I grew up in New York City, so I've seen and been in plenty of tall buildings. In the years since I left the Big Apple, I've lived in and around several other cities. Whenever I see their versions of skyscrapers, I get a bit nostalgic for home. It doesn't help that there is no greater, or more recognizable skyline than that of The City That Never Sleeps. Needless to say, the topic chosen this week by Wanderer at Wandering Through the Shelves, our host for Thursday Movie Picks has made a little homesick. So, just so I can make through this post in one piece, I've decided that none of the movies I pick for this topic will take place in New York. My apologies to King Kong, but I just couldn't do it. Let's what I could do.
Game of Death
(1972)
Some bad guys had something taken from them that is being kept on the top floor of a five-story building. My New York bias tells me five stories isn't really a "tall building," but I'm picking so I'll let it slide. Anyhoo, no guns are allowed on the premises of this building so the bad guys need someone who can kick ass to go in there and get whatever it is back. They strong-arm martial arts champion Hai Tien into giving it a try by kidnapping the man's family. This movie literally has the best and worst things in cinematic history trapped within its 85 minutes. For the best, well, the guy playing Hai Tien is the one and only Bruce Lee. Better even than that, he's involved in one of his most memorable fight scenes of all time as all 5'6" of him takes on 7'2" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As for the worst, there's lots of it. For starters, Bruce passed away before finishing the film. If that weren't bad enough, the powers that be decided to finish the film using a string guys in Lee's place who don't really look like him. And that's just the beginning of the hijinks and shenanigans the filmmakers tried to pull. This one is a perfect fit for the term so bad it's awesome!
Skyscraper
(1996)
A woman who gives helicopter rides to rich people lands on top of a skyscraper that's been taken over by terrorists. It so happens, she's married to a detective. While she's trying to save the day, we get flashbacks to earlier (sexier) times in her marriage. I know, I know. It sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it? Let me put it this way: the entire movie is 1000% Die Hard with boobs. These aren't just any boobs, though. We're talking Anna Nicole Smith in her Playboy heyday boobs. Yipee ki yay, mother...
The Raid: Redemption
(2011)
Imagine, there's an apartment building where 95% of the residents are armed and dangerous fugitives from the law. That's not a place where I want to be. However, if I were a member of a SWAT team I wouldn't have much choice if we got the call to go in there and bring out the head bad guy. That's the position Rama finds himself in as he and 19 other officers are summonsed to do just that. If you're paying attention you know that's 20 good guys. Unfortunately, there are over 200 bad guys with itchy trigger fingers. A fair few of them are also damn good at martial arts, too. All sorts of fast-paced, gory mayhem ensues. By the way, I'm totally changing the direction of this post, here. Let's face it. The two picks before this one are bad movies that happen to fit my peculiar tastes. I don't expect you to like them. This one does not fit that bill. For my money, this 101 minute shot of adrenaline is arguably the best action movie of the 21st century.