Movies
Ranking John McTiernan Films: #3 – “The Hunt For Red October” (1990)
Remember. One ping only.
“In November 1984, the Soviet Union’s best submarine captain violates orders and heads for the U.S. in a new undetectable sub. The American CIA and military must quickly determine: Is he trying to defect or to start a war?”
Director: John McTiernan
Writers: Tom Clancy, Larry Ferguson, Donald E. Stewart, David Shaber
Cast: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Joss Ackland, Richard Jordan, Peter Firth, Tim Curry, Courtney B. Vance, Stellan Skarsgård
Release Date: March 2, 1990
IMDB
Here it is, the end of arguably the greatest trio of debut films ever. The Hunt For Red October is a groundbreaking adaptation of Tom Clancy’s novel. Introducing the world to Jack Ryan, portrayed by Alec Baldwin, the film is remarkably watchable despite being mostly talking and sweaty eye-focused close-ups. It’s a testament to McTiernan and his sense of style that The Hunt For Red October is as watchable as it is.
The cast for this movie also LOADED. Sean Connery plays Marko Ramius, and he’s joined by heavyweights like Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, and James Earl Jones. How about spot appearances from Tim Curry and Stellan Skarsgård for good measure? If you watched The Hunt For Red October now, you’d not only be rewarded with a great time but also plenty of “oh shit, that guy” moments.
While Predator and Die Hard have copious amounts of gunfire to appease the audience, this submarine tale uses the intelligence of its characters to get the crowd going. When Ramius, Ryan, or any of the navy men successfully navigate a difficult situation, it’s the same feeling as Schwarzenegger nabbing the villain before delivering a quippy one-liner.
The Hunt For Red October was nominated for three Academy Awards at the 1991 awards, winning the Oscar for Best Effect, Sound Effects Editing. It is the only movie of McTiernan’s to win an Academy Award and the last to be nominated.
Remember. One ping only.
STANKO RATING: A
Stanko Excel Lists | Movies, Books, Podcasts. TV Shows
Stanko Letterdbox Account
Ranking The Mission: Impossible Films: #7 – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
There is a lot happening in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. One could argue that there is too much going on.
Ranking The Mission: Impossible Films: #8 – Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Much maligned as the worst of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible II doesn’t do itself any favors upon rewatch.
Four Shorty Reactions: “MaXXXine” (2024), “Monkey Man” (2024), “Raising Arizona” (1987), “Scoop” (2024)
MaXXXine (2024) “In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.” Director: Ti WestWriter: Ti WestCast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Halsey, Lily Collins, Kevin Bacon, Bob Cannavale, Michelle…
Stanko's Stance 