For this week’s Thursday Movie Picks the recommendations came easy. I sat down, and just typed the first three movies that came to mind. All three are also a lot shorter than just one day. One plot is 2 hours, the other is a single night, the third takes place during business hours. So, can you guess what my picks are?
1. BEFORE SUNSET (2004)
Not to pick all three from the Before trilogy, I’m going to pick my favourite. Before Sunset has our main characters meet again, after an epic romantic stroll in Vienna 9 years before. They were going to meet up, life got in their way and they didn’t. Before Sunset is a movie of a conversation that lasts for two hours, and it’s perfect.
2. PANIC ROOM (2002)
As mother and daughter prepare for a night in their apartment, things get a little dangerous. A group of bad men break in and the two women hide in their panic room. Problem, the thing the bad men want, is in the panic room. Add David Fincher to the mix, and you got yourself a thrilling movie!
3. PHONE BOOTH (2002)
Lastly, a movie that takes place longer than the two previous recommendations but is cramped into a very small space – into a single phone booth! For me this 2002 crime thriller is sheer perfection. The concept, the execution, the mystery. It’s just a thrilling ride from start to finish. Plus, Colin Farrell is at the top of his game!
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
3
I wasn’t a huge fan of Panic Room, but I loved the other two, especially Before Sunset.
I thought Panic Room was fun, and I’m a sucker for these very one-location movies!
Sorry I hated the first Sunrise film, don’t care for Julie Delphy, can’t abide Ethan Hawke and am not a fan of Linklater films-Boyhood was agony!-so I’ll never watch this one.
I did however really enjoy Phone Booth and agree Farrell was terrific at carrying the movie. Haven’t seen Panic Room, it’s on my list though.
No theme within a theme this week just a random three.
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.
It’s alright to dislike something. I for instance hate Boyhood, and yet, I’m fine with the Before trilogy. Who knows why.
I’ve seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off but that movie never designated with me as much as I would have liked.
3 excellent picks. I thought about including any of the three films of the Before trilogy but I thought that was too easy so I went with a different approach.
I thought about it too but I mean, that would have been way too easy. 😀
Phone Booth was a lot better than it had any right to be. I wasn’t crazy about Panic Room but it is very well done, it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. I haven’t seen the Before trilogy yet.
Phone Booth was great! I mean, yes, it might not have sounded as good as it was, but I mean, it’s been years since I saw it and I still remember it! That’s a sign of a great movie!
Glad to see some love for Phone Booth. Far better than I was expecting. Panic Room is a solid thriller, as well. Haven’t seen any of the Before trilogy.
It’s good to hear people like Phone Booth.. it’s one hell of an underrated movie! 🙂
I really enjoyed Panic Room and was on the edge of my seat. It was quite intelligent and the women were strong. I might see the Before series one day mainly for the locales. I want to see Phone Booth because I heard it is quite good.
Can’t remember much of Panic Room anymore.
Phone Booth – Have not seen this and actual phone booths are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.