Do I Have Your Attention?
Good, because it’s time for another letter, and another great collection of films! My “Movies A-Z” continues with the letter “T”, which has one of the funniest comedies of all time, the great Vincent Price, AND my third favorite film of all!
As always, these are not in any order, just ten great movies to share, but in this case:
“These Go To Eleven!”
10 – “This Is Spinal Tap”
Rob Reiner directed one of the funniest “mockumentaries” of all time, the story of Spinal Tap, “one of England’s loudest bands!”
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are hilarious as Spinal Tap – and you can see from the first ads for the movie that they knew they had a classic.
Here is the original trailer!
“These Go To Eleven!”
Speakers that go to eleven – “one louder” – and album titles that are as funny as they are offensive:
Legend has it that Oasis singer Liam Gallagher thought this was all real – see more great trivia about the film here:
Next up is one of my favorite Troma films – a remake of one of Shakespeare’s greatest, written by James Gunn – it’s “no holds Bard!”
9 – “Tromeo & Juliet”
I love Troma for so many reasons, but if you want to see offensive artistry at its best, then this punk version of “Romeo & Juliet” is for you!
The movie is well made, very clever and inventive – after all, it was written by Gunn! It’s just one of my “Tromatic” favorites – you can see them all here:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/02/11/tromas-top-ten-the-tromatic-classics-unveiled/
In the 70’s, Comic Legend Walter Matthau made a series of great action thrillers, and this may be my favorite:
8 – “The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three”
Robert Shaw and Hector Elizondo are part of a gang of crooks who hold a New York subway train hostage – here is the great original movie trailer:
Matthau is the Subway Cop who has to negotiate with the crooks – this is vastly superior to the recent remake, because Matthau brings a world-weariness to the role – and the script is razor sharp.
See more about this terrific 70’s film here:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/02/16/classic-70s-action-crime-thriller-double-feature/
I love world cinema, especially because some of the most innovative movies are being made – like this action/romance/western from Thailand:
7 – “Tears Of The Black Tiger”
This 2000 film from Thailand is part parody/part homage to the melodramatic films of Douglas sir in the 50’s – and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival – here is the trailer:
This is a beautiful – and violent – movie, incredibly imaginative and worth a look!
Speaking of violent, how about a darkly black comedy/horror gem from the world’s greatest horror Actor – Vincent Price?
6 – “Theater Of Blood”
The legendary Actor has a blast playing a failed Actor who take bloody revenge on his critics! Here is the trailer:
Not only Does Price has a blast, but that’s Diana Rigg next to him! She has said that this is her favorite film of all – read more about it here:
Time now for one of the great movie comedies of all time – thanks to Cameron Diaz:
5 – “There’s Something About Mary”
In 1994, “Mary” wowed audiences around the world for some of the funniest – and most raucous scenes ever put on screen – here is the trailer:
Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon are great in this film, and The Farrelly Brothers have never been better – a classic movie that is hilariously funny every time I watch it!
The next movie on my “T”T list has a very important question to ask:
“Which Is The Virgin? Which Is The Vampire?”
4 – “Twins Of Evil”
How can you possibly know – when they are twins!
This 1971 Hammer Studios horror classic stars Peter Cushing – and two Playboy Playmate Twins! Here is the trailer:
Hammer Studios wanted to be more contemporary, so this film has more nudity and blood, all part of an erotic trilogy that you need to check out:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/03/naked-vampires-dirty-dracula-cult-erotic-halloween-horror/
Next up is a horror film that bombed on release but is now considered a classic:
3 – “The Thing”
In 1982, Director John Carpenter’s remake bombed – considered too gory for mass audiences – here is the trailer:
I love this film’s tagline:
“Man Is The Warmest Place To Hide.”
Kurt Russell is terrific, and the film has amazing set pieces – click here to see more:
Matt Damon is next on the list – playing a very “talented” psychopath:
2 – “The Talented Mr. Ripley”
This 1999 psychological thriller was directed by Anthony Minghella. Matt Damon is terrific as Tom Ripley, who befriends Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow in Italy – while harboring hidden secrets – here is the trailer:
This is a great thriller, with topnotch supporting performances by Cate Blanchett and Phillip Seymour Hoffman – I can watch this film over and over again…
Speaking of that – here is one of the greatest films ever made – one that I have seen dozens of times:
1 – “Taxi Driver”
Director Martin Scorsese and Screenwriter Paul Schrader made a masterpiece in 1976 – the story of a lonely Taxi Driver named Travis Bickle.
Iconic dialogue, incredible performances and a shocking script make this a masterpiece.
Here is the original trailer for the film, basically introducing Scorsese and DeNiro to mainstream audiences!
Taxi Driver (1976)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Shown from left on the set: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, director Martin Scorsese
Jodie Foster was oscar-nominated along with DeNiro and Scorsese, and the film was nominated for Best Picture – a searing look at a city coming apart during a political campaign. Albert Brooks and Cybil Sheppard also star…
“Travis Bickle” just turned 40 years old, and there was an incredible reunion screening in New York:
There is so much more to share about this film – see it here:
There you have it – ten great movies that begin with the letter “T”! Let me know your favorites!
Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Academy Awards, Action Films, Albert Brooks, Art, Awards, Books / Media, British Cinema, Classic Rock, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Extreme Asian Cinema, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Foreign Films, Great Films, Grindhouse, Halloween, Hollywood, Horror films, Independent Cinema, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Obscure Movies, Obscure Music, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Troma Films, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Wonderful picks here John! And I’m so glad you included Theatre of Blood. I love Vincent Price and this is one of my favorites!😊
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Diana Ring says the same thing!
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Great choices, John. Good to see the Troma film, and the sexy camp of Twins of Evil too.
My own choice for T was ‘Throne of Blood’, Kurosawa’s take on Macbeth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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