Not the big blockbuster group this week. But it seems to be full of good movies, several I have seen. We seem to be big on the horror/mystery genres this week.
A simple tale of life in poverty stricken post-war Rome. This is often cited as the greatest film ever made.
Big: 1988, USA (Comedy)
I have always liked this movie. It related to kids and adults alike. Hanks is spot on playing a 12 yr old trapped in a 30 something's body. This is one of Hank's best comedy movies before he turned into big budget mega star in the 90's.
The Big Country: 1958, USA (Western)
I am unsure reading about this movie whether I would like it or not. It stars Gregory Peck & Charlton Heston, two of my favorite old time actors, but the story sounds a little jumbled. It was also a Technirama movie which can make it look funny now a days on flat screens.
The Big Heat: 1953, USA (Mystery & Thriller)
This film was ahead of its time its use of violence to add depth to a complex plot. The classic noir follows a maverick cop out for revenge.
The Big Lebowski: 1998, USA/GB (Comedy)
This is an all time classic for my generation. The Cohen brothers weave a crazy plot that is usual fashion provides plenty of strange characters and quotable lines. The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is an easy going bowling bum. John Goodman is a Vietnam vet who is still obsessed with 'over there'. Steve Buscemi's character hardly gets any words out before a "Shut the fuck up!" from Goodman. I find it amazing whenever I talk to people, at least males, in my age bracket that have not seen this movie. "The dude abides."
The Big Red One: 1980, USA (War)
I think this movie's claim to fame is that it stars Mark Hamill and is not called Star Wars. WWII squadron, The Big Red One, only has 5 surviving members after their missions. It is a no holds barred look at war and the grim reality of it. "Survival is the only glory in war"
The Big Sleep: 1946, USA (Mystery & Thriller)
This is one of those classic Humphery Bogart movies. The classic noir features a convoluted plot with many twists and turns. Lauren Bacall is Bogart's love interest in the film and real life at the time. The dialogue is full of double entendres and the subject matter of sex, gambling and blackmail was pushing the envelope for 1946.
The Birds: 1963, USA (Horror)
This is one of only two horror films Hitchcock made despite it being what he is most recognized for. This is a great example of his genius. The movie passes for a romantic comedy before the world turns to crap. The character's relaxed manner is believe while the viewers are continuously fed ominous clues of the doom to come.
Blade Runner: 1982, USA (Science Fiction & Fantasy)
I watched this movie once because there is always alot of talk about this movie. I don't think I paid enough attention, because I didn't get it. The book references Harrison's Deckard being a play off Bogart's Marlowe from the previously mentioned 'The Big Sleep'.
The Blair Witch Project: 1999, USA (Horror)
This movie took horror to a new level. The marketing around this movie was a true 21st Century idea. It created the buzz needed to pull of the movie as real. The camera work was nauseating and lead to several imitators over the past ten years.
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2 comments:
The Big Lebowski was one of those movies that was in heavy rotation on Comedy Central several years ago and it seemed like everytime I turned it on it was in that part where The Dude has that drugged out fantasy about bowling. We also watched this movie a few times while drunk. Lots of great lines there and Sam Elloit's cameo was awesome.
Big is one of those 80s movies with a simple (unrealistic) story line that just works. Tom Hanks is pretty good at making things work, but this was before everything he touched turned to gold.
I don't remember much about Blair Witch. I actually remember the sequel more. Went to the cheap little theater on campus with a friend. We had watched a half dozen vampire/witch type movies before hand for some paper he was writing. The sequel was a little more your classic hollywood slasher film, reminded me of the way Scream became a parody of itself and the genre as that series kept going on.
That reminds me, Army of Darkness should have been on here. That's a classic horror, medieval, comedy. Maybe the Evil Dead shows up. Or the Evil Dead 2, which I remember basically being the same as the first one, but with a bigger budget.
You'll have to stay tuned to find out if an Evil Dead makes it. :) heheheh
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