Welcome to another week of Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves that anyone can join, you just need to pick three to five movies —TV series on the last Thursday of each month— to fit the theme. This week's topic is revenge, which kinda feels appropriate because of Liam Neeson's controversial interview. It's not racism that moves the characters in my picks though, but pretty good reasons.
John Wick (2014)
The son (Alfie Allen) of his former Russian mobster boss (Michael Nygvist) kills the dog his late wife left him so hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) sets out to get revenge. Which, in other words, means killing all the Russian bad guys. Not the most original story, nor the most developed character, but Keanu Reeves kicks ass and looks absolutely stunning while doing it.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
The Bride (Uma Thurman) continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover, Bill (David Carradine), and his team of assassins who betrayed her and put her in a coma. My favourite part of the Kill Bill movies, this one has a great balance between comedy and drama, and the dialogue is brilliant —especially Bill's.
Oldboy (2003)
For reasons he doesn't understand, Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is kidnapped and imprisoned. He is released 15 years later and has 5 days to find his kidnapper and get his revenge. One of the most disturbing films and yet sweet films I've seen. The twist is incredible. Choi Min-sik's performance is mindblowing. Please watch this, not the 2013 American remake with Josh Brolin.
Oh gosh here I am back and I haven't seen any of these! I did see the first Kill Bill and while it was okay I felt no desire to seek out the second. I like Keanu well enough so I'm not sure why I haven't gotten around to John Wick but I will eventually.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw the theme was film noir since revenge is such a part of its fabric so I went with films either from that period or with a noirish twist.
No Way Out (1950)-Shot during a robbery lowlife criminal Ray Biddle (Richard Widmark) and his brother Johnny are cared for by young black doctor Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier) at the local hospital. Ray, a virulent bigot, protests loudly and when Johnny dies on the operating table (from an undiagnosed brain tumor) Ray becomes convinced it was murder and swears revenge. In frustration Luther and his mentor Dr. Wharton (Stephen McNally) turn to Johnny’s ex-wife Edie (Linda Darnell) to try and convince Ray of the truth. But despite being jailed Ray sends messages via another brother, the mute George (Harry Bellaver), to his gang and manages to incite the denizens of his ghetto-Beaver Canal-to attack the neighboring black community. Escaping Ray hunts Luther down leading to a nail biting face-off. Poitier’s first film, he’s good if a bit tentative, and overshadowed by Widmark and Linda Darnell both of whom give award level performances. Director Joseph Mankiewicz lead up to All About Eve is a brutal unfortunately still timely film about racial tensions.
Act of Violence (1949)-Frank Enley (Van Heflin) is regarded as a war hero in his small California town where he lives with his wife Edith (Janet Leigh) and young daughter but one day Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan) appears hell-bent on revenge and Frank’s life starts to spiral out of control. The truth is that Frank aided the Nazis during his interment leading to a thwarting of Joe’s escape and a crippling injury as well as the death of several others. Now Joe plans a deadly vindication. Tough, bleak noir.
Marked Woman (1937) - Mary Dwight (Bette Davis) and her four compatriots-Gabby, Estelle, Florrie and Emmy Lou-work as “hostesses” in a Manhattan nightclub that’s just been converted into a clip joint run by mob boss Johnny Vanning (Eduardo Ciannelli). Shortly afterwards they are pulled in by the crusading DA (Humphrey Bogart) and Mary takes the fall with assurances from Vanning that he will take care of her. But things go wrong and Mary’s innocent sister Betty is pulled into the web and ends up dead. When Vanning tries to weasel out of responsibility Mary tells him that she’ll get her revenge “Even if I have to crawl back from my grave to do it!” In response his thugs disfigure her making her the marked woman of the title which only strengthens her resolve to even the score.
You absolutely need to watch the John Wicks movies, they are amazing!
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks but Marked Woman sounds interesting.
I picked Kill Bill vol 1! I've seen all of your picks, Oldboy is my favorite. I couldn't get into the John Wick films like everyone else could.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear the John Wick flicks didn't work for you.
DeleteWhoa, we share a couple of picks. Kill Bill Vol. 2 and Oldboy but I went with a bigger theme in film series. John Wick 2.... excited for the upcoming third film? I know I am.
ReplyDeleteOf course I am. I hope the dogs won't die in this one though.
DeleteYay for our 2 matches this week! I wasn't a huge fan of Kill Bill but it definitely deserves highlighting for the revenge theme.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Kill Bill. But I'm a Tarantino fan, I love pretty much everything he makes.
DeleteI think killing a man's dog is a more than a good enough reason to seek revenge. Such a great film. Kill Bill 1 and 2 I haven't seen. Probs my biggest blindspot.
ReplyDeleteYou need to fix that! They are great :)
DeleteYes, yes, and yes!!! Love all three of these films.
ReplyDeleteKill Bill is popular but Part 1 not part 2 so I like that you picked it even though I still have to see them. I can’t watch the first 1/2 hour of this film because of the sweet puppy. I did see it once last year and it still really upsets me even though I know the dog is ok for real. The rest of the film is great and it works for Keanu.i don’t know the last film at all
ReplyDeleteWHAT?! You've never heard of Oldboy? It's one of the best revenge flicks ever!
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks. Not surprising since I don't watch that many revenge movies.
ReplyDelete