Movies, Movies, Movies…
Ahh, the joy of a packed movie palace, settling in to enjoy a great film with a crowd full of friendly strangers….it’s why we love the cinema, right?
OK you two, break it up. We are talking “Movies A – Z” and we are on the letter “H”!
As always, this is not a countdown – all ten films are equal in my book – so let’s get to counting – with an incredible action movie starring a hospital full of babies!
10 – “Hard Boiled”
I want to begin with this 1992 movie, directed by John Woo, because it has some of the most incredible action sequences ever put on film, including an extended climax that takes place inside the baby ward of a hospital!
Chow Yun Fat is outstanding as a Cop who won’t back down – even when the mob storms a children’s hospital – this is one of the most action-packed sequences ever captured on film.
“Hard Boiled” brought Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung to American audiences – it’s an amazing action film – check out this trailer, which is basically 3 minutes of incredible action scenes set to music!
This film takes no time to mesmerize: in the first five minutes, you meet Chow Yun Fat when he literally wipes out a whole room full of gangsters – while sliding down a bannister!
If you haven’t seen this film, search it out now – it is incredible! Read more about this genre of Hong Kong action film here:
Next up is a hilarious and action-packed film about some very unique cops:
9 – “Hot Fuzz”
This 2007 film was directed by Edgar Wright, and stars Simon Pegg, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, and Timothy Dalton! It’s the story of two cops who are investigating a series of mysterious gruesome deaths in a West Country village in England.
Check out the trailer, which really captures how much fun this film is:
The film works because it takes a tough-as-nails cop and reduces him to chasing geese – well, until some real crimes begin to happen – and then the action takes off!
You will have a blast with this one!
Next up is the film that earned Michael Caine a well-deserved Oscar:
8 – “Hannah & Her Sisters”
In 1986, Michael Caine and Diane Wiest both won Supporting Acting Oscars for their work in this film – check out the trailer:
Mia Farrow and Barbara Hershey are also outstanding – a film with heart, humor and a lot of emotion. It’s the story of three sisters and their individual crises bring them closer together – and almost breaking them apart forever.
Woody Allen won the Oscar for his screenplay and the film was nominated as well for Best Picture.
Now, another Oscar-winning Actor in a very powerful role:
7 – “Hardcore”
First, while this poster is incredibly powerful, George C. Scott NEVER says that line in the movie!
He does, however, experience the most intense movie screening of all time – as he looks for his missing daughter – check out the trailer:
Paul Schrader directed Scott and Season Hubley in this gritty thriller about a father searching the porn districts of LA and San Francisco, looking for his runaway daughter.
The movie was shot in the real XXX-rated theater districts of those two cities. It’s a powerful film, and you can see more trivia about the making of it here:
Let’s lighten things up with an offbeat comedy from 1972 that made Charles Grodin a star:
6 – “The Heartbreak Kid”
Grodin stars as a man who meets – and falls in love with – the beautiful Cybill Shepard – while on his honeymoon! Check out the trailer:
This is a great film, do NOT watch the awful remake with Ben Stiller – search this one out instead.
OK, our countdown continues now with one of Gene Hackman’s best roles, which is also a favorite for all sports film lovers:
5 – “Hoosiers”
In 1986, Hackman played a coach with a checkered past who teams up with a local drunk played by Dennis Hopper to train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship.
Hopper’s performance is nicely understated, and he shines in the smaller role:
This is a really good sports film, one of Hackman’s ten best performances – you can see the other nine by clicking on my story here:
From one classic Actor to another – time to visit George C. Scott again:
4 – “The Hospital”
In 1971, Scott starred in this great black comedy about hospitals, doctors, and crazy patients!
Here is the trailer:
Paddy Chaefsky wrote the screenplay, which skewers the health care industry – he would go on to the do the same to television five years later with “Network.”
See more about this movie here:
Here is a classic horror film that stars the legendary Vincent Price in one of this most delicious roles!
3 – “House On Haunted Hill”
This 1959 shocker still entertains today!
Here is the trailer, as Vincent himself invited you into the house:
Price was, by this time, becoming a legendary fixture in the horror genre, and don’t worry, that skeleton liked everyone who spent the night!
Price was so much more than just a Horror Icon:
Next up is the last film from a true “movie star”:
2 – “The Hunter“
Steve McQueen was diagnosed with cancer while filming this action thriller in Chicago…and it’s still the ONLY film that was allowed to shoot a car flying off of the city’s iconic “Corn Cob” buildings into the Chicago River!
Here’s how they look today, and this is what is in the film!
You can see the trailer for this 1980 film – and much more about the making of the film by clicking on the link here:
Finally, what many consider to be the greatest film shocker of all wraps up my countdown:
1 – “Halloween”
“The night HE came home!” Director John Carpenter scared us to death with this movie – remember the classic trailer?
Jamie Lee Curtis was dubbed America’s greatest “Scream Queen” because of this film, and it has influenced horror films ever since…see the trailer and a ton of movie trivia here:
So there you have it, a great collection of “H” films to get caught up on or enjoy again…
If you missed by first six letters of the alphabet, here is a story about “Movies A-F”:
And you can’t miss “G”, which is full of great stuff like this:
Yes, that “Godfather” scene with the horse’s head was real! Check out all of my “G” list here:
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Let me know your favorite films with the letter “H”!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, British Cinema, chicago, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Extreme Asian Cinema, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Sports Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Hi John, I haven’t seen any of these films. That baby certainly isn’t a newborn.
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I loved, loved Hoosiers. Thanks for the movies and memories.
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When some of my buddies are watching basketball, one of us will sometimes make a joking reference to Hoosiers. “Why don’t they run the picket fence?” 🤣 You have to have seen the movie to get the reference.
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HA! Love it! My wife doesn’t like watching live sports at all – but she LOVES sports movies and this is one of her favorites! Thanks for the comment!
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hell of a lot of excellent ‘h’ films!
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A great selection for ‘H’, John. I have seen them all, except for Hoosiers.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hoosiers is a much loved sports film over here Pete and Dennis Hopper gives an incredible performance, nominated for Supporting Actor that year…cheers!
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