Tension!

Martyn · « **on:** 23 Feb 2011, 04:34 pm »

Once a month I host a “Boys’ Movie Night” with a few of my buddies, where we take it in turns to pick the evening’s movies. As an immediate digression…I can thoroughly recommend this; it’s not only an enjoyable social event, but you see films that you might not otherwise have thought of.

Back to the point…next time my turn rolls around, I’m planning a “tension” theme. I have a couple of odd-ball shorts lined up and am looking for the main movie. So here’s the essence of this thread…

Suggest one or more movies that are “high tension”. This means movies that have you on the edge of your seat with your heart racing, your eyes popping, and your adrenalin flowing for most of the movie. For each movie, provide a “star” rating (let’s not bother with anything less than four stars) and the genre (could be action, drama, thriller, suspense…), plus (optionally) a few lines outlining the plot.

I’d provide an example to start us off, but my memory doesn’t function very well at this kind of thing – hence this thread! Have fun!

Martyn

Edit: Here's the list for easy reference...

Wait Until Dark
Enemy at the Gates
28 Days Later
Haute Tension (French)
Irreversible (French)
Sexy Beast
Thriller, Disc 6 – Late Date
The Haunting
Audition (Japanese)
Sorcerer
Cape Fear
Paranormal Activity
Blowing Wild
Saving Private Ryan
Them (French)
The Professional
Touching The Void
Thief
Alien

thunderbrick · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 04:38 pm »

Wait Until Dark, from the late 60's. I have never been in a theater were people literally jumped out of their seats as they did here.

Enemy at the Gates.

Tyson · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 05:33 pm »

28 Days Later - awesome modern zombie flick.

gitarretyp · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 05:49 pm »

The French horror film Haute Tension (High Tension) is about the most tension inducing film of which I'm aware. The ending leaves a lot to be desired because of the glaring plot holes it creates, but it's a well done horror film overall.

Irreversible is another French horror/thriller film that elicits a good deal of tension but for somewhat unconventional reasons. It's a very difficult movie to watch, though, because of its very realistic portrayal of violence.

Demarche · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 05:49 pm »

"Sexy Beast", it’s a great movie and Ben Kingsley's performance in this movie would definitely fall into the category of Tension!

jazzcourier · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 06:14 pm »

You want tension? Order from Netflix.... THRILLER- season one-disc six. "THRILLER" ran two seasons in the early 60's and was a weekly one hour show that was along the lines of the "Twilight Zone" or "One step beyond" although it was geared more to the supernatural and mystery genres.I saw some of these when they were new but have seen all the discs in the two seasons and they run about 80% great.Great stories,acting and sets and amazing music.
One of the best is 'late date" from the fist season-disc 6...this is from the pen of the great master of suspense Cornell Woolrich.This story will keep you on the edge of the edge of your seat.
Thriller was hosted by Boris Karloff who did an elaborate introduction to each episode.Once you see one of these you will be hooked and will be spending hours amazed at how good these were.

1ZIP · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 06:31 pm »

"The Haunting" (1963 B&W), Based on the novel, The Haunting of Hill House.
There is a 1999 remake but it's not very good.

Cacophonix · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 09:10 pm »

Rent "Audition" - Japanese horror flick.
I've yet to come across a more chilling movie.

Martyn · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 10:52 pm »

Excellent! Interesting that many are from the 1960s, and an interesting mix of genres too. Wait until Dark is a classic - that'll be on my list for sure. It's going to be fun checking out the rest...

acresm22 · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 01:47 am »

Martyn, you might want to check out William Friedkin's 1977 film Sorcerer too. It's not about the supernatural (which is one reason it flopped at the box office, since viewers were expecting something akin to Friedkin's wildly successful The Exorcist)...it's just an interesting drama/action film that really ratchets up the tension as it progresses.

Two other films that I have to recommend, though you've probably seen both...Martin Scorcese's remake of Cape Fear, and the more recent Paranormal Activity. Both of those had me on the edge of the edge of my seat when I first watched them.

jazzcourier · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 02:22 am »

Sorcerer is a good pick.The underrated Roy Schieder shines in a reprise of the Yves Montand role in the original "Wages of Fear" from 1952 directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.Two down on their luck dudes truck nitro through the jungle.The 2011 version could be filmed shipping expensive speakers UPS.That is tension. Oddly enough the same year-1953 an American film was made directed by Philip Yordan- "Blowing Wild" starring Gary Cooper,Barbara Stanwyck and Anthony Quinn.It is just about the same film,except for the Stanwyck character to add "love" tension.Once again these guys truck nitro through the jungle.I like all three.

ton1313 · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 03:05 am »

Quote from: gitarretyp on 23 Feb 2011, 05:49 pm

The French horror film Haute Tension (High Tension) is about the most tension inducing film of which I'm aware. The ending leaves a lot to be desired because of the glaring plot holes it creates, but it's a well done horror film overall.

Irreversible is another French horror/thriller film that elicits a good deal of tension but for somewhat unconventional reasons. It's a very difficult movie to watch, though, because of its very realistic portrayal of violence.

High tension is freaking great! Edge of your seat, and just when you think you can breathe, it takes off again.

Irreversible is definitely an interesting movie, the "realisic" scene is very disturbing

stlrman · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 02:19 pm »

Cape Fear!!

thunderbrick · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 02:31 pm »

Saving Private Ryan

jazzcourier · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 03:21 pm »

If you liked "High tension" you would dig "Them",another scary French film about a remote house and some intruders.This has less gore but is very intense as one knows what the victims know-nothing,as the relentless,frightening pursuit and assault persists.This is one intense film that delivers and has a great finale that you will not forget! this film is from 2007.

Tyson · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 05:09 pm »

2nd the rec for Audition (the japanese horror movie), but it's not just tense, it's also very disturbing.

Whitese · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 05:16 pm »

I am yet to see a moviegoer at the edge of their seat...literally.

But for tension, I like The Professional.

JRace · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 05:52 pm »

My vote is for:
Touching The Void

Quote

In the mid-80's two young climbers attempted to reach the summit of Siula Grande in Peru; a feat that had previously been attempted but never achieved. With an extra man looking after base camp, Simon and Joe set off to scale the mount in one long push over several days. The peak is reached, however on the descent Joe falls and breaks his leg. Despite what it means, the two continue with Simon letting Joe out on a rope for 300 meters, then descending to join him and so on. However when Joe goes out over an overhang with no way of climbing back up, Simon makes the decision to cut the rope. Joe falls into a crevice and Simon, assuming him dead, continues back down. Joe however survives the fall and was lucky to hit a ledge in the crevice. This is the story of how he got back down.

ted_b · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 06:21 pm »

Quote from: jazzcourier on 24 Feb 2011, 02:22 am

Sorcerer is a good pick.The underrated Roy Schieder shines in a reprise of the Yves Montand role in the original "Wages of Fear" from 1952 directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.Two down on their luck dudes truck nitro through the jungle.The 2011 version could be filmed shipping expensive speakers UPS.That is tension. Oddly enough the same year-1953 an American film was made directed by Philip Yordan- "Blowing Wild" starring Gary Cooper,Barbara Stanwyck and Anthony Quinn.It is just about the same film,except for the Stanwyck character to add "love" tension.Once again these guys truck nitro through the jungle.I like all three.

It's one of my fave under-rated movies, and yet Friedkin and Scheider were at the top of their game at the time. Came out as an indy film. I have the authentic movie poster glassed and framed in the house (great shot, even if you aren't aware that the truck is full of nitro!!).

jazzcourier · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 08:41 pm »

Let us not forget the awesome Tangerine Dream soundtrack that fueled the intensity of "Sorcerer". They also scored high honors for the under appreciated James Caan film "Thief ".That has some pretty profound moments of tension,angst and a great cameo by Willie Nelson as the dying convict.These are the movies that will send your wife into the other room to read.