Disaster Films

The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

Disaster Films

       I'm a real sucker for disaster films.  The more action, the better the disaster experience is for me, but sometimes it's the story that impacts me the most and in those cases I may not need to have the special effects.  I hope I never have to experience any disasters in real life, but I'll gladly take a movie version for entertainment sake.

      My first disaster film was Godzilla in 1955.  I was five at the time and fascinated by the destruction of Tokyo.  Disaster films have always seemed to be a mainstay of the movie industry so I guess I'm not the only one who likes this sort of thing.  In the past few decades the effects have become so much more realistic that it's sometimes almost as though we are seeing the real thing.  For me it becomes easy to let go and suspend disbelief for the disaster movie experience.

Here are a few disaster films that I've enjoyed (no earthquake films--those come tomorrow):

Dante's Peak (1997) -- I thought the opening scenes were very effective, but it became especially exciting to see a devastating volcano occurring right here in the United States.   Decent effects with an exciting story.

Deep Impact (1998) or Armageddon (1998) -- Similar type movies released in the same year, take your pick or if you're like me take 'em both.  Who doesn't want to see a big rock from outer space collide with Earth to create utter havoc?

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) -- This older film is not particularly big on effects, but is more thoughtful as it focuses on story and acting.  This is one of my favorite films.  It's probably one of the earliest films that addresses the concept of global warming.   I love the ending of this film--so fiftyish.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -- A more recent global warming movie and possibly one of Al Gore's favorites.  Heavy on CGI (computer effects) there is a lot of visual fun in this one.   Big floods.  I like to see big floods.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) --I read the book and saw the movie.  This is the original and not the more recent remake, which I missed but heard was not all that great.   A ship turned upside down and a group of people has to escape by climbing up to the hull.  Lots of cool fun and excitement with a dynamite cast.

Titanic (1997) -- This oft told story hit true mega blockbuster status when it came out and remains a favorite of many.   Very fine special effects.

2012 (2009) -- This is a big favorite of mine.  Totally stupid, outrageous, unrealistic (in concept), and nonsensical.   Disaster movies don't get much better than this in nonstop action and very fine CGI effects.  This is like one of those virtual reality rides at an amusement park.  In fact I wouldn't mind at all taking this ride although a couple of hours of this kind of intensity could be pretty wearying.  Great fun nevertheless.


        Got any favorites in this bunch?   Do you like disaster movies?   What are some you would have included?

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Circus in the Cinema

     Before the show begins I want to remind you that today is also Insecure Writers Support Group hosted by A to Z co-host Alex J. Cavanaugh.  I'm not feeling too insecure this month due to the great success of the 2013 A to Z Challenge.  I guess my biggest insecurity is that I won't finish all of my April posts for all of my blogs, but so far so good.   For more #IWSG action click here.


Circus in the Cinema

Circus World (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

Movies about the Circus:

       Something you don't see on film as much as you used to are circus movies.  Prior to the late 1960's the circus was a common setting for many films.  Audiences of those times were still flocking to traveling tent shows and the lifestyle was romanticized in many ways.  The idea of running away with the circus was a fantasy shared by many a dreamer of those times.

         After all, circus was a true American expression of entertainment.  P.T. Barnum brought the circus to life in a big way in the 1800's.  Soon tent shows were traveling across the North American continent and the art form was very popular in Europe as well.

          Circus was glitz, glamour, and excitement.   Exotic animals and unique thrills from an array of performers wowed audiences.  The visual nature of the circus made it a natural setting for film.  Since the circus was a traveling community it was a microcosm of the world with stories that everyone could relate to.

          Since my family was a part time show biz family, we had a love for circus and the movies that depicted circus life.   My father would take us to every circus movie that came to the theaters.  I still have a love for circus movies, but since few are made these days my favorites go back into the past.

Circus World (1964) --Interesting turn with John Wayne as the owner of a early 20th century circus.  The film has many of the typical circus movie cliches such as the big tent fire, but there are a few interesting turns such as the Wild West Show, the American circus touring Europe, and a pretty cool shipwreck sequence.

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) --Nominated for several Oscars, this film won Best Picture at the 1953 Academy Awards ceremony.  Big stars, big cast, big story--a fitting tribute to a big circus.

Circus of Horrors (1960) -- One of the best of many horror and crime films with the circus as an integral part of the story.

The Clowns (1970) --One of my favorite directors takes on one of my favorite genres.  What else need I say?  It's weird, weird, weird.  But it's also very good with a unique and interesting message.

        There are many, many more--far too many for me to include here.

         What circus movies would you include?  Which of these have you seen?   Do you like going to the circus? 

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Bible Based Films

Cropped screenshot of Charlton Heston from the trailer for the film The Ten Commandments. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

Films based on the Bible or related to it:

      When I was growing up in the fifties, Bible movies were a cinema staple.  These were not just run of the mill movies, but epics on a grand scale in CinemaScope and glorious color.  They were actually fairly decent depictions of the Bible stories with an odd twist thrown in now and then, but at the end you'd walk out of the theater feeling elevated and perhaps even a bit blessed.

       My favorite of that era was The Ten Commandments (1956) featuring Charlton Heston in his iconic portrayal of Moses.  Some of the effects could be done much better now, but as a whole the film holds up well and I always enjoy seeing it.

       A later animated version of the story, The Prince of Egypt (1998), does a credible job presenting the same story.

        Some other more recent Bible story films are One Night with the King (2006) and The Nativity Story (2006).   And of course this category would not be complete with one of the most incredible Bible based films of all--The Passion of the Christ (2004).

       There are so many fine Bible based films that I could probably do an A to Z Theme on those alone.  But these give us a place to begin.

         What are some of your favorite Bible based films?   Have you seen any of the epics from the silent film era?    Do you find the filmdom interpretations of Bible stories to be offensive in any way?

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