Time For Some “I” Popping Cinema!
My “Movies A-Z” countdown continues with a great letter – “I”! There are classic comedies, riveting dramas, Oscar-winning best pictures, and some really offbeat stuff as well, so let’s get going.
Remember,this is NOT a countdown, just ten great movies to share with you, beginning with one of Asia’s darkest revenge thrillers:
10 – “I Saw The Devil”
This is a powerful revenge thriller, about a Cop who seeks out the murderer of his fiancé – as the trailer states:
“He’s Not Getting Even – He’s Just Getting Started…”
Check out the trailer:
Choi Min-sik stars as the serial killer who plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a young Police Detective. He’s best known for his starring role in this brilliant film:
“Old Boy” is just one of many great revenge thrillers – see more here:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/01/28/revenge-is-sweet-top-ten-sexploitation-revenge-classics/
Since we talking intense action and some good scares, how about spending a little time with your favorite clown, Pennywise?
9 – “It”
Stephen King’s classic “killer clown” Pennywise was a TV mini-sties in the 80’s, then was made into a smash hit film in 2017 – check out the trailer:
In parts “Stranger Things” and “Stand By Me”, the film was a great story of young friends who band together to fight off an evil clown…
The sequel was in some ways bigger – and a bit bloated as well, but is still worth a watch because it also had some great scares! If you want more movies with “killer clowns”, check these out by clicking here:
Next up is a charming comedy about a teacher who is accidentally “outed” at the Oscars!
8 – “In & Out”
This 1997 film starred Kevin Kline as a teacher who is “outed” on national TV – been though he’s not gay!
Check out the trailer:
Kline is perfect as the accidentally “outed” teacher, and Joan Cusack is flawless as his fiancé, who must come to terms with the spotlight on her and her soon-to-be husband, especially when an aggressive tabloid Reporter shows up in town – played perfectly by Tom Selleck:
I won’t give anything else away in case you still haven’t seen it -a great film for the first or fortieth viewing!
Up next is one of the greatest holiday films of all time:
7 – “It’s A Wonderful Life”
This masterpiece from Director Frank Capra tells the story of George Bailey, a good person who needs to hit bottom to realize that he does, indeed have a “Wonderful Life” – here is the trailer:
There are so many moments of brilliance int he film, which is also very dark as well – a meditation of “Good” versus “Evil” thank to Mr. Potter – luckily George has “Zuzu’s Pedals” to protect him – there is lots of great trivia about this movie, which you can see here:
Downsizing has been a big topic in the US for the past few decades, as older workers are pushed out for younger blood – and with so many people laid off due to the pandemic, here is a good film that tackles the issue:
6 – “In Good Company”
Dennis Quaid is a seasoned Sales Executive who suddenly has a new boss: young, cocky Topher Grace, who sees Quaid as a washed up “old-timer” – until he meets his daughter, Scarlett Johansson – check out the trailer:
The movie is a romanic comedy/drama that strikes the right balance throughout, and the acting is terrific…and the issue of older workers being discriminated against is tackled honestly. Great acting all the way through.
Now, how about a comedy starring the biggest stars in the world – and a LOT OF THEM?
5 – “It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World!”
This 1963 comedy was produced and directed by Stanley Kramer and starred movie legend Spencer Tracy – along with an all-star cast including Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, and Jonathan Winters.
Check out the trailer:
It’s a wild, nationwide chase through the 60’s for $350,000 in cash – whoever gets there first gets it all! While overblown and bloated in places, it’s a great example of an “all-star” cast going all out for fun – something Hollywood was trying to do to fight off TV!
Speaking of classic movie stars: one of the biggest stars of all time ended up in a campy cult horror film that actually has some fun scares!
4 – “I Saw What You Did (And I Know Who You Are!)”
Legendary Actress Joan Crawford is top-billed, but she’s not in the film much – but it’s a great 50’s thrill ride – as you can see by this classic trailer:
It’s a great premise: a couple of young girls are making crank calls – until they accidentally call a killer! It’s surprisingly fun to watch all these years later – and Joan Crawford has made a great comeback thanks to the recent TV series “Feud”:
I love watching films with legendary stars – reminds me of the golden age of Hollywood.
Another incredible cast took home Oscars for the Best Picture of 1967:
3 – “In The Heat Of The Night”
A brilliant film, which won Rod Steiger the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a racist Sheriff in a small southern town – check out the trailer:
Sidney Poitier was also nominated for his role as Detective Virgin Tibbs of Philadelphia, who confronts this racist town as he investigates a murder…it’s a powerful look at life in the US south in the 60’s, and still powerful today – recently, there was a 50th anniversary screening – see that story here:
Here’s an obscure treat that was just released on a remastered DVD:
2 – “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers”
In 1978, Donald Sutherland starred in the remake of the 50’s sci-fi-fi classic, about aliens who come to earth and take us over – from within – here is the trailer:
This is a dark, moody film that is worth seeking out…and speaking of that, I want to share a very obscure film from 1972, directed by the legendary Robert Altman:
1 – “Images”
Susannah York stars as a woman who is engulfed by terrorizing apparitions. As she kills them, we don’t know if these demons are figments of her hallucinatory imagination – or real people.
Check out the trailer:
Susannah York won Best Actress at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival for her work int he film, with is a classic Altman movie: great images, a dreamlike nature to it, and a raw honesty – all wrapped up in a murder mystery…or is it?
According to IMDB, Susannah York once said of this film:
“It seemed a whole string of incidents with nothing to link them together into a meaningful whole. In fact, I would have turned down the part, only Bob [Altman] rang me up from Los Angeles. Imagine trying to hold a conversation with somebody in America from a telephone box in a Greek village cafe! I couldn’t hear very much, but I gathered he wanted to fly over to Greece to talk things over with me. I was trying to say . . . well, is it really worth your while to come all that way, because I’m not very keen”.
There you go, ending the letter “I” with a classic Robert Altman film, and yes, it’s available right now on Amazon Prime!
If you missed any of my previous posts, you didn’t see this classic film – that begins with a “D”:
“Darker Than Amber” is a great cult film, and you can see 59 others when you click on my “Movies A-F” list here:
Don’t worry, gangsters haven’t been forgotten, even if Marlon Brando always forgot his lines:
Yep, that’s why Robert Duvall “wore” his lines on set! It’s just one of the great “G” movies, which you can see here:
“The Godfather” is a classic, and so is this:
“Helldriver” is Japanese exploitation at its best – just one of ten great films that begin with “H” – see them all here:
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Let me know what you think of movies with the letter “I” – and here are more as well!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Awards, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Extreme Asian Cinema, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I Saw The Devil is such a great film. It needs good publicity like this.
Good selection, John, with something for everybody. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great list! Some of these I’ve never heard of before.
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I absolutely loved “It’s a Mad Mad Mad World.” The cast alone is a masterpiece in itself. I vividly remember talking to my mother after I saw “It’s a Wonderful Life.” She never fully embraced the movie, and I understand why. When it came out, people were ‘war weary’ and going to the movies was the one thing to make them forget their troubles. This movie was so real that many people just couldn’t or didn’t like it. I totally get it. It is the movie my husband and I watch every Christmas Eve to put life into perspective. Thank you, John!
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Some good suggestions John – though I would give the horror films a miss.
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Good pics. I am watching old movies so may look for a few of these
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Yes, we’ve been dipping into some old classics as well…comfort food during these quarantine times!
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As usual you’ve got some great picks here John. I think we’re watching It: Chapter 2 tonight.🤡
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It’s a good one – and part three is as well!
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I must make the effort to see It. I loved the book, it is in my top 3 King books. A great post, John.
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Thanks as always for sharing Robbie – the “It” movies are good – the second ones a bit bloated with too many huge set pieces but it never lets up, that’s for sure!
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It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World is one of my desert island movies. Saw it as a kid in the 60’s and recently the remastered and restored version. Parts were missing for all time so the restored version has some scenes with sound only. I even found a web site with the locations that movie was shot. Very cool list.
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Yes, it’s a film that is “of its time” but a great fun “Hollywood production!” thanks for commenting!
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A good mix, through I’ll never be able to watch ‘it’ as I hate and fear clowns!
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Beth, that’s the entire point of the film!
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I know!!!)))) 🤡
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Some of the greatest movies in this list! Now I need to go back and see your other lists.
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Thanks for reading! I’m trying to mix it up with well known, lesser known, comedy, drama, action etc….something for everyone!
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