| By Fred Topel
In Theaters Now
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This weekend’s Crank gives us a guy who has to stay on the move to keep his heart rate up, or a poison will kill him. They’re already dubbing it “Speed on a Person.” It’s pretty outrageous, but Hollywood has given us lots of outrageous ideas over the years. Here are some of the best.
10. Chill Factor - I always liked this Speed knockoff where they had to keep a bomb cooled under 50 degrees. It was fun and provided clever improvised cooling devices, though Cuba Gooding Jr.’s hot head didn’t help matters.
9. Capricorn 1- The government fakes a Mars landing but when the shuttle burns up on the return trip, what do they do with the astronaut actors? It’s the ultimate conspiracy theory and with ‘70s style action, it worked. Who would have known that O.J. would later be involved in another conspiracy?
8. Cellular - You’ve got to stay on the cell phone until you can find the kidnapped woman who called you at random. Anyone who’s lost the signal in the canyon can feel this one.
7. Speed - Even though they couldn’t keep up the bus concept for a whole movie, and had to pad it out with an elevator and a subway, this is the ultimate high concept.
6. Face/Off - Dude, they swapped faces! Not only was this a great idea, but the story was so deep and meaningful that we all believed big fat John Travolta could pass for thin, wiry Nicolas Cage.
5. Independence Day - Certainly not a quality movie in execution, but the concept of defending our planet from aliens on America’s seminal holiday is the ultimate rabble rousing, crowd pleaser.
4. Die Hard - In a way, this is the one that started it all. Once you said “One guy, one building, 12 terrorists,” all you had to do was find other confining locations. But nothing was ever this good.
3. Minority Report - In the future, they can predict crime before it happens. So you’re told that you’re going to murder someone. How do you prove you won’t? This would have been the perfect movie if they hadn’t had those stupid suspended animation prisons. If you can stop any crime before it happens, why do you need any prisons?
2. Final Destination - These movies are brilliant. You escape a deadly disaster but death still comes after you. These movies find the most brilliant ways to make mundane household situations deadly.
1. Snakes on a Plane - I’m still rallying behind this one. All movies should have an outrageous, fun concept and just go wild. |
