Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday Movie Meme - Stolen Goods


A few weeks ago, we covered all the great prison movies. This week on the Monday Movie Meme, the Bumbles have asked us about our favorite movies that cover the other side of the coin...the heists and caper flicks that have you rooting for the bad guys. This one took a bit of thinking for me, but once I started unearthing them, I found a gold mine!

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox - the biggest mistake you can make would be to discount this movie as something for the kiddies. Yes, kids will love the film, but there is so much cleverness and wit here you will lose yourself in it and will want to watch it multiple times. Although Mr. Fox is attempting to live a clean life, he cannot deny his instincts, and begins to steal chickens from the ruthless, big-money neighboring farms. It takes a whole village of varmints to get Mr. Fox out of hot water. Good for more than a few belly laughs.

2. Dog Day Afternoon - I am cheating because the Bumbles listed this one, but I'm not physically capable of leaving this movie off the list. There is something so endearing about a young Al Pacino robbing a bank in order to raise money for his boyfriend's sex change. This is some of Al's best work I think.

3. Sexy Beast - Not sure if I have ever had the opportunity to talk about this movie before, but it resides in the permanent Nawrot collection and is pulled out at least annually. A retired mobster is convinced to perform "one last job" by a particularly violent and sadistic Ben Kingsley, and it all goes to hell really really fast. Sound unrealistic to root for a miscreant to rip off a major bank in London? Believe it or not, but this guy is actually the best of the bunch, and you really just hope he can get out of this alive. The film is deliciously dark and disturbing...guaranteed to reside in your subconscious for a few days after you've watched it.

4. Run Lola Run - you will need a seatbelt to watch this one. It is fast and crazy and fun. Lola is required to raise a large sum of money in a short amount of time in order to save her boyfriend from a nasty fate. The twist is that the film explores the role of fate and all the "what ifs" depending on the decisions that she makes. You will be rooting for Lola to succeed, despite the fact that her boyfriend is an idiot. You'll also love her red hair!

5. Reservoir Dogs - A diamond heist and a loaded cast of characters? What's not to love? I can't guarantee that you will wish any of these guys well...they are all pretty loathsome. What I can guarantee is that you will never be able to listen to Steeler's Wheel "Stuck in the Middle With You" and not think of one of the most violent scenes I've ever witnessed on screen. It is something you have to watch at least once.


I know you guys have some good ones for this category. What are your favorites?

20 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

It is so true about Lola - I loved her for her red hair! :--)

Anne said...

I love Fantastic Mr. Fox! I don't have it in my list though. This is a fun topic!

Unknown said...

Run Lola Run is one of my favorite movies! It boggles your mind, but is a great boost of motivational energy (for good things, of course ;))

Trisha said...

Reservoir Dogs is one of my favorite movies of all time. I adore the Stuck in the Middle with You scene; it's just so unique.

caite said...

I loved Run Lola Run...I need to watch that one again...
Reservoir Dogs is great too...but just a wee bit violent. :-)

Unknown said...

Sandy this is a fantastic list! I cann't believe I totally forgot Reservoir Dogs - I get a bit of a chill every time I hear the song "Stuck in the Middle With You"! and Sexy Beast, love that movie - the house Gal(Ray Winstone) lives in is so pretty)!!

Dog Day Afternoon is awesome & I almost put iot on my list but managed not to! It's a fantastic movie, though & should be on everyone's list

~ Amy

Unknown said...

I thought of another movie I forgot to put on my list, maybe you've seen it:
"Ripley's Game" starring John Malkovich, 2002. It's a wonderful little film, really interesting.

~ Amy

Zibilee said...

I would add Goodfellas and Casino to my list. I think you picked some really good ones though! I have heard good things about Fantastic Mr. Fox, and am dying to see it!

Kathleen said...

I've never seen Sexy Beast. Sounds like one to add to the old Netflix queue. I actually really love Inside Man with Denzel Washington. Or maybe I just love Denzel, not sure which! Ha!

Teacher/Learner said...

Great picks! Love Run Lola Run and Goodfellas (though I wouldn't think of that one as a heist/caper flick). Don't forget:

Ocean's 11 & 13 (let's just forget that 12 exists)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Lee said...

I love your list! Haven't seen The Fantastic Mr. Fox but it's in my netflix list. I liked Sexy Beast too. I liked all the pool action in sunny Spain & the music. May have to give it another watch. Ben Kingsley...from Ghandi to this. WoW.

Jenners said...

I flash to Reservoir Dogs when I hear that song too!

bermudaonion said...

Once again, I've never heard of the movies you mentioned. The first one that popped into my mind was Public Enemies.

Iliana said...

Wasn't Run Lola Run great? I remember walking out of the movie theater and feeling like I was on a high. Talk about a rush! haha

Beth F said...

Dog Days was great. I'll have to think a bit about this because no other movies are coming to mind.

ds said...

You always name the most amazing movies (most of which I've never heard of), which I then must try to see. Great list, Sandy, thank you!

The Bumbles said...

I agree with DS - so many new titles you've introduced me to here.

Reservoir Dogs is not a personal favorite however. Tarantino walks such a fine line for me - I am surprised by his films that really disturb rather than entertain me. Pulp Fiction is perfection. Kill Bill was delicious. Res.Dogs and Ingl. Basterds wouldn't let me get past the tragedy.

Heidenkind said...

What about The Sting or To Catch a Thief or The Italian Job or Oceans 11???

Anonymous said...

I adore "Fantastic Mr. Fox" as written by Roald Dahl and even have the author reading it on CD (amazing!), so I've been hesitant to see the movie. I usually don't like the movies as much as the books. But then, the separation isn't usually as bad with Dahl books/movie adaptations, so maybe I'll give it a go!

Lee said...

Well, I moved Fantastic Mr. Fox to the top of the ol' netflix list & watched it tonight. I LOVED it. Thanks for the motivation.