Here Are Ten Great “D” Movies!

Continuing my alphabetical countdown of movies I love, here are ten that begin with the letter “D” – with three “dirty” movies and Paul Giamatti too!

Remember, these are NOT a list of the best films of all time, just ten films I want to share across a wide spectrum of cinema – so let’s get going with the most realistically bloody fist fight ever captured on film!

10 – “Darker Than Amber”

There was a great series of hard-boiled crime novels by Author John D. MacDonald featuring the ultra-cool Travis McGee. In 1970, a film was released starring Rod Taylor, and it included the most violent – and real – fist fight in film history!

Here is the fight scene:

The movie wasn’t a hit, but it is terrific – and you can read all about it here – including details on how this epic fight got out of control in real life:

Next up is one of the most powerful films of the 70’s, which introduced “Dueling Banjos” to the world and much much more:

9 – “Deliverance”

This 1972 action thriller was nominated for Best Picture of the year – it’s a powerful and controversial story of 4 men who decide to canoe down a river in the backwoods of Georgia – where they find themselves hunted by locals!

You can see the trailer here:

The film starred Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty – but it almost starred Marlon Brando!

Click here to see some of cinema’s craziest casting choices!

OK, let’s lighten the mood by heading to the south of France for what is arguably Steve Martin’s funniest role ever!

8 – “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels“

Yes, a one-eyed Martin has a trident, and he’s not afraid to use it!

I laugh out loud throughout this film, which is the story of two con men who make a bet to see who can bilk a rich woman out of her money first! As the title says, they are indeed:

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!”

This 1988 film also showcased Michael Caine’s ease with comedy as well – and again, Steve Martin is hysterical throughout the entire film – which has a great plot!

Let’s begin with the original teaser trailer – a scene not even in the film!

Actress Glenn Headly is the young rich woman who they set out to fleece, but I can’t give anything away beyond that because this is a comedy gem to experience without knowing more!

That said, here is a lot of trivia about the making of the film!

Speaking of big stars willing to put it all out there, let’s check in with Michael Douglas doing what Michael Douglas does so well – messing up big time!

7 – “Disclosure”

This is classic Michael Douglas: playing a man who gets in over his head because of a woman: this time, he is “sexually harassed” by Demi Moore – all while a really “so dated its funny” high-tech espionage story unfolds. 

This was based on a Michael Crichton bell-selling novel, and it’s a classic 90’s erotic drama!

Check out the trailer:

This is mainstream Hollywood taking on a pulpy, erotic thriller and it’s really well done and a lot of fun as well!

Now, time to head to the 70’s, where all the women were “Dirty” and the men were “Crazy!”

6 – “Dirty Mary Crazy Larry”

This is the second of three films on the list with “Dirty” in the title – and it’s a perfect drive-in movie!

Peter Fonda and Susan George star in this wild action adventure – if you haven’t heard of it, you are missing out!

Check out the trailer:

Susan George had a great run of films in the 70’s, and she had a great screen presence.

Now, time to celebrate the beginning of the longest running movie series – which began in 1962 when we first met Secret Agent 007!

5 – “Dr. NO”

Yes, Sean Connery became a super star when he starred as James Bond, the coolest spy in the world.British spy with a “license to kill!”

Here is the first ever trailer, introducing 007 to the world!

“Dr. NO” was a huge hit, and it led to the greatest action series of all time – which I am reviewing from the first to the last!

Here is my full review of “Dr. NO” – enjoy!

In 1980, Director Brian DePalma made one of his greatest movies, the shocking thriller:

4 – “Dressed To Kill”

Angie Dickinson stars as a sexually repressed woman who picks up the wrong man at a museum…Michael Caine also stars as the Doctor trying to help her with her troubled marriage…check out the trailer:

DePalma was on a roll at this time, having made “Carrie” and “The Fury”, and next up were “Scarface”, “The Untouchables” and “Mission: Impossible” with Tom Cruise….what a run!

Next up is a classic “film noir” with some of the sharpest dialogue of all time!

3 – “Double Indemnity“

“How could I know that murder sometimes smells like honeysuckle?”

That line sums up the entire film in one sentence!

Fred MacMurray stars as an Insurance Salesman and Barbara Stanwyk is the unhappily married woman who wants to take out an insurance policy on her husband…well, that’s the setup for a perfect “film noir” – check out the trailer:

Here’s an example of just how sharp the dialogue is, as Saleman Neff makes plans to come back to meet the husband.

• Walter Neff: You’ll be here too?
• Phyllis: I guess so, I usually am.
• Walter Neff: Same chair, same perfume, same anklet?
• Phyllis: I wonder if I know what you mean.
• Walter Neff: I wonder if you wonder.

“I wonder if you wonder.” Classic!

Director Billy Wilder went to make many more classic films like “The Days O fWine And Roses”, “Some Like It Hot” and of course “Sunset Boulevard.”

I got to meet he last serving member of that film’s cast!

Actress Nancy Olsen on the left played the young girl who falls for William Holden, who is the “kept man” of a legendary Hollywood movie star!

Click here for more on this masterpiece:

Here’s another “dirty” film from 1971 – with the iconic line:

“Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?”

2 – “Dirty Harry”

Clint Eastwood starred as “Dirty Harry” Callahan, who was given every crummy job the SF police department didn’t want to handle. Early on in the film, Harry confrtons a bank robber with some questions that became iconic:

This is one of the great police thrillers of all time…check out the trailer:

What a great movie poster and tagline!

Harry is assigned to find and stop a psychopath from killing people – which leads to a series of great set pieces and a powerful ending:

Eastwood had THREE films released in 1971, each terrific – read more about them here:

Finally, I will leave you with an interesting comedy/drama that will have you whistling a classic tune!

1 – “Duets”

Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis and Paul Giamatti head up a great cast of karaoke singers who dream of winning the big competition – here is the trailer:

The film was directed by Bruce Paltrow, Gwyneth’s Dad – and includes some really terrific karaoke performances, including a duet between Giamatti and Actor Andre Braugher!

My favorite moment in the movie is when the duo sings Todd Rundgren’s classic song “Hello, It’s Me.” Click here to hear the song:

There are my ten “D” movies, I’m sure I left out many more – leave a note to let me know!

Every week I will be sharing another letter of the alphabet, and I started the year with this masterpiece – see the other nine films that joined it on my list of “movies with an A!”

I am also doing a countdown of music the same way – and got started with songs in the key of “A”!

Of course Elvis made the list with “All Shook Up” but he wasn’t the only Elvis who did!

Click here for that story!

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Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities

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