How many things can happen in 24 hours? That's the question we are going to answer today with this week's Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves, as we are asked to pick movies taking place in just one day. The first that came to my mind were 12 Angry Men and Reservoir Dogs but having picked those in the past, I had to settle for some others. Don't worry though, these are great too.
25th Hour (2002)
Montgomery Brogan has been convicted of drug dealing and spends the last day of his freedom re-examining his life. I saw this movie about 10 years ago in high school and that's when I fell in love with Edward Norton. Seriously though, this is an absolutely brilliant and powerful film from Spike Lee and I need to rewatch it asap.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Sonny and his pal Sal decide to rob a bank. It's supposed to be a ten-minute job but when Sonny finds that there's nothing much to steal, the robbery turns into a hostage situation that goes on for the whole day and takes a very unexpected turn. Though it doesn't explore its themes as it should have, this film is a masterpiece. There's tension and suspense, the tones Lumet gave to the different settings works beautifully and the actors are phenomenal.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
An Air Force general goes mad and sends his bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. It's up to a room full of politicians to stop the upcoming nuclear war. It's a superb satire of man, his fears and his delusions. It's hilarious and scary at the same time. And it's my favourite Stanley Kubrick film.
P.S. Happy International Women's Day ladies! I wanted to go theme within theme with this but I couldn't think of three movies.
P.S. Happy International Women's Day ladies! I wanted to go theme within theme with this but I couldn't think of three movies.
Dog Day Afternoon really is a masterpiece. Wonderfully tense, beautifully acted and compelling. It's my favorite Pacino film and it's a bitter pill to think he lost for this and won for his vaudeville turn in Scent of a Woman.
ReplyDeleteI hate Dr. Strangelove the first time I watched it so I gave it another go and while I don't think I'll ever love it I liked it more. Keenan Wynn is my favorite of all the crazy characters.
This is the second time I've seen 25th Hour today, I've already queued it up to see.
This was a relative snap compared to what I was expecting.
High Noon (1952)-Just married to his Quaker bride Amy (Grace Kelly) that morning Sherriff Will Kane (Gary Cooper who won the Oscar for this performance) has quit his post and plans a quiet farm life away from the town. Word comes that a killer he had imprisoned 5 years ago has been paroled and is arriving with his gang on the noon train intent on a showdown. Ignoring advice from all to flee, including successful businesswoman Helen Ramirez (an outstanding Katy Jurado) his former mistress, Will tries to gather help to stand up to the outlaws but finds all the townsfolk turning their backs on him and he must face them alone at High Noon. A thinly veiled allegory for the blacklist which affected many involved with the film.
Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)-A young singer, Cleo (Corinne Marchand) must wait two hours for the results of a biopsy and drifts around Paris seeing friends and considering the exigencies of life. Part of the Nouvelle Vague movement this isn’t for everyone but it has its charms.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)-“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” That’s the credo of uber popular high school student Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) who decides that today is too perfect to be wasted in school. After convincing his parents he’s sick he gathers up his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) for a day of adventure in the city while his suspicious principal Mr. Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) tries to catch him red-handed. Broderick is madly charismatic in the lead and surrounded by a fantastic cast including Edie McClurg who is hysterical as Rooney’s secretary.
I hope you get to see 25th Hour soon. I haven't seen any of your picks but I've been meaning to watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off for ages.
DeleteI haven't seen Dog Day Afternoon except in some clips but I hope to rectify that soon. Plus, I liked your other 2 choices as they're great films.
ReplyDeleteYou need to watch Dog Day Afternoon asap! I watched it not long ago myself and I regret not watching it earlier.
DeleteI only saw Dog Day Afternoon once and it was years ago but wow what a movie that was. I remember Pacino's work was incredibly powerful in this one, I really should rewatch it some time
ReplyDeleteYou really should :)
DeleteI love The 25th Hour! I haven't seen your other picks.
ReplyDeletePlease watch Dog Day Afternoon, I'm sure you'll love it.
DeleteDog Day Afternoon and 25th Hour are both masterpieces, in my book. Great picks. That last movie...sigh. I'm pretty alone on this island, but this is another Kubrick movie I just can't stand. I tried several times, but it just doesn't work for me. Might need to try again to see if having Trump in office makes it resonate more.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Dr. Strangelove didn't work for you. I hope Trump will be helpful for once :)
DeleteI haven’t even heard of 25th Day but I have it marked down. I still have not seen Dr. Strangelove even though it has been on my DVR for quite a while...shame on me. Love Dog Day Afternoon which I think is brilliant and was quite forward thinking for its day.
ReplyDeleteOh you need to see those two as soon as possible!
Delete25th Hour is the only one I haven't seen. I have heard that it is very good too.
ReplyDeleteIt is! Check it out if you get the chance.
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