Movies to Tighten your Gluts by...
May 15 '00 (Updated May 18 '00)
Best Thriller/Suspense movies are in no short demand! Narrowing it down to ten is harder than I expected-especially after reading fdknight's excellent choices. Though I will try not to overlap his selections, there are some movies that just have to be included in any list of Suspense movies.
Ranking them, was harder still-each have their own particular fascination, so instead I will list them by date. Either way, if you pick any two or three of them from the list, I guarantee you'll spend so much time on the edge of your chair, your butt will be sore in the morning.
1. REAR WINDOW-1954 James Stewart,Grace Kelly
If you've never seen this movie, the word "WHY" comes to mind! Hitchcock is at his best with suspenseful tale of a wheelchair bound photographer (Stewart)who is consumed by the actions of his neighbor's across the courtyard. When those actions appear to become murderous....Rent this!
2. NIGHT OF THE HUNTER-1955 Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish
In the role of an evil stepfather/preacher, Robert Mitchum did a great job of scaring the *#*@& out of me. The plight of the two children trying to escape from this psycho, is very suspenseful and a few twists and turns will keep you on edge.
3. PSYCHO-1960 Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins
Hitchcock, again reveals his genius in this film about a woman on the run who stops at the wrong place for a rest. Few characters are needed as Norman Bates carries enough evil to fill the film. In 1960, this movie didn't need to rely on millions of dollars worth of special effects to scare you-and it still doesn't. The camera angles and direction, combined with the simple, yet startling score is as much to the credit of the movie as the storyline.
4. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE-1962 Frank Sinatra,Lawrence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury
Switching gears a little, this may be a "political thriller" but is as much a psycological one. It was made at the height of the cold war when fear of communism was high (important to remember when watching) and is about Korean vets that return to uncover a brainwashing plot..that's all you get from me. Interesting side note: The Manchurian Candidate spent nearly thirty years virtually unseen because it was about assassination and JFK was shot the year after it was released. It was felt that it should be shelved out of respect.
5. DRESSED TO KILL-1980 Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson
There's a murderer stalking women in Manhattan and a psychiatrist, a call girl, and a cop try to figure out who it is. Admittedly, when this movie came out it was probably scarier than it is today, when serial murder was not so commonplace.
6. THE DEAD ZONE- 1983 Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Martin Sheen
Adapted from Stephen King's book, this thriller touches on several areas of suspense. A mild mannered schoolteacher's misfortune lands him in a coma, and when he awakes years later he has gained precognitive powers. Although he is able to help people with his "burden" he grows weaker with it's use, until the fate of the world rests on his shoulders. Martin Sheen's seemingly perpheral character is one to watch, and well acted by Sheen.
7. BLOOD SIMPLE-1984 Dan Hedeya, M. Emmet Walsh, Frances McDormand
This movie is suspenseful, yes, but very offbeat. The characters are quirky, yet it takes nothing away from the suspense. Plot twists abound with this love triangle, revenge and murder plot. Take heed of the title: This film is very bloody.
8. THE SEVENTH SIGN-1988 Demi Moore, Michael Biehn
This storyling for this film is loosely based on an interpretation of the end times from Revelation. If you are able to curb your desire to make it "fit" you'll enjoy the movie much more. Demi Moore's character discovers that she and her unborn baby will play an important role and finds herself on a nonstop course of destruction. As the movie progresses the suspense continues to rise right up to the powerful ending.
9. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS-1991 Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn
FBI trainee Clairece Starlilng (Foster) plays cat and mouse with cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins). In order to garner his help on another case (a composite serial killer who exhibits about every psychosis known to man) Starling pursues an unusual relationship with the monster. At times this film is shocking, and very blunt, but there is no denying the level of suspense-so I consider it suspense as opposed to horror. Hopkins is so believeable as Lector I find it hard to watch him in movies where he's a good guy now!!
10. SEVEN-1995 Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gweneth Paltrow
The twists and turns in this movie are surprising, and it's a movie that keeps you guessing. (Hate those that are too easy to figure out!). Someone is killing people with a certain agenda. The manner of death with each murder coincides with one of the seven deadly sins, and this killer is extrememly inventive. Not for the weak of stomach, I assure you-but one of the most suspenseful I've seen.
Well, there you have it. 10 (of many) suspensful movies I liked. Looks like the 70's didn't scare me at all...except for all that disco.
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