I’m back for another round of Thursday Movie Picks! I skipped the last few because I couldn’t really think of anything that worked but I didn’t have that problem this time around! This is probably one of the easier lists I’ve made but I’m curious to see what everyone else picks. If you want to take part, the rules are simple: based on the theme of the week pick three to five movies and tell us why you picked them.
1. JAWS (1975)
I absolutely love this movie (and the book). I watch it anytime it’s on and I love that you can always find a nice marathon around The 4th of July. The amount of suspense that’s built up before you ever see the shark in question is perfection. Plus the soundtrack is just iconic at this point. I actually know a few people who are afraid of the water because of this film. While I wasn’t born when it was released, I’ve had the chance to catch it on the big screen at one of our classic movie theaters and I loved it. I really wish I could go back in time and see this on opening weekend.
2. Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Another one that hooks me anytime it’s on TV. I’ve actually read the book a few times along with the other novels in the series. Anthony Hopkins just does an outstanding job grabbing you with what little screen time he actually has. Jodie Foster is just perfect as Clarice and I was always bothered by the fact she was replaced in “Hannibal.” It does make me giggle knowing that Ted Levine went from playing Buffalo Bill to Captain Stottlemeyer on “Monk.” If you watched Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, he was in that as well! I do think my favorite part of the movie though is the twist where we find out the FBI is actually at the wrong house, and Clarice is actually at the correct one. That entire sequence is just *chef kiss* and it still gets a rise out if me.
3. Misery (1990)
I actually saw this movie before I read the book and boooooy, is the book some how 100x worse violence wise. When I put that thing down I just kind of sat there for a little bit but it was such a good read. I found it to be a pretty quick read too as I finished it in about a day or two. Kathy Bates plays an unhinged fan better than anyone out there. Plus taking place during Winter in the middle of nowhere just adds an extra level to the entire story. The entire cast is solid though and I think they all bring what’s needed to the story. I know that Castle Rock on Hulu is centered around Annie Wilkes and I need to get around to watching that. I still can’t believe this movie hasn’t been remade again though. I feel like with technology and the internet, it’s the perfect time for updated crazed fan story.
4. The Martian (2015)
Something a little different! Everything else on my list is pretty scary or at least more on the thriller side of things. If you haven’t read this book, please do. It had me on the edge of my seat and I’m glad I grabbed it before watching the movie. Matt Damon does such a wonderful job in this role and I honestly believed that he was stuck on Mars. He really had to bring a range of emotion in this film and he really did do a great job. Matt Damon isn’t an actor who has me rushing out to see a movie but I’m glad I saw this one. Seriously, I only saw one of the Bourne movies and it was the one with Jeremy Renner in it. The only actor I felt was a little out of place was Kristen Wigg but that might be a “me” problem. I’m just use to seeing her in comedies that it felt a little off this time around.
And that’s my list for this week! If you know me, I’m sure none of these movies are surprising. I’m super curious to see what everyone else picked this week! Let me know some of your favorite adaptations in the comments!
I’ve seen all of these movies and really enjoy them but the only book I read to go along with it was The Martian. I love that book and I liked the movie adaption even though they left out the Aquaman joke, which was my favorite.
Ah, that joke!!
Very fine choices indeed!
I was just a little too young when Jaws came out to see it and not being a big fan of going in the ocean anyway put it off for years but when I finally hunkered down and gave it a proper watch it was everything people said. Not something I watch often but its a good one. I haven’t read the book but have read the similar fact based Close to Shore about a rogue shark off the Jersey coast in 1916 that attacked and killed several people. Disturbing story but good book.
Silence of the Lambs I’ve both seen and read. The book was chilling, the movie involving but neither are ones i return to.
Kathy Bates makes Misery compelling and I was riveted when I watched it but I never had any desire to read the book, I heard it was much more intense and the movie violent enough for me.
The Martian was much better than I expected, a real acting achievement for Matt Damon. Haven’t read the book.
This is a great theme but so vast I found I had to do a mini theme within it just to narrow my focus. I went with three adaptations of books by my favorite author John Steinbeck.
The Moon is Down (1943)-During WWII a Norwegian mining town falls under Nazi domination because of its strategic location. The commandant attempts to bring the townspeople to his mindset through gentle persuasion, instead the citizenry form a clandestine underground to combat the enemy.
Of Mice and Men (1939)-Two migrant workers, the clever George (Burgess Meredith) and the strong but feeble minded Lenny (an exceptional Lon Chaney, Jr.) drift through Depression era California relying on each other’s friendship to get them by until a turn of events leads to tragedy.
The Wayward Bus (1957)-In a remote California backwater a collection of downtrodden people-chief among them hard luck bubble dancer Camille (Jayne Mansfield), traveling salesman Ernest (Dan Dailey), bus driver Johnny Chicoy (Rick Jason) and his insecure alcoholic wife Alice (Joan Collins) embark what starts as a routine bus trip but ends up being a journey of discovery both good and bad.
I love how you did a mini theme! I feel like that could be a great prompt for the challenge!
I think I’ve seen Misery a long long time ago. And yes with a few of King’s books getting new adaptations, this is probably ripe for one too.
I saw The Martian recently and really enjoyed. It made my scientists TMP.