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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:

From a comedy that is for the “headbanger” in all of us, let’s go to one of the most charming comedies of the 00’s:

9 – “13 Going On 30”

This charming 2004 comedy is a female version of “Big” – as Jennifer Garner discovers herself magically becoming 30 years old!

Check out the trailer:

The film works on two levels: first, Jennifer Garner captures perfectly the innocence of a 13 year old thrust into a 30 year old’s world, with innocence and wonder:

The film is also filled with show-stopping moments like her “Thriller” dance with jaded co-workers, and of course Mark Ruffalo as the love interest – a charming “chick flick” that guys can enjoy as well!

It’s interesting to see legendary Actors go against type.

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:

From great action to a tasting culinary gem:

7 – “Tampopo”

This terrific film is all about the love of food – ramen in this case, as a stranger shows up to help a young woman save her restaurant!

“Tampopo” is a terrific film, and you can see the movie’s trailer, and a recipe for their delicious ramen noodles by clicking on my “Bite!Eat!Repeat!” story here:

Next up, how about a darkly black comedy/horror gem – with a wicked food highlight – 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! The recently deceased Icon said that this is her favorite film of all to make, because working with Price was such a blast – 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:

From the opening scene when Ben Stiller makes a tragically painful zipping mistake, to Cameron’s charm and carefree energy, “Mary” delivers some of the biggest laughs I’ve ever experienced in a movie theater!

Of course, Still had other hilarious films as well:

4 – “Tropic Thunder”

Stiller starred and directed this hilariously profane smackdown of Hollywood – the story of a groups of Actors making a war movie – until the real war caught up with them!

Check out the hilarious trailer:

There are so many things to love, like Robert Downey Jr’s Oscar-nominated performance as an Actor who changes his skin color for the role…as he said in the film:

“I don’t read the script. The script reads me.”

Oh, and Tom Cruise shows up for one of his most hysterical cameos ever:

You have to see it to believe it…oh, and if you do, check out my lengthy deep dive into the film here:

Next up is a horror film that bombed in theater when it was released – but is now considered a classic of the genre:

3 – “The Thing”

In 1982, Director John Carpenter told the story of a group of Scientists at the Antarctic who uncover an alien life-force. The film was a failure when it was released – 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:

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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, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Director Martin Scorsese, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Movies, Movies About Movies, Music, Obscure Movies, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities

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