Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. You can play along by picking three movies that fit the week's theme and writing about them!
This week on Thursday Movie Picks, we're going underground! Which either means literally below ground OR "under the radar". I'm going with the more direct interpretation this time, but only so I can include...
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Henry Levin, 1959) This Jules Verne adaptation is tons of fun, especially if you can deal with the slightly cheesy 1950s special effects... although, honestly, they're a large part of the fun! James Mason is a delight as he leads a team of intrepid explorers into a volcano and to the center of the earth, encountering all manner of prehistoric goodies along the way. Remade in 2008 with Brendan Fraser, and that version isn't too bad either, but I prefer this one.
The Descent (Neil Marshall, 2005) Exploring caves can be fun. But not after you see this movie. After you see this movie, you'll never want to go underground ever again. The Descent is horror at its finest, using the screen to trap us right alongside our poor heroines as they find themselves in a cave they can't get out of.
Buried (Rodrigo Cortés, 2010) Another movie you shouldn't watch if you get at all claustrophobic, even if it does a lot with the restrictions of having your entire movie take place in a coffin. And even if it does feature a terrific performance from Ryan Reynolds. This is a one man show, and Reynolds is pretty damn great in it.
Love, Love, Love Journey with James Mason and Arlene Dahl who was quite the spirited woman in this film. I haven't seen the other 2 as they look damn scary to me. The last one seems to be a remake of a film I saw on TV back in the 70s where a woman is placed in a coffin
WE MATCH!! So glad its on Journey to the Center of the Earth! What a fun colorful movie. It never fails to surprise me how dishy Pat Boone was when he was young considering the repellent lizard he turned out to be. But a wonderful film even if it does waste my beloved Diane Baker...and yes the remake is good but this is better.
I haven't seen the others though I'd consider The Descent but never Buried. The whole concept of that give me the shutters.
I remember that movie Birgit is referring to from the 70's "The Screaming Woman" with Olivia de Havilland where she's certain a woman on her property has been buried alive but no one will be believe her. Not great but a good TV movie.
Aside from Journey I came up with another early sci-fi and a piece of ridiculousness.
Transatlantic Tunnel (1935)-Engineer Richard "Mack" McAllan (Richard Dix) proposes the building of a tunnel to connect England and the United States though revolutionary new technology. The film follows the many years and problems encountered as the realization of the project progresses. Futuristic early sci-fi posits the construction of an undersea tunnel linking England with the United States was one of the first film allegories to attempt to strengthen the US/UK bond as the dark clouds of war began to waft through Europe. Though little known today this was a high profile project at the time with two of the most esteemed actors in film, Walter Huston and George Arliss, as the President of the United States and Prime Minister respectively.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)-Sir Oliver Lindenbrook, a Scottish geologist (James Mason) and his assistant Alec McEwan (Pat Boone!) set off on an expedition to the center of the earth after finding directions in an inscription hidden in volcanic rock. Along the way to an Iceland volcano to begin their journey Carla Göteborg (Arlene Dahl) the widow of a famous scientist, Icelander Hans Bjelke (Peter Ronson) and his pet duck Gertrud join their party. On their way they encounter, treacherous terrain, subterranean oceans, prehistoric monsters and rival scientist Count Saknussemm (Thayer David) who is on their trail. The sets and effects are very dated by today’s standards but still a fun adventure.
Daylight (1996)-When robbers fleeing police collide with trucks carrying toxic waste inside New York’s Holland Tunnel a fireball results collapsing both ends and trapping a disparate group of survivors who turn to the disgraced former chief of Emergency Services Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone) now working as a cab driver and trapped with them “the only man capable of saving the day!” Typical Stallone nonsense but vigorous and actiony if undemanding.
I don't quite get the love everyone has for The Descent, but I'll admit it was one of those late night viewings that I may have missed lots of. I need to revisit it.
I also chose Buried! The Descent is one of my favorite horror movies. I never did see your first pick.
ReplyDeleteJourney to the Center of the Earth is probably more fun when you're a kid, but it also stars James Mason, so...
DeleteLove, Love, Love Journey with James Mason and Arlene Dahl who was quite the spirited woman in this film. I haven't seen the other 2 as they look damn scary to me. The last one seems to be a remake of a film I saw on TV back in the 70s where a woman is placed in a coffin
ReplyDeleteOh lord The Descent is SO scary. I used to really like spelunking, but ever since I saw that movie, I can't even think about it.
DeleteWE MATCH!! So glad its on Journey to the Center of the Earth! What a fun colorful movie. It never fails to surprise me how dishy Pat Boone was when he was young considering the repellent lizard he turned out to be. But a wonderful film even if it does waste my beloved Diane Baker...and yes the remake is good but this is better.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the others though I'd consider The Descent but never Buried. The whole concept of that give me the shutters.
I remember that movie Birgit is referring to from the 70's "The Screaming Woman" with Olivia de Havilland where she's certain a woman on her property has been buried alive but no one will be believe her. Not great but a good TV movie.
Aside from Journey I came up with another early sci-fi and a piece of ridiculousness.
Transatlantic Tunnel (1935)-Engineer Richard "Mack" McAllan (Richard Dix) proposes the building of a tunnel to connect England and the United States though revolutionary new technology. The film follows the many years and problems encountered as the realization of the project progresses. Futuristic early sci-fi posits the construction of an undersea tunnel linking England with the United States was one of the first film allegories to attempt to strengthen the US/UK bond as the dark clouds of war began to waft through Europe. Though little known today this was a high profile project at the time with two of the most esteemed actors in film, Walter Huston and George Arliss, as the President of the United States and Prime Minister respectively.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)-Sir Oliver Lindenbrook, a Scottish geologist (James Mason) and his assistant Alec McEwan (Pat Boone!) set off on an expedition to the center of the earth after finding directions in an inscription hidden in volcanic rock. Along the way to an Iceland volcano to begin their journey Carla Göteborg (Arlene Dahl) the widow of a famous scientist, Icelander Hans Bjelke (Peter Ronson) and his pet duck Gertrud join their party. On their way they encounter, treacherous terrain, subterranean oceans, prehistoric monsters and rival scientist Count Saknussemm (Thayer David) who is on their trail. The sets and effects are very dated by today’s standards but still a fun adventure.
Daylight (1996)-When robbers fleeing police collide with trucks carrying toxic waste inside New York’s Holland Tunnel a fireball results collapsing both ends and trapping a disparate group of survivors who turn to the disgraced former chief of Emergency Services Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone) now working as a cab driver and trapped with them “the only man capable of saving the day!” Typical Stallone nonsense but vigorous and actiony if undemanding.
The screaming woman! Thanks Joel because I never would have recalled the title. You can see how much I watched those TV movies back then
DeleteThe Descent is SCARY. It's really well done, though.
DeleteYAY for Journey to the Center of the Earth love! It is very old-fashioned, but lots of fun. I've not seen either of your other two picks.
I don't quite get the love everyone has for The Descent, but I'll admit it was one of those late night viewings that I may have missed lots of. I need to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteI think The Descent may play better on a big screen given how claustrophobic it is.
Delete