Category Archives: The Phenomenal 5

The Top 5, The 5 Best, we love to list things. Here we call it “The Phenomenal 5”. Sure it sounds lame, but at least it’s uniquely ours!

5 Phenomenal Christmas Movie Meanies

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In last week’s Phenomenal 5 we looked at some of the funniest Christmas movie characters. This week we are heading in a different direction. I’m listing five Christmas movie misers who have become synonymous with the Christmas season. These are fantastic characters who have made names for themselves through a variety of different ways. But one thing is for certain – each could use a good dose of Christmas spirit. Now with so many Christmas movie meanies out there I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I have no problem calling these five miserly sticks-in-the-mud phenomenal.

#5 – Burgermeister Meisterburger (“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)

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Yes I know this is a cheat but I don’t care. I love Burgermeister Meisterburger. Not only does he have one of the greatest names but he’s a fantastic Christmas “movie” meanie. Ok technically this isn’t a movie. This stop-motion television program from 1970 has been a perennial favorite particularly with older audiences. One of the many reasons I love it is because of Burgermeister. This cranky old cuss is the head of Sombertown and has the nerve to ban toys and imprison anyone caught with one. The great voice actor Paul Frees plays Burgermeister and he is such a treat. He brings this great character to life and I had to sneak him on my list.

#4 – Granville Sawyer (“Miracle on 34th Street”)

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The sniveling and fidgety Granville Sawyer certainly tried to put a damper on Christmas in George Seaton’s wonderful “Miracle on 34th Street”. As Macy’s resident psychiatrist, Sawyer is tasked with giving the store’s new department store Santa (aka Kris Kringle) a psychological evaluation. But Sawyer’s ego kicks in when Kris turns the table on him and he makes it his goal to have Santa Claus committed. Porter Hall is perfectly cast and you’ll certainly want to thump his head. In the end he gets whats coming to him and all ends well in the perennial Christmas classic.

#3 – Hans Gruber (“Die Hard”)

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It may not by a traditional Christmas movie per se, but it certainly has a memorable holiday meanie. Evil German mastermind Hans Gruber and his merry band of terrorists crash the Nakatomi Plaza Christmas party and take the building hostage. Talk about a Grinch! The police department, SWAT teams, and the FBI all converge on the skyscraper but Gruber is always one step ahead of them. What he didn’t count on was the “poison pill” (aka John McClane) running loose in the building foiling his plans. Alan Rickman gives a standout performance as Gruber in what was his feature film debut. I just had to toss him on this list. He is too fun to leave off.

#2 – Mr. Potter (“It’s a Wonderful Life”)

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An argument could be made that old man Potter from Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is the meanest, most despicable miser in any Christmas film. Henry Potter, a wealthy slumlord, is a constant thorn in George Bailey’s side. He drains money from the small town of Bedford Falls and tries his best to shut down the Bailey Building and Loan which is the one safe haven for the community from Potter’s tyrannical hand. Potter lies, cheats, and steals and we can’t stand the guy. Lionel Barrymore is brilliant in his portrayal and he gives us an unforgettable Christmas movie meanie.

#1 – Ebenezer Scrooge (“Scrooge”)

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There have been many cinematic tellings of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. My personal favorite is the movie/musical from 1970 starring Albert Finney. Now we all know the story of Scrooge. He’s a miserable old miser who makes everyone around him miserable. He hates people and he most certainly hates Christmas. But three Christmas spirits bring along an amazing transformation in Scrooge. Finney is great as both the lovable and detestable Scrooge. And while I’m not a big fan of musicals, the numbers in this film are a real treat. I know Scrooge is an obvious choice, but how could he not top this list?

There they are – five of the meanest Christmas movie characters. What do you think? Please take time to share your thoughts or your choices in the comments section below.

5 Phenomenally Funny Christmas Movie Characters

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Christmas movies come in all shapes and varieties. From Christian-themed films to the Hallmark Channel mush, the holiday has invited literally hundreds of movies. As you look at the vast library of Christmas films you can’t help but find a ton of really funny characters. That’s who we are looking at today. Undoubtedly many would come to mind at just the mention of funny Christmas movie characters. So with that in mind, I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there’s no denying that these a five funny Christmas movie characters are nothing short of phenomenal.

#5 – Myron Larabee (“Jingle All the Way”)

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“Jingle All the Way” may not be considered a Christmas classic but it is one my family watches almost every year. Schwarzenegger plays the bad father who forgets to grab his son a Turbo-Man action figure for Christmas. He tears out on Christmas Eve to try to pick up what is the hottest toy of the holiday season. That’s when he runs into Myron played by Sinbad. I’ve never even a huge Sinbad fan but he’s really funny here. He plays on the deranged postal worker angle and becomes Arnie’s chief friend/rival in obtaining the elusive Turbo-Man. Myron has several laugh-out-loud lines and he’s a huge reason the movie is such fun (at least until the very end).

#4 – Harry and Marv (“Home Alone”)

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Talk about stepping into a new role. Who would have ever thought Joe Pesci would be a highlight of a modern Christmas classic. Such is the case with “Home Alone”. In the film he teams up with Daniel Stern to form a suburban burglar team known as “The Wet Bandits”. Pesci and Stern are hilarious. The two numbskulls meet their match when they try and rob the home of 8-year old Kevin McCallister who has been accidentally left at home by his family. Harry and Marv fall prey to an assortment of Kevin’s booby traps which seem pulled right out of the classic Looney Tunes cartoons. They’re goofy and over-the-top, but they’re also a load of fun.

#3 – Papa Elf (“Elf”)

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Ok, this certainly isn’t a character in the same comedic vein as the others on this list, but he is an enormous reason I did the list to begin with. I’m talking about Papa Elf from the Christmas comedy “Elf”. Will Ferrell as Buddy would be the obvious selection here but I have to give some love to Bob Newhart. His casting was brilliant. There are several reasons he is so funny to me. First, we get Bob Newhart in tights and an elf outfit. Priceless! I can’t look at him without laughing. But then there is his serious, deadpan delivery which works to perfection. Newhart is just a funny guy and the way he handles this role cracks me up every time. He has to make my list.

#2 – Cousin Eddie (“Christmas Vacation”)

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Surely you know Cousin Eddie would make this list, right? “Christmas Vacation” is a funny movie but the laughs go off the charts when Eddie and his family crash the Griswold family Christmas. Talk about stealing the show. Randy Quaid’s real-life misadventures proves that he has this type of character figured out. From Eddie’s wardrobes, to his antics, to his nutty lines, the movie is filled with one hysterical Eddie moment after another. As good as “Christmas Vacation” is, it’s safe to say it wouldn’t be the same without cousin Eddie. They just don’t get much funnier than him.

#1 – The Old Man (“A Christmas Story”)

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As funny as all of the aforementioned characters are, there are none that make me laugh more than The Old Man (aka Ralphie’s father) in Bob Clark’s Christmas classic “A Christmas Story”. The late Darren McGavin Is nothing short of brilliant in his portrayal of this working-class father raising his family in Indiana. He has so many wonderful moments. His furnace and Oldsmobile battles, his bargaining with the Christmas tree man, his fights with the neighbors hound dogs, his major award. I could go on and on. He’s not only the funniest Christmas character but he’s one of my favorite characters period. And it’s all because of some very good writing and a fabulous performance from Darren McGavin. He’s my clear #1.

So what do you think of my list? I’d love to hear your favorite funny Christmas movie characters. Please take time to share your thoughts in the comments below.

5 Phenomenal Movie Santa Clauses

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Christmas is quickly approaching which means Christmas movies are popping up everywhere. In the spirit of Christmas I thought it would be fun to look at one iconic yuletide character that has popped up in movies for years. I’m talking about Santa Claus. Now some movies just don’t give us anything memorable but others present Santa in a way that brings us back year after year. We just have to watch these seasonal favorites. So today I’m looking at five of the best ones. Now with so many cinematic Santas I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I have no trouble recognizing these five Santa Clauses as absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – TIM ALLEN (“The Santa Claus”)

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While I’m not a big fan of this series of movies as a whole I do really enjoy the first film. “The Santa Claus” tells the story of a pretty selfish father named Scott Calvin who through a nutty accident inherits the position as Santa Claus. Of course a lot of things come with that role – a big round belly, a snow-white beard, etc. Allen is great showing us his character’s transformation from a self-absorbed slug to a loving, caring father and ultimately Santa Claus. His performance shows that he is having a blast with the role and he is the main reason the film works.

#4 – ED ASNER (“Elf”)

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He’s certainly not the main draw in “Elf” but Ed Asner’s performance as Santa Claus is a key ingredient to this movie’s success. Asner never winks at the camera. Instead he seems completely invested which gives us some really funny moments. He not only looks the part but he carries himself just as you would imagine jolly old Saint Nick would. There are several good moments as he manages things at the North Pole but he also has some really fun moments when his sleigh crash lands in Central Park. Fun and fitting – that is how I would describe Asner’s Santa Claus.

#3 – TOM HANKS (“The Polar Express”)

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I know some people have had problems with Robert Zemeckis’ motion-captured animated film “The Polar Express”. Not me. I really like the film and it has become one of our holiday favorites. And while he doesn’t appear until the very end of the film, Tom Hanks as Santa Claus is such a wonderful addition. What makes him such a great Santa has a lot to do with the buildup. The film truly creates a larger than life, jaw-dropping perception of Santa and we the audience see him through the same awe-struck eyes of those children. The animation is gorgeous and Hanks fits the portrait perfectly.

#2 – JEFF GILLEN (“A Christmas Story”)

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How can a movie Santa Claus who only appears for 3 minutes of a film have such a prominent position on this list? When he gives us such a hilarious and utterly timeless scene. This is what Jeff Gillen gives us in the modern Christmas classic “A Christmas Story”. His tired and grumpy department store Santa grows more and more irritable as he ends his Christmas Eve shift. Unfortunately for Ralphie, that is when he goes to see Santa in hopes of getting his elusive Red Rider BB gun. Grumbling elves and Gillen’s bored and dismissive delivery doesn’t provide Ralphie with the best experience, but it sure is a load of fun for us.

#1 – EDMUND GWENN (“Miracle on 34th Street”)

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Let’s be honest, could there be a different number one? In my book Edmund Gwenn’s fabulous portrayal of Santa Claus is the perfect blueprint on how to play the character. Gwenn’s Oscar-winning performance still stands out today as absolutely brilliant. From the first moment you see Gwenn’s Kris Kringle you can’t help but be drawn to him. He has the demeanor, the cheer, the charisma, the childlike exuberance. And with the exception of one old grump, he makes everyone around him and every circumstance better. Writer and director George Seaton conceives the perfect Santa Claus and Edmund Gwenn embodies that version to absolute perfection. He is the best movie Santa Claus.

So what do you think of my list? Agree or disagree with my choices. Please take time to share your choices in the comments section below.

5 Phenomenal Movie Reveals

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When talking about movie reveals several things may come to mind. Therefore I feel the need to clarify what this week’s Phenomenal 5 is all about. This list isn’t specifically about plot twists although they certainly apply to each of my choices. Instead I’m looking at movie reveals that are strictly between movie characters. Great scenes where one character’s revelation directly impacts another. It may or may not be a revelation to the audience but it certainly is to someone in the film. Now when talking about something like this it should be obvious that there will be SPOILERS so if you haven’t seen the movie you may want to skip its caption. So many reveals came to mind therefore I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I believe that these five mentioned are certainly phenomenal!

#5 – “THE USUAL SUSPECTS”

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“The Usual Suspects” is built upon the interrogation of the feeble and handicapped “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey) by FBI Agent Kujan (Chazz Palminteri). Verbal is one of only two survivors of a fiery massacre on a ship docked in Los Angeles. Verbal weaves together a story of how he and his smalltime criminal buddies were hired and exploited by an almost mythical crime boss named Keyser Söze. Agent Kujan lets Verbal go knowing that Söze is the real culprit. But while sitting in the interrogation office he quickly learns that Verbal’s story was manufactured and he runs out after him. But Verbal is heading down the sidewalk, his faked limp now gone, and hops into an awaiting car. Verbal is none other than Keyser Söze!

#4 – “PSYCHO”

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When Lila and Sam stop by the Bates Motel in search of her missing sister Marion, I think it’s safe to say they get more than they bargained for. Clues inform them that her sister had been there but the motel proprietor Norman Bates suspiciously blows it off. They begin to investigate. They examine the motel an eventually the old house overlooking it. It’s in that house where the creepy Norman claims to live with his mother. But all true cinema lovers know what they find there. Norman’s mother is a corpse. In fact it’s Norman Bates who dresses as his mother and attacks Lila. He’s the true psychotic killer. This was a great reveal which became one of the most iconic angles in the horror genre.

#3 – “GLADIATOR”

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The reveal in Ridley Scott’s brilliant Best Picture winning “Gladiator” wasn’t anything that stunned audiences. We knew this bit of information all along. But it certainly stunned the socks off of the twisted self-crowned Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Thinking he had his chief rival to his father’s throne killed years earlier, Commodus hadn’t a care in the world as he waltzed out onto the Coliseum’s battleground to meet the unknown gladiator who had won the adoration of the bloodthirsty Roman crowd. Oh but this gladiator has a name and when he removes his helmet and reveals himself to be Maximus Decimus Meridius, the man who was long thought dead by the emperor, well lets just say Commodus almost lost his lunch. It’s a great reveal, not to the audience but to Commodus. It’s also one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite films.

#2 – “THE THIRD MAN”

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I absolutely love “The Third Man” and this isn’t its first appearance in a Phenomenal 5. But it is absolutely perfect for this particular list. This classic 1949 film noir follows Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), an American writer who arrives in post-war Vienna in search of his friend Harry Lime. Harry has offered him a job but upon arrival Holly learns that his friend had just been killed in an accident. Holly demands that Lime’s death be investigated. His persistence ends up revealing the shady and criminal dealings of his friend. But that’s not the big reveal. You see, Harry Lime isn’t dead. The great Orson Welles plays Lime and once he is revealed the tension amps up. It’s a fantastic reveal which sets up one of my favorite movie endings. What a great film.

#1 – “THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK”

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Let’s be honest, what else could it be? When you talk about great movie reveals “The Empire Strikes Back” automatically comes to mind. Whether you’re a fan of the Star Wars franchise or not, chances are you’re familiar with the mind blowing revelation between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Up to that point in the franchise the villainy of Darth Vader had been well established. Our hero Luke had watched him kill Obi-wan and now he was face to face with the monster. But instead of killing Luke, Vader tries to win him over to the dark side. In the process he reveals to Luke something that shocked audiences worldwide. “I am your father”. I still remember hearing that as a kid sitting in the theater. It was one of the first movie moments that blew my mind and for me it’s the best movie reveal of all time.

So there are my five phenomenal movie reveals. What are your thoughts on it? See a pick you agree or disagree with? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please take time and share them in the comments section below.

5 Phenomenal Things About “Night of the Living Dead”

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How can I let Halloween pass without an applicable Phenomenal 5? And what better way to celebrate Halloween than to focus on my favorite horror movie of all time “Night of the Living Dead”. For many it would be impossible to narrow down the list of great horror pictures to one indisputable favorite. Not for me. I adore “Night of the Living Dead”. So today I’m going to throw out five big reasons why I love the film so much. Now there are many examples I could give of the movie’s greatness so I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But these five things about “Night of the Living Dead” are certainly phenomenal.

#5 – THE MUSIC AND SOUND

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For me one of the key ingredients to the success “Night of the Living Dead” is the fantastic sound design and choice of music. In many ways it’s key in developing the movie’s overall creepy tone and feel. It may surprise some to know but much of the music was purchased and previously used in a variety of other shows and movies. Subtle but effective alterations were made to some of the tracks to make them feel more connected to the film. The live sound effects were recorded by Richard Lococo and they are amazing. Echos and distortions are used to make things all the more eerie and I love the little sound choices which add to the tense atmosphere. For example the emergency television newscast that we hear in the background of much of the film. It and all of the sound design lends much to the film’s disturbing feel.

#4 – DUANE JONES

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He was a relatively unknown stage actor when George Romero hired him to star in “Night of the Living Dead”. But Duane Jones was stepping into what would become an iconic role particularly in the horror genre. His performance as the composed and resourceful Ben is a real strength of the picture. We don’t learn a lot about his character’s story but we learn a lot about who he is. He’s cool, calm, and collective and without him things would have fallen apart quicker. Jones’ casting was significant because at the time (1968) African Americans weren’t known as leading men and women in movies particularly with an otherwise all-white cast. But he fits perfectly into his role and without his rock-solid performance “Night of the Living Dead” just wouldn’t be the same.

#3 – THE SETTING

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I still remember the first time I watched “Night of the Living Dead”. My uncle brought it and a rented VCR to our house and my parents let me stay up and watch it with them. I’ve loved it ever since. One of the main things that has stuck with me from that very first viewing all the way to today is the film’s setting. The whole idea and concept of basically being cornered in an isolated farmhouse while hordes of the undead collect outside was terrifying to me as a child and still creepy today. The survivalist elements mixed with the simple “we have nowhere to go” angle is very effective here and of course it would go on to influence a large number of other movies that followed. I’ve seen “Night of the Living Dead” more times than I can count, yet with each new viewing I still find myself completely immersed in that Pennsylvania farmhouse.

#2 – GEORGE ROMERO

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“Night of the Living Dead” is known for several firsts and for paving new ways. Perhaps most notable is that this was the feature film directorial debut for George Romero. He was the real mastermind behind the project and in retrospect what he was able to accomplish is astonishing. First, the film was made with a miniscule budget of only $114,000. This seriously limited many things but also called for a much more creative sense. Romero certainly had that creativity. Intelligent uses of sound, the camera, and the limited special effects all fell into place under his direction. He also chose to shoot the film in 35mm black-and-white. Initially this was a budget constraint but he uses it like a master. Now it’s the only way the movie should be viewed. Again, what Romero does here is astonishing and it’s a true testament to the creativity of good filmmakers.

#1 – THE ZOMBIE CRAZE

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Zombies are all the rage aren’t they? The undead have found permanent homes in all sorts of media including comics, video games, movies, and television. So many people have been inspired to offer their own vision of zombies and the term ‘zombie apocalypse’ is known by everyone. And to think it all started with Romero’s vision. “Night of the Living Dead” wasn’t the first film to deal with the dead coming back to life, but it was the first film to truly develop zombies as they have come to be known today. It would be impossible to number all of movies whose inspiration could be traced back to “Night of the Living Dead”. It’s influence can be seen not only in cinema but in the culture as a whole – something I know Romero couldn’t have imagined at the time. So the next time you see a zombie movie, watch an episode of “The Walking Dead”, or play “Plants verses Zombies” just remember that it can all be traced back to the classic “Night of the Living Dead”.

So there you have it – 5 phenomenal things about what I consider to be the greatest horror picture ever made. What do you think of the film? What’s something you love about it? Do you even like the movie? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below and share your thoughts.

5 Phenomenal Movie Rescues

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This week’s Phenomenal 5 list has been rolling around in the back of my mind for a long time. I’ve attempted to put it together on many occasions but I was never able to narrow it down to just five. With “Captain Phillips” hitting the theaters the time is perfect. So today we’re looking at five phenomenal movie rescues. I can’t tell you how long the list was of movies I wanted to include. Narrowing it down to 10 was a chore – 5 was almost impossible. There have been so many great rescues throughout the history of cinema. So considering that, I would never call this the definitive list. But I will say without hesitation that these five movie rescues are certainly phenomenal.

#5 – “BLACK HAWK DOWN”

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It started as a quick snatch-and-go operation in Somalia. Delta Force and Ranger units are dispatched to capture the top advisers to the brutal warlord Aidid. But one small mishap sends the mission into chaos. Soldiers get separated and two Black Hawk choppers get shot down in the middle of the occupied city. Under the mantra “No one gets left behind”, the soldiers who made it out head right back into the danger to save their comrades. Heroism, sacrifice, and loss follow in some of the grittiest and most believable combat ever put on film. This is a Ridley Scott masterpiece and a great movie rescue.

#4 – “TAXI DRIVER”

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This certainly wouldn’t qualify as the most traditional inclusion on this list, but Travis Bickle’s rescue of young Iris from the clutches of a dirty pimp is certainly a memorable one. Bickle clearly isn’t the most stable of heroes and his motivations may be cloudy at best, but his actions definitely made a huge impact on Iris’ life. Violent, startling, and unforgettable, “Taxi Driver” features one of the most well known endings in cinema delivered from the great Martin Scorsese. It’s also a great rescue that I had to include on this list.

#3 – “THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS”

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I can honestly say that Michael Mann’s “The Last of the Mohicans” is one of my all time favorite movies. It’s a brilliant adaptation featuring fantastic action, a great love story, beautiful locations and music, and yes even a great movie rescue. [SPOILER] The film’s amazing finale takes place high on the cliffs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the captive Alice Munro being escorted by the evil Huron Magua to his village, a headfirst rescue attempt by Uncas doesn’t go well. But his father isn’t far behind and the final showdown in this tragic ending is unforgettable. There are so many great things about this film and the big rescue attempt at the end is near the top of that list.

#2 – “ARGO”

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Ben Affleck’s Oscar winning “Argo” is an entire movie centered around one amazing and daring rescue attempt. It follows the incredible rescue of six United States diplomats trapped inside a hostile Tehran, Iran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. It moves through the planning and eventual edge-of-your-seat execution of this seemingly absurd plan. “Argo” is filled to the brim with tension and suspense. It’s such a phenomenal true story and watching it all under Affleck’s skillful direction is pure joy. It’s a great movie and a great movie rescue.

#1 – “RETURN OF THE JEDI”

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Hopefully my position as a full-fledged Star Wars geek won’t disqualify this choice in some readers eyes. I say that because even without my bias, the rescue of Han Solo from Jabba’s lair is one of the greatest movie rescues of all time. I love that whole sequence. The film opens with Luke, Leia and company carrying out their plan to rescue their captive friend on Tatooine. It involves infiltration, a bit of trickery, and then an escape. But things go wrong leading to their capture. Things play out and soon we’re outside with Han, Luke, and Chewie about to be executed via the Sarlacc Pit. A fantastic battle breaks out featuring light sabers, lasers, and even Boba Fett. It’s one of my favorite Star Wars action scenes and it’s a phenomenal movie rescue.

So there a five of the best movie rescues. There are so many out there that I could include. I can’t wait to read who you would have included. Please share your favorites in the comments below.