BigScreenBytes

When the masses head out to the cinema on a Friday or Saturday night, they do so looking for an escape from the everyday. The expectation of every moviegoer is to be entertained from start to finish. No film genre is better at keeping viewers on the edge of their seats than a great spy thriller. These films keep viewers guessing from start to finish as they try to get inside the story and unravel the twists and turns for themselves, before it all plays out on screen in front of them.

Filmmakers around the world never fail to deliver a number of gems each decade that leave viewers wanting more. The following list of movies, in this humble writer’s opinion, contains the 10 greatest (and entertaining) spy movies from the past 10 years.

10] I Spy (2002)

If one viewed just the storyline before looking at the cast of characters they would find an intriguing plot. The latest high tech gadgetry pumped out by the U.S. government has just been stolen by an international arms dealer. The CIA’s top agent, Alex Scott, is unexpectedly teamed up with boxing champion Kelly Robinson to help find the missing equipment. There is nothing wrong with adding a little humour to the thrill of the chase; unless you don’t care for Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy.

9] From Paris with Love (2010)

In this spy flick Travolta plays the role of Charlie Wax, an unorthodox loose cannon and agent of the CIA. James Reece, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, is a humble employee at the U.S. Ambassador’s office in Paris looking for great adventure in a black ops role for the CIA. Reece finds more than he bargained for when he is asked to pick up Charlie Wax from the airport. The film is more action than spy thriller, but great nonetheless.

8] Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play the dubiously named Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this film, a married couple who both moonlight as hit men for different companies. Neither one knows the other’s true occupation at first, but when they discover each other’s true role the race is on to see who can take the other out first.

7] Salt (2010)

Angeline Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a highly respected CIA agent who has her life turned upside down when a Russian defector turns himself in and accuses Salt of being a double agent. As the plot unfolds viewers are left wondering throughout if Salt truly is the mole or the savior.

6] Munich (2005)

Set in the aftermath of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, this film tells the story of a black ops mission developed by the Israeli government to exact revenge on all those involved in the massacre. Eric Bana headlines the cast in this intense spy thriller.

5] Quantum of Solace (2008)

It was inevitable that James Bond would appear on this list, after all the Mi6 operate has been wowing viewers for decades. In this installment Bond is out for revenge; revenge for his lost love and revenge against those who attempted to murder “M”. The search leads Bond around the globe and is never short of action and a pile of bodies left behind.

4] Casino Royale (2006)

Bond is at it again, this time competing in a high stakes poker game against Le Chiffre, a major financier for terrorist organizations across the globe. Bond must defeat Le Chiffre at the table, while trying to unravel his plans behind the scenes. The closer he gets to victory at the table, the more danger Bond is in away from the table.

3] Taken (2008)

Liam Neeson plays a retired CIA agent who wanted a calmer life near his daughter in sunny California. When he reluctantly gives her the OK to visit Paris with a friend, he soon regrets his choice as the two girls are kidnapped by human traffickers. Neeson gets back in the game, using every trick in his arsenal to track down the men who took his daughter, rescue her, and make them pay.

2] Mission Impossible (1996)

Even though the first installment came in a different decade, this film cannot be left off the list. Tom Cruise’s role as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the original spawned three more installments (Mission Impossible II 2000, Mission Impossible III 2006, Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol 2011) and defined mind-bending spy thrillers for years. In the original, Hunt is targeted as a traitor and must work under the radar to clear his name and expose the real threat.

1] The Bourne Identity (2002)

Matt Damon’s role as Jason Bourne changed the spy thriller game for good. Bourne was a member of a top secret American controlled web of spies. Brain washed, highly skilled, and always on call; the members of this organization were used to carry out any task their controllers saw fit. Bourne, despite rigorous training, had a meltdown and went off the grid. His search to find his true identity and expose the program spawned two more films (The Bourne Supremacy 2004, The Bourne Ultimatum 2007) and changed the pace and level of action in spy films.

Image courtesy of lisasabin-wilson.com

About the author: This is a guest article by Dan Harrison, who has been collecting interesting spy gadgets for the last 15 years. The gadgets include phone taps, covert spy cameras, and tiny video transmitters the size of your thumbnail!

Cal Weaver discovers over dinner that his wife has had an affair and wants a divorce. Cal is devastated by the rejection and uncharacteristically sits at a neightborhood bar drowning his sorrows. The resident ladykiller of the bar Jacob watches middle-aged Cal night after night until he calls him over and offers to give him a makeover so he can win his wife back. Cal tries to move forward with his new single life but can’t seem to forget his soulmate Emily.

Unlike most romantic comedies this film has some unique twists that are not obvious and may surprise the audience. Carell and Moore make a believable couple with enough layers provided so you understand their breakup yet feel empathy for them. The relationships that develop between Cal and Jacob, his young singles mentor, and Jacob and the one woman who can’t be bothered with this lothario are engaging. There are a few secondary stories that tie into the main story and give plenty of screen time to this group of talented actors. The cast is very good, from the leads to the secondary roles, and the script meshes easily with the acting styles to create a watchable comedy that isn’t your standard romantic comedy.

It is refreshing to watch actors making the most out of good material in a romantic comedy that seems different from the rest. If you like romantic comedies that are not just fluff with a real storyline, you’ll enjoy Crazy, Stupid, Love.

2011. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Jonah Bobo, Analeigh Tipton, and Joey King.

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The documentary “American Bear” is a great concept by these up and coming filmmakers. Help these film innovators by watching the trailer below and visiting their fundraiser online to help get this film made.

“American Bear: An Adventure In The Kindness Of Strangers” follows playful couple Sarah and Greg as they travel around the country for 60 days, relying on the kindness of strangers for a home each night. Armed with nothing but their curiosity and a camera, they met hundreds of fascinating people in 30 states — and only spent a few nights in the car. Their fate-driven route follows the 5 towns called Bear, in Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Arkansas, and Delaware, sending them in a circle through every region of the country. “American Bear” shares the complex and diverse voices of their hosts, at times heartbreaking, hilarious, and inspirational. Most of all, the film is about the power of each individual to generate change, starting with a small act of kindness.

“American Bear” is currently fundraising at Kickstarter: http://kck.st/uHYJ3s. Donations from $1 and up offer incentives like a DVD of the film, a teddy bear like they left behind with each host, as well as gifts from some of the friends they made along the way: dinosaur bones, Cheyenne necklaces, or a private Reiki session. The film will be finished this summer with your help! Thank you so much for your interest, and have a beautiful day.

Catch the trailer of “American Bear” below:

Nick, Dale and Kurt are three friends who have problems at work. Nick is always at work doing overtime and an exemplary employee, yet Nick’s boss demeans him every second of the day, raking him over the coals for being two minutes late. Dale’s boss is sexually harrassing him constantly even though he is engaged to be married, and has no recourse but to stay there because of his sketchy past. Kurt’s boss is a wonderful man, he can’t ask for more in a boss. Fate steps in and hands him his bosses’ son as his supervisor, a coked-up psycho who cares nothing for Kurt or the company. The three friends are miserable until they cook up a plot to assure their bosses discretely disappear.

Horrible Bosses is a powerhouse line-up of talented actors with great comic timing who make the most of this well-written, laugh out loud script. The director gives these talented actors plenty of room for improv and more laughs. The premise is funny, especially with the inept abilities of the three guys who have no idea how to carry out their evil fantasy. Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis are excellent and work perfectly together, while the three bosses (Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and an unrecognisable Colin Farrell) match them in peformance, making this a very watchable movie. Jamie Foxx is hilarious as a thug who consults them on criminal behavior, helping the workers plot their revenge.

If you are looking for a funny, slightly quirky but strangely satisfying take on making the most of the workplace, add this movie to your must see list.

2011. Directed by Seth Gordon. Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, and Jamie Foxx.

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Ex-Army entertainers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis take their song-and-dance act to a Vermont lodge for a Christmas show to help boost the profits of the failing lodge, owned by their former Army commander, General Waverly. Davis convinces his friend Judy who is part of a sister act to join in the show, then plays matchmaker with Wallace and Judy’s sister Betty. Romances between the two acts develop, with mix-ups, music and laughs along the way.

White Christmas is about as traditional a holiday musical as it gets. What keeps this musical watchable year after year is the great chemistry between the four leads and the classic music and dance numbers. The vocals of the four leads are excellent, the dance numbers are at times inspired, and Danny Kaye’s comic timing is always on point.

If you are a fan of classic movies and musicals, White Christmas is a perfect choice to get you into the mood for the holiday season.

1954. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes, and Anne Whitfield.

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Charles Dickens classic tale follows miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he lives his life soley focused on how much money he makes. Scrooge lives like a pauper despite his wealth. Scrooge’s assistant Bob Cratchit must work with only a few coals for warmth. Scrooge condemns Cratchit’s request for the entire day off on Christmas day, calling Christmas “humbug”. On Christmas Eve the ghost of Cratchit’s business partner haunts him warning Scrooge to change his ways. Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future who show Scrooge how others view his miserable life and make clear he must repent his ways.

This Hallmark Channel adaptation of Charles Dickens novel stars Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge. It is a very good production, with excellent cast and a standout performance by Patrick Stewart, a fine Shakespearean stage actor who makes the most of this stellar role. The art direction is beautiful and the costumes are particularly appealing in this version of Dicken’s book.

Dickens story of greed and redemption is a classic and one of my favorite books. Whether you choose the Hallmark Channel version or the original movie starring Alastair Sim, or one of the many other versions, A Christmas Carol is a treasured story worth watching every Christmas season.

1999. Directed by David Hugh Jones. Starring Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey, Ian McNeice, Saskia Reeves, Desmond Barrit, Bernard Lloyd, and Dominic West.

Halloweentown’s pumpkin king Jack Skellington does not understand or appreciate Christmas. Jack stumbles upon Christmas Town and is totally taken with the idea of Christmas. Jack is convinced he can do Christmas better than Santa and takes on the daunting challenge of running Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is an original animated Christmas tale from Tim Burton. The animation is top notch with Burton’s signature art style. The disconcerting scary Halloween design mixed with cheery Christmas is fascinating yet wonderfully charming. The voice talent is excellent and lends to the quirky quality of the movie. Very young children may find some of the movie scary due to the Halloween artwork.

If you aren’t a big fan of traditional Christmas movies and like the dark edge of Edward Sissorhands and Burton animation then The Nightmare Before Christmas might be a great choice for the holidays.

1993. Directed by Henry Selick, written by Tim Burton. Starring the voice talents of Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Greg Proops, and Paul Reubens.

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Becky is a morning TV show producer, a triple type A workaholic who loses her job and must adjust to a new position. Becky lands a producer job on the struggling show Daybreak but can’t get a break when it comes to moving the ratings higher. Becky digs deep, connects with co-workers, and takes a chance on serious news reporter Mike Pomeroy to boost the ratings while dealing with his enormous ego.

This is a typical romantic comedy with some decent writing and solid acting by the cast. It’s always a good day when Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton are in a movie, and here they don’t disappoint. There is nothing earth shattering here but the performances are good and the script is engaging.

If you are looking for an above average light hearted romantic comedy with some able writing this film is one you’ll appreciate.

2010. Directed by Roger Michell. Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson, and Jeff Goldblum.

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Single mother Ray Eddy tries to survive after her husband disappears, leaving her scraping by on her meager salary. The Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec is a frozen wasteland leaving Ray little hope for a better life. Ray struggles to provide for her son and keep from losing her home. A chance encounter with a Mowhawk single mother and an opportunity for fast money involves her in illegal operations taking place at the border.

Melissa Leo was nominated for an Oscar for her role and rightly so. This movie is gut wrenching and real. Leo and Upham are riveting as the two women from different cultures who form a bond while trying to keep their lives from crumbling before them.

Frozen River is not an easy watch, it rides the line of what is right and wrong when it comes to choices desperate people make over money. This is an excellent drama and a film you should include on your must see list.

2008. Directed by Courtney Hunt. Starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott, Michael O’Keefe, Mark Boone Junior, James Reilly and Jay Klaitz.

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Biochemist Dr. Martin Harris and his wife arrive in Berlin for a conference where he is a featured speaker. The conference is featuring a startling scientific breakthrough that is to be announced, funded by a controversial Arab figure. Dr. Harris inadvertently leaves his briefcase with his passport and wallet behind at the airport and races back only to be involved in a horrific auto accident that leaves him in a coma for four days. When the doctor awakes he has memory loss until he remembers his wife at the hotel. When Dr. Harris arrives at the conference hotel no one, not even his wife, recognizes him. Dr. Harris strives to prove his true identity while avoiding assassination attempts on his life.

I enjoy Liam Neeson’s acting style and will watch him in most of his movies. He has acted in a number of action flicks so I rented this one simply because he was in it. Unknown is a fairly average action/thriller story-wise. Neeson is always good but sometimes the material just doesn’t live up to his skills and this is one of those films. Unfortunately January Jones as the doctor’s wife seems ill cast across from powerhouse actor Neeson. Diane Kruger does good work here and creates an interesting character that plays well off Neeson’s Dr. Harris. Frank Langella is always a pleasure to watch and here he makes the most of his role.

The screenplay could be much stronger than it is since much of the story is implausible or at times doesn’t make sense, but all in all this is a watchable film for action fans. If you like Liam Neeson and action/thriller flicks you should enjoy this film.

2011. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz, Sebastian Koch, and Frank Langella.

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