Thursday Movie Picks by Wandering through the Shelves is here again. According to the theme of the week, three to five movies are picked and shared with the reason. Should anyone be interested in joining in, feel free to visit the main page here.
Our theme for this week is: Disappearance. I don’t have lots of repertoire for this theme, therefore, I don’t make theme within theme. I only share 3 films about people gone missing for whatever reasons, which really get my nerve. So, here are my picks!
01. Gone Baby Gone (2007, Ben Affleck)
Gone Baby Gone (2007, Ben Affleck) – Casey Affleck
In his directorial debut, Ben Affleck directed his own brother, Casey, in a thriller from Dennis Lehane. Daughter of a troubled woman (Amy Ryan) is missing, allegedly abducted; and private investigator (Casey) and his girlfriend (Michelle Monaghan) are hired to find out the whereabouts. In fact, they find a web of sheer events larger than the ‘abduction’ itself. The disappearing girl is only the beginning.
02. Absentia (2011, Mike Flanagan)
Absentia (2011, Mike Flanagan)
Mike Flanagan, now known as director of acclaimed horror Oculus and Ouija: Origin of Evil, once made a film about a tunnel, which makes people disappear. This supernatural drama is intense and non-standard, although such myth is a common thing in Asia.
03. Gone Girl (2013, David Fincher)
Gone Girl (2013, David Fincher) – Ben Affleck
David Fincher does what he does in this thriller and satire to over-dramatizing media publication of tragedy. Working on Gillian Flynn’s adaptation, Gone Girl immediately roots into the titular character—a posh, manipulative woman (Rosamund Pike), who disappeared one day. Her disappearance only reveals her true nature and true nature of her deadpan husband (Ben Affleck).
Thursday Movie Pick #16: Disappearance
12 responses
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Gone Baby Gone and Gone Girl are great choices. I haven’t seen your other pick. I wanted to use Gone Girl myself but I have that movie for a later pick.
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Glad you liked those two movies, which surprisingly Affleck-related.
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Haven’t seen nor even heard of Absentia, I’ll have to check it out. The other two though are worthwhile films. I thought Gone Girl was a bit chilly and felt a distance from the characters but overall it was a decent watch with an excellent Rosamund Pike performance.
Gone, Baby Gone is a tough little film, Affleck does very well in getting the feel of Boston down and Casey Affleck is strong in the lead.
There are more limited choices for this week than there has been for the last few previous ones but still some good films available. My first actually is one of my all time favorite movies.
Missing (1982)-A young American couple Charlie and Beth Horman (John Shea & Sissy Spacek) are living in Chile while he works as a freelance writer observing the political situation. Suddenly they are caught in a coup and when Beth returns home one day their house is ransacked and Charlie is missing. When word reaches the States his disapproving father Ed (Jack Lemmon) arrives looking for answers. Despite assurances by the authorities that everything is being done an unbelieving Beth and increasingly doubtful Ed begin their own search, as they come to understand each other at last Ed’s eyes are opened to facts that go against everything he believes in. Riveting fact based drama directed by Costa-Gravas earned four Oscar nominations-Best Actor & Actress for Lemmon and Spacek as well as a Best Adaptation and a Best Picture nod.
Without a Trace (1983)-Susan Selky (Kate Nelligan) helps her six year old son Alex get ready and watches him set off on the three block walk to school in their affluent New York City neighborhood but he never makes it. When he doesn’t return home at the appointed hour she slowly comes to the realization that something is terribly wrong and contacts the police. Both she and her husband (David Dukes) are immediately suspected, when it becomes clear they aren’t involved the police follow other leads but the case soon turns cold. For everyone that is but Susan who becomes so determined in her pursuit she pushes almost everyone including her husband and good friend (Stockard Channing) away. However with the assistance of one detective who also won’t give up (Judd Hirsch) she presses on determined to have some resolution whatever that may be. Exceptionally well-acted but a tough watch.
The Seventh Victim (1943)-Mary Gibson (Kim Hunter) arrives in New York City intent on locating her sister Jacqueline who has disappeared. As she starts searching she meets resistance from all quarters including her sister’s husband. As she delves deeper into the mystery she discovers a connection to devil worship and begins to fear for her own safety. Low budget noir produced by Val Lewton has a nice sense of dread and looks at a provocative subject for a forties film. This was future Oscar winner Hunter’s screen debut.-
Haven’t heard any of your recommendations, but your description kinda got my nerve to try them sometimes.
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I haven’t seen the first 2 but the first film has been on my bucket list for a while. The second film sounds too scary so I will pass but I did see the last film. Afflecks character is annoying but his wife is downright nuts!
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The first film has a kinda connection with Gone Girl. You should try watching it!
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I also picked Gone Girl (and I was rooting for Affleck as well). I haven’t seen the other two but they already are on my watchlist.
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Great! Always love people who love Gone Girl!
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I haven’t seen Absentia, but the other two films on your list are terrific. Great post!
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Thanks! Absentia is a hidden gem indeed.
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A small Afflect connection here, both Affleck films I have seen (and like).
I reall like Mike Flanagan so I will give Absentia a watch.-
YAAAAASSSSH! Glad you liked that Affleck connection!
If you like Flanagan, you’ll love it, too. At least, I hope so.
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