This past weekend Premium Rush, an action-packed film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a bike messenger in New York City, opened in movie theaters. The movie wasn’t thought provoking and certainly didn’t inspire introspection, but after spending ninety minutes watching chaotic bike chases through the busy streets and back alleys of NYC, I did leave the theater with phantom pains and an elevated heart rate. In 2001, the American Film Institute unveiled a list of the 100 Most Thrilling American Films. The list is a mix of silent and CGI, psychological thriller and high action. I’m not sure I agree with every movie on the list, but it is worth browsing. Did your favorite thriller make the list?

If you’re in the mood for a thriller this Labor Day weekend, watch an old favorite or browse the HCPL catalog and request a new movie today!

A Few Films on the AFI 100 Thrillers List:

Just as westerns were a staple of television, they were among the earliest movies.  In fact one of the very first movies was The Great Train Robbery, an 11-minute film that wowed audiences in 1903.

Over the decades certain names have become synonymous with western movies: John Wayne, Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Clint Eastwood, Henry Fonda, director John Ford, writers Louis L’Amour and Larry McMurtry.  Today Sam Elliott and Kevin Costner are probably the actors most associated with the genre.  No matter when the films were made, the overall theme of one person or one group of people fighting others -- or even the elements – makes for exciting entertainment.

There was a time when westerns outnumbered cop shows or sitcoms on television.  In fact, in 1959, there were 26 westerns on prime time TV.  The genre continued to be a staple of TV programming until the 70s, when the popularity began to wane.  Still, those of us born and raised in the 50s and 60s have fond memories of the series we grew up with.  My personal favorites were – and still are -- Here Come the Brides, The Big Valley, and The High Chaparral.

In my last post, I blogged about the Emmy nominations in the dramatic categories. This week’s post is dedicated to the more lighthearted side of television: the comedies.  Last year, the big winner of the night was Modern Family and it looks like this year is shaping up to be the same, particularly in the supporting acting categories. It will be interesting to see if there are any upsets, or if Modern Family sweeps its categories yet again. 

A few weeks ago, the nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmys were announced. I did see the list when it was first released, but I was too caught up in anticipation for The Dark Knight Rises to fully process. Now that I have had time to browse the entire list, I’m happy to see that some of my favorites (including a few surprises!) were nominated. Although I don’t care quite as much for the Emmys as I do for the Oscars, I do have firm opinions about who I think should win in each category (and who I think should have been nominated). Below, I have listed all the nominees in the Drama categories. Who would you like to win?

This summer Pixar released its 13th feature film – and its first with a female lead.  The movie is titled Brave, and tells the story of a young Scottish woman and her clash with tradition – and her mother’s expectations.  I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, especially because it was about Scotland.  The title itself is inspired by the song Scotland the Brave, the unofficial national anthem.

Today The Dark Knight Rises, the conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s enormously successful Batman trilogy and the movie I have been waiting to see for months, finally opens in theaters. I have closely followed Christopher Nolan’s writing and directing career since first seeing Batman Begins in 2005, and I am constantly astonished at his incredible world building, complex plots, and depth of character. Since his first full length film in 1998, Following, Nolan has continued to experiment and grow as a director and as a screenwriter with his brother, Jonathan Nolan. Now, when the majority of summer releases are purely popcorn movies, Nolan has managed to perfect the art of the intelligent blockbuster.

Kimberly’s Thoughts:

Celeste Holm’s passing this week was a particularly sad occasion.  Yet another link to Hollywood past has gone with her.  Beginning her movie career in the 1940s, Holm was already a star on Broadway, originating the role of Ado Annie in the stage production of Oklahoma!  Once she settled in Hollywood, however, Holm stayed, working up until the end in film and television.