Watch Out For These “O” Movies!
This iconic image is from one of the most imaginative, and darkest movies ever – and of course, it begins with an “O”!
My “Movies A-Z” hits hard right off the top, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for 007, Charlton Heston, Jennifer Aniston and “my boy Blue!”
Remember, these aren’t in any order, just a list of my most enjoyable “O” movies.
One of the most intense revenge thrillers of all time gets us started:
10 – “Old Boy”
This 2003 South Korean thriller was directed by Park Chan-wook. It’s the twisted story of a drunken Businessman who wakes up in a locked hotel room – where he is kept for 15 years before being suddenly released! Why? Well, check out the trailer:
The signature sequence in the film is a four minute hallway fight scene – our protagonist armed only with a hammer – and the camera tracks the entire fight without a single edit!
The late film critic Roger Ebert said that “Oldboy” was:
“a powerful film not because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare”.
Read more about this brilliant film, and other Asian classics, by clicking here:
Next up, one of three sci-fi films starring the legendary Charlton Heston!
9 – “The Omega Man”
Charlton Heston is “the last man alive” in this classic sci-fi film based on the novel “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson. Here is the trailer:
Heston chose an african-american love interest in the 1971 film, quite daring for the time. It’s one of three great sci-fi-fi films he made in succession – see the other two here!
Legendary Director Sergio Leone made many great films, but one was taken away of him, butchered by the studio, and of course it bombed upon release!
8 – “Once Upon A Time In America”
This 1984 masterpiece was taken away from the Director and drastically re-edited – here is the trailer:
An amazing blu-ray was finally released with the Director’s original cut of the film, which is much more hypnotic – for example, the longer cut begins with a scene in an opium den, as Leone was looking to create something much more hypnotic than just a gangster film…
Look for the blu-ray edition to see the complete Directors Cut!
Speaking of different cuts, try the “unrated” version of this hilarious comedy:
7 – “Old School”
One of the funniest comedies ever, thanks in part to “my boy Blue!”
There is so much to love about “Old School” , like the scene where Will Farrell shoots himself in the neck with a dart gun – check out the trailer:
This is one of the best films about college life – click here to see another one – that makes this a hilarious double bill:
https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/15/sex-togas-bluto-blue-schools-out-for-animal-house-and-old-school/
Director Steven Soderbergh is on a number of my alphabetical lists, for good reason – he has made so many great films – and huge smash hits as well:
6 – “Ocean’s 11”
Soderbergh lined up an amazing cast as he remade one of Frank Sinatra’s biggest hits – but gave hit his own “too cool for school” vibe – check out the trailer:
What a great new “Rat Pack!”
This movie showcased the best of Soderbergh’s filmmaking – an intricate plot and playful characters given a chance to have fun – for example, notice how Brad Pitt eats in so many of his scenes!
Time now to go “O” as in “007”!
5 – “Octopussy”
Roger Moore was on a roll at this time as James Bond 007 – and this is one of the more unique titles in the series – here is the trailer:
Most would consider this a “second tier” 007 film – enjoyable but not quite as good as Moore’s great “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
Roger Moore starred in some of the biggest hits in the 007 series – and he was a class act as well – see more about him here:
RIP Roger Moore! 007’s Most Charming James Bond Was A True Class Act!
Next up is a terrific , ultra low budget musical that shocked the movie world when it won an Oscar….
4 – “Once”
In 2006, this modest film told the story of a street singer who meets a woman who can play piano, and they make great music tougher – here is the trailer:
The film’s song “Falling Slowly” stunned the Academy Award audience by winning best original song – see more about this terrific film here:
Glen Hansard Opens For Pearl Jam! “Once”! “The Commitments”! Glen Hansard’s Musical Oscar!
From the sublime to the ridiculous!
3 – “Office Space”
In 1999, Jennifer Aniston was part of a great ensemble – not “Friends” but disgruntled office workers.
Here is the trailer:
Gary Cole was pitch perfect as the “boss from hell” – and Mike Judge’s satire became a cult sensation…
Another cult horror film from the 70’s is coming back again – but nothing will top the original:
2 – “The Omen”
In 1976, this movie shocked audiences as it told the story of a small boy who may be the spawn of Satan!
Here is the trailer:
Legendary Actor Gregory Peck gives gravitas to the horror story, and this movie is beautifully directed by Richard Donner for maximum scares – a real treat.
I end the “O” movies with my second favorite film of all time – a much-neglected masterpiece:
1 – “O Lucky Man!”
Actor Malcolm McDowell exploded onto the film scene with this performances in “If…” and Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange”:
He followed those up in 1973 with a story he conceived – the “Candide” tale of a young coffee salesman – check out the trailer:
This movie is brilliant for so many reasons: an incredible cast, amazingly inventive direction by Lindsay Anderson – who filmed most of the movie’s soundtrack live and shows it in the movie!
Click on my story to read so much more about this movie – and how it inspired a classic “Seinfeld” episode!
https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/
There you have it – ten great movies with an “O” – and you can click on my blog home page and see the previous films that have been highlighted from “A – N” as well!
Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Academy Awards, Action Films, Albert Brooks, Art, Awards, Books / Media, British Cinema, Cannes Film Festival, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Extreme Asian Cinema, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Foreign Films, Golden Globes, Great Films, Grindhouse, Hollywood, Horror films, Independent Cinema, Japanese Sexploitation Movies, London, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Obscure Movies, Revenge Movies, Steven Soderbergh, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Some very good choices here, John. I like both versions of ‘Old Boy’, unusually for me.
I will add the Japanese classic ‘Onibaba’, one of my own top choices for ‘O’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the add, Pete!
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