My first thought for this theme was 'YES!' but then I struggled for while thinking what I could pick so I went for random choices. I did really want to pick 'Burn After Reading' but that might be for a different sort of category altogether. I was also very tempted to include my latest obsession, 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E' but I thought, save it for another day.
Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
OSS: Cairo Nest of Spies
After I saw The Artist, I sought out Michel Hazanavicius' previous films and to my delight his hit film and sequel were spoof spy stories set in the 1950's. Agent OSS 117 (Jean Dujardin) is sent to track down a missing agent who then literally stumbles upon international intrigue, that somehow involves everyone from the Soviets to some Nazis.A favourite scene invloves a light switch and chickens.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
The film has it all really, spies, moles, secrets a great cast and its set in London. British agent, Smiley is charged with trying to find the Soviet double agent at the British Secret Service. I know Alec Guinness played Smiley first (one of my Dad's favourite TV shows) but I do love Oldman in this. It was good to see him with his British accent.
The 39 Steps
The book, the films, the TV adaptations and the play. My favourites are the Hitchcock film and the hilarious play, it's just pure brilliance. I should mention, I haven't read the book. A man ends up helping a secret agent only to have her killed in his home. From there he's on the run, climbing out of moving trains, scrambling around the Scottish moors and trying to uncover the secrets of a spy organisation while trying to stop them from getting important information. Pure Hitchcock all over.
I have yet to watch all of your picks! I have trouble finishing OSS: Cairo Nest of Spies, hopefully I get to do so. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen, TTSS. Very good slow-burn spy thriller.
ReplyDeleteSlow burner! Thats the expression I was searching for. Describes it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI actually get what you mean about OSS, I watched it in two bits. But I ended up loving it. I haven't seen the sequel though.
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I need to give TTSS another go soon, I tried to watch it a while ago and got so confused by the first 10 minutes! I just need to soldier on :)
ReplyDelete- Allie
I haven't seen any of these, though I've seen bits and pieces of TTSS. I need to go back and finish that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice varied lot! 39 Steps isn't my favorite Hitchcock but a very good film, a terrific fit for the week and Madeleine Carroll is a great Hitchcock heroine. Like you I sought out OSS: Cairo after seeing The Artist and it was a delight, a lot of that has to do with Jean Dujardin and his enormous charm. I made a special point to see Tinker, Tailor...in the theatre because it seemed right up my alley being a fan of espionage films and that amazing cast but I thought it was a ponderous bore. Oldman was excellent but I thought the best performance came from Tom Hardy in his small role.
ReplyDeleteOMG OSS117!!! LOVE both of those movies! I'm kind of obsessed with Man From UNCLE, too - that was so much fun and the fashions! 39 Steps is so great - both the movie and the play are favorites.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen Cairo:Nest of Spies but even the picture you placed here made me laugh-pure 50's look with the backdrop. I love the main actor too. Tinker, Tailor was an excellent film and Gary Oldman is a great actor who is under-rated. Love the 39 Steps and almost picked it but I thought I would steer away from Hitchcock for once. Loved Robert Donat in the title role with Madeleine Carroll-great chemistry
ReplyDeleteWatch it with no distractions, you'll be fine :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give TTSS another try. In peices it gets confusing :)
ReplyDeleteI was indeed charmed by Jean Dujardin. But I saw another film sooner after OSS, The Players and I wasn't that impressed. He's in a few other films at the moment which I was keen to see. My dad, fan of the original was also impressed by Tom Hardy too.
ReplyDeleteI need to see the sequel. I have it waitiing on my shelf :) I'm really hoping that there is a Man from U.N.C.L.E sequel. I'm hearing more from others that they enjoyed it which is excellent news!
ReplyDeleteGreat chemistry! I think you need it to work between the leads to get the flow. Hahaha I picked the picture for that backdrop, that's what the feel is like throughout. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI think I have seen 39 Steps. Was this the movie that he remade a few years later? I can't remember which one of it I saw then.
ReplyDeleteNo the one Hitchcock remade was 'The Man Who Knew Too Much'. There have also been multiple versions of The 39 Steps.
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