Saltzman Sees...Stand and Deliver (1988)

Stand and Deliver was nominated for my Best Picture, Best Director (Ramón Menéndez), Best Actor (Edward James Olmos) and Best Screenplay (Ramón Menéndez and Tom Musca) in 1988.

Saltzman Sees...Kindergarten Cop (1990)

Kindergarten Cop was nominated for my Best Supporting Actress (Pamela Reed) in 1990.

Saltzman Sees...Antwone Fisher (2002)

Antwone Fisher was nominated for my Best Director (Denzel Washington) in 2002, also his directorial debut.

Saltzman Sees...Precious (2009)

Precious won my Best Supporting Actor (Mo'Nique) and was nominated for Best Actress (Gabourey Sidibe) in 2009.

Saltzman Sees...Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans won my Best Actor (Denzel Washington) and was nominated for my Best Picture and Best Screenplay (Gregory Allen Howard) in 2000.

Saltzman Sees...Freedom Writers (2007)

Freedom Writers was my Best Picture of 2007 and was nominated for Best Actress (Hilary Swank).

Saltzman Sees...Radio (2003)

Radio was my Best Picture and Best Actor (Cuba Gooding Jr.)

Saltzman Sees...Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting was my Best Picture, Best Director (Gus Van Sant), 

Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) & Best Screenplay (Matt Damon & Ben Affleck)

SPOILER ALERT: Final scene of the movie.

Saltzman Sees...Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Akeelah and the Bee is one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.  Keke Palmer plays a brilliant young girl who is embarrassed by her school and where she lives.  By taking on the challenge of representing her school in a spelling bee, she tries to find a way out of her environment.  Laurence Fishburne is tremendous as 'Akeelah's' mentor and coach.  Angela Bassett plays the pessimistic mother who has already dealt with many hardships and doesn't need any more.

The movie is a 'Stand up and Cheer' type of picture and is a great family movie because it teaches us that you are never too old to learn or too young to teach.  The most important thing you can do is to be open minded to others and willing to lend your support to them.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2006.

Saltzman Sees...Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

One of the most surprising movies of the year, Searching for Bobby Fischer is one of the sweetest movies.  Joan Allen and Laurence Fishburne are fabulous, and Sir Ben Kingsley is brilliant as always.  Max Pomeranc and Joe Mantegna play a son and father who play an innocent game of chess that turns into an obsession.

The movie continues to get more and more heartfelt as it goes and ends with one of the most touching endings to a movie since Casablanca.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1993.

Note: DO NOT WATCH CLIP unless you've seen the movie.  This is the beautiful ending.

Saltzman Sees...Temple Grandin (2010)

Temple Grandin is the remarkable look at Autism through the eyes of one of its greatest champions.  Claire Danes becomes Temple as we learn what is possible when you have people who believe in your potential.  Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara and David Strathairn are all fabulous as we learn that it takes compassion and an open heart to allow people to find their own path.

The movie won several awards, including Clair Danes for Best Actress by both the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild, as well as nearly sweeping the Emmys that year. However, since TV movies don't get nominated for Oscars, a movie like Temple Grandin flies under the radar in movie of the year voting.

It is my Best Picture of 2010, and Claire Danes won my Best Actress of 2010. 

Saltzman Sees...October Sky (1999)

October Sky is the inspirational true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. Chris Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal are remarkable as father and son.

It only grossed $32.4 million worldwide.  It didn't get nominated for a single major award. Both Cooper and Gyllenhaal are now well know, but neither was given credit for their tremendous performance in one of the best films and Most Underrated Movies of 1999.

Saltzman Sees...With Honors (1994)

Joe Pesci is incredible as Simon Wilder in With Honors. Brendan Fraser plays a Harvard student who thinks he has all the answers for the future. Pesci plays a dying homeless man who teaches Fraser about living with honor.  Moira Kelly and Patrick Dempsey also star in this story about what life is really all about.

The only major award nomination was Madonna's song "I'll Remember" by the Golden Globes for Best Original Song.  It only grossed $20 million in the U.S.  It is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen and clearly my Most Underrated Movie of 1994.

Saltzman Sees...Lean on Me (1989)

Lean on Me stars Morgan Freeman as a dedicated but tyrannical principal named Joe Clark who is in charge of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.  Freeman is fantastic and shows that discipline doesn't mean someone can't care deeply as well.  Lean on Me is a terrific movie every student should see.

It only grossed $31 million at the box office, and was not nominated for any awards.  It is the Most Underrated Movie of 1989.

Mr. Clark, the principal at Eastside, is my Teacher of the Year.