Thursday, February 7, 2019

Thursday Movie Picks-Revenge

Revenge is a plate best served cold..is how I recall this saying. Sometimes I think about revenge but what will that serve in the end...I don't like a cold meal unless it is meant to be cold. A new month over at Wandering Through The Shelves and it starts off with this theme. I know it is a big one but, for the life of me, I had a hard time coming up with movies. It will be fun to see what everyone else has chosen. Here are my 3...

1. FURY-1936


This film is from MGM that normally did not go along with such hardened films but this is a gem directed by Fritz Lang whom most actors, including the stars, Spencer Tracy, could not stand. Spencer plays a man in love with a beautiful gal, played by Sylvia Sydney (the old lady in Beetlejuice who smokes constantly which she did in real life), who ventures to meet up with her only to be arrested on very thin evidence. A mob decides to take matters into their own hands and want to lynch him. He escapes but becomes so angry and hardened that he seeks revenge by pretending to be dead so the people in the mob are brought to trial. A very strong statement, not only on revenge but on the mob mentality that we see, all too often, today.

2. 9 TO 5-1980


Let's make people laugh and this is one movie to do it. It stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton as 3 women working for the sleaziest boss one could encounter (and let's face it, most of us have in one form or another). They end up kidnapping him in his own home and decide to keep the company going doubling productivity. The problem is they still have to deal with this slimeball played brilliantly by Dabney Coleman. It is quite funny especially that Jane Fonda plays the meek gal and Dolly can hold her own with the 2 female stars. A very funny film that I need to see again.

3. STAR TREK-THE WRATH OF KHAN-1982


This, to me, is the best Star Trek film with the original cast and one of the best from all the Star Trek films. It takes one of the original episodes and shows what has happened to the people from the show. Khan was a leader, tyrannical one with an ego the size of Charlton Heston's chest, who is found on a ship called Botony Bay, frozen. The Star Trek crew defrost Mr. Ego who learns, very quickly, how the ship works. Of course, there is a girl who falls for his ruggedness and when he is caught at the end, he is placed with his defrosted crew down on a planet with the gal by his side. Jump ahead and now, you find out that the planet went into a deep freeze, the lady love died and Khan is out for revenge. He blames Kirk and is out to get him..and his little dog too! Sorry, there is no dog unless you count these ugly worms that dig into your ears and plant themselves in your brain, as some sort of pet. This is the film where Spock "dies" and it is powerfully acted especially by Ricardo Montalban as Khan who originated the role on the TV series. I think he should have been up for an Oscar.

To do a quick vent...January was not that great..I miss my craft room. There has been family issues and I am in the middle and this stems from January 15th. We got together to remember mom who died a year before but, unfortunately, it did not go as planned. A week later, someone rear ended our car..again, and almost to the same day when I had my car accident a year ago and, this past Friday our beloved Naddie, our oldest cat, died suddenly. My hubby got him when he was so little so he is quite devastated. Blecchhhh. OK that is me venting. I plan to give a little cheer about Naddie here when I can.

OK, I promise, I had nice days too:) Now, which 3 films would you choose?

57 comments:

  1. I haven't seen any of your picks though I am familiar with them all. I've seen plenty of clips from the Star Trek one. lol

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  2. So sorry to hear about your personal issues. Losing a pet is a terrible thing.

    I enjoyed 9 to 5, and the first time I saw Fury (on late-night TV in the '70s) I was incredibly impressed by a movie which I amazingly had never heard of before then!

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    1. It’s very sad..I see home everywhere. Fury is a great film and should be known more

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  3. Oh dear Birgit...but it’s got to get better after a start like this.....thinking of you and sending a hug....
    9-5 made me laugh ...xxxxx

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  4. Ugh. I'm so sorry. January was just a mess, wasn't it?

    I remember seeing the Star Trek in the theater as a kid. (My parents dragged me to all sorts of movies.) Those worm things were very, very disturbing.

    I did love 9 to 5, but never have seen Fury.

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    1. Glad the month is over with. The worms were gross.

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  5. It is possible that I saw Fury years ago. Saw the other two and enjoyed both of them. Sorry to hear about your disastrous month. S--- always seems to come in big piles, lol.

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    1. It always does but let’s hope the pile is now done for the year. Glad you saw the films I chose

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  6. Dang! You've been having more than your share of adversity of late. Hopefully you're getting the bad out of the way in order to open your path to achieving what you really want to do.

    I know there are a lot of movies with the revenge theme. Of those you mentioned I've only seen Nine to Five and that is a good one that would probably have never crossed my mind.

    I've always been kind of partial to the Death Wish series with Charles Bronson. I think I'd call his vendettas as result of wanting vengeance. As for comedy the first thing that popped into my mind was Revenge of the Nerds. Those movies were pretty silly fun that I could relate to.

    Also, a big favorite of my wife's and mine is The Count of Monte Cristo (the 2002 version). Wonderful film that we've watched several times.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Thank you for your caring words...means a lot! I have yet to see Revenge of the nerds even though I was a nerd. I have not seen The Count of Monte Cristo and have wanted to..now I really want to see it.

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  7. Wrath of Khan - good choice!
    How about Ocean's 11?

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  8. I've only see the new star treks, but I have seen clips of the old Khan for comparison.

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    1. Old Khan is much better than Benedict Cumberbatch even though I love this actor

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  9. Wrath of Khan is such a good pick!

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  10. I considered Fury when I was compiling my picks but its been so long since I've seen it my memory wasn't clear. But it is a tough picture with a pretty nihilistic viewpoint. Lang was a tough taskmaster but according to Joan Bennett if you were just as tough back you could get along...and she managed three films with him.

    9 to 5 is tremendous fun. The script is good and Dabney Coleman wonderful but it's the camaraderie of Jane, Lily and Dolly that puts it over so well. Though Elizabeth Wilson, Peggy Pope and Marian Mercer all add terrific touches.

    My favorite of the original Star Treks is The Voyage Home but this is a close second. Ricardo Montalban goes for broke with his BIG performance which really was necessary to make the film work so well.

    Since revenge is such a major component of noir that's where I turned for this week's picks, or at least noirish in the BD choice.

    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. This was Bette's first film back after her big contract battle with Warner Brothers and a great return it is.

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    1. Oh it’s so nice to see you here and I hope you look at my previous posts as I mixed up the themes:) love your picks and I have not seen any of them even though I know about them. They are now marked down to see

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  11. I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time of things, Birgit and sincere condolences about your cat. ♥

    Fury is one classic I never watched, but I'd like to, especially to see Sylvia Sydney as a young woman. I only know her from her roles as an older actress. Nine to Five is one of the funniest movies ever and definitely worth seeing again. ☺ Wrath of Khan is the best original cast Star Trek in my opinion as well. I was quite upset when the new Star Trek cast (miscast!) Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan. He ain't no Ricardo Montalban! There are so many great revenge movies out there: Kill Bill 1 and 2, Carrie, Death Wish, to name a few.

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    1. Kill Bill is popular this week. Glad you like the Tar Trek pick. Thanks so much...I miss Naddie especially petting him with my foot.

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  12. Khaaaan!!!! That's a perfect revenge tale, but your others are also good choices. Just different.

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  13. Oh no, sorry to hear about the family issues and the cat. Hope February is better x

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  14. Losing a pet is never easy. Ugg to all the issues. Hopefully a better month is had.

    I still have yet to watch 9-5. Got to get on that.

    I'd say one of the ultimate revenge movies is The Count of Monte Cristo. Really good one. Of course Revenge of the Nerds popped in, as did Death Wish. Porky's even popped in haha

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    1. Yes...Hope February is better. You are the 2nd to mentioned The Count so i have to see this. I will see Revenge of the Nerds one day too.

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  15. I haven't seen Fury but 9-5 a good fun movie and I'm with about the Wrath of Kahn. That is a good film. Revenge. Hmm. What would I pick? I think I might add True Grit to the list. Hope all is well and you are staying warm and not getting too blasted with this winter weather. Hugs-Erika

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    1. True Grit is a good Revenge movie and one I love. Record cold temps with snow last week followed by a record breaking warm Monday only to have an Ice Storm on Wednesday and horribly windy today with snow

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  16. I am SO sorry to read about your problems in January. My heart goes out to you and your adorable Naddie. Losing a loved one, even if it IS a cat, is devastating.

    Believe it or not, I have seen two of these films, both on TV: Wrath of Khan which I don't remember and 9 to 5. Both were good revenge films. Now you have me singing the song Dollie sang in the movie.

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    1. That song is catchy, eh? Look how Canadian I really am to even right that word. They are family members and a fur babe so it is very sad.

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  17. Oh dear, not a good start to the year for you and your family ,so sad too that a much loved pet died. Hopefully things get better.
    Don't know the first film ,but love the others, well who doesn't love Dolly,and I'm a huge Trekki fan.
    Revenge....hmmmm, well in certain circumstances, I'm all for it, even if it costs you, take care, Kate x x

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    1. Dolly is great and Star Trek has many revenge plots

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  18. Hi, Birgit !

    In that trailer for Fury it was a shock to see Walter Brennan looking so young. 25 years later he was an old man bent over with rheumatiz when I watched him on television as grandpappy Amos in The Real McCoys.

    9 To 5 is an excellent pick for a film with a revenge theme. I saw it twice and enjoyed it. Can you believe Dabney Coleman just turned 87 and is still a working actor?

    Revenge films that come to my mind include the horror movies Indestructible Man starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Revenge of the Creature (sequel to Creature From the Black Lagoon) starring John Agar, and Carrie, the 1976 Sissy Spacek supernatural horror flick that inspired films with similar plots in the years since.

    Thank you, dear friend BB, and have a great weekend!

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    1. Hello dear Shady and glad you came to visit. I have not seen your first pick but love the creature movies even though I have not seen them in years. Carrie is great and there is revenge on all areas from Carrie herself to the bad gal who started it at the prom.

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  19. Ooooh. I like Friz Lang. Will add that to the list.

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  20. Wasn't 9 to 5 a hoot?
    Hope you have a grand weekend.

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  21. Wrath of Khan is such a great pick! Thank you for sharing!

    www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com

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  22. I loved 9-5. I remember it from growing up- but I haven't seen the others. :)

    So sorry to hear that your January was rough. I hope things are getting sorted out with your family. That stress is not fun. So sorry to hear about your beloved cat. Hoping that February brings happier times and less stress. :)
    ~Jess

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  23. Loved 9 to 5 the most. You are correct on all accounts. It was a film that made a strong statement, ahead of its time.

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  24. The Wrath of Khan is still the best Star Trek movie of them all. Great pick! I wasn't expecting to see 9 to 5, but yes, that's absolutely a revenge film, and one of the most fun. Haven't heard of your other pick, though.

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    1. Glad you like my picks and maybe you’ll see Fury one day

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  25. 9 to 5 is fun, and I love the theme song.
    Cheers to a good week, Birgit.

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  26. Oh, I'm so sorry about Naddie and the family stress. Poor you. Sending you hugs from Winnipeg.

    Three revenge films? Hmm. I guess The Karate Kid is kind of a revenge film, right? The Shawshank Redemption, definitely. I'm not sure if The Craft counts, but I think it does, because the good witch gets back at the baddies. Hope these fit the theme.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words...much appreciated. Those 3 do work well....I didn’t think of Shawshank but it is a revenge film for sure

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  27. Sorry to hear about your rough start to the year. Hopefully it's only up from here. There's something lovably camp about those original Star Trek movies, I find.

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  28. Birgit,

    '9 to 5' is a cute movie. I think it's the first film we saw Dolly in and surprised by her acting ability. She's such a likeable gal! I'd love to meet her someday. The closest I ever got to her is her statue on the courthouse lawn in Sevierville, TN. lol

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  29. I am so sorry January was such a rough month. Here's hoping February will be as bright as January was dark.

    Hugs

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  30. Big hugs, Birgit. I'm having a tough time too staying right side as I head into anniversary time of Mama's last weeks. Here's to cheerier days ahead.
    I'm with you about 9 to 5 and the Wrath of Khan.

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  31. 1. Caddyshack
    2. Young Frankenstein
    3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
    Detect a theme?
    And, since you brought up Star Trek:
    1. The Wrath of Khan (by FAR)
    2. First Contact
    3. Undiscovered Country

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