It’s Thursday and I’m back with a new Thursday Movie Picks feature post. This series is hosted by Wandering through the Shelves and offers you a weekly prompt to post some movie recommendations/talking points according to the theme. Usually, you are supposed to post about 3-5 examples, which I find a very manageable amount.
This week’s special theme is Natural Disasters! I can’t with good conscience say that I love watching those, simply because they stress me out a lot. They’re literally natural phenomena and could happen (or have happened in some cases), which is sad and devastating and … does not exempt them from making good movies, I suppose. Here are my examples! (which definitely won’t *all* be realistic ones)
Twister (1996)
My dad had this movie in a box set with disaster films, I suppose, and I don’t know why, but I fell in love with it. I was completely fascinated by these storms, would never ever become a stormchaser myself, but wanted to know all about them. I’ve now seen it several times and really still enjoy it.
Armageddon (1998)
When I was little, I was obsessed with this movie for no good reason at all. I think it might have been the soundtrack by Aerosmith (I know it was the soundtrack), but I have some good memories about this one.
The Core (2003)
There’s just SO many big actors in this and I thought it was an interesting concept. Mainly thought of it, because I’ve seen it on TV several times now, I suppose, but always am happy to see Stanley Tucci on my screen.
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
This documentary was one of the first to really rattle me. I was starting that age where I realized there was a world beyond my little bubble and I was just devastated to learn that we had screwed up our planet so much. There a lot of new and different information we have at this point, but I’m still glad that watching this was one of those eye-opening-moments for me.
Only the Brave (2017)
We all know I have a thing for firefighter content, so here we are. Need I really say more?
Life and Other Disasters 
I’m 3 for 5 with these. The actual twister part of Twister is impressive but the narrative leaves much to be desired though that’s hardly unusual in disaster flicks.
Speaking of which Armageddon is another one with impressive effects and a lame-brained story. The upside of that is I saw it on its initial release at the Uptown in DC which has a 70 foot screen so you feel you’re IN the movie.
The Core does have a wonderful cast but I thought it was draggy. I rarely return to it.
The other two are on my too see list but I haven’t gotten to them yet.
Rather than go with three where the disaster was the main thrust of the film I looked for films where the event impacted the story but wasn’t the whole story.
The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)-Soldier Darios (Rory Calhoun) arrives on the Isle of Rhodes during the Hellenistic period to finds King Serse (Roberto Camardiel) has commissioned a larger-than-life statue of Apollo (destined to be one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World) meant to protect the harbor. Upon meeting master builder Carete (Félix Fernández), who has been commissioned to erect the statue Darios falls in love with his daughter Diala (Léa Massari). Through their alliance Darios also becomes involved with Peliocles (Georges Marchal) and his rebel force who seek to overthrow the tyrannical king. As a revolt foments a massive earthquake lays waste to nearly all.
Tornado (1943)-Coal miner Pete Ramsey (Chester Morris) has a whirlwind romance with rapacious showgirl Victory Kane (Nancy Kelly) who is passing through town and impulsively marries her. Social climbing Victory pushes Pete to work his way up in the company to enter a high tax bracket but still unsatisfied takes up with Gary Linden (Morgan Conway), the philandering son of the mine owner behind Pete’s back. As matters come to a crisis point the title tornado blows into town and coal isn’t the only thing to hit the fan.
Red Skies of Montana (1952)-After a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of his crew smokejumper Cliff Mason (Richard Widmark), unable to recall the event, is fearful that cowardice might have been at fault. Though cleared though an investigation he is determined to prove himself again especially since one man’s son, Ed Miller (Jeffrey Hunter), suspects Cliff was responsible for his father’s death. When a canyon wildfire breaks out Ed pursues Cliff there for a confrontation but when they become trapped Cliff must take desperate measures to save them both.
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We match with Armageddon 😅
An Inconvenient Truth is a brilliant pick – I wish I had thought of that!
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I was obsessed with an Inconvenient Truth back in the day. I even got the super expensive book and yet, I would have forgotten it if I didn’t check the imdb tag for movies for our weekly theme
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Nice selection! Disaster movies can get quite over-the-top but they are indeed fun when done right. I vividly remember when I first watched The Day After Tomorrow as a kid. These kinds of movies make me so grateful for not living near a volcano, somewhere prone to earthquakes or tsunamis!
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Thank you! I live in a really safe area as well and am so glad that’s not stuff I have to worry about either haha
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An Inconvenient Truth felt like a bit of a power point presentation to me, but what they were saying was very effective and horrifying. I like that pick, it’s very outside of the box!
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Hahaha thanks! I saw the book for An Inconvenient Truth on my shelf and figured it would fit this post as well.
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I’ve seen Twister which is quite annoying and stupid especially the Hunt character. Armageddon is also stupid but enjoyable to watch overall. I have not seen The Core but just look..this time the Colosseum is destroyed among other landmarks. This is what happens in most disaster flicks of the last 25 or so years. I have not seen the documentary because, frankly, it’s so true and downright depressing although I hope people are a bit better…yeah, I know. I have not seen the last film either but that one looks good.
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I haven’t seen An Inconvenient Truth, I’m just not into watching feature length documentary. I do though watch those nature and science shows on channels like National Geographic…and yeah it is scary.
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