“Tower Heist” is a charming caper film, a fantasy that will resonate with folks today many of whom sympathize with the Occupy Wall Street crowds and even those that don’t. The universal appeal of the heist genre is undeniable. And the huge number of films devoted to it spanning the decades attests to the staying power of the genre. Below are a few eclectic films that DFF readers should check out this weekend.
Thief (1981) Directed by Michael Mann way before “Heat,” “Thief” is certainly one of Mann’s best films. James Cann stars as a safe cracker who gets double-crossed after a successful score. Tuesday Weld plays Cann’s girlfriend. Willie Nelson and James Belushi are in the cast, and the heavy is none-other-than the grandfatherly Robert Prosky.
1. Amazon: N/A
2. Netflix: DVD-By-Mail Only
3. CinemaNow: N/A
4. YouTube Movies: N/A
5. iTunes: N/A
6. Blockbuster: DVD-By-Mail Only
Quick Change (1990) An extremely funny caper yarn that focuses on what happens after the job is pulled. “Quick Change” is co-directed by Howard Franklin and star Bill Murray. Also stars Gina Davis and Randy Quaid before he started breaking the law in real life.
1. Amazon: N/A
2. Netflix: DVD-By-Mail Only
3. CinemaNow: N/A
4. YouTube Movies: N/A
5. iTunes: $2.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy
6. Blockbuster: $9.99 Buy – http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/27982
Sexy Beast (2000) Edgy heist film with strong performances “Sexy Beast” is directed by music video director Jonathan Glazer (who went onto direct “Birth”). Stars Ray Winstone as Gal and Ben Kingsley as the ferocious Don. Ian McShane is colder than hell as the criminal mastermind Teddy Bass. But not to be missed for Ben Kingsley’s performance alone that cannot be played on regular television.
1. Amazon: $2.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy – http://www.amazon.com/Sexy-Beast/dp/B001MY13BI/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1320166215&sr=1-1
2. Netflix: DVD-By-Mail Only
3. CinemaNow: $2.99 Rent – http://www.cinemanow.com/Rent/Movies/10471,0,5,,1,4,0/1000,0,5,,1,4,333302/Sexy-Beast.htm
4. YouTube Movies: N/A
5. iTunes: $2.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy
6. Blockbuster: $3.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy – http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/172805
Rififi (1955) Famous Jules Dassin film that I’ve not seen and is only available via DVD by mail.
1.Amazon: N/A
2. Netflix: DVD-By-Mail Only
3. YouTube Movies: N/A
4. Blockbuster: $22.99 Buy DVD- http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/29101
5. iTunes: N/A
6. CinemaNow: N/A
The Asphalt Jungle (1950) John Huston film that has Sterling Hayden as the tough guy Dix Handley and Sam Jaffe as the genius criminal Doc. Also of note in the cast is an early glimpse at Marilyn Monroe.
1. Amazon: $2.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy – http://www.amazon.com/The-Asphalt-Jungle/dp/B000SQXNGY/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1320405766&sr=1-2
2. Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Asphalt_Jungle/70000547?trkid=2361637
3. YouTube Movies: N/A
4. Blockbuster: DVD-By-Mail – http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/1807
5. iTunes: $2.99 Rent/$9.99 Buy
6. CinemaNow: $2.99 Rent SD – http://www.cinemanow.com/Rent/Movies/10471,0,5,,1,4,0/1000,0,5,,1,4,148037/The-Asphalt-Jungle.htm
