Conspiracy and Spy Movies
Director: John Frankenheimer
Writers: George Axelrod, Richard Condon, John Frankenheimer
Main Actors: Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury
This is the original version of this movie. In this (and the better) version of the film a group of soldiers was kidnapped and brainwashed by the Communists to further their goals in the US. &nbps; This group of soldiers was lead by Frank Sinatra (the chairman of the board). In my opinion, his finest performance and shows that he can do other things than just sing. The other important member of this group is played by Lawrence Harvey. Harvey's character comes from a priveledged background where his father is a powerful senator in the mold of McCarthy with a twist. Also featured in this film is Angela Lansbury who plays Harvey's mother in a very un-"Murder, She Wrote" way and was nominated for an oscar for her role. The Manchurian Canidate is a highly suspenseful film with many twists and turns wonderfully directed by John Frankenheimer.
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writer: Francis Ford Coppola
Main Actor: Gene Hackman
One of the lesser known Coppola films maybe because it is overshadowed by The Godfather which it followed two years later. It follows Gene Hackman's character who is a master in survellance. He records one particularly dangerous conversation that causes everything to unfold. The movie also features Robert Duvall and a very young Harrison Ford pre Han Solo. It is another highly suspensful film that shows us that maybe there are some things we should not hear.
Director: John McTiernan
Writers: Tom Clancy, Larry Ferguson, Donald Stewart
Main Actors: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin
A new and silent Soviet submarine leaves Minsk on its maiden voyage under the command of the nations greatest submarine captain (Sean Connery). Will the Red Oktober ccmplete its mission or does the captain have other ideas. Beyond that the movie follows a young CIA officer (Alec Baldwin) and his attempts to contact the rogue Soviet sub commander. This is the first film and book featuring Tom Clancy's title character of Jack Ryan which will live on in many books and at least three more movies.
Director: Guy Hamilton
Writers: Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, Paul Dehn
Main Actor: Sean Connery
"Martini, shaken not stirred", "My name is Bond, James Bond" and many, many others. The third film in the Bond series of films and the one it all comes together. The evil genius, the brutish muscleman, the cars, the gadgets, the beautiful heiroine, and of course the dashing british spy that saves the day. How else can I sum it up? Evil genius, Goldfinger, wants to break into Fort Knox and the only one that can stop him is James Bond. Throw in some witty remarks and a lot of gold and you have a movie.
Director: James Cameron
Writers: Claude Zidi, Simon Michaël, Didier Kaminka, James Cameron
Main Actor: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis
A fun movie with an over the top hero/superspy which is what one would expect from Arnold Schwartzenegger. Arnold plays a spy who is happily married with a daughter. The only problem is that Jamie Lee Curtis (the wife) thinks he is just a lowly computer salesman. She also has a thirst for excitement which gets her into some trouble later. This is a highly entertaining movie if you do not take it too seriously so sit back and pop come popcorn and enjoy.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Ben Hecht
Main Actor: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains
A very gritty and realistic spy/suspense film set in post WW2 South America. Ingrid Bergman plays a troubled young lady who just happens to be an acquintance of a former Nazi who is now living in South America played by Claude Rains. No Casablance here though. Cary Grant, as always dashing, plays the US spy handler who cleans her up and puts her to work with a little romance thrown in. Along with the superb acting, Hitchcock brings with him all his usual suspense and intrigue that one would expect from the master of suspense.
Director: Michael Mann
Writers: Marie Brenner, Eric Roth, Michael Mann
Main Actor: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer
Russell Crowe who might possibly be the most talented actor of his generation plays a former tobacco company scientist who becomes a whisteblower. His fight to come forward with the assistence of a 60 Minutes producer (played by Al Pacino) involves many threats, lawyers, and personal tribulations. Russell Crowe has a personal transformation to play this character making it hard to believe it is actually him under the make-up. It is based on a true story that makes you wonder about Corporate America's intensions.