Thursday, August 18, 2016

Thursday Movie Picks-Heist films gone wrong


There are many films out there involving heists...many successful and many that are not successful which is what we will talk about today. You can venture over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have picked.  Here are my 3


1. WHITE HEAT-1949


Top of the Wold Ma! This is a movie I love...LOVE! You can't match James Cagney when he plays a psycho, mom obsessed dangerous nut who goes off on anyone who disagrees with him but who falls to the floor after having a really bad headaches and then he needs his mommy. Now, enter an undercover cop and a heist that ends up with an explosive conclusion and you have one hell of a movie.

2. THE ASHPHALT JUNGLE-1950


I love the cast in this film from Sam Jaffe to  Louis Calhoun. Now most people only know a very young Marilyn Monroe who plays the mistress to the elderly lawyer. Jaffe plays the leader to a group of men who are planning a heist of jewels and you learn about all these men and their reason for being on the wrong side of the law. It is a compelling study of what motivates these men to commit a heist with more than one layer in this film. I love the actual heist which is over 10 minutes long but leaves you in suspense. Worth a look.

3. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID-1969


This is a great buddy movie and Paul Newman and Robert Redford make a great team. They play the real life  bank robbers who, apparently, died in Bolivia in 1901 but there are rumours they never did. This is about their story of comradeship, love with the lovely Etta Place and putting in way too much dynamite on the train to blow up a safe. The last heist have them running from the man in the white hat( this guy did really exist) travelling to New York City and then To Bolivia. They try to go straight but they are up to their old antics of bank heists. It's a great film, fun, and quite comical.

Bonus......

3000 MILES TO GRACELAND-2001


This is my guilty pleasure because it won Razzie awards but I love it. It stars Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell who team up with some other low life dudes to rob a casino in Las Vegas. They pick a casino that is catering to Elvis impersonators so, of course they all dress like him. It's fun to see Kurt as Elvis again since he played Elvis many moons ago in a TV movie getting noticed for his Elvis performance. Costner plays a real bad ass Mother ^&*%$ whom you never ever want to meet. Russell is a bad guy who is really good trying to get out of the fine mess he is in. He also, somehow gets hooked up with a low life gal ( played by Courtney Cox) and her son. It is violent, full of curse words and I love it. This is my guilty pleasure and frankly, I don't see why it is hated so.

Which Heist films gone wrong have you seen?

71 comments:

  1. Newman and Redford were so young.
    Heat with De Niro and Pachino was a great heist movie and they did botch a couple.

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    1. They were young and Redford turned 80 today! Heat is a good movie

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  2. Only seen one of these so some new ones for my list Birgit.....thank you for your kind words...xxxxx

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    1. I have a long list. You are welcome and thinking of you

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  3. Hi, Birgit!

    I have seen the first three of these heist gone wrong pictures. White Heat and Asphalt Jungle are two of my all time favorites. Jimmy Cagney was a great actor who could play a ruthless villain to perfection. Virginia Mayo was a much loved actress who appeared in a series of comedies with Danny Kaye and in another of my favorite films, The Best Years of Our Lives. Marilyn Monroe was a dazzler in A-Jungle and throughout her career a better actress and singer than most people were willing to admit. The name Bennett Cerf caught my eye in the trailer for A-Jungle. I watched the famous Random House publisher for years as a panelist on What's My Line? I like Paul Newman and Robert Redford in solo projects but, for some reason, do not like them as buddies in movies. I didn't like The Sting as much as the rest of the world, nor did I like Butch Cassidy very much. Westerns are not my favorite genre. I am not Keen on Elvis impersonators, but 3000 Mi. to Graceland looks like a hoot.

    My favorite heist movie is A Fish Called Wanda.

    Thanks, dear friend BB!

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    1. A Fish Called Wanda is a funny movie. I love the scene where the beautiful Mayo is snoring. I love The Best Years of our Lives.3000 Mi is a good flick and the Elvis part, although key to the film, is not what makes the film in my humble opinion

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  4. I haven't seen any of these, and I noticed when looking around for this theme that there's a lot of classic movies I've missed that would've worked here.

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    1. You are right because the heist film was big for film noir and gangster films

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  5. I haven't seen any of these. White Heat sounds great.

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  6. I remember seeing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when I was 16 years old. Where has the time gone? I haven't heard of the other ones though.

    Betty

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    1. Butch & Sundance was my old boss's favourite film. The others a great films too

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  7. I forgot all about 3000 Miles to Graceland, I enjoyed it when I watched it. Butch and Sundance was a great one too.

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  8. Oh, somebody mentioned A Fish Called Wanda - that would be my favourite too!

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    1. That is such a funny movie...I have to re-watch it again

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  9. I remember when Butch Cassidy played at a local drive-in and my family went to see it. I don't remember the movie itself. I think I slept through it.
    I liked all the Pink Panther movies.
    Be well, Birgit.

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    1. The Pink Panther films are priceless! I love Herbert Lom

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  10. I haven't seen your bonus but LOVE all three of your main choices! Butch Cassidy is a bit shambling now but the power duo of Newman & Redford make up for any slight rockiness.

    I chose Asphalt Jungle before so it was a no go this time around but it's a seminal noir and even the usual block of wood Sterling Hayden fits well in the story. His stolidness put to good effect in his role. What a contrast for Jean Hagen between this and Lola Lamont a couple years later in Singin' in the Rain!

    WHITE HEAT!!! What a mean little picture and one of the best performances Cagney ever gave. Remarkable now to think he had to be convinced to do it since he had sworn off of gangster roles after being forced into innumerable ones by Warners. This was worth going back to the genre though.

    Like last week this is a theme I'll almost always watch so the choices were not difficult:

    One False Move (1992)-After a series of drug deals go bad and result in several murders a trio of gangsters take it on the lam ending up in the small Arkansas town of Star City. On their trail are two LAPD detectives who team with the small town sheriff (Bill Paxton) to capture the three. Bracing, violent thriller excellently directed by Carl Franklin. Co-written by Billy Bob Thornton who plays one of the criminals.

    He Ran All the Way (1951)-Petty thief Nick Robey (John Garfield) teams up with his buddy Al to pull what they plan to be their big score, a payroll robbery. But they are foiled by a cop who shoots Al, panicked Nick shoots the cop. On the run he ducks into a public pool house and strikes up a conversation with a young girl named Peggy (Shelley Winters). Smitten Peggy walks home with him and he takes her family hostage until the tense finale. Low budget, taut noir was the blacklisted Garfield’s last film before his too early death at 39.

    Criss Cross (1949)-Armored car driver Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster) is still carrying a torch for his ex-wife Anna (Yvonne de Carlo) who is now married to a L. A. gangster, Slim Dundee (Dan Duryea). Anna impulsive and restless is drawn to him as well and when Slim catches them together he forces Steve to participate in a robbery on the cars he drives. It does not go well and a series of double crosses lead to tragedy for all. If you only know Yvonne de Carlo from The Munsters this is the best place to see she was not only an incredibly beautiful woman but an excellent actress as well.

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    1. I am glad you like my choices and laughed about your take on Sterling Hayden-you are so right! White Heat is one of my all time favs and I can't get enough of that film. I have not seen any of your picks but they will be marked down for sure. I love Yvonne DeCarlo...and her singing!

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  11. Just watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (again) a few nights ago. Always fun.

    3000 Miles to Graceland is one of my guilty pleasures, too. Nice to see Costner as a villain. He's more passionate here than in most of his heroic roles.

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    1. "Got enough Dynamite in there, Butch?" Hahahaaa I love that scene. You are right about Costner, never thought of that.

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  12. Good picks. I've seen both Sundance and The Asphalt Jungle both of which i really like. I picked quite similar film to the latter, a heist film from the seam era.

    White Heat has been on my to see list for a while now...

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  13. The only film I've seen is Butch Cassidy and I wasn't really a fan of it, I guess I was expecting so much since it's a classic. Though I feel like if I re-watched it, I'd like it more.

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    1. You should give it another try but if you had to pick...White heat is the one to see for sure

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    2. I'll definitely try watching it!

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    1. Great picks! I still have to see Reservoir Dogs

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  15. I absolutely love White Heat. Cagney is electrifying, pun fully intended. Butch and Sundance is wonderful, as well. Haven't seen your others, yet.

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    1. White Heat is brilliant...it blew me away:)

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  16. Oh my gosh Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid....Robert Redford never looked hotter.

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  17. 3000 Miles to Graceland sounds like a double hoot to watch. Gotta look for it.

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  18. White Heat is a masterpiece. I've seen and enjoyed all the others except that last one.

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    1. Yes...the last one is my guilty pleasure...it did win razzies

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  19. The only one that I've seen is "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." It was awesome!

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    1. It's a great film and I think you would like White Heat as well

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  20. The only one that I've seen is "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." It was awesome!

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  21. Butch Cassidy I have seen several times but don't know any of the others although I have heard of The Asphalt Jungle.

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    1. Butch is a film one can see over and over again. Fun buddy film.

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  22. Butch/Sundance is such a great film. I love this category, too. The Italian Job comes to mind. The heist itself goes well but the story's ending - oh my!

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    1. You are right about The Italian Job...love the car chases

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  23. The only one of your picks that I've seen is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and it's been many years since I saw it. Does Pulp Fiction count as a heist gone wrong? I saw a couple of mentions of A Fish Called Wanda. That heist goes wrong for some characters and works out well for a couple of them. That movie is hilarious. The Postman Always Rings Twice? Double Indemnity is more of a scam than a heist, but maybe it counts. The Maltese Falcon? I'm not sure if some of these are really heists. A more recent film is Drive starring Ryan Gosling. I'm sure that qualifies.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I believe Drive works. Postman does go wrong but not sure it's a heist film. I think Pulp Fiction works and works well actually.

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  24. Wow, you managed to find four movies I've never seen. Must be the heist theme. I've never been a fan.

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    1. Ahhh, yes ...if you don't like that genre then I can see why you didn't see these films

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  25. "Inside Man" was my favorite. Have you seen it??

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    1. I don't think I have seen it and it is now on my list.

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  26. Love Butch and Sundance, such a great film. Haven't seen the others but have wanted to see Asphalt Jungle for quite some time.

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    1. Butch is such a fun film. Asphalt Jungle is great and White Heat is amazing!

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  27. Don't be shocked- but I haven't seen any of these. BUT- I do have Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in my possession to watch. :) So- I plan to see it soon!

    Great sounding list. :)
    ~Jess

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  28. I'm the most boring creature and can't remember seeing any of these. I recently saw some odd heist movie about magicians and the overly complex Ocean's Eleven (or Twelve or one of those). Meh. My fav heist movies are A Fish Called Wanda and The Sting. What a soundtrack The Sting has! Have a great weekend!

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  29. My favourite heist gone wrong film has to be The Italian Job. :)

    Susan at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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    1. I love that movie...the remake...still have to see the original

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  30. I have never seen White Heat, but it sounds like one I'd enjoy.
    Happy Sunday to you, Birgit.

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    1. Happy Humpday...finally responding here...I am so behind

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  31. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is hard to beat. I love that movie. I wish I had a copy of that one.

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  32. Does Dog Day Afternoon count? That's the only one I can think of that isn't on your list.

    Seen Asphalt Jungle and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Loved em both. Haven't seen the others. I won't lie, I love a 'so bad it's good' movie, aka guilty pleasure. I might have to check out 3000 Miles to Graceland.

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    1. Dog Day does fit and I almost picked that film. 3,000 Miles is a great hoot.

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  33. Birgit, I love the classic old movie reviews today. I will look for some of them pop up on Netflix or Amazon Prime. The only one I've seen here is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I'll also have to see if I can find 3000 Miles to Graceland. I like Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell. Courtney Cox was good in the TV series Friends, but I don't think I've seen her in any good movies. Thanks for the recommendations and reviews!

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    1. Cox is not the goody two shoes in this film. It is a big difference from her Frriends role. Hope you can find these films

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  34. Another I haven't seen is Asphalt Jungle. Isn't it a bit of a classic?

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  35. I never really was into westerns, my dad is and made me watch them. Butch Cassidy looks good. Not sure if I have seen it, but I guess it doesn't hurt to see it again!

    : )

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    1. I love westerns so this is great but it is also a buddy picture and fun

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  36. 3000 Miles from Graceland! Yes!!!!!

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