As a child of the 70s, I was captivated by the magic of movies that transported me to worlds of excitement and danger. Two films from that era stand out as epitomes of disaster movie brilliance: “The Poseidon Adventure” and “The Towering Inferno.” I remember watching these movies with my family huddled around our television set, hearts racing with every twist and turn.
Disaster is approaching, and we’re all on the edge of our seats to see what happens next.
In the movies, we experience a mix of excitement, fear, and curiosity, even if it’s just for entertainment. Rest assured, your safety is ensured beyond the movie screens or in the comfort of your own home.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the allure of grand spectacle on the big screen. This fascination isn’t new; it dates back to the earliest days of cinema. And as screens grew larger, actors more prominent, and stakes higher, this draw only intensified. Disaster films, a specific genre with roots in action/adventure, romance, thriller, and military movies, first gained distinct recognition in the 1970s with groundbreaking titles like “Airport” (1970). These films not only spawned sequels but also inspired similar themes in other blockbusters such as “Earthquake” (1974), “Rollercoaster” (1977), and “Meteor” (1979). A recognizable star often graced the leading role, accompanied by a talented ensemble or Hollywood legends.
As a child of the ’90s, I grew up watching movies that made my heart race with excitement and fear as I witnessed the power of nature unleashed on the big screen. One film that left an indelible mark on me was “Twister” from 1996. The way the wind whipped through the air, the tornadoes tearing apart everything in their path, it was a thrilling and terrifying experience.
11. 2012 (2009)
In an amusing turn of events during recent history, there was mass fear that the world would come to an end in the calendar year 2012. This anxiety stemmed from a misinterpretation of Mayan culture and history, which incorrectly assumed that the end of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar signaled the end of the world. Consequently, numerous books, documentaries, and movies profited greatly from this phenomenon in the years preceding the date. The most notable of these productions was Roland Emmerich’s 2012. In this film, John Cusack portrays Jackson Curtis, a struggling science fiction writer whose life is upended as he and his family face global catastrophes that even the most powerful human forces cannot prevent. Accompanying them in their struggle for survival are President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) and his science advisor Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), as well as conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson). The storyline serves as a backdrop for the visual feast, which includes an impressive range of disasters such as earthquakes, megatsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and city-devouring floods. While I cannot attest to its merits in character development, 2012 unquestionably delivers on spectacle, becoming the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year at that time, which is now hard to believe given today’s standards.
10. Daylight (1996)
In simpler terms, the 1996 film “Daylight,” directed by Rob Cohen and starring Sylvester Stallone, was not well-received by critics or the actor himself. Nevertheless, this smaller-scale disaster movie is engaging and centers around the struggles of survivors instead of the size of the catastrophe. When thieves crash trucks loaded with toxic waste into the Hudson River tunnel, an explosion follows, killing most people and collapsing the tunnel, leaving a few survivors stranded. Among them is Kit Latura (Stallone), a former EMS chief, who tries to find a way out. However, celebrity athlete Roy Nord (Viggo Mortensen) believes he can save people through an access corridor, leading to a power struggle as the lives of innocent people are at risk. With a secondary explosion causing water to flood the tunnel, survival becomes more uncertain. “Daylight” is a fun, somewhat cheesy disaster movie written by Leslie Bohem, who later wrote “Dante’s Peak.” Despite its clichés and one-liners, it offers an exciting experience for fans of disaster movies and peak Stallone performances.
9. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
I’ve always been impressed by Emmerich’s ability to create disasters on the big screen. It’s ironic that his movie from two decades ago about rapid climate change sparked controversy and made a fortune, given where we stand in climate change negotiations today. Regardless, Emmerich’s “The Day After Tomorrow” left an indelible mark as it marked the beginning of a new ice age at the turn of the millennium. Following Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) and his son Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are unfortunately separated by states, both must face the challenges posed by this superstorm that threatens to wipe out everything they hold dear. Inspired by the non-fiction book “The Coming Global Superstorm” by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber, the film takes a more spectacle-driven, emotionally manipulative and scientifically inaccurate approach, which is typical of Emmerich. However, that doesn’t detract from the excitement of the movie as floods, hurricanes, and shifting glacial plates bring about an apocalyptic scenario across the world. Familiar faces like Emmy Rossum, Sela Ward, Dash Mihok, Kenneth Welsh, and Ian Holm add all the necessary exposition and emotional connections for a disaster movie to succeed.
8. The Wave (2015)
In Norwegian filmmaker Roar Uthaug’s work, the storyline revolves around a hypothetical situation where the Åkerneset crevice in Møre og Romsdal collapses, triggering an avalanche that results in a tsunami over Stavanger. Geologist Kristian Eikjord (Kristoffer Joner), noticing unusual activity near the crevice and severed sensor wires, becomes alarmed and warns his former boss about the potential danger. However, the boss refuses to activate evacuation alarms due to the financial loss that would come with such an event. Kristian’s fears come true as an avalanche occurs, leading to a massive wave. Separated from his wife Indun (Ane Dahl Torp) and children during the disaster, Kristian braves the floodwaters to reunite with them. While many films possess a blockbuster feel, The Wave stands out as a gripping and realistic portrayal of consequences and survival efforts. Although the narrative of a father trying to find his family during a disaster is not new, the compelling performances and terrifying depiction of impending disaster make The Wave an edge-of-your-seat thriller.
7. Don’t Look Up (2021)
“We really did have everything, didn’t we?” Ultimately, the disaster isn’t natural catastrophes but mankind’s distracted nature.
6. Deep Impact (1998)
Mimi Leder’s “Deep Impact” is frequently overlooked and considered a secondary film when compared to other giant asteroid disaster movies of the summer of ’98. However, this underrated production holds its ground independently. In the story, high school students Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood) and Sarah Hotchner (Leelee Sobieski) make an intriguing discovery at their astrology club – an anomaly in the sky that they report to the authorities. A year later, journalist Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni) uncovers what she believes is a political sex scandal but finds herself reporting on a much larger issue instead: a massive asteroid hurtling towards Earth. To save humanity, astronauts, led by experienced commander Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall), embark on a mission to land on the asteroid and detonate nuclear bombs. Leder skillfully portrays the emotional turmoil of humans facing extinction while offering a relatable depiction of a government struggling to adapt. While not your typical crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster, “Deep Impact” reminds us of the significance of human bonds, forgiveness, and love, emphasizing that even the tallest buildings and grandest achievements pale in comparison to the vastness of the universe.
5. Armageddon (1998)
The summer of 2000 was marked by two asteroid-themed movies, “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon.” While both films were box office successes, “Armageddon,” directed by Michael Bay, resonated more with audiences due to its emphasis on heartwarming moments and blue-collar heroes. The plot revolves around NASA recruiting deep core drillers led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) to destroy a giant asteroid threatening Earth. Amidst the chaos, personal conflicts arise between Stamper, his daughter Grace (Liv Tyler), and her boyfriend A.J. (Ben Affleck). With an ensemble cast featuring stars and character actors like Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, Michael Clark Duncan, Owen Wilson, Will Patton, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, Keith David, and Peter Stormare, “Armageddon” boasts one of the most impressive line-ups for a disaster movie. Its nostalgic feel recalls classic ensemble films such as “Airport” (1970) and “The Towering Inferno” (1974). Additionally, Aerosmith’s hit song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” underscores the film’s status as an iconic summer blockbuster experience.
4. Twisters (2024)
In a departure from the typical legacy sequel, director Lee Isaac Chung creates quite a stir with his unique take on a standalone sequel to the tornado-themed film. The story revolves around Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a former tornado chaser who harbors the ambition of chemically disrupting twisters to save lives. Sadly, her pursuit ends in disaster. Five years later, Javi (Anthony Ramos), a former member of her team, approaches Kate with a military-developed tornado-mapping system and requests her assistance. As she encounters Tyler Owens and his team of “Tornado Wranglers,” who seem to be motivated by thrill-seeking and publicity, Kate is reluctantly drawn back into the dangerous world of tornados. With compelling leads and a strong supporting cast, this film offers an exhilarating experience, free of superheroes, aliens, or dinosaurs. Instead, it showcases ordinary people bravely confronting the perils of natural disasters using unconventional methods and endearing personalities. While Twisters may not revolutionize the summer blockbuster genre, it provides a refreshing perspective and an enjoyable watch, devoid of the usual fan debates associated with summer movies (except for that missing kiss!). If you’re feeling inclined to see it, don’t hesitate – chase the storm!
3. Twister (1996)
A list prepared in expectation of “Twisters” wouldn’t be whole without the original title, “Twister.” Following the success of “Speed” (1994), director Jan de Bont delivered another thrilling blockbuster. The film’s allure wasn’t only due to its impressive spectacle but also the captivating chemistry between actors. Bill Harding, portrayed by Bill Paxton, and his estranged wife, Dr. Joe Harding, played by Helen Hunt, were reunited under unusual circumstances – a tornado outbreak in Oklahoma. The ensemble cast included Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes, Alan Ruck, and Jami Gertz. In many ways, “Twister” pays homage to the art of filmmaking. The team, bonded by a common goal, were ready to risk their lives for a significant creation. Meanwhile, competitors aimed to release a product solely for financial gain. Instead of focusing on the intricacies of tornado chasing or meteorology, the movie prioritized characters and their connections. Tornados served as the catalyst, making the destruction they caused and imminent danger even more poignant because we empathize with and cheer for the endangered characters.
2. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
“Hell Turned Upside Down” – The Captivating Tagline for Ronald Neame’s “The Poseidon Adventure”
1. The Towering Inferno (1974)
An undertaking so big, that it required two studios to make it. Before the days of dueling releases based on the same concept — a la Deep Impact and Armageddon, or Dante’s Peak (1997) and Volcano (1997) — Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox were able to cast aside the idea of two competing movies to put all of its resources and talent into one. Moving past their bidding war and duel over two novels: The Tower by Richard Martin Stern, and The Glass Inferno by Thomas N. Scortia and Frank M. Robinson. So, WB and Fox execs agreed to make The Towering Inferno with John Guillermin at the helm. The film sees luxury skyscraper The Glass Tower, the tallest building in the world, catch fire during its dedication ceremony due to faulty wiring and shortcuts taken in the development process. Uniting some of Hollywood’s biggest stars — Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, William Holden and Fred Astaire — The Towering Inferno ascribes to the heights all disaster movies should aim for.
The lengthy film, approximately three hours, starts off slowly with the fire not igniting until an hour in. However, this pacing is intentional as it allows the audience to become acquainted with the numerous characters and provides a clear sense of progression within the tower. This technique was later utilized by James Cameron in “Titanic” (1997), where character development and environmental awareness were key elements. The villainous figure, Simmons, portrayed by Richard Chamberlain, who is connected to the developer Jim Duncan, played by William Holden, and responsible for the tower’s faulty wiring, mirrors Billy Zane’s Cal Hockley from “Titanic.” Architect Doug Roberts (Newman) and fire chief O’Hallorhan (McQueen) work tirelessly to contain the fire and rescue as many people as possible. The death toll rises, along with the magnitude of the sets. The fire and practical effects in this movie continue to be impressive, with an outdoor elevator scene that remains as thrilling as modern-day disaster films. “The Towering Inferno” (1974) is a pioneering disaster film that contributed significantly to the genre’s popularity. Its impact continues to influence subsequent films in the genre.
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2024-07-22 20:55