The director Richard Donner passed away a week ago.
While he’s often been overlooked because of his movie directing peers of the time (Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppolla, etc.), Richard Donner is definitely one of the people who defined the movie going experience in the 1970’s and 1980s.
Among Richard Donner’s vast list of credits, here’s 5 movies he directed that I believe are worth the viewing.
Superman
If you had to watch only one Richard Donner movie it would be Superman.
Nothing beats Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margo Kidder as Lois Lane, and Gene Hackman as Lex Luther — except maybe the incredible score by John Williams.
We can only wonder what the Superman franchise would have been like had Richard Donner been able to complete the second movie.
This scene is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s Perhaps the greatest introduction of Superman or a super hero ever done on the big screen.
The Toy
I love The Toy.
It’s probably one of Richard Pryor’s best performances. He’s hysterical without being foul, and he’s heartfelt.
The pairing of Pryor and Jackie Gleason is perfect.
Once upon a time there was an open casting call for the role of Gleason’s son. I wanted to go, but was afraid to ask.
I don’t see it as a regret, but rather a lesson that if you don’t ask you don’t get.
The Goonies
I’m going to commit cinematic blasphemy here. I am not a fan of The Goonies.
Why? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because I didn’t see it in the theater when I was younger.
I know people love this movie and can watch it over and over. I don’t happen to be one of them, but can’t leave it off this list given its cultural status.
Yes, I’ll watch it again and see if it impacts me differently now.
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon is the ultimate 80s buddy cop movie. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, this is still a blast to watch.
It’s screenplay is legendary in Hollywood lore and gave us one of the coolest and most creative voices in movies, Shane Black.
Donner stuck around to direct the three sequels to the original. All are fun in their own way, but nothing tops the first.
Here’s the scene where Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh first met Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs.
16 Blocks
16Blocks is a tense, race-against-the-clock movie.
Action star Bruce Willis gets to play an aging, alcoholic cop and Mos Def is incredibly believable in his role as the fast talking criminal he needs to transport to the courthouse.
Willis’s character has 118 minutes to get the convict 16 blocks, hence the title of the movie.Being this was the last movie Richard Donner directed, it’s worth having on this list as it demonstrates he still had incredible skills throughout his career.
