-ray version.

    15. Ian McDiarmid had to rotate his throne by using his feet because the actual mechanism never worked properly during filming.
    16. Lucas has admitted to regretting Boba Fett’s infamous death scene after learning just how popular the bounty hunter had become with fans. Lucas even considered adding a scene on the 2004 DVD release that would have shown Fett escaping from the Sarlacc.17. When it came time to expand the musical sequence in Jabba’s palace, actress Femi Taylor was called on to reprise the role of Twi’lek dancer, Oola. She was the only Original Trilogy actor to return for the Special Editions.

  • Mark Hamill’s Latest Sebastian Stan ‘Son’ Tweet Delights ‘Star Wars’ Galaxy

    Mark Hamill and Sebastian Stan love toying with fans when it comes to their father/son resemblance. This has been going on for more than a year now, with the “Star Wars” and “Avengers” actors weighing in on social media and even meeting up in person.

    Hamill continued the fun last night, teasing Darth Vader’s line to his character Luke Skywalker in “The Empire Strikes Back”:

    Now fans are going nuts on the “my son” thing. Hamill has called John Boyega his son, too, that’s just one of his things. But Hamill knew he’d get fans in a frenzy with this continuation of his SebStan son saga:


    For a little history, fans have mentioned for a while that Sebastian Stan looks like a young Mark Hamill.


    Then this photo started making the rounds, with Stan’s face photoshopped onto Hamill’s head:


    Both stars have commented several times on the comparison:


    They finally met and posed for photos together last year, also delighting fans:

    Finally.

    A post shared by Sebastian Stan (@imsebastianstan) on

    Fans are dying for Mark Hamill and Sebastian Stan to make a father-son movie together, even if it isn’t called “The Winter Jedi.” (Although, it should be.)

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.