The Internet Movie Database is a huge site for information about films. Searchable by movie title, actors/actresses/directors, nationality, year produced, etc. This site has movies I thought only I and four other people in the world had heard of. Definitely a worthwhile resource.
www.reel.com: this site has the absolute lowest prices for new and used movie sales and rentals that I've ever seen. Definite place to check out if you're hankerin' to buy a hard-to-find film.
www.moviefinder.com: the neat thing about this place is the recommendation section, which lets you grade films and then predicts which new releases you'll like based on your preferences. Not always, but often accurate, and a hoot and a half. Requires registration with E-Online, which is relatively painless.
Actors/Directors/Etc.: These are folks that rise above the Hollywood standard for film, in my never-too-humble opinion.
Tim Burton: Filmmaker, visionary, legend.
Quentin Tarantino. Need I say more?
Peter Jackson moves from gross-out horror (Dead Alive) to hilarious social satire (Meet the Feebles) to sublime and haunting storytelling (Heavenly Creatures) with dexterity and grace. His skewed vision is equal to that of Burton's.
Kenneth
Branagh is an excellent actor and director. His interpretations
of Shakespeare's works continue to amaze me. And I really liked his
Frankenstein, unlike 80 percent of the civilized world.
Gary
Oldman: An amazingly versatile actor who will never be a
household name, because he disappears into characters rather than just
play himself in every film he makes (read Jim Carrey, Chris Farley,
Tommy Lee Jones).
Terry Gilliam makes movies that stretch my perception of the world around me while entertaining me to no end. He's a master of movies with great special effects that aren't *about* the special effects.
Twisted genius Spike Jonze goes full-length feature with John Cusak and Cameron Diaz along for the ride in the ultimate head trip that is Being John Malkovich. This site is great, too.
Everyone over the age of 10 should go see Princess Mononoke, if only to see that animation isn't just for kiddies.
Shakespeare in Love is, if not the best movie I've ever seen (and I'm still thinking about it), definitely in the top five. Of course, I'd expect no less from the man who made Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.
Life is Beautiful is my personal pick for best picture of last year, and the controversy that surrounds it baffles me. The movie depicts the inhumane conditions of the Holocaust and asserts that the human spirit is stronger than it, which seems to me a worthwhile statement. Not to mention the masterful directing, and the fine performances by the entire cast.
Even though the Academy couldn't stomach nominating Jim Carrey for an Oscar, The Truman Show is one of the most rewarding movie experiences you'll ever have.
I was very gratified when Roger Ebert named Dark City the best Sci-Fi movie of the year, as I thought I was one of about ten people who saw it and loved it. Shame that crap like Lost in Space and Godzilla get all the attention, eh?
Part fever dream, part fairy tale, The City Of Lost Children is definitely required viewing (provided you're not subtitle-impaired).
Although it's by no means recent, Blade Runner is one of my favorites. In addition to being influential to the entire sci-fi genre, there is a lot of symbolism and many levels of meaning that make it a movie to watch again and again.
Kubrick's vision and Anthony Burgess' social commentary make A Clockwork Orange an excellent, stylish, and thought-provoking film. This site is absolutely enormous.
It's over-merchandised and overhyped, but you could never call it overrated. The Star Wars Universe defined the future of Science Fiction, and on Memorial Day it's going to get bigger.
A vast depository of RHPS links.