As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.

Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.

One last job and I’m out.

How many times have you heard this? And groaned because you knew something really bad was going to happen. The really good heist movie fools you along the way. The plots in the heist movie are more important than the actors. All you need are competent actors to tell the story. I love heist movies for their complex plots, dastardly betrayals, and clever twists and turns. Listed below are some of my favorites:

Heist (2001): Gene Hackman as the man-with-the-ultimate-back-up-plan stars in this cleverly plotted film. Buddies Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay and Rebecca Pidgeon (his wife) must do one last job for villain Danny DeVito and his nephew Sam Rockwell. David Mamet wrote and directed this entertaining romp.

Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973): What’s a man to do? Robert Mitchum finds himself between a jail sentence and his bank robbing friends. He decides to become an informant for the police to stay out of jail. This classic also stars Peter Boyle.

The Bank Job (2008): This London bank heist film contains murder, scandal and corruption. Jason Statham has a lot on his hands.

The Usual Suspects (1995): Ah, this is possibly my favorite in this genre—great plot, good acting and a big surprise. It’s no wonder it won an Oscar for screenplay. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Pete Postelwaite and several good actors keep you guessing. Who is KEYSER SöZE anyway?

The Killing (1956): That great non-actor Sterling Hayden masterminds this one-last-heist of a race track. This early Stanley Kubrick film also stars Vince Edwards and Elisha Cook.

Inside Man (2006): Clive Owen pulls off the perfect bank heist, much to the consternation of Denzel Washington. This Spike Lee film is a joy to watch.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950): This John Huston film garnered 4 Oscar nominations. Sterling Hayden, Sam Jaffe and cohorts rob a jewelry store, then greed causes a falling out. Watch for a young Marilyn Monroe.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968): Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway play a cat-and-mouse game. McQueen as a bored wealthy man steals for the fun of it. Dunaway is the insurance agent trying to catch him out. Great music, chic clothes and little twists make this a good watch. The 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan is okay but much softer.

Take the Money and Run (1969): And now for something completely different. As a failed crook, Woody Allen is hilarious. Focusing on a series of misfortunes, this mockumentary chronicles Allen making his way through life.

The Italian Job (1969): Michael Caine and Noel Coward are out for Chinese gold but get stuck in traffic. The result is a magnificent display of precision driving. The 2003 remake was a pale imitation.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Al Pacino needs money for partner John Cazale’s sex-change operation. A bank offers a solution, so on a hot day Pacino sets out to rob it. The pesky press stick their noses in. Confusion galore.

The Town (2010): Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner spearhead a bank heist. They get away, but only Affleck really wins, or does he? Good mood, acting and locations make this a better than average film.

The Anderson Tapes (1971): On a holiday weekend, Sean Connery, Christopher Walken, Martin Balsam and friends rob a posh apartment house in New York. In an era before ubiquitous surveillance cameras, the gang doesn’t realize that they are being filmed. Dyan Cannon provides the love interest.

Ocean’s Eleven (1960): Frank Sinatra and his rat pack rob a Las Vegas casino. Not a very good movie, but kind of fun.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001): The pretty-boy pack led by George Clooney rob a Los Vegas casino. Better than the original, but Julia Roberts was totally unnecessary.

Ocean’s Twelve (2004): The pack goes to Europe for a series of heists.

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007): The pack returns to Los Vegas for another robbery. They should learn to spend their money more wisely.

Oceans Fourteen (?): Whatever.