28 Movies Starring Jack Nicholson

Five Easy Pieces

Five Easy Pieces

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1970-09-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

98 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.5 (23625 Reviews)

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Carole Eastman (screenplay)

Bob Rafelson (story)

Carole Eastman (story)

Fullplot:

Robert Dupea has given up his promising career as a concert pianist and is now working in oil fields. He lives together with Rayette, who's a waitress in a diner. When Robert hears from his sister that his father isn't well, he drives up to Washington to see him, taking Rayette with him. There he gets confronted with his rich, cultured family that he had left behind.

Carnal Knowledge

Carnal Knowledge

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1971-10-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

98 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

(8129 Reviews)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Genres:

Drama

Fullplot:

The concurrent sexual lives of best friends Jonathan and Sandy are presented, those lives which are affected by the sexual mores of the time and their own temperament, especially in relation to the respective women who end up in their lives. Their story begins in the late 1940s when they are roommates attending Amherst College together. Both virgins, they discuss the type of woman they would each like to end up with. Sandy, the more sensitive of the two, meets Susan at a mixer, she who he believes is going to be the one to who he will lose his virginity. Sandy goes through the process methodically, taking into account what he thinks Susan wants, but without much true passion or romance. Jonathan, the more sexually aggressive of the two, ends up losing his virginity first to "Myrtle", who ends up being a steady but hidden girlfriend. Based on what each knows of the other's relationship, both Jonathan and Sandy strive for a little more of what the other has. These relationships also set the tone for all the relationships they will have in the future. Through their lives, they always seem not totally satisfied with their relationship at the time, still pining for what the other has. This view may change as they and their friendship hits middle age, when Sandy is with a domineering woman named Cindy, while Jonathan is with model/actress Bobbie, whose life goes spiraling downward because of her relationship to Jonathan and despite her beauty which on the surface offered so much opportunity for her. Jonathan's sexual trajectory, directed through these experiences, ends up in a manner he probably did not foresee happening.

The Last Detail

The Last Detail

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1974-02-15

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

104 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (14961 Reviews)

Director:

Hal Ashby

Genres:

ComedyDrama

Cast:

Writer:

Robert Towne (screenplay)

Darryl Ponicsan (novel)

Fullplot:

Two bawdy, tough looking navy lifers - "Bad-Ass" Buddusky, and "Mule" Mulhall - are commissioned to escort a young pilferer named Meadows to the brig in Portsmouth. Meadows is not much of a thief. Indeed, in his late teens, he is not much of a man at all. His great crime was to try to steal forty dollars from the admiral's wife's pet charity. For this, he's been sentenced to eight years behind bars. At first, Buddusky and Mulhall view the journey as a paid vacation, but their holiday spirits are quickly depressed by the prisoner, who looks prepared to break into tears at any moment. And he has the lowest self-image imaginable. Buddusky gets it into his head to give Meadows a good time and teach him a bit about getting on in the world. Lesson one: Don't take every card life deals you. Next, he teaches Meadows to drink, and, as a coup de grace, finds a nice young whore to instruct him in lovemaking. Mule, who worries aloud about his own position with military authority, seems pleased with Meadows's progress. However, when the trio reach Portsmouth, the game comes abruptly to an end as reality sets in.

Chinatown

Chinatown

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1974-06-20

Languages:

English, Cantonese, Spanish

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

130 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

8.3 (195026 Reviews)

Director:

Roman Polanski

Fullplot:

JJ 'Jake' Gittes is a private detective who seems to specialize in matrimonial cases. He is hired by Evelyn Mulwray when she suspects her husband Hollis, builder of the city's water supply system, of having an affair. Gittes does what he does best and photographs him with a young girl but in the ensuing scandal, it seems he was hired by an impersonator and not the real Mrs. Mulwray. When Mr. Mulwray is found dead, Jake is plunged into a complex web of deceit involving murder, incest and municipal corruption all related to the city's water supply.

The Passenger

The Passenger

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1975-04-09

Languages:

English, Spanish, German, French

Countries:

Italy, Spain, France

Runtime:

119 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

7.7 (13832 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Mark Peploe (story)

Mark Peploe (screenplay)

Peter Wollen (screenplay)

Michelangelo Antonioni (screenplay)

Miguel De Echarri

Fullplot:

A journalist researching a documentary in the Sahara Desert meets a gunrunner who dies suddenly. When the journalist notices that they have a similar appearance, he assumes the recently deceased's identity and accepts the consequences that it brings.

The Shining

The Shining

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1980-05-23

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, UK

Runtime:

146 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

8.4 (541114 Reviews)

Director:

Stanley Kubrick

Genres:

Horror

Cast:

Writer:

Stephen King (novel)

Stanley Kubrick (screenplay)

Diane Johnson (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Signing a contract, Jack Torrance, a normal writer and former teacher agrees to take care of a hotel which has a long, violent past that puts everyone in the hotel in a nervous situation. While Jack slowly gets more violent and angry of his life, his son, Danny, tries to use a special talent, the "Shining", to inform the people outside about whatever that is going on in the hotel.

The Postman Always Rings Twice

The Postman Always Rings Twice

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1981-03-20

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, West Germany

Runtime:

122 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (15515 Reviews)

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Cast:

Writer:

James M. Cain (novel)

David Mamet (screenplay)

Fullplot:

This remake of the 1946 movie of the same name accounts an affair between a seedy drifter and a seductive wife of a roadside cafè owner. This begins a chain of events that culminates in murder.

Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1983-12-09

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

132 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (37109 Reviews)

Director:

James L. Brooks

Genres:

ComedyDrama

Cast:

Writer:

Larry McMurtry (based on the novel by)

James L. Brooks (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Aurora and Emma are mother and daughter who march to different drummers. Beginning with Emma's marriage, Aurora shows how difficult and loving she can be. The movie covers several years of their lives as each finds different reasons to go on living and find joy. Aurora's interludes with Garrett Breedlove, retired astronaut and next door neighbor are quite striking. In the end, different people show their love in very different ways.

Prizzi's Honor

Prizzi's Honor

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1985-06-14

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

130 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (17476 Reviews)

Director:

John Huston

Cast:

Writer:

Richard Condon (novel)

Richard Condon (screenplay)

Janet Roach (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Charley Partanna is a hit-man who works for the Prizzis, one of the richest crime syndicate families in the country. Unbeknownst to Charley,the Prizzis just hired Irene Walker, a free-lance killer, to eliminate someone who double-crossed them. When Irene and Charley fall in love their jobs become complicated. Their jobs become impossible when each is given a contract that neither can go through with.

Heartburn

Heartburn

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1986-07-25

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

108 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

(6326 Reviews)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Genres:

ComedyDrama

Cast:

Writer:

Nora Ephron (novel)

Nora Ephron (screenplay)

Fullplot:

An autobiographical look at the breakup of Ephron's marriage to Carl "All the President's Men" Bernstein that was also a best-selling novel. The Ephron character, Rachel is a food writer at a New York magazine who meets Washington columnist Mark at a wedding and ends up falling in love with him despite her reservations about marriage. They buy a house, have a daughter, and Rachel thinks they are living happily ever after until she discovers that Mark is having an affair while she is waddling around with a second pregnancy.

Ironweed

Ironweed

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1988-02-01

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

143 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (5806 Reviews)

Director:

Hector Babenco

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

William Kennedy (novel)

William Kennedy (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.

The Witches of Eastwick

The Witches of Eastwick

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1987-06-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

118 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.5 (44292 Reviews)

Director:

George Miller

Cast:

Writer:

John Updike (novel)

Michael Cristofer

Fullplot:

All three previously married but now single, best friends sculptress Alex Medford, cellist Jane Spofford and writer Sukie Ridgemont are feeling emotionally and sexually repressed, in large part due to the traditional mores overriding their small New England coastal town of Eastwick. After their latest conversation lamenting about the lack of suitable men in Eastwick and describing the qualities they are looking for in a man, mysterious Daryl Van Horne and his equally mysterious butler Fidel arrive in town. Despite being vulgar, crude, brazen and not particularly handsome, Daryl manages to be able to tap into the innermost emotions of the three friends, and as such manages to seduce each. In turn, the three women blossom emotionally and sexually. After an incident involving one of the town's leading citizens, the ultra conservative Felicia Alden, the three women begin to understand how and why Daryl is able to mesmerize them so fully. The three decide to experiment with some powers learned indirectly from Daryl so that they can hopefully regain control of their own lives.

Batman

Batman

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1989-06-23

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA, UK

Runtime:

126 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (246305 Reviews)

Director:

Tim Burton

Cast:

Writer:

Bob Kane (Batman characters)

Sam Hamm (story)

Sam Hamm (screenplay)

Warren Skaaren (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Gotham City: dark, dangerous, 'protected' only by a mostly corrupt police department. Despite the best efforts of D.A. Harvey Dent and police commissioner Jim Gordon, the city becomes increasingly unsafe...until a Dark Knight arises. We all know criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot...so his disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. He becomes a bat. Enter Vicky Vale, a prize-winning photo journalist who wants to uncover the secret of the mysterious "bat-man". And enter Jack Napier, one-time enforcer for Boss Grissom, horribly disfigured after a firefight in a chemical factory...who, devoid of the last vestiges of sanity, seizes control of Gotham's underworld as the psychotic, unpredictable Clown Prince of Crime...the Joker. Gotham's only hope, it seems, lies in this dark, brooding vigilante. And just how does billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne fit into all of this?

A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1992-12-11

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

138 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (169302 Reviews)

Director:

Rob Reiner

Cast:

Writer:

Aaron Sorkin (play)

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay)

Fullplot:

In this dramatic courtroom thriller, LT Daniel Kaffee, a Navy lawyer who has never seen the inside of the courtroom, defends two stubborn Marines who have been accused of murdering a colleague. Kaffee is known as being lazy and had arranged for a plea bargain. Downey's Aunt Ginny appoints Cmdr. Galloway to represent him. Also on the legal staff is LTJG Sam Weinberg. The team rounds up many facts and Kaffee is discovering that he is really cut out for trial work. The defense is originally based upon the fact that PFC Santiago, the victim, was given a "CODE RED". Santiago was basically a screw-up. At Gitmo, screw-ups aren't tolerated. Especially by Col. Nathan Jessup. In Cuba, Jessup and two senior officers try to give all the help they can, but Kaffee knows something's fishy. In the conclusion of the film, the fireworks are set off by a confrontation between Jessup and Kaffee.

Hoffa

Hoffa

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1992-12-25

Languages:

English

Countries:

France, USA

Runtime:

140 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (16128 Reviews)

Director:

Danny DeVito

Fullplot:

Jack Nicholson's portrait of Union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro (Danny DeVito). The film follows Hoffa through his countless battles with the RTA and President Roosevelt all the way to a conclusion that negates the theory that he disappeared in 1975.

Man Trouble

Man Trouble

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1992-07-17

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, Italy

Runtime:

100 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

4.6 (2358 Reviews)

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Fullplot:

Eugene Earl Axline is a guard dog trainer who gets involved with one of his clients, Joan Spruance. Spruance's sister is a classic airhead, who is spilling all she knows about her gangster boyfriend.

Wolf

Wolf

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1994-06-17

Languages:

English, Spanish

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

125 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.2 (41029 Reviews)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Fullplot:

Worn down and out of luck, aging publisher Will Randall is at the end of his rope when a younger co-worker snatches both his job and wife out from under his nose. But after being bit by a wolf, Will suddenly finds himself energized, more competitive than ever, and possessed with amazingly heightened senses. Meanwhile, the beautiful daughter of his shrewd boss begins to fall for him - without realizing that the man she's begun to love is gradually turning into the creature by which he was bit.

The Crossing Guard

The Crossing Guard

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1995-11-16

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

111 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.4 (9920 Reviews)

Director:

Sean Penn

Genres:

Drama

Fullplot:

After his daughter died in a hit and run, Freddy Gale has waited six years for John Booth, the man responsible, to be released from prison. On the day of release, Gale visits Booth and announces that he will kill him in one week. Booth uses his time to try and make peace with himself and his entourage, and even finds romance. Gale, whose life is spiralling down because of his obsession towards Booth, will bring himself on the very edge of sanity. At the end of the week, both men will find themselves on a collision course with each other.

Blood and Wine

Blood and Wine

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1997-02-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, UK

Runtime:

101 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.1 (7425 Reviews)

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Cast:

Writer:

Nick Villiers (story)

Bob Rafelson (story)

Nick Villiers (screenplay)

Alison Cross (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Bob Rafelson has stated that this is the final part of an informal trilogy he started with "Five Easy Pieces" and continued with "The King Of Marvin Gardens". In the three, Nicholson has now played son, brother and father. In this one, Nicholson is a wealthy wine dealer who has distanced himself from his wife with his philandering and from his son with his negligence. After he steals a diamond necklace with the help of a safecracker partner, Victor, things start coming apart. His wife sets out to interrupt what she thinks is another one of his weekend dalliances, but is really his trip to pawn the jewels.

Mars Attacks!

Mars Attacks!

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1996-12-13

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

106 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

6.3 (159969 Reviews)

Director:

Tim Burton

Genres:

ComedySci-Fi

Cast:

Writer:

Len Brown (trading card series)

Woody Gelman (trading card series)

Wally Wood (trading card series)

Bob Powell (trading card series)

Norman Saunders (trading card series)

Jonathan Gems (screen story)

Jonathan Gems (screenplay)

Fullplot:

It is a normal day for everyone, until the President of the United States announces Martians have been spotted circling Earth. The Martians land and a meeting is arranged, but not everything goes to plan, and the Martians seem to have other plans for Earth. Are they just misunderstood beings or do they really want to destroy all of humanity?

As Good as It Gets

As Good as It Gets

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1997-12-25

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

139 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

7.8 (213029 Reviews)

Director:

James L. Brooks

Cast:

Writer:

Mark Andrus (story)

Mark Andrus (screenplay)

James L. Brooks (screenplay)

Fullplot:

New York City. Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer, finds his life turned upside down when neighboring gay artist Simon is hospitalized and his dog is entrusted to Melvin. In addition, Carol, the only waitress who will tolerate him, must leave work to care for her sick son, making it impossible for Melvin to eat breakfast.

Carnal Knowledge

Carnal Knowledge

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1971-10-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

98 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

(8101 Reviews)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Genres:

Drama

Fullplot:

The concurrent sexual lives of best friends Jonathan and Sandy are presented, those lives which are affected by the sexual mores of the time and their own temperament, especially in relation to the respective women who end up in their lives. Their story begins in the late 1940s when they are roommates attending Amherst College together. Both virgins, they discuss the type of woman they would each like to end up with. Sandy, the more sensitive of the two, meets Susan at a mixer, she who he believes is going to be the one to who he will lose his virginity. Sandy goes through the process methodically, taking into account what he thinks Susan wants, but without much true passion or romance. Jonathan, the more sexually aggressive of the two, ends up losing his virginity first to "Myrtle", who ends up being a steady but hidden girlfriend. Based on what each knows of the other's relationship, both Jonathan and Sandy strive for a little more of what the other has. These relationships also set the tone for all the relationships they will have in the future. Through their lives, they always seem not totally satisfied with their relationship at the time, still pining for what the other has. This view may change as they and their friendship hits middle age, when Sandy is with a domineering woman named Cindy, while Jonathan is with model/actress Bobbie, whose life goes spiraling downward because of her relationship to Jonathan and despite her beauty which on the surface offered so much opportunity for her. Jonathan's sexual trajectory, directed through these experiences, ends up in a manner he probably did not foresee happening.

About Schmidt

About Schmidt

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2003-01-03

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

125 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (102821 Reviews)

Director:

Alexander Payne

Genres:

ComedyDrama

Cast:

Writer:

Louis Begley (novel)

Alexander Payne (screenplay)

Jim Taylor (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Warren Schmidt has led a safe, predictable life working in the insurance industry in Omaha, Nebr. for many years, yet now faces retirement. At the same time he is forced to take a hard look at his wife, his life and his relationship with his estranged daughter. An often hilarious series of events follow as Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable RV journey to attend his daughter's wedding in Denver.

Anger Management

Anger Management

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2003-04-11

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

106 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

6.2 (161161 Reviews)

Director:

Peter Segal

Genres:

Comedy

Fullplot:

Mild-mannered timid businessman Dave Buznik works for a pet clothing company out of New York City. He's got an abrasive boss named Mr. Frank Head who frequently takes credit for his work and steps on him in return. He's got a loving girlfriend, Linda, whose best friend is her condescending college ex, Andrew. But when a misunderstanding aboard an airplane goes haywire, Dave is ordered by the court to undergo anger management therapy at the hands of specialist Dr. Buddy Rydell, who is an unpredictable, psychopathic character. As the relationship between Dave and Buddy becomes more tense, when the unorthodox treatment wreaks havoc Dave's life, and Buddy might be the only one who can save him from a problem he recognizes right away in his patient, that could only get worse.

Something's Gotta Give

Something's Gotta Give

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2003-12-12

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

128 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

6.7 (85278 Reviews)

Director:

Nancy Meyers

Fullplot:

Harry Sanborn is an aged music industry exec with a fondness for younger women like Marin, his latest trophy girlfriend. Things get a little awkward when Harry suffers a heart attack at the home of Marin's mother Erica. Left in the care of Erica and his doctor, a love triangle starts to take shape.

The Departed

The Departed

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2006-10-06

Languages:

English, Cantonese

Countries:

USA, Hong Kong

Runtime:

151 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

8.5 (772226 Reviews)

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Cast:

Writer:

William Monahan (screenplay)

Alan Mak

Felix Chong

Fullplot:

In South Boston, the state police force is waging war on Irish American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello. While Billy quickly gains Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the state police as an informer for the syndicate is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy-and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. But is either willing to turn on the friends and comrades they've made during their long stints undercover?

The Bucket List

The Bucket List

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2008-01-11

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

97 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (170277 Reviews)

Director:

Rob Reiner

Fullplot:

Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list. In the process, both of them heal each other, become unlikely friends, and ultimately find joy in life.

How Do You Know

How Do You Know

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2010-12-17

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

121 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

5.3 (33327 Reviews)

Director:

James L. Brooks

Fullplot:

Star softball player, Lisa, has just been cut from the national team; Scholarly business man, George, has just been indicted from his father's company. With everything that they know in their lives taken from them, Lisa and George attempt to find romance. Lisa's potential boyfriend, Matty, however, is as clueless and perpetually single as they come, and George's girlfriend just dumped him. A chance hook-up through mutual friends, Lisa and George may be able to form a friendship, or more, that can help them climb out of the piles of lemons that life has handed to them.

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