Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 406

Strangler Lewis · 02-18-2009, 07:16 AM

Before "Airport," and "Airplane," there was "Marooned," one of my favorites.

innerSpaceman · 02-18-2009, 08:36 AM

OMG, forgot about that one.

Don't know that it's any more of a disaster film than Apollo 13. I think John Q. Public has to be at risk if it's to be classified as a Disaster Film. Astronauts don't count.

But, yes, it was CHEESY.

Strangler Lewis · 02-18-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I think John Q. Public has to be at risk if it's to be classified as a Disaster Film. Astronauts don't count.

Raising the question of what makes a disaster film. Is it sufficient that people be put in peril? Does the peril have to be a gigantic natural force? Does the peril have to be a form of man's arrogance or complacency coming back to bite him on the ass?

Towering Inferno had arrogance but not a great natural force. Poseidon had both a natural force and man's greed/complacency in that the ship was insufficiently ballasted because they wanted to get it to port faster to scrap it.

If peril and complacency are enough, then maybe a little movie like "The Incident" is a disaster film: New Yorkers terrorized by thugs on a subway train. Or is that urban horror or a monster movie? Is "Alien" a disaster movie or a monster movie or both?

Apollo 13 was exciting, I suppose, but I don't think it inspired much reflection.

You have 45 minutes. You may begin.

Cadaverous Pallor · 02-18-2009, 08:54 AM

Ah, didn't realize Airport was more of a soap opera.

Do you guys like Towering Inferno? I always loved it but again, I grew up with it. Steve McQueen, yow!

innerSpaceman · 02-18-2009, 09:16 AM

Towering Inferno is a hoot. Not a very good movie, but a hoot regardless.

Airport is a really good film, if a bit of a melodrama. More of a quality thriller really. Great cast - Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jacqueline Bisset, Helen Hayes and, yes, George Kennedy originating the role of Joe Patroni that would "grace" many of the really crappy sequels that were pathetic disaster movie descendents.

Of course, The Towering Inferno had a great cast, too. I guess it's what you do with it.

JWBear · 02-18-2009, 10:08 AM

Love me some Inferno and Poseidon.

Not Afraid · 02-18-2009, 10:12 AM

Looks like I'm going to be singing "There's Got to be a Morning After" for the rest of the day.

JWBear · 02-18-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Looks like I'm going to be singing "There's Got to be a Morning After" for the rest of the day.

Just in case you forgot the words:

flippyshark · 02-18-2009, 10:28 AM

I've even gone to the extent of reading Arthur Hailey's Airport novel. the movie is a pretty faithful rendering of it. For that matter, i read both of the novels that inspired The Towering Inferno. (The Tower and The Glass Inferno) As soon as I run across a used paperback copy, I can't wait to read Arthur Herzog's The Swarm. From what I've heard, it bears little relation to the awesome crapfest that Irwin Allen unleashed on the public.

innerSpaceman · 02-18-2009, 10:32 AM

Hahah, I read those two towering inferno-inspiration novels, too.

And I liked the Arthur Hailey Airport novel so much, I read a few of his others as well. (Airport was a pretty faithful adaptation; Hotel not so much.)

02-18-2009, 07:16 AM	#1
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Before "Airport," and "Airplane," there was "Marooned," one of my favorites. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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02-18-2009, 08:36 AM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	OMG, forgot about that one. Don't know that it's any more of a disaster film than Apollo 13. I think John Q. Public has to be at risk if it's to be classified as a Disaster Film. Astronauts don't count. But, yes, it was CHEESY.
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02-18-2009, 08:54 AM	#4
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Ah, didn't realize Airport was more of a soap opera. Do you guys like Towering Inferno? I always loved it but again, I grew up with it. Steve McQueen, yow! __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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02-18-2009, 09:16 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Towering Inferno is a hoot. Not a very good movie, but a hoot regardless. Airport is a really good film, if a bit of a melodrama. More of a quality thriller really. Great cast - Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jacqueline Bisset, Helen Hayes and, yes, George Kennedy originating the role of Joe Patroni that would "grace" many of the really crappy sequels that were pathetic disaster movie descendents. Of course, The Towering Inferno had a great cast, too. I guess it's what you do with it.
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02-18-2009, 10:08 AM	#6
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Love me some Inferno and Poseidon. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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02-18-2009, 10:12 AM	#7
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Looks like I'm going to be singing "There's Got to be a Morning After" for the rest of the day.
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02-18-2009, 10:28 AM	#9
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	I've even gone to the extent of reading Arthur Hailey's Airport novel. the movie is a pretty faithful rendering of it. For that matter, i read both of the novels that inspired The Towering Inferno. (The Tower and The Glass Inferno) As soon as I run across a used paperback copy, I can't wait to read Arthur Herzog's The Swarm. From what I've heard, it bears little relation to the awesome crapfest that Irwin Allen unleashed on the public.
	Submit to Quotes

02-18-2009, 10:32 AM	#10
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Hahah, I read those two towering inferno-inspiration novels, too. And I liked the Arthur Hailey Airport novel so much, I read a few of his others as well. (Airport was a pretty faithful adaptation; Hotel not so much.)
	Submit to Quotes