November 11, 2024 8:53 am
Welcome To My Movie Countdown!
The late, great Kris Kristofferson opened his arms to all of you, fellow movie lovers, especially those who like classic cult movies!
My Movies A – Z” says it’s time to dive into ten great films that happen to all begin with the letter “P!”
Cult “P” Movies!
As you can see from this picture, Steve McQueen can’t wait to bust out and see my list as well – because he made this list!
Here are ten great films that begin with the letter “P” – beginning in 1968 with a science fiction masterpiece!
10 – “Planet Of The Apes” – 1968
What a classic!
Charlton Heston and two fellow Astronauts crash land on another planet – a “planet of the apes!”
Here is the trailer:
This is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time – and of course, the single greatest “twist” ending of all time – written by “Twilight Zone’s” Rod Serling!
Charlton Heston had a “perfect storm” of sci-fi movies – 3 classic ones over 5 years, including the movie that inspired Green Day to name their band! See that story here:
Next up, a classic horror film that is just as good today as when it was released in 1982!
9 – “Poltergeist”!
This is a great “scary movie”, with quite the pedigree!
A family’s home becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a doorway to the “other side” – through their TV set!
Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams star as the parents, and here is the trailer:
Who Directed This Classic?
The iconic Director Steven Spielberg came up with the idea for the film, and he produced it as well…but there have always been whispers about how much of a role he actually had in the film’s creation.
Here now is the controversy surrounding the film:
“As Spielberg was contractually unable to direct another film while he made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Director Tobe Hooper was selected based on his work on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Funhouse. The origin of Poltergeist can be traced to Night Skies, which Spielberg conceived as a horror sequel to his 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Accounts differ as to the level of Spielberg’s involvement, but it is clear that he was frequently on set during filming and exerted significant creative control. For that reason, some have said that Spielberg should be considered the film’s co-director or even main director, though both Spielberg and Hooper have disputed this.”
It’s a very unfair knock against Hooper – and while it has a Spielberg feel, he did come up with the idea of the movie!
We head back to 1971 now, the year that Clint Eastwood had three classic films, including his directorial debut:
8 – “Play Misty For Me” – 1971
Clint stars as a successful DJ who attracts a fan who becomes a crazed stalker – here is the trailer:
Jessica Walter is great as the deranged fan, and the bartender is played by legendary Director Don Siegel – who directed Clint TWICE that year – in “Dirty Harry” and “Play Misty For Me!”
See more about this trifecta of great cinema here:
Sincere just had a presidential election here in the US, why not look back at the highly fictionalized story of Bill Clinton’s presidential run in 1992!
7 – “Primary Colors”
This 1998 film was based on a novel by “Anonymous”, and was an “imagination” of what it was like to be part of Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign…check out the trailer:
John Travolta was perfect as Jack Stanton, a southern Governor running an unlikely campaign for the Presidency – the film mirrors the story of Clinton, who was a terrific and compassionate communicator, who also had “issues” with women…
Emma Thompson is terrific as his long-suffering wife, who knows of his infidelities but is always looking at the “big picture”…if you want to see more about this GREAT film, directed by the legendary Mike Nichols, you can click on my story here:
In 1972, “disaster” films were the rage, and none better that this great film with the classic tagline:
“HELL UPSIDE DOWN!”
6 – “The Poseidon Adventure” – 1972
What a great film – an ocean liner capsized on New Year’s eve, and the only way out is to climb UP to the bottom of the ship! Here is the trailer:
Gene Hackman leads an all-star cast “up” to the bottom of the ship after it capsizes…what a great disaster film!
“The Poseidon Adventure” had an all-star cast – and won an Oscar for best song! It also had some very juicy “behind the scenes” drama! See more by clicking on my story here:
Next up, a legendary Director skewered Hollywood in one of the best black comedies about the business ever!
5 – “The Player”
How about this line from the 1991 film directed by Robert Altman:
“I was just thinking what an interesting concept it is to eliminate the writer from the artistic process. If we could just get rid of these actors and directors, maybe we’ve got something here.”
With those words, one of the most entertainingly caustic books ABOUT movies became one of the best films about the business of Hollywood – check out the trailer:
Tim Robbins heads an all-star cast, and I mean ALL-STAR: did you know there are more Oscar winners assembled here than in any film in history?
Just one of many cool things about “The Player” – read more here:
One of Hollywood’s greatest action stars had a smash hit in 1973 with the true story of one of the world’s greatest prison escapes!
4 – “Papillon” – 1973
Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman star in the film, based on the best-selling autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière.
The film’s title is French for “Butterfly,” referring to Charrière’s tattoo and nickname. Here is the trailer:
This film is amazing, as it documents what these prisoners endured as they tried to escape…a great film and McQueen has never been better. He was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time – click here to see more of his great movies!
Director Sam Peckinpah released one of his greatest movies in 1973 – with two big Hollywood stars as well:
3 – “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” – 1973
Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn starred in this great film about the last days of the wild west – check out the trailer:
At the time, Peckinpah had a reputation as a wild man, so the cast took a picture with him in a hospital bed – and sent it to the movie studio!
Here are more wild stories about this legendary Director, including the time he dumped hot soup into the lap of a friend of mine:
Now, one of my favorite films of all time – courtesy of Director Brian DePalma and Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams!
2- “Phantom Of The Paradise” – 1974
DePalma’s updated “Phantom Of The Opera” wasn’t a hit at the time, but is now considered a masterpiece – check out the trailer:
A new blu-ray has a ton of great extras, including an in-depth conversation between Paul Williams, who starred in the film and wrote all the music, and Director Gillermo del Toro…you can see more here:
My final film on the “P” list has become one of the most beloved fables of all time:
1 – “The Princess Bride”
Rob Reiner directed this timeless classic – a story of love, honor, and having fun storming the castle!
Check out the trailer for this 1987 gem:
There is so much to love about this film: it’s hilariously funny, but also a terrific romance, and did you know that the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid” first wrote this as a novel?
It’s one of the many fascinating things about this endearing classic – see more by clicking on my story here:
There you go – ten great films, all beginning with the letter “P”! Of course, there are many more, and I’m expecting you to leave a comment with yours, so I can do another “P” list soon with the ones you recommend!
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Posted by johnrieber
Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Art, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Movies, Politics, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
Tags: 70's action movies, 70's classic cult films, 70's cult classic, 70's cult classics, 70's cult movies, 70's entertainment, 70's film posters, 70's obscure cult films, 70's obscure movies, Actor Gene Hackman, Actor William Finley RIP, best Brian DePalma films, best cult films, best cult movies, best disaster movies, best entertainment, Best gene hackman films, best movies beginning with P, best Sam Peckinpah films, best Steve McQueen films, Brian DePalma movies, classic disaster films, Composer Paul Williams, cult movie musicals, Director Brian DePalma, Director Sam Peckinpah, disaster films, disaster movies, entertainment, Ernest Borgnine, film, Gene Hackman movies, great movie dialogue, great movies, great Steve McQueen movies, greatest disaster movies, movies, movies with a P, Old Souls, Old Souls ballad, Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid, Paul Newman, Paul Williams, Paul Williams biography, Paul Williams Documentary, Paul Williams Still Alive, Paul Williams Still Alive documentary, Phantom Of The Paradise, Phantom Of The Paradise movie, Phantom Of The Paradise music, Poltergeist movie controversy, reviews, Sam Peckinpah, Singer Paul Williams, Songwriter Paul Williams, the player, the player movie, The Poseidon Adventure, The Poseidon Adventure movie, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride movie, The Princess Bride novel
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Peter Falk reading to Fred Savage made The Princess Bride a great movie! The Poseidon Adventure is my favorite pick. And, any Steve McQueen getaway movie is terrific. Thank you, John.
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By Jennie on November 11, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the comment! I agree!
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By johnrieber on November 12, 2024 at 8:41 am
Yes! You’re welcome, John.
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By Jennie on November 12, 2024 at 4:15 pm
love being a film cult member! great choices and I’ve never seen phantom of the paradise and pat Garrett. I’m going to seek them out –
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By beth on November 11, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Director Brian DePalma made The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible, Dressed To Kill, Carrie and so many. more…but he says everyone asks him about one film: Phantom Of The Paradise. My wife and I danced to one of the songs at our wedding.
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By johnrieber on November 11, 2024 at 3:52 pm
I never realized it before but I am a member of a heck of a lot of cults.
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By Don Ostertag on November 11, 2024 at 12:32 pm
HA! Nothing wrong with that – if they are the right kind of cults!
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By johnrieber on November 11, 2024 at 1:19 pm
Some favourites of mine in there, plus some I haven’t seen.
Suggestions for more ‘P’ movies? OK, how about anything that starts with Pink Panther; The Postman Always Rings Twice; Parallel Mothers; The Producers; Pretty In Pink; Portrait Of A Lady On Fire; Psycho; Purple Rain; Pulp Fiction. Just a few 🤣
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By Clive on November 11, 2024 at 9:30 am
Steve McQueen, Mandy Patinkin seeking revenge, and Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn . . . wow, what a list. Some great movie stars and even better movies. Like Pete mentioned, some great guilty pleasures. Hard to put down any of them.
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By WritingfromtheheartwithBrian on November 11, 2024 at 9:20 am
I am a 70’s film aficionado, but they are all favorites of mine so appreciate you taking the time to comment!
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By johnrieber on November 11, 2024 at 1:21 pm
I always think of James Coburn and Lee Marvin in the same conversation. Never the most popular guys (at least I didn’t think so. I could be wrong) …. But always made whatever they were in so much better. You knew you were in for it. All the movies you mentioned today – great movies. 🎥 🍿
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By WritingfromtheheartwithBrian on November 11, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for the comment!
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By johnrieber on November 11, 2024 at 3:52 pm
‘The Player’ is just fantastic, and almost never mentioned now. I was surprised how much I enjoyed ‘The Princess Bride’, and it went on my list of guilty pleasures. Great selection, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By beetleypete on November 11, 2024 at 9:05 am
Pete, that a GREAT point about “The Player”..it’s never mentioned! And directed by the iconic Robert Altman! Thanks as always for the comment!
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By johnrieber on November 11, 2024 at 1:23 pm